MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. RODERICK McKENZIE, MINISTER OF MINES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, C-02

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. RODERICK McKENZIE, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. Speaker,— Sir, —In presenting to the House my second annual Statement on the mining industry of the Dominion, I desire to congratulate honourable members and the people generally on the satisfactory progress and continued advancement of this important industry in almost all its branches. In reviewing our mining industry in my last Statement I took occasion to remind honourable members of its beneficial influence on the progress and prosperity of our people in the past, and it is now most gratifying to have to announce that, while this country, in common with other parts of the world, suffered some slight industrial depression, this branch of our industries was seldom in a more vigorous or prosperous condition than during the period under consideration; and, moreover, the increased energy in the development of our mineral resources has assisted materially in preventing congestion in our labour-market. In concluding my observations on our mining industry last year I informed honourable members that the indications for the following year were exceedingly promising, and it is now most satisfactory to state that my expectations have been fully realized, the value of our mineral products during the year having exceeded that of the previous year by £255,456. It will doubtless interest honourable members, sir, if I call their attention to the steady progress and satisfactory development of the mining industry under the fostering care and reasonable assistance given to it during recent years. During the last forty years there have been two distinct periods in the history of this most important industry : the first of these periods was the twenty years from 1870 when the industry may be said to have been at "the zenith of its prosperity, and of its early development, when it produced £2,345,667 —until 1890, when, through continued neglect and administrative indifference, the industry was nearly crushed out of existence, with the result that during the concluding year of this period of gradual decline the produce of our mines was reduced to £1,240,903, being a decrease in production between the first and last years of this deplorable period of £1,104,764, or nearly one-half. From 1890, when this industry was at its lowest depth of depression, and produced only £1,240,903, until now, the industry has, under the protection of equitable legislation and generous assistance in developing mineral resources, passed through a period of general progress and annual!v increasing prosperity, with the result that last year our mineral productions amounted to £3,791,133, being an increase of £2,550,230 between the last year of the twentyyear period of neglect, decline, and the last year of the twenty-year period of fostering care, progress, and prosperity of our mining industry. I trust, I—C. '2.

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sir, that these figures will demonstrate to honourable members, and impress upon them, the enormous benefits derived "by the community through the' granting of judicious and generous assistance towards developing our vast mineral resources. From the tables attached an analysis may easily be made of the decline of our mineral productions from 1870 to 1890, and also of their gradual progress between 1890 and 1909. An examination of these tables is both interesting and instructive. I informed the House last year that some inquiries had been made by private parties with a view of obtaining water-rights for generating electrical energy for mining and other purposes : since then a water-power license to develop 10,000--horse power at the Horahora Falls has been granted to the Waihi fiold-mining Company. In view of the scientific improvements in the most modern methods of generating and transmitting electrical energy, and the enormous possibilities of the numerous water-powers available in this Dominion, increased energy in the development of our mineral assets may safely be anticipated. Several of our mines have already installed, or are installing, electrical machinery for traction, lighting, pumping, and other purposes, and as soon as some of our easiest-exploited water-powers are utilized considerable expansion in electrical energy for mining purposes will certainly follow, and mineral areas which are at present useless will become valuable. The increased energy displayed in our mining industry during the last year is evidenced by the very substantial increase of £255,456 in our mineral-output. The coal-mines of the Dominion have had a period of activity, the output for the year being a record. It is also interesting to note that the coal-output of the Dominion has doubled during the last decade. Two of the large new collieries on the West Coast which were last year being developed are now coal-producers, and will add largely to our supply of bituminous coal. While last year f had occasion to deplore the decline in our kauri-gum export, lam now pleased to inform honourable members that this branch.of our industries shows a largely increased output. This may, however, be accounted for, to some extent at least, by considerable quantities of the gum having been held in store pending an improvement in the prices ruling in the European and American markets. Slight increases have taken place in the production of gold and silver. A small decrease is discernible in the outputs of copper-ore, antimony, scheelite, and other minerals ; but, while the production of these has been proceeding for many years, they have not yet got beyond the experimental stage of development. As our mining data is compiled up to the 31st December in each year, and not published until laid before Parliament several months afterwards, complaints are being continually made by British newspapers and parties interested in mining that the information contained in our official mining records becomes stale and often useless before it reaches people at a distance who are interested in our mining industry. I am of opinion that an improvement would be effected by authorizing the publication in the Government Gazette of the required information as soon as available.

MINEEAL-PEODUCTION. While New Zealand contains a large variety of minerals such as copper, iron, mineral oils, shale, scheelite, antimony, and many others, the attention of our mining community has hitherto been almost entirely confined to the development of gold, coal, and kauri-gum, and, during recent years, silver, which has become an important item in our mineral products. Amongst the undeveloped minerals our iron- and copper-ore deposits, together with our well-known mineral-oil resources, offer excellent opportunity for energetic operations. The value of the bullion exported from New Zealand from January, 1853, until December, 1909, was £76,987,763, while the total value of the mineral-production of the Dominion up to the end of December last has been £107,849,896.

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The gold entered for export during the year ended 31st December, 1909, was 506,371 oz., valued at £2,006,900, being an increase of £1,975 as compared with the production of the previous year. The silver produced during the year shows a decided improvement, being an increase of £5,535 as compared with^l9oB. COAL. The large increase in the quantity of coal exported during the year is very satisfactory, and would be very important if the trade could be'fmaintained and gradually increased, the quantity being 201,685 tons, as against 100,502 tons during the previous year ; and the value £183,961, as against £85,846 in 1908. SUMMARY. The following table shows the quantity and value of the various minerals exported annually during the last two years, and also the quantity and value of New Zealand coal used for home consumption during the same periods : —

£ Total value of production for 1909.. .. .. .. .. 3,791,133 1908.. .. ... .. 3,535,677 Total increase .. .. .. .. .. £255,456 GOLD-MINING. In reviewing this branch of the industry it is very satisfactory for me to inform the House that our goldfields have kept well up to their previous records, and that the past year's operations have produced increased returns as compared with that of 1908. The Auckland and Nelson Mining Districts show decreases, and the West Coast, Otago, and Southland Districts show increases. The yield of gold, to which must be added silver, which in this country is a product of our gold-mines, shows an increase of £7,510 as compared with that of 1908.

Year ending Produot. 31st December, 1908. 31st December, 1909. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Gold .. .. .. .. .. 506,423 oz. 2,004,925 Silver .. .. .. 1,731,336 „ 175,337 Copper-ore .. .. .. 13 tons j 275 Manganese-ore .. .. .. '■ Mixed minerals.. .. .. .. l,690fj tons 16,179 Colonial coal exported, including that used 100,502 ,, 85,846 by Home steamers Colonial coal used in New Zealand.. 1,760,473 „ 880,236 Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. 5,530 „ 372,798 Coke .. .. .. .. .. 2 „ 4 Antimony .. .. .. .. 5 „ 73 Shale .. .. .. .. .. 1 „ 4 506,371 OZ. 1,813,830 „ 5 tons 6 „ l,836f „ 201,685 „ £ 2,006,900 180,872 100 29 11,709 183,961 1,709,562 „ 8,250 „ 22 „ 2 „ 854,781 552,698 23 60

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The details are shown in the following table : —

