C.—2.

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT. BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. 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, 1936. 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 1936 and 1935 : —

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 £3,691,419, as compared with £3,694,480 during 1935. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1936 amounted to £195,959,756. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. During the year 597,548 oz. of bullion, valued at £1,272,587 was produced, a decrease in quantity of 5,696 oz., and in value of £27,459, as compared with the previous year. The gold content of the bullion is estimated at 164,575 oz., valued at £1,233,178. I—C. 2.

1936. 1935. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* .. .. .. 597,548 oz. 1,272,587 603,244 oz. 1,300,046 Platinum .. .. .. .. 29 „ 187 14 ,, 79 Pig-iron .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,902 tons 23,775 Stone .. .. .. .. .. 342,861 .. 289,274 Pumice .. .. .. .. 3,242 tons 8,881 3,300 tons 8,769 Coal .. .. .. .. 2,140,217 „ 2,140,217 2,115,184 „ 2,115,184 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. » 3,448 39-2 7 ō ,, 4,719 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. .. • • 563 lb. 132 Totals .. .. .. .. £3,768,181 .. £3,741,978 * The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated.