C—3.

1900. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Mr. John Hayes, F.S.Sc, Inspecting Engineer, to the Hon. James McGowan, Minister of Mines. Sic, — Mines Department, Wellington, 21st April, 1900. I have the honour to present my first report as Inspecting Engineer to the Mines Department for the year ending the 31st March. My appointment to this position dates from the lst November last. Prior to that date a considerable portion of my time was taken up by special work in various parts of the colony. In consequence of this, my work as Inspector of Mines for the southern district naturally fell into arrears, and on my appointment as Inspecting Engineer it was deemed advisable for me to spend some time in Otago and Southland owing to several matters of importance having arisen which demanded my personal attention. "Mr. E. E. Green, formerly manager to the Freeman's Coal Company, Abbotsford, having been appointed my successor at Dunedin, advantage was taken of my visit to the southern district to initiate Mr. Green into his duties generally. Owing to the circumstances referred to, and also to the fact of my having been appointed a member of a Commission to inquire into the question of the proclamation of certain rivers and streams in Otago and Southland as tailings-channels for mining purposes, and the various issues connected therewith, I have not been able to visit the mining centres of the North Island at all, and only to make a visit to the West Coast district on matters of a special character. The investigations of the said Commission having to be undertaken at a time which, under ordinary circumstances, would be occupied in the preparation of the annual report, altogether precludes the possibility of my presenting so lengthy and elaborate a document as that of previous years. For details connected with the mining industry of the North Island and West Coast Mining Districts I have to refer to the reports of the Inspectors of Mines and Wardens for those districts and to that of the manager of the Government water-races at Kumara.

1-C, 3.

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