MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. R. J. SEDDON, MINISTER OF MINES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1891 Session II, C-02

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Sess. IL—lB9l. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. R. J. SEDDON, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. Speaker,— Tn making my first Statement showing the results and growth of the mining industry, and the beneficial effect it produces on the colony, it is necessary for me to refer to its progress in the past, and to its future development, in order to show its tendency to promote the settlement of a permanent population following agricultural, industrial, and other pursuits. The discovery of gold in any country is the means of attracting people to its shores, and this alone has brought thousands of persons into New Zealand who otherwise would not have come, and although many of them have long ceased to be connected with mining, they have followed other pursuits, and made this country the laud of their adoption. It may be interesting to honourable members for me to state that about one-eighth the entire European population at the present time is supported by the mining industry, and hence it must he recognised as an important factor in contributing to the revenue of the colony. In 1857, when gold was first discovered in the Collingwood district, the European population was only about 57,000, and, notwithstanding the large exodus that has taken place during the last five years, we have now a population of 626,830. Moreover, we find that during the first twenty-nine years of our goldfields, from 1857 to 1886, the average annual increase of the population was 16,154, but during the last five years it has only averaged 9,500. No better proof can be given that mining tends to settle a permanent population than by calling attention to the settlement on the west coast of the Middle Island, comprising the Counties of Buller, Inangahua, Grey, and Westland, which have now a population of 31,450; and had it not been for the discovery of gold and coal in these counties, this portion of the colony would still have been in its native state and looked on as a wilderness. Therefore, in regard to settlement, the colony is indebted to a large extent to the hardy and intrepid miner, who has forced his way through the wilds where, in many instances, no human being had ever before trod, overcoming all obstacles, difficulties, and dangers that beset his path, until he unfolded the riches that for thousands of ages had been hidden in the bowels of the earth, thereby causing attention to be directed to this country as a land abounding in mineral wealth, also containing large areas of rich agricultural land, and possessing a climate that cannot be surpassed in any part of the world. Having all these advantages combined and brought prominently before the eyes of the world, the result has been the rapid growth of other pursuits and industries, thus making mining form a high incentive to the settlement of the people ou the lands. MINERAL PRODUCTION. In the early days of the goldfields attention was mostly given to goldmining, hut since then coal and other mineral products arc eagerly looked after. There is no one who follows any profession or calling that requires more technical knowledge and training than the miner, in order to enable him to follow his avocation to the greatest advantage. He must have a knowledge of all the mineral ores, and be capable of ascertaining the percentage of metal those ores contain, as well as a practical knowledge of the methods of working lodes and auriferous

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drifts ; the construction of mining machinery, water-races, dams and reservoirs ; a knowledge of the rocks and formations where different minerals are likely to be found : indeed, a thorough knowledge of mining requires many years of toil and study, in both the technical and practical branches. As year by year passes we find the necessity for men who are engaged in conducting large mining operations having a practical and technical knowledge of the branch they are engaged in, as it is only by this means that the mining industry will be placed ou a more solid and commercial foundation, and give greater encouragement for the investment of capital to open up and develop our mineral wealth. The quantity and value of gold, minerals, and kauri gum produced in the colony since 1853, up to the end of December last, will be found in Table 1., annexed, whilst Tables 111. and IV. give the detailed production year by year. It will be seen from Table I. that the total value of gold and silver obtained amounted to €46,560,626, and the total value of minerals and kauri gum £8,973,020 ; making a total of .€55,533,646 : whilst the value of the mineral produce exported and coal consumed within the colony for the year ending the 31st December last was : Gold, €773,438; silver, €6,162 ; antimony ore, €11,121; manganese ore, €1,004; haematite ore, €5; unclassified minerals, €273; coal, €67,003; coke, €3,334; coal consumed within the colony, €282,933; and kauri gum, €378,563: making a total of €1,523,836, as against €1,493,167 for the previous year. These figures show that, although in some branches of mining there has been a decrease in the production last year, nevertheless the totals show an increased value of €30,669, which proves that the industry is gradually progressing. GrOLD-MIN'ING. In referring to the gold-mining industry, I regret to have to state that the yield last year shows a considerable falling-off from the previous one, and the lowest yet recorded; but if honourable members will refer to the reports of the Inspecting Engineer and Wardens, they will see that the cause of this is to some extent attributable to the extremely dry season, which prevented hydraulic sluicing operations being carried on. The quantity and value of gold obtained from the different districts for the year ending the 31st March last, will be seen in Table 11., annexed, the total quantity being 171,0800z., representing a value of €685,321 ; whilst the yield for the previous year was 201,7600z., representing a value of €803,174 : showing a decrease in the yield of 3(),6800z., or a money value of €117,853. Notwithstanding the large falling-off last year, it is gratifying to find that the yield from the quartz-mines —in the two principal fields of the colony—shows an increase of 6,1220z., representing a value of €26,343. The decrease in the production of gold last year was : From Marlborough, 4,8190z.; Nelson, 1,9830z.; West Coast, 7,2740z.; arid Otago, 23,2860z.; whilst the increased yield from Auckland was 6,6820z., the latter being due to the Kuaotuna and Waihi gold-fields. In taking the production of gold last year, the West Coast contributed 50 - 7 per cent.; Otago, 24 - 4 per cent.; Auckland, 226 per cent.; and Nelson and Marlborough, 23 per cent. The returns for the past year show that the percentage of gold produced is greater on the West Coast and in the Auckland District, and less in other districts than it was for the previous year. I will now, Sir, refer to the different branches of goldmining—namely, quartz, alluvial, hydraulic, sluicing, and dredging. QUARTZ-MINING. Quartz-mining may be considered the most permanent branch of the gold-mining industry, but one in which very little has yet been done to test the lodes at deep levels. Rich discoveries have been made near the surface, and several mines have been worked to a depth of 500 ft., but below this depth there arc only two mines in the North Island, and three in the Middle Island, in which any prospecting has been done. There is a large extent of an auriferous and argentiferous belt of country on the Ilauraki Peninsula, extending beyond Te Aroha, and also a belt of country from Puhipuhi to Cape Brett, which abounds in mineral lodes, where little or no prospecting has been yet done. And when we come to the Inangahua district, there is a wide belt of country, known to contain auriferous lodes, extending from the Big River to the Mokihinui, a distance of 60 miles, and it may be said that some portions of this belt have not yet been trodden by the foot of man, and very little prospecting has been done except in the localities where the mines arc being worked. Again, in Otago, where rich deposits of gold have been obtained in the alluvial drifts, and where in many places the gold is intersected with fragments of quartz, yet comparatively few payable auriferous lodes have yet been discovered.

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In the North Island, gold- and silver-mining is entirely confined to the working of quartz-lodes, some of which contain ore of a complex and refractory character, being difficult to treat so as to recover a fair percentage of the precious metals. Puhipuhi. On the Puhipuhi field, where the latest discoveries have been made, very little has yet been done to prove the payable nature of any of the lodes. One small reduction-plant has recently been erected, which will afford facilities for testing some of the ore in bulk, and the value of the lodes ascertained. However, this plant is merely a prospecting one, and, although it may test the value of the ore, it is not one likely to be worked economically. There are numerous lodes in this locality containing silver, which is generally found in a free state near the outcrops; but so little work has yet been done that it would be premature to express a decided opinion as to the extent or payableness of the field. The outlook is, however, most favourable. Kuaotuna. On the northern portion of the Hauraki Peninsula, the Kuaotuna field promises .to give good returns, but the gold is in so minute particles, and so finely disseminated through the quartz, that it is difficult to save it with the appliances now in use. I am informed that possibly not more than 40 per cent, of the gold is recovered by the ordinary battery process, the rest being partly carried away in suspension amongst the muddy water, and partly left in the tailings. In many of the claims on this field the work done is only of a prospecting character, and it is only in a few of them where stoping operations have been carried on. The Try Fluke Company has so far been the most successful : from 3,083 tons of stone, 5,0770z. of gold was obtained. There are now three batteries at work. Coromandee. At Coromandel a large expenditure has been made by two English companies, and a considerable amount of work has been done. One of these companies—the Kapanga—has met with fair success, but the other —the Coromandel- has not yet found any lode payable for working. A limited number of men are employed in Scotty's, Tokatea, Royal Oak, and Harbour View Companies, but the three latter companies are not carrying on the workings so energetically as they might. Thames. The Thames field, which is by far the largest in the Hauraki Peninsula, is not turning out so much gold as it did in former years, yet the mines are the means of supporting a large population, and some of them hold out prospects of being profitable investments for their owners for years to come. The Saxon, Moanataiari, Fame of Fortune, Waiotahi, Occidental, Cambria, Trenton, and May Queen, were the largest gold-producing mines ou the field last year. Three of these have been dividend-paying companies for several years past. The Saxon, with a paid-up capital of €4,033, has paid €15,417. The Waiotahi, with a paid-up capital of €15,000, has paid €24,000, while the Cambria has paid €79,357 in dividends, with only a paid-up capital of €1,181. The deepest workings are in the Saxon mine. The workings in this mine are being cariied on from the 470 ft. level, and there is still good payable stone left underfoot. The greatest difficulty to contend with is the drainage of the mines working at deep levels; this is at present effected by the Big Pump, on which the Government expended €50,000 in purchase and erection. The working expenses in connection with this pump, lam informed, are about €340 per month. This amount has to be paid by a few claims, some of which are not benefited, but being included within the drainage area they have to contribute towards the working expenses. Waihi. At Waihi one of the finest plants in the colony has been erected, and a large additional plant is now in course of construction. The Waihi Company, who are the proprietors of the plant referred to, purchased during last year the Martha mine for €3,000. In order to show the value of improved machinery and appliances for the treatment of auriferous and argentiferous ores, the Martha Company worked this mine for eight years, and could only recover from ldwt. to 6dwt. of gold per ton, which merely paid the working expenses; but since the present company have worked the mine they can get handsome returns. One parcel of the ore, sold to the Cassell Company, realised £100 a ton. The lode is the largest of any yet worked

