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1894.

NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT.

BY THE HON. A. J. CADMAN, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. Speaker,— In preparing a Statement on the mining industry of the colony I find myself limited to localities and matter trodden over and dealt with by other Ministers during the past ten years, thus affording one very little latitude for original remarks. The industry may be said to be confined to gold and coal, for, although there are a variety of other metalliferous and mineral ores in the colony, very little attention has as yet been directed towards their development, and, in all probability, so long as gold and coal continue to be worked remuneratively, we need not look for rapid strides in other branches of mining. The reason for this is obvious. Gold is found in the ore in a metallic state, and, although it occurs in many instances in combination with other metals —making its extraction of a somewhat complex nature —yet those persons at present engaged in mining pursuits in the colony are better acquainted with the methods of extracting gold and silver from ores than they are with the mode of dealing with any other metals. Hence the difficulty in getting people to devote either their labour or capital to the opening-up of other mines. The improvements in machinery and appliances for the reduction and treatment of auriferous and argentiferous ores have done a great deal towards making lower-grade ores pay for working. The introduction of the Cassel process, by which the gold and silver in the pulverised ore is leached out, and a far larger percentage of the assay-value obtained than hitherto got by any other method, was last year the means of making some of the mining companies in the North Island remunerative ventures; whereas without this process the operatious would have been carried on at a loss. The Cassel process is, however, far from perfect, as it will give only an average result of about 85 per cent, of the assay-value of the gold in the ore, and .about 50 per cent, of the silver. The loss therefore of the precious metals is still very considerable. This loss varies in proportion to the character of the ore ; when it contains argillaceous material forming a great deal of slimes, no method has yet been adopted whereby the cyanide of gold and silver can be completely washed out. The slimes absorb the cyanide, but after being for some time in the vats it seems to set closely together and form impervious bands, through which the solution cannot be filtered. For the reason stated, the process has not as yet proved a success in treating the tailings in the Middle Island, but it is expected that the difficulty will soon be overcome. As showing the value of the Cassel process, I would mention that the Cassel Company purchased the tailings belonging to the Waihi Company, which had been stacked from the time that crushing operations were commenced up to November last, for .£5,000; and, from the beginning of the present year up to the 23rd of August, bullion to the value of £11,369 has been recovered. I may also be permitted to remark that the improvements in hydraulic and dredging appliances enable ground to be worked remuneratively that a few years ago could not be operated upon except at a loss. There is still plenty of scope for the extension of hydraulic sluicing ; but, in order that a much larger number of men could be employed in this branch of mining, it would require a conservation of the water in numerous available streams and rivers, which can readily be brought to command localities where auriferous drifts are known to exist. The whole of the water-rights, however—the streams which are easily brought to command the ground —are held by private parties, who in many instances do not utilise

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one-half of the water for which they hold rights. Some of the water-races are not of sufficient capacity to convey the number of sluice-heads for which the rights are granted, and in most cases the water is used only from eight to twelve hours a day, it being allowed to run to waste for the remainder of the time. In many instances this waste could not be prevented, as the topographical character of the country is not suitable for the construction of storage reservoirs ; but there are many places where these could be constructed, and the spare water conserved. The utilisation of water as a motive-power to work mining and other plants also deserves consideration. There are a number of rapid rivers which could not be diverted at a reasonable cost to command the auriferous drifts, but which, in many instances, especially on the west coast of the Middle Island and in Otago, could be easily utilised to generate electricity, which can now be transmitted for long distances with very little loss. In some places, even large pumping plants might be used with success to raise water for hydraulic-sluicing, where the motive-power would cost nothing beyond the necessary expenditure on machinery and appliances for lifting the water. There are large areas of country, which could be made remunerative for working by hydraulic sluicing were water available, which are not suitable either for agricultural or pastoral purposes, but nevertheless could be utilised so as to afEord employment to a large number of men for many years. Assistance to the gold-mining industry has always been subject to the whim of the Minister or Ministers of the day, the result being that help has been rendered spasmodically in accordance with the political pressure generally from goldfield members. What is required is the establishment of a definite fund whereby reasonable amounts will be periodically raised, and to which may be added any sum Parliament may consider advisable. In very few instances will any company venture to test deep-levels without assistance, with the certainty that such assistance will be given on some definite basis to be agreed on before the work proceeds ; and that any balance of an unexpended vote at the end of any financial year will be again re-voted. MINERAL PRODUCTION. On reference to Table No. 1, annexed, it will be found that the quantity and value of gold and silver produced for the year ending the 31st December, 1893, was 289,8870z., of the value of £922,881 ; while 700,603 tons of other minerals (including 8,317 tons of kauri-gum), of the total value of £899,793, were also produced for the same period, as against 260,1320z. of gold and silver, of the value of £958,710, and 687,295 tons of other minerals—including kaurigum—of a value of £907,566 produced for the previous year. The details of the quantities and values of the different minerals exported for the year are as follows: G01d—226,81 loz., value £913,138; silver—63,o76oz., value £9,743; antimonyore—33l tons, value, £3,467; Manganese-ore —-319 tons, value £943 ; mixed minerals— 37 tons, value £650; c0a1—69,136 tons, value £72,699; coke—sl tons, value £53 ; kaurigum —8,317 value £510,775 ; while the coal produced and consumed in the colony amounted to 622,412 tons, valued at £311,206 ; making a total value of all minerals of £1,822,674. The value of gold and silver produced up to the end of 1893 was £49,454,886, and the values of other minerals and metalliferous ores, including kauri-gum, are as follows : Copper, £17,866; chrome, £37,367; antimony, £49,507; manganese, £56,107; haematite, £226; mixed minerals, £70,322; kauri-gum, £6,860,196; coal exported, £659,882; coke exported, £23,643. The value of coal raised and consumed in the colony being £3,842,408; making a total value of £61,072,410. I may here mention that the quantity of foreign coal imported for the year ending the 31st December, 1893, was 117,444 tons, of the value of £111,956 : of this, 6,026 tons, of the value of £6,460, was, however, again sent out of the colony. GOLD-MINING. The gold-mining industry has done more than any other towards the settlement of the colony. When we look back at the small number of inhabitants in New Zealand before the discovery of gold, we must admit that the present population is clue to the great influx of people in the early days of the goldfields. Although the number of persons now employed in gold-mining is small, compared with what it was when the Dunstan, Shotover, and West Coast diggings broke out, there are still about 60,000 people supported by this industry, which, even at the present time, forms an important factor in the prosperity of the colony. Thousands of acres of land have been put into cultivation which, but for the large

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population the discovery of gold brought to our shoves—giving the bond fide agriculturist a local market for his produce—would in all probability still be in its natural state ; either covered with bush and fern, or devoted only to the pasturage of a few sheep and cattle. Gold-mining, like all other industries, is rapidly being brought to a science. The happy-go-lucky method of working hitherto pursued, by sinking here, there, and everywhere without a defined plan, is fast dying away. Men are getting a better knowledge of mineral and metalliferous ores, and the formations in which to look for them. The improvements in machinery and appliances admit of ground being worked far more cheaply than formerly; but, notwithstanding this, gold-mining is becoming more difficult as year after year passes by. The auriferous lodes, where rich patches of gold were found in the past, are getting worked out on the upper levels, and deep-sinking in many places, with a large influx of water to contend with, has to be undertaken in order to follow the lodes down. This, together with requiring men of skill and ability to carry on the operations to a successful issue, adds considerably to the cost of working. In alluvial mining the greatest labour-saving appliance that can be used is a large supply of water at ii high elevation above the ground proposed to be worked; but this requires a considerable outlay in the construction of water-races, tail-races, and hydraulic plant. The working miner of to-day is very differently situated from the miner of former years. He now requires not only to give a large amount of labour, but he must have a considerable sum of money at command, to enable him to go into the undertaking. The wages of the miner are much less than formerly, and now many of them having large families to support cannot afford to lay by sufficient money to enable them to undertake operations on a large scale. To bring a mining venture to a payable stage, capital and labour require to go hand in hand, and every encouragement and facility should be afforded the miner to get our mineral wealth developed. The field for gold-mining operations to be carried on should be extended to the utmost possible limit, as this industry will afford employment to the working-classes, and have a much greater tendency towards solving the question of the " unemployed " than any other. Even on the old-established goldfields men can always earn a livelihood, though they may not be able to make the ordinary rates of wages. It is intended to give better facilities by granting a good tenure to land on goldfields, so that the miners can build comfortable homes and have a sufficient area on which they can grow their own vegetables and keep a cow or two, thus enabling them to maintain their families and reduce the cost of living to a minimum. The yield of gold for the year ending the 31st March last (Table No. 2) shows an increase over the previous year of 12,0430z., representing a value of £52,753. The total yield last year, according to the Customs returns of the quantity entered for exportation—not including the gold manufactured into jewellery, &c, in the colony—was 247,7020z., representing a value of .€970,220; while the yield for the former year amounted to 228,6590z., having a value of £917,467. The increased yield last year came from the Auckland and Otago districts, being 11,37 loz. and 4,7810z. respectively; while the Marlborough district showed a decrease in the yield over the former year of 7930z., Nelson 6130z., and the West Coast 2,7060z., making the total increase in the North Island and Otago 16,1550z., and the total decrease in the other districts, 4,1120z. Of the gold produced last year, the Auckland district contributed 52,4260z., or 2178 per cent of the total yield; Marlborough and Nelson, 4,4410z., or I*B4 per cent.; the West Coast, 98,9300z., or 41-10 per cent.; and Otago, 84,9050z., or 35"28 per cent. Earnings of the Gold-miners. The only way this can be arrived at is by taking the returns furnished to the Department by the various Wardens of gold-mining districts, of the number of miners actually employed in claims on the goldfields, and the quantity of gold entered for expoitation, according to the Customs returns. This does not, however, represent the whole of the gold, as there is a certain quantity manufactured in the colony each year, and parcels, are, no doubt, taken away by Chinese and others leaving the colony which do not go through the Customs. On the other hand, there are a number of men employed by the miners in getting blocks and sawn-timber for mining, who are not included in the return of miners employed in claims. These may, I think, be fairly taken into account, as against the extra amount of gold obtained over the quantity shown for exportation in the Customs returns. The total number of miners employed last year was 11,553, as against 12,197 for the previous year, showing a decrease in the number last year of 544. This decrease is principally

