C—3.

1895. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. H; A: Gokdon, F.G.S., Inspecting Engineer, to the Hon. A. J. Cadman, Minister of Mines. Sib, — Mines Department, Wellington, 24th July, 1895. I have the honour to submit my annual report, for the year ending the 31st March last, on the progress of the mining industry, and on different works in connection with the same having a tendency to promote a further development of the mineral wealth of the colony. The subjects are classified under the following heads: "Subsidised Eoads and Tracks," "Eoads constructed by Direct Grants," "Prospecting Works," "Schools of Mines," "Waterraces," " Gold-mining," " Quartz Workings," " Alluvial Mining, including Hydraulic Sluicing and Dredging," "Explorations in Urewera Country," "Coal-mining, including the Origin of Coal Formations," "The Cyanide Process of Treatment in connection with Gold-saving," "Experiments by W. Skey on the Solvent Properties of Ores in Cyanide Solutions," " Patents applied for in connection with Gold-mining," "Petroleum," "Cinnabar Deposits," "Examination Papers recently used in Mine-managers' Examinations," and " Statistical Tables showing the Class and Value of Works constructed."

SUBSIDISED ROADS AND TRACKS. The following statement will show the expenditure on subsidy principle authorised for the construction of roads and tracks in the different counties for the year ending the 31st March last, and the liabilities on outstanding authorities on that date:—

l-c. 3.

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND: EEPOET ON EOADS, WATEE-KACES, MINING MACHINEEY, AND OTHEE WOEKS IN CONNECTION WITH MINING.

Name of Local Body. Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1895. Liabilities on Authorities on 31st March, 1895. 3ay of Islands County Joromandel County ~!e Aroha Town Board Thames County ... ?hames Borough ... )hinemuri County Vaimea County ... darlborough County 3uller County J-rey County Vestland County ... loss Borough jake County iouthland County Jontingencies £ s. d. 317 0 0 47 7 6 549 19 10 £ s. d. 95 0 0 1,213 0 0 92 0 0 12 0 0 225 0 0 164 0 11 50 0 0 85 0 0 2 12 0 60 0 0 9 10 0 230 0 0 97 8 0 121 0 0 100 0" 0 16 2 8 7018 4 Totals ... 1,433 13 8 2,124 5 7