C.—2.

4

Bulletin No. 30 (the Geology of the Waiapu Subdivision) and the twenty-second annual report of the Geological Survey were published during the year. The report on the soils of irrigation areas. in Otago Central is now in an advanced stage of printing and will shortly be published. Other bulletins, the preparation of which is well forward, describe areas in North Auckland, Nelson, and Otago (two). The detailed mapping and the making of an inventory of the mineral and other natural resources of New Zealand proceeds steadily, though all too slowly, since about one-quarter only of the total area has been covered after twenty-three years' work. Much of the information collected concerns resources which have little present intrinsic value, but which will be worth a great deal when New Zealand has reached a further stage in its economic development. MINING PRIVILEGES. During the year ended 31st March, 1929, 443 licenses for mining privileges were granted under the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926. Out of this number 74 were licenses for claims authorizing the holders to mine for gold. For the same period 203 mining privileges, including 12 licenses for claims, were struck off the registers under the provisions of section 188 of the said Act. STATE AID TO MINING. As in previous years, considerable use was made of the Government prospecting drills. They were hired by thirteen parties, and a total of 5,465 ft. was drilled. For the year a total of £8,586 Bs. lid. was expended in subsidies for prospecting, and 113 persons were employed in connection therewith. £1,792 ss. lid. was expended by way of direct grants and subsidies for roads and tracks. The expenditure on schools of mines amounted to £3,541 6s. 6d., against £3,516 17s. Id. during the previous year. SCHOOL OF MINES SCHOLARSHIPS. Six scholarship candidates sat at the annual Schools of Mines Examinations, held in November and December of last year, for the six scholarships which are offered annually for competition by students attending the schools of mines within the Dominion. Two candidates (one from the Thames School and one from the Westport School) were successful in gaining scholarships, which are tenable for four years at the University of Otago. MINER'S PHTHISIS ACT, 1915. (Now in Pensions Act, 1926.) The benefits under this Act are administered by the Pensions Department, and the following is a statement supplied by the Commissioner of Pensions showing the amount and the number of pensions payable, in force, and granted to the 31st March, 1929. Amounts paid since inception until 31st March, 1929 — Payments from Ist November, 1915, to 31st March, £ 1928 . . .. .. .. .. 346,274 Payments for year ended 31st March, 1929 . . 48,074 £394,348 Number of new grants for year 1928-29 . . . . 94 Annual value of new grants . . . . . . £6,630 Number of pensions in force at 31st March, 1929 ~ 760 Annual value of pensions in force at 31st March, 1929 £48,367 Average pension payable per annum . . .. £63 12s. lOd. Total number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1929 1,541 Total number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1929, includes the following : — To unmarried miners . . . . .. 296 To married miners .. .. . . 619 To widows of miners .. . . .. 626 1,541