15

C.—3

EXPENDITURE ON SCHOOLS OF MINES. The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on Schools of Mines since their inauguration, exclusive of subsidies paid to the University of Otago towards the School of Mines in connection with that institution:—

The above statement shows the amount expended on the different schools of mines throughout the colony , but, in addition to this, the sum of £8,553 6s. 2d. has to be added, as that has been paid to the School of Mines attached to the University of Otago, £500 being naid last year towards maintaining the school, which makes the total expenditure up to the 31st March last to be id 1,493 3s. 7d. Ihis expenditure has extended over a period of sixteen years.

PEODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVEE. In the North Island the production of precious metals is confined as yet to the operations of quartz-mmes, and the subsequent treatment of the ore. Traces of loose gold between Te Puke and Boturua have been followed up, and a bed of alluvial deposit containing coarse gold of good quality has been discovered. This is referred to in the reports of Mr. Eoberts (Warden) and Mr. Coutts (Inspector of Mines). _ Gold-mining in the Middle Island comprises quartz-reefing and every variety of alluvialmining. During the last year much interest has been centred in dredgmg-ooerations— to (in a few instances) the neglect of other systems of work better adapted for the treatment of some areas-and the feverish haste with which, from one to two years ago, many people invested in dredging-claims insufficiently prospected, is now being felt in the reaction. The following comparative statements show the quantity and value of gold entered for exportation tor the last two calendar and financial years :—

Financial Years. Chemicals Subsidies towards and Apparatus, \ B i • r m the Erection of I also Mineraloeical ; Scholar- Salaries of Teachers, Schools of Mines, and i Specimens ' ships, j and TravellingMaintenance, supplied to Schools j expenses, &c. of Mines. ! . i Total Sum paid by the Department towards the Schools of Mines. 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1990-1901 ... ... i i ... i £ s. d. 257 16 6 253 15 9 42 10 0 142 2 0 217 6 6 181 14 0 312 3 4 197 0 5 390 0 0 820 0 0 352 14 11 1,089 18 6 740 15 2 990 3 4 866 10 11 £ s. d. 36 19 9 409 1 4 253 14 1 6 12 9 181 14 10 54 8 0 £ £ s. a. 1,223 9 JO 2,716 9 3 1,714 9 6 1,139 4 1 716 3 10 620 9 9 689 5 9 670 1 0 858 19 4 773 17 8 849 3 0 834 12 8 780 19 0 729 10 11 52 16 3 77 7 10 £ s. d. 1,260 9 7 3,383 7 1 2,221 19 4 1,188 6 10 1,040 0 8 892 4 3 870 19 9 982 4 4 1,055 19 9 1,209 8 6 1,719 3 0 1,346 6 1 2,000 17 3 1,553 5 8 1,117 3 3 1,098 2 1 45 10 10 58 18 6 29 19 9 32 19 7 24 3 8 56 3 4 50 100 100 50 50 98 Totals ... _i___ 6,854 11 4 1,190 6 5 448 14,446 19 8 22,939 17 5

ear cm led 31st December, 1900. Year ended 31st Docombcr, 1899. Increase for 1900. Decrease for 1900. Name of District. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Oz. Auckland Marlborough Nelson ... West Coast 166,342 535 3,718 73,923 129,075 23 £ 605,398 , 2,147 14,605 295,733 I 521,629 90 168,769 419 90,031 130,311 28 624,737 1,571 360,149 526,605 111 535 3,299 2,427 Dtago Canterbury 16,108 1,236 5 Totals 373,616 1,439,602 389,558 1,513,173 15,942