THE OUTPUT OF GOLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 4

THE OUTPUT OF GOLD.

New Zealand continues to mninlaii its reputation as a gold producer. Tin returns for the March quarter wind wo published tho otlior (lav showed ;i largo increaso over thoso of the corresponding quarter last yiir, amounting to 33,350 ounces and £38,239. Tho figures, however,,, which we print j to-day giving tho export of the precious metal for last month are »veil I moro remarkable. During April 33,343 ounces, valued at ■£130,509, were entered for export, as compared with 15,220 ounces valued at £50,9-17 for April last year. This is a phenomenal increase, amounting to more than double the output fm the corns?-' ponding period twelve months ago. I Although all tho goldfields have con-! I tributed to this gratifying result, it I | is mainly owing to the enormous I ! strides which the dredging industry I in Otago has made of late, the returns ] from that province showing an in-1 crease in ounces of 12,191, and in value of £19,591. Tho difficulties which wero at first encountered in working the beds of the larger rivora havo now been overcome by tho use of improved dredging machinery, and it is stated that, on tho Clutha River, where most of the dredgers are at work, very few fail to pay interest on tho capital invested in them. Dredgin" is also being successfully employed for working river flats, and it is evident that it is developing into a considerable branch of the mining industry. Should tho increaso shown last month bo maintained the year's output will be a record one. On the Auckland poldfields there is every reason for anticipating a growing increase in the output, which in several instances at present is only limited by [ the want of additional crushing appliances, When these are supplied \ there will bo a marked improvement in the amount of bullion produced.