G.—No. 31

FURTHER REPORTS ON THE

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may be formed of the extent of work done by the Local Boards. Much remains to be done, and it is the intention of the Government to assist the local bodies, which will tend greatly to promote the trade and increase the convenience and comfort of the fixed trading population of the Thames. Considerable progress has been made in the formation of streets ; but one of the most important departments pertaining to local self-government in towns —namely, sewerage —has not yet been touched. These returns speak for themselves : there is a returning prosperity over the whole gold fields. Land is being fast taken up, under lease and otherwise —it is believed, with bond fide intentions of working it fairly, instead of selling it at a profit. If such be the case, the success of mining operations is secured, and the Auckland Gold Fields will be recognized as one of the most important permanent industries promoting the prosperity of the Colony of New Zealand.

INDEX TO THE AUCKLAND GOLD FIELDS EETUENS. A. Return of G-old. M. Return of Dividend-paying Companies, with Amount of B. Eeturn of Gold Duty. Dividends. C. Return of Gold from the Mines. N. Return of Tramway Returns. D. Return of Batteries, Thames and Coromandcl. O. Return of Customs Duties. E. Return of Miners' Rights, Coromandel. P. Return of Shipping. F. Return of Claims under Miners' Rights. Q. Returns of Vessels employed in Coal Trade and ShipG. Return of Claims under Miners' Rights, Thames and ments of Coals. Coromandel. R. Return of Blasting Powder. H. Return of Mining Leases, Thame9. S. Return of Cost of Provisions. I. Return of Mining Leases, Coromandel. T. Return of Rate of Wages. K. Return of Mining Companies in Liquidation. TT. Return of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. L. Return of Mining Companies working and quoted in V. Return of Highway Boards. Share Market.

TABLE A. RETURN showing the Quantity of Gold exported from the Province of Auckland, from 12th January, 1870, to 30th June, 1871; including also the Quantity of Silver exported during the same Period. Gold.

Silver.

Table B. Eettten of Gold Duty received from 1st January, 1870, to 31st May, 1871. £ s. d. Quarter ending 31st March, 1870 ... ... ... ... ... 3,751 0 6 Quarter ending 30th June, 1870 ... ... ... ... ... 2,916 14 8 Quarter ending 30th September, 1870 ... ... ... ... ... 2,013 4 2 Quarter ending 31st December, 1870 ... ... ... ... ... 1,924 0 0 Quarter ending 30th March, 1871 ... ... ... ... ... 8,942 13 5 Two months from 1st April to 21st May, 1871 ... ... ... ... 5,883 0 0 Total ... ... ... £25,430 12 9

Date. Quantity. Value. •uarter ending 31st March, 1870 (uarter ending 30th June, 1870 (uarter ending 30th September, 1870 ... (uarter ending 31st December, 1870 (uarter ending 31st March, 1871 •uarter ending 30th June, 1871 Oz. 30,008 23,334 16,106 16, 086 84, 019 66,216 £ 105,997 85,449 60, 933 66, 767 292,417 236,981 234, 769 848, 544

(uarter ending 31st March, 1870 •uarter ending 30th June, 1870 ... ■ ... •uarter ending 30th September, 1S70 ... Quarter ending 31st December, 1871 ... •uarter ending 31st March, 1871 wo Months ending 31st March to 31st May, 1871 9,990 15, 207 11, 7G6 G,364 20,604 63,931 19,585 Note. —The quantity of silver exported is given with the Gold Eeturn as it is extracted froi 'rovince of Auckland. the gold pri iduced in tin