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decline noticeable during recent years in dredging-operations, resulted last year in the large decrease of £157,210 in the yield as compared with the previous year. In the development of other minerals, such as copper, manganese, shale, and antimony, no progress was made during the year. Scheelite shows an increased production, and a substantial increase in value, due largely, however, to enhanced prices. One of the most pleasing features in connection with our mining industry is the increase of 878 in the number of men employed during the year, and according to present indications it may be anticipated that this avenue of employment will be considerably extended in the immediate future, as mining operations at present in their initial stages are sufficiently advanced and developed to become productive. Under separate headings in the attached tables honourable members will find detailed information concerning the various branches of, and other important matters connected with, the mining industry. MINERAL-PRODUCTION. On reference to Table 1 annexed, honourable members will readily realize the vast importance of our mineral resources. From 1853 to the 31st of last December, the produce of our mines amounted to £111,624,794; and when it is remembered that prior to 1861 our total mineral-production did not much exceed £250,000, the results achieved during the last fifty years are exceedingly satisfactory, and the beneficial effects on the settlement, progress, and prosperity of the country cannot be overestimated. The value of the produce of our mines during the year ending 31st December, 1910, was £3,774,898, being a small decline of £16,235 as compared with the previous year. The yields from our quartz and coal mines, however, show satisfactory increases. Quartz-mines produced bullion of the value of £1,564,189, being an increase of £37,328 for the year, while our coal-mines produced 2,197,362 tons, being 286,115 tons more than the previous year. Decreases amounting to £119,882 in the value of gold and silver exported during the year may be attributed almost entirely to the drought already referred to curtailing, or, in many cases, wholly preventing, sluicing operations being carried on throughout the South Island on the usual scale. With the exception of the unexpected decline in alluvial mining, and the serious fall in the value of kauri-gum, the results of the last year's mining-operations may be regarded as highly satisfactory. SUMMARY. The following table shows the quantity and value of the various minerals exported annually during the last two years, and also the quantity and value of New Zealand coal used for home consumption during the same periods:—

£ Total value of production for 1910.. .. .. .. 3,774,898 1909.. .. .. .. .. 3,791,133 Total decrease .. .. .. .. .. £16,235

Year ending Product. 31st December, 1909. 31st December, 1910. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. i I £ £ Jold 506,371 oz. 2,006,900 478,288 oz. : 1,896,328 lilver.. .. .. .. .. l,813;830 „ 180,872 1,711,235 „ 171,562 Jopper-ore .. .. .. .. 5 tons 100 'langanese-ore .. .. .. 6 ,, 29 5 tons 15 lixed minerals.. .. .. .. 1.836J „ 11,709 2,080 „ 22,202 Jolonial coal exported, including that used 201,685 „ 183,961 277,011 „ 259,562 by Home steamers Colonial coal used in New Zealand.. .. 1.709,562 „" 854,781 1,920,351 „ 960,175 Cauri-gum 8,250 „ 552,698 8,693 „ 465,044 toke .. .. .. .. .. 22 „ 23 6 „ 10 Antimony .. .. .. .. 2 ., 60 Shale ..