ALLUVIAL MINING. During the past year there has been considerable activity and increased prosperity in alluvial mining operations. A few years ago this branch of our mining industry was generally believed to be gradually declining ; it is therefore satisfactory to note that the last two years have shown a marked improvement in some branches of alluvial mining, and, while gold-dredging has declined during the year, other methods of alluvial mining, such as hydraulic sluicing, elevating, and driving, have improved considerably. This is to some extent due to the moderate assistance given by the State to this class of mining by way of assisting prospecting in difficult and expensive localities, and also by the assistance granted towards carrying out expensive operations in developing large mining enterprises. There are at present 111 alluvial gold-dredgers, employing 893 men, in active :operation. The gold produced during the year by these dredgers was valued at £327.676, being a decrease of £46,142 on the yield of the previous year. The number of working dredgers has decreased by twelve, and the average earnings by £87 per dredger during the year. \\"hile there is a decrease in the number of men employed on our alluvial goldfields, the yields of gold produced by various processes other than dredging show a decided improvement, which may be accounted for by the improved methods of hydraulic sluicing and elevating now coming into more general use. A careful perusal of the reports of the Wardens and Inspectors of Mines, and my own personal observations while visiting many of our goldfields during the year, warrants me in assuring honourable members that there is a strong feeling of confidence in the future prospects of most of our alluvial goldfields. In Central Otago I found this feeling very pronounced amongst both miners and business men, and with a well-devised and carefully prepared scheme of water-conservation and the great possibilities of hydro-electric energy, I feel satisfied that this confidence in their future prospects is fully justified. Alluvial mining generally in Otago and Southland has improved during the year. and several important development operations were in course of construction which, when completed, should in the immediate future add considerably to the.returns from these goldfields. The Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company, near Waikaia, Southland, have sufficiently advanced their development-works during the year to permit of both sluicing and elevating operations being started, I am informed, with very satisfactory results, and their future operations may be expected to add to the returns from our alluvial goldfields. Throughout the West Coast alluvial goldfields steady progress with improved returns was noticeable as compared with those of the previous year. The Ross Goldfields (Limited) have been engaged installing a hydro-electric pumping and winding plant. This work is now finished, and the once famous Ross Flat may be expected to ;make a substantial contribution annually to the goldproduction of the West Coast.

Year ending 31st December, Year en 1909. Quantity. Value. Quanti ling 31st 1908. lecember. District. Quantity. Value. Auckland Wellington Marlborough Nelson ... West Coast Canterbury Otago and Southland Unknown Oz. 288,614 39 2,572 95,014 ; 120,121 11 £ 1,142,098 155 10,286 369,930 484,385 46 Oz. £ 296,971 1,171,375 297 1,145 3,196 12,783 86,052 335,722 119,907 483,900 Totals j 506,371 _ 2,006,900 506,423 2,004,925

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On the alluvial goldfields of Nelson and Marlborough operations have been carried on with diminished returns. Some new mining enterprises, however, are in process of development which may be expected to improve matters in these mining districts.

QUAETZ-MINING. It is very gratifying to inform honourable members of the satisfactory progress and development of the quartz-mines of the Dominion during the period under consideration, and there are indications of a long period of improvement and prosperity in this the most important branch of our mining industry. The present prospects of future expansion with profitable results are exceedingly promising. The bullion produced by our quartz-mines during the year showed an increased value of £49,849, and the dividends paid an increase of £36,438, as compared with the previous year. The quantity of ore treated was 693,006 tons, as against 654,307 tons during the previous year, being an increase of 38,699 tons for the period. The bullion-value of the ore produced was £1,526,861, as against £1,477,012, the value of the ore produced during the previous year. There was a decrease of 168 in the number of men employed in the northern quartz-mines as compared with the number employed during the preceding year. This reduction is accounted for by there being 230 fewer men employed at the Komata Reefs and Crown Mines, while the Waihi Grand Junction has increased its employees by sixty men, and small increases have taken place in other mines. The West Coast quartz-mines had a very successful year, with substantial increases in output, bullion-value, and the number of men employed. During the year 108,136 tons of ore were treated, as against 95,156 tons during the previous year; the bullion produced being £214,876, as against £160,156 during 1908, being an increase of £54,720. The number of men employed in the West Coast quartzmines during the year was 755, as against 675 during year. Considerable activity and renewed energy was displayed in connection with quartz-mining in the Inangahua district, the main shaft of the Wealth of Nations having been sunk to a depth of 1,861 ft., and that of the New Big River Mine to a depth of 1,575 ft. ; and active operations at these deep levels are now carried on with satisfactory results in both mines. The Blackwater Mines (Limited) carried out extensive development-works in the mine, as well as substantial additions to the crushing plant, during the year. This new mine is now sufficiently developed to be a regular producer. Last year 29,955 tons of ore were treated at the battery, as against 9,169 tons during the preceding year ; the bullion produced being £73,281, as compared with £17,647 during 1908. Judging by the energetic progress made in developing the underground workings of this mine, and the exceedingly satisfactory increase of 55,634 in the value of bullion produced last year as compared with that of the previous year, considerable expansion in the ore-production ftom this mine may be reasonably anticipated in the immediate future. In the Otago Mining District the Barewood Gold-mining Company treated 5,477 tons of ore, for a return of £6,518, during the year, and Goldmining Company, Collingwood, treated 1,299 tons of ore for a yield of £4,957, and paid £2,105 in dividends. Numerous quartz-mines in the experimental stages of development are in active operation in many parts of New Zealand, and considerable progress in prospecting various promising propositions on our auriferous-quartz fields in different parts of the Dominion was energetically carried on during the year. Doubtless, the most convincing demonstration of the satisfactory progress and continued prosperity of our quartz-mining industry that I can place before honourable members is the fact that the ore treated during the year increased from 654,307 tons to 693,006 tons, and the value of bullion produced from £1,477,012 to £1,526,861, and the dividends paid from £561,833 to £598,271. It will readily be conceded that, when nearly one-third of the value of the bullion produced during the year was paid in dividends, a most satisfactory condition obtains in this branch of our mining industry.

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In the following table the present position of our quartz-mining is summarized :—

COAL-MINING. This branch of our mining industry has had an exceedingly prosperous period during the last year. The most remarkable feature connected with the operations of our coal-mines has been the very large increase in the production of bituminous, semibituminous, and brown coal, and the decrease in the production of pitch-coal and lignite. Doubtless owing to the unfortunate and prolonged strike in the coal trade in New South Wales, there was an abnormal increase in the coal exported from this Dominion, the quantity exported, including that used.by Home steamers, having increased from 100,502 tons in 1908 to 201,685 tons in 1909, and the value from £85,846 to £183,961, being an increase of 101,183 tons and an increased value,',of f£98,115. The total coal-production duringjthe year was 1,911,247 tons, which was a record for the Dominion, and exceeds the output of the previous year by 50,272 tons. The output of bituminous and semi-bituminous coal increased by 52,021 tons, and brown coal by 20,368 tons, whereas the output of pitch-coal and lignite decreased by 22,117 tons. It is very satisfactory to note that the coal-production of this Dominion has doubled during the last decade. This would, in a modest way, indicate a repetition of the history of the coal industry of the United States. Mr. H. St. Clair Putnam, one of America's most eminent engineers, dealing with this and kindred questions relating to motive power, fuel, and light, before a Conference of the Governors of all the States of the Union, says, " The coal-production of the

Dividends paid. Name of Company. Tons of Quartz treated. Value of Bullion. Average Value per Ton. Total Cost Total to P • 1909 E"dofDecember, 1909. Number of Persons ordinarily employed. Northern District — £ £ s. d. £ a. d. £ Waihi Gold-mining Company (Ltd.)* 416,813! 924,1461 2 4 4 + 0 16 214 446,316 Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining 59,669 99,839 1 13 4| 0 19 2 Company (Ltd.) Waiotahi Gold-minin» Company 1,495 10,116 6 16 0 4 12 5 3,000 (Ltd.) Talisman Consolidated (Ltd.) ... 46,456 208,886 4 10 0 2 0 1 105,000 Komata Reefs (Ltd.) ... ... 13,390 24,417 1 16 5J § May Queen (Ltd.) ' ... ... 1,315 8,520 2 13 6£ ? West Coast District— Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Com- 11,163 11,313 10 3 1 0 3£ pany (Ltd.) Progress Mines of New Zealand 35,414 52,030 1 9 4£ 1 4 9-08 13,750 (Ltd.) Consolidated Goldfields of New 15,577 28,359 1 16 5 0 15 11-177 Zealand (Ltd.) New Big Eiver Gold-mining Com- 5,434 26,270 4 16 8 1 18 5 ,15,600 panv (Ltd.) Black water Mines (Ltd.) ... 29,955 73,281 2 8 11 0 16 10-07 I 12,500 Golden Blocks Taitapu Gold-mining 1,299 4,957 | 3 16 4 § 2,105 Company (Ltd.) Southern District — Barewood Gold-mining Company 5,477 6,518: 1 3 9J 10 8-7 (Ltd.) Other quartz - mines throughout 49,549 53,209 1 1 5f § j New Zealand £ s. d. 2 4 4| 1 13 4| f I £ a. d. £ E 0 16 214 446,3163,561,111 0 19 2 3,561,111! 1,500 424 8 16 0 4 12 5 3,000 400,800 400,800 28 1 10 0 1 16 5J 2 13 6£ r 2 0 1 105,000 356,250 § ... 33,333 356,250 33,333 325 70 32 1 0 3 1 0 Si ... 158,667 158,667 45 1 9 H I 16 5 1 4 9-08 13,750 309,375 0 15 11-177 309,375 335 105 1 16 8 1 18 5 , 15,600 S2,689| 82,689 55 2 3 2 8 11 3 16 4 0 16 10-07 ! 12,500 12,500 5 2,105 12,500 190 25 1 I 3 9* 1 0 8-7 ... 2,000 2,000 22 1 1 1 of \ § j § § 571 Totals, 1909 ... 693,006 1,526,861 2 4 Of 598.271 3,727 * The total value of the output of this company at the end of the year was £8,180,218. The divideni income-tax. f Short tons of 2,000 lb. dry weight. J In the annual report of the directors of this company for 1909 the value of the bullion production is st: an average value of £2 13s. Id. per short ton ; but the figures given in the table above are the official returns Inspector of Mines. The ore reserves at the end of 1909 are estimated to be 1,335,586 short tons, as compared end of 1908. § Unknown. Is here given are free o ited to be £959,954, being from the company to the with 1,329,872 tons at the

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United States for the year 1906 was 414,157,278 tons ; for 1907 about 450,000,000 tons. If the production of anthracite coal is continued at only its present annual rate, the supply will be exhausted in sixty to seventy years. Since the beginning of our coal industry the production has doubled approximately every ten years." If such has been the history of the American coal industry from its inception until now that it has reached the immense output of 500,000,000 tons annually, is there any reason why that history in a smaller degree should not apply to the future coal industry of this young country, which nature has endowed advantages and enormous resources for developing a variety of industrial pursuits not Thitherto attempted ? Prudence demands that we should withoutfdelay take the necessary precautions to preserve to the people all available means*of producing heat, light, and motive power required for future use in transport purposes. What may prove to be an important discovery of a good quality of lignite was made during the year a few miles from the Waimarino Station, on the North Island Main Trunk Railway. A go.»d deal of exploration-work was carried out during the year under the Director of Geological Survey, but no conclusion as to the value of this discovery has so far been arrived at. The explorations undertaken up to the present disclose the existence of a considerable area of coal which may prove of a very good quality for household purposes. With a view to further proving the commercial value of this field the Government has arranged to start a few men soon to drive a small prospecting-tunnel from one of the Voutcrops. This work will be put in hand almost immediately. The development of a new colliery is being promoted by the Waipa Railway and Collieries Company, with a capital of £80,000. The locality to be operated is favourably reported on as being extensive, and capable of economical exploitation. The Taupiri Coal Company also propose opening a new mine in the same neighbourhood with as little delay as possible : these new developments will necessitate the construction of about six or seven miles of a branch railway from Huntly, including the erection of a large bridge over the Waikato River. The plans for this bridge are at present being prepared. Further discoveries of coal-outcrops have been made during the year between the Wairoa and Hokianga Rivers. Pressure of other important and urgent work prevented a geological report being obtained on these outcrops, but attention will be given to them at the earliest opportunity. STATE COAL-MINES. The production of coal from the State collieries during the year was carried on with satisfactory results, the total output being 281,630 tons, being a decrease of 5,321 tons as compared with that of the previous year. There was a decrease of 18,406 tons in the output from the Point Elizabeth Mine owing to a cessation of work at the mine pending the arrangement of a new working-agreement: since this was settled work has proceeded under normal conditions. The Seddonville Mine produced 74,180 tons during the year, being an increase of 15,137 tons over the output of the previous year. Prospecting-bores have been put down in a new section of this mine with satisfactory results; and further pro-specting-bores will be put in during the year, as the present workings are being worked out. It is probable the development-works in this new section of this mine will require to be undertaken soon. The development-work in connection with the Point Elizabeth No. 2 Colliery is making satisfactory progress : contracts were let some time ago for 6,338 ft. of tunnels on the haulage-road between the bins and the mine-adit, and 1,710 ft. of these tunnels were driven before the 31st March. The extension of the railway from Runanga to the bins is well advanced, and the erection of the new bins is now in hand. Headings are being driven in the mine, and the coal, in seams of from 12 ft. to 20 ft., is turning out to be of excellent quality. I expect that coal from this mine will be on the market within the next ten months. The briquette-works were idle for several months of the year, owing chiefly to the demand for small coal having greatly increased in consequence of the strike in the New South Wales coal-mines. The depots generally have had increased demands for coal, resulting in the extension of trade and more profitable results.

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HYGIENIC CONDITIONS. Complaints of insufficient ventilation and other unsatisfactory hygienic conditions in some of our mines are occasionally received by the Mines Department, and, while it is conceded that the sanitary conditions in the mines of this Dominion are generally satisfactory, exceptions always prove the rule; and, in order to definitely ascertain the exact conditions prevailing, the Government has decided to appoint a Royal Commission to examine into and report on the hygienic sanitary conditions of all mines about which complaints have been made, with a view to all necessary precautions being taken and remedial measures provided where necessary to protect the health and lives of the men employed in the underground workings of our mines. Parliament legislated last session to prevent the medical examination of men seeking employment in coal-mines. I intend to ask honourable members this session to legislate in a similar direction for men looking for employment in or about quartz-mines. MINERS' RELIEF FUNDS. The Coal-miners' Relief Fund, established many years ago, has been of very great assistance to coal-miners and their widows and orphans in cases of accident, or the accidental death of the breadwinner of the family, and the relief granted from this fund has invariably proved an inestimable boon. After the passing of the Workers' Compensation Act extraordinary legal technicalities or complications arose, which actually transferred the benefits of this Accident Relief Fund from the miners and their families to the accident insurance companies taking miners' risks ; and where miners were insured by their employers against accident the amount they were entitled to under the Miners' Relief Fund was deducted from the amount they were entitled to under the Workers' Compensation Act, with the result that the insuring company derived the full benefit of the Miners' Relief Fund. Parliament last session legislated to prevent a continuance of this injustice ; but I regret that the clause dealing with the matter was found to be inoperative. I propose to submit amending legislation on this point to honourable members this session. The Coal-miners' Relief Fund was originally instituted by Parliament, and made a charge on the produce of the mine where the miner was employed, as an insurance fund against the dangerous nature of his employment: it is now somewhat of an anomaly that by subsequent legislation the miner and his family should be deprived of the relief which was formerly provided against the dangerous nature of his calling, to the benefit of an accident insurance company. During the present session I propose to submit legislation to honourable members providing an Accident Relief Fund to miners working in our quartz-mines, and also on our mining-dredgers. The conditions of employment and liability to accident in our quartz-mines are at least as objectionable and dangerous as in coal-mines, and accidents on mining-dredgers are more numerous than in any other class of mining in this country. This fund will be maintained t»y a small charge on the bullionproduction of the <|uartz-mines and dredgers operating in the Dominion. KAURI-GUM. The fluctuations in the production and value of kauri-gum are somewhat surprising. In reviewing this section of our mining industry in my last Statement 1 pointed out the extraordinary fall in production, which amounted to no less than £207,090 for the year ending on 31st December, 1908. It is now my agreeable duty to inform honourable members that the kauri-gum industry has made a phenomenal recovery during the year, with the result that the quantity exported increased from 5,530 tons in 1908 to 8,250 tons last year, and the value from £372,798 to £552,698 during the same period. It is difficult to account for the remarkable fluctuations in the exports of kauri-gum, but the most feasible explanation is exploitation of the market.

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MINERAL OILS. For many years past numerous efforts have been made to develop the production of mineral oils in different districts in the Dominion, and considerable sums of money have been expended in efforts to " strike oil "in various localities. During the year energetic operations in boring have been carried on by enthusiastic prospectors in the Taranaki, Gisborne, Grey, and Southland districts, with variable results. It is now, however, satisfactory to inform honourable members that at last success appears to have been attained by at least one of the companies which so consistently carried out boring operations in the Taranaki oil region, and according to present indications it is anticipated that their efforts are about to be rewarded. If the present flow of oil continues it is expected that this company will soon be in a position to claim the bonus of 3d. per gallon which has for some years been offered by the Government. There are at least two important questions connected with the future development of the mineral-oil industry in this country demanding early and careful consideration. The first is the establishment of a mineral-oil refinery, and what assistance, if any, should be given by the State towards the development of this exceedingly important new industry. The second question demanding attention is legislative control of the How, and storage of mineral oil in large quantities. There are at present probably 100.000 gallons of crude petroleum stored in concrete tanks in the vicinity of the- Town of New Plymouth, and, while I am aware that every reasonable precaution is being taken, it is desirable to point out that this is an exceedingly practice. In no other country in the world that 1 am aware of is the manipulation of mineral oils permitted without control or regulation to insure public safety. To remedy this omission 1 propose to submit legislation to honourable members for consideration during the present session. CINNABAR. Some progress has been made during the year in the development of the cinnabar deposits in the vicinity of Mackaytown. near Karangahake. The Ascot Cinnabar Syndicate have erected a plant for the reduction of cinnabar, and, so far, their operations, which are on a small scale, appear to be meeting with some success, as they have recently notified me of their intention of claiming the Government bonus for the production of quicksilver, of which they had then produced a small quantity. The Inspector of Mines at Waihi has been appointed to certify to the quantity of quicksilver produced. OTHER MINERALS. Little or no progress has been made in the production of copper, scheelite, antimony, or manganese ore during the year. The scheelite-mines at Glenorchy, Macrae's Flat, and Mount Highlay produced about 139 tons of tungsten concentrates, and the Maoriland Copper Company. Nelson, produced 764 tons of ore, valued at £1,872. There was a decrease in the production of mixed minerals during the year amounting to £4,610. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the season of L 909-10 detailed geological surveys were carried on in bhe Tairua-Waihi, Dun Mountain, and Greymouth Subdivisions. In the important mining areas included in the former subdivision it is hoped that the very careful investigations now being made will result in material assistance to the gold-mining industry. It is expected that field-work in this locality will be completed next January. Field-work in the Dun Mountain Subdivision was finished last September, and a bulletin on the area has been prepared. In the Greymouth district field-work is now completed, and a bulletin thereon is in course of preparation. A detailed examination of the Taranaki Oilfield, which was begun during the year, will, it is hoped, be brought to completion during the

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coming year. In addition to the above surveys, short visits were made by the Director to a number of localities where it was desired that preliminary investigations should be made. The annual report, now in the press, will contain reports of these investigations," together with a preliminary report on a portion of the Taranaki Oilfield. Several bulletins written by officers of the Geological Survey Branch of the Department have been forwarded to the Printing Office for publication. During the next field season it is intended to inaugurate a detailed survey of the Reefton Goldfield. After the work in the Tairua-Waihi Subdivision has been brought to a conclusion it is proposed to extend the Geological Survey southwards into the Te Aroha and adjoining districts. A reconnaissance of the little-known Lake Hauroto district, in smith-western Otago, supposed to contain various minerals of economic value, will probably be undertaken, if opportunity permits, during the coming season. PROSPECTING. During the year subsidies amounting to £4,936 were granted to mining associations and prospectors in different parts of the Dominion. Prospecting operations were carried on energetically on all our mining fields, extending from Coromandel to Preservation Inlet. Considerable assistance was granted to parties of miners on all our goldfields lor sinking prospecting-shafts and driving tunnels in localities recommended by the Inspectors of Mines, and the Geological Survey Branch of the Mines Department ; and many of those assisted prospecting operations are at present in progress. The three diamond drills, and the Keystone placer drill, owned by the Department, have been kept fully employed during the year, and there are numerous applications at present booked for the use of these drills. The Keystone drill was kept constantly in use on the Otago Goldfield during the whole period since its arrival in the country, and the applications for it have become so numerous that it has been decided to import another drill of the same description. This machine is now under order, and should arrive in the Dominion within a few months. For most of the period two of the diamond drills were kept in use in the Waihi district; one is now in use at the Seddonville Colliery, and another in Southland, and the third will be in use shortly. Early in the year details were arranged with the mining companies at the Thames by which an agreement was completed under which these companies contribute £12,000 and the Government £5,000 to the cost of driving a prospecting-tunnel at the 1,000 ft. level from the Queen of Beauty shaft for a distance of about 2,700 ft. to the Kuranui-Caledonian shaft, near the opposite side of the principal part of the old workings on the Thames Goldfield, and at a depth of about 250 ft. below the old workings. Subsidiary drives will extend from the main tunnel to the properties held by the companies interested. Besides prospecting the Thames field at the 1,000 ft. level, this undertaking will have the great advantage of draining the whole goldfield. This work is now commenced. and_ sanguine hopes of successful results are entertained by all who are familiar with the previous and present conditions on the Thames Goldfield. ROADS AND TRACKS ON GOLDFIELDS. Under this heading most valuable assistance to the extent of £40,830 has been granted for the construction of roads and tracks in the mining districts throughout the Dominion from North Cape to Stewart Island. Roads and tracks into the rugged ranges and gullies, where a great portion of our mining operations are located, are the most important assistance that can be rendered to our mining industry, not only to facilitate the economical development of mines in full or partial operation, but also to enable the prospector and the pioneer miner to penetrate further into the interior of our unexplored or partially explored mineral areas, and to permit of provisions and mining plant being brought into what has hitherto been in many instances almost inaccessible, if not impenetrable, country.

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UREWERA COUNTRY. The Urewera country has now been open to the prospector and the miner for over a year, but, so far, previous expectations as to the mineral possibilities of this formerly tabooed area have not been fulfilled. While it is known that some prospectors have carefully, if somewhat superficially, examined the country, no mineral discoveries of any description have been reported to the Mines Department. It does not, however, follow that the Urewera is barren of mineral-values; and while, so far, pressure of other important investigations prevented any officer of the Geological Survey Branch of the Mines Department making any examination of this somewhat unknown portion of the country, I propose to take an early opportunity of getting at least a preliminary geological report made by one of the officers of the Department. SCHOOLS OF MINES. These schools in our mining districts, and the Dunedin School in connection with the Otago University, are rendering excellent services to the young generation of miners in this Dominion. The Government assistance granted to these schools during the year amounted to £3,261 Bs. 4d., making a total of £44,619 granted since their inception in 1885, being an average of £1,777 during the twenty-five years of their existence. The results obtained can only be regarded as highly satisfactory. During the year 100 students from the different mining districts presented themselves for examination. There are at present four scholarships available in connection with examinations in gold-mining subjects, and no scholarships in connection with coal-mining subjects. In only two years since their inauguration in 1895 have more than two of these scholarships been taken up in any one year. I now propose to establish two scholarships for passes in coal-mining subjects on similar conditions to the scholarships already available for gold-mining subjects. HOARDS OK EXAMINERS. Suggestions have been made regarding the amalgamation and reorganization of the two Boards of Examiners, and also as to the methods of examination, with a view to obtaining more uniformity and efficiency in administration. So far, no alteration has been made, but the matter will receive my early consideration. Minemanagers and battery-superintendents who qualify for the New Zealand Government certificate are now considered the most competent and best-qualified men available, and readily obtain the highest positions of trust and responsibility in every part of the world. \Y A TER-CONSER VATION. Two parties of surveyors have been employed during the year in connection with water-conservation for mining and irrigation in Central Otago. The surveying and engineering deta.ils necessary for the consideration of several of the schemes dealt with are now ready for final examination. Some of them will, however, require to be considered in connection with the hydro-electric proposals to be submitted to Parliament this session, and will be further dealt with in the Public Works Statement. WATER-RACES. The returns from Government water-races on goldfields show a slight improvement during the past year. The extension of the Kumara Water-race across the Taramakau is now well in hand. Contracts have been let during the year for the necessary ditching, and the material for the pipe-line is under order from England. It is anticipated that this work will be completed during the present year. It is also probable that it will be found expedient to increase the carrying-capacity of the Mount Ida Water-race : this matter is at present being inquired into.

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MINING DEVELOPMENT. Our present legislation practically prevents advances being made by the Stateguaranteed Advances Hoard for the development of mining enterprises. Several applications for advances were received during the year, but all had to be reluctantly refused owing to the legal objections referred to. That there are many excellent mining ventures worthy of State financial assistance is invariably admitted. I propose to submit legislation for the consideration of honourable members this session in order to remove the existing legal obstruction. ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS. The new regulations for controlling the installation and use of electricity in mines appear to be working smoothly, and to be giving satisfaction to both mine-managers and employees. CONCLUSION. In concluding my review of the mining industry it is satisfactory to inform honourable members that never in its history were its prospects more promising than they are at present; it is, however, essential that generous assistance and fostering care should be given in developing our mineral resources. This industry has since 1853 contributed approximately £108,000,000 to our national wealth, and no better investment is open to the people of this Dominion than granting reasonable assistance in extending prospecting-tracks into the woodclad practically impenetrable ranges and gorges in which a large portion of our mineral resources are located ; every encouragement should also be granted to the prospector and the pioneer miner in their arduous and strenuous efforts in discovering and developing new mining ventures. I anticipate substantial progress in developing our mineral resources during the present year, and can assure honourable members that we can look forward with confidence to the Future expansion and prosperity of the mining industry.

No. 1. Table showing Comparison in Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation, also the Quantity and Value of other Minerals, for the Years ended the 31st December, 1908 and 1909, as well as the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853.

For Year ending the For Year ending the 31st December, L909. ' 31st December, !<kih. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1909. Name of Metal or Rlineral Quantity. , Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. , Value. Precious metals — Oz. £ Oz. £ Gold .. .. .. .. .. 506,371 2,000,900 500,423 2,004,925 Silver .. .. .. .. .- 1,813,830 180,872 1,731,330 175,337 Oz. £ 19,231,474 75,540,960 12,984,562 1,446,803 Total gold and silver .. .. -2,320,201 2,187,772 2,237,759 2,180,262 Mineral produce, including kauri-gum— Ton-.. £ ■ Tons. £ Copper-ore .. .. .... 5 LOO 18 275 Chrome-ore Antimony-ore .. .. .. .. 2 80 5 73 Manganese-ore .. .. .. .. 6 29 Haematite-ore .. Mixed minerals .. .. .. .. '1,8861 11,700 f1,690$ 16,179 Coal (New Zealand) exported .. ..| 201,685 183,961 100,502 85,846 Coke exported .. .. .. 22 23 2 4 Coal, output of mines in Dominion (less 1,700,502 854,781 1,760,473 880,236 exports) Shale .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 4 Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. 8,250 , 552,698 5,530 372,798 82,216,086 76,987,768 T ns. £ 1.495J 19,198 ■ '.,869 88,002 3,748 54,849 19,859* 61,886 76$ 444 31.225J 217,188 2,594,985 ': 2,309,811 16,429 24,867 26,424,779 : 13,120,272 14,423 7,215 297,607 14,948,401 29,410,197 30,862,133 76,987,763 Total quantity and value of minerals 1,921,368} 1,603,361 1,868,216*. 1,355,415 Value of gold and silver, as above .. .. ; 2,187,772 .. 2,180,262 1,921,368}: 1,603,361 1,868,216J 1,355,415 .. ; 2,187,772 .. 2,180,262 Total value of minerals produced, including gold and silver .. .. .. 3,791,133; .. 3,535,677 3,791,133 3,535,677 107,849,896 * Including greenstone, 6 tons 14 ewt.; building-stone, 16 tons ; auriferous ore, 182 tons; scheelite-i tons; pumice-stone, 1,667 tons; wrought stone, tons unrecorded. (-Including auriferous Itons; unenumerated, fl tons; ironsand, 2 tons; pyrites, 2 tons; stone, 30 tons; greenstone, 64 tons; pi >re, 58 tons; v )re ; 654 tons; imice-stone, £ inenuuierated, scheelite-ore, )22 tons.

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No. 2. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from New Zealand for the Years ended the 31st December, 1909 and 1908, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st December, 1909.

Increase or Year ending Year ending Decrease for Year 31st December. 1909. 31 st December, 1908. ending 31st District and County or Borough. December, 1909. Total Quantity and Valut from January, 1857, to 31st December. 1909. Quantity.. Value. Quantity. Value. Increase. Decrease. Auckland— Oz. ' £ Oz. £ Oz. Oz. County of Coromandel .. 910 3,857 1,286 5,402 .. 370 County of Thames .. 4,049 15,191 4,632 18,329 .. 583 County of Ohinemuri .. 60,932 212.343 72,681 257,972 .. 11,749 County of Piako .. .. I 16 .. 4 .. Borough of Thames .. 2.014 12,104 6,980 29.326 .. 4,066 Great Barrier Island 1 4 .. .. 1 .. Borough of Waihi .. 219,798 898,583 211,392 860,340- 8,400 288.614 1.142.098 296.971 1.171.375 .. 8,357 Oz. £ 288,614 1,142,098 296,971 1,171,375 8,357 4,876,024 18,490,401 £00,01.* i,i?£ f uao J.JU,.Hl L,Xll,OIU .. r,, 0 .jt Wellington 188 706 _l. Marlborough— County of Marlborough .. 39 155 297 1,145 j .. 258 39 155 207 1,145 j 258 90,230 351,523 Nelson — County of Waimea County of Collingwood i 'ounty of Takaka 7 2,459 106 2,572 28 14 9,834 3,023 424 , 159 10,286 8,196 55 12,091 63*i 12,783 7 564 58 624 j 1,724,240 6,835 West Coast— County of Buller .. County of Inangahua County of Grey County of Westland Hokitika Borough Boss Borough 624 1,724,240 6,835,810 6,609 25,565 6,724 20,052 58,775 : 225,503 I 45,529 173,781 13,246 19,491 78,193 I 23,106 92,971 9,058 36,346 9,249 37,142 3 12 1,081 4,323 I 1,441 5,764 95,014 369,930 j 86,052 835,722 8,962 I 115 3,615 191 3 360 Canterbury— County of Ashburton 5,505,807 21,895,169 : _. 99 387 99 1 i ■ . i Otago— County of Taieri .. County of Tuapeka County of Vincent County of Maniototo County of Waihemo County of Waitaki County of Bruce .. County of Lake County of Wallace County of Fiord .. County of Southland County of Clutha.. 2,077 10,013 1,849 20,315 82,226 23,371 39,152 ! 157,356 ! 33,118 5,824 23,096 5,874 1,367 , 5,359 ; 916 2,791 11,081 : 2,617 116 460 106 2,979 12,247 3,698 4,502 . 18,192 . 4,813 15 179 j 50 39,661 160,724 43,405 692 j 2,852 I 7,434 828 94,653 .. 3,056 133,694 6,034 23,299 .. 50 3,410 151 10,412 174 421 10 14,906 .. 719 I'.l. 1-12 .. 311 198 .. 5 176,031 .. 3,831 692 j .. 120,121 484,385 119,907 483,900 214 7,034,668 27,965,937 Unknown 11 46 11 218 870 Totals 506,371 2,006,900 506,423 2,004,925 52 19,231,474 75,540,803

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No. 3. GOLD PRODUCED, 1857 to 1909. Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st December, 1909. (This Return shows the Output 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.")

