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efforts are successful, I feel confident that quite an impetus will again be given to quartz-mining in this neighbourhood. Fairly good stone is reported to have been found between Macrae's and Dunback, but particulars are not yet to hand. On the whole, I think the prospects of this part of the field are certainly more promising than at the date of my last report. At Nenthorn there are a few men still employed in a somewhat desultory manner on some of the old claims. The only battery left on the field is the old Croesus, which has been crushing small parcels of quartz from the few claims still being operated upon. In some instances the stone has given good returns. Water has been very short lately, as in other parts of the district. So far as I can learn, some 200 tons have been treated at the Croesus battery, with a return of (approximately) 130oz. of gold. lam informed that there is a considerable quantity of quartz now raised awaiting water for crushing, which from indications should give a good return. Hyde and vicinity I think show greater indications of improvement, at any rate prospectively, than for some time. At the Pour-mile there has been a considerable amount of work done, consequent upon Kelly and party securing very good prospects; and, at what is known as the Deep Sinking, Mongavon and party are stated to be on very good gold. This party have taken up a lease, and intend to work the ground thoroughly. The depth runs from 120 ft. to 150 ft., the nature of the ground necessitating timbering, which is a very expensive item. More attention is being directed to the banks of the Taieri, where gold is found to exist almost anywhere where a trial is made, but not always in payable quantities. A number of the workmen employed on the Otago Central devote some of their spare time prospecting the gullies on the course of the railway and the river-banks. I have recently granted several claims, the result of prospecting by the parties alluded to. On the Bock and Pillar matters remain about the same. One or two claims have changed hands. Naseby and Vicinity. I have but little to remark with regard to the workings in this neighbourhood. The dryness of the latter part of the year has, no doubt, told against the individual and general success of all mining here, but I am glad to say the temporary want of water has not diminished the population to any marked degree, and work is being carried on by both the European and Chinese miners with as much energy as hitherto. At Coal-pit Gully Hewitt's claim is being worked at a depth of some 50ft. with, I am informed, fairly good results; the other claims lam not informed about. On Enterprise Terrace, being perhaps the most important locality to the west of Naseby, there are about five and twenty men at work, the average depth of stripping being about 50ft. Mr. Young has recently taken up an extended claim there, and has gone to an expense of £200 in taking water on the ground by syphon. In Main Gully there are nearly fifty men at work, the principal claims being those of Messrs. Guffie and party and the Extended Company. Both of these parties are elevating, with good returns I believe. There are a number of Chinese miners in the upper part of this gully and the smaller gullies running into it, the majority of whom are reported to be doing well, and, in some instances, particularly well. In Home Gully and Wet Gully there are about five and twenty at work, principally Chinese, all doing a little, one or two perhaps something over wages. A party of Chinamen are stated to have had a most successful season in Mulholland's Gully. At Spec Gully there are from twenty-five to thirty miners making, on an average, small wages. The Government water-race has been bringing a fairly good supply of water in until the latter part of the year, and I understand Mr. Murray, the manager, has had no difficulty in disposing of it. Settlement on the land is still advancing rapidly, notwithstanding the unprecedentedly low prices of all produce. For every new block thrown open there appears to be ever an astonishing number of applicants, and evidence is not wanting of permanent improvements being carried out all over the various blocks thrown open. The construction of the railway is no doubt attracting many to settle along the line, and, with a return of remunerative prices for stock and produce, I have no hesitation in predicting a prosperous future for the settlers in this part of Central Otago. The subject of conservation of water, although of such importance to the district generally, has not advanced in any way during the past year. This is much to be regretted. No doubt the initial cost would be large, but the benefits accruing would, I consider, be quite commensurate. In times of high flood incalculable quantities of water run to waste. Competent persons consider a large supply could easily be secured and kept in reserve if the necessary dams were constructed. I give herewith a summary of the business transacted in the Warden's Courts and offices: Complaints in Warden's Courts, 37 ; ordinary applications, 435; licensed holdings granted, 5; special claims granted, 4 ; miners' rights issued, 557; water-race licenses, 46; general registrations, 508 ; revenue collected, £1,545 18s.; approximate estimate of yield of gold, 15,0000z. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. S. Mead Dalgliesh, Warden.

No. 14. Mr. Warden Wood to the Undeb-Secbetaby of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Warden's Office, Clyde, 13th May, 1895. I have the honour to enclose herewith the annual statistical returns, and to submit the following report on mining matters in the sub-districts under my supervision, for the year ended 31st March, 1895 :— " Clyde and Alexandea. Although the past season has been the most unfavourable one experienced here for several years, mining generally in this portion of my district has shown sure signs of improvement, whilst the number employed in this industry has considerably increased.