Mining Production.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1922, Page 4

Mining Production.

GOLD OUTPUT INCREASED

WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. Although no new goldfields were discovered last year, the Minister of Hines in his annual statement mentions with satisfaction that the increased production of gold and silver amounted to 77,2250 z, the total being 551,8750 z, of a value of £547,105. Dividends paid by mining companies amounted to £5(5,728. This increase may to a large extent be attributed to the encouragement given to work lowgrade ore bodies or deposits by the higher value paid in England for gold, owing to the low exchange on the paper pound sterling. During 1921 the average price per ounce fine unfortunately declined, otherwise the value of the considerably increased gold production during the year would have been much greater. No ore bodies or deposits of importance were discovered, mining operations being confined to known ore reserves. Scheelite, which brought £3 8s per unit during the war, now stands at its, and there was no export last year. Drilling for petroleum ai Wnipatiki and Waitangi in the North Island and Kotuku near Greymouth produced negative results. Coal production totalled 1,809.095 tons, being a decrease on the previous year of 34,000 tons, due to oversea imports. It is noted that the Dominion coal consumption, which is 2,300,000 tons yearly, is being maintained, notwithstanding the increased utilisation of hydro-electricity. Considerable use continues to be. made of the Goveinment prospecting drills. During the year five parties employed these drills, an aggregate of 4(5/(slt being drilled in search of coal, cinnabar and alluvial gold. Workable coal seams were proved at Glentunnel and Hush Gully, t'unterliurv and payable alluvial gold deposit at Tucker'Flat. Kanieri. During the year ended March 31, 1922. twenty-nine approved prospecting parties were granted subsidies, amounting to £IOBO, of which £503 was expended during the year in addition to £3201 authorised during previous years. Upon these operations sixty-five persons were intermittently employed. 1 lie results attained by the five parties were satisfactory. The expenditure on roads and tracks by subsidies and direct grants out of tiie Public Works Fund vote ‘'Hoads on Goldfields” during the year amounted to £11,329, as against £11,050 during tlie previous year. The expenditure by the Mines Department for the year amounted to £5848. The Waimea, Kumara and Alt. Ida Government water-races which in past years considerably aided alluvial gold mining in the Kumara and Nnseby districts having during the year ended Mar,h 31st, 1922. stinnlicd claims employing twenty-eight miners with wat"■ for sluicing by which gold to the approximate value of £5033 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to £1492 7s 3d, the expenditure on the upkeep of the races being £3BOO. During the current year Considerable economies in connexion with tie upkeep of. these races have been effected, as the result of which it is Imped that the receipts for the sales of water will meet the expenditure incurred by the Government. The total expenditure on Sehools of Mines during the year was £SB 18, as against £4427 during the previous year. The goldfields schools are attended by lew (if any) mining stud nts, but numerous children of both sexes attend them for subjects not taught at the Government sehools.