DOMINION'S MINES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue LXXXVIII, 10 September 1914, Page 3

DOMINION'S MINES

DECREASE IN PRODUCTION LOSS OF WAGES £100,000, The mining industry, although seriously affected by the big btrike last year. is reported officially by the Minister of Miniee in his annual statement presented to Parliament last night to have arrived at a somewhat settled condition. Slight declines in some branches were • compensated for by increases in others. A reduction in gold output appears probable, but this will be balanced by, an increase in the production of coal, and also by the initiation of an iron industry. The most marked reduction last year was caueed by the strike. The output of coal decreased 289,610 tons. The total for the year was 1,888,006 tons. It is estimated that the loss of wages to colliery employees during last November and December exceeded £100,000. The value of mineral output for the year totalled £3,187,191, an increase' of £144,967. Bullion was valued at £1,563".3G5 — an increase of £133,495 over that of_ the previous year. Kauri gum and scheelite continue to be valuable exports, and the kauri gum industry appears to be established for many years to come. The importance of gold dredging is declining rapidly, and only 74 dredges were in commission at the end of last year, as compared with 201 in 1902. In petroleum the most important 'development was the tapping at Moturoa of a flow which, during the first Wo months of the current year, is reported to have yielded over 1000 barrels of crude oil. It is interesting to note that the shortage of coal created by the strike was made good by importations, amounting to 468.940 tons—a record. ,','., In and about the mines of the Dominion 9191 persons were employed during last year— a, decrease of 376 from 1912-13. There were 4941 metalliferous miaer* and 4250 coal miners.' The number of gumdiggers probably exceeds 1000. ' Sixteen miners we're killed and twentyt\Vo seriously injured. The proportion of fatalities per thousand is 7,74. A new development of' coal at the State mine, Point Elizabeth, will somewhat prolong the life of that colliery. The output from State collieries decreased. ■ The attendance at the subsfdised Schools of Mines is etill small, only seventy-eight students presenting themselves for examination. A considerable proportion of these were not bona-ficte mining students. It has ljeen decided to introduce a Bill this session to assist the development of the iron ore resourced of the Dominion. Activities as regards State aid for prospecting, deep mining, and water-races were normal during the year. The report is comprehensive and valu* able to mining officials and students,