D.—l

XI

Some of the extensive development-works previously referred to have been completed, with the result that the production of gold is on the increase. This, it is anticipated, will continue as other development-works which have been entered upon are completed. The improvements in the construction of dredges, and the methods of obtaining gold from the auriferous drifts and beds of the rivers, creeks, and beaches in the Middle Island, to which attention has been specially directed in the Statement of my colleague the Hon. the Minister of Mines and the reports of the department, will, it is anticipated, add materially to the future gold-production of the colony. It may be of interest to honourable members to know that information in respect to dredging in this colony is frequently applied for by persons interested in the question in America and the Australian Colonies, and within the last few days an application has been received from the Government of British New Guinea for full information on the subject. The erection of the pumping plant at the deep-level shaft of the old Queen of Beauty Mine, which has been referred to in previous Statements, is now approaching completion, and it is expected that pumping operations will be commenced before the end of the year. The greater facilities for draining the lower levels of the mines at the Thames which this pumping plant will afford will, it is hoped, give a fresh impetus to gold-mining in that part of the colony. The question of w 7 ater-conservation on our goldfields is still being dealt with, and reports on the subject will be presented to Barliament by the Mines Department. Already a commencement has been made towards the conservation of water by the construction of a dam at West Eweburn, in the Maniototo County, which, it is estimated, will be capable of storing 250,000,000 gallons. This will supplement the supply from the Mount Ida Water-race to the extent of twenty-five Government heads a day. The annexed tables show that the sum expended last year on works for the development of the goldfields was £33,117, while the liabilities amounted to £7,135. A vote of £45,000 is proposed for the current year. PUECHASE OF NATIVE LANDS. During the past financial year the public landed estate has, through the operations of the Native Land Purchase Department, been increased by an area of 262,000 acres. In the King-country alone the Native Land Court sitting at Otorohanga, under Judge Gudgeon, has made 101 orders, vesting in Her Majesty in freehold tenure 302,506 acres, which are now under survey preparatory to being thrown open for settlement. The same Court has put under European title over 500,000 acres of the Bangitoto-Tuhua Block, leaving a little more than 100,000 acres still to be put under title before the Court closes its sittings. The proposed legislation in connection with Native lands will, if carried out, practically bring to a close within a limited period the acquisition by purchase of Native lands by the Crown under the present system. Instructions will'be given to the land-purchase officers to refrain from purchasing any interests in new blocks unless under exceptional circumstances, and to confine their efforts to winding up the present purchases and to getting titles to the land, so that the same can be thrown open for settlement at an early date. The vote proposed for the current year is £50,000. TELEGEAPH EXTENSION. The expenditure during the year under this head was £29,384. Of the wires constructed and extended, the following are the most important: New copper wires—Napier to Wanganui, Wanganui to New Flymouth, Blenheim to Dunedin; new iron wires—Waipapakauri, Kaeo to Totara North, Omanaia, Hikurangi to Hukerenui, Auckland to Whangarei, Mangapai to Maungakaramea, Onehunga to Mangere, Inglewood to Tarata, Toko to Strathmore, Dannevirke to Weber, Eketahuna to Hukanui, Mangaweka via Pemberton to Bangiwahia, Hutt via Day's Bay to Bona Bay, Belgrove to Wakapuaka, Ngahere to Blackball,