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in the colony, it being 45ft. wide in places, and contains fairly good ore all through it. The present indications show it as being the most valuable mining property in the district. Te Auoha. At Te Aroha it is to be regretted that the Australian syndicate who purchased the plant and mining properties of Messrs. Firth and Clarke, at Waiorongomai, did not meet with success. After expending about €60,000 in the purchase of the properties, and in making additions to the plant, they omitted to leave a portion of their capital to prospect the mine, and the result has been that recently the plant and properties have been purchased for €3,500. Notwithstanding the great loss sustained by this company or syndicate, there are reasons to believe that the mines will turn out a deal of gold, and that Te Aroha will yet become a large mining district. According to the returns supplied from the proprietors of the different milling plants in the North Island, the quantity of retorted gold obtained last year from the various fields was as follows: Coromandel, 9,8380z. 6dwt.; Thames, 38,1120z. 12dwt.; Ohinemuri, ],2790z. lOdwt.; Te Aroha, 5170z. : making the total gold returns 49,7570z. 14dwt., representing a value of €128,416 : and in addition to this there was 42,5730z. Mdwt. of bullion, of a value of €26,325, and ore was sold to the value of £4,508; thus making the value of the produce of the North Island goldfields to be €159,249; whereas, according to the Customs returns, the quantity entered for duty for exportation for the same period was 38,6300z., having a value of €153,678. Mahakipawa. At Mahakipawa, the Ravenswood Company, of London, has purchased five of the licensed holdings which were taken up as quartz-claims. They are erecting crushing machinery and an aerial tramway to convey the quartz from the mines to the battery. But none of the quartz from this field has yet been tested in bulk. However, good prospects are said to have been obtained from tests in the hand-mortar, and the proprietors consider they have a valuable property. Reefton. In the Reefton district a number of new discoveries have been made in the vicinity of Merrijigs, some of which are likely to prove highly payable. The principal goldproducing mines last year were the Globe, Progress, Inkerman, Keep It Dark, No. 2 South Keep It Dark, Cumberland, Golden Treasure, and Fiery Cross. The yield of gold last year was 23,3470z., having a value of €91,998, as against 17,7800z., representing a value of £69,777 for the previous year : thus showing an increased yield last year of 5,5670z. gold, representing a value of £22,322 ; whilst the amount paid in dividends was £27,325, against €18,250 for the previous year. The prospects in the district are much brighter than they have been for years past. Otago. In Otago some of the quartz mines are not turning out according to expectations, as, for instance, those in the Nenthorn district, which have, so far, proved a failure; but none of the claims have ever been tested to any great depth, the outcrops of the lodes having only been worked. In the Lake District, at Skipper's and the Shotover, the Phoenix and Gallant Tipperary Company's mines are looking well, and the same can be said of the Sunrise Mine at Macetown. ALLUVIAL MINING. I now come to alluvial mining, which is entirely confined to the Middle Island. This branch of mining consists of working the auriferous drifts from shafts, adits, and by hydraulic sluicing and dredging. Alluvial mining proper may be said to be confined to ground worked from shafts and adit levels, such as the workings in the deep ground at Mahakipawa, in the Marlborough District, and at Rimu, Back Creek, and Ross, on the West Coast; but by far the greater portions of the auriferous drifts are worked by hydraulic sluicing. Mahakipawa. The workings at Mahakipawa are very limited, being confined to the creek-bed and the small flat at the mouth of the gorge. It is not yet known whether the gold will continue to go far into this flat. So far, this has been a good field, and has been the means of supporting a population of from two hundred and fifty to four hundred since it was opened,

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The gold is of a coarser character than that found on any other field on the West Coast. Some nuggets as large as 30oz. are said to have been obtained, which cannot have been carried a long distance by water, as they resemble the gold found in lodes, having sharp angular edges, and impregnated with quartz. Many of the claims in the lower portion of the creek still continue to give their owners good wages for working, and it is believed that the lead of gold will yet be traced into deep ground in Cullen's Flat. Rimu. During last year gold was discovered by Messrs. Beatty and party on an alluvial-drift terrace, about a mile to the southward of the Back Creek lead, near Rimu. This discovery is of considerable importance, as it may be the means of tracing the gold towards Ross. The sinking is from 75ft. to 100 ft. in depth. Two different gold-bearing layers have been passed through, which are from 3ft. to 6ft. in thickness, yielding from 2dwts. to lOdwts of gold to the load. About twenty-seven claims arc considered to be payable for working, in which 114 men are employed. All the gold has so far been found on a false bottom, having similar gravel-drift underneath to that passed through, which indicates that there is a great probability of richer layers of auriferous wash-drift being found at a deeper level. A considerable amount of prospecting is going on under the supervision of the miners' association of the district. Ross. This is the most interesting alluvial goldfield in the colony. Nine different auriferous layers of wash-drift have been passed through, and no main bottom yet reached. The deepest is about 250 ft. below sea-level, and underneath this there is a brown gravel-drift full of small rounded sandstone boulders, similar in character to that found on the top of Mount Greenland, about 3,000 ft. above sea-level. The nature of the wash-drift found on top of this bottom coincides with that found on the top of the mountain referred to; and some of it has proved very rich in gold. There is no doubt when this wash-drift was deposited on Ross Flat the whole of the country was at a much higher elevation, and probably the source of the gold will yet be found back in the mountains, as there is sufficient evidence to show that the Mikonui River has been flowing in a different direction from its present course, and this river was probably the means of depositing the large accumulations of auriferous drifts on the flat. In the early days of the field a large population was engaged in w r orking the shallow ground, but in following the gold into the flat, the quantity of water to contend with was beyond the means of private parties getting machinery to overcome it. The greater portion of this ground has been held for the last nine years by the Ross United Company, who erected a pumping-plant and proved the richness of the deep levels, but they soon found that the pumping appliances were far too small to contend with the water, consequently these levels have been abandoned for several years, and the top levels have been partly worked by means of shafts and partly by an elevating plant, where only a few men on tribute are employed, who are paying the company about 35 per cent, of the gross yield of gold they obtain. The condition of affairs is anything but satisfactory. The claim-owners have not sufficient capital to procure the necessary appliances, yet they have expended so much money that they refuse to face the inevitable. Meantime the miners in the district and the colony suffer. Rangitoto. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done in this district, and it is reported that silver has been discovered in payable quantities in a semi-decomposed granite rock. Some of the assays made from stone in this locality show it to contain a high percentage of silver ; but whether it will prove payable for working on a large scale has not yet been determined. South Westland. A small population still continues to get a livelihood by working the auriferous sand on the ocean beaches between the mouth of the Mikonui River and Jackson's Bay ; but very little prospecting has ever been done inland, although some good patches of gold have been found in the vicinity of the Mapourika Lake, and in the Waiho River. The large quantity of gold found on the ocean beaches, especially on the Five-mile, Gillespie's, Bruce Bay, and the beaches south of the Paringa River, clearly indicates that rich deposits will yet be found inland when the country becomes properly explored and prospected. The Waiho River has, no doubt, been the means of bringing down the gold found on the Five-mile

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Beach, and Cook's River that found on Gillespie s Beach. Indeed, all the rivers southward have been the means of bringing down large quantities of gold from time to time, and still continue to do so; but the country inland being precipitous, and at a high elevation, difficult of access, and the obstacles in the way of getting provisions, have prevented this part of the country from being yet properly explored. HYDRAULIC SLUICING. The improvements in hydraulic sluicing appliances of late years have enabled ground to be worked which in former years was considered valueless, owing to there being no fall to sluice it. away by the ordinary method; such ground is now worked on the hydraulic elevating principle. This system was first introduced by Mr. J. R. Perry to work the tailings in the bed of Gabriel's Gully, about nine years ago, but it was used in California several years before. Since its introduction this system has gradually come into use, until it is now generally adopted for working the low-lying lands where fall cannot be obtained to sluice the ground in the ordinary manner. West Coast. On the West Coast the principal fields where hydraulic sluicing is carried on are Addison's Flat, Croninville, Charleston, the Grey Valley, Kumara, Waimea, and Stafford, but the largest population employed at this system of mining is at Kumara. The Kumara goldfield has been opened for about fifteen years, au average of about six hundred miners having been employed on it during that period, while the area of auriferous drifts does not exceed 2,100 acres, of which not more than about 550 acres have been partially worked. From this small area gold to the value of about €1,100,000 has been obtained, and at the present time there is no telling the extent of riches lying buried underneath the false bottom on which most of the claims have been worked. The ground is held in comparatively small claims, so closely joined on to each other, that whilst the upper levels continue to pay the claimholders for working, they are indifferent about testing the ground underneath the false bottom, but no doubt the time will come when prospecting-shafts and adit-levels will be constructed which will probably reveal richer treasures than have been heretofore discovered. The land on the West Coast within the area of the selection by the Midland Railway Company, in which gold-workings are situate, will be resumed in blocks, in accordance with the conditions of the company's contract, up to an area of 250,000 acres, and the balance of the 750,000 acres, proposed to be reserved for mining purposes, will be taken from time to time as required. Otago. In Otago there is a large extent of country covered with auriferous drifts, some of which contain rich deposits of gold. There is scarcely a valley or bed of a stream falling into the Clutha that does not contain alluvial drifts payable for working with a good supply of water. It may be said that the number of men who can be profitably employed in hydraulic mining is limited by the quantity of water that can be diverted from its original source to command the ground tit a sufficient elevation to carry on sluicing operations advantageously. When we sec the extent of drift terraces along the valleys of the Molyneux, Manuhcrikia, Kawarau, and Shotover Rivers, it cannot bo said that alluvial "•old-mining is exhausted. Hundreds of years will pass away, and ground will then be found payable for working. The rich deposits of gold recently discovered in* the Island Block Company's property show that, although 30 years have elapsed since gold was first discovered in Otago, and thousands of people have walked over the ground, it was never, until a few years ago, considered of any value. It was only after the introduction of the hydraulic elevator, at Gabriel's Gully, that it dawned on men that the Clutha Valley could be worked on a similar system ; but, unfortunately, before this time came, a large extent of highly auriferous land in this valley had been disposed of by the Crown to private individuals for a mere trifle in comparison to its intrinsic value. The Island Block Company acquired a certain area of land in the Clutha Valley from the original purchaser, and have spent about £21000 in works and hydraulic plant; last year's returns show that the company has very fair prospects of being recompensed for their outlay. Other companies are commencing similar operations in this valley, and one of them—the Hercules —has, within about eighteen months, got back nearly the whole of its outlay. Another of these companies—the Roxburgh Amalgamated —commenced sluicing operations last year. The returns for the period worked show that it is likely to prove a remunerative venture,

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This system of working the alluvial drifts is not only attracting the attention of men in the locality, but also those residing in other colonies. Messrs. Moody and Davis, private bankers, in Melbourne, have embarked largely in mining ventures in the valleys of the Shotover and Arrow Rivers. In the former place the cost of their works and plant has, up to the present time, beeu about €8,000, and it is estimated that a considerable amount will yet be required to complete them. At the Arrow they have expended about €3,000, and it is probable that an additional .£3,000 will have to be expended before the claim is in working order. When we see works of such magnitude undertaken by private individuals, and brought to a successful issue, we may reasonably anticipate that the day is not far distant when mining properties will be eagerly sought after, and plenty of capital will be forthcoming to develop and work them. Again, at Tinker's and St. Bathan's, extraordinary values are placed on some of the mining properties; as for instance, a small water-race about two miles in length, and with only the right to seven sluice-heads, being purchased by the Undaunted Company, at Tinker's, for £10,800. At the same place Mr. John Ewing, an enterprising miner, has recently constructed a water-race and hydraulic plant at a cost of about £10,000, and during last year he only had enough water to enable him to work for eleven weeks ; yet, in this period, he got sufficient gold to cover all the season's working expenses and 10 per cent, interest on the capital expended, whilst the average yield of gold per cubic yard of material moved was only about 2gr. This gentleman has two other claims in the vicinity of St. Bathan's, and from one of these he got 1,5000z. gold between the months of January and May of this year. It has been clearly proved by many companies, as well as private individuals, that by adopting improved appliances and a systematic method of working, mining enterprises can be made quite as remunerative as any other industry, and equally as safe an investment for capital. DREDGING. I now, Sir, come to the latest system adopted for working the ocean beaches, river-beds, aud low-lying flats, where the ground is comparatively of a shallow depth. A large number of dredges have been constructed to work the ocean beaches and river-beds, many of which have proved successful in their operations ; but the washing appliances in connection with these dredges have in many instances been of so defective a character that only a small percentage of gold in the material lifted has been recovered. Several descriptions of dredges have been employed, namely—the Centre Bucket, the Welman, Ball, and Yon Schmidt dredges, as well as the Priestman Grab ; but the Centre Bucket dredge is the favourite one for working gravelflats aud river-beds. All these dredges are, however, defective in Mashing appliances. The hulls or pontoons on which the dredging machinery is placed are too small to admit of good separating appliances and gold-saving tables being constructed. Improvements arc being, however, made in these, and before long we may reasonably hope that this system of gold mining will be successfully carried on, and that the ocean beaches and river-beds will be made to yield up their hidden treasures. There are now a large number of centre-bucket dredges on the Molyneux, Kawarau and Shotover Rivers, and most of these are said to be profitable ventures. The latest one constructed is at the sand-hills on the Shotover River, which is worked by electro-motive force, generated about one and a half miles distant from the place where dredging operations are carried on, thus showing that our streams aud rivers can be utilised as a power to generate this force, which can be transmitted long distances on a small copper wire to the place where machinery requires to be erected. RESULTS OBTAINED FROM MINING INVESTMENTS. Before concluding my remarks ou the gold-mining industry it may be interesting to show the results obtained by mining companies throughout the colony. By referring to the tabulated statement in the Inspecting Engineer's report (vide pp. 53 to 57) of the gold-mining companies who have complied with the provisions of " The Mining Companies Act Amendment Act, 1890," by publishing a statement of their affairs, it will be seen that the total amount of subscribed capital in mining companies is €2,024,149; and of this amount, the value of scrip given to shareholders without any money being paid has amounted to £819,533. The actual amount of cash paid up is £496,754; whilst dividends have been paid to the extent of £593,066 : thus leaving a profit on the working of £96,311 —and it must be borne in mind that these figures include the paid-up capital in dredging companies, namely, £72,779, which have scarcely yet got any returns. It must be admitted, even by the opponents to this

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industry, that these results are highly satisfactory, showing as they do that gold-mining is not only self-supporting, but it is an industry which gives fair returns for the investment of capital. While admitting that many persons have lost money in mining companies, I would point out that this is due in a great measure to reckless investments by purchasing shares far above their legitimate value, aud by persons taking up shares in companies where a large amount has been given away in scrip without any money being paid for the same. Where gold-mining is conducted on commercial principles, it is a safer investment for capital than many other industries, as the marketable value of the produce does not fluctuate. GOLDFIELDS REVENUE AND GOLD DUTY. The amount received in goldfields revenue for the year ending the 31st March last was £19,074, and in gold duty for the same period £16,961, making a total of £36,035. The average number of miners employed on the goldfields for this period being 13,409, showing that the average tax on the gold-miner, in addition to the amount he contributes to the revenue by the consumption of dutiable goods, is £2 13s. 9d. a man per annum. The total amount of revenue derived from the goldfields up to the end of March last was €2,417,694. Value of Gold. Complaints have been made that a fair price was not given by the banks for gold, and the Government have been requested to open gold-offices. To set the matter at rest, and in order to ascertain the correct mint-value of gold from the different fields in the colony, I forwarded five separate samples of about 12oz. each respectively from Reefton and Kumara on the west coast of the Middle Island, and from the Island Block Company's claim, Clutha Valley, Mr. Leijon's dredging claim, Alexandra, and from St. Bathan's, Otago, to the Sydney Mint, aud the returns forwarded by the Deputy Master of that Mint show that the gold from Reefton is worth, per ounce, €4 2s. 10fd.; Kumara, €1 Is. did.; Island Block, £4 Is. 7|d. ; Alexandra, €4 os. llfd. ; and St. Bathan's, €4 2s. 7R By referring to Tabic 11 annexed it will be seen that the whole of the samples were above the standard value : Reefton being the highest with L 424 carats, and Alexandra the lowest with o*B6o carats, above standard of 22 carats. The expense in connection with forwarding this gold to Sydney, including mint charges, amounted to Is. 6d. per oz. The freight on this small quantity, which was the largest item in the expenses, would have been no more had the parcel been 5000z., and as each parcel had to be assayed separately in order to ascertain its value the present expense in connection with forwarding the gold to the Mint is far in excess of what it would be if large parcels were sent. COAL-MINING. 1 will now, Sir, refer to coal-mining, as an industry rapidly increasing, notwithstanding the disadvantages under which some of our principal mines are placed in regard to the cost of transit and shipment of coal to foreign and colonial markets. The time is not far distant when our coal will be largely brought into competition with that from New South Wales, and other countries, in the markets of the world. The class of bituminous coal, and the large extent of it on the west coast of the Middle Island, must ultimately bring it into prominence as a fuel not to be surpassed, if even equalled. This, Sir, is not merely an assertion, which cannot be borne out by fact, as every one who has used this coal in ocean steamers speaks highly of its value; and when we see so eminent an authority as Sir John Coode refer to it in such glowing terms, as he did in his presidential address to the Institution of Civil Engineers, London—when he said : " The bituminous coal found on the west coast of the South Island is declared by engineers to be fully equal to, if not better than, the best description from any part of the world. The wonderful escape of Her Majesty's ship, ' Calliope,' during the hurricane at Samoa, when her engines were tried to the uttermost, has been attributed by her captain and the people of New Zealand —apparently with good reaso n —to the superior quality of this coal which was being used at the time." When our West Coast harbours are completed, so that vessels carrying from 3,000 to 4,000 tons on one bottom can enter and take away the coal, we shall then be able to compete in foreign markets with coal sent from other places. Seeing that our bituminous cannot be utilized to any large extent, it is of the utmost national importance that those harbour works should be completed at an early date; in the meantime we can only expect an output from the mines equal to the consumption within the colony.

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Seeing that we have so valuable an asset as our coalfields, it behoves the Government to carefully conserve the coal lands, and that when leased, to see that the conditions under which they are granted provide for the proper working of the mines, so that the coal may not be wasted. It is stated by Mr. Kennedy, the managing director of the Brunner Mines, that about 500 tons of slack coal is emptied into the Grey River every month, which ought to be utilized. If this slack were washed and ground into fine dust, as is done in Wales, and made into coke, it would produce the finest quality in the world, and find a ready market at Port Pirie, where Welsh coke is now being used for smelting purposes. Care should also be taken that the amalgamations of large coal-mining leases are not effected unless strong reasons are shown that the coal cannot be advantageously worked otherwise. The taking up of large areas of land in coal-mining leases, as in the past, and holding them year after year without any work being done, will be discouraged. The lessees should be compelled to either work the mines or have the leases cancelled. Since 1878, when the returns of the output from the various mines have been kept by the Mines Department, there was a steady increase in the output year by year up to 1889, but there was a falling-off in that year of 27,450 tons from that of the previous year. It is, however, gratifying to find that last year there was a considerable increase. The total output last year was 637,397 tons, as against 586,445 tons for the previous year, showing an increase of 50,952 tons. The coal imported last year amounted to 110,938 tons, as against 128,063 tons for the year previous, being a decrease of 17,124 tons. Taking the total output from all the mines of the colony, and the quantity of coal imported last year, w r e have 748,336 tons, as against 714,508 tons of coal raised and imported for the year previous, showing an increased consumption of 33,828 tons. During last year 76,388 tons was exported; but of this quantity 4-2,984 tons was used in coaling Direct mail-steamers, which may be considered as consumption within the colony, as it is by the trade between the colony and the Home Country that these steamers are supported. On this basis, therefore, the total consumption of coal within the colony last year was 714,932 tons, as against 675,218 tons for the previous year, being an increase of 39,714 tons. I think there can be no better indication of the gradual progress of industries in the colony than is shown by the extra quantity of fuel consumed. The total quantity of coal raised in the colony since the records have been kept by the Mines Department is 6,456,674 tons. The importation of coals last year was caused to some extent by the unfortunate strikes which occurred. For instance, the Shaw-Savill Company sent about 4,621 tons from Europe, so as to insure their Direct steam-vessels not being delayed in the colony for want of coal, and several cai'goes of coal came from New South Wales, which otherwise would not have been imported. This shows the necessity of provision being made for an amicable settlement of all disputes arising between employers of labour and employes, so that labour and capital may go hand in hand and combine together for the development of the mineral resources of the colony. It is to be regretted that, notwithstanding the large increase of output from the coal-mines last year, there was a decrease of 11,799 tons of bituminous coal, which is the class we have to look to in the future for export. This decrease is due to the mines at Brunner and some of the mines in the Westport district being all held by one company, and also to the strike, which stopped all operations in the Brunner mines for a considerable time. The output from these mines last year was 19,057 tons less than for the year previous. The total output of the different classes of coal last year may be summarised thus : Bituminous coal, 323,712 tons; pitch coal, 124,593 tons ; brown coal, 171,725 tons; and lignite, 17,367 tons; the latter class entirely depending on the quantity required for consumption in the locality where it is raised. A comparison with the output for the previous year will be found in Table No. 5 annexed. During last year an important coalfield was opened at Hikurangi, in the Whangarei district, and 3,743 tons of coal was placed in the market, which proved to be equal, if not superior, to the semi-bituminous coal worked at Kawakawa, at the Bay of Islands. There is a large extent of coal in this new field; but before it can be brought at a reasonable cost to market, a railway or tramway will have to be constructed to connect the mines with a port of shipment. In the Kawakawa Mine, which lias been worked for nearly twenty years, the coal is nearly exhausted, there being nothing left but some pillars near the mouth of the adit level, which will be all taken out during the present year. The principal increased output from the different mines has been : From Kaitangata, 16,576 tons ; Nightcaps, 9,412 tons; Ralph's Taupiri, 9,108 tons; Kamo, 7,619 tons ; Waimangaroa, 3,787 tons ; Taupiri

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Extended, 3,180 tons; Shag Point, 2,808 tons; and Abbotsford, 2,618 tons; whilst the principal decreased output has been in the Westport Colliery Company's mines at Brunner. It will be the duty of the Government to guard against undue amalgamations or transfers of leases, especially those containing bituminous coal, so as to cause monopolies inimical to the interests and welfare of the colony. We have already one company, onehalf of the shareholders who reside in a neighbour colony, holding the principal mines on the west coast of the Middle Island where bituminous coal is raised, and, judging from the tenders sent in last year for the supply of fuel for our railways, if the whole of the mines were held by one company the cost of fuel would be considerably increased. Last year a contract for the supply of 15,000 tons of coal for our railways was taken by the Mokihinui Company ; but, owing to their steamer being wrecked, and the company not being able to get vessels to enter the Mokihinui River to take the coal away, the contract had to be handed over to the Grey Valley Coal Company to carry out on behalf of the contractors ; but had the Mokihinui Company not been in existence the contract price would have been increased from Is. to 2s. per ton. In about twelve months the Westport-Ngakawau railway extension will be completed to Mokihinui, bringing the mine into direct communication with Westport, which will enable the company to enter into competition with other coal proprietors in supplying coal. During last year a large seam of excellent bituminous coal was opened up at Blackball, in the Grey district, and it is said the Midland Railway Company intend to construct a branch line to the mine, so that the coal can be conveyed to Greymouth for shipment. Another new mine has also been taken up by a Co-operative Company, formed of colliers and others, on the south side of the Mokau River in the North Island, about twenty miles up from its mouth, and, although the coal is not to be compared for steam purposes to that found on the west coast of the Middle Island, it is a good household coal, and should find a ready market within the colony. In regard to the future working of the coalmines, it is the intention of the Government to make it compulsory for the holders of coal leases to work them, and comply with the conditions under which they were granted, or the leases will be cancelled. The recommendations of the Westlaud Coal-fields Committee in 1889, with reference to the Granity Creek lease, are receiving the attention of the Government, and steps will be taken to compel the holders to comply with the conditions of the lease. The owners of the Coal Creek and the Collingwood coal-leases have been notified that, unless progress is made in carrying on mining operations, steps will be taken to cancel the leases. In one case, a large money deposit has been insisted on to show that the company intends to begin the construction of their railway at an early date. The valuable suggestions made in the report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the condition of the Grey Valley mines will also receive due attention, and future leases will be prepared having more uniform conditions. Mr. Cochrane has been appointed an additional Inspector of Mines, so that the public interests may be better conserved and the mines kept in good condition, as recommended by the Commission. The number of men employed last year in connection with the coalmines was 1,846, of which number 512 men were employed on the surface and 1,334 men in the underground workings, showing that nearly 28 per cent, of the number employed are connected with works on the surface. The average output per man for the year has been 345 tons ; but if we deduct the lignite raised, and persons employed in these pits, the average output from the mines last year would be increased to 352 tons. EARNINGS OF THE MINERS. Gold-mining. —lt is very difficult to accurately ascertain the number of persons employed in gold-mining, as the returns furnished are in some instances based on the number of miners' rights issued, and it is well known many persons hold these who are employed at other avocations. The returns show that on the 31st March last there were 13,032 persons engaged in gold-mining, and at the end of the previous year there were 13,787, which makes an average of 13,409 for last year. Therefore, taking the value of the gold obtained for the same period— namely, £685,321, it gives the average yearly earnings of the miners as £51 2s. 7d. per man as against €59 16s. 6d. for the previous year. The amount of average annual earnings is arrived at on the same basis as in former years, and shows a falling off in the earnings of the miners to the extent of.€B 13s. lid. per man, which may be partly set down to the extremely dry season and consequent scarcity of water.

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Coal-mining. —ln order to arrive at the average earnings of the miners we have to take the cost of hewing, haulage, screening, and loading, which may be fairly set down at an average of 6s. per ton. The average number of persons employed in connection with the coal-mines last year was 1846, the output of coal being 637,396 tons, the average earnings of the miners was £103 lis. Bd., as against £103 6s. 2d. for the previous year. The number of persons employed working other minerals and in obtaining kauri gum cannot be accurately ascertained, but it is well known that the latter industry gives employment to a number of Europeans as well as to a large Native population. OTHER MINERAL ORES. Very little has yet been done towards prospecting or working mineral lodes in the colony other than those containing gold and silver. Comparatively small parcels of antimony, copper, manganese, and chrome ores have been from time to time exported to Europe for treatment, but the cost of transit to a port of shipment, freight, and other charges, have been so high that very little encouragement has hitherto been given to incur any large expenditure in the development of these ores. Antimony. Antimony ore is found in many places in the North and Middle Islands, but the principal workings are situated between Endeavour Inlet and Port Gore. These workings were commenced by a syndicate formed in Wellington, who opened up a large lode of rich antimony ore, erected smelting-works, and turned out pure star antimony, but the price of the metal being low, they did not get sufficient return for the capital invested. They disposed of their property to the Endeavour Inlet Antimony Company, which was formed in London. This company has been sending the dressed ore to England for treatment. The total quantity of pure metal and dressed ore exported up to the 31st March last was 2,373 tons, representing a value of £36,190. During last year 515 tons of ore containing from 48 to 60 per cent, of antimony was exported by the Endeavour Inlet Company, having a value of £11,121. Copper. Copper ore has been worked in the Island of Kawau in the Auckland District, also at the Dun Mountain and Aniseed Valley in the Nelson District. At the latter place the Champion Company opened up two mines, and erected smelting-works alongside the Roding River, but these works being defective in their construction, and the capital of the company exhausted, no mining operations have been carried on for the last four years. The total quantity of copper ore exported has amounted to 1,394 tons, having a value of €17,862. Manganese. Considerable quantities of manganese ore are found in the northern portion of the Auckland District. About 15,303 tons have been exported to other countries, having a value of €51,291. During last year the Colonial Manganese Company produced from Waiheke Island about 1,020 tons of ore, which is said to be worth €2 per ton, and 150 tons has been produced in the VVhangarei district, having a value of €2 ss. per ton. Tin. The supposed rich discoveries of tin ore in Stewart Island made about two years and a half ago have unfortunately not yet been verified. Although there arc small quantities of the ore to be found wherever there is any drift gravel covering the granite or gneiss formation on the northern portion of the island, it has never been found in anything like sufficient quantities to pay the expense of working, and there being only small areas of ground here and there where drift gravel can be found; this, together with the scarcity of water, precludes any extensive sluicing operations for saving and collecting the ore being undertaken. Kauri Gu.m. I now come to the production of kauri gum, which, although not a mineral in the strict sense of the term, is closely allied to one, inasmuch that it is difficult to state where the vegetable substance ends and the mineral one begins. It is well known that amber was once a vegetable resin, and also coal-deposits are formed from vegetable substances; but these have become so altered by fossilisation that they now belong to the mineral kingdom. Some of the kauri gum has been buried in the earth for such a length of time that it has become

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considerably altered, aud resembles ambrite so closely that it is said the latter mineral has been collected and sold as kauri gum. During last year there was 7,438 tons exported, having a value of €378,563; whilst for the year previous there was 7,519 tons, of a value of €329,590. This show r s that the value of the gum exported last year was £7 more per ton than for the previous one. The kauri gum industry is one requiring no expensive outfit, a haversack, steel prod, spade, and knife, are all that is used by the digger to enable him to produce the gum in a marketable condition; therefore, its value represents the cost of labour or the wages of those employed in procuring it. It is an industry which affords employment to a number of small settlers who have taken up land in the northern district, and it is also the means of affording a livelihood to a large Native population. Taking the value of gum exported last year, and the value of the gold and silver produced in the Auckland District, it amounts to £510,485, which must form a great factor in producing prosperity in this portion of the colony. The total quantity of gum exported since 1853 has been 134,630 tons, representing a value of £5,394,687. DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINING INDUSTRY. There are three things especially necessary for furthering the development of the mining industry—namely, roads and tracks, water-supplies, and prospecting. Works of this character are essential to mining, and require a certain amount of Government aid to bring them to a successful issue. Roads and Tracks. The most necessary works for assisting to develop our mineral lodes and encourage the growth of the mining industry are the construction of roads and tracks, without these mining cannot be carried on to any extent. There are many places in the colony comparatively unexplored, especially on the West Coast of the Middle Island, the southern portions of Otago, and also the northern portion of the Auckland District. Owing to the broken and hilly character of the country where mining is generally carried on, being in many places covered with a dense forest, the construction of roads and tracks is indispensable to the development of the mineral wealth. The expenditure under this head for the year ending the 31st March last amounted to £13,146, and the liabilities on works in progress at the end of the year to £10,649. Of this expenditure, £10,894 was on roads and tracks constructed wholly by Government, and £2,252 was on roads and tracks constructed by local bodies on plans and specifications of work being approved by the department and subsidies granted to the extent of €1 for €1. The expenditure on works of this nature during the last eight years has been €99,146 on roads constructed wholly by the department, and £64,782 as subsidies to local bodies, making a total expenditure of £163,928 on roads and tracks. Water Supply. One of the greatest accessories to mining is a good water supply. Without this the large areas of our auriferous drifts cannot be successfully worked. In certain cases the Government was induced to undertake the construction of large works for supplying water to goldfields. Experience has however proved that such works are better left to private enterprise, as the persons immediately interested have the best information as to the nature and extent of auriferous ground that any water supply would command. It is accordingly proposed to ask the House for a vote to aid in the construction of works of this character. Prospecting. In the early days of the goldfields gold was found in such large quantities and in places so easy of access that the gold-digger was always eager to explore the country with the view of finding gold in some quiet spot where he would be likely to carry on his workings for some time unmolested. This led to prospecting parties being formed by those who were in good claims which enabled them to find the means of providing for the prospectors. Another inducement to prospecting was that the area of the ordinary mining claims being at that time small and quickly worked out, if the prospectors were fortunate enough to make any new discoveries they were certain of getting larger claims. The second stage of prospecting was by the storekeepers who found that as the shallow ground became exhausted the miners began to leave the field. This made them alive to the fact that, unless new discoveries were made, they would have to give up business, and accordingly found it to their interests to assist the miners in sending out prospecting parties.

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But as mining progressed the ground became deeper and more difficult to work, requiring a greater amount of capital which not only absorbed the spare cash of the individual miner, but in many instances compelled him to rely on the storekeeper for assistance. Accordingly the money which was previously available for prospecting is now directed into other channels connected with mining. ■ Under the existing state of affairs it becomes the duty of the Government, in order to develop our mineral wealth, to assist the miners in further prospecting and exploring the country. To do this systematically and economically all works appertaining to propecting should be placed under the direction of the local authority or miner's association in the district where prospecting is being carried on. It is therefore proposed to ask the House for a small vote for this purpose. Summary of Expenditure on Works. To summarise the expenditure on works constructed and authorities on works in progress since the votes were placed under the Minister in charge of the department, it has been as follows : Roads and tracks on goldfields, €220,184; roads and tracks to open up mineral lands, €6,852; water-races, €45,508; drainage-channels, £21,401; prospecting works, £48,481; wharves, £436; diamond and other drills, €4,448; towards the treatment of ores, £1,342 ; and schools of mines, inclusive of amounts paid to the University of Otago, €12,986: making a total of £361,640, out of which £257,749 has been paid by Government; and the liabilities amounted on the 31st March last to £11,312, the balance being paid by local bodies and private companies. A detailed statement of these works will be found in the tables attached to the report of the Inspecting Engineer. SCHOOLS OF MINES. Since the establishment of schools of mines throughout the colony the miners have far more knowledge about the mineral ores that are met with and the percentage of metals they contain. This will tend to cause mining to be conducted on a more intelligent basis, and cannot fail to produce a beneficial effect on the industry. The inaguration of this system of technical education is due to Professor Black, who, by his energy and perseverance, caused the miners in every district to take an interest in the subject, and by practical demonstration he showed them that, in order to follow their avocation with success, it was necessary to be able to distinguish the mineral ores met with, and also their value. It must, however, be admitted that any system of peripatetic teaching can only have the effect of temporarily arresting the attention of those wishing to acquire knowledge on this subject, but it cannot be denied that it has a great impetus in inducing men to attend these schools for a considerable time in order to get a sound practical training. The greatest success attending this system of technical education has been at the Thames, where the teaching is carried on continuously by holding day classes for those who can attend, and night classes, which the workmen from the mines and others avail themselves of. The result of teaching at this school last year has been very encouraging, the average attendance being forty-five regular students, and fifty-one pupils from the public schools attending Saturday lectures. It is gratifying to find that many of the miners attending the night classes are taught drawing, mathematics, surveying, mining, geology, chemistry, and assaying. The large attendance at this school, and the great interest taken in the work, may be partly attributed to the mines at the Thames being concentrated within a small radius, which admits of the workmen attending at night, and also to the large number of mineral lodes in this part of the colony, containing complex and refractory ores, requiring different methods of treatment from that formerly adopted to make them pay for working. The same system of teaching as at the Thames has been adopted at the Reefton school, but the success attending it has not been so encouraging. The instructor attributes this to the mines being situtatc a long distance from the town, which prevents the miners from attending. Seeing that this is the case the instructor will devote a portion of his time in giving instruction in the various schools on the West Coast, in order to revive the interest taken in them generally. In Reefton, although the centre of a large quartz-mining district, the mines are situated long distances apart, and as the workmen live near the place where they are employed they have not the same opportunities of attending the school as those residing in the Thames District. It is very satisfactory to find that a number of those who have attended the schools have successfully passed the examination for mining manager's certificates, and I am informed that each examination shows better results than the preceding one. The expenditure on the

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schools last year amounted to £1,392, and the total expenditure since their inauguration six years ago has been £12,986, of this amount €3,000 was given towards the School of Mines in connection with the University of Otago. Arrangements were formerly made that €500 would be given to the University of Otago, on condition that Professor Ulrich's services would be placed at the disposal of the Government during the six months' vacation to examine any mineral lodes, auriferous drift, or coal-bearing lands in whatever portion of the colony his services might be required, but owing to an accident he met with many years ago he cannot travel about in very rough country, consequently his services could not be utilised to any great extent. The University Council have recently appointed a lecturer in metallurgy, which may be the means of a larger number of students attending lectures in connection with mining, and cause more attention to be given to the proper treatment of metalliferous ores. Negotiations will shortly be entered into with the Chancellor with the object of getting night classes held at the School of Mines in connection with the University of Otago, where similar subjects will be taught as at the Thames school, and candidates prepared for minemanagers' examinations; also that assays of any mineral or metalliferous ore from Otago and Southland be made on the same terms as that charged at the other schools of mines. If this can be carried out, a subsidy will be granted. MINING LEGISLATION. During the recess I had three Bills prepared which directly affect the mining industry in this colony. These were the Promoters' and Directors' Liability Bill, the Mining Bill, and the Coal-mines Bill. The Promoters' and Directors' Liability Bill has passed both branches of the Legislature, and it cannot fail to produce a wholesome effect in the constitution of mining companies in the future, as it makes directors, promoters, and other persons responsible for the statements set forth in any prospectuses or notices inviting persons to subscribe for shares or in debentures or debenture stock of a proposed company. The Mining Bill, whilst consolidating the existing Acts, holds out further inducements for the investment of capital, and for the stability of such capital when invested in mining enterprises. Amongst other things, provisions are made for the reduction of rent, compulsory working of claims, increased area of land held under occupation license, proclamation of the lower portions only of rivers for tailing-channels, giving greater security to individuals entering into mining partnership, the granting of second-class certificates to mining managers, and also the issue of service certificates without examination under prescribed conditions. The reduction of rent, security of tenure, together with compulsory working of claims, will insure mining being carried on more energetically, thus affording greater employment of labour. The increased area proposed to be held under occupation license will enable miners to make comfortable homes for themselves, and afford a means of employment when not engaged in mining. For instance, in many parts of the colony fruit-growing might be made a profitable industry, whilst everywhere crops of other produce could be raised, or the land utilised for grazing. The proclamation of the lower portions of the rivers only will, in many instances, provide all that is necessary for the discharge of tailings, whilst the amounts of compensation pay r able will be considerably reduced. The clause in the Bill relating to mining partnership gives greater facilities to persons to combine together to work mining properties, each member having a lien on the partnership property for the amounts of the debts due to creditors, and for any money advanced by him, and in the event of any partner disposing of his interest, which he can do without dissolving the partnership, the purchaser takes the share or interest, subject to existing liens. Further, if any partner deserts or abandons his share or interest for a period of sixty days, the other partners may institute proceedings to be put in possession of such abandoned share or interest. As it has been found to be a hardship on many persons who, from long experience, were competent to undertake the management of mines to compel them to pass examination, it is proposed to have two grades of mine-managers' certificates, and also to issue service certificates without examination to any person of good repute who has had not less than seven years practical experience in underground workings, and on the production of a certificate from the Inspector of Mines that he is qualified to take charge of a mine,

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The Coal Mines Bill provides for this branch of mining being placed directly under the control of the Minister of Mines instead of the Laud Boards. Applications for leases within mining districts being dealt with by the Warden, and outside mining districts by the Commissioners of Crown Lands, subject in each case to the approval of the Minister. No assignment, transfer, or amalgamation of leases shall be deemed to be completed unless public notification has been given, and the application has been laid on the table of the House of Representatives for ten days. It is proposed to make it compulsory on the owners and lessees of coal mines to supply the Government and other railways, and also steam vessels with coal on reasonable terms for their travelling requirements. Service certificates without examination can also be issued to persons on similar conditions to those required in the Mining Bill, the only difference being that ten years practical experience is required instead of seven. It is proposed to take power for the resumption by the Crown of coal-mines, with the consent of the owner, in cases where leases were issued, or the laud alienated before the passing of the Act of this session, and without such consent in any lands thereafter alienated or leased on the payment of full compensation to the owner or occupier for the value of the lands and improvements, and in the case of the Governor and the owner or occupier not agreeing, the amount of compensation will be determined under " The Public Works Act, 1882." The power of the State to resume and to work coal-mines will have a tendency to check any serious friction between the coal-mine proprietors and their workmen. Amongst several other new provisions eight hours is to constitute a day's work; and in cases where persons are employed consecutively for seven clays a week in connection with steam machinery, they are to have twelve half holidays or six whole holidays during the year, and a contribution on the output of coal is to be made compulsory on the owner or lessee of any coal-mine, so as to afford relief to the workmen or their families in cases of accidents occurring. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. The tw r enty-fifth annual report ou the work done in connection with the Museum and Laboratory has been distributed to members, aud the twenty-sixth, bringing it up to the 30th June last, is in course of preparation. The twenty-first volume of the Geological Reports is now in the press, and will contain, in addition to the usual progress report of the Director, twentjr-one special reports on various mineral districts of the colony, and an appendix which gives a brief description of points of special geological interest in each of the counties into which the colony is subdivided. During the past year the following districts have been surveyed and reported on : In the northern district of Auckland there has been a further examination, and the mapping of the coalfield continued, the eastern outcrop of which extends without interruption from Whangarei to Mongonui; and, although up to the present time mines have only been worked at the former place and at Kawakawa, there are several other places where the indications are decidedly favourable. A large area of the field is obscured by a cover of volcanic rocks, which makes it difficult to trace the coal-measures westward to the clip without the aid of a diamond-drill. The silver-bearing lodes at Puhipuhi and the extension of the same kind of mineral continuing towards Cape Brett and Mongonui were also surveyed The richest lodes, it appears, are in greenstone rock, where it has been decomposed to a great depth from the surface to a soft sandstone and pipeclay. The hard undecomposed rock also contains cherty lodes, but in these the precious metal is only present in minute quantity. As, besides the extensive coalfields and the occurrence of silver and gold, ores of mercury, copper, manganese, and iron are found in the north Auckland peninsula, it may be considered a promising mining district. Other reports relate to the coalfields on the west coast of the South Island, which have been generally re-examined and detailed surveys made, particularly in the Mokihinui district, where a large expenditure is being incurred at present. It is satisfactory to find that a more minute survey of this area has shown that there is abundance of coal to warrant the outlay. The geological survey of the Kaikoura Mountains is a work of great importance, which has been further advanced during the year. It is probably only through the study of this particrdar district that it will be possible to obtain a clue to the distribution of mineral veins in other parts of the colony. This arises from the circumstance that this mountain-chain is

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of comparatively recent date, and has been formed by movements along lines of fault that have influenced the western ranges. In these movements even surface-gravels have been involved, and some of the richest auriferous deposits appear to have been derived as a re-wash from the earlier-formed alluvia which have been thus preserved. This is especially the case at Parapara, near Collingwood, where there is evidence of an immense body of auriferous gravel, about 300 ft. thick, having been nipped in a fault that runs for many miles in a straight line. The gravel deposit, which extends to an unascertained depth, appears to have been the source of the gold obtained in the district. Most of the gold has been gathered from watercourses that intersect the above-mentioned lead. Extensive trials have been made which show that this gravel is on the average much richer than many similar deposits that are profitably worked by hydraulic mining in California and many places in this colony. By a recent examination of the Bluespur the Director has satisfied himself that the source of the gold is also in this case from an ancient gravel that has been involved and preserved in a fault-line, and no doubt many similar instances will be discovered bearing out this new interpretation of the origin of our alluvial gold. The other reports relate to antimony and manganese lodes which have lately been discovered in Otago, to the geological structure of some parts of Canterbury, and to various special examinations of gold- and coal-mines. Conclusion. In concluding my remarks on the mining industry I hope, Sir, I have not wearied honourable members with unnecessary details. Its importance demands it to be recognised as the leading industry in the colony, and one of the greatest factors conducing to our prosperity. Our rich agricultural lands have been year after year passing into private hands, until we have comparatively little left but the hilly and mountainous portions; and yet it is in these lands where the rich mineral lodes arc generally found, containing treasures sealed up in the bow r els of the earth awaiting discovery by man; treasures capable of producing a means of sustenance to a large; population. The days have passed away when the individual gold-digger can sally forth in the morning and be certain of earning his wage with no other implements than a pick, shovel, and a tin dish. The shallow rich auriferous drifts are gradually getting worked out, and it is only by the use of modern appliances that we may in the future hope to make mining a profitable avocation to follow. More attention is yearly being directed to the development of the mineral lodes and improvements in mechanical appliances for the saving of labour, and also in reduction plants, whereby the complex ores met with can be economically treated ; so that mining in the past has very little in common with its future progress. Mining ventures have been looked on by many with great distrust, and no doubt justly so, but with modern appliances, and conducted on commercial principles, we may hope to see these ventures more sought after as being legitimate channels for the investment of capital. There is no country in the world offers better facilities for carrying on mining than New Zealand, and few, if any, can compare with its richness in mineral wealth in proportion to its area. Its large and abundant water-supplies are the means whereby the auriferous drifts can be profitably worked, whilst its rapid-flowing rivers, creeks, and streams can readily be utilised as a cheap motive-power to drive machinery in connection with mining. It has been practically demonstrated at Skippers and the Sandhills in Otago that wherever water can be obtained as a motive-power to generate electricity the electro-motive force can be conveyed long distances by small wires placed on telegraph-poles to the place where machinery is required to be erected. Taking all these advantages into consideration, a colony abounding in mineral wealth, requiring only to be developed, and having a climate which cannot be surpassed in any part of the world, we may confidently look forward with the assurance that as the mining industry advances it will maintain its former position as the most prominent factor in adding to the prosperity and future greatness of this colony.

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No. 1. Table showing the Comparison in Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty for Exportation for the Years ending the 31st December, 1889 and 1890; also the Total Value since January, 1853.

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For Year ending the 31st December, 1890. For Year ending the 31st December, 1889. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1890. Name of Metal or Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Precious metals— Oz. £ ' Oz. Gold .. .. .. .. .. 193,193 773,438 203,211 Silver .. .. .. .. .. 32,637 6,162 24,105 Oz. 193,193 32,637 £ Oz. 773,438 203,211 6,162 24,105 £ 808,549 4,043 Oz. 11,818,221 554,010 £ 46,425,G29 134,997 46,560,620 Total gold and silver ... .. 225,830 779,600 227,316 ilinoral produce, including kauri-gum— Tons, j £ Tons. Copper-ore Chrome-ore ' .. Antimony-ore .. .. .. .. 515 11,121 , 493 : Manganese-ore .. .. .. .. 482: 1,004 1,080 Htematito-ore .. .. .. .. 5 Mixed minerals .. .. .. .. 19 273 ' 199 : Coal exported .. .. .. .. 69,614 j 67,003: 79,490 : Coko exported .. .. .. .. 2,218! 3,334, 2,182 Coal, output of mines in colony .. .. 565,867 282,933.500,955! Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. 7,438, 378,503 7,519 812,592 £ 5*319 2,569 9,985 70,228 3,407 253,477 329,590 12,372,831 Tons. 1,394 5,000 2,373 14,000 407,480 8,942 5,889,135 134,680. 6,478,882^ £ 17,862 37,307 30,190 51,291 225 GO,035 403,555 14,241 2,944,507 5,394,087 Total quantity and value of minerals ! 646,154* 744,236 , 597,868 j Value of gold and silver, as above .. .. 779,600 ; Total value of minerals produced, j including gold and silver .. ..j .. 1,523,836 I 080,575 812,592 8,973,020 40,500,620 1,493,107 55,533,046

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No. 2. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ending the 31st March, 1890 and 1891, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st March, 1891.