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Year. Auckland. Nelson. Marlborough. West Coast. Oz. Value. Oz. Otago. Value. Wellington. Cante] Oz. ! Value. Oz. I }anterbi bury. mry. Grand Totals. I Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. )z. V Value Value Oz. Value. 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 "308 i|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 £ l|l92 4,098 13,853 10,552 17,096 17,463 18,277 168,874 434,687 319,146 1,188,708 369,341 437,123 305,068 262,156 221,905 403,027 220,454 154, 295 176,416 141,326 131,007 163,618 143,564 10,437 13,226 7,336 4,688 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 I 3,289 j 2,064 2,159 £ £ 40,422 51,272 28,427 17,585 24,552 40,386 37,120 55,841 24,838 95,231 47,030 7,952 30,814 29,643 469 1,818 35,918 501 1,978 38,396 404 1,616 42,524 666 2,664 48,692 1,852 7,408 40,056 1,867 7,468 32,700 2,057 8,228 54,786 1,274 5,050 22,158 1,198 4,748 17,866 1,159 4,636 55,862 450 1,796 21,092 870 3,197 17,223 404 1,617 11,424 879 3,460 12,223 1,550 5,650 13,039 1,378 4,531 12,494 1,352 5,400 7,724 636 2,524 8,002 1,079 4,306 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 £ 5,560 I 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 £ 187,696 727,321 399,201 1,546,905 614,387 2,380,750 436,012 1,689,653 259,139 1,004,103 168,871 654,647 158,670 ' 623,815 171,649 686,596 153,364 613,456 165,152 660,694 30 154,940 619,760 157,574 630,696 182,416 734,024 135,107 542,154 121,423 487,632 118,477 473,491 113,169 455,341 105,003 422,277 102,869 407,868 113,666 457,705 102,670 411,923 83,446 333,804 10 87,478 352,334 78,810 318,932 ! 101 £ 120 '■'. 24 . £ 96 £ 10,347 40,422 13,534 52,464 7,336 28,427 4,538 17,585 194,031 751,873 410,862 1,591,389 628,450 2,431,723 480,171 1,856,837 574,574 2,226,474 735,376 2,844,517 686,905 2,698,862 637,474 2,504,326 614,281 2,362,995 544,880 2,157,585 730,029 2,787,520 445,370 1,731,261 505,337 1,987,425 376,388 1,505,331 355,322 1,407,770 322,016 1,284,328 371,685 1,496,080 310,486 1,240,079 287,464 1,148,108 305,248 1,227,252 270,501- 1,080,790 251,204 1,002,720 248,374 993,352 229,940 921,797 37 380

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No. 3— continued. GOLD PRODUCED, 1857 to 1909—continued. Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation from the 1st January, 1857, to the 31st December, 1909. (This Return shows the Output 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 ") — continued.

Auckland. Nelson. Marllx Auckland. Marlborough. mgh. West Co West Coast. oast. Otago. )tago Wellington. Canterbun. Wellington. Grand Totals. Grand Totals. i Value. £ 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 3.003 513 2,404 3,845 1,890 3,009 1,145 155 Oz. 117,801 112,671 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 73,923 113,286 ! 118,796 125,241 122,310 109,704 104,743 87,069 86,052 95,014 Value. £ 471,825 446,287 395,430 400,405 406,451 356,368 437,126 412,383 396,510 347,464 357,719 317,161 235,430 319,789 360,149 295,733 454, 00G 475,272 501,090 489,177 438,258 414,292 343,146 335,722 369,930 Oz. 73,183 79,104 70,443 02,107 64,419 63,423 87,209 82,933 77,660 76,353 87,694 88,362 84,649 55,348 130,311 129,075 142,940 181,110 166,458 169,478 172,098 160,739 118,352 119,907 120,121 Value. fc 294, 378 317,543 279,518 247,142 256,430 255,976 349,573 333,407 313,238 307,644 353,796 359,991 342,187 223,231 526,605 521,029 575,492 728,124 668,852 684,764 694,214 649,32$ 478,982 483,900 484,385 Oz. Value. Oz. Value. £ £ 47 169 '.'. '.'. 24 96 88 132 52 206 :: :: :: :: 28 111 23 90 22 83 .... 2 7 11 46 Oz. Value. £ 237,371 948, 61f 227,079 903,56! 203,869 811, 10( 201,219 801, 06( 203,211 808,54! 193,193 773,43! 251,996 1,007,48! 238,079 954, 744 226,811 913,13! 221.615 887,83! 293,491 1,162,164 263,694 1,041,424 251,645 980,201 280,175 1,080,69; 389,558 1,513,17: 373.616 1,439,605 455,561 1,753,78; 508,045 1,951,431 533,314 2,037,831 520,320 1,987,50( 520,486 2,093,934 563,843 2,270,90( 508,210 2,027,495 506,423 2,004,92( 506,371 2,006,905 Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Oz. Value. 6z. Value. 1);-. I 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1808 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 £ £ 42,989 170,416 ; 2,798 10,337 540 32,271 128,140 . 2,582 9,979 404 30,697 121,564 2,914 10,829 1,041 35,223 139,556 1 3,027 11,320 699 28,655 113,191 > 3,252 12,310 5,189 31,745 125,760 2,856 11,049 6,073 45,392 i 181,185 : 4,445 16,896 5,649 45,555 ' 183,655 : 2,535 9,604 3,898 45,714 186,553 2,145 8,187 2,165 52,916 211,974 2,860 10,634 2,536 111,213 180,862 I 2,400 9.016 2,695 92,346 350,355 2,758 10,333 916 105,477 392,337 1,892 . 7,055 810 142,383 527,780 1,720 6,882 781 168,769 624,737 I 419 1,571 166,342 605,398 3,718 14,605 535 191,968 695,551 : 7,212 28,138 133 201,583 721,977 5,947 23,649 601 232,681 832,334 : 7,962 HI,710 972 223,010 791,529 5,049 20,141 473 232,215 936,602 6,469 25.862 295,417 1,195,541 2,944 11,746 298,101 1,187,079 3,893 15,274 795 296,971 1,171,375 3,196 12,783 297 288,614 1.142.098 2,572 10,280 39 4,876,024 18,490.401 304,821 1,204,653 90,070 Totals .. 350,946 6,925,380 27.520,903 7,034,706 27,966,327 273 1,044 [ 134 529 19,231,47 273 1,044 134 529 19,231,474 75,540,80! 74 75,540, 80S J Note.— I; March, 1891, n 1871 and 1872 the gold duty was Is. to 2s. Gd. per ounce; the gold duty was abolished in the South Island. in 1873 and succeeding years the duty was 2s. per 20-carat, and in like proportion for gold of less value. From the 31sl

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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 Dominion up to 31st December, 1909.

Yea 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1801 1802 1863 1864 1865 I860 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1870 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1880 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 ii'. Silver. Copper-ore. Chrome-ore. Antimony-ore. Mangan Oz. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. £ £ £ £ :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: '.'. .. '.'. 351 5,000 3 25 215 2,605 8 120 137. 1.590 110 1,440 110 1,800 52 520 51 1.024 8,84324,719 595 4,318 768 4,910 .. j .. .. 216 2.700 •• 84 977 •• 11,068 2.993 37,123 11,380 7 120 .. 80,272 23,145 37.0G1 9.910 36,187 9,850 40,666 10,380i 29,085 7,509 12,683 3,171 33,893 7.55G 23,019 5,755 0 115 ■■ .. 4 102 2,51G 20,645 4,512 55 1.105 • • .. .. .. 2,140 20,005 4,500 .. .. •■ .. 60 012 2,611 18,885 4.230 5 36 • • .. 2 24 1,271 5,694 1,286 9 41 •. .. 30 900 2,181 1G.S26: 3,785 40 678 •• .. 31 804 384 24,914 : 5,125i 20 106 •• .. .. .. 318 10,024 8,169 .. .. ■• .. 666 5,289 602 12.108 2,946i 20 390 •■ .. 62! 1,784 3284 ..I 20,809 3,4531 .. .. •• .. 134 3,989 305 403 71 2 75 •■ .. 376 6,246 1.085 24,105 4,048 .. .. •• .. 493 5.319 1.080 32.037 0,162 ! .. .. •■ .. 515 11.121 482 28,023 5,151i 04; 1 .. .. 413 4,950 1,153 22.053 8,996 .. .. •• .. 364. 4.900 521 Silver. Chrome-ore. [ Antimony-ore. Manganese-ore. nei 3se-ore. Value. £ 1G\416 8,338 10,423 3,283 6,963 1.155 809 1.710 1,816 895 2,404 2.509 1,004 2.634 1 .239 Heematite-ore. Heematite-ore. Tons. Value. £ 0.1 "l2 504 208 "n '5 1 vr; v «^i Mixed Or Tons. 3^180 2.350 2. 074 1.955 2,784 22 114 445 144 162199 19 2 Mixed Mineral Ores.M ■es i lineral « Coa Value. Tons. £ 2 1 201 973 1,027 750 1.672 1.696 990 724 1,468 14,824 1,854 9,064 2,658 8 0.362 7.144 11.335 7.020 1,303 0.021 8,597 3.207 110 0.522 0.101 993 48.893 1.840 46,136 4.142 44.129 2.955 0S.OS7 9,985 86,405 273 09.614 0 91.004 631 78.91! Coal. al. Coke. , Kauri-gum. Value. Ions. Value. Tons. Vali £ £ £ 880 15 1 661 28 355 4 1-440 IS 2,522 35 4 .. .. 1,811 20 2,010 20 2 .. .. 1,046 9 856 9 1.103 11 1,400 27 2,228 60 .. 1,867 46 400 .. .. 2,535 70 1.228 .. .. 2,685 77 1.210 .. .. 2,690 72 800 .. .. 2,850 HI 1.508 .. .. 4,391 175 1,612 .. .. 5,054 167 855 21 50 4.811 154 055 .. .. 2.884 85 1.363 87 228 2,569 79 3.129 15 51 3,231 138 1,954 53 189 2,888 109 2.071 254 72 3.633 118 5,139 85 177 M.445 132 0.187 151 324 3,229 147 -1.977 87 135 4,725 212 5.040 223 358 5.461 253 2.3S0 275 480 5,533 260. 1,8791,480 2.057 0.518 336, 4,401 230 372 0.393 342. 51,257 207 385 299, 52,133 497 715 4.920J 257. 44.050 1834 2ti(i °- 791 362 - 04.971 953 ! 1,646 8,482 380. U7 2.132 8,407 7.519 329. 07.003 2.218 3,334 7.438 378. 91.173 2.514 3,658 8,388 437, 80,225'4,306 5,691 8,705 517. Coke. Totals. Value. Oz. Tons. ()/. Tons. Value. Value. £ 15.972 .. 830 28,864 .. 1,661 4.514 .. 355 L8.591 .. 1,440 35,251 .. 2,522 20,037, .. 2,167 20,776 .. 2,263 9,851 .. 1,300 9.888 .. 1,018 11.107 .. 3,997 27.026 .. 1,995 60.590 .. 2,996 46,060 ., 1,867 70,572, .. 3,077 77,491 .. 3,904 72,493 .. 3,801 111.307 11,063 3,600 175,074 37,123 0,070 167,958 80,272 6,750 154,167 37,064 5,882 85,810 30,187 3,558 | 79,986 40,566 4,119 138.523 29,085 6,631 109.284 12,683 7,975 118,348 33,893 8,6824 132,975 23,019 12,120 147.535 20,645 12,722 212.817 20,005 17.177 253.778 18,885 15,538 260,869 * 5,694 14,019 386,606 1G,826 14,9534 842, 151 24,914 13,071 299,702 10,624 51,4684, 257.653 12,108 ! 52,409J 362.449 20,809 51,6864 380.933 403 79,147 329,590 21,105 97,828 378.563. 32,637 80,2874 437,050 28,028 104,164| 517.678 22,053 92,891 £ 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

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No. 4 continued. 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 Dominion up to 31st December, 1909— continued.

* The following are the principal minerals included und»r this heading : —

Silver. I Copper-ore. Chrome-ore. Antimony-ore. Manganese-ore. Hsematite-ore. Mixed Mineral Ores.* Coal. Coke. Kauri-gum. Total. Oz. i ' Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Oz. Tons. Value. 1893 .. 1894 .. 1895 .. 1896 .. 1897 1898 1899 .. 1900 .. 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 .. 1906 1907 1908 .. 1909 63,076 54,177 85,024 94,307 183,892 293,851 349,338 326,457 571,134 674,196 9U.914| 1,094.461 1,179,744 1,390,53G| 1,562,603; 1,731,336! 1,813,830| £ 9,743 6,697 10,679 10,589 20,872 33,107 40,838 38,879 65,258 71,975 91,497' 112,875 120,542 143,572 109,484 175,337 180,872 'k 12 3 6 £ .. 2 70 45 105 123 •• "28 175 £ ;; 1 •• iio 525 331 44 54 21 10 *' 3! 30 £ 3,467 761 1,486 450 157 101 136 319 534 210 65 180 217 135 166 208 j £ 943 1,156! 525 205J 54l| 703 4071 5881 614 17 £ 116 96 " "5 37 25 62 37 1,561 1,828 1,309 2,126 696 415 625 1,404 632 1,297 1,492 J 1,6904 1,836| £ 650 69,136 353 75,004 880 85,987 1,335 79,524 5,892 76,073 4,792 I 56,332 6,591 I 89,480 12,751 112,707 7,775 159,643 4,422 188,677 7,014 152,332 10,168 165,220 8,136 122,817 18,421 141,641 30,448 I 128,950 16,179 ! 100,502 11,709 201,685 £ 72,699 73,438 83,342 71,984 69,595 50,381 83,085 98,136 142,176 154,747 128,927 139,898 107,062 122,614 114,737 85,846 183,961 1,369,811 : . £ 51 53 107 160 288 715 105 263 9 14 18 9 *15 "l5 5 6 15 15 2 4 22 23 16,429 24,867 £ 8,317 510,775 63,076 8,338 404,567 54,177 7,425 418,766 85,024 7,126 431,323 94,307 6,6414 398,010 183,892 9,905' 586,767 293,751 11,116 607,919 349,338 10,159 622,293 326,457 7,541 446,114 571,134 7,430 450,223 674,196 9,357 631,102 911,914 9,203 501,817 1,094,461 10,883 561,444 1,179,744 9,154 522,486 1,390,536 8,708 579,8881,562,603 5,530 372,7981,731,336 8,250 552,698 1,813,830 £ 78,191 598,330 84,052 487,132 94,026 516,393 86,878 516,149 84,4654 495,069 68,253| 675,831 102,058 738,849 125,201 772,903 168,121 662,178 196,714 682,003 162,390 658,874 176,030 . 765,424 134,406 ! 797,381 152,113 ' 807,139 139,824} 897,316 107,7424; 650,512 211,806jj 929,452 2,970,995 19,181,606 4 "l7 70 196 55 16 5 210 570 105 40 20 56 13 5 595 275 100 .. 98 5 2 2,118 73 60 •• . 1 6 29 Totals : .2,984,562 1,446,960 1,4954 19,198! 5,869 3,748 54,849 19,3594 61,886 76J ; 444 *31,2254 ♦217.18S 2,594,985 12,369,811 297,807 14,948,401 12,984,562

Scheelite Ore. Aurifi •rous Ore. Sulphur. Mixed Minerals Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons, j Value. Tons. Value. 189S 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1900 1907 1908 1909 32 54 2 39 42 17 28 55 137 68 58 2,788 2,635 83 1,200 1,439 791 1,848 3,407 15,486 6,055 1 .263 22 5 219 390 231 472 977 535 1,186 1,244 654 182 380 153 4,450 6,663 2", 560 4,449 8,898 5,997 13,940 14,650 6,993 2.450 1,765 1,227 1,692 143 100 4,097 3,483 4,824 360 475 315 167 842 669 187 1,126 479 291 1,074 312 3,131 4,996

18

€.—2,

No. 5. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coals imported into New Zealand during the Quarter ended the 31st March, 1910.

