G.—No. 31

No. 5. Greenstone Warden's Report, for Six Months ending 30th June, 1871. Sir, — Warden's Office, Greenstone, sth July, 1871. With respect to the Greenstone District, I have the honor to report that the population is estimated at about 600, distributed as per Return marked A. There is a decrease of about 100 since the previous half-year. The gold fields revenue and fees and fines of Courts during the last six months amount to £845 35., which, I am glad to say, shows an increase of £375 3s. Od. over that of the half-year ending 31st December last, as per Comparative Return marked B. Return of prices of provisions and rate of wages is also attached, marked C. Having been but a short period in charge of this district, which I visit only once a week, I do not feel in a position, on this occasion, to give any lengthened report, from actual personal knowledge, respecting its state and requirements ; but from all I can gather, I may safely assert that it will compare favourably with the previous half-year. It is apparent to me that the great drawback is the want of water to work what is evidently a vast amount of ground, which would support a large mining population for years to come. I cannot help remarking on the unfavourable position of the Greenstone Township, situated in the bed of the creek, and subject to serious injury, even to destruction, from floods, to say nothing of the tailings from the working on Duke's Terrace approaching very inconveniently the back of the town. It would therefore be desirable to find a more suitable site for it. It is gratifying to observe the many small settlements and pieces of ground under clearing on the road from the Teremakau Junction to the Greenstone, which evidently evinces a desire on the part of the public to become permanent settlers, when they have an opportunity of obtaining land fit for ordinary cultivation. I have, &c, Matthew Price. Warden.

Table A. Population Return in Greenstone District, Estimated on the 30th June, 1871. Pounamou Township ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 Duke's Terrace ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 130 Township as far as Maori Point ... ... ... ... ... 100 Argus Terrace ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 8hedFlat ... ... ... :" ... ... ... 70 Greenstone Road... ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 Hohonu Junction and Gullies ... ... ... ... ... 50 Total ... ... ... ... ... 600

Table B. Comparative Return estimating Population and Revenue for the Half-year ending 30tli June, 1871, and the same for the Half-year ending 31st December, 1870. Half-year ended 30th June, 1871. Estimated Population—600. £ s. d. Gold Fields Revenue of all kinds ... ... .. ... 772 0 0 Fees and Fines, Wardens'Courts ... ... ... ... 10 1 0 Fees and Fines, Resident Magistrates' Courts ... ... ... UiJ i 0 £845 :! 0 Half-year ended 31st December, 1870. Estimated Population —700. £ s. d. Gold Fields Revenue of all kinds ... ... ... ... 371 8 6 Fees and Fines, Wardens'Courts ... ... ... ... 15 1 0 Fees and Fines, Resident Magistrates' Courts ... ... ... 73 8 0 £459 12 6 Table C. Peices of Provisions, also Wages of Miners, Servants, &c, in the Greenstone District, for the Half-year ending 30th June, 1871. Flour, per lb., 3d. ; tea, per lb., 3s.; coffee, per lb., Is. 9d.; sugar, per lb., 8d.; butter, per lb., Is. 3d.; cheese, per lb., Is.; tobacco, per lb., 6s.; bacon, per lb., Is. 6d. ; ham, per lb., Is. 6d.; soap, per lb., 6d.; oatmeal, per lb., 8d.; rice, per lb., 8d.; candles, per lb., Is. 6d.; potatoes, per cwt., 12s. ; freBh meat, per lb., 8d. ; bread, 4-lb loaf, Is. 6

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GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND