GOLD RETURNS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 86, 13 April 1899, Page 7

GOLD RETURNS.

INCREASE FROM AUCKLAND AND

DUNEDIN

The official returns of the gold entered for export from New Zealand during the month of March show the total amount to have been 33,5430z5, valued at £143,821, as compared with 24,4670z5, value £94,551, same date last year, being an increase for the third month of 1899 of £48,970, equal to 50 per cent. This time Dunedin shows to the best advantage, as the outcome of the extensive dredging operations now being carried on. Auckland also shows a good increase in the output, the whole of the extra yield being from these two places, the rest of the colony showing a decided falling-off. Auckland still heads the list with 16,9120z5, value £68,199, for March, as against £54,938 for the same period last year. Dunedin comes next with £62,011, and Greymouth third with £17,663. Invercargill, Blenheim, Hokitika, and Westport have no export for March this year, so that Auckland and Dunedin had to make up that deficiency in addition to having a total increase of £48,970. The results for the first quarter of 1899 are very satisfactory, showing an increase of £80,023 as compared'with the output for the first quarter of 1898.

For the quarter ending March, 1899, the total export amounted to 91,8210z5, valued at £336,012, compared with 70,5650z5, valued at £275,909, for the corresponding quarter of 189 S.

The figures for the first quarter disclose the following results:— 1899. 1898.

Oz. £. Oz. £ January 33,246 130,207 25,763 102,766 February .... 21,729 81,984 20,278 78,372 March 36,843 143,821 24,467 94.551

The yield of each district for the quarter, compared with the figures of 189S, is as under;— First Quarter. First Quarter. 1899. 1898. Oz. £/ Oz. £ Auckland .... 35,205 128,549 29,405 110,873 Greymouth .. 15,230 60,907 17,716 70, fJ7I Westport .... MS 3,700 3,146 12,588 Holdtika .... 2,805 11,220 5,386 21,548 Diinedin 35,228 141,922 12,647 51,320 Invercargill . 2,426 9,704 2,048 8,192 Blenheim .... - - 160. 597 The export of silver for the quarter compares with that of 1898 as under:— SILVER. • 1899. IS9B. Oss. £. Oz. £ January 34,234 4,005, 18,177 2,202 February .... 20,753 • 2,447 12,334 1,420 March .: 30,514 3,357 22,047 2,416 Silver shows an increased yield of 32 9460Z5, valued at £3773. The total increase of gold and silver during the March quarter was £83,796.