No. 6. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Shale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.

No. 7. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Mining Districts, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1908 and 1909, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

U N Jnited Kingdom few South Wales Country whence imported. Quantity. Tons. 78 2,011 Value. £ 78 2,063 Totals 2,089 2,089 2,141 2,141

Coal raised in the Dominion. Coal imported. Year. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Tons. Increase over Decrease over Preceding Year. Preceding Year. Prior to 1878 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 • 709,931 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 719,546 726,654 792,851 840,713 907,033 975,234 1,093,990 1,239,080 1,365,040 1,420,229 1,537,838 1,585,756 1,729,536 1,831,009 1,860,975 1,911,247 r09,931 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,901 108,198 101,750 110,907 115,427 99,655 124,033 149,764 127,853 163,923 147,190 1G9,04G 207,5G7 220,749 287,808 258,185 24,904 20,72-2 14,379 135 9,151 4,520 24,378 25,371 30,070 38,521 13,182 67,059 162,218 231,218 299,923 537,262 578,272 121,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 313,895 586,445 337,397 368,794 373,315 391,548 ?19,546 ,26,654 ,92,851 340,713 307,033 475,234 393,990 239,686 365,040 420,229 537,838 585,756 ,29,536 331,009 360,975 311,247 69,000 68,705 37,339 41,010 43,492 59,009 30,232 23,290 24,267 55,275 Dec. 27,450 50,952 31,397 4,521 18,233 27,998 7,108 66,197 47,862 66,320 68,201 118,750 145,096 125,354 55,189 117,609 47,918 143,780 101,473 29,966 50,272 16,072 33,778 380 6,042 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 17,124 8,009 4,483 4,763 6,442 15,772 21,911 16,727 29^628

Name of District. Output of Coal. Increase. Decrease. i Approximate I Total Output of Coal up to ! 31st December. 1909. 1909. 1908. Kawakawa and Hikurangi Whangarei, Kamo, Ngunguru, and Whauwhau Waikato Mokau Miranda Drury Pelorus West Wanganui Westport Beelton Greymouth Canterbury Otago Southland Tons. 98,415 36,542 Tons. 112,826 34,579 Tons. 1,963 Tons. 14,411 Tons. 1,913,016 701,284 192,827 6,415 13,720 451 176,068 5,989 14,876 589 16,759 426 2,367,184 69,582 102,242 1,040 711 142,777 9,051,032 176,493 5,469,135 597,757 6,790,275 1,637,236 1,156 138 12,750 718,419 10,502 380,971 21,866 286,997 131,372 5,961 671,716 10,694 375,195 21,788 288,004 142,690 6,789 46,703 5,776 78 192 1,007 11,318 Totals 1,911,247 1,860,975 50,272 29,019.764

19

C—2

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

No. 9. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand during the Year ended the 31st December, 1909.

No. 10. Number of Persons ordinarily employed in Mining during the Years ended 31st December, 1908 and 1909.

Name of Coal. Output of Coal. Increase. Decrease. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to the 31st December, 1909. 1909. 1908. Bituminous and semi-bituminous Pitch Tons. 1,257,233 5,473 559,509 89,032 Tons. 1,205,212 17,459 539,141 99,163 Tons. 52,021 20i368 Tons. 11,986 Tons. 17,054,379 1,976,603 8,709,329 1,279,453 Brown Lignite 10,131 Totals 1,911,247 1,860,975 50.272 29,019.764

Imported. Exporti id. Countries whence imported. Quantity. Value. Countries to which exported. Quantity. Value. United Kingdom .. New South Wales .. Victoria South Australia U.S.A. West Coast Tons. 106 257,271 2 806 £ 204 252,404 8 464 1 United Kingdom .. Victoria New South Wales Western Australia Tasmania Fiji South Seas Tons. £ 138,429 i 184,227 4,859 '■ 3,770 27,769 ! 21,366 5,493 ' 4,485 3,450 8,277 5,108 ! 4,281 16,577 12,555 Totals .. Totals .. 201,685 ! 183,961 258,185 253,081 I

District. Alluvial Miners. European. Chinese. i — i Quartz-miners. Totals. Grand Totals. European.! Chinese. European. Chinese. 1908. ; 190 1 .). GOLD-MINES. 1 UCKLAND— Coromandel Thames Paeroa.. Te Aroha Tauranga Waihi .. 115 .. 115 .. 130 115 241 .. 241 .. 487 241 475 .. 475 .. 718 475 23 2 1,947 .. 1,947 .. 1,904 1,947 2,778 .. 2,778 .. i 3,264 2,778 Iarlborough— Blenheim and Havelock 18 48 51 48 Ielson— Takaka Collingwood Inangahua Ahaura Charleston Westport, including Addison's, Northern Terraces, Waimangaroa, North Beach, Mokihinui, ■ Karamea, and Lower Buller Valley Lyell .. Murchison Owen .. 1 30 133 50 250 ! 35 76 20 25 55 61 55 785 .. 994 50 1,030 1,044 250 35 300 285 63 "25 785 95 5 .. loo .. lie ioo 5 15 .. 43 58 60 58 43 120 ; 21 120 21 j 152 141 719 : 106 858 1,577 106 1,802 1,683

a—2.

No. 10 — continued. Number of Persons ordinarily employed in Mining during the Years ended 31st December, 1908 and 1909— continued.

Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand Mines during 1909. Gold-mines ... ... ... ... 7,495 Metalliferous ... ... ... ... 156 C0a1... ... ... ... ... 4,191 Total ... ... ... 11,842 Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, uot given; printing (1,780 copies, including diagrams), £21 15s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lo. Price '.id.

20

Alluvial Miners. Quartz-miners. Totals. Grand Totals. District. 1 European. Chinese. European. Chinese. European. Chinese. 1908. 1909. GOLD-MINES. 21 130 102 70 24 180 269 89 21 160 125 84 Westland— Boss Stafford and Goldsborough Hokitika and Kanieri Kumara Greymouth Arnold Okarito 16 130 102 70 30 23 14 5 30 23 14 300 70 5 305 70 405 375 9 9 9 Otago— Hindon Tuapeka Lawrence, Roxburgh, Black's, Alexandra, and Clyde Cromwell Tapanui Waikaia Wyndham Waiau .. .. \ Orepuki and Preservation Roundhill .. .. ) Wakatipu Goldfields—Arrow, Macetown, Cardrona, Kawarau, Bracken's, and Motatapu Queenstown Naseby .. .. ) St. Bathan's Hyde Macrae's Gore 627 137 10 637 137 967 774 16 10 394 1 35 16 10 394 1 35 38 280 464 17 10 429 290 10 320 10 17 5 295 10 320 10 17 300 8 325 6 312 10 345 10 "25 "25 280 30 14 294 30 315 324 49 3 49 3 100 52 131 8 6 137 8 147 145 249 88 56 305 83 358 338 220 220 260 220 1,979 152 81 2,060 152 2,601 2,212 Summary. Auckland, Northern Inspection District Marlborough i West Coast | Nelson .. !■ Inspection Dis- - Westland ) trict ( Otago, Southern Inspection District 2,778 2,778 3,264 2,778 48 719 627 1,979 106 137 152 934 10 81 48 1,577 637 2,060 106 137 152 51 1,802 967 2,601 48 1,683 774 2,212 Totals 3,373 395 3,803 7,100 395 8,085 7,495

- Mines Department. Mbw Zealand .

C._ 2.

DIAGRAM showing QUANTITY & VALUE of GOLD exported, annually from N.Z. For the years 18 57 to 1909.

DIAGRAM showing QUANTITY & VALUE of KAURI GUM exported annually from N.Z. For the years 1853 to 1909.

DIAGRAM showing ANNUAL OUTPUT of COAL from N.Z. MINES For the years 1872 to 1909.