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in the Otago District. Taking the number last year, and the value of gold obtained—viz., £970,220, the average earnings of the miners are equal to about £83 19s. 7d. per annum, while their average earnings for the former year amounted to £75 4s. sd. This shows an increase of £8 15s. 2d. over the average earnings for the former year. Taking the different districts, with the number of miners employed in each, and the value of the gold obtained, the average earnings in each locality would be as follows: Auckland, £161 13s. 7d. ; Marlborough, £36 55.10 d. ; Nelson, .€3B Bs.; West Coast, £75 7s. 3d.; and Otago, £75 18s. lid. a man per annum. The average earnings in some districts are small, but many of the miners employ a portion of their time in other pursuits. QUARTZ WORKINGS. The returns furnished by the proprietors of crushing mills which, will be found in detail in pages 33 to 85 of the Inspecting Engineer's Report on the Goldfields, will show honourable members that this branch of gold-mining is steadily progressing and the yield increasing. As the quartz workings maybe termed "the permanent gold-producing mines " of the colony, it is gratifying to find the yield of gold increasing from this source. The returns referred to show that in the Auckland district 89,916 tons of quartz were crushed, and 18,900 tons of tailings treated, which gave 64,3850z. of gold and 61,3890z. of bullion, representing an estimated value of £219,651. This would be equivalent to about 80,2020z. gold, as the average value of the gold found in the North Island is about £2 lls. 6d. per ounce ; whereas the value of the gold found in the Middle Island is about £3 19s. per ounce. In the Nelson district 4,561 tons of quartz yielded 9140z. of gold, having an estimated value of £3,610. On the West Coast 45,090 tons of quartz yielded 28,553i0z. of gold, having approximately a value of £114,214; and in Otago 9,723 tons of quartz yielded 5,573i0z. of gold, representing an estimated value of £22,015 : making a total of 168,190 tons of quartz and tailings crushed, which yielded 120,2530z., of an approximate value of £359,490 as against £320,282 for the previous year. This shows that about 37| per cent, of the value of the gold obtained last year came from auriferous lodes. In connection with quartz workings, I may observe that the improvements in the appliances for recovering the gold from the crushed pulp have had a great deal to do with the increased yield from the North Island last year. In some cases nearly as much gold has been recovered from the tailings as from the crushed ore, after passing through the ordinary process of gold-saving. This is entirely due to the introduction of the cyanide process. Wherever this process has been adopted in the North Island it has proved a success. At the same time it is only on ore having a certain value that it can be used, as the expense of treatment, together with the royalty to the Cassel Company, would in very few cases be less than 12s. per ton, exclusive of the cost of fine crushing. The cost of treatment, however, varies with the class of the ore to be dealt with. This necessarily requires men having a metallurgical knowledge to treat the different ores successfully. I shall now briefly refer to the different localities where quartz-mining is carried on. COROMANDEL. The yield of gold from Coromandel, including Kuaotunu, last year was 10,0190z. This was obtained from 10,242 tons of quartz and 2,388 tons of tailings ; while for the former year 12,403 tons of quartz and 2,760 tons of tailings gave a yield of 12,9540z., showing a decrease in the yield of gold of 2,9350z. for the last year. The English company referred to in last year's Statement has not met with much success, but recently it has got gold-bearing stone in the deep levels of the Kapanga Mine ; and rich stone has also been discovered in the ground forming portion of the Coromandel Company's property. This will, no doubt, give an impetus to further prospecting in the locality. At Kuaotunu about the same number of claims have been worked as during the former year, but some of them have been giving very poor returns. The introduction of the cyanide process, however, added considerably to the yield of gold from that field last year. Both the Try Fluke and Great Mercury Companies have erected Cassel plants in connection with their crushing batteries, and last year 3,4200z. of gold was obtained by this process. The total yield of gold from the Kuaotunu field last year was 8,0440z. This came from 9,660 tons of quartz and 2,240 tons of tailings, but the tailings may be said to form portion of the quartz crushed.

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Thames. Notwithstanding the cry of depressidn in this district, there were 1,0680z. more gold obtained—according to the quantity entered for exportation for the year ending the 31st March last—last year than for the previous year, vide Table No. 2. The mines are, however, getting deeper as every year passes by, and a feeling is entertained that unless something is done to test the deep levels in a few years many of the properties will be valueless, as the holders have not sufficient means to undertake prospecting operations below the level that can be drained by the Big Pump; and, although there are a number of companies affected by the drainage system, the areas of their separate holdings are, however, comparatively small. A combination of the whole of the companies interested in the deep levels is required before any extensive prospecting operations in this direction can be proceeded with. The holdings below the 500 ft. level are at present utterly useless, but nevertheless the value placed on the ground in many instances is such that it will be a difficult matter to find outside capital to come to the assistance of the companies. Before any practical results will ensue, the present holders of mining property in this locality will have to modify their views in regard to the value of their claims, or else offer sufficient inducements for capitalists to assist them, otherwise mining in the district is bound to dwindle down, and in time many of the properties will be forced into liquidation. Every year the payable stone in the upper levels is gradually getting less, and the time will come when, unless money is forthcoming to test the lodes at deeper levels, the mines will have to be abandoned. It is a difficult matter to find persons philanthropic enough, even with Government assistance, to embark their capital for the benefit of others, unless they receive a corresponding advantage. During the last year there were 34,637 tons of quartz and 14,970 tons of mullock crushed, also 13,220 tons of tailings treated, on this field, yielding 34,6370z. of gold, representing an estimated value of .€92,650 ; while 650 men were employed in the mines. The principal gold-producing mines have been the Moanataiari, 45860z. ; New Alburnia, 5,9920z.; Hazel Bank, 2,6690z.; Waiotahi, 2,7190z.; May Queen, 4,3690z. ; and the Cambria, 1,4700z. Ohinemum. This is a district which is likely to become a very large gold-producing one, as it contains a large area in which auriferous lodes have been already discovered and are known to exist. In many places no prospecting has been done, and portions of the field are yet unexplored. The yield from the Waihi Company's mine last year proves that, by using improved machinery for saving the bullion, the property is a valuable one. Nevertheless, the same property from which this company is obtaining such large returns was worked for over eight years by the Martha Company, the yield being only sufficient to pay workingexpenses. The lode was previously worked by the Martha Company, which took out only what was considered the best portion of the stone, and from this only about 4dwt. of gold per ton was obtained by the process adopted by that company. Last year 19,343 tons of quartz were crushed from this mine, yielding bullion to the extent of 34,6610z., having a value of £54,000. As the company has erected a Cassel plant to treat the ore by the cyanide process, they expect this year to have much larger returns. By this means they get about 90 per cent, of the assay-value of the gold, and not more than 50 per cent, of the silver in the ore. Previous to this only 66 per cent, of the gold and 40 per cent, of the silver was obtained. At Waitekauri good returns have been obtained from the Komata Mine, and from Lowrie's New Find. Another discovery has been made by Birnie and party who have recently erected a crushing battery, but the results of the crushing have not been so far satisfactory. At Karangahake the Crown Company has been working successfully, and getting good returns. No doubt there are other lodes in this locality which by judicious working, with proper appliances for saving the bullion, would give payable results. All through the Ohinemuri district the gold is found in combination with a large percentage of silver, and the system of treatment requires to be quite different from that for ore containing free gold only. The battery returns from Waitekauri last year were : Komata Mine, 14,6060z. bullion from 1,708 tons of stone and 1,705 tons of tailings; Lowrie's New Find, 1,6320z., from 600 tons of quartz.; and the Crown Company, at Karangahake, crushed 4,544 tons of ore, yielding 11,1310z. bullion. The Crown Company was the first to introduce the cyanide process into the colony ; and, as they have made considerable improvements in the method of treatment, a much larger

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percentage o£ the bullion is now recovered. The total yield from the Ohinemuri district last year was 68,6030;5. of bullion, representing a value of about £107,000; while 454 men were employed in the mines. Waiorongomai. There are very few men now working at Waiorongomai. There appears to be a considerable amount of bullion in the ore, but so far it has not been treated successfully. A fair percentage of the value cannot be recovered by the ordinary battery process, and the ore contains too large a percentage of copper to treat it economically with cyanide of potassium. There are a large number of lodes in the district known to contain gold, but most of the miners originally in this locality have left the field, and very little prospecting is done. The total yield from this field last year was 2,5150z. bullion, representing a value of about £2,500, while only twenty-nine men were employed in connection with the mine. Lyell. This was never a large quartz-reefing district, the principal gold-producing claim being the Alpine. In this claim the lode has been stoped out from the surface to a depth of 800 ft., and it still gives payable returns. Adjoining this claim the Larnach Company have constructed an adit-level for a distance of about 3,300 ft., and have succeeded in cutting the north block of the Alpine lode, which is said to show gold freely. This company has been about twelve years constructing this adit-level, and it is to be hoped it will yet be rewarded for its labour and perseverance. During the past year there were 9,876 tons of quartz crushed in this locality, yielding 9,1860z. of gold, valued at £36,744; while seventy-four men were employed in the mines. Inangahua. This is by far the largest quartz-reefing district in the Middle Island. It extends for a distance of forty miles, but the claims are greatly scattered, Reefton being in the centre ; but there are only a few claims working within a radius of three miles of the town. The workings are gradually extending from Devil's Creek to the Big River. At the latter place some very good auriferous stone was obtained last year in the Big River Company's claim. At Merrijigs, the Cumberland Company has been doing fairly well, but the adjacent companies—namely, the Golden Lead and Sir Francis Drake—-were not successful in their operations last year. The Progress and Globe Companies at Devil's Creek both have a large number of men employed, and the former company has been successful in paying dividends, but the other company has only been paying expenses. The Keep It Dark and Wealth of Nations mines at Crushington have been worked steadily during the year. The latter company has been fairly successful, but the former has had to make calls to carry on prospecting operations. The Keep It Dark is the deepest mine below sea-level in the district, being about 150 ft. below that datum. At the Sir Charles Russell Mine, at Painkiller, some good stone has been struck, and a crushing-battery is now being erected near the mine. Prospecting operations at the deep levels are being carried on at Boatman's by the Welcome Company, but no payable stone has yet been struck. During the past year 35,214 tons of stone were crushed and tailings treated in the Inangahua district, yielding 19,367|0z. gold, representing a value of about £77,470. The total quantity of quartz crushed in this district since it was opened amounts to 594,461 tons, which yielded 449,4860z. gold, having a value of £1,698,997, out of which dividends have been paid to the extent of £529,429; while the whole of the calls made by the mining companies amount to £305,379. This shows that there has been £221,050 returned to the shareholders more than has been paid in calls. The value of the dividends paid last year was £18,832, while 312 men were employed in the mines. Otago. The principal quartz-mining districts in Otago are Skippers, Macetown, Old Man Range, Nenthorn, and Barewood; but the two principal claims where operations were carried on last year were the Phoenix and the Premier, both of which are now held by English companies. It is to be hoped that both these companies have been floated on the London market in such a manner that those investing their capital will receive a fair percentage for their money. We require capital in our mining ventures to assist in the development of our lodes, and I wish to see all persons who invest their money in undertakings of this nature receive adequate returns.

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The Phoenix Mine has recently been purchased by the Achilles Company, but no extensive operations have yet been commenced. The Premier Mine yielded a fair quantity of gold last year, owing to its operations having been extended. The Tipperary Mine, at Macetown, is now the property of an English company; but, so far, no payable returns have been obtained. The Cromwell Mine, at New Bendigo, is also the property of an English company, who have expended a considerable amount of money in prospecting the lode to a greater depth, and in sinking a new shaft, but, so far, without finding any stone of a payable character. Some very rich stone was obtained from this mine in the early days, and it is expected that another rich gold-bearing ledge will be found at a deeper level. At the Old Man Range, and also at Barewood, some of the mines have been worked at a considerable profit, but at neither of these places are extensive operations carried on. A few parties are still working some of the Nenthorn lodes, and getting a fair quantity of gold. The total quantity of gold obtained last year from quartz-mining in Otago was 5,573|0z., representing a value of about £22,015. Very little more is known this year respecting the Wilson River reefs than there was last year. The Golden Site Company, the owners of the prospectors' claim, have opened out on both sides of Wilson's River, and a portion of the lode on the north sido is said to be very rich. A crushing-battery has recently been erected, and the results of crushing the first 130 tons of lode stuff was 2040z. retorted gold. It is stated, however, that during the eight days occupied in crushing, six days was spent in puttiug mullock through the battery. Concluding Remaeks on Guaetz-Mining. In concluding my remarks on quartz-mining, I may be allowed to point out that the system hitherto adopted in working the mines is neither advantageous to the shareholder nor to the colony. Every mining company should have a fund to draw on to carry on prospecting operations when the day of adversity comes. Instead of paying away every shilling of the profits in dividends, a certain percentage should be placed to a reserve fund, which should be allowed to accumulate until required to open up fresh workings. This is exemplified in the case of the Welcome and Keep It Dark Companies, at Reef ton; and also in some of the companies at the Thames, who have paid away large sums in dividends without retaining any reserve fund; and applications are now being made to the Government to come to the assistance of these companies to help in the development of their properties. Had a reserve fund been created, and left to accumulate, many of the shareholders would not have been so eager to dispose of their shares, so as to get clear of calls. The effect of having a reserve fund would be that the shares would be better held, and money would be available for prospecting and opening out the mines afresh without having to make calls. ALLUVIAL MINING. I now come to alluvial mining, which is confined to the Middle Island and Stewart Island, but at the latter place there is scarcely any one working. About 62i per cent, of the gold produced last year came from the auriferous gravel drifts of the West Coast and Otago. Very little alluvial mining is carried on, however, in the strict sense of the term, the principal workings being hydraulic sluicing and dredging. The ground, as it becomes poorer, requires to be worked on different methods to that adopted in former years, when only a pick, shovel, and tin dish were required to enable the miner to earn his livelihood. Water must now be made to do the work instead of manual labour. By having a good supply of water, and plenty of dump for tailings, a grain and a half of gold to the cubic yard of material can now be made remunerative, and when the material can all be sent away without having to handle any boulders even less than that can be made to pay. Seeing, therefore, that water is so necessary an adjunct to working the auriferous gravel drifts, more attention should be given to its conservation. Every site for a dam or reservoir should be set aside for this purpose. At the present time the whole of the streams that can be diverted are utilised by miners for a certain portion of the day; but sufficient provision is not made for storing up the night-water, and also the flood-water. If this were attended to, both the West Coast and Otago fields would afford profitable employment to a far larger mining population than at present. The number of miners employed in alluvial mining is almost entirely limited to the quantity of water available. Very little of the ground contains sufficient gold to pay for driving the best portions of it out, and water is the only factor that can be used to make such ground remunerative.