District and County or Borough. ' Year ending 31st March, 1891. Yaar ending 31st March, 1890. Increase or Decrease for Year ending 31st March, 1891. Total Quanti from Janui 31st Mai ity and Value ary, 1857, to rch, 1891. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Increase. Decrease. Auckland— County of Coromandel County of Thames County of Ohinemuri County of Piako Borough of Thames Te Aroha Town District Oz. 6,039 13,701 8,701 744 9,385 £ 24,427 52,427 30,293 2,902 37,029 Oz. 4,338 11,380 2,525 031 13,004 10 £ 17,178 43,790 10,092 2,446 51,774 40 Oz. 1,701 2,321 0,23G 113 Oz. 31-79 10 Oz. £ Wellington 38,630 153,678 31,948 125,326 6,682 1,655,948 6,187,924 188 706 Mablboeough— County of Marlborough Blenheim Borough Picton Borough 2,333 9,332 4,508 1,644 1,000 17,996 6,575 3,711 2,175 1,644 1,000 Nelson— County of Waimea County of Collingwood 2,333 9,332 7,152 28,282 4,819 66,781 258,509 92 1,518 302 0,044 342 3,251 1,271 12,322 250 1,733 West Coast— County of Buller County of Inangahua County of Grey County of Westland Brunnerton Borough Kumara Borough Hokitika Borough Ross Borough Reefton Borough .. 1,010 0,406 3,593 13,593 1,983 234,710 930,001 12,655 22,548 16,047 29,675 50 1,720 203 3,280 2 50,020 90,195 66,587 118,698 200 0,899 810 13,145 7 9,673 23,108 27,149 27,545 66 2,640 337 3,548 38,632 92,304 108,531 110,120 263 10,561 1,349 14,189 2,982 2, 130 500 10,502 16 914 134 262 2 _ANTEEBUEY 80,792 347,101 94,000 375,955 7,274 5,113,341 20,300,902 48 192 _TAGO — County of Taieri County of Tuapeka County of Vincent County of Maniototo County of Waihemo County of Waikouaiti County of Waitaki County of Bruce County of Lake County of Wallace County of Fiord County of Southland County of Stewart Island .. County of Clutha Unknown Borough of Alexandra Dunedin 059 13,085 7,206 3,175 705 1,410 1,690 49 6,309 3,786 360 2,403 8 21 23 106 2,628 50,280 29,258 12,847 2,784 5,019 0,724 195 25,529 15,005 1,423 9,817 32 80 90 433 255 10,727 11,506 5,507 811 1,164 1,390 70 8,176 5,011 48 4,212 3 20 48 202 15,845 1,022 48,870 45,960 22,188 3,250 4,050 5,584 278 32,063 20,024 192 10,846 12 80 175 814 03,404 404 2,958 *24G 294 4,240 2,332 106 21 1,807 1,225 812 1*749 5 1 25 90 15,845 Totals 41,715 168,744 65,001 260,018 23,286 4,784,032 18,887,180 ,171,080 685,321 201,700 803,174 30,080 11,855,048 40,572,014

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No. 3. Total Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty for Exportation from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st December, 1890. (This return shows the produce of the various goldfields. Gold entered at Nelson from Hokitika, Greymouth, and Westport is put under the head of "West Coast," and from Invercargill and Riverton under the head of "Otago.")

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Auck] _d. Neh ion. Marlb< trough. Wes1 Coast. Otago. Wellii igton. Cantei •bury. Toti .1. Year. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. 18.57 1858 1859 1800 1801 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1807 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 .1890 £ 1*192 10,437 13,226 7,336 4,538 6,335 10,422 9,580 14,410 12,137 7,650 9,123 5,999 10,631 12,244 10,014 8,175 13,697 5,642 4,577 14,018 5,367 4,463 2,993 3,222 3,453 3,289 2,064 2,159 2,798 2,582 2,914 3,027 3,252 2,856 £ 40,422 51,272 28,427 17,585 24,552 40,386 37,120 55,841 47,030 29,643 35,918 38,396 42,524 48,692 40,056 32,700 54,786 22,158 17,866 55,862 21,092 17,223 11,424 12,223 13,039 12,494 7,724 8,002 10,337 9,979 10,829 11,320 12,310 11,049 £ £ £ £ £ 10,437 13,534 7,336 4,538 194,031 410,862 628,450 480,171 574,574 735,376 686,905 637,474 614,281 544,880 730,029 445,370 505,337 376,388 355,322 322,010 371,685 310,486 287,464 305,248 270,561 251,204 248,374 229,946 237,371 227,079 203,869 201,219 203,211 193,193 £ 40,422 52,404 28,427 17,585 751,873 1,591,389 2,431,723 1,856,837 2,226,474 2,844,517 2,698,862 2,504,326 2,362,995 2,157,585 2,787,520 1,731,261 1,987,425 1,505,331 1,407,770 1,284,328 1,496,080 1,240,079 1,148,108 1,227,252 1,080,790 1,002,720 993,352 921,797 948,615 903,569 811,100 801,066 808,549 773.438 308 - .. .. 1,239 4,483 3,448 5,449 5,814 6,637 53,660 132,451 85,534 330,326 104,890 119,449 76,910 69,485 56,057 99,081 55,982 37,901 42,720 35,516 33,059 41,291 36,087 42,989 32,271 30,697 35,223 28,655 31,745 4,098 13,853 10,552 17,090 17,403 18,277 108,874 434,687 319,146 1,188,708 369,341 437,123 305,068 262,156 221,905 403,627 220,454 154,295 176,416 141,320 131,007 103,618 143,564 170,416 128,140 121,564 139,556 113,191 125,760 24,838 7,952 469 501 404 666 1,852 1,867 2,057 1,274 1,198 1,159 450 870 404 879 1,550 1,378 1,352 636 1,079 540 404 1,041 699 5.189 6,073 95,231 30,814 1,818 1,978 1,616 2,664 7,408 7,468 8,228 5,050 4,748 4,636 1,796 3,197 1,617 3,460 5,650 4,531 5,400 2,524 4,306 2,100 1,451 3,759 2,547 20,167 24,285 1,463 289,897 552,572 511,974 405,702 317,109 280,008 232,882 172,574 188,501 157,531 158, 078 133,014 153,198 144,034 142,822 144,090 127,544 130,048 116,905 111,680 117,801 112,671 98,774 100,139 101,696 89,096 5,560 1,127,370 2,140,946 2,018,874 1,608,844 1,209,064 1,121,525 931,528 690,296 756,442 031,203 035,480 531,274 612,823 578,508 571,061 575,258 509,971 519,978 467,152 446,517 471, 325 446,287 395,430 400,405 406,451 356,368 187,696 399,201 614,387 436,012 259,139 168,871 158,670 171,649 153,364 165,152 154,940 157,074 182,416 135,107 121,423 118,477 113,169 105,003 102,869 113,666 102,670 83,446 87,478 78,810 73,183 79,104 70,443 62,107 64,419 63,410 4,783,968 1 727,321 1,540,905 2,380,750 1,689,653 1,004,163 654,647 623,815 686,596 013,450 600,694 619,760 G30,G9G 734,024 542,154 487,632 473,491 455,341 422,277 407,868 457,705 411,923 333,804 352,334 318,932 294,378 317,543 : 279,518 : 247,142 250,430 255,920 I IS,886,928 30 120 10 37 101 380 17 109 188 700 _4 90 24 96 Totals .. 234,630 IS,886,928 ' 188 700 1,639,357 6,122,473 930,281 66,781 258,509 5,093,249 20,226,540 48 192 11,818,221 40,425,629 I

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No. 4. Table showing the Total Quantity of Mineral Ores (the Product of Mines other than Gold), Coal, Coke, and Kauri Gum, exported from the Colony up to 31st December, 1890.

Silver. Copper Ore. Chrome Ore. Antimony Ore. Manganese Ore. Haematite Ore. Mixed Mineral Ore. Coal. Coke. Kauri Gum. Totals. Year. Oz. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Ounces. Tons. Value. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 15,972 28,804 4,514 18,591 35,251 20,037 20,770 9,851 9,888 11,107 27,026 60,590 40,060: 70,572 77,491 72,493 111,307 175,074 167,958 154,167 85,816 79,986 138,523 109,234 118,348 132,975 147,535 242,817 253,788 260,369 336,606 342,151 209,762 257,653 362,449 380,933 329,590 378,563 £ 15,972 28,S64 4,514 18,591 35,251 25,006 23,501 12,883 11,708 30,850 31,344 65,500 46,060 72,287 81,419 74,680 115,100 188,082 192,715 164,982 90,321 91,957 149,272 129,372 137,711 154,687 163,001 275,799 271,633 281,016 350,086 353,024 362,779 318,783 419,844 459,261 439,260 467,465 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1803 1864 1805 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 ■• 1 •• ! .. 11,063 37,123 80,272 37,064 36,187 40,566 29,085J 12,683! 33,893; 23,019 20,645; 20,005: 18,885: 5,694: 16,826; 24,914 16.624 1 12,108 20,809 403; 24,1051 32,037; - I •■ ! ! 2,993 11,380 23,145 9,910 9,850 10,380 7,569 3,171 7,556 5,755 4,512 4,500 4,236 1,286 3,785 5,125 3,169| 2,946] 3,453 71 4,043 6,162 ■• 351 245 137 110 51 2461 84| •• J 7 •• i 5,000 2,605 1,590 1,300 1,024 •• •• 2 J 700 977 "l20 i •• •• I 3 8 116 52 3,843 595j 768! 281 I " 1 25 120 1,440 520 24,719 4,318 4,910 1*315 I "' •• - - •• .. " .. .. - •• •• I •• - • • 2 •• 1 261 973 1,027 750 1,072 1,696 990 724 1,463 3,385 1,854 2,658 6,362 7,144 7,020 6,621 3,207 6,522 6,104 43,893 40,136 44,129 68,087 86,405 69,614 4 •■ J 2 ••. I 400 1,228 1,210 800 1,508 1,612 855 655 1,363 3,129 1,954 2,071 5,139 6,187 5,977 5,610 2,380 4,879 4,461 51,257 52,133 44,650 64,971 84,347 67,003 •• °21 ■■ ■ . - .. •• *50 830 1,661 355 1,440 2,522 1,811 2,010 1,046 856 1,103 1,400 2,228 1,867 2,535 2,685 2,690 3,850 4,391 5,054 4,811 2,834 2,569 2,231 2,888 3,633 3,445 3,229 4,725 5,461 5,533 6,518 6,393 5,875J 4,920| 6,791 8,482 7,519 7,438 •• •• •• •• I 11,063 37,123 80,272 37,064 36,1S7 40,566 29,085 12,683 33,893 23,019 20,645 20,005 18,885 5,694 16,826 24,914 16,634 12,108 20,809 403 24,105 32,637 830 1,661 355 1,440 2,522 2,167 2,263 1,300 1,018 4,997 1,995 2,996 1,867 3.077 3,904 3,801 3,600 6,070 6,750 5,822 3,558 4,119 5,631 7,975 8,682 J 12,420 12,722 17,177 15,438 14,019 14,593* 13,071 51,4684 52,4114 51,666i 79,145 97,828 80,287i 6 55 •■ I 5 9 46 20 "ll5 1,105 30 41 678 100 .. .. ! •• 4 00 2 30 31 "l02 612 24 900 804 2,516 2,140 2,611 1,271 2,181 384 318 602 328J 305 1,085 1,080 482 10,416 8,338 10,423 3,283 6,963 1,155 809 1,716 1,316 895 2,404 2,569 1,004 •• s "12 I 3,180 2,366 2 2,674 1,955 2,784 22 .. 14,824 9,064 8 11,335 4,303 8,597 110 87 15 53 254 85 154 87 223 275 1,430 236 267 497 183$ 953 2,132 2,218 228 51 189 72 177 324 135 353 480 2,057 372 385 715 266 1,646 3,407 3,334 .. J •• 390 - 666 62 134 376 493 515 5,289 1,784 3,989 6,246 5,319 11,121 *50§ *208 114 445 144 162 199 19 993 1,846 4,142 2,955 9,985 273 20 " •■ 2 75 - - •• I •• • "u 5 1 •• •• I - Totals 5,666; 37,367 225 14,060 8,942 14,241' 134,630.j: 554,010j 134,997 1,394; 17,802! 2,373 36,190 15,303 J 51,291 524| 69,035| 418,700; 415,785 5,394,0S7; j554,610 601,2273 0,171,681 Note. —Silver ore, 37 tons, £1,225.

