C.—s

6

The total quantity of coal produced from the North Island mines during 1883 was 92,762 tons, against 96,152 tons during the previous year. The fallingoff in the yield is from the Bay of Islands (Kawakawa) and Kamo Collieries: from the former the decrease in the yield amounts to 12,213 tons, and from the latter, 2,8Q7 tons; but the increase from the remaining collieries amounts to 11,630 tons, which makes, the total decrease from the mines in the North Island to be 3,390 tons. In the Middle Island there has been a great falling-off in the yield of the Banbury Mine at AVestport, being 13,351 tons less than the previous year. This may be accounted for by the erection of machinery and endless-chain haulage and different works that the company have constructed during last year to work their mine on a more extensive scale. When they have their tramways and other works completed to the main seam known as Coalbrook Dale, the output will no doubt be greatly and permanently increased. The principal increase during the last year has been—From the Brunner Mine, Greymouth, 23,845 tons ; the Kaitangata Mine, Balclutha, 15-027; the Fairfax Mine, Southland, 11,634 tons; and from the Homebush Mine, Malvern, 7,562 tons. The other principal mines have come up to the output of 1882, and a number of them show a slight increase. The output of the different descriptions of coal that have been raised in the colony are as follow:—

The Springfield Coal Company, referred to in last year's report as having ordered a diamond rock-drill from Australia with the view of prospecting for coal of a better quality, has now got it at work. The Manager (Mr. 0. G. Parker) states that the drill works very satisfactorily, and that they have bored two holes with it, the first one being 300 ft., and the latter 664 ft., and have found two workable seams of coal. The Government granted this company a subsidy towards the purchase of this drill, for the purpose of encouraging prospecting in that part of the colony; and it is now gratifying to know that it has so far been very successful.

Name of District. Output of Coal. Plus + or Minus Increase or Decrease 1883. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to 31st December, 1883. 1882. 1883. Kawakawa ... Whangarei (Kamo and Whauwhau) Waikato Pelorus West Wanganui Westport (proper) Reefton jreymouth (proper) ... Vlalvern Cimaru Dtago Southland • •• Tons. 41,484 26,062 28,605 11 1,180 48,544 2,827 63,053 27,036 140 129,476 9,854 41, tot 26,062 28,605 11 1,180 a a tr a a 48,544 z»,iwi 25,198 38,293 100 2,900 on c*f\n 39,297 Tons. 29,271 25,198 38,293 100 2,900 39,297 2,533 86,074 32,780 292 149,296 15,730 i + + + Tons. 12,213 864 9,688 89 1,720 9,247 294 23,021 5,744 152 19,820 5,876 Tons. . 517,181 95,140 182,300 236 11,132 I 123,127* 21,577 401,286 151,035 432 986,523 34,320 2,827 63,053 27,036 140 129,476 9,854 2,533 86,074 32,780 292 149,296 15,730 I + + + + + Total C 378,272 421,764 + 43,492 i 2,524,289

Name of Coal. Output in 1883. Approximate Total Output up to 31st December, 1883. Situminous 'itch ... Tons. 156,542 90,029 161,058 14,135 Tons. 1,052,726 427,734 985,268 58,561 >rown... jignite Totals 421,764 2,524,289