MINES STATEMENT. BY THE HON. JAMES McGOWAN, MINISTER OF MINES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, C-02

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1900. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT. BY THE HON. JAMES McGOWAN, MINISTER OF MINES.

Me. Speaker,— In submitting my Statement I am pleased to be able to remark upon the continued progress that is being made in all branches of mining, and more especially as regards the gold-dredging industry. Nearly the whole of the river beds and flats in the auriferous districts of the Middle Island have been taken up as dredging claims, and when the numerous dredges at present under construction are in operation a greatly increased output of gold should result. Both in Otago and on the West Coast the extreme activity in the floating of dredging companies so apparent a few months ago has eased off considerably, and this, no doubt, is an advantage rather than otherwise, as the number of flotations was beginning to be in excess of the amount of local capital to be invested in this industry. In the earlier stages of the dredging development the total capital was nearly, if not altogether, subscribed before registration. Many of the companies more recently floated have been registered with a very small amount paid up, the result often being that an inducement is held out to persons of limited means to subscribe for shares which they are unable to hold, simply with the intention of disposing of them when they are at a premium. The expected rise frequently does not come, and the result to the speculative holder is easily foreseen. I find much of the ground that in the early days gave rich returns to the individual miner has now been so thoroughly worked that larger combinations of men and money are necessary in order to obtain the gold at greater depth, and also where the ground was considered too poor to work by the old style of digging. In many instances a large expenditure must be incurred for bringing in supplies of water for working ground upon an improved and extensive scale. Hydraulic sluicing is carried on extensively in certain districts, and this method of working auriferous alluvial ground in the interior, where good supplies of water are obtainable, has hitherto been found to be the most economical and practical for the recovery of the precious metal. . Gold-mining in the North continues steadily to progress, although, no doubt, the district still suffers from the effects of the mining boom of a few years ago. I consider that large companies are manifestly an advantage where they properly work and open up their ground; but if they do not carry on develop-ment-works in some relative proportion to the areas of their holdings, then such companies are inimical to the progress of mining from an industrial point of view. Many of the local claim-holders in the North took advantage of the 1-C. 2.

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boom to dispose of their claims outside the colony, and, as a result of the larger areas of ground being held by single companies, there is less actual prospecting carried on than before the boom period. MINEEAL PEODUCTION. The annexed Table No. 1 gives the quantity of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals, including kauri-gum, produced for the year ending 31st December, 1899. The total production of gold and silver was 738,896 oz., valued at •£1,554,011, being an increase in value of £440,213 as compared with the production of the preceding year. The output of other minerals, including coal and lignite, has been 987,812 tons, representing a value of £1,102,543, or 68,818 tons, value £56,680, in excess of the previous year. 11,116 tons of kauri-gum was produced, value £607,919, as compared with 9,905 tons, valued at £586,767, for 1898. The quantities and values of the chief mineral productions for the past two years are summarised for comparison as follow : — Year ending 31st December, 1899. Year ending 31st December, 1898. Product. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. n n Gold ... ... ... 389,558 oz. 1,513,173 280,175 oz. 1,080,691 Silver ... ... ... 349,338 „ 40,838 293,851 „ 33,107 Copper-ore ... .... ... tons ... 2} tons 70 Manganese-ore ... ... 135 „ 407 217 „ 703 Mixed minerals ... ... 1,309 „ 6,591 1,828 „ 4,792 Colonial coal exported, including that used by Home steamers ... ... 89,480 „ 83,085 56,332 „ 50,381 Coke exported ... ... 18 „ 9 9 „ 14 Colonial coal consumed in New Zealand ... ... 885,754 „ 404,532 850,701 „ 403,136 Kauri-gum ... ... 11,116 „ 607,919 9,905 „ 586,767 Total value of production for 1899 ... 2,656,554 2*, 159,661 1898 ... 2,159,661 Total increase ... ... ... £496,893 The total value of gold, silver, coal, and other kaurigum, produced up to the end of 1899 was £73,401,834. GOLD-MINING. The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the year ending 31st March last, as per Table No. 2 annexed, was 392,663 oz., representing a value of £1,526,344, or 89,138 oz. in excess of the previous year. The quantity exported from each district is as follows: Auckland 168,836 oz.; Marlborough, 344 oz. ; Nelson and West Coast, 96,670 oz.; Canterbury, 22 oz.; Otago and Southland, 126,791 oz. The greatest increase for the year is in the Otago and Southland Mining District, the gold export being 48,502 oz. in excess of the previous year. This is due principally to the development of dredge-mining. QUAETZ-MINING. In the North Island the export of gold to Slst March last shows an advance of 20,653 oz. as compared with that of the preceding twelve months. This is accounted for by the fact of several comparatively new mines having passed the initial stages of opening out and becoming actual producers, also to the extensions which have taken place at some of the older mines. The Waihi Mine which paid £128,000 in dividends during the year 1899, is the most extensive quartz-mining property, and during the past year the average number of persons employed was 740. The battery already comprises 190 heads of stamps used for dry crushing, and an addition of 100 heads of stamps is now being made. The latter will work by the wet process, and in the event of this proving an advantage over the system now in use it is probable that wet crushing will be adopted throughout. It is worthy of note that the change from dry to wet crushing has already been made at some other batteries in the northern goldfields.

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The Thames shows an output of gold valued at £25,372 in excess of the previous year, and now that the large amount of unproductive work necessary to the efficient opening up of the Thames-Hauraki and May Queen-Hauraki Mines is approaching completion it is expected the returns of gold produced will continue to increase. Development-works of a comprehensive character are in progress at several of the mines in different parts of the district, and, after a considerable amount of prospecting on the Thames Peninsula, a discovery of some importance has been made, payable reefs having been found among the ranges to the south of Gumtown, in the Mercury Bay District. Several companies have commenced operations, and it should not be long before the capabilities of the new field are fully proved. Taking the northern district -as a whole, there is every reason to expect the gold-mining industry will continue to afford steady employment to a large number of persons, and contribute directly and indirectly to the support of a very considerable portion of the population for a long time to come. In the Coromandel District the development-works in several mines have not been as successful as was anticipated, and, owing to the unremunerative character of their work, a few of the companies have suspended operations, So far as the Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast districts are concerned, the chief centre of quartz-mining is at Reefton. Considerable sums of money have been and are being spent in this locality for the purposes of developing the reefs. The Progress Mines have been opened up to a considerable extent and fitted with up-to-date plant and machinery, the ore being conveyed by an aerial tramway (worked by gravitation) to the 65-stamp battery. The chlorination process of extracting gold is being used here, and a cyanide plant is in course of erection, Gold to the value of £91,078 was obtained by the company as the result of their operations for the year, being an increase of £22,169 as compared with the preceding year. Other parts of the field are also being developed with a view to working on a fairly large scale. This feature is specially noticeable in the neighbourhood of Crushington, and at the New Inkerman Mines. At the latter property some £35,000 has already been expended in properly prospecting and opening out the ground prior to the erection of new battery-plant. When the works now in progress at the several mines are completed, increased returns may be looked for. At Lyell the prospects of quartz-mining do not appear promising. As regards the future, much will depend on the result of prospecting in No. 7 Level of the Alpine Extended Mine. Work on a comparatively limited scale is being carried on at some of the outlying mines, and several small mines have ceased operations. The gold won from quartz-mining for the year is valued at £137,905, or an advance of £28,886 as compared with the preceding year. The Southern District shows a decided decrease in respect to the production of gold from quartz-mining operations. The sanguine expectations of a few years ago as to the probable importance of the reefs at Preservation Inlet have not been realised, and during the past year the locality has been extensively depopulated. A certain amount of work is still in progress, and recent reports appear somewhat more encouraging. At Skipper's and Bullendale work has been undertaken which, it is hoped, will tend to materially increase the production of gold there. At Macetown, the Premier Mine is the only one now at work, and, notwithstanding difficulties of a somewhat exceptional character, has more than paid its way. There is a proposal to develop several properties in the neighbourhood. During the year a considerable amount of development work has been done, and a battery plant of modern design erected at the O.P.Q. Gold Mines, Waipori. Several mines in various parts of the district have been worked with varying degrees of steadiness and success. Many of these are on a very small scale. The returns from quartz-mining have fallen off very considerably during the past two years. The approximate value of gold obtained from this source last year was only £21,717, as against £38,493 for the year preceding. This is due principally to the reduced production of the mines at Preservation Inlet, Macetown, and Bendigo.

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Alluvial and Hydbaulic Mining. This class of mining provides employment to a large number of persons in various parts of the Middle Island, the work extending from Nelson and Marlborough in the north to the southernmost part of Southland. The auriferous deposits are worked in various ways, from the solitary digger using his cradle or simple sluice-box to the elaborate system of hydraulic sluicing and elevating required in places where extensive bodies of material have to be dislodged—elevated to a considerable height and passed over tables (fitted up to meet local requirements) in order to extract the gold. For this latter method, large quantities of water are brought into requisition, mountain streams being intercepted by races at such elevations as will give the necessary hydrostatic power for the work required, the water being conveyed down to the claims by lines of pipes. Mining for alluvial gold is carried on in various parts of the Marlborough and Nelson Districts with fairly satisfactory results ; but dry weather was responsible for a shortage of water during a portion of the year, and operations were somewhat restricted in consequence. In the West Coast district several of the properties worked on the hydraulic principle are reported to have yielded very satisfactory returns, and a considerable amount of development-work is in progress. This latter feature is especially noticeable at the Wellington Old Diggings (Buller River), Virgin Flat, and Humphrey's Gully. In connection with the Kumara and Dillmanstown diggings, an additional water-race has been constructed by the Government, which taps the Wainihinihi Stream, and is already proving of benefit to this field. There are several places where the style of mining practised on the West Coast for many years is destined to give way to newer methods. This is a natural sequence; the rich and easily-worked ground is becoming exhausted, and ordinary digging operations usually become unpayable beyond the depth at which free drainage can take place. Some power then becomes necessary to deal with water and the ground below water-level. Where the conditions are favourable, there is, perhaps, no better method of working than by the system of hydraulic sluicing and elevating; but it is anticipated that extensive areas of fiat lands known to be auriferous, but too deep and wet to be worked by hand labour, will be successfully worked by dredges. Large sums of money were spent by the General Exploration Company in opening up ground and erecting plant at Fairdown and Bendigo, near Westport, but, the results being most unsatisfactory, all work has ceased. At Ross, the Mount dOr is the only claim which can be said to be satisfactorily profitable at the present time; but, as dredging is being introduced in the locality, it is expected that the yield of gold will increase. Small parties of miners, both European and Chinese, continue to find employment in various parts of the district. The beaches near Charleston are still the scene of operations familiarly known as "beach-combing," and Messrs. Powell work the black sand deposit by the hydraulic system with satisfactory results. The Otago and Southland District contributes very largely, from the working of its auriferous drifts, to the gold returns of the colony, and sluicing and elevating plants of considerable magnitude are to be seen in operation in various places. This is notably the case at Blue Spur, near Lawrence, Roxburgh, St. Bathan's, and Round Hill; but the principle is general right through these goldfields, and good representative plants are at work at Deep Stream, Waipori, Waikaia, Nokomai, Naseby, Bald Hill Flat, Matakanui, and the neighbourhood of Lake Wakatipu. At Orepuki and Round Hill the gold is very fine in its character, and at the latter place a most efficient system for catching this fine gold has been adopted. So much attention having been devoted in this district of late to the question of dredging, there has not been much development in respect to hydraulic mining, although in a few instances new installations have been made.

