27

a—2

Extensive use has been made during the year of the Government prospecting-drills which are lent to hirers free of charge other than wages and maintenance. The result of boring in most cases was highly satisfactory, and has well warranted this class of State aid to mining. An aggregate of 12,366 ft. was drilled in 246 holes, a summary of which is as follows :—

( ' (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. The following schedule shows the amounts expended by subsidies and direct grants out of the Public Works Fund, vote " Roads on Goldfields," in the different counties, &c, during the year ended 31st March, 1919 :— Direct Grants. .Subsidies. £ s. d. £ s. d. Corornandel County .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Thames County .. .. .. .. 445 15 6 500 0 0 Ohinemuri County .. .. .. .. 305 10 6 Pelorus Road District .. .. .. 60 0 0 Collingwood County .. .. .. .. 144 0 0 45 0 0 Buller County .. .. .. 636 1 0 Inangahua County .. .. .. .. 437 12 0 Westland County .. .. .. .. 32 8 8 253 1 4 Grey County .. .. .. .. 447 14 0 Maniototo County \. .. .. .. 75 18 0 Lake County i. .. .. 402 7 2 Wallace County .. .. .. .. " 150 0 0 Taieri County .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 Totals .. .. .. ..£3,387 6 10 £798 1 4 (4.) Government Water-races. The Waimea-Kumara and Mount Ida water-races, which render possible mining in the Kumara district, Westland, and the Naseby district, Central Otago, have during the year ended 31st March, 19.19, supplied claims employing thirty-five miners with water for sluicing, by which gold to the approximate value of £8,481 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to £1,583, the expenditure on the upkeep of the races being £3,350. From the foregoing it will be seen that the expenditure on upkeep exceeded the cash received for sales of water by £1,767 ; no depreciation on the capital expenditure of about a quarter of a million sterling being provided for. The loss on the races during the year represents £50 per miner employed, and 20 per cent, of the total value of gold won.

till. SCHOOLS OF MINES. ■ The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on schools of mines during 1918-19 :— £ s. d. Subsidies towards erection and maintenance .. .. .. 1,792 13 0 Salaries of teachers, travelling-expenses, &c. .. .. .. 2,506 13 2 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £4,299 6 2 Owing to the epidemic during the latter part of 1918 the annual Government examination of students attending the schools of mines was not held until the early part of 1919. Very few students presented themselves for examination on mining subjects. I have, &c, Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

Number of Holes drilled. Mineral searched for. Type of Drill used. (.'ost per Foot, Including Transport. Aggregate Depth attained. Results. 11 Coal Diamond .. s. d. r 4 3. 1 ". to - L 5 11 J 3,105 Very good ; workable area, Waikato coalfield. Very good; workable area, State Colliery Reserve, Point Elizabeth. Negative. 11 Percussive.. 1,377 1 Water Diamond .. 13 4 r 3 a i -; to I I 7 3 J 5 6 350 17 Oil-shale . . Keystone .. 1,238 Partially successful at Wakaia. 206 Alluvial gold Keystone .. 6,296 One of the three localities bored proved profitable ground. 246 12,366