PR0GRESS SHOWN. Wellington, August 21.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 396, 24 August 1889, Page 5

PROGRESS SHOWN. Wellington, August 21.

The annual report from the Mines Department states that the mining industry is slowly but gradually progressing, and looks now in a more hopeful condition than it has" done for some years past. The gold and coal mines are beginning to attract the attention of people residing outside the colony as being ventures in which they can