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A very simple but effective method of using water under pressure for working river-bed beaches has been introduced on the Shotover River. By this means ground much too wet and deep for the ordinary methods of groundpaddocking is now being worked, and, in consequence of the success which has attended the operations of those diggers who have adopted this system, the river-bed has been pegged out for several miles by persons who intend to work in a similar manner. Chinese diggers are to be found scattered throughout the district, but their number is gradually decreasing. Dredge Mining. This system of working river-beds and alluvial flats for the gold therein contained is a most important one, and the industry is rapidly expanding. On the 31st March last only four dredges were actually at work in the Marlborough and West Coast Districts, but, owing to the success which has attended this method of mining in the South, the attention of investors and speculators has been turned to other centres, and at the present time there are probably not less than seventy dredges actually in course of construction for various parts of the districts referred to, some of which are fast approaching completion. The results obtained by the first new machines put to work at places hitherto untried by dredging will be awaited with anxious interest. Claims, intended to be worked by dredging, have been taken up in large numbers on the rivers and flats of Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland. Otago, the home of the gold-dredging industry, has experienced quite a boom*during the year, and investment in other branches of mining has received very little consideration. This remark is equally applicable to the West Coast District at the present time. Magnificent returns have been made by a few dredges, and notably by the Hartley and Riley, which obtained no less than 1,187 oz. in one week. This has, however, been very recently eclipsed by the phenomenal return of 1,234 oz., obtained by the Lady Ranfurly dredge at Kawarau Gorge, near Cromwell, as the result of a single week's work. Still, returns like these do not justify the wild excitement and mad rushing to peg out claims and float companies such as have been experienced during the past year. There is every reason to believe that many of the new ventures will prove satisfactory, but others have been put on the market which are not at all likely to come within that category. The number of dredges actually working in Otago and Southland at 31st March last is returned at 81 out of a total of 97, with 101 others under construction. Apart altogether from the men employed in dredge-building, each dredge is estimated to be responsible for the average direct regular employment of at least eleven men (including coal-miners, carters, &c), and contributes in an indirect manner to the farming, wagon-building, and other industries. The importance of gold-dredging to the public welfare may be somewhat gauged from the above statement. In parts of Otago, but more especially in Southland, large areas of auriferous flat land, in the neighbourhood of rivers or streams, have been taken up for dredging, and several dredges are in operation. It is found that the land so worked is, as a rule, rendered practically valueless for agricultural purposes, and where the gold is fine a considerable proportion of it is carried away by the subsoil and clay, as these, together with the auriferous gravels, are mixed in the sluice-box or screen. This damage to land, and the loss of gold referred to, are two important considerations which are engaging the attention of the Mines Department with a view to some satisfactory method being devised —and, if possible, of being made applicable to most existing dredges—for first stripping the surface soil and clay and depositing them on the tailings well behind the dredge, thus enabling the land to be fairly well restored, and the gravel to be treated for the extraction of its contained gold without the mixture of surface clay

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COMPAEATIVB VALUE OF EXPOBT OP GOLD AND SILVBE FOE THE FIEST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAES 1899-1900. A return from the Customs shows that the export of gold for the first six months of this year was valued at £694,859, as compared with £750,499 for the corresponding period of last year, this being a decrease of £55,640. The value of silver exported shows a decrease of £3,420 for the same period. The decrease in the value of gold exported may be attributed to the transitory state of alluvial mining, caused by sluicing largely giving place to dredging, and the inability of engineers to build dredges quickly enough to meet requirements. "THE MINING ACT, 1898." Amended regulations framed under this Act were published in the Government Gazette, under date of 18th June, 1900, and have been referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. THE CYANIDE PEOCESS. Royalties amounting to £3,254 17s. have been paid to the Government by licensees in the colony during the two years and a half since the patent rights were acquired for New Zealand, or nearly one-third of the cost incurred. PEOSPECTING. During the year ended 31st March, 1900, the sum of £1,400 9s. 6d. was expended in subsidies to parties of miners and prospecting associations actually engaged in the work of prospecting for minerals. WATEECOUESES FOE TAILINGS, &c. Applications having been made to the Government for the proclamation of certain rivers and streams in Otago and Southland as watercourses into which tailings and waste water from mining operations may be discharged, Commissioners have been appointed by His Excellency the Governor to inspect the rivers and streams in question, and to take evidence in connection therewith. Two interim reports have been received. SCHOOLS OF MINES. The School of Mines at Reefton, which was closed for some time, has been reopened, and the schools at Thames, Coromandel, and Waihi, as well as that in connection with the Otago University at Dunedin, have been carried on as usual. Students to the number of 211 have attended the various schools, and are returned as follows : Thames, 69 ; Coromandel, 29; Waihi, 50; Reefton, 15; Dunedin, 48. Some instruction has also been given in blowpipe analysis and geology at Nelson. During the past fifteen years the total expenditure by the Government in connection with Schools of Mines, including grants to the school attached to the Otago University, has been £29,895 Is. 6d. WATER CONSEEVATION. The large storage reservoir at Eweburn, Otago, is now practically completed, and, as it has been partially filled for some time, the increased watersupply obtained from this source has already been of considerable benefit to mining operations around Naseby. The value of this reservoir will be more fully realised during the ensuing summer. Other sites for storage are receiving the attention of the department. GEOLOGICAL EXPLOEATIONS. During the past year the survey of Cape Colville Peninsula and Hauraki Goldfields was continued, and the collection of rocks and mineral specimens now made represents all parts of the peninsula from Cape Colville to Te Aroha. A typical set of the rocks from Coromandel and the northern part of Thames counties has been forwarded to England for description by a petrological expert, and a like representation of the southern goldfields is now being prepared.

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During the season coal deposits at Cabbage Bay and on Moehau Mountain were examined, but, though the coal is of high quality, the seams are too thin to be worked. The discovery of gold in the district south of Gumtown, to which I have already referred, led to an examination of the Upper Rangihau and Kapowai Rivers, where a few claims were yielding phenomenal results from surface workings in a kind of rock not usually regarded as gold-bearing. The geologist (Mr. McKay) reports that the three claims obtaining rich gold show the walls of the lodes to be rhyolite, and, as this rock is extensively developed on the east side of the Peninsula, like discoveries in other parts are to be expected. Recent discoveries of coal between Pakawhau Inlet and Cape Farewell were examined and reported on. Hitherto but thin seams of bituminous coal have been worked at Pakawhau and near Collingwood, but the existence of an 8 ft. seam of glance coal of high quality has been proved to exist in the vicinity of Puponga Inlet, and the tracing of this, it is hoped, will lead to other discoveries in the district to the south-west, in which direction the coal measures extend. COAL-MINING. % The gross output for the year ending the 31st December, 1899, was 975,234 tons, this being an increase of 68,201 tons as compared with the year 1898. In the North Island the coal output shows a falling-off amounting to 7,262 tons, but that of the Middle Island is increased by 75,463 tons. So far as coal-mining in the North Island is concerned, the most important centre is at Taupiri, where several interests have lately been consolidated. The output from these mines for 1899 was 66,966 tons, the production of the Hikurangi Coal Company being next in order with 34,037 tons. Ten other mines axe at work, but with two exceptions their output is very small. The principal mines in the West Coast District are those of the Westport Coal Company (Limited), from which the output last year was 327,931 tons, or rather more than one-third of the entire production of the colony. The Brunner and Blackball Mines are next in importance, the output from these mines for last year being 96,531 tons and 58,136 tons respectively. From sundry causes the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company found it necessary to cease operations about the end of September last, and the property has lately been taken over by the Government for royalties and other charges owing. At the latter end of January it was discovered that a portion of the mine was on fire, and steps were at once taken by the company to keep this under control as much as possible. The necessary supervision has been continued by the Government, and from recent advices I am pleased to be able to state that only a very limited, area of coal of commercial value is likely to be lost, that portion of the mine in which the fire occurred being already practically worked out. Some attention is being devoted to the coal deposits in the locality of Collingwood, and, as it may eventually become necessary to expend considerable sums of money in making the necessary provisions for getting this coal to a market, the question of a systematic development of the field there is one which will demand careful consideration, and must largely influence the granting or refusal of applications for leases. In Otago, the Kaitangata Collieries rank first in order as producers, the output for 1899 being 111,510 tons. Shag Point Colliery is second in point of output, which is practically equalled by that of the Nightcaps Colliery, in Southland. Throughout Otago and Southland there are a large number of small mines working brown coal and lignite for local consumption, and, having in view the future requirements of the gold-dredging industry as regards its coal supply, considerable care will have to be exercised in respect to the granting of licenses or leases to mine coal on Crown lands, in order that the proper and efficient working of the coal deposits may be secured, and the reasonable demands for fuel in each locality adequately met. Owing to the growing demand for coal throughout the world, and recent dislocation of shipping arrangements with New South Wales in consequence of

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the restrictions caused by plague, the coal supplies of this colony have been drawn upon to some increased extent, and the consequently enhanced price, coupled with the difficulty of obtaining adequate supplies of coal of suitable quality in certain parts of New Zealand, may yet render it necessary for the Government to consider the advisability of opening a mine to provide for its own requirements.

ACCIDENTS IN MINES. The following statement shows the fatal accidents which have occurred in connection with the various classes of mining for the year covered by the reports of the Inspectors of Mines:—

Of the fatal accidents reported, investigation showed that, with one exception, no blame was attributable to the management. In this case it w T as clearly proved that safety provisions had been neglected, and a prosecution followed, at which a conviction was obtained. The majority of fatalities in connection with alluvial mining have occurred to men working their own claims. Non-fatal accidents have, for the greater portion, been of a slight character, and such as are incidental to mining work, but in a few instances somewhat serious injuries have been sustained. lEON-OEE. There are, as yet, no further developments with regard either to our irondeposits in the Middle Island or to the immense quantities of ironsand on the Taranaki coast; but the present high price of iron, combined with the growing demand for that metal, should lead to the attention of capitalists being directed to this colony as a suitable field for the establishment of smelting-works on a large scale. With a view to encouraging the introduction of sufficient capital for the erection of such works, the Government are prepared to consider favourably a proposal based on the following lines : That a company shall be formed with a capital of not less than £200,000 ; that of this £200,000 £100,000 shall be expended in acquiring lands, erecting buildings, and the necessary plant and appliances. This having been done, that the Government shall grant a bonus of £1 per ton on the first 20,000 tons of marketable iron or steel produced; that the iron and steel required for the colony shall be taken from the company at a margin above the market rates ruling beyond the colony, allowing freights. SULPHUE. 1,227 tons of sulphur were exported from the neighbourhood of Rotorua during the year 1899, this being a decrease of 538 tons in comparison with the returns for 1898. KAUEI-GUM. The export for the year was 11,116 tons, valued at £607,919, this being an increase of 1,211 tons, valued at £21,152, as compared with the preceding year. The total quantity exported since 1853 has been 211,592 tons, valued at £9,707,538. A considerable number of Natives and Europeans find employment on the gumfields.

Class of Mining. Number of Persons Employed. Fatal Accidents. Rate per 1,000. juartz-mines ... Liluvial and hydraulic mines and dredging loal-mines 4,663 8,628 5 16* 1-07 1-85 2,153 3 1-39 15,444 24 1-5 * Inoludes four fatalities in connection with dredges.

Diagram showing TOTAL OUTPUT of COAL from N.Z. MINES for the years 1872 to 1899.

Diagram showing TOTAL QUANTITY & VALUE of GOLD exported from N.Z. for the years 1857 to 1899.

Diagram showing TOTAL QUANTITY & VALUE of KAURI GUM exported from N.Z., for the years 1853 to 1899

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SCHEELITE. A recent discovery is reported from Central Otago, but so far the'only place where this mineral is prepared for the market is at the mine of Messrs. Donaldson Brothers, at Macrae's. Owing to the increasing demand, other parties working reefs in the same district (where scheelite is associated with the quartz) are reported to be making arrangements to supply requirements. HZBMATITE PAINT. This is produced at the works of the New Zealand Paint-manufacturing Company at Thames, and by Messrs. Washbourne Brothers in the Collingwood District. Some haematite suitable for paint-making has been discovered in the neighbourhood of Invercargill. CINNABAE. Some prospecting work is in hand near Waipori, Otago, where the indications are said to be such as will warrant further efforts being taken to thoroughly prove the ground. Some very good ore has been obtained there, and also near Taipo, in the West Coast District. SHALE-OIL. An industry entirely new to the colony will shortly be started at Orepuki, a very complete plant being in course of erection at that place for the purpose of working the extensive deposits of shale in the district. The company carrying on the operations appear sanguine of success, and if the products of the shale, when worked on a large scale, are equal in quality to the various extracts obtained in the laboratory, I think there is every reason for supposing that their expectations will be realised, provided, of course, the manufactured article can be supplied at or below 7 ruling market rates. The different classes of oils for lighting and lubricating purposes which have been experimentally extracted are extremely pure and free from the disagreeable mineral odour usually accompanying such oils. The paraffin wax, another product, is even superior to that ordinarily on the market, and as the company is providing machinery for the treatment of all the by-products, there should be very little waste in connection with their operations. EOADS AND TEACKS. The expenditure on roads and tracks during the year shows an increase compared with that of last year. The total expenditure by the department during the last eighteen years on roads and tracks for the development of the mining industry amounts to £329,147 18s. Id. in direct grants, and £95,564 Bs. in subsidies to local bodies ; out of which £44,258 2s. 6d. and £2,865 7s. 4d. respectively were expended during the year. THE MINING BUEEAU. The publication of the New Zealand Mines Becord has been continued during the year by the Secretary of the Mining Bureau, and the information obtained by the department from its officers and other sources has been thus made available at regular intervals. Some of the papers-have been separately printed for distribution through the Agent-General, Chambers of Mines, and other bodies; while the orders issued by the Home Office in reference to explosives have been issued in a handy form for distribution by the Inspectors of Mines. Most of the Australian Colonies are now publishing monthly or quarterly statistics, and lately the Queensland Government has commenced the issue of a monthly mining journal. DEPAETMENTAL. Owing to failing eyesight Mr. George Wilson, the late Inspecting Engineer, has retired from the service. 'He has been succeeded by Mr. John Hayes, F.S.Sc, who was Inspector of Mines for the Southern District, Mr. Edwin Ridley Green being appointed to fill the position formerly occupied by the present Inspecting Engineer. 2—C 2.

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CONCLUSION. The mining industry generally may be described as being on a satisfactory footing. During the year under review, there has been a marked increase in the production of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals (including kauri-gum), representing a value of nearly half a million sterling in comparison with that of the year preceding. When the development-works in progress at many mines are completed, and the large number of dredges now in course of construction have been put to work, I confidently expect to find the returns of gold produced will materially increase. There is also every indication that the output from coal-mines will advance. In view of the excitement caused by the success wdiich has attended the dredging industry and the consequent activity in floating new ventures, I would reiterate the need of prudence in respect to speculation, and point out the fact that, although this branch of mining opens out a field for sound investment, its credit maybe seriously jeopardized by the flotation of properties which ought never to be put on the market.

No. 1. Table showing the Comparison in Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation, and also the Quantity and Value of other Minerals produced, for the Years ending the 31st December, 1898 and 1899, as well as the Total Value since January, 1853.

For Year ending the 31st December, 1899. For Year ending the 31st December, 1898. Total from the lst January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1899. Name of Metal or Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 'recious metals— Gold .. Silver Oz. 389,558 349,338 £ 1,513,173 40,838 Oz. 280,175 293,851 £ 1,080,691 33,107 Oz. 14,235,285 1,728,351 £ 55,966,498 276,669 Total gold and silver 738,896 1,554,011 574,026 1,113,798 15,963,636 56,243,16' lineral produce, including kauri-gum— Copper-ore Chrome-ore Antimony-ore .. .. Manganese-ore Hsematite-ore Mixed minerals Coal (New Zealand) exported Coke exported .. .. Coal, output of mines in colony (less exports) Kauri-gum Tons. 135 1,309* 89,480 18 885,754 11,116 £ 407 6,591 83,085 9 404,532 607,919 Tons. 21 217 l,828f 56,332 9 850,701 9,905 £ 70 "703 4,792 50,381 14 403,136 586,767 Tons. 1,396J 5,666 3,610 18,637i 52§ 19,011 1,120,811 16,370 12,338,069 211,592 £ 17,938 37,367 52,361 59,644 226 90,165 1,091,707 24,804 6,076,917 9,707,538 Total quantity and value of minerals Value of gold and silver, as above 987,812 1,102,543 1,554,011 918,994| 1,045,863 1,113,798 13,735,215J 17,158,667 56,243,167 Total value of minerals produced, including gold and silver 2,656,554 2,159,661 73,401,834 * Including 1,227 tons sulphur ; qua t Sulphur, 1,765 tons; quartz, 22 toi yrfcz, 5 tons ns; unenu: ; scheelite-ore, 32 torn merated, 41 tons. ; unenumerated, 45 tons

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No. 2. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ending the 31st March, 1899 and 1900, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st March, 1900.

