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ment, put down a bore at a site selected by that Board to a depth of about 350 ft. without reaching coal, and the bore has been discontinued. Mr. McKay further expresses the opinion that prospecting for coal in the Kaiata Kanges cannot lead to any satisfactory results. Examinations were made of the coal deposits in the localities of Kokotahi and Eoss. At these places the measures show signs of disturbance, the coal seams are thin, somewhat crushed, and very highly inclined. From these features the probable value of the coal deposits appears to be inconsiderable. In the neighbourhood of Deep Creek, Kotuku, in the Grey Valley, indications of the existence of petroleum are such as to warrant vigorous prospecting. Petroleum has also been found in the Poverty Bay District, but further investigation of an operative character is required before any definite opinion can be formed as to the possibilities of this being in sufficient quantity for producing commercially. In respect to copper-ore, examinations made in the localities of Maharahara, near Woodville (Hawke's Bay), and in the Ruahine Range,west of Norsewood, go to show that, although the ore exists to some extent, nothing of a commercial character has, so far, been discovered. Examinations have also been made in the Kaimanawa, Kaweka, Rimutaka, and Ruahine Ranges, but no minerals were met with in sufficient quantity to pay for working. THE MINING BUEEAU. The publication of the New Zealand Mines Record, which was commenced in August, 1897, by the Mining Bureau, has been continued monthly since that date. Information relating to improved mining processes and machinery is compiled from various sources for the benefit of those engaged in the industry in this colony ; while the statistics and information obtained by the department from its officers must tend to afford guidance to investors both inside and outside the colony. Some of the special articles which appear in the Record are printed as leaflets and judiciously distributed. CONCLUSION. Generally speaking, it may be said that the mining industry is in a satisfactory condition, and although the output of precious metals was lower for the year 1900 than was the case in the previous year, the output of other minerals more than balanced the value, and showed an advance of £46,593 on the value of the mineral production for 1899. The causes for the decreased yield of gold and silver have already been referred to, as also has the increased returns for the first half of the year 1901. There is every indication that the mineral production of this year will show an increase over that of the year 1900. The experience of previous gambling in mining shares has been repeated in the late dredging boom, and the reaction which has set in will, I think, tend to the consolidation of a really good and profitable branch of the gold-mining industry.