GOLD AND COAL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 265, 7 November 1919, Page 5

GOLD AND COAL.

A YEAR'S WORK. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, Thursday. ■ The mines statement was laid on the table prior to the close of the session. The returns are compiled only up to December 31, 1918, and there is no return for the gold output, the Minister stating that the Imperial authorities were of opinion that it was still inadvisable to give exact information regarding the production and export of gold.

The values of the other mineral products for the 12-monthly period were: Silver, £171,450; quicksilver, £2422; tungsten ore, £37,922: miscellaneous minerals, £5,582: coal exported, £227^28.

The output of coal during 191S amounted to 2,034,250 tons, compared with 2,008,419 tons during 15)17, a decrease of 34,109 tons. On the total output 540.77S tons came from the Northern inspection district, an increase of 70,140 tons: 9!)7,05n tons from the West Coast, a decrease of 149.C80 tons; and 487,333 tons from tlie Southern district, an increase of 36,380 tons.

The quantity of tungsten ore obtained .[during the year was 143 tons G CB*t., as . I against 199 tons Sewt. for the previous 11; year. The decline in production could I only be attributed to depletion of known . I deposits, and unless further deposits were discovered, the report stated, the decline J would probably continue. J Drilling for petroleum was carried out 'in Taranaki. Hawkt's Bay, and Canter- . j bury, but no development of real <-om- | mercial value occurred. Near TVaikaia. ; i Southland, a small area of oil shale ci proved by drilling, and attention was ' drawn to' tlie oil shale deposit near Ore- , jpulci. which it was hopcl '.vonld be "J worked in die near future. I Kauri "«m exported during 1018 'lamounted to 2,410 tons valued at filnT.----1313, a> against V>!>4 t m valued at ' I £201 917 during the previous year. The ] total qiiantitv "and value of kauri .gum ! exported to the end of 191S were respecjfcively 356.202 tons and £18,326.252. ! Puring the year entled March 31, ISIO. jnine approved prospecting parties were J "ranted subsidies amounting to £1.-100. iof which over £1.2<10 was expended. In I addition to this. £!).!H2 granted during j the previous year was also expended.