MINING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2134, 17 July 1907, Page 3

MINING.

A BRIGHT PROSPECT. WELLINGTON, last night. Tho minorul resources of tho colony nro doalt with ns follow's in tho Financial Statement: Tho mining outlook is of a very hopeful character. Tho oxport ol gold for tho year 190 G was tho high* est for a poriod of 35 yoars, while tho output of coal shows a considerable incroaso over that of tho preceding year, and is about doublo what it was 10 yoars ago. As an indication of tho progress of tho industrial life of the community tho incroaso in tlio value of our minoral productions for tho past year amounts to nearly a quarter of a million sterling. Considerable activity has boon shown in the development of tlio doposits of copper, sehoilito, antimony, and other minerals that are know’ll to exist in various parts of N.Z., and for which a great demand at present exists in Europe and tho United States for manufacturing purposes. Tt is believed that tho best way to encourage tlio development of our minoral resources is by providing additional assistance towards the cuttine of tracks and opening up of roads in the back country anil mountain regions. Some promising discoveries have been made during the past few years, but thoro are many difficulties in tho mr of getting in supplies and machinery, and marketing the products of the mines, for which better roads anil tracks are indispo usable. The two State ooal mines show a total increase in output, whilst the increase in profits is not so large ns compared with tho preceding year, on account of material concessions made in the prices charged to the Railway Department. The briquette plant erected at Westport for tho utilisation of waste slack from tho Seddonvillo State coal mine is now in working order, and experiments in the manufacture of briquettes are progressing satisfactorily, the coal being well adapted for briquettes of excellent quality. Depots for tile sale of coni are now open at Wellington, Christchurch and Wanganui, . and a ready sale is found. It is contemplated to open depots at other large centres ns soon as more extensive developments at the mines have been carried out.