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There are also many places where the rivers could be utilised as a motive power to generate electricity, and where this could be done at a reasonable cost pumping appliances might, in some instances, be used to lift the water into reservoirs at sites where it would be scarcely possible to get a stream of water by gravitation. I shall now refer to the principal fields where alluvial mining is carried on. Mahakipawa. The early workings in the upper portion of the field are now nearly exhausted, but there is still a considerable extent of ground left in the lower part of the creek-bed which would afford employment to a limited number of men were it not for the frequency of floods, which in every case fill the underground workings with water. The gold has been traced for a short distance into Mr. Cullen's freehold, and very good washdrift is being obtained in the King Solomon Mine. Several shafts have been sunk lower down the flat, but none of them have got on to the same run of gold. It is expected, however, that this gold will yet be traced under the township, and near the terrace on the north-east side of the flat. About 125 men were employed in this locality last year. West Coast. This embraces a large field, which may be said to extend from Collingwood to Jackson's Bay, a distance of about 350 miles. At Collingwood, extensive preparations are being made by the Parapara Sluicing Company to work the alluvial flats in the vicinity of Appo's Creek and the Parapara Flat, but it will be a considerable time yet before operations can be commenced. During my recent visit to the West Coast, I was greatly surprised to find such extensive areas containing auriferous drifts, which can be made remunerative by hydraulic sluicing operations. The whole of the West Coast abounds with rivers and streams which can be utilised for mining, a great portion of the country in this locality being suitable for no other purpose. The quantity of gold produced on the West Coast last year was about 98,9300z., having a value of £395,728, and there were about 3,800 men employed in working alluvial claims, of whom 990 were Chinese. Matakitaki . There is an extensive field for sluicing operations in the upper portions of the Matakitaki Valley and Glen Roy Terraces, where a large supply of water can be brought to command the ground at a comparatively small outlay; and, from the information afforded me in the district, there is a large area of ground likely to pay for working, with a good supply of water. A company has recently taken up a special claim in this locality, and is now engaged in bringing in water from the Matakitaki River to work it. From the prospects shown me —said to have been taken from shafts sunk in this ground, giving an average of 3gr. to the cubic yard of material —it should make a valuable mining property. Westport, Addison's, and Charleston. In the Westport district a considerable number of men are engaged in working the auriferous black-sand leads at Addison's, Croninville, Charleston, and between Westport and Ngakawau. Many persons also find profitable employment in washing the auriferous black sand found oil the ocean-beach along the West Coast, from Karamea to Jackson's Bay. A prospecting association has been formed in Westport, with a view of cutting a tunnel tail-race through the Pakihis, from the ocean-beach to Fairdown, so as to cut the black-sand leads which are supposed to run through this flat. At Addison's Flat a large number of men are employed, some of them have been working there since it was first opened, and are said to be making fair wages. At Charleston rich patches of gold-bearing sand have been worked, and a number of men are still finding profitable employment in this locality. Grey Valley. In the Grey Valley, at Granvillc, Orwell Creek, Callaghan's, Nelson Creek, Red Jack's Creek, No Town, Moonlight, and Blackball there are a considerable number of miners making a fair livelihood. There are large areas of auriferous ground in these localities, which will yet be worked by hydraulic sluicing. Provision will have to be made for proclaiming several of the streams in this valley watercourses, into which tailings and mining debris may be discharged.

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Greenstone, Kumara, and Waimea. At Maori Gully, Maori Creek, Greenstone, Westbrook, Kumara, and Waimea there are a considerable number of miners employed, especially at Kumara, which is the principal field for sluicing on the West Coast. When one sees the extensive hydraulic-sluicing operations which are carried on in a part of the country valuable only for mining and the timber it contains, every facility and encouragement should be given to men who are ready and willing to expend their capital and labour in extending the field of operations; when it is considered that the Kumara field has yielded gold to the value of about £1,250,000 from an area of not more than 600 acres, and then only on a false bottom, it fills one with wonder and admiration at the resources and wealth which have lain hidden for such a period from the eyes of man. At Callaghan's, between Kumara and Waimea, a party of miners have constructed a tunnel tail-race for drainage purposes of about 3,000 ft. in length, and are now getting sufficient gold to pay them fair wages. There is also a considerable area of ground in the Upper Waimea Valley which has scarcely yet been prospected, and is likely to afford employment for a large number of miners when the branch of the Waimea Water-race is completed. Humphrey's Gully. At Humphrey's Gully, near Arahura, large sluicing operations are being carried on, but the quantity of water yet brought on to the ground is not sufficient to work the claim —which is over 200 acres in extent —on such an extended scale as the holders of the property deem advantageous. From what I could learn, steps are being taken to get more capital to extend the head-water race to the Arahura River, when a never-failing supply of water will be obtained. Kanieri and Woodstock:. Coming to Kanieri, Woodstock, and Rimu, we find a considerable mining population, some working the ground by shafts and tunnels, and some by hydraulic sluicing, where water and fall for tailings can be got. The Rimu field is, however, at so high an elevation that the expense of getting a large supply of water would be so great that few individuals with sufficient capital could be found to undertake the construction of a water-race sufficiently large to work the ground on the hydraulic principle. Recently a new discovery of gold has been made between the branches of the Kanieri River, which seems to be a continuation of the Gentle Annie Diggings. This discovery was made by the Rimu Prospecting Association, who have been doing very useful work in this locality. A few shafts were bottomed at the time of my visit, and a little gold was being found in each of them—about 2|dwt. to the load; but further work will have to be done before much is known respecting it. Ross. At Ross there is now only a small mining population compared with what there was in the days when mining operations were carried on in the deep ground. Most of the Ross Flat is now held by the Ross United Company, who are working the upper levels by the aid of a tail-race on the ocean-beach. The water used in sluicing the ground is discharged into this tail-race, and the tailings are lifted by a bucket-elevator for a certain distance, and afterwards in trucks up an incline tramway. The large quantity of stones and tailings which cover the flat mark the extensive workings which were carried on in the early days of the field. There are said to be eight different layers of gold-bearing wash-drift, one above the other, in this flat. The lowest one, worked in the early days, proved to be far the richest. This is about 240 ft. under the sea-level, and yet no main bottom has been reached. The pumpingplant formerly used by the company was insufficient to contend with the water, and as all the available capital was expended the lower workings had to be abandoned. Several efforts have been made to get extra capital to place a larger plant on the ground, but so far without success. A little to the south of Ross is the Mont dOr Sluicing Claim, with a face about 200 ft. high. A large quantity of gold has been obtained from this, and steady dividends paid to the shareholders. From the appearance of the country, and the information afforded me when visiting the West Coast fields, I believe this is a part of the colony where profitable employment will be found for willing and energetic men for a long period.

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Gtago.

The discovery ot gold in Otago was the means of the first rapid influx of population to our shores; and from this district 5,054,5920z. of gold, representing a value of £19,975,412, have been obtained. This goldfield is a portion of the colony where there is comparatively no dense bush, and consequently the difficulties met with in prospecting are not very great; at the same time, some of the laud is at such au elevation that mining operations can only be carried on for about six months of the year. I have not been able to visit this important mining district yet, but hope to do so during the recess. There is a large area of land in Otago having a very old quartz schist formation, and where this exists the overlying drifts are in most cases auriferous. The elevation in many places, however, prevents an adequate supply of water being obtained. This is the case, for instance, at Mount Criffel, Mount Buster, and the Old Man Range, where the supply of water is dependent on the melting of the snow. Last year 4,132 miners were employed in the alluvial workings in the Otago District: of these, 1,233 were Chinese. Maerewhenua. There is a considerable area of ground covered with auriferous drifts in this locality, but the expense in bringing in a large water-supply to the field is too great for individual miners. The number of miners on the field has varied very little for several years. Last year there were seventy-seven men employed in mining, and the gold obtained was 2,3970z., representing a value of £9,849, which is equal to about £128 11s. per man. This shows that even with a small supply of water on the field the miners here are doing better than on many of the other goldfields. Mount Ida. The Mount Ida field includes Taieri, Nenthorn, Hindon, Hamilton, Hyde, Kyeburn, Mount Buster, St. Bathan's, and the Upper Manuherikia Valley. In these localities 530 miners were employed in alluvial mining last year, of whom 180 were Chinese, and the quantity of gold obtained was about 13,8800z v representing a value of £55,583. In some parts of the field the miners are making only small wages, but in other parts rich yields are obtained. In Naseby, where the largest population is situated, the ground is very poor, and it is only by having a good supply of water that the miners can earn even small wages. Mount Buster. This was known as Clark's Diggings in the early days, where very rich drifts were found in the beds of the small gullies ; but as these shallow workings became exhausted the gold was traced into a large deposit of quartz drift, which has been worked every season since the discovery, yielding handsome returns. It is, however, only for about six months of the year that mining operations can be carried on, owing to the severe frost and the large quantity of snow which falls at this elevation —about 4,000 ft. above the sea-level. The discovery was not only an important one to the lucky finder, but it has led to similar deposits being worked in other localities in Otago, with equally good results. From the explorations made by the Mining Geologist, there, appear to be many places yet untouched which contain similar formations, and which are likely to prove remunerative for working by systematic methods on the hydraulic principle. Passing on from Mount Buster, at the foot of the range is the Kyeburn diggings, where a limited number of persons are said to be earning small wages. The line of quartz drift can be traced along the foot of the mountains through the Naseby field and into the Upper Manuherikia Valley, and similar drifts occur in almost every goldfield in Otago. St. Bathan's. The whole of the alluvial workings at St. Bathan's are in the same class of quartz drift as found at Mount Buster, and some of the claims in this locality are yielding handsome returns. One of them, belonging to Mr. John Ewing, has been giving a large yield for a number of years. Last season he washed up 800oz. of gold, and he has only eight men employed. The depth of the quartz drift at St. Bathan's has never yet been tested. Mr. Ewing is now down nearly 200 ft., and no bottom has yet been reached. The gold occurs in bands and layers, and, from the manner in which this deposit lies, it must be one of the oldest auriferous drifts in Otago—being found in some places under 500 ft. of " Maori bottom," belonging to the Miocene formation.