Year ending 31st March, 1900. Year ending 31st March, 1899. Increase or Decrease for Year ending 31st March, 1900. District and County or Borough. Total Quant: from Janu 31st Ma: tity and Valus lary, 1857, to ,roh, 1900. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Increase. Decrease. Auckland — County of Coromandel County of Thames County of Ohinemuri County of Piako County of Manukau County of Marsden County of Whangarei Borough of Thames Te Aroha Town District Oz. 14,559 12,815 135,952 250 £ 60,978 52,175 489,054 1,057 Oz. 13,259 6,367 124,846 89 £ 55,404 26,803 447,680 363 Oz. 1,300 6,448 11,106 161 Oz. Oz. £ 5,260 2l"943 31622 15 \ 213 1,638 |168,836 625,207 148,183 545,463 20,653 2,484,394 9,340,936 Wellington 188 706 Marlborough— County of Marlborough Blenheim Borough Picton Borough 344 1,382 621 2,406 277 Nelson— County of Waimea County of Collingwood 344 1,382 621 2,406 277 86,729 337,797 89 2,500 356 9,895 356 1,364 1,424 5,458 lj±36 267 2,589 10,251 1,720 6,882 869 1,677,448 6,650,296 West Coast— County of Buller County of Inangahua County of Grey County of Westland Brunnerton Borough Kumara Borough Hokitika Borough Ross Borough Reefton Borough 12,521 34,614 23,644 19,848 50,082 138,406 94,528 79,241 13,386 19,588 19,773 19,069 53,576 78,350 79,090 76,277 15,026 3,871 779 865 "81 161 611 2,682 644 2,449 10,726 242 358 2,284 966 1,429 9,136 '253 398 17,874,334 94,081 376,076 74,700 298,824 19,381 4,493,678 Canterbury 22 87 12 49 10 58 232 Otago— 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 Borough of Alexandra Dunedin .. 1,878 30,267 51,471 10,988 2,615 313 2,341 8,026 8,759 9,011 586 5,451 7,435 122,688 208,423 44.8S4 10,512 1,242 9,695 12,047 35,499 36,247 2,355 21,974 3,121 19,361 24,185 9,387 578 24 2,000 1,717 4,883 7,262 2,591 3,128 52 12,251 78,325 97,349 37,785 2,356 95 8,039 6,886 19,879 29,168 10,373 12,592 208 10,906 27,286 1,601 2,037 289 341 1,309 3,876 1,749 1,243 2, 005 2^323 "52 • 1126,706 513,001 78,289 315,306 48,417 5,588,506 22,134,593 Unknown Totals 85 392,663 340 1,526,344 85 89,138 207 14,331,208 824 56,339,718 303^525 1,168 ',930

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No. 3. TABLE showing the Total Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Duty for Exportation from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st December, 1899. (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 gold from Invercargill and Riverton under the head of "Otago.")

Auckland. N'eli ion. Marlborough. West Coast. Wellii igton. Cantei ■bury. Grand 'otals. ■go. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. £ £ 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 16,896 9,604 8,187 10,634 9,016 10,333 7,055 6,882 1,571 £ £ £ £ £ £ 40,422 52,464 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 1,007,488 954,744 913,138 887,839 1,162,164 1,041,428 980,204 1,080,691 1,513,173 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 187S 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 . 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 ■ 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 "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 45,392 45,555 45,714 52,916 111,213 92,346 105,477 142,383 168,769 1,192 4,098 13,853 10,552 17,096 17,463 18,277 168,874 434,687 319,146 1,188,708 369,341 437,123 305,068 262,156 221,905 403,627 220,454 154,295 176,416 141,326 ion nAT 163,618 143,564 170,416 128,140 121,564 139, 556 113,191 125,760 181,185 183,655 186,553 211,974 430,862 350,355 392,337 527,786 624,737 10,437 13,226 T,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 4,445 2,535 2,145 2,860 2,460 2,753 1,892 1,720 419 I 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 5,649 3,898 2,165 2,536 2,695 916 810 781 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 2,160 1,451 3,759 2,547 20,167 24,285 22,576 15,429 8,644 10,123 10,771 3,588 3,195 3,003 1,463 289,897 552,572 511,974 405,762 317,169 280,068 232,882 172,574 188,501 157,531 158,678 133,014 153,198 144,634 142,822 144,090 127,544 130,048 116,905 111,686 117,861 112,671 98,774 100,139 101,696 89,096 109,268 103,106 99,127 86,950 89,429 79,317 58,817 79,948 90,031 5,560 1,127,370 2,140,946 2,018,874 1,608,844 1,269,664 1,121,525 931,528 690,296 756,442 631,203 635,480 531,274 612,823 578,508 571,061 575,258 509,971 519,978 467,152 446,517 471,325 446,287 395,430 400,405 406,451 356,368 437,126 412,383 396,516 347,464 357,719 317,161 235,430 319,789 360,149 •• 187,696 399,201 614,387 436,012 259,139 168,871 158,670 171,649 153,364 165,152 154,940 157,674 182,416 135,107 121,423 . 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 63,423 87,209 82,933 77,660 76,353 87,694 88,362 84,649 55,343 130,311 727,321 1,546,905 2,380,750 1,689,653 1,004,163 654,647 623,815 686,596 613,456 660,694 619,760 630,696 734,024 542,154 . 487,632 473,491 455,341 422,277 407,868 457,705 411,923 333,804 352,334 318,932 294,378 317,543 279,518 247,142 256,430 255,976 349,573 333,467 313,238 307,644 353,796 359,991 342,187 223,231 526,605 30 120 10,437 13,534 7,336 4,538 194,031 410,862 628,450 480,171 574,574 735,376 686,905 637,474 614,281 544,880 730,029 445,370 505,337 376,388 355,322 322,016 371,685 310,486 287,464 305,248 270,561 251,204 248,374 229,946 237,371 227,079 203,869 201, 219 203,211 193,193 251,996 238,079 226,811 221,615 293,491 263,694 251,645 280,175 389,558 10 37 101 380 24 96 47 169 24 96 33 52 132 206 " •• " 28 111 •• Totals .. 2,449,122 9,211,917 255,859 1,010,459 86,231 335,838 5,889,242 23,410,277 5,554,482 21,996,660 273 1,044 76 303 14,235,285 55,966,498

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No. 4. Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Mineral Ores other than Gold (the Product of New Zealand Mines), Coal, Coke, and Kauri-gum, exported from the Colony up to the 31st December, 1899.

Silver. Copper-ore. Chrome-ore. Antimony-ore. Manganese-ore. Haematite-ore. Mixed Mineral Ore.! Coal. Coke. Kauri-gum. Total. Oz. Value, i Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Oz. Tons. Value. 1853 .. 1854 .. 1855 .. 1856 .. 1857 .. 1858 .. 1859 .. 1860 .. 1861 .. 1862 .. 1863 .. 1864 .. 1865 .. 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 .. 1891 .. 1892 .. 1893 .. 1894 .. 1895 .. 1896 .. 1897 .. 1898 .. 1899 .. •• 11,063 37,123 80,272 37,064 36,187 40,566 29,085 12,683 33,893 23,019 20,645 20,005 18,885 5,694 16,826 24,914 16,624 12,108 20,809 403 24,105 32,637 28,023 22,053 63,076 54,177 85,024 94,307 183,892 293,851 349,338 & 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 5,151 3,996 9,743 6,697 10,679 10,589 20,872 33,107 40,838 351 245 137 110 51 246 84 7 £ 5,000 2,605 1,590 1,300 1,024 2,700 977 "l20[ I " 3 8 116 52 3,843 595 768 281 I ••' £ 25 120 1,440 520 24,719 4,318 4,910 1,315 ..I " " " £ .. I •■ £ " .. "I ! £ ! •• " i ... 3,180 2,366 2 " 14,824 9,664 8 £ " •• I 2 ■• 1 261 973 1,027 750 1,672 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 46,136 44,129 68,087 86,405 69,614 91,664 78,911 69,136 75,004 85,987 79,524 76,073 56,332 89,480 £ 4 •• 2 400 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 91,173 80,225 72,699 73,438 83,342 71,984 69,595 50,381 83,085 I 21 87 15 53 25J 85 154 87 223 275 1,430 236 267 497 183J 953 2,132 2,218 2,544 4,306 51 107 288 105 I £ i .. "50 228 51 189 72 177 324 ' 135 353 480 2,057 372 385 715 266 1,646 3,407 3,334 3,658 5,691 53 160 715 263 830 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 2,850 4,391 5,054 4,811 2,834 2,569 3,231 2,888 3,633 3,445 3,229 4,725 5,461 5,533 6,518 6,393 5,875| 4,920| 6,791 8,482 7,519 7,438 8,388 8,705 8,317 8,338 7,425 7,126 6,641| 9,905 11,116 £ 15,972 28,864 4,514 18,591 35,251 20,037 20,776 9,851 9,888 11,107 27,026 60,590 46,060 70,572 77,491 72,493 111,307 175,074 167,958 154,167 85,816 79,986 138,523 109,234 118,348 132,975 147,535 242,817 253,778 260,369 336,606 342,151 299,762 257,653 362,449 380,933 329,590 378,563 437,056 517,678 510,775 404,567 418,766 431,323 398,010 586,767 607,919 '• 11,063 37,123 80,272 37,064 36,187 40,566 29,085 12,683 33,893 23,019 20,645 20,005 18,885 5,694 16,826 24,914 16,624 12,108 20,809 403 24,105 32,637 28,023 22,053 63,076 54,177 85,024 94,307 183,892 293,851 349,338 830 1,661 355 1,440 2,522 2,167 2,263 1,300 1,018 3,997 1,995 2,996 1,867 3,077 3,904 3,801 3,600 6,070 6,750 5,882 3,558 4,119 6,631 7,975 8,682i 12,420 12,722 17,177 15,538 14,019 14,953^ 13,071 51.468J 52,409J 51.686J 79,147 97,828 80,2874 104,164§ 92,891 78,191 84,052 94,026 86,878 84,465 J 68,293 J 102,058 £ 15,972 28,864 4,514 18,591 35,251 25,066 23,501 12,883 11,708 36,850 31,344 65,500 46,060 72,287 81,419 74,680 115,100 188,082 192,715 164,982 96,321 ■ 91,957 149,272 129,372 137,711 154,687 168,001 275,799 271,623 281,016 350,086 353,024 362,779 318,783 419,844 459,301 439,260 467,465 544,633 614,360 598,330 487,132 516,393 516,149 495,069 675,834 738,849 11,358,419 ' 6 55 5 9 46 20 20 2 115 1,105 •• I 36 41 678 106 390 75 " ••• •• I I •• " •■ 4 ••_ . 60 .30 31 666 62 134 376 493 515 413 364 331 44 54 21 10 102 612 24 900 804 5,289 1,784 3,989 6,246 5,319 11,121 4,950 4,900 3,467 761 1,486 450 157 2,516 2,140 2,611 1,271 2,181 384 318 602 328J 305 1,085 1,080 482 1,153 521 319 534 210 65 180 217 135 10,416 8,338 10,423 3,283 6,963 1,155 809 1,716 1,316 895 2,404 2,569 1,004 2,634 1,239 943 1,156 525 205 541 703 407 0| 50J - 12 208 2,674 1,955 2,784 22 114 445 144 162 199 19 2 84 37 25 62 37 1,561 *1,628 fl,309 11,335 4,303 8,597 110 993 1,846 4,142 2,955 9,985 273 6 631 650 353 880 1,335 5,892 *4,792; 6,591 'ii •• "oj •• 4 5 1 '• •• .. " ! ■■ I •• I " i " "2i 2 70 9 18 "l4 9 " - •• Totals : 5,666 52J 226 +19,011 16,370 24,804 l,397,146j! 1,728,351 1 276,669 1,396J 17,938: 37,367: 3,610 52,361 18,637 I 59,644; {90,165; 1,120,811 1,091,707 211,592 9,707,538 1,728,351 *L eluding 1,765 tons of sul] ihur, value £4,097. t Including 1,227 tons if sulphur ; quai :tz, 5 tons ; scheeli te, 32 toi is. JSi ilver-ore, 46£ tons, £1,497.

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No. 5. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coals imported into New Zealand during the Quarter ended the 31st March, 1900.

No. 6. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Production of Coal in the Colony, and Imported, Year by Year, during the last Twenty-two Years.

No. 7. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Mining Districts, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1898 and 1899, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

Country whence imported. Quantity. Value. few South Wales 'asmania Totals Tons. 21,519 20 21,539 £ 20,280 20 21,539 20,300

Coal raised in 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 .. 1886 .. 1887 .. 1888 .. 1889 .. 1890 .. 1891 .. 1892 .. 1893 .. 1894 .. 1895 .. 1896 .. 1897 .. 1898 .. 1899 .. <» • • 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 719,546 726.654 792,851 840,713 907,033 975,234 69,000 68,705 37,339 41,010 43,492 59,069 30,232 23,290 24,267 55,275 27,450 50,952 31,397 4,521 18,233 27,998 7,108 66,197 47,862 66,320 68,201 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,961 108,198 101,756 110,907 115,427 99,655 + + 16,072 33,778 6,664 380 6,042 24,904 18,242 10,329 12,643 5\889 26,722 17,124 14,379 135 8,009 4,483 4,763 6,442 9,151 4,520 15,772 + + + + +

Name of District. Output of Coal. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to lst December, 1899. 1899. 1898. Lawakawa and Hikurangi Vhangarei, Kamo, Ngunguru, and Whauwhau Vaikato lokau .. .. ... 'elorus Vest Wanganui Vestport leefton ireymouth lalvern 'imaru )tago Southland Tons. 51,661 15,662 Tons. 57,332 16,808 Tons 5,671 1,146 Tons. 1,083,180 407,523 68,929 4,876 240 363,043 4,017 154,647 14,192 70,191 4,059 1,230 340,321 5,076 118,626 13,347 + + 1,262 817 990 22,722 1,059 36,021 845 1,089,977 22,588 711 51,236 3,346,347 79,765 2,669,201 369,224 10,657 3,807,124 521,347 ' + + 249,824 48,143 233,003 47,040 + + 16,821 1,103 Totals .. 975,234 907,033 68,201 13,458,880

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No. 8. Table showing the Different Classes of Coal from the Mines in the Colony.

No. 9. Table showing the Number of Coal-mines in Operation, the Number of Men employed, and the Output of Coal per Man.

No. 10. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st December, 1899.

Name of Coal. Output of Coal. Increase. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1899. 1899. 1898. iituminous 'itch irown nignite ! Tons. 588,036 37,835 314,542 34,821 [ _| Tons. 538,477 36,432 298,365 33,759 I ■ I Tons. 49,559 1,403 16,177 1,062 Tons. 7,272,962 1,760,323 3,979,161 446,434 Totals ■ • i 975,234 975,234 907,033 907,033 68,201 68,201 13,458,880 13,458,880

Number of Mines working. Number of Miners employed in each Mine. Total Number of Men employed. Output of Coal during 1899. Average Output per Man. 112 22 11 15 1 to 4 men in each 5 to 10 11 to 20 21 men and upwards 187 140 155 1,671 Tons. 48,546 53,181 55,247 818,260 Tons. 259-60 379-85 356-43 489-68 160 2,153 975,234 452-96

Imported. Exported. Countries whence imported. Quantity. Value. Countries to which exported. Quantity. Value. Inited Kingdom lew South Wales .. 'ictoria jueensland Tons. 50 98,786 363 456 £ 50 92,142 281 342 United Kingdom Tasmania New South Wales Queensland .. * British Columbia.. United States of America— On the West Coast Fiji Islands South Sea Islands Norfolk Island Tons. 66,036 184 4,639 £ 63,201 125 4,513 748 712 Total* 2,863 5,831 9,133 46 2,572 4,110 7,804 48 Totals .. 89,480 83,085 99,655 92,815

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No. 11. Number of Miners employed during the Years ending 31st March, 1899 and 1900.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (2,200 copies), £13 9s.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price, .]

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Alluvial Miners. Quartz-miners. Totals. Grand Totals. Mining District. European. Chinese. 1900. 1899. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. 1 Auckland— North Hauraki and Coromandel .. Thames .. .. Ohinemuri Te Aroha Puhipuhi Tauranga Great Barrier .. 667 838 1,891 15 8 1 38 667 838 1,891 15 8 1 38 667 838 1,891 15 8 1 38 888 820 1,852 15 8 10 6 3,458 3,458 3,458 3,599 Marlborough— Pelorus, Queen Charlotte Sound .. Wairau, North Bank Cullen's Creek Waikakaho Wakamarina 50 19 3 59 10 "60 19 3 61 60 19 3 61 1 43 19 3 61 •■ 2 •• Nelson— Wangapeka, Baton, and Sherry .. Takaka Collingwood Motueka Inangahua .. .. - .. Ahaura Charleston Westport, including Addison's,\ Northern Terraces, Waimangaroa, North Beach, Mokihinui, V Karamea, and Lower Buller Valley j Lyell .. Murebison Owen .. .. ... j 131 12 143 143 127 19 23 131 20 173 315 130 "20 19 23 151 20 819 355 130 19 23 151 20 952 459 130 24 27 96 20 807 878 161 133 104 646 40 'l33 104 275 5 280 280 320 35 40 55 90 40 130 128 170 90 170 90 260 295 Westland — Ross Stafford and Goldsborough Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth .. .. ) Arnold .. .. j Okarito 1,291 100 300 450 350 367 3 100 30 100 766 4 2,057 104 300 450 350 367 3 100 30 100 2,424 107 400 480 450 2,756 96 400 455 440 716 203 24 740 203 943 921 78 1 78 1 79 65 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Clyde, Roxburgh, Black's, and Alexandra Cromwell Tapanui .. ... Waikaia Wyndham Waiau Orepuki Roundhill and Wilson's River Wakatipu Goldfields —Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby St. Bathan's Hyde .. Macrae's Maerewhenua and Kurow Pembroke Gore 1,994 437 28 2,022 437 2,459 2,377 40 450 915 5 200 150 2 50 14 42 500 929 5 200 150 47 700 1,079 47 715 1,143 410 10 200 25 20 350 120 200 140 6 80 30 440 10 200 25 20 350 170 300 140 6 80 580 16 280 25 | 675 585 40 300 18 65 70 20 "50 100 65 70 20 600 320 320 300 143 84 12 24 90 30 73 25 75 "ll 33 100 2 11 40 400 143 86 23 64 90 30 73 25 75 11 33 425 218 86 34 97 90 42 93 425 251 94 42 101 90 42 "l2 20 12 20 3,496 912 399 3,895 Summary. 912 4,807 4,813 Auckland Marlborough Nelson Westland Otago 131 1,291 1,994 3,496 367 437 912 3,458 12 766 28 399 3,458 143 2,057 2,022 3,895 367 437 912 3,458 143 2,424 2,459 4,807 3,599 127 2,756 2,377 4,813 Totals .. 6,912 11,575 1,716 4,663 1,716 13,291 13,672