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working in the neighbourhood of Addison's Flat. As these workings extend to the southward, it will probably be thought advisable, to continue this road along the foot of the hills, to connect it with the Charleston district.

A short piece of dray-road has been made to keep open the communication between Brighton and the port of Woodpecker Bay, the natural road which formerly existed along the beach having been washed away by the sea.

A considerable sum has been expended on the maintenance of the Grey valley road, and on just such rough tracks up some of the more important tributaries of that river as appeared necessary to assist in the development of the resources of that most important district, which demands more attention and encouragement than we have latterly been enabled to devote to it.

The bridle road through the bush up the Ahaura valley has all been contracted for, and will be completed by December 31st, at a cost of about £2,000; and will probably produce most important results, by connecting the West Coast with the Wai-au-ua, affording a ready market for the stock of the Amuri district, enhancing the value of the grass lands of the Upper Grey, lessening the price of meat on the diggings, and rendering an extremely likely-looking country accessible to the miners.

Of the expenditure on the roads in the Buller valley, I am unable to make any report, as the accounts do not pass through our books; and I presume that the Provincial Engineer will give the requisite information concerning them, as well as his opinion upon the laying out and construction of all the roads on the Coast which he has inspected during his recent tour, and which have been made since his last previous visit.

I have had the continuation of the coast road to the northward, between Mokihinui and Little Wanganui, laid out and blazed, ready to be commenced whenever circumstances will permit; and I have also had the Mokihinui Valley thoroughly explored, to ascertain the best means of supplying provisions to the large tract of auriferous country towards the upper part of that river, in case of the discovery of any large extent of payable ground. The reports which I have received are not such as to encourage any track through the mountainous gorgy country which intervenes between the coast and the basin of the Upper Mokihinui, as it appears that, like the Upper Karamea, it could be more easily supplied from the eastern side of the range. Several parties having lately succeeded in taking up provisions in boats, this district will, no doubt, be thoroughly prospected.

The discovery has been reported of a practicable track between Brighton and the Little Grey, but as it appears that it crosses the Paparoa range at an elevation of 5,000 feet, I have no hope of any practical benefit being derived from it, although I have thought it worth while to send a road overseer to inspect and report upon it.

I am aware that there cannot, for some considerable time, be any funds available for roads and public works on the gold-fields, but I may mention a few of the works most requisite in the order of their relative importance:—

1. Protection to the bank of the River Buller, in front of the town of Westport. This should be commenced as soon as possible, as a matter of economy, before any more of it is washed away.
2. Continuation of the coast road to the northward, between Mokihinui and Wanganui.
3. Bridge over Buller near Lyell, and completion of Buller Valley road.
4. Bridle track on the coast road, up Fox's River, to avoid crossing the river.
5. Bridle track, Skibbereen to Charleston.
6. Continuation of road on north bank of Grey, from Twelve-Mile to Moonlight.

With regard to buildings, all those requisite have been erected, with the exception of a new Custom-house at Westport. A hospital is also much required at Westport, but I hope that a considerable sum may be raised by public contributions towards its erection. The comparatively isolated position of Charleston and Brighton has unfortunately necessitated the erection of separate gaols, hospitals, and other buildings at each place.

If the Mokihinui progresses, a court-house, police-station, lock-up, post-office, and custom-house, will be required there; but there is no necessity at present for anything more than the present police-tents and a lock-up, which will shortly be erected.

I am happy to say that the population have been very orderly, and that, owing chiefly to the efficient state of the police force, with the exception of one death by violence in the neighbourhood of the Buller, and a few petty thefts and breaches of the peace, there has been very little crime committed on the gold-fields.

I estimate the population as follows:—

Buller district ... 5,000
Grey ... 4,000
Brighton ... 2,500
Charleston ... 3,200
Mokihinui ... 1,500
Westport ... 1,500

18,000

The revenue for the next six months may be thus estimated:—

£
Warden's Court Revenue ... 10,000
Gold Export Duty ... 18,000
Provincial Share of Import Duties—
Westport, Brighton, and Greymouth ... 12,000
Sale of Land on Gold-fields ... 2,000

£42,000

Other returns are also appended, showing the expenditure during the six months ending September 30th, and the probable amount required in the several departments under my control for the ensuing half-year.

I have, &c.,

T. A. SNEYD KYNNERSLEY,
Commissioner.

Commissioner's Office, Westport,
October 23, 1867.

Printed under the authority of the Provincial Government, Nelson, by NATION & LUCkIE, Waimea-street,
Nelson, Printers for the time being to the said Government.