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As the workings are being extended in this locality, the quartz-drift formation is likely to be found remunerative wherever a good supply of water can be obtained to command the ground at a sufficient elevation to admit of hydraulic elevators being used. A short distance from St. Bathan's are Scandinavian Hill and Muddy Creek, where rich finds of gold have been obtained in the past, and payable results are likely to continue for the future. Vinegar Hill and Welshman's. Again at Vinegar Hill rich auriferous gravel drifts were found near the surface, and the gold was traced from these into deep ground, which seems from its formation to have been an ancient fresh-water lake. This is indicated by the large number of the vertebrae of small fish found in the beds of green silt sand-mud, which is now hardened to such an extent that it is difficult to disintegrate even with water under a high pressure. Mr. Ewing, who has been working a claim in this locality for many years, has recently got out of the green-sand formation and come on a deposit of quartz drift, which, judging from the prospects obtained, is likely to prove a valuable discovery. At Vinegar Hill and Welshman's there are several claims giving good returns. Tinkers'. This has been for many years the richest alluvial diggings in the colony. There is a comparatively small population, but the average yield of gold for the number of men employed for the last ten years has been considerably more than on any other goldfield in New Zealand. Last year, however, notwithstanding that there was a plentiful supply of water during the whole of the season, the quantity of gold obtained was not so great as formerly. The estimated yield last year was about 2,2000z., representing a value £8,800, and about forty men were employed on the field. Tuapeka. This is the oldest field in Otago. It was discovered in 1861. The news of the discovery of gold in this locality reaching Australia was the means of inducing thousands of people to flock to our shores to try their luck at mining, while others came to follow commercial and other pursuits. The only indications remaining to mark the places where the crowded population was then residing, in Gabriel's, Weatherstone's, Munro's, and Waitahuna Gullies, are large deposits of tailings and old workings. Very few persons arc now working in these gullies, but strange to say that after the ground in Gabriel's Gully has been turned over time after time there is still a company getting very good returns from washing the old tailings on the hydraulic elevating principle. At the head of Gabriel's the famous " Blue Spur," from which a very large quantity of gold has been obtained, is now being worked in a face by an English company, who are blasting the brecciated material, breaking it up with picks and hammers, then lifting it with hydraulic elevators and sluicing it away. The results of this company's operations last year have been very satisfactory. The auriferous brecciated material follows a fault-line across the country, and is found at Weatherstone's and Waitahuna. Probably other portions of it may pay for working on a similar principle to that adopted at the Blue Spur. Included in the Tuapeka district is a portion of the Clutha Valley, and also the Waipori and Waitahuna goldfields. The results of the alluvial workings in this district last year were 26,0700z. gold, representing a value of ,€105,233; while 763 men were employed in the mines. Clutha Valley. There is a large area of auriferous drift-gravel in this valley, and also in the bed of the Clutha River. Several mining companies are carrying on hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations in this locality, amongst which may be mentioned the Island Block and Island Block Extended Companies. The results of the workings last year have given very satisfactory returns. The former Island Block Company, which is formed almost entirely of English capital, has entered into an agreement with Mr. Joseph Clark to work his freehold on his receiving a certain royalty. This company obtained last year about 2,0000z. of gold as a result of its operations. There are also three large hydraulic sluicing companies near Roxburgh—namely, the Hercules, the Hercules Extended, and the Roxburgh Amalgamated. The last-named company was fairly successful last year, and paid one dividend to the shareholders. Every tributary of the Clutha, from the Lindis to the Pomahaka, has in the past carried

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large quantities of gold into it, and may be said to be still doing so. There is scarcely an acre of ground in the valley of this river that is not auriferous ; and, as the bed of the Clutha has been shifted from time to time, wherever any of the ancient beds are found large deposits of gold are obtained. The auriferous drifts in this valley will therefore take a long time to work out. Old Man Range. A considerable quantity of gold has been obtained from Campbell's, Potter's, Butchers', and Conroy's Gullies, also from the shallow gullies leading into Bald Hill Flat. The whole of the face of the Old Man Range above the latter place is highly auriferous, and in recent years a rich quartz lode has been discovered and worked by Messrs. Crossan and Gray. There are also two hydraulic elevating plants now working the ground on Bald Hill Flat with payable results. Cromwell. There are a number of sluicing claims on the banks and terraces alongside the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers, and also at Bannockburn. In the early days there was very rich ground at the latter place and a large number of miners were employed for a long time. The shallow workings are now all exhausted, and, although there is still a rich layer of auriferous gravel near the bottom, there is a great depth of material to sluice away containing little or no gold, which makes the general average value of the material low. There are still a good number of miners in the locality, but the greater portion of them are making only small wages. Cardrona and Criffel. The number of miners about Cardrona varies very little from year to year. As one portion of the field is worked, another is opened up. Last year some new ground was opened in the face of the range, on a line of quartz drift, which is likely to prove a valuable discovery. The same run of ground extends along Criffel face to the foot of Mount Barker. The ground is, however, at a high elevation, and the supply of water that can be got to command it is consequently limited. The drift does not contain sufficient gold to pay for working by any other method than hydraulic sluicing. Several of the miners combined together and brought in a water-race from the Roaring Meg, and constructed dams on the top of the range : these store the water for about sixteen hours. By this means several parties have each a small supply of water for about eight hours a day. Last year there were about 1,2000z. gold obtained from Cardrona and 700oz. from Criffel. At the latter place only a few claims are being worked. The whole of the water brought on to the field is in the hands of one party, and sluicing operations can only be carried on for about six months of the year. Arrow and Shotover. The rich auriferous drifts obtained at the heads of the Arrow and Shotover Rivers have afforded profitable employment to a large number of miners for many years, and at the present time there are a number of claims which still continue to give good returns. The beds of these rivers have been cut down for some hundreds of feet below where the water originally flowed, causing numerous slides and slips from the sides of the ranges. The atmosphere and the action of the water have disintegrated the material from these slips and allowed the lighter particles to be carried away with the streams, leaving those of greatest density in the beds. No doubt, the action of the stones, and the large quantities of shingle travelling down the streams, ground the gold to such an extent that large quantities of it have been carried away in suspension in the water to the ocean ; but, notwithstanding this, heavy deposits of gold have been found both in the wash-drift in the beds of the rivers and in the crevices of the bed-rock, which in places formed gigantic ripples for collecting the precious metal. The large undertaking of Miller Brothers at the Arrow Falls and at Londonderry Terrace on the Shotover, as well as the operations of Davis Brothers on Stony Creek Terrace, are all works where a considerable capital had to be expended in opening up the ground. Unless they were men with sufficient means at their command, they could never enter into mining ventures of this description. There are several other claims—such as Aspinal's at Skipper's Point, Smith's, Monk's, and Gemmel's at the Sandhills, and R. Johnston's on Pleasant Creek Terrace —which give excellent returns, year after year, when there is a good season for water. Some of these claims have been worked for thirty years, and it is said that from one of them over 30,0000z. have been obtained. When we have such large areas

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and great depths of auriferous drifts as there are in some of the terraces on the Arrow and Shotover and other rivers, with streams carrying large volumes of water that could be lifted and conveyed along the side of the ranges, it must be admitted that the colony has valuable assets in these drifts. The time will come when more attention will be given to the conservation of water, and this will afford greater employment for the labouring classes. There are plenty of men who would rather work on a mere pittance on the goldfields, and be their own masters, with the chance of finding payable claims, than work for others. There is no class of men in the colony with more independent spirit and more intelligence than the goldminer. Wilson's Eiver. The number of men employed about Wilson's River is considerably less than last year, but gold is being discovered in other places in this locality, which keeps a fair mining population in the district. Last year there was a new discovery at Crayfish Island, and some rich deposits of gold-bearing drifts were found. This is a new district, very little explored, and one where there is a probability of good yields being yet obtained. On the mainland, very few persons have travelled through the country between Wilson's and the Waiau Rivers, where there is likely-looking country for gold to be found, but at present this locality may be termed terra incognita, as there is no road or track, and there are large and deep rivers to cross, which greatly militate against the district being prospected. COAL-MINING. I will now call the attention of honourable members to the progress of the coal-mining industry. Comparatively few years ago there were only three mines where bituminous coal was raised—viz., the Brunner, Coal-pit Heath, and the Coalbrookdale; but more recently a mine has been opened up at Blackball, and two mines at Mokihinui—the Cardiff and Mokihinui Mines ; while large works are also now in progress to open mines at Granity Creek, near Ngakawau, in the Westport district, and at Coal Creek, in the Grey district, A mine has been in existence at Collingwood for a number of years, but the limited extent of the field, and the difficulty of getting the coal to a market, will always make the output from this mine very small. The total number of coal-mines on the list last year was 153, but a large number of these are merely pits, or open cuttings, where lignite is worked in a face to supply local demands. Both lignite and brown coal are suitable only for local consumption, or within such a radius of the place where it is raised as will admit of its being sold at a cheap rate. So far as is yet known, the whole of the bituminous coal in the colony is confined to the west coast of the Middle Island, and, as this is the only class of coal we have suitable for ocean-going steamers, it is from the mines in this locality that we may in future look for a largely-increased output. So far the coal-mining industry has progressed only in proportion to the growth of commerce and the number of new industries which have been established; and the output from the mines newly opened up and in progress will depend entirely on the trade thati can be established with other countries. Foreign markets will have to be found before the coalmining industry assumes large proportions. A great deal also depends on the further improvement of the harbours of the West Coast. These works will have to be more advanced before we are able to send away large cargoes of coal to compete with coal from other countries in foreign markets, and even when the harbour-works are completed it will take a considerable time before a large trade can be established with other countries. As regards the price per ton, we cannot compete with the coal proprietors in China and Japan. It is only from the superiority of our coal that we can hope to succeed. Hence it is gratifying to find that at the tests made with different coal at the Woolwich Dockyard, the evaporative power of the Westport coal was placed higher even than that of the coal from the Welsh mines. During the last year the output from all the mines in the colony was 691,548 tons, as against 673,315 for the year previous, showing an increased output for the year of 18,233 tons. The total quantity imported was —from Victoria, 1,383 tons ; from New South Wales, 113,122 tons; and from Queensland, 2,939 tons; making a total of 117,444 tons This makes the total quantity raised and imported 808,992 tons; but of this, 24,288 tons were exported to other countries, and 50,838 tons were used in coaling direct steamers for Europe. However, this may be taken as consumption within the colony, as it is owing to the

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extension of our commerce that these steamers are required. The total consumption of coal in the colony, therefore, last year was 784,701 tons, as against 770,599 tons for the previous year. This shows the increased consumption for last year to be 14,105 tons. There has not been a great fluctuation in the import of coal for the last twelve years. During that period the import has ranged from 128,063 tons to 101,341 tons. Last year about 8,000 tons less than the previous year were imported. The import of coal is principally from New South Wales; and, as that colony is an outlet for a considerable quantity of New Zealand produce, kauri timber, &c, coal is carried as return cargo instead of ballast. Thus, if only the cost of loading and unloading be obtained, it Jtays better to carry coal than to come back in ballast, which has to be bought in the first instance, besides which there must be reckoned the cost of loading and discharging. Notwithstanding that bituminous coal is the class we have to look to for an increased output, the last year shows a decrease in the quantity raised of 25,927 tons, while there was an increased output of 41,526 tons of pitch-coal and 6,694 tons of brown coal. The decrease in the output of bituminous coal last year was in a great measure due to the faults which have been met with in the Brunner Mine, and the flooding out of the Coal-pit Heath Mine. The latter mine has now been abandoned, but operations in the Brunner Mine are now being extended by opening up new workings. Operations have also been suspended in the Mokihinui Mine for most of the year. Two new mines have, however, been opened up, viz., the Blackball and the Cardiff, both of which now send coal into the market. The Westport Company also are constructing an incline to open iip the Granity Creek Mine, and four sections of the railway from Cobden to Coal Creek are in course of construction ; and when completed these works will enable coal to be put into the market from the Coal Creek and Hamilton and Smith leases. The output from the Brunner Mine was 40,065 tons less than the year previous. The Blackball Company have constructed an aeriel tramway for three miles to connect their mine with the railway, over which about 400 tons a day can be sent. The same tubs used for bringing the coal out of the mine are hooked on and carried across on a wire rope to the bins, which are erected alongside the Greymouth-Ileefton Railway at Ngahere. It is a pleasure to see this tramway working; and when people become better acquainted with the working of tramways of this description they will be mflre extensively used in transporting the coal from the mines to where it can be taken away. The cost of construction of tramways of this description is, in the first instance, not one-half that of a railway; and they can be taken across rough country, where grades for an ordinary railway could not be got. A new coal-lease has been granted to a company at Hikurangi, and the work of opening up the mine is being rapidly proceeded with. There are two other coal-mines in this locality, and another lease has been applied for. The railway between Kamo and Hikurangi has recently been completed, so that coal from this field can now be brought to a port of shipment. At Kawakawa the Bay of Islands Coal Company have abandoned the mine, but a lease of the area lately held by the Bay of Islands Company, of 640 acres, will shortly be issued to a new.company. It is to be regretted that the Kamo Company, at Whangarei, had to abandon their mine in the beginning of the present year. This company carried on operations for several years at a loss, and finally had to succumb to circumstances. The land is freehold, and there is little hope of the mine being opened again. Last year the output from the Kamo Mine was considerably larger than it had been for some years previously. At Ngunguru a small mine has been opened, having the best class of coal in the North Island, but, at the same time, it is inferior to the bituminous coal on the West Coast. However, the output will never be large, as vessels of more than about Bft. draught cannot come into the port. Earnings of the Coal-miners. It is very difficult to get at the exact earnings, of the coal-miners. fn previous years it has been arrived at on the basis that it cost the mine-proprietors 6s. per ton to put the coal in the trucks or wagons ready to send it away to market or a port of shipment. If the same basis be taken this year, the earnings of the miners would be .€202,464 Bs. The average number of men employed in the coal-mines last year being 1,888, this would give an average wage of JSIO7 4s. Bd. a man per annum. The number of men employed in the coal-mines for the previous year being 1,693, the average wage was equal to £119 7s. Id. a man per annum. The average output per man last year was 366 tons, as against 400 tons

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for the year previous. The lower output last year is accounted for by the large amount of dead-work in opening up the Cardiff, Granity Creek, the new mine at Brunner, and the Hikurangi mines. METALLIFEROUS MINING. Very little has yet been done in metalliferous mining, other than gold and silver, in the colony, owing, in a great measure, to the difficulties there are to contend with, not only in getting machinery and appliances on the ground, but also in getting men with sufficient capital to open out and work the mines. The attention of those persons who put their money into mining is generally directed to gold only. No doubt several companies have been formed to work metalliferous ores in the colony, but their failures in many instances have been due to want of sufficient capital to prosecute the work. When once the limited capital first available was expended, the small number of men who would invest their money in undertakings of this character rendered it almost impossible for any company that in the first instance proved unsuccessful to get fresh capital to assist them in continuing their operations. The extremely rough and broken nature of the country where ores are found, makes the difficulty of access very considerable, which greatly increases the cost of working metalliferous mines. The only ores of this character that are at present worked are antimony and manganese. Manganese. There are large quatities of manganese in the colony, but its low value will not admit of costly transit to a port of shipment; and it is only when the ore can be got near the oceanbeach, where vessels can come to load, that it can be made remunerative for working. Hitherto mining for this ore has been confined principally to the Auckland District—at Whangarei, Bay of Islands, and Waiheke Island. There is some very rich ore in the Otago District, near the mouth of the Taieri River, but it has not been found in sufficient quantity to work remuneratively. During the last year 319 tons were exported, representing a value of £943. Antimony. The principal workings of antimony-ore are at Endeavour Inlet, Queen Charlotte Sound, the present company being the third one to embark in the undertaking. The two former companies failed to make the venture payable, and after spending a large capital in opening up the mine, and in placing machinery and appliances on the ground, the mine was disposed of to the present company. Considerable sums of money have been expended in the erection of furnaces to produce crude antimony, and failure after failure ensued, until recently, when Mr. Seagar, ironfounder, of Wellington, invented a process whereby, it is hoped, crude antimony will be produced at a comparatively small cost. It is stated that by this process one cord of firewood is sufficient to produce one ton of crude antimony. This process has now been working for three months continuously, and, so far, has given every satisfaction. The slimes of the antimony-ore, which were until recently considered a waste product, are now converted into a marketable commodity. If the process is successful, it has overcome one of the greatest difficulties in the way of the production of antimony from its ore that lias been experienced in all the countries of the world where this metal is obtained. It is stated that the cost of production is so small that, even at the present low price of star antimony, it can be delivered in the Home markets at such a rate as to leave a fair margin of profit. This process, when it becomes generally known, may have the effect of reopening other antimony mines, at Waipori and elsewhere. Last year there were 331 tons of antimony and antimonyores exported, having a value of £3,467. Cinnabar. Prospecting operations were carried on last year with a view of finding a lode of cinnabar at Puhipuhi, but, so far, no lode has yet been discovered. The cinnabar is found amongst the gravel washdrift in the bed of a small creek in small rounded pellets. About 751b. of cinnabar has been collected by washing the drift, and in all probability this mineral will yet be traced into the solid country, where it will be found in situ. A sample of this ore was sent to the Colonial Laboratory for analysis. This proved to contain about 84 per cent, of quicksilver. A syndicate has also been prospecting a lode containing cinnabar at Ohaeawai, but the ore is of a very poor quality. Quicksilver is found in the black mud at the hot pools at Ohaeawai, which have been liberated from a lode containing cinnabar alongside these pools; the heat of the ground, together with the alkali it contains, being sufficient to distil the quicksilver from the ore.

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ScHEELITK.

In some parts of the Middle Island there are quantities of scheelite, which, at the present price offered, viz., 10s. per unit, delivered on shipboard at either London or Liverpool, ought to pay for its production. Scheelite is found at Bucklerburn, Waipori, Hendon, and other places in Otago, and at Wakamarina in Marlborough. Inquiries have been made by Messrs. Blackwood and Company, of Liverpool and London, regarding this mineral, and they offer to take about 200 tons per annum at the price stated. Kauri-gum. Notwithstanding the many years that have elapsed since kauri-gum digging became an industry capable of supporting a large population, the amount raised every year shows that there is still a considerable quantity to be obtained. Last year 8,317 tons were exported, having a market value of £510,775, whereas in the former year there were exported 8,705 tons, valued at £517,678. In addition to this there is a certain quantity of gum used in the colony for making varnish, and also in gas-works. The price of the gum, as shown by the Customs returns, gives, however, but a poor idea of what the gum-digger actually obtains from the storekeeper. The price varies in accordance with the quality of the gum. The local price for low quality of gum, washed nuts, is from £10 to £15 per ton. For unpacked ordinary well-scraped gum, of which there are two qualities—namely, ordinary dark gum, £25 to £30 per ton, and for good, hard black gum from £35 to £45 per ton. The best gum (rescraped) brings £80 per ton, and in some cases it is said that special samples have realised as much as £140 per ton. What is known as tree-gum —that is, gum lodged in the forks of trees, and exudations—is worth about £20 per ton in its native state, but when rescraped it brings from £45 to £50 per ton. Before shipping to the Home market all the gum is re-sorted and classified; and, although the prices paid for some samples are very small, when the gum comes to be classified, the average value of the product for last year was £61 Bs. 3d. per ton, which includes the price of boxes, freight, and commission. It is difficult to arrive at the number of men engaged in this industry so as to estimate their average earnings, but, from what can be learned in the gum-digging districts, the earnings do not exceed those of the gold-miners. The gum-digger has, however, one great advantage over the gold-miner in that he requires no expensive outfit to enable him to carry on his operations, a spade, spear, haversack, and jack-knife being all that he requires. This industry affords a means of livelihood to a large number, both of the European and Native population. From what is known respecting the earnings of the gum-digger there must be at least 7,000 people employed in this industry, as it is maintained that their average wage would not amount to £1 10s. per week. Wherever there is land in the North suitable for settlement the settlers can always earn a little money by gum-digging when not engaged in cultivating the soil, thus affording them a means of getting ready money to purchase any necessaries they require beyond what they produce. The gum industry, therefore, forms a very important element in the prosperity of the northern portion of the colony. ROADS AND TRACKS. I now come to the question of roads and tracks, which are essential for opening up the lands of the colony, and nowhere more so than in the gold-mining districts. The rugged, broken, and precipitous nature of the country where quartz-mining operations are carried on renders roads and tracks necessary in every direction, for without them it is impossible to get machinery or supplies on to the ground. Already large sums have been expended in the construction of works of this character, but the extension of mining operations demands a further expenditure on roads and tracks to give ordinary facilities for prospecting the country, and supplying the wants of those engaged in the development of our mineral resources; also to enable machinery to be placed on the ground where auriferous deposits of a payable character have been found. In many instances these roads tend not only to open up new mines, but they also give great facilities to people taking up small plots of land to make homes for themselves and to dispose of their produce amongst the mining community. Although the land may not be of very good quality, any small flats are eagerly sought after by the miners, who, in addition to their ordinary avocations, are quite prepared to take them up and do a little cultivation in their spare time, and thus become permanent settlers. The cost of roads and tracks authorised last year was £23,958, and the actual expenditure £18,275. Of this amount, £15,506 was expended by direct grants, £2,719 by subsidies to local bodies. The liabilities on works of this character on the 31st March last were

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£18,590. During the last twelve yaars that the Minister of Mines has had control of this vote the expenditure has amounted to £215,516. Of this amount, £1 40,502 was in direct grants, and £75,014 by subsidies, the local bodies during the same period having contributed £49,620. From the nature of the country in which mining is generally carried on, the cost of constructing roads and tracks to enable machinery to be brought on to the ground, and give facility for the mines being opened up, is far beyond the amount that could be raised by local bodies in mining districts by the present system of rating, ■which has now reached the highest limit allowed by law. Since the Grown and Native Lands Hating Act has been dispensed with, even the present high rates are inadequate to maintain the present roads and tracks. It has, therefore, become absolutely necessary for the Mines Department to come to the assistance of the local bodies. The following are the rates levied in the pound in the different goldfields counties; Coromandcl, lid.; Thames, lid.; Ohinemuri, lid. ; Piako, id. ; Marlborough, no rate levied by the county, but there are six Road Boards in this county which levied different rates j Collingwood, Jd.; Read Boards in Collingwood County, |d.; Buller, lid. general rate and id. special rate; Inangahua, lid.; Grey, lid.; Westland, lid.; Tuapeka, |d.; Vincent, |d.; Lake, Id.; Maniototo, |d.; Southland, Jd. general rate and Jd. special rate. It will thus be seen from the foregoing that the goldfields counties in the North Island and on the west coast of the Middle Island are rated up to the fullest extent the law permits. WATER-RACES. The most essential adjunct to mining, especially in systematically working auriferous drifts, is a good supply of water; and it behoves us in granting water-rights to take care that the whole of the water comprised in these rights is properly utilised, inasmuch as the number of men who can be profitably employed on our goldfields depends in a great measure on the quantity of water that can be brought to command the ground. When one comes to see the extensive areas of auriferous drifts on the West Coast, and also on the goldfields of Otago, the impression is that were there a larger supply of water there would be a considerably increased population earning a competent livelihood. The returns furnished by the Wardens show the value of water-races on the goldfields, exclusive of those constructed by the Government, to be £821,020, while the value of tail-races, dams, and reservoirs amounts to £379,634. In addition to this the value of water-races constructed by the Government in the Middle Island is £346,687. Two of these —namely, the Waimea-Kumara and the Mount Ida Water-races —are controlled by the department. The total expenditure on these two water-races has been £241,290, and the net profit, including the duty on the gold obtained from claims worked with water from water-races controlled by the department before the gold duty was abolished, has been £79,357 9s. 6d. The Waimea-Kumara Water-race cost £171,655, and the total value of the sales of water, since its construction about sixteen years ago, has been £132,820; while the total expenditure during this period has been £80,545. This leaves a net profit, exclusive of the duty on. gold before its abolition, of £52,275. The net profit last year was £3,574. The demand for water from the Waimea portion of the race is gradually getting less, but a new branch is being constructed, and when this is completed it will enable the miners to work an extensive area of land on which auriferous drifts arc known to exist, but which could not be profitably worked without a large supply of water. The expenditure on this branch up to the 31st March last was £1,908, and another £2,400 will have to be spent before it can be brought to a profitable issue. The Kumara portion of the water-race has in the past given a large percentage on the cost of construction, but it will require extension to open up fresh ground so that the whole supply of water can be fully utilised. Although the net profits on the working have been large, the other expenditure in connection with subsidising the construction of tail-races to allow the ground to be worked has absorbed a considerable portion of the profits, and this expenditure will have to be continued in the future as the working of the claims is extended. One tail-race is now in course of construction, which has been subsidised to the extent of £1,500, and another will have to be made to allow the ground to be worked lower down the flat, which will require to be subsidised to a similar amount. The sales of water last year amounted to £5,582, while the expenditure on maintenance was £1,917, leaving a net profit on the working of £3,665.

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The Mount Ida Water-race, which was formerly managed by a Trust, showed up to the beginning of last year a net loss on the working of £3,595. The Trust was abolished at the end of 1892; and since then sales of water have amounted to £1,422, while the expenditure on maintenance has been £1,013, showing a net profit on the working of £409. When the Government took over the race it was in very bad repair, and an expenditure of £2,837 had to be incurred before sufficient revenue to maintain it could be expected. This water-race is a valuable asset to the colony, for if the water could not be sold for mining purposes it could be used for irrigating the Maniototo Plains, and thus convert a large area into good agricultural land. The water-race which was purchased from the Official Assignee in the estate of R. Johnston at the same time as the Government took over the Mount Ida Race cost £1,000. The net profit on working these two water-races last year was £104. A small expenditure will have to be made on these races next spring for clearing them out, so that a larger supply of water can be sent down to miners working in the vicinity of Blackstone Hill. The Nelson Creek Water-race was previously leased, but the lease expired in August last, and fresh tenders were called for leasing it for another term. However, after the lease had been accepted, one of the principal bridges came down, and as all the bridges are greatly decayed the lease was given up. It would cost about £25,000 to renew the bridges, and the Government do not consider it advisable to expend any money in this direction. They will, however, be quite prepared to entertain proposals from responsible persons either to renew the bridges and flumes, or to reconstruct a portion of the race so as to do away with them, and to supply water to the miners in the district at a rate to be agreed upon. PROSPECTING. There are large areas both in the North and Middle Islands where scarcely any prospecting has as yet been done. In order to get systematic prospecting operations established it will be necessary for the Government to grant assistance, not only towards opening up new fields, but also to test the ground at greater depths than have hitherto been worked. The latter remark applies, of course, to quartz lodes only. It is well known in the colony, and also in other gold-bearing countries, that auriferous quartz found in lodes is in shoots and ledges. These generally occur in certain belts of country having barren places between them. At the same time, when rich auriferous quartz has been worked profitably on the upper levels, and the same formation continues to go down, gold-bearing stone is likely to be again found at a lower level. None of the lodes in the colony have yet been worked to any great depth. The deepest shaft—that of the Queen of Beauty at the Thames—is only about 748 ft., and gold-bearing stone was got in the lowest level from this shaft. The Kapanga Mine, at Coromandel, has been worked for the last sixteen years by an English company, which has been reformed. This company has expended a large capital in opening up and developing the mine without being rewarded for their outlay. In order to test the deep levels in the mine the main shaft has been continued, and it is now down to a depth of 720 ft., a small lode containing auriferous stone having been cut. The workings in the Keep It Dark Mine have also been carried down to a depth of over 700 ft., and gold has been found in the lode, although not of a payable character for working. A payable lode has, however, recently been cut in the Larnach Tunnel at the Lyell, which has been carried into a range at a low level for a distance of about 3,200 ft. This indicates that there is a fair probability of gold being struck at much lower levels than have yet been reached. In support of testing auriferous lodes at deep levels, I would call the attention of honourable members to the experience gained on the goldfields of Victoria, where, in some instances, when the lodes gave out at a depth of 750 ft., new lodes were discovered at a depth of 1,500 ft., having a blank between those depths at which no lode was found. This occurred in Mr. Landsell's No. 180 Mine at Bendigo, and where payable returns were got at a depth of nearly 2,000 ft. If it is found that the lodes in this colony can be proved to be payable for working to great depths, it will give a new lease of life to quartz-mines. The large number of men employed in this class of mining, and those depending on them, deserve every encouragement, and some assistance should be granted to test the deep levels. If the test proves successful, a new era will be opened up in the history of mining in the colony, and profitable employment will be afforded for a much larger population. With the view of obtaining all information regarding the likelihood of finding goldbearing quartz at greater depths than have hitherto been worked, an arrangement was made with the Government of Victoria to send a mining geologist to visit this colony to make an

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examination of our auriferous lodes in the different mining districts. A report by Mr. R. A. F. Murray, F.G.S., of the Mines Department of Victoria, on this subject has been laid on the table. Encouragement should also be given to mining associations and local bodies to enable them to prospect the back-country. It is not to be assumed that every party will meet with success, but a great deal of useful work has been done in the past in this direction by prospecting associations. In particular, I may mention the Rimu Prospecting Association on the West Coast, which has carried on operations in a systematic and economical manner for several years, and has recently opened up a new field between the branches of the Kanieri River. The extent of this is not yet known, but sufficient gold has been got to warrant mining operations being carried on. It may also be noted that it was with Government assistance that the lode now being worked by the Waihi Gold-mining Company, at Waihi, from which excellent returns are being obtained, was first discovered. There is yet plenty of country comparatively unexplored, or where, at least, no prospecting has been done, which is likely to contain a vast amount of mineral wealth, and the large number of people employed in mining are entitled to some recognition of the benefits the colony has derived from their labours in the past, by granting them some assistance towards developing the industry in the future. The total amount expended in subsidies for prospecting during the past twelve years has been £15,713, the amount expended last year being £1,592. GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION. During the past year, Mr. A. McKay, the Mining Geologist, was engaged in exploring and tracing the auriferous quartz drifts in Otago, and the result of his explorations is likely to be the opening-up of new ground in this locality. "Wherever these old quartz drifts occur they are found to be gold-bearing, and to contain layers or bands which are extremely rich. This has been the case at Mount Buster, St. Bathan's, Tinkers', and elsewhere. It is intended to get the whole of the goldfields of the colony carefully examined, and a geological map prepared showing the different formations, their sequence and major faults or displacements, as far as can be gathered from an examination of the country, so that in time we may have a reliable map which will be a great guide to those who carry on prospecting operations in search of gold or other minerals. A map of the Otago goldfield cast of Lake Wakatipu, explored last year, has been published with departmental reports. I would also call the attention of honourable members to a geological report and map prepared by Mr. James Park, who has been employed as Instructor and Lecturer at the Thames School of Mines for the last five years. The information was obtained in the prosecution of his duties, and while exploring the field with his students. The lodes with their displacements and breaks are shown on the map, and can be seen by any one at a glance. MINING MACHINERY. In order to give all the latest information with regard to mining machinery and appliances for the reduction and treatment of metalliferous ores, I have directed that full publicity be given in the departmental reports of any system brought under the notice of the department which would be likely to prove of interest to persons connected with mining. It is only by new appliances and improvements in mining machinery that we can hope to arrive at a more perfect and economical method for the recovery of metals so as to make our numerous low-grade ores pay for working. In the Inspecting Engineer's report on Goldfields, pages 125 to 150, will be found several descriptions and plans of mining machinery and processes for the treatment of auriferous ores. SCHOOLS OF MINES. The progress made by the students attending the Schools of Mines has induced the Government to grant a scholarship for a term of three years at the Otago University to one student from each of the schools at the Thames, Reefton, and Dunedin, on their getting the number of marks prescribed by the regulations. The subjects for examination are : Mining, Pumping and Winding, Ventilation of Mines, the Composition and Use of Explosives, Mining and Land-surveying, Geology, and Drawing. To be able to pass in some of these subjects, students will require to have a good knowledge of mathematics, and therefore this subject was not made compulsory. These scholarships are offered as an incentive to young men to continue their studies at these schools.

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It is gratifying to know that most of the students who have attended the Thames School, and passed through a three-years course, have readily obtained employment—some as assayers to mining companies, others being emplpyed by the Cassel Company in carrying on leaching operations with cyanide of potassium. A number of middle-aged men have also attended the evening classes, which enabled them to pass their examinations and obtain certificates as mine-managers. The average number of students attending the Thames School during the last year was ninety-one; of this number, forty were regular students, and fifty-one attended Saturday lectures only. Thirteen parcels of ore were treated with the experimental plant, amounting in the aggregate to 21,6101b. All appliances necessary to treat pulverised ore by the cyanide process have been added to the experimental plant, so that any one can now have small parcels of ore tested by the most modern methods at a reasonable cost. The progress made at the Reefton School during the past year has not been so good as formerly : this is due to the conductor having to give more of his time to outlying schools on the West Coast. It is found that unless continuous teaching is adhered to a good attendance cannot be secured, neither can satisfactory progress be made. There was a good attendance at the School of Mines at Dunedin last year. The course of lectures at this school occupies a term of six months in the year, during the vacation many of the students going to work in the mines; so that, as far as technical teaching is concerned, the students at the Thames School pursue their studies for a longer space of time in a threeyears course than the Dunedin students do in four years. The total expenditure on Schools of Mines since their inaugm*ation, exclusive of the amounts contributed towards the School of Mines connected with the Otago University, has been £12,896; of this amount £1,604 has been expended on buildings, £943 on chemicals and school requisites, and £10,349 on salaries of instructors. Last year the expenditure amounted to £1,056. The total contribution given towards the School of Mines at the Otago University, including £500 paid last year, amounts to £4,250. SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURE ON WORKS. The total value of works authorised since votes were placed under the control of the Minister of Mines has been £439,325. Of this amount, £323,561 was paid by Government, and £94,246 by local bodies, prospecting associations, and mining companies. These works consist of subsidised roads and tracks, £130,220; roads constructed by direct grants, £153,530; water-races, £56,847; drainage-channels, £21,401; prospecting-works, £53,153; wharves, £436; diamond and other drills, assistance given towards the treatment of ores, and artesian-well boring, £6,590; Schools of Mines, inclusive of the amount paid towards the school in connection with Otago University, £17,145 ; making a total of £439,325. Of this amount the Government has paid £323,561, and the liabilities on the works in progress on the 31st March last amounted to £21,518. A detailed statement of the cost and expenditure on these works will be found in the tables annexed to the report of the Inspecting Engineer, pages 238 to 246. MINING LEGISLATION. I have deemed it desirable to have a consolidation of the Mining Companies Act, and a Bill has been prepared accordingly. - The only alteration proposed is in regard to the transfer of shares, it being intended to make more stringent provisions to enforce registration. It is also proposed to enforce the winding-up of mining companies which cease to hold three consecutive meetings of shareholders, and to make the Official Assignee liquidator of such companies. This is found necessary, as there are companies in existence which do not hold any mining property, but are, nevertheless, required to make yearly returns, and some of these companies have held no meetings for years, the directors taking no interest in the matter. The date of publishing returns from the month of January to the month of March will also be altered, so as to give time to get the necessary information from companies whose head offices are not in the colony. It is also proposed to ask Parliament to vote a considerable sum of money this session in order to meet the growing demands which necessarily arise in the mining districts, — 1. For aid to further develop the lower levels in quartz-reefing districts ; 2. For the construction of water-races and storage reservoirs; 3. For compensation arising from the proclamation of rivers, streams, and creeks as watercourses into which tailings and other debris can be deposited;

