THE MINES DEPARTMENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 September 1901, Page 4

THE MINES DEPARTMENT.

The Annual Report.

(OTJII PARLIAMENTARY HE POUTER.)

Wellington, September 5,

The Minos statement which was presented to the House by the Hon. Mr. McGowan, yesterday afternoon states the output of: gold and silver for 1900 was rather less than the proceeding year ; but against this there was a decided increase in the production of other minerals, and, notwithstanding, the decrease in the output of precious metals, the actual production for the year w 7 as in excess of that of 1899. During 1900 the total production of gold and silver was 700,0730z5, valued at £1,478,481, a decrease in value of £75,530 as compared with the unu-ually large production of the proceeding twelve montns.

The output of other minerals including coal and lignite was 1,106,484 tons representing a value of £1,224,760, or an increase of 118,672t0n5, and value £122,123; Kauri gum to the amount of 10,159 tons valued at £622,293, was obtained. Compared with the production of the previous year this shows a decrease of 957 tons, but increased value of £14,374. The total value of gold, silver, coal and other minerals, including kauri gum, produced up to the end of 1900, was £76,104,981. The decrease on gold is accounted for by the cessation of operations at a few quartz mines and temporary suspension, due to the development work, and alterations to plant, etc., at others; also to conditions (due principally to the recent dredging boom), which prevailed during the year. lii regard to alluvial mining, the latest returns of the Customs gojto show that the yield of precious metals is again increasing, the export value of gold and silver for the first six months of the present year being largely in excess, not only of the corresponding period of last year, hut actually that of the first six months of 1899 to the extent of £99.787.

The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the past financial year was 392,9760zs valued at £1,516,482, respective districts contributing as follows : Auckland —166,0490z5.

Marlborough—247ozs. Nelson—s,l26ozs. “West Coast —185,7790zs Canterbury—22ozs. Otago and Southland —135,7530z5. The experience of previous gambling in mining shapes Jthe Minister remarks, in conclusion has been repeated in the late dredging boom and the reaction which lias set in will, he thinks, tend to consolidation and a really good and profitable branch of the gold mining industry