C—l2

1931. NEW ZEALAND.

KAURI-GUM INDUSTRY (REPORT ON THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1931.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 5 of the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914.

Department of Lands and Survey, S l k ; — Wellington, Ist July, 1931. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report under the Kauri-gum Industry Amendment Act, 1914, for the year ended 31st March, 1931. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands.

Upon the setting-up of the Kauri-gum Control Board in 1927 the Department's active participation in the kauri-gum industry ceased. At that date there were large stocks of gum on hand, mostly accumulated as a result of the Department purchasing gum from distressed diggers during a trying period just prior to the setting-up of the Control Board, when some grades of gum were practically unsaleable. The stocks of gum were handed over to the Control Board for disposal as the market could absorb them without unduly interfering with current production. With the exception of a quantity of chip gradings which for the time being were unsaleable, all of the stocks of gum have been sold and delivery taken by the buyers. The chip gradings referred to were handed over to the Control Board for recleaning at its Penrose Gum-cleaning Works. As a result of the dullness experienced in the industry during the past year, part of the recleaned material could not be disposed of at a satisfactory figure, and is still held awaiting sale. The following tables give particulars of the export of kauri-gum from the Dominion for the years 1920-31, and of the quantities of gum received in Auckland from the gumfields during the past eight years : — Export op Kauri-gum. For the year ended 31st March, 1931, the export amounted to 3,145 tons, of the value of £155,602, an average price of about £49 per ton. The tonnage, value, and average price per ton of the export for the past twelve years are—• Year ended Tonnage Value Average. 31st March. exported. ' ' per Ton. £ £ 1920 4,726 310,614 66 1921 6,131 524,701 85 1922 3,968 391,304 98 1923 6,080 520,409 85 1924 6,923 640,712 92 1925 5,432 446,019 82 1926 5,495 414,420 75 1927 4,529 301,335 66 1928 4,531 267,559 59 1929 4,566 241,223 53 1930 4,941 264,452 53 1931 3,145 155,602 49