H.—l

12

THE Revenue for the twelve months, amounting to £5,150 0s. 9d., is made up as follows: —

NELSON GOLD EIELDS. No. 11. Mr. Warden L. Bboad to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sib,— Warden's Office, Nelson, 26th June, 1877. During the past twelve months the diggings of AVangapeka, Sherry, and Baton Rivers have continued to maintain the usual small population. At Tadmor a discovery of payable gold caused a rush on a moderate scale, but so far, although rather better than 100 men have been constantly at work, and getting fair returns, their numbers do not increase. In the spring, and when proper pumping appliances are erected, it is likely there will be a considerable addition to the number of miners. The Tadmor Hill has also been prospected, and from reliable reports I believe would pay remarkably well for sluicing. A water-race could be constructed at an expense of about £6,000, and it is possible some steps may be taken ere long by a private company to make this work. The revenue for the district during the year has been £88 Is. 6d. I have, &c, Lowthee Beoad, The Under Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Warden.

No. 12. Mr. Warden C. Bboad to the Undee Seceetaey for Gold Fields. Sic,— Westport, 14th May, 1877. I have the honor to forward you herewith a report upon tho districts under my charge for the year ending the 31st March, 1877, together with the usual forms of statistics. The district under my charge embraces the new settlement of Karamea on its northern boundary to a place inland some 100 miles, known as the Devil's Grip, which is also situated about the same distance up the Buller River from AVestport, thence southerly some 70 miles to the Cannibal's Gorge, and thence by a straight line to the sea at Razorback. These lines embrace the following settlements: Westport, Mokihinui, Karamea, Hampden, Marauia, Matakitaki, Mangles, Lyell, Charleston, and Brighton. A monthly Court is held at the Lyell, a distance of 44 miles from Westport, and at which the miners beyond the Lyell up the Buller River, including Hampden, Matakitaki, Maruia, and Mangles, usually attend, although it is often found necessary to proceed to Hampden, some 30 miles beyond the Lyell, for the purpose of settling disputes on the ground.

Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Totals. Warden's Department Resident Magistrate's Department Spirit Licenses Fees: Licensing Courts Gold Duty, Westland £ s. 534 17 672 14 445 0 52 0 2,492 17 d. 0 6 0 0 3 £ s. d. 286 1 0 21 2 6 240 0 0 £ s. d. 199 9 0 24 19 6 180 0 0 £ s. d. 1,020 * 7 0 718 16 6 865 0 0 52 0 0 2,492 17 3 Total ... 4,197 8 9 547 3 6 404 8 G 5,149 0 9 Retubn of Miners' Rights, Licenses, an at th( 1 Registrations : dr respective offii issued by the Receivers of old Revenue 3es : — Greymouth. Clifton. Arnold. Totals. Miners' Rights Business Licenses Half-yearly do. Quarterly do. Registration, 5s. Do. 2s. 6d.... Do. Is. 324 5 4 5 309 28 918 281 i 168 1 5 773 6 10 5 309 28 918 Total ... 1,593 282 174 2,049 W. H. Revell, Warden.