C—3

53

Statement showing the Comparative Returns from the Quartz-mines in the Reefton District from the 1st April, 1880, to the 31st March, 1901, and a Similar Return for the Years ending the 31st December, 1901 to 1906.

Westport- Charleston Subdisteict. In last year's report I dealt very fully with Westport and Charleston, and since that date there is nothing of importance in any of the claims being worked to require special mention. A considerable number of small alluvial claims continue to be worked, and in many instances are paying more than wages. A very large area has been taken up in hundred-acre prospecting licenses in Karamea District, which licenses are granted for twelve months, when, if lodes are found, they should be taken up as claims. The only direct communication is by small steamer from Westport to Karamea. From information supplied, Mount Radiant is a most promising district for the genuine prospector. It has been proved that copper exists in considerable quantities in the lodes, besides gold, silver, and other minerals. Up to the present time there has not been that amount of prospecting which the number of prospecting areas taken up warrants; but I feel satisfied when more prospecting has been done some important finds will be made, for there is a very large area of auriferous country open for prospecting. Ahaura Subdistrict. Blackball and Healey's Gully. —The number of miners in this district has increased during the year. The Montgomery Terrace Sluicing Company, having resumed operations, have constructed a large dam, and, with a fairly constant supply of water, it is to be hoped that it will meet with a fair share, of prosperity. The Republic Sluicing Company's claim is being worked on tribute, and, it is said, with success. The Garden Gully Quartz-mining Company, having met with disappointment in the past, is now sanguine of striking a payable reef. The Paparoa Coal-mining Company, employing about two hundred men, is energetically prosecuting the work of opening up its coal-mine on the Paparoa Ranges. Hillier and party, Hyndman Bros., G. Perotti, and Henry Wessels are all working sluicing claims in this locality, with fair results. Moonlight—Very little new ground has been worked in this locality. The Shetland Terrace Sluicing Company, which suspended -operations some time ago through shortness of water, having now obtained additional capital, have resumed the completion of their water-race. Mitchell and party are engaged at Upper Moonlight in the driving of a tunnel 450 ft. in length. Nelson Creek. —During the year five dredges have been at work winning gold to the value of £32,936, out of which the Pactolus Company has returned £16,875 to its shareholders. On the 14th December,

Years ending Galls made. Dividends Quartz declared, crushed. Yield of Gold. Value of Gold. list March, 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1698 1899 1900 1901 1st December, 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 £ s. 10,218 17 25,504 3 64,345 0 49,456 0 29,333 0 24,565 0 21,596 0 30,432 0 38,919 0 27,531 0 20,404 0 25,956 0 18,800 0 14,350 0 10,153 0 8,418 0 9,033 6 7,859 3 5,920 6 10,747 8 5,826 9 6,233 6 6,900 0 4,587 0 5,262 0 3,870 0 1,995 16 d. 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 8 9 7 8 0 0 0 0 8 £ 19,650 37,643 32,600 16,500 34,100 14,500 33,450 17,550 16,688 18,250 27,325 30,743 16,900 18,832 11,012 25,925 4,900 50 900 47,050 35,300 58,199 48,475 57,641 54,674 55,343 57,826 Tons. 29,926 14,894 18,928 23,433 34,349 27,198 23,930 24,403 28,564 32,394j 39,643! 35,562 37,693 34,518 26,602 29,816 13,270 9,751 42,305 58,277 82,618 97,870! 98,485 109,571 113,375 106,150! 96,246 Oz. dwt. gr. 17,597 14 10 20,154 0 0 19,194 0 0 16,547 0 0 23,997 0 0 14,591 0 0 21,143 0 0 16,775 0 0 18,663 0 0 17,780 0 0 23,347 0 0 23,390 0 0 20,171 0 0 18,413 0 0 13,426 10 0 22,025 0 0 8,365 4 20 4,266 7 1 21,487 18 15 26,693 3 18 33,979 5 5 46,066 16 12 46,561 9 9 58,840 6 15 49,693 16 7 44,091 6 11 40,295 3 16 £ s. d. 68,630 13 10 78,600 12 0 74,856 12 0 64,533 6 0 93,588 6 0 56,904 18 0 83,171 15 5 66,030 11 5 72,720 18 0 69,676 12 1 91,998 8 10 95,885 5 I 80,894 5 1 73,752 14 11 53,509 5 1 87,935 18 4 33,824 7 1 18,253 7 3 87,587 1 0 108,455 17 8 134,557 7 11 186,719 6 7 188,655 2 5 195,468 16 10 215,996 3 6 177,462 19 9 156,167 18 2 Totals ... 488,215 19 2 792,026 1,285,771 687,555 2 19 2,715,838 10 3