C.—2

24

Otago and Southland. During the early part of the year severe floods considerably retarded alluvial-mining operations. The Golden Crescent have opened up a cement face exceeding 120 ft. in height without reaching the rock bottom, which dips towards Weatherstone's Creek. Much of the most payable wash was blocked out in the early days, but the company is able to pay dividends from the ground remaining. Nine heads of water are used, under a pressure due to 700 ft. of fall. The Nokomai Sluicing Company again heads the list of dividend-paying alluvial mines, £6,600 being so distributed during 1913; the total dividends paid—viz., £40,284 —amount to six times the paid-up capital. Three claims are worked on the sluicing and elevating principle by this company, who employ fifty men. ■ The Havelock Sluicing Company, operating at Waitahuna, again appear on the list of dividend-paying. This company uses twelve sluice-heads of water, under a pressure due to 700 ft., for sluicing and elevating from a face ranging from 10 ft. to 70 ft. in height. Near Waikaia the Muddy Terrace Gold-mining Company has produced during the year gold to the value of £4,004, which is £3,500 less than during 1912. During March the company's timber dam, a badly built and unnecessary structure, which diverted the water from Dome Creek into the main race, was carried away by flood. The company then extended their main race 30 chains up the creek and now lift the water directly therefrom, which should have been done at the beginning. To the loss of time by this misfortune may be attributed the considerable reduction in gold-output. Three faces, varying in height between 10 ft. and 50 ft., are worked on the sluicing and elevating principle, about thirty men being constantly employed.

V. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. SCHEELITE. The quantity of scheelite exported during the year amounted to 221 tons, valued at £22,933, as compared with 135 tons, valued at £13,347, in 1912. The following statement shows the quantity and value of scheelite exported since the year 1899 : —

In the following table is shown the quantity of quartz crushed, and scheelite (tungstic trioxide) concentrates, and gold obtained by the seventeen companies and parties of miners engaged in this industry, together with the value, during the year 1913 : —

* Also produced gold to the value of £5,428 ss. 3d. t Also produced gold to the value of £63. t Also produced gold to the value of £1,817 12s. lOd. § Also produced gold to the value of £361 ss. sd. It is improbable that the scheelite-mining industry in New Zealand will ever attain great importance, but the increased prosperity as shown above is very satisfactory.

Year. Quantity. Value. Year. Quantity. Value. 1899 1900 1901 1902 1.903 1904 1905 1906 1907 Tons. 32 54 2 39 42 17 28 55 137 £ 2.788 2,635 83 1,200 1,439 791 1,848 3.407 15,486 1908 .. 1909 .. 1910 .. 1911 .. 1912 .. 1913 .. Tons. 08 58 143 138 135 221 £ 6,055 4,263 15,070 11,853 13,347 22,933 Totals 1,169 103,198

Name of Mine or Company. ] Locality Scheelite Quartz (TungsticTrioxide) crushed. Concentrates obtained. Value. Dominion Consolidated Development Company Glenorchy Scheelite Syndicate j Nine parties of miners .. J Fraser and Smith Marlborough - Wakamarina Valley Tons. 8,180* Tons cwt. 60 0 £ s. d. 6,491 13 5 Lake County, Glenorchy 533 83 5 8,158 10 10 Waihemo County, Macrae's Ditto 40 230 5 6 Deep Dell Maritana Mining Company Stoneburn Berry Syndicate. . Golden Point Buckland and Ewart ,, 660 l,297f 12 0 6 6 10 17 0 16 28 15 1,220 0 0 506 3 2 1,017 0 0 57 5 8 2,191 4 2 100 0 0 ,, 14 4,428$ Taieri County, BareGold and Tungsten wood Maniototo County .. 2,377§ 8 10 784 4 6 Total scheelite Total gold 17,529 210 9 20,756 7,670 7 3 3 6 Grand total i 128,426 10 9