SOUTH AFRICAN GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9492, 23 April 1894, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN GOLDFIELDS.

CHAMBER OP MINES REPORT. Wk are in receipt of a copy of the fifth annual report of the Wibwatersraod Chamber of Mines (South African Republic) for the year ending 31ab December, 1893. It is published in Johannesburg, and contains a very large mass of interesting matter and statistics, the volume being a large one of 190 pages, in addition to which there is a statistical summary of bhu gold produced during the year, including monthly totals and averages. The chairman, in moving the annual report for adoption, said the gold production of the world for 1893, has been computed ab 29 millions sterling, and over 5,000,000 have been , contributed by Witwatersrand. The world's production of gold has steadily increased since 1890, when it was assessed ab under 22 millions sterling. Further on he adds that in 1892 the average number of stamps was increased by 442, whilst in 1893 there was only an increase of 48 stamps, so that the higher outpub for the latter years was clearly not from this source, and he found on investigation that 83,000 ounces or 31 "5 per cent., was the increase from the mills, while 114,000 ounces, or 68-5 per cent., were contributed by tailings and concentrates. The higher average yield is due to the treatment of more tailings and concentrates. A good deal of friction has arisen in the Republic in regard to the monopoly in dynamite. There is lengthy correspondence on the subject, and the Chamber reported that their action has resulted in a great saving to companies, lb adds: —"Prior to the cancellation of the concession, and, indeed, until November last, the South African Company and their successor, the Government agent, kept the price of dynamite at 100s per case, ab the magazine, for 100 cases or more, the price rising to 115s for small quantities. We have seen that even when tho price here was 75s per case, and afterwards 85s per case, at Barberton, where no special steps had been taken to protect consumers against the cupidity of the Government agent, 120s per case was charged. lb requires no argumenb to show that bub for the attitude assumed by the chamber during the past four years, the concessionaires would have been undisturbed in the possession of the monopoly, and that Witwatersrand district would have received no better treatment than has been accorded bo Barbeston. The chamber is still confronted with the necessity of endeavouring to secure concessions for companies. When this is accomplished incessant competition between the Government agent and Nobels will come into operation, and companies will reap the benefit of a further reduction in the price of explosives." The statistics show that the total production for the year was 1,478,4770zs 3dwts of gold, and the total production since the opening of the fields has amounted to 4,556,2350zs 12dwts, showing a steady increase since 1887, when the produce was 23,1250zs Bdwts. It is evident that the chamber of mines of Witwatersrand exercises a beneficial and widespread influence, and the watchful care which they exercise over all matters affecting the South African goldfield is shown by the admirable manner in which the statistical and other information contained in their report is compiled.