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4. For the payment of compensation for the resumption of land held under occupation licenses and residence sites. As a very large amount will be required for some years to come, it is to be hoped that Parliament will see its way to give the necessary assistance by annual appropriations, in order to allay the feeling which seems to be gaining ground in our mining centres that the encouragement Parliament always seems willing to afford the farming, dairying, and other industries of the colony is gradually being withheld from the mining industry. Provision will also be made for battery superintendents to have full control of and be responsible for all the machinery and appliances for the reduction and treatment of ore, where cyanide of potassium and other chemicals are used. Further provision will also be made for carrying on dredging operations on foreshores. CLAIMS FOR REWARDS. As a large number of petitions are presented to the House every year claiming rewards for the early discoveries of many of the goldfields, I think it would be desirable for the House to express some general opinion on this question. Rewards for the discoveries of future goldfields are provided for in the existing regulations. CONCLUSION. In concluding my remarks, I would point out that the mining industry has formed a large factor in the advancement of the colony. From 1861 to 1866 emigration poured in from all parts of the world, and a large number of people found profitable employment on our goldfields. Many of these made considerable sums of money in following up a digger's life, which they invested in the purchase and cultivation of land. Many people from the Australian Colonies were also attracted here by the discovery of gold, bringing considerable sums of money with them, and making homes for themselves in the colony, which possesses an invigorating climate, a great extent of rich arable and pastoral land, large areas containing auriferous drifts, metalliferous and mineral lodes, and a quality of coal which cannot be surpassed, together with almost an unlimited water-supply, which can be utilised as a motivepower to drive machinery. New Zealand is pre-eminently a country suitable for mining, for the establishment of industries, and the investment of capital. The mining industry opens up a field for the employment of the working-classes whereby they can earn an independent livelihood ; but, in order to give greater facilities for the extension of this industry, a further expenditure is required in opening up the country by roads and tracks, and in granting assistance towards the development of our mineral wealth. By so doing we will open up new fields where our surplus labour can be profitably utilised; and, if men cannot make large wages, they will at least earn a fair livelihood. The proposed legislation to give a good tenure to small plots of land on the goldfields will give the miners an incentive to remain on the land, and to employ their spare labour in the cultivation of the soil. I trust my lengthened remarks on mining have not wearied the honourable members. The importance of the question demands considerable attention ; and, as we have a large extent of hilly country which is only suitable for pastoral and mining pursuits, it is our duty to utilise this to the best advantage, and furnish a means of enabling the workingclasses to find profitable employment.

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No. 1.

Table showing the Comparison in Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation, and also the Quantity and Value of other Minerals produced, for the Years ending the 31st December, 1892 and 1893; as well as the Total Value since January, 1853.

NfliUie of Metal or Mineral. For Year ending tlio 31st December, 18S3. Quantitj , . Value. For Year ondinR the 31st December, 1892. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1893. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 'recious metals — Gold .. Silver .. Oz. 226,811 63,076 £ 913,138 9,743 Oz. 238,079 22,053 £ 954,744 3,990 Oz. 12,535,107 667,702 £ 49,300,999 153,887 Total gold and silver 289,887 922,881 260,132 958,740 13,202,869 49,454,880 linoral produce, including kauri-gum— Copper-ore Chrome-ore Antimony-ore Manganese-ore Haematite-ore Mixed minerals Coal exported Coke exported Coal, output of mines in colony .. ;. Kauri-gum Tons. - 331 319 37 09,136 51 022,412 8,317 £ 467 943 650 72,699 53 311,206 510,775 Tons. 304 521 84 78,911 4,300 594,404 8,705 ■ £ 1,239 Tons. 1.394J 5,666 a, 48.t 17.298J 52i 14,189 658,411 15,843 7,684,997 160,040* £ 17,866 37,367 49,507 56,107 226 70,322 659,882 23,643 3,842,408 0,860,196 631 80,225 5,691 297,202 517,678 Total quantity and value of minerals Value of gold and silver, as above 700,603 899,793 922,881 087,295 907,560 958,740 8,561,370J 11,617,524 49,454,886 Total value of minerals produced, including gold and silver 1,822,674 1,866,306 01,072,410

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No. 2.

Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ending the 31st March, 1893 and 1894, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st March, 1894.

Year ending 31st March, 1894. Year ending 31st March, 1893. Increase or Decrease for Year ending 31st March, 1894. District and County or Borough. Total Quanti from Janui 31st Mai ity and Value ary, 1857, to roll, 1894. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Increase. Decrease. Auckland — County of Coromandel County of Thames County of Ohinemuri County of Piako County of Whangarei Borough of Thames Te Aroha Town District Oz. 0,049 14,082 24,950 479 £ 24,548 57,213 103,614 1,957 Oz. 6,647 13,974 14,017 503 5 5,906 £ 26,549 55,800 57,953 2,014 15 23,518 Oz. Oz. 598 Oz. £ '108 10,933 24 5 6^866 27i680 960 Wellington 52,426 215,012 41,052 165,849 11,374 1,789,951 6,731,545 188 706 Marlborough—■ County of Marlborough Blenhoim Borough Picton Borough 2,262 9,037 3,055 12,083 793 Nelson — County of Waimea County of Collingvvood 2,262 9,037 3,055 12,083 793 79,118 307,655 181 1,998 674 7,467 60 2,732 230 10,379 121 '734 2,179 8,141 2,792 10,609 613 244,982 969,543 West Coast— County of Buller County of Inangahua County of Grey County of Westland Brunnorton Borough Kumara Borough Hokitika Borough Boss Borough Beefton Borough 15,642 28,015 21,663 28,560 62,561 112,074 86,650 114,244 15,832 24,662 24,545 30,813 63,420 98,613 98,141 123,312 8,'353 190 2,882 2,253 715 418 3,917 2,861 1,670 15,668 1,078 916 3,790 4,211 3,665 15,161 363 498 "l27 98,930 395,728 101,636 406,523 2,706 5,432,065 21,581,825 Canterbury 48 192 Otago— County of Taieri .. County of Tuapeka County of Vincent County of Maniototo County of Waihemo County of Waikouaiti County of Waitakl County of Bruce County of Lake County of Wallace County of Fiord' County of Southland County of Stewart Island .. County of Clutha Unknown Borough of Alexandra Dunedin 952 26,070 18,298 10,656 1,778 496 2,397 131 15,175 4,855 340 3,664 85 8 3,644 105,233 73,858 43,056 6,917 1,936 9,849 525 61,198 19,629 1,363 14,722 340 32 1,217 21,681 16,125 10,779 2,607 665 1,796 14,977 5,611 632 3,999 15 4,689 87,848 64,934 43,528 10,146 2,452 7,355 59,943 22,746 2,570 16,052 00 4,389 2,173 601 131 198 265 123 829 169 756 292 335 "70 8 "20 80 "20 84,905 342,302 80,124 322,403 4,781 5,054,592 19,975,412 Totals 240,702 970,220 228,659 917,407 12,043 12,600,944 49,566,878

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Total Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty for Exportation from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st December, 1893. (This return shows the produce of the various goldfields. Gold entered at Nelson from Hokitika, Greymouth, and Westport is put under the head of "West Coast," and from Invercargill and Riverton under the head of "Otago.")

No. 3.

Auckland. Nelson. Marlb. irongh. West Coast. igO. Wellington. Cante] •bury. Toti Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 "308 1,239 4,483 3,448 5,449 5,814 6,637 53,660 132,451 85,534 330,326 104,890 119,449 76,910 69,485 56,057 99,081 55,982 37,901 42,720 35,516 33,059 41,291 36,087 42,989 32,271 30,697 35,223 28,655 31,745 45,392 45,555 45,714 £ i|l92 4,098 13,853 10,552 17,090 17,463 18,277 168,874 434,687 319,146 1,188,708 369,341 437,123 305,068 262,156 221,905 403,627 220,454 154,295 176,416 141,326 131,007 163,618 143,564 170,416 128,140 121,504 139,556 113,191 125,760 181,185 183,655 186,553 10,437 J 13,226 i 7,336 4,538 6,335 10,422 9,580 14,410 12,137 7,650 9,123 5,999 10,631 12,244 10,014 8,175 13,697 5,642 4,577 14,018 5,367 4,463 2,993 3,222 3,453 3,289 2,064 2,159 2,798 2,582 2,914 3,027 3,252 2,856 4,445 2,535 2,145 £ 40,422 51,272 28,427 17,585 24,552 40,386 37,120 55,841 47,030 29,643 35,918 38,396 42,524 48,692 40,056 32,700 54,786 22,158 17,866 55,862 21,092 17,223 11,424 12,223 13,039 12,494 7,724 8,002 10,337 9,979 10,829 11,320 12,310 11,049 16,896 9,604 8,187 24,838 7,952 469 501 404 666 1,852 1,867 2,057 1,274 1.198 1,159 450 870 404 879 1,550 1,378 1,352 636 1,079 540 404 1,041 699 5,189 6,073 5,649 3,898 2,165 £ 95,231 30,814 1,818 1,978 1,616 2,664 7,408 7,468 8,228 5,050 4,748 4,636 1,796 3,197 1,617 3,460 5,650 4,531 5,400 2,524 4,306 2,160 1,451 3,759 2,547 20,167 24,285 22,576 15,429 8,644 1,463 289,897 552,572 511,974 405,762 317,169 280,008 232,882 172,574 188,501 157,531 158,678 133,014 153,198 144,634 142,822 144,090 127,544 130,048 116,905 111,686 117,861 112,671 98,774 100,139 101,696 89,096 109,268 103,106 99,127 £ 5,560 1,127,370 2,140,946 2,018,874 1,608,844 1,269,664 1,121,525 931,528 690,296 756,442 631.203 635,480 531,274 612,823 578,508 571,061 575,258 509,971 519,978 467,152 446,517 471,325 446,287 395,430 400,405 406,451 356,368 437,126 412,383 396,516 187,696 399,201 614,387 436,012 259,139 168,871 158,670 171,649 153,364 165,152 154,940 157,674 182,416 135,107 121,423 118,477 113,169 105,003 102,869 113,666 102,670 83,446 87,478 78,810 73,183 79,104 70,443 62,107 64,419 63,410 87,209 82,933 77,660 £ 727,321 1,546,905 2,380,750 1,689,653 1,004,163 654,647 623,815 686,596 613,456 660,694 619,760 630,696 734,024 542,154 487,632 473,491 455,341 422,277 407,868 457,705 411,923 333,804 352,334 318,932 294,378 317,543 279,518 247,142 256,430 255,926 349,573 333,467 313,238 30 i £ 120 £ 10,437 13,534 7,336 4,538 194,031 410,862 628,450 480,171 574,574 735,376 686,905 637,474 614,281 544,880 730,029 445,370 505,337 376,388 355,322 322,016 371,685 310,486 287,464 305,248 270,561 251,204 248,374 229,946 237,371 227,079 203,869 201, 219 203,211 193,193 251,996 238,079 226,811 £ 40,422 52,464 28,427 17,585 751,873 1,591,389 2,431,723 1,856,837 2,226,474 2,844,517 2,698,862 2,504,326 2,362,995 2,157,585 2,787,520 1,731,261 1,987,425 1,505,331 1,407,770 1,284,328 1,496,080 1,240,079 1,148,108 1,227,252 1,080,790 1,002,720 993,352 921,797 948,615 903,569 811,100 801,066 808,549 773,438 1,007,488 954,744 913,138 io 37 i6i 380 24 96 47 169 24 96 33 52 132 206 Totals .. 6,673,866 243,755 964,968 78,493 5,031,770 1,776,018 305,158 5,404,750 21,472,565 19,883,206 273 1,044 48 192 12,535,107 49,300,999

25

a—2.

No. 4.

Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Mineral Ores (the Product of Mines other than Gold), Coal, Coke, and Kauri-gum, exported from the Colony up to 31st December, 1893.

Note.—Silver-ore, 37 tons, £1,225.

