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Statement showing the Production and Dividends paid by Dredges the property of Registered Companies, 1915.

The following table shows the result of dredge-mining operations in New Zealand during the past ten years:—

The greatest weekly output by a gold-dredge was attained by the " Lady Ranfurly," on the 4th November, 1904. This dredge, operating on the River Molyneux (Clutha), obtained 1,273 oz. of gold in six consecutive days; it was owned by the Electric Gold-dredging Company, who at the end of 1913 had obtained gold to the value of £222,155 by dredging, of which £130,643 was distributed as dividends. (3.) Alluvial Mining. The value of the production from alluvial claims amounted to £153,360, as compared with £157,323 during the previous year. The returns would have been better but for the prolonged dry weather in parts of Otago and Southland, where the principal claims are situated. On the west coas + of the South Island, where formerly alluvial mining was very profitable, no registered alluvial-gold mining company distributed a dividend during 1915.

Production during 1915 of all Dredges. Dividends paid by Dredges owned by Registered Companies. Name of Dredge. „ . ,„, e To 31st December, During 1915. lgl5 Otago and Southland— Rise-and-Shine (2) Rising Sun ... Electric (2) ... Earnscleugh (3) Ngapara New Golden Run Golden Gate ... Golden Bed ... Cardrona Lower Nevis ... Crewe No. 2 ... Otakau Willowbauk ... Paterson's Freehold West Coast, South Island— Success Red Jacks Worksop Thirty-one other New Zealand dredges, including those privately owned £ 11,060 5,739 5,808 14,901 4,374 6,387 2,492 2,199 1,639 2,821 1,964 3,975 2,055 3,016 £ £ 7,800 47,700 800 22,400 2,600 132,600 3,300 30,250 1,050 2,925 1,200 3,200 1,000 1,000 667 667 400 800 690 2,730 250 9,125 975 975 600 6,600 600 22,200 7,126 4,357 4,708 2,000 2,000 900 900 1,500 43,350 79,984 Totals 164,605 26,332 * Tho profits made by privately owned dredges Department. «re unknown, not bi ling included ill returns to the Mines

Average Production per Dredge. Dividend-paying Dredges owned by Registered Companies. Number of Persons employ od. Year. Total Number, of Dredges ! working. Value of Production. Number. Dividends. I 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 167 128 123 111 104 93 87 74 64 52 £ 505,199 419,634 373,818 327,676 315,237 297,900 257,333 195,848 191,112 164,605 £ 3,025 3,278 3,039 2,952 3,031 3,203 2,958 2,646 2,986 3,165 66 65 47 37 35 31 28 11 16 21 £ 103,722 89,707 75,800 56,788 51,918 45,318 38,841 18,750 23,080 26,333 1,150 1,013 893 838 775 694 621 491 427