MINERAL WEALTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22353, 26 February 1936, Page 9

MINERAL WEALTH

CANADA'S GREAT INCREASE NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED LARGE GOLD OUTPUT The output of the Canadian mineral industry last year was valued at 308,161,000 dollars (£77,0-11,000 in New Zealand currency), an increase of 11 per cent over 1934, and exceeded only by the peak year of 1921), when production was valued at 310,850,000 dollars (£77,702,500). New records were established in the outputs of gold, copper, nickel, zinc, selenium, teluriuin and sulphur. Metals with a value of 221,728,000 dollars (£55,432,000) showed an advance of 14 per cent over 1934; fuels including coal, natural gas, crude petroleum and peat amounted in value to 54.280.000 dollars (£13,570,000), a slight increase over 1934; non-metallic minerals other than fuels increased 16 per cent in value to 12,130,000 dollars (£3,032,500), and structural materials, including cement, lime, clay products, stone and sand and gravel, advanced to 20,026,000 dollars (£5,006,500), a gain of 4 per cent. Gold created new records in both output and value. Production in 1935 totalled 3,290,664 fine ounces, valued at 115,798,000 dollars (£28,949,500), compared with 2,972,074 fine ounces, valued at 102,536,553 dollars (£25,634,000), in 1934. The previous record year in the quantity output of gold was 1932, when Canadian mines yielded 3,044,387 fine ounces, and 1934 was the first year that the value of Canada's gold output exceeded 100,000,000 dollars. Silver production at 16,413,482 fine ounces was slightly under the output of 16,415,282 fine ounces in 1934, but showed a gain in value of 33 per cent, as a result of higher prices. Copper production at 418,753,1481b. was a record, and the nickel output totalled 139,194,3481b., an increase of 8 per cent over the preceding year. Lead production at 337,459,4721b. was slightly less than in 1934, but, owing ! to the increase in the average price I for the year, the total value of the j production was 26 per cent higher, j The zinc output was the greatest on , record, amounting to 316,250,7691b. j MEAT EXPORT PRICES NO CHANGE IN SCHEDULE LAMBS AT HIGH RATE Export schedule prices for fat stock in the Auckland Province are unchanged as follows: — Lambs. —361b. and under, 8d per lb.; 371b. to 421b., 7Jd; over 421b., 7d; seconds, 7jd. Sheep.—Wethers, 481b. and under, 5Jd per lb.; 491b. to 561b., sd; 571b. to 641b., 4Jd; 651b. to 721b., 4£d; 731b. and ever, 3Jd; seconds, 4?d. Ewes: 481b. and under, 3|d; 481b. to 561b., 2Jd; 571b. to 641b., 2§d; 651b. to 721b., 2d; 731b. and over, l|d. Pigs.—6olb. to 801b., 5Jd per lb.; 811b. to 1001b., 5Jd; 1011b. to 1201b., 4id; 1211b. to 1601b., 4Jd; 1611b. to 1801b., 4id; 1811b. to 2001b., 3d; over 2001b., and choppers, 2d; second grade, id less; unexportable, less id for porkers and baconers. In the South Island the schedule for lambs has ranged up to B}d per lb. It is difficult to account for the high prices, in view of the weakness in the Smithfield market at present. The shortage of lambs offering in the Dominion does not appear to be sufficient reason. LONDON MARKETS TALLOW CONTINUES QUIET The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated February 22, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London:— Tallow. —The market continues quiet; values are nominally unchanged. Hemp.—Manila: The market is quiet and easier. K grade for FebruaryApril shipment sold at £22 10s a ton. Sisal: The market is quiet. Closing values for February-April shipment, £2B 10s. New Zealand: Small quantities of fair grade offered at £2O. No business is reported. Apples.—There is a steady demand. Californian Newtown, 8s 6d to 10s 6d; Oregon Newtown, 9s to 12s 6d; British Columbian Jonathan, 6s 6d to 9s 3d; Delicious, 7s 3d to 10s; Washington Jonathan, 7s to 10s. Pears. —The demand was easier, but now A grade is a little better. Californian Winter Nelis, lis to 13s; Washington Winter Nelis, 7s to 9s; British Columbian Anjou, 9s to 12s. SYDNEY WOOL SALES GOOD GENERAL DEMAND (Received February 25, 11.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 25 At the Sydney wool sales to-day 10.214 bales were offered and 9492 were sold. Also 2552 bales were sold privately. Tho market was firm and there was good general demand. Greasy Merino sold to 23id. BRADFORD TOPS VERY FIRM LONDON, Feb. 24 Tho Bradford tops market i 9 very firm. BUTTER MARKET WEAK FALL OF 2s PER CWT. A fall of 2s per cwt. to 90s and 91s per cwt. has occurred in the London price of New Zealand butter. Tho market is weak, according to a cablegram received by Joseph Nathan and Company, Limited, from Trengrouse and Nathan, Limited, under date February 24. Cheese is quiet, with prices unchanged at 51s 6d per cwt. for white and 55s for coloured. DOMINION CHILLED BEEF EXHIBIT AT SMITHFIELD A successful move to arouse interest in Britain in the quality of chilled beef from the Dominion has been made by the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association. As a sequel to judgment of suitablo cattle 011 the hoof in New Zealand an inspection of carcases was made at a special exhibit at the London Smithfield Market. Tho breeds represented were Aberdeen Angus, . Shorthorn, Hereford and Red Poll, as well as crossbreds. Tho judges, who were unaware of the _ placings in New Zealand, gave their verdict in favour of crossbred. Representatives of the respective British breed societies were present and the general consensus of opinion was that tho sides shown were likely to provide the typo most wanted to-day.