17

0.-2

(2.) DRBnoi? Mining. This system of gold-mining, which originated in New Zealand, has greatly declined in importance owing to increased cost of labour and material, the number of productive dredges having decreased from 167 during 1906 to twelve during 1920, the number of persons employed thereon having decreased from over 1,000 to 1 12 during that period. The following dredges were put out of commission during 1919 ! Rise and Shine No. 2, Ngapara, Otakau. Kapitea, Pactolus, and Hessey•< 'ameron ; and during 11)211, the Kerry, Lower Nevis, and McGeorge's No. 2. The only interesting feature worthy of record in connection with this branch of the goldmining industry is (he near completion of the powerful dredge " Rimu," built after the American design at Rimu Flat, near Hokitika, where an ancient and buried branch of the Hokitika River has been favourably and systematically proved by Government Keystone drills. The following is a statement showing the capacity, production, and profits of bucket golddredges during 1020. (Note. —The prolils made by privately owned dredges are not obtainable for publication.)

(3.) Alluvial Mining. Upon alluvial gold-mining operations, which formerly employed many thousands of prosperous diggers, only 409 persons wore engaged during the past year; and some of these must have failed In earn a living-wage, the average gold-production per person employed being £190, from which all costs for rent, water, plant, fouls, and other material should be deducted. The following is a table showing the value of production of alluvial gold-mines, and dividends paid by those few which are owned liv registered companies, during 1920. (The profits of privately owned mines are unobtainable.)

3—C. 2.

Name of Dredge. Locality. li ■S^H.' 3 o oi ft3,o *r a. u ■*- Si o tuo . hOJ3 3 3 S.S « 4> ■ . c(J "3 := -a* SS .lla iw 22S-2 g £ en X W co ■3 * II II II II ofi COMBO \A X -9 -,t, =* 9 Ih O "a -ij a bo S-fi S3 °S Divider Is declared. During 1929. Total. Otago and Southland. liise and Shine No. 1 Rising Sun Perry (private) Eleotric No. I (private) . . Earnscleugh No. 3 Earnsoleugh No. 5 Lower Nevis Nevis Crossing (private) .. McGeorge's Freehold No. 2 (private) McGeorge's Freehold No. 3 (private) Kura (private) Cromwell . . Alexandra.. 5* 7 5 7 0 4 3.! 6. 10 10 II! 10 12 .3 II 10 9 20 25 16 16 150 150 12 12 16 s s s s E E S s s Pt. 40 45 40 35 50 35 10 10 14 £ 2,001 2,173 215 3,320 4,348 2,750 526 716 5,400 £ ) £ 53,100 24,000 30,250 Nevis 2,970 Waikaka Valley H 9 20 s 35 1,330 Wai kaia .. 31 9 16 s 30 7,983 1,400 7,747 West Coast. Chambers Reward Rimu* Arahura Valley Rimu 8 10 15 20 20 550 s E 15 3,310 Totals 1920 Totals, 1919 34,072 47,838 1,400 2,845 Unknown. Unknown. * This dredge, the property if the Rhnii Gtold-dredgtng 0i is being equippei iBsion. with lachtner; preparatoi •y to being put Into )lll|i;l ny, commi

Dividends declared. Name of Company. Value of Cold produced. During 1920. Total to End of 1920. ■abriel's Gully Sluicing Company .. rold'-n Crescent Sluicing Company .. [avelock Sluicing Company fokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company ither claims (118) £ 3,692 2,754 2,146 8,547 60,638 £ 1,320 525 20(1 2,400 £ 1,320 525 20(1 2,400 £ 15,615 12,425 11,000 53,483 Totals, 1920 .. Totals, 1919 77,777 80,273 4,445 2,068 Unknown. Unknown.