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Warden's Court. —Cases heard, 21; Applications, 261; Gold-mining leases applied for, 18; Agricultural leases applied for, 0. Revenue. £ s. d. Licensing Court ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,148 0 0 Licensing fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 37 17 0 Gold Receiver's revenue ... ... ... ... ... 1,504 9 9 Resident Magistrate fees and fines ... ... ... ... 218 3 5 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... £2,908 10 2 The principal item of mining intelligence connected with this district is the completion of the Hochstetter water-race, brought in by the Government at an expenditure of about £100,000. This work, from its difficulty of construction, owing to the impassible character of the country it traverses, has occupied many years of patient and persevering labour, and reflects great credit upon the skill of the engineers and faithfulness of the contractors employed upon it. It is constructed to carry 60 heads of water (new regulation heads), of which about 30 have been sold. The estimated revenue is about £300 per month, and cost of maintenance about £210 per month. The margin does not appear to pay fair interest upon the capital expended; but rents from gold mining leases, miners' rights, gold duty, and other indirect sources must be considered as tributaries of revenue in connection with the scheme. A comparatively small additional expenditure would extend the race to Callaghan's Creek, where, in the opinion of the majority of miners, a large area of payable auriferous ground would be commanded by the high level of this water. At Moonlight and Blackball Creeks discoveries of gold-bearing quartz are reported. As yet the ground is insufficiently proved to warrant any prediction of success ; but the prospectors are sanguine enough to devote their time and labour to the chances of the speculation. At Orwell's Creek, where for many years rich prospects of deep alluvial gold have been obtained, operations have been carried on w rith the utmost vigour. I regret to say the results have disappointed those most interested. One company, the Napoleon Hill, has since its formation expended over £100,000 upon the claim, and are still at work. According to my last information their prospects seem somewhat brighter; but hitherto they have not succeeded in raising sufficient gold to meet current wages. The districts of No Town and Cobden have, since the date of my last report, been transferred to the charge of Mr. Warden Revell. The completion of the Grey Valley Road, between the Grey River and Deveney's Terrace, anticipated to be effected in August next, will greatly facilitate communication and transit between the two districts of the Inangahua and the Grey, and ought to reduce the high cost of necessary provisions and mining plant. The gradual and steady growth of Reefton has given encouragement to agriculturists throughout the Grey Valley, as they can depend upon a certain and remunerative market for their produce. Good roads and bridges will, of course, assist this industry, and prove a mutual benefit to consumer and producer. Generally, I would remark upon these districts that in the out-put of gold, in population, in agricultural and pastoral holdings, there has been during the past year a most marked and satisfactory increase. In fact, by whatever test we would measure the advance of a community towards civilization, wealth, and comfort, I find here no declension, but substantive and appreciable progress. I have, &c, Edward Shaw, The Under Secretary for Gold Fields, Wellington. Warden.

WESTLAND GOLD FIELD (Including part of Nelson South-west Mining District). No. 9. Mr. Warden Revell to the Under Secretary for Gold Fields. Bir— AVarden's Office, Greymouth, 20th May, 1878. I have the honor to report on the district under my charge for the year ending 31st March, 1878, as follows : — In May, 1877, material alterations were made in the boundaries of the district by the transfer of the Greenstone District, situate in the Grey County, to Mr. Warden Price, and giving me in lieu thereof the supervision of that portion of the Nelson South-west Mining District known as the Cobden and No Town Districts, formerly under the control of Mr. Warden Shaw. I have little to report concerning the progress of mining operations during the year. The population showed a considerable decrease, both of European and Chinese miners, and, with the exception of the quartz reef at the Black Ball, no new discoveries have been made. The South Beach still maintains a small population, working in the low terrace near the sea, and washing the black sand thrown up occasionally by the heavy tides. The two large water-races constructed some years ago are beiug used for ground sluicing, and great inroads have been made into the terrace. Three alluvial gold-mining leases have been granted on the terrace, on the east side of the road, south of the Greymouth Town Reserve, and the lessees are bringing in deep-tunnel tail-races from the beach, to drain and work the ground, which is very wet,