THE MINES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13985, 19 August 1907, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE MINES OF NEW ZEALAND.

MINISTER'S ANNUAL STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, July 26. J tie gross valuo of all minerals produced ™' n K 1906 amounted to £3.871,811, being • S™ m, of the amou,li; Produced in lWb. llio Mines Statement states that, the colony has now tho distinction of possessing in tho Woi-hi Gold Mining Company and the West-port Coal Company tho most productivo gold-mining and tho third most productivo colliery company in Australasia.

The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the year 1906 was as follows:— Auckland. 295,4170z. Nelson 29440z. West .Coast. 104,7430z. Ot-ago and Southland, 160,7390z. Total, 56334907.. £2^0904 tota '' ° Ui ' PUt WM - VIll " cd "'

In the Mines Department's annual report it is stated in regard to quartz mining that as developments proceed satisfactory promise of the future prosperity of tho quartz mining industry is obtained. At the Waibi mine, the Martha and other reefs are maintaining their values. At the Talisman mino 1500 ft vcrtionl has been proved on tho vein, and tho dividends declared are increasing in value. Ou the Thames field payable gold, lias been obtainod in tho May Queen mino at a depth of 720 ft, and at tho Waiotahi mino development, work at tho lower lovels ie meeting- with success. At Reefton.a- depth of 1700 ft has been attained, and dividends aro still forthcoming at ono mino after 33 years' successful operations. In tho State of A'ictoria, rcof mining is now being carried out profitably at a doptli of 4175 ft, and from tho evidence tho above mines supply it may reasonably he anticipated that, the strong quartz veins of this country will prove as permanent as those _ now worked in Victoria. Operations at tho State coal mines have been extended, and dopots are now established at Wellington, Christcburoh, and Wanganui for the sale of the coal to tho public. The result of prospecting on the coal reserve in the vicinity of the Point Elizabeth colliery lias disolosed valuable seams of coal of a highly bituminous natoro. Tho profits of both State mines during the financial year amounted to £8460.

The inorcaso in the kauri gum export continues. Tho total export, had at the raid of 1906 reached 275.319 tons (value £13,443.017), ami about 5000 diggers aro engaged on tho gumfields of tho colony. Tho Mines Statement contains the following remarks regarding hydraulic and alluvial mining:—"These systems of mining are confirmed to the gold-fields of the South Island, the principal centres being in the Wostland, and Ofcago provinces, whore, it is to be regretted, a'diminishing output of gold annually takes place. This is duo to tho exhaustion of tho shallow deposits by tho largo fleet of dredges built a few years ago and bv extensive hydraulio sluicing operations, also to tho absence of wator in tho moro remote auriferous localities. The Tamaiti Gold Mining Company, which received a subsidy from tho Government, has introduced a novel prinoiplo of working auriferous gravels. The water is raised from the Tuapeka River to a height of 30 feet by means of a darn, and from that elevation operates a turbine and pump, giving a discharge of fivo heads on the terrace 150 foot abovo tlio rivor lovol. The waste wator being returned to tho Tuapoka River. This comparatively inexpensive and effioicnt system of_ obtaining power for hydraulic sluicing might bo advantageously applied in other parte of tho colony. The future of alluvial mining depends upon the working of tho lower grado and tho moro inaccessible 'deposits, which have boon neglected or overlooked by the earlier minors, or clso have defied thorn by reason of the conditions under which thoy occur."

Drcdgo mining is thus referred to:— "The most extensivo dredging fields aro situated • in Otago and Southland, where, although a small falling off in tho output has to bo recorded' for 1906, the continuance of successful operations for some years to oomc is assured. On tho 'West Coast dredge mining cannot be considered to be in a. flourishing state, tho working of flats having often proved a failure owing to tho difficulties encountered in working, ■or tho absence of payable gold. The nnmber of dredges at work at the end'of 1906 was lb7—a. decrease of 18 as compared with tJwso operating at the corresponding period of the preceding - year. Tho sum of £103.722 was paid in dividends by 57 dredges, the property of registered companies. Tho products of privately. owned drecfeis aro considerable, as these number 110, but the amount paid by them is not available." Tho Minister of Mines, in his annual statement, makes tho following remarks regarding petroleum :—•" No further discoveries of potroloum havo been recorded since tlat at Moturoa, near New Plymouth, referred to in my last annual statement. Sovoml companies, havo boon formedi flfld; boring, opamtiona are being

actively carried out, but up to the present tune no considerable sunrly of highpressure oil hue been proved, although tho quality of tint flowing at the prospecting company's _ well is satisfactory. ProspectW operations are also being 'carried on at Kotuku, near Lako Bninner, on the West Coast of the South Island."