a—2

10

In the following table is shown the quantity of quartz crushed and scheelite (tungsten trioxide) concentrates obtained, together with their value, during the year 1912 : —

Ibon. There has been no attempt made to work any of the ironstone-deposits of the Dominion, leaseholders appearing to hold their titles with a view to sale, while taking advantage of any relaxation of the labour-conditions of their leases which they may secure. The Parapara Iron Company continue to pursue the even tenor of its way, by doing very little work upon its extensive and valuable property. Since this company's Cadman lease was issued, on the sth August, 1905, I estimate after inspection that the total value of the development in the form of prospecting-drives and all preliminary surface arrangements carried out by this company does pot exceed £4,600, which is not remarkable considering that during the above period the company has received total protection from or reduction of the labour-conditions of its Oadman lease for several periods, aggregating thirty-six months. Some publicity has been given to this company during the year owing to a parliamentary Committee having inquired into and rejected certain proposals by an influential London syndicate to erect iron and steel works at Parapara if subsidized to a very substantial extent by the Government. By means of the prospecting-drives alluded to, information regarding the value of the orebody has been obtained by the Government. These drives, four in number, aggregate in length 1,860 ft., and were driven from the outcrop at various levels (within a vertical height of about 240 ft.) in the Washbourne Block ore-body from both sides at 'ts central or widest part, and bearing east and west. To ascertain if the ore contained within the hill was of equal value to the general sample of outcrop ore as obtained by Dr. J. M. Bell, and referred to by him in Bulletin No. 3, page 81, of the New Zealand Geological Survey, samples of ore were taken systematically along the whole course of the drives and crosscut by Mr. T. O. Bishop, A.0.5.M., Inspector of Mines, the general sample of which more correctly represents the average value of ore that may be sent to a furnace than those of outcrop ore. The samples thus taken by Inspector Bishop were forwarded to" the Dominion Analyst, who had assayed the samples submitted to him by Dr. J. M. Bell previously alluded to. A comparison of the results is of interest, as showing the difference in value between surface ore and ore from the mine :— Outcrop Ore, General Ore from Drives, General Sample; Average of Sample; Average of Twenty-eight Samples Fifteen Samples taken taken by Inspector Bishop ~ by Dr. Bell. during 1913. Per Cent. Per Cent, Silica (SiO 2 ) .. .. .. .. .. 9-56 16-42 Alumina (A 1 2 0 3) .. .. .. ... 3-36 5-39 Ferric oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) .. .. .. .. 71-25 64-32 Ferrous oxide (FeO) .. .. .. ..1-94 Manganous oxide (MnO) .. .. .. 0-65 0-71 Lime (CaO) .. .. .. .. .. 0-51 Nil. Magnesia (MgO) .. .. .. .. 0-10 0-16 Titanic-dioxide (TiO 2 ) .. .. .. .. 0-63 0-49 Phosphoric anhydride (P 2 O £ ) . . .. . . 0-35 ■ 0-31 Sulphuric anhydride (SO 3 ) .. .. .. 0-21 0-18 Carbon-dioxide (CO 2 ) .. .. .. .. 0-10) n . Alkalies .. .. .. .. .. 0-081 Water, and loss on ignition . . . . .. 11-84 11-56 100-58 100-00 Equivalents. Metallic iron .. .. .. .. ..51-38 45-02 Phosphorus .. .. .. .. .. 0-15 0-13 Sulphur .. .. .. .. .. 0-08 0-075

Name of Mine or Company. Locality. Quartz crushed. Scheelite (TungsticTrioxide) Concentrates obtained. Estimated Value. Marlborough. Dominion Consolidated Development Company Wakamarina Valley .. Tons. 3,500 Tons cwt. 33 7 £ 3,259 Otago and Southland. Glenorchy Scheelite Syndicate ) Nine parties of miners .. I Nil Desperandum Claim Thomas and Hore Maritana Mining Company Forbes Mining Syndicate Golden Bar Gold-mining Company Gold and Scheelite Prospecting"] Company I Golden Point and Mount Highlay \ Claims J Glenorchy, Lake County Macrae's District rr • • i rr 514 14 10 1,290 5 536 80 8 2 10 2 8 2 6 5 10 1 14 7,641 210 192 161 440 163 11,779 10 5 1,016 Totals 17,648 138 8 13,082