Silver. Copper-ore. Chrome-ore. Antimony-ore. Manganese-ore. Heeniatite-ore. Mixed Mineral Ore. Coal. Coke. Kauri-gum. Totals. Oz. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Ounces. Tons. Value. £ £ i I £ I £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 15,972 28,864 4,514 18,591 35,251 20,037 20,776 9,851 9,888 11,107 27,026 60,590 46,060 70,572 77,491 72,493 111,307 175,074; 167,958 154,167 85,816 79,986 138,523 109,234 118,348 132,975 147,535 242,817 253,788 260,369 336,606 342,151 209,762 257,653 362,449 380,933 329,590 378,563 437,056 517,678 510,775 £ 15,972 28,864 4,514 18,591 35,251 25,066 23,501 12,883 11,708 36,850 31,344 65,500 46,060 72,287 81,419 74,680 115,100 188,082 192,715 164,982 96,321 91,957 149,272 129,372 137,711 154,687 168,001 275,799 271,633 281,016 350,086 353,024 362,779 318,783 419,844 459,261 439,260 467,465 544,633 614,360 598,330 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 •• 11,063 37,123 80,272 37,064 36,187 40,566 29,085 12,683 33,893 23,019 20,645 20,005 18,885 5,694 16,826 24,914 16,624 12,108 20,809 403 24,105 32,637 28,023 22,053 63,076 .. I 2,993 11,380 23,145 9,910 9,850 10,380 7,569 3,171 7,556 5,755 4,512 4,500 4,236 1,286 3,785 5,125 3,169 2,946 3,453 71 4,043 6,162 5,151 3,996 9,743 351 245 137 110 51 246 84 '*7 5,000 2,605 1,590 1,300 1,024 2,700 977 "l2o| •• •• I 3 i 8 I 116 I 52 ; 3,843 595 768 '28I 1 .. I 25 I 120 i 1,440 ! 520 124,719 i 4,318 i 4,910 1,315 I •' 1 1 1 ll .. l| .. ■• J - " ., I .. •• •■ 2 •• 1 261 973 1,027 750 1,672 1,696 990 724 1,463 3,385 1,854 2,658 6,362 7,144 7,020 6,621 3,207 6,522 6,104 43,893 46,136 44,129 68,087 86,405 69,014 91,664 78,911 69,136 4 2 400 1,228 1,210 800 1,508 1,612 855 655| 1,363 ! 3,129 1,954 2,071 5,139 6,187 5,977 5,610 2,380 4,879 4,461 51,257 52,133 44,650 64,971 84,347 67,003 91,173 80,225 72,699 •• - •• 1 1 . 1 21 1 "87 15 53 25J 85 154 87 223 275 1,430 236 267 497 183J 953 2,132 2,218 2,544 4,306 51 - "50! 228 51 189 72 177 324 135 353 480 2,057 372 385 715 266 1,646 3,407 3,334 3,658 5,691 53 830 1,661 355 1,440 2,522 1,811 2,010 1,046 856 1,103 1,400 2,228 1,867 2,535 2,685 2,690 3,850 4,391 5,054 4,811 2,834 2,569 2,231 2,888 3,633 3,445 3,229 4,725 5,461 5,533 6,518 6,393 5,875 J 4,920f 6,791 8,482 7,519 7,438 8,388 8,705 8,317 .. 1 1 11,063 ; 37,123 80,272 ! 37,064 36,187 40,566 29,085 12,683 33,893 23,019 20,645 20,005 18,885 5,694 16,826 24,914 16,634 12,108 20,809 403 24,105 32,637 28,023 22,053 63,076 667,762 830 1,661 355 1,440 2,522 2,167 2,263 1,300 1,018 4,997 1,995 2,996 1,867 3,077 3,904 3,801 3,600 6,070 6,750 5,822 3,558 4,119 5,631 7,975 8.682J 12,420 12,722 17,177 15,438 14,019 14,593J 13,071 51,4681 52,41l| 51,6664 79,145 97,828 80,287 J 104,16l| 92,891 78,191 "6 55 "ll5 1,105 •• 2,516 2,140 2,611 1,271 2,181 384 318 602 328J 305 1,085 1,080 482 1,153 521 319 3,180 2,366 2 14,824 9,664 8 4 102 10,416 8,338 10,423 3,283 6,963 1,155 809 1,716 1,316 895 2,404 2,569 1,004 2,634 1,239: 943 5 9 46 20 36 41 678 106 •• 60 2 30 31 612 24 900 804 2,674 1,955 2,784 22 11,335 4,303 8,597 110 - "i 12 - 6661 62 134 376 493 515 413 364 331 5,289 1,784 3,989| 6,246 ! 5,319 11,121 4,950 4,900; 3,467 50J 208 114 445 144 162 199 19 2 84 37 993 1,846 4,142 2,955 9,985 273 6 631 650 '20 "390 •• I I - I 2 75 - - - 'ij "oi ■• 4 5 1 Totals I 3,481 226 14,179 160,040.} 6,860,1961 667,762| 153,8871 l,394jr 17,866i j 5,666; 37,3671 49,507, 17.2961 1 56,1071 52J 70,3221 658,411| 659,882 15,843 |23,643: 876,473| 7,929,003

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26

No. 5.

Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coals imported into New Zealand during the Quarter ended the 31st March, 1894.

• No. 6.

Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Production of Coal in the Colony, and Imported, Year by Year, during the last Fifteen Years.

No. 7.

Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Mining Districts, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1892 and 1893, together with the Total Appeoximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

Country whence Imported. Quantity. Value. United Kingdom New South Wales Queensland Tons. 209 30,115 701 & 260 28,739 403 Totals 31,025 29,402

Coal raised in the Colony. Coal imported Year. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Tons. Pins or Minus. Increase and Decrease. .878 .. .879 .. .880 .. .881 .. .882 .. .883 .. .884 .. .885 .. .886 .. .887 .. .888 .. .880 .. .890 .. .891 .. .892 .. .893 .. 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 69,000 68,705 37,339 41,010 43,492 59,009 30,232 23,290 24,267 55,275 27,450 50,952 31,397 4,521 18,233 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,003 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 + + 16,072 33,778 6,664 380 6,042 24,904 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 26,722 17,124 14,379 135 8,009 + + +

Output oJ Coal. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to 31st December, 1893. Name of District. 1892. 1893. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. £awakawa Vhangarei, Kamo, Ngunguru and Whauwhau Vaikato .. .. Jokau 'elorus Vest Wanganui Vostport teefton Jreymouth ■lalvern ?imaru )tago iouthland Tons. 18,515 9,924 Tons. 11,307 23,379 Tons. 7,208 13,455 Tons. 799,068 299,163 ■ + 57,894 1,823 1,981 208,076 4,368 178,244 11,101 1,446 157,610 22,333 57,251 781 2,471 227,178 3,904 138,179 10,700 1,220 174,230 40,942 + + 643 1,042 490 19,102 464 40,065 401 226 16,626 18,609 711,674 7,505 711 44,566 1,627,121 56,012 1,838,453 296,129 8,108 2,550,828 257,511 + + Totals .. 673,315 691,548 18,233 8,496,849

27

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No. 8.

Table showing the Different Classes of Coal from the Mines in the Colony.

No. 9.

Table showing the Number of Coal-mines in Operation, the Number of Men employed, and the Output of Coal per Man.

No. 10.

Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st December, 1893.

Note. —Foreign coal: Included in exportation to—United Kingdom, 837 tons, value £960; New South Wales, 2,306 tons, value £2,886 ; Tasmania, 20 tons, value £20 ; Norfolk Island, 1 ton, value £1 ; Fiji, 42 tons, value £53 ; U.S. America, West Coast, 375 tons, value £469; South Sea Islands, 2,409 tons, value £2,871. The remainder is New Zealand produce. W. T. Glasgow, Secretary and Inspector. Department of Trade and Customs, Wellington, 30th March, 1894.

Output of Coal. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1893. Name of Coal. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. 1892. 1893. iituminous 'itch .. irown .. jignite .. Tons. 406,828 89,549 149,460 27,478 Tons. 380,901 131,071 156,154 23,422 + + Tons. 25,927 41,522 6,694 4,056 Tons. 4,319,478 1,333,585 2,580,978 262,808 Totals 673,315 691,548 18,233 8,496,849

Number of Mines working. Number of Miners employed in each Mine. Total Number of Men employed. Output of Coal during 1893. Average Output per Man. 119 11 2 21 1 to 4 men in each 5 to 10 11 to 20 21 men and upwards 212 69 29 1,578 Tons. 56,854 23,768 5,901 605,025 Tons. 2G8 344 203 383 153 1,888 691,548 36G

Imported. Exported. Countries whence imported. Quantity. Value. Countries to which exported. Quantity. Value. United Kingdom few South Wales .. Queensland Tons. 1,383 113,122 2,939 £ 1,587 108,625 1,744 United Kingdom Victoria New South Wales Tasmania Norfolk Island Fiji Islands Bengal Prance U.S. America, West Coast.. South Sea Islands Tons. 50,838 1 8,210 65 99 4,436 2,400 200 375 8,502 £ 54,637 1 9,526 72 133 4,035 2,000 220 469 8,666 Totals .. 117,444 111,956 Totals .. 75,126 79,759

a—2.

No. 11.

Number of Miners employed during the Years ending 31st March, 1893 and 1894.

Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation, not given; printing (2,500 copies), £26 3s. 3d.

Prict 9d.] By Authority: Samuel Costald, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB94.

28

Alluvial Miners. Quartz-miners. Total:!. Grand Total. Mining District. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. 1893. 1894. Auckland —■ North Hauraki and Coromandel .. Thames Ohinomuri Tβ Aroha Puhipuhi 199 650 454 29 2 199 650 454 29 2 287 676 420 23 10 201 650 454 29 Marlborough— Pelorus Wairau Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Wakamarina Kaituna and Duncan's Valley 2 20 125 25 60 7 1,332 "l0 2 1,332 2 20 125 35 60 7 1,416 10 15 130 40 40 8 1,334 2 20 125 35 60 7 Nelson— Wangapeka Collingwood and Takaka Motueka Inangahua Ahaura Charleston Westport, including Addison's,' Northern Terraces, Waimangaroa, North Beach, Mokihinui, Karamea, and Lower Buller Valley Lyell .. Murchison Owen .. .. .. J 239 36 146 8 148 593 150 2 191 217 "20 312 9 10 249 36 166 8 460 602 150 2 'ioi 217 243 32 162 8 640 670 220 249 36 168 8 651 819 150 270 270 245 270 34 17 74 108 17 126 125 125 50 125 50 178 175 Westland — Ross Stafford and Goldshorough Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Arnold .. .. j Okarito Jackson's Bay 1,510 477 415 1,925 477 2,281 2,402 150 420 600 500 14 150 50 100 0 156 420 600 500 14 150 50 100 175 570 490 600 170 570 650 600 750 200 750 200 1,200 950 120 1 120 1 91 40 121 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde and Alexandra Cromwell Roxburgh Black's Tapanui Waikaia Wyndham Longwood Orepuki .. .. I Roundhill and Wilson's River j Wakatipu Goldfields—Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby, Kyeburn, Clarke's, and "| Mount Burster Hamilton, Sowburn, &c. Hyde and Pullerton's Serpentine Macrae's, Strath - Taieri, Shag Valley, Nenthom, St. Bathan's, and Ida Valley Maerewhenua 2,540 25 366 275 300 350 141 40 70 40 4 297 114 165 63 35 40 515 24 6 20 25 2,546 49 372 295 325 350 141 40 70 40 4 297 114 165 63 35 40 85 515 3,106 67 767 377 480 413 183 80 189 39 3,061 53 669 409 490 413 176 80 155 40 240 150 80 320 150 C20 470 300 50 100 400 50 450 450 325 50 100 425 50 500 475 350 180 370 20 180 850 550 77 77 77 70 Summary. 2,899 1,233 3,274 1,233 5,091 4,507 375 Auckland Marlborough Nelson Westland Otago 239 1,510 2,540 2,899 477 515 1,233 1,332 10 415 6 375 2 1,332 249 1,925 2,546 3,274 2 477 515 1,233 1,416 243 2,281 3,106 5,091 1,334 249 2,402 3,061 4,507 Totals 7,188 2,225 2,138 9,326 2,227 12,197 11,553