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No. 5. Table showing the Increased Production of Coal, Year by Year, during the last Twelve Years, and the Decrease of Coal imported for the same Period.

No. 6. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Mining Districts, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1889 and 1890, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

No. 7. Table showing the Different Classes of Coal from the Mines in the Colony.

Coal raised i: n the Colony. Coal imported. Year. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Tons. Plus or Minus. Increase and Decrease. 1878 .. 1879 .. 1880 .. 1881 .. 1882 .. 1883 .. 1884 .. 1885 .. 1880 .. 1887 .. 1888 .. 1889 .. 1890 .. 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,704 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 037,397 + 09,000 + 68,705 + 37,339 + 41,010 + 43,492 + 59,069 + 30,232 + 23,290 + 24,267 + 55,275 - 27,450 + 50*952 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 I 18,444 130,202 1.19,873 107,230 101.341 128,063 110,939 + + 16,072 34,778 0,664 380 6,042 24,904 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 26,722 17,124

Name of District. I Output of Coal. 1889. 1890. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to 31st December, 1890. Kawakawa '.. Whangarei, Kamo, and Whauwhau Waikato Mokau Pelorus West Wanganui Westport Reefton Greymouth Malvern Timaru Otago Southland Tons. 27,000 15,314 51,941 3*574 167,033 3,471 137,904 12,194 476 150,461 17,077 Tons. 30,307 19,G33 64,729 1,188 4*092 170,406 6,010 118,847 15,083 1,430 176,428 29,184 + + + + + + + + • + + 3,367 4,319 2,788 1,188 518 3,373 2,539 19,057 2,889 954 25,967 12,107 740,992 249,632 540,600 1,188 711 36,780 985,083 43,184 1,376,079 259,558 3,954 2,054,112 103,540 Totals .. 586,445 637,397 50,952 I 0,456,674

Name of Coal. Output of Coal. Plus or Minus. L_ Increase or Decrease. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1891. 1889. 1890. Bituminous Pitch .. Brown .. Lignite .. Tons. 335,511 87,445 144,010 19,479 Tons. 323,712 124,593 171,725 17,367 + + 11,799 37,148 27,715 2,112 3,143,910 1,015,980 2,113,400 183,318 Totals 586,445 637,397 + 50,952 0,456,674

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No. 8. Table showing the Number of Coal-mines in Operation, the Number of Men employed, and the Output of Coal per Man.

No. 9. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st December, 1890.

Note.—Foreign Coal: Included in exportation to —New South Wales, 3,980 tons, value £4,735; Fiji Islands, 124 tons, value £124 ; South Sea Islands, 2,670 tons, value £3,066. The remainder is New Zealand produce. W. T. Glasgow, For Secretary and Inspector. Department of Trade and Customs, Wellington, 15th June, 1891.

Number of Mines working. Number of Miners employed in each Mino. Total Number of Men employed. Output of Coal during 1890. Average Output per Man. 85 16 5 17 1 to 4 men in each 5 to 10 11 to 20 21 men and upwards 155 115 80 1,490 i Tons. 42,945 40,771 29,935 523,740 Tons. 277 354 374 350 123 1,846 037,397 037,397 345 345

Imported. Exported. Countries whence imported. Quantity. _J Value. Countries to which exported. Quantity. Value. United Kingdom Victoria New South Wales .. Queensland Tons. 4,021 750 100,421 5,147 £ 4,629 555 92,238 4,744 United Kingdom Victoria New South Wales Queensland South Australia Norfolk Island Fiji Islands U.A. America, East Coast.. New Caledonia South Sea Islands Tons. 42,984 635 11,155 151 6,814 12 6,554 3 117 7,963 £ 47,824 502 10,700 99 3,532 10 4,853 4 87 7,311 Totals .. 110,939 102,100 Totals .. : 76,388 j 74,928

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No. 10. Number of Miners employed during the Years ending 31st March, 1890 and 1891.

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Alluvial Miners. Quartz-miners. Totals. Grand Total. Mining District. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. 1890. 1891. Auckland— North Hauraki and Coromandel .. South Hauraki Thames Ohinemuri Te Aroha 339 701 311 36 339 701 311 36 420 1,161 339 701 311 36 "105 Maelbobough— Pelorus Wairau 300 37 1,387 24 1,387 330 37 1,686 404 1,387 330 37 Nelson— Baton Wangapeka Sherry and Tadmor Collingwood, Takaka, and West Wanganui Motueka Inangahua Ahaura Charleston Westport, including Addison's, Northern Terraces, Waimangaroa, North Beach, Mokihinui, Karamea, and Lower Buller Valley Lyell .. Murchison .. .. ) Owen .. .. .. I "28 182 6 75 486 275 270 343 2 'l86 192 "39 *420 24 **28 *221 6 495 486 275 295 367 2 *186 192 **42 194 775 770 250 360 404 28 "223 6 681 678 475 295 367 **25 00 6 122 6 83 02 128 120 100 1 121 100 206 221 Westland— Ross Stafford and Goldsborough Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth .. .. | Arnold.. .. .. j Greenstone Okarito Jackson's Bay 1,502 180 200 700 520 40 105 150 100 480 8 547 2,049 188 260 700 520 40 105 150 100 4S0 2,080 200 650 760 620 2,535 228 365 850 620 800 450 800 450 1,263 1,250 "94 30 1 "94 30 1 *91 36 95 30 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde .. Cromwell Alexandra Roxburgh Black's Tapanui Waikaia, Upper Waikaia, Nokomai, Waikaka, and Waikawa Longwood .. .. 1 Orepuki .. .. [ Roundhill Wakatipu Goldfields—Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby, Kyeburn, Clarke's, and Mount Burster Hamilton, Sowburn, &c. Hyde and Pullcrton's Serpentine Macrae's, Strath-Taieri, Shag Valley, and Nenthorn Maerewhenua St. Bathans and Ida Valley Wyndham 2,590 100 440 40 310 150 208 156 30 200 110 60 325 5 400 15 143 50 45 45 30 180 300 80 846 56 40 "37 12 10 0 **50 2,598 156 480 I 40 I 347 j 162 268 166 30 200 116 60 375 5 400 15 143 50 45 45 30 180 300 80 846 3,680 168 920 63 555 205 311 220 60 350 501 425 550 3,434 iei 880 55 490 212 313 211 60 380 116 300 455 375 200 100 145 100 475 200 100 145 293 575 345 52 65 10 20 52 65 10 20 55 91 02 85 **58 "75 *31 *S9 "75 *236 *164 75 130 150 "20 75 130 150 "20 00 148 120 75 150 150 Summary. 3,294 1,603 342 3,630 ; 1,003 5,337 5,299 Auckland Maelbobough Nelson Westland Otago 343 1,502 2,590 3,294 480 840 1,063 1,387 24 547 8 342 1,387 | 367 2,049 2,598 3,636 486 846 1,6G3 1,686 401 2,080 3,080 5,337 1,387 367 2,535 3,444 5,299 Totals 7,729 2,995 2,308 10,037 2,995 13,787 13,032

C.--2

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No. 11.

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Price, 9d.'\

Woight of Gold as taken at Colonial Laboratory. Weight of Gold received at Sydney Mint. Weight of Gold after Melting. Assay Report: Decimal. Loss of Place from where Gold was sent. Fineness of Gold. in Melting. Gold. Silver. Kumara 1 Oz. dwt. gr. 11 19 21 Oz. 11-99 Oz. 11-84 Oz. 015 I -9570 Carats. 22-908 •035 Island Block .. .. 12 0 14 12-04 11-50 054 ! -9605 ■030 23-052 St. Bathan's .. .. 11 19 21 11-99 11-72 0-27 •9730 •020 23-332 Alexandra ... 12 0 5 1201 11-79 0-22 •9525 •040 22-800 Reefton Totals 12 0 20 ! 00 1 9 12-04 00-07 11-77 0-27 ■9760 ■015 23-424 58-6: 1-45 I I Place from where Gold was sent. Standard Gold. Mint Value Value at per Oz. Sydney Mint. Mint Charges. Net Value after deducting Mint Charges. Purchasemoney. Cumara !sland Block .. Oz. 12-361 12-050 JJ s. d. 4 1 44 £ s. d. 48 3 2 £ s. d. 0 5 2 £ s. d. 47 18 0 £ s. d. 40 17 0 4 1 7j 46 18 10 0 5 0 46 13 10 16 8 6 it. Bathan's .. Alexandra teeftou 12-440 12-251 12-532 4 2 7.]4 0 11J i 4 2 10J ! 48 8 9 47 14 11 48 15 1 0 5 2 0 5 1 48 3 7 47 9 10 48 0 0 46 4 0 0 5 3 48 9 10 47 6 9 Totals 61-634 ! 240 0 9 15 8 238 15 1 234 10 3