D.—2a.

Gold.

The more important alluvial gold fields are found at Ross, in the neighbourhood of Hokitika, at Kumara, Charleston, and the Lyell; but there are many outlying localities where alluvial mining is carried on —as at the Maruia Valley and elsewhere. Some of these deposits will last at least twenty or thirty years ; but the industry is so shifting and uncertain that no very definite idea can be formed in regard to its durability or productiveness, and the system of sluicing limits the quantity of ground that can be worked by the amount of water supplied for the purpose. In many cases those engaged in this industry make a good living for a few years, or even realize small fortunes, at the cost to the country of the permanent destruction of the soil. Reefton is the centre of a large quartz-mining district. The number and extent of the gold-bearing quartz reefs are very considerable, and give employment to a numerous population; and there is no reason to doubt that, consequent on further prospecting, many more auriferous reefs may be discovered : it is estimated that those known to exist will last for forty years. At present, about 20,000 ounces per annum are extracted from the reefs; but for every good claim that is worked a large number are taken up and not worked, for want of means. Indications are said to exist in this vicinity, as well as in the country south of Hokitika, of various minerals, but nothing very definite is known of the value or extent of the deposits. Antimony appears to be the most plentiful as yet discovered, but the value of or demand for such ore is very uncertain; it exists in great quantities in other parts of New Zealand, but has never been utilized. Sandstone slabs and granite stone are procurable on the West Coast, and may probably add somewhat to the railway traffic hereafter. Present Traffic. The present traffic with the West Coast consists of live stock, provisions, general merchandise, machinery, &c, imported ; coal, gold, and timber exported; as well as a small amount of passenger traffic. Of live stock about 2,600 great cattle and 16,000 sheep are driven overland from Canterbury, and 1,800 cattle and a proportionate number of sheep are imported by steamers from Wanganui, annually; the cost of driving is represented as 15s. 6d. per head on cattle, and from Is. 6d. to 2s. on sheep, and depreciation and loss come to a similar amount. The freight by sea for cattle is 255., and 2s. to 3s. for sheep; the depreciation and loss is very small. The hides and tallow are exported to Dunedin or Melbourne. Provisions and general merchandise are imported by sea from Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin. A considerable traffic with Melbourne is being gradually supplanted by Dunedin. The total amount is upwards of 20,000 tons per annum. The freight on these goods to New Zealand ports is 20s. by steamer, and varies from 10s. to 15s. and even 17s. per ton by sailing vessels. Wheat and oats are carried at about 6d. per bushel by steamer. Insurance is charged at greater rates for Hokitika and Greymouth than for Westport, and port charges and inland carriage are very costly. The present passenger-traffic to and from the East Coast is very small; probably about 800 in the year travel by the coaches, and a few hundreds by steamers, but we obtained no reliable information on this point. The fare by coach is about £5, but the actual cost, with incidental expenses, of a journey to Christchurch amounts to a larger sum. There is also a considerable local traffic of passengers and goods between Greymouth and Reefton. The export of gold only affects traffic indirectly. Most of it passes through Wellington on its way to Sydney and Melbourne. The »yport of timber amounts to over 1,000,000 feet per annum; the freight from Greymouth to Lyttelton is about 45., and the cost about 4s. 6d. per 100 feet at the mill. The export of coal is carried on only so far as the facilities afforded by the harbours will allow. The entrance to the Grey is shallow and dangerous, and the port is not available at all in rough weather. At Westport the harbour is better than Greymouth, but is far from beingsafe for any but small vessels. Harbour works, with the object of improving the depth on the bars, are in progress at both Greymouth and Westport, but the works are not sufficiently advanced to have any marked effect. Only a very limited number of small vessels are engaged in the coal traffic^ and the delays and risk are a great discouragement; but we learned that steamers specially constructed for the trade are now arriving in the colony, and an increased trade is confidently anticipated. At Westport 48,000 tons of coal are raised yearly, and the price is about 12s. 6d. f.o.b. At Greymouth the production is about 64,000 tons, and the price, f.0.b., is about 11s.

Alluvial.

Reefs,

Minerals,

Building stones.

Live stock,

Merchandise

Passengers,

Timber

Coal.

6