19

H.—9

RETURN showing the Number of Rights, Licenses, and Registrations issued by the Receivers of Revenue at their respective Offices during the Twelve Months.

GENERAL STATEMENT showing the Position and Progress of the Water-Race Companies receiving Subsidies from the Government, under the provisions of "The Public Works and Immigration Act, 1871 and 1872."

The statistical returns show that there are 360 head-races, conveying 550 heads of water a distance of 305 miles ; also 198 tail-races and 394 dams, duly registered, and constructed at a cost of £65,450, with mining plant and machinery estimated at £5,828; making a total of £71,270. The completion of the roads immediately out of the town of Greymouth has opened up about fifty miles of good roads for dray traffic, and twenty miles of horse tracks through the district. The usual returns are forwarded herewith in duplicate, those of the Greenstone being set out in separate forms, to show the total revenue from that portion of the district. I have, &c, W. H. Eevell, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, "Wellington. "Warden. No. 9. Mr. Warden FitzGebald to the Undee Seceetaet for Gold Fields. Sib— Warden's Office, Waimea, 20th April, 1874. I have the honor to report as follows on the state of the Waimea district for the year ending 31st March last, and at the outset I would state that the district continues to maintain steadily a population of about 1,500, and that little discontent prevails; the only complaint being as to the scarcity of water, which in dry weather it is impossible to procure at any price. The completion of the Waimea water-race is anxiously looked forward to by all, more especially by the old residents, who have acquired a considerable stake in the Province; and I am glad to hear that the works are being vigorously pushed ahead, and when complete I have no doubt a considerable impetus will be given to mining operations. Numerically there is little change in our Chinese population (which I now estimate at 250), although many have passed through this district for the Grey Valley and other gold fields, and at the present time I constantly hear of new arrirals. The good feeling to which I referred in my last report as existing between the Europeans and the Chinese still continues ; and although the latter do not spend much money, the storekeepers report them to be good cash customers. There have been 104 cases tried in the Warden's Court, 1,211 certificates of registration issued, and a revenue of £2,127 15s. 6d. collected, exclusive of gold duty.

Greyniouth. Arnold. Clifton. Greenstone. Total. liners' Eights Jusiness License lalf-yearly License... Quarterly License ... Registrations, 5s. Do. 2s. 6d. Do. Is. ... Spirit License, wholesale Jottle License letail License \>wn of G-reymouth, retail fearly, conditional lalf-year, conditional Extensions 3ush Jxtended Claims 437 14 37 13 342 37 1,034 5 4 10 42 3 17 6 15 140 4 18 5 3 200 5 12 1 6 294. 16 27 9 69 201 3 10 1,071 39 94 28 411 37 1,235 5 7 29 42 6 20 6 17 1 22 i 3 1 1 2 1 13 "7 2

Hibernian. New River. Hohonu. Hohonu Extended. length of "Work completed to 31st March, 1874 length to complete STo. of men employed ... 3ost of Work constructed xovernment Subsidy received ... nterest paid Subsidy refunded ifcent of Water ... Quantity to let, Heads ... 6 miles T £6,000 7 miles 3 miles 13 £5,800 6 miles 33 chains 2 £9,653 7s. Id. 1 mile 40 chains 1 mile 40 chains 18 £500 £2,000 £126 11s. 9d. £2,592 14s. 6d. £174 6s. £1,533 6s. Id. £218 13s. 3d. £444. 11s. 6d. £2 10s. 40 to 50 £1 10 £1 6