c.—s

18

The same formation, but without the covering of volcanic rock, was also examined further north, between Waikari and the Bay of Islands, where it contains extensive deposits of manganese-ore and fairly well defined lodes of antimony-ore, upon which some prospecting work has been done. The ore is of excellent quality, and has been formed over a considerable extent of country. The rock-formations associated with the mineral belt included massive reefs of white quartz and green crystalline limestone. A siliceous rock, indicating the former action of hot-springs, is also abundant in some localities. Still further to the north solid copper-pyrites of great purity has been found, but no defined lode has been opened up. The survey was extended to include the North Cape and the West Coast, from Mongonui to Hokianga. The gold drifts on the West Coast have been remapped so as to embody recent discoveries which bear on the development of deep-lead mining in that part of the country. Other reports refer to special examination of mines and mineral deposits, and to the collection of information required for the completion of a geological map of the colony, which it is proposed to publish on a larger scale than has been hitherto attempted. CONCLUSION. In concluding my remarks on the mining industry, I have to express my firm belief that the mineral wealth New Zealand contains will become the greatest factor in contributing to her prosperity. The abundance of mineral and metalliferous deposits, the extensive areas of our coalfields, the superior class of our bituminous coal, and the different products that can be obtained from our rocks and clays, will cause different branches of this industry to spring up; as it is well known that in any country where minerals abound it has rapidly increased in wealth, of which there are no more striking instances than Great Britain and the United States of America. We can look forward with every confidence that this colony has a great future before it; not only is it rich in mineral wealth, but its rich arable soil, extending for 13deg. of latitude within the temperate zone, gives it a variety of climate suitable for the production of most descriptions of cereals, vegetables, fruits, and plants. Its situation in regard to the other islands in the Pacific also points to the important position that the colony will occupy. Having all these advantages, we may rest assured that New Zealand will be a prosperous country, rapidly increasing in wealth and greatness, and will rank amongst the foremost of the British colonies.