THE MINES STATEMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 58, 5 September 1901, Page 6

THE MINES STATEMENT.

The Mines Statement, presented to 4 the House this afternoon by the Hon. J. M'Gowan, states that the output of gold and silver for 1900 / was rather Jess than that of the preceding year, but as against this thero was a decided increase in the production of' other minerals, and notwithstanding the decrease in the, output of precious metals for the time "being, the actual Value of tSe mineral production for tho year was in excess of ! that of 1Q99. During 1900 the total production of gold and silver was 700,073o?, valued at £1,478,481, and •shows a decijease in value of £75,530, as compared with tho unusually large production of the preceding twelve months. g*, , . The output of the oth™ minerals, including coal and lignite, w v as 1,106,484 tons, representing a value of £1,224,666, pr an increase of 118,672 tons, of tho value of £122,123. jCauri gum to the amount of 10,159 tons, valued at £622,293 was obtained. Compared with' the production ,pf the previous' ye"ar this shows a decrease- of 957 tons, but an increase value of £14,374.. The total' value of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals (including kauri gum) produced in tho colony up to the end of 1900 was £76,104,981. As the value of gold and silver produced in 1899 was £440,213 in excess, of that of 1898 it will be seen, remarks the Ministejr, that the decreased production for 1900, representing a value of £73,630, is not serious, and is accounted for by the cessation of operations at a few quartz mines, and temporary suspension — due to development Work and alterations to plant, etc.— at others! ; also to the conditions (due principally to the recent dredging boom) which prevailed during the year in regard to. alluvial mining. The latest returns from, tho Customs go to show that the yield of precious metals is again increasing, the export vnluo of gold and, silver for t'Ae first six months Of the present year 'being largely in oxceiss, not only of thr/b of tho corresponding period of laßt .year, bub actually of that of tho first s>& months of 1899 to the extent of £ffe,7B7. The quantity of gold entered feir exportation through the Customs for the past financial year was 392,9760z, vr.lued at £1,516,482, the respective distri«/ts contributing us follows :— Aucklan'4, 166,0490z; Murlborough, 2470z; Nekon, 61260z ; West Coast 855,77907. j Canterbury, 220z ; Otago and Southland 137,7530z. The experience of previous gambling in mining 'shares," the Minister remarks in conclusion, has been repeated in the late dredging; boom, and the leaction which has sot in will, he thinks, tend to the consolidat.on of a really good and profitable braach of the goldmining industry. To-fliorrow afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, Messrs. Sidey and Co. will submit to auction an allotmont having a frontage of 62ft to Brougbam-stroot, by 60ft to Piricstreyt — ono of the finest building silos now avnilnblo in Brougham-street j also, on behalf of Mot. Kidney, her freehold property in Hintoul-stroot, 30ft x 94ft, with shop, dwelling, bakehouse, stable, trupshedj etc. We havo been requested by tho auctioneers to state that Mrs. Kidney is determined to sell, and that they have been initrupted .to realise on the. property.