4

REPORT OE THE GREY VALLEY

F—No. 3,

The general opinion of the people of all classes whom I have consulted is, that even independently of new discoveries, which the gradual opening up of the country may reasonably be expected to lead to, the present ground is sufficiently rich and extensive to support a considerable population for some years. My own observation also led me to believe that tho extensive waterworks at the Greenstone would insure a large yield of gold from that quarter for some time ; large sums are also being expended in races and machinery intended to develop the easily accessible ground on the South beach, near Greymouth. Expenditure for the past Twelve Months, from July 1, 1869, to June 30, 1870, and Estimate of possible Reductions. It may reasonably be asked why the Schedule marked D, and appended to this Beport, should be headed " Approximate Estimate," when absolute accuracy was so desirable. I must explain, in selfdefence, that the County Treasurer undertook to furnish me with a detailed statement of the sums expended by the County north of the Teremakau during the [past year. After considerable delay, being again applied to, he informed me that he was unable to furnish me with the required details. As no annual balance sheet, apparently, is published by the County, I had no alternative but to extract the information piecemeal from various sources, a tedious and not altogether satisfactory process. I am confident, however, that the statement I have drawn up is a very close approach to the truth, and that no serious mistake has crept into my calculations. If anything, the margin that I have allowed is too liberal, as I was anxious not to under-estimate the liabilities of the North District. The actual expenditure for the past year I put down at £22,872 17s. 2d., and the unavoidable expenditure for the future at £13,129 ss. 9d.; but no allowance is made in this reduced estimate for roads and public works, nor for share of interest on the County debt, £4,486. The addition of this item would make the total expenditure £17,615 ss. 9d., leaving, as shown by the statement of revenue marked A, a balance of £9,489 15s. 9d. for public works, share of Brovincial expenses, and other charges. System of apportioning the Gold Duty between Nelson and Westland. An impression having been for some time prevalent in Nelson, that the Province is a loser by the plan adopted for apportioning the gold duty, I waited upon the Managers of the several Banks in Greymouth, who courteously explained what precautions were taken for entering the gold, as brought in by each seller, under distinct headings for the County and the Province, and further permitted mo to inspect the books, which, in three of the Banks, were furnished with separate columns for gold brought from the two places, the same object being attained in the Bank of New Zealand by prefixing the initials N. or W. to each entry. I also received an official letter from the Collector of Customs at Greymouth, testifying to the care and accuracy with which the Bank returns are compiled. In order to set this question finally at rest, if possible, I obtained a return of the gold revenue received, and of the number of miners' rights issued in the Nelson portion of the Grey Valley, and in Greymouth, respectively, for two years (See also E), the result being as follows : — 1868-69. Nelson, Gold Duty £6,958 3 3 ... Miners' Bights, 2,235 Greymouth, „ 4,369 18 6 ... ~ 1,416 1869-70. Nelson, „ 7,374 13 9 ... „ 2,266 Greymouth, „ 7,144 15 8 ... „ 1,711 In the first year's return, the proportion between the number of miners' rights issued and the gold duty collected is kept very closely ; but in 1869-70,1,711 miners in Westland apparently produced nearly as much gold as 2,266 men on the Nelson side. I confess that lam unable to account for this discrepancy, which may however be only accidental, and confined to one year. Extent of Territory to be annexed, its Character and Value. The total area is about 375 square miles, or 240,500 acres. At least 60,000 acres may be described as absolutely worthless, consisting of rugged and almost inaccessible mountains. The land fit for agriculture may be roughly estimated at 30,000 acres. Though much of the soil of the more level portions of the district is of excellent quality, it is not only covered with dense forest throughout, but the surface, which is generally wet, is interlaced with such a network of roots that to clear and drain it would be exceedingly costly. The time must therefore be far distant when these lands can be profitably occupied by farmers, notwithstanding the high prices obtained on the spot for all kinds of produce. Only 430 acres, including town sections, have yet been sold in this part of the County, and the lands leased for agricultural purposes amount to only 50 acres. The land fit for pasture may be roughly reckoned at 20,000 acres, half of which is open country of poor quality ; 1,250 acres are set apart by Government for townships; and tho Government reserves outside of townships, but including Coal reserves, amount to 5,100 acres. Native reserves occupy 1,090 acres. Comparatively little has yet been done towards opening up the country by means of roads, the metalled tracks throughout the district amounting to only nineteen miles. Amount of Debt of the County of Westland, and the probable Proportion that would be charged lo Nelson. The present County debt amounts to £198,961 13s. 10d., as nearly as I can ascertain, tho precise amount being difficult to arrive at, owing to the way in which the accounts are kept. The annual interest on the loan and sinking fund (which will, of course, diminish yearly from tho operation of the latter) is now £13,460. What proportion of this debt would be charged against the Province of Nelson cannot bo estimated with anything like exactness, as it is impossible to say how far other considerations than that of revenue, such as population, extent and value of territory, Sec, would affect the decision of arbitrators, to whom the question would probably be referred. Taking an official return, compiled for the information of the County Council, and purporting to show the proportionate amount of revenue received in the districts north and south of the Teremakau