15

a—6

they said would average Bdwt. of gold and a little silver to the ton; but that would not pay them after deducting high tramway charges for freight and battery charges for crushing. Hitherto there has only been one battery in the district, owned and worked by one of New Zealand's most enterprising men, Mr. Eirth, of Auckland; and I have no hesitation in pronouncing tiiis plant to be the most perfect of its kind that I have yet seen in the colony. Without it the resources of this great mining district could not have been developed. If, therefore, the proprietor has reaped a good harvest from his enterprise, it is well deserved. Another battery of large extent, upon a new principle, is in course of erection by Mr. Ferguson, and nearly ready for work, about four miles above the present battery and much nearer to several of the reefs. To make this of general use, however, in the district, a short tramway will be required, which work is entitled to consideration both from the Government and the local body. It would be difficult to estimate the value of all the country lying between the sea-coast at Mercury Bay and the Hauraki Gulf, from Ooromandel to the Valley of the Thames and on to Te Aroha, for gold- and silver-mining purposes, with improved appliances for more surely saving the precious metals. In a distance of over one hundred miles along the Colville Range I feel sure there is an ample field for enterprise and the judicious investment of capital for many generations. The whole of this extensive country is as yet but sparsely peopled. During my travels through it I had the advantage of Mr. Warden Kenrick's company, and I found his advice and guidance of the greatest value. I returned to Auckland, and thence to Wellington, where I arrived on the 29th May. I had intended visiting the coal mines in the north of Auckland and at the Mokau, near New Plymouth, but was prevented through want of time. Conclusion. In my travels over the West Coast and a portion of the Collingwood and Nelson Districts I found timber plentiful and good for all mining and building purposes. On the greater portion of the mines in Otago, excepting in the Lake Country, native timber is wanting, and can only be procured from long distances at large expense. The Southland mines are better favoured in this respect, and good timber can readily be obtained from the large forests that abound. The bulk of the Canterbury reefs have a similar advantage in respect to timber. The northern mines have abundance of timber surrounding them. Erom experience I have gained I came to the conclusion that many of the old mines of Otago would pay handsomely for deep levels and sinking could they claim the same natural advantages of timber on the spot to aid in the enterprise. To assist the industry to progress at a more rapid pace, an increase of water-power in many districts is absolutely necessary. Whether any efforts should be made to obtain'it, and, if so, in what manner, will be for the House to consider and determine. To further the great object of discovering new goldfields, tracks and roads will have to be made, particularly through lands that are densely wooded like the West Coast districts of the Middle Island, Coromandel and the Thames in the North, otherwise prospecting cannot go on systematically and advantageously. Honourable gentlemen, who have been good enough to follow me attentively so far, I trust cannot fail to be impressed with the great importance of the mining industry to the whole community. The magnitude and variety of our mineral resources, and the manner in which they are miscellaneously distributed throughout the colony, is a sufficient reason for believing that New Zealand must-become a great mining country. Although the colony is yet in its infancy compared to Australia and Tasmania, we have already extracted from below the earth's surface equal to 10,616,196 ounces of gold, of the value of £41,634,507 sterling, which we had exported previous to the 31st Marcli last, together with 447,923 ounces of silver, value £115,144 18 tons sulphur, value £108 6 tons silver ore, „ 900 \ „ haematite, „ 12 75 „ copper ore, „ 1,300 7,888 „ other minerals 37 „ copper, „ 1,170 not specified, „ 33,925 123 „ antimony, „ 2,340 61,520 „ coal, „ 51,043 11,421 „ manganese, „ 41,386 15 „ zinc, „ 259 81,103i-tons £247,587