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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. C. E. MACMILLAN, MINISTER OF MINES.

Me. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1932. GOLD-MINING. As forecasted by me in the statement for the preceding year, there has been a satisfactory increase in the quantity of bullion produced during the year 1932 when compared "with the previous twelve months. During the year 1932 729,146 oz., valued at £1,019,814, was produced, an increase in quantity of 164,275 oz., and in value of £362,625, as compared with the previous year. The quantity produced is the greatest recorded since 1918, and the value the greatest since 1917. The gold content of the bullion for 1932 is estimated at 166,354 oz., valued at £974,734, as compared with 129,861 oz., valued at £627,451, for 1931. MINERAL PRODUCTION. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metalliferous mines, stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, and of coal-mines during 1932 and 1931 :— _____ __ —- ' "—~ ' ~~~ ~~~ ' ~ I

The value of minerals, including kauri-gum, exported and of the coal used in the Dominion, which is shown in Table No. 1 accompanying this Statement, amounted to £2,883,211, as compared with £2,913,798 during 1931. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1932 amounted to £181,939,560.

1932. 1931. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* 729,146 oz. 1,019,814 564,871 oz. 657,189 S inUm ■' " I! 3,ift-to 17,300 Stone "" •• ■■ 241,920 ... 316,366 Pumice .. 3,166 tons 11,812 2,321 tons 7,589 Coal " .. •• 1,842,022 „ 1,842,022 2,157,756 „ 2,157,756 Silica-sand •• " Quicksilver •• •• __I1_1_ _______ Totals .. •• •• £3,115,568 .. £3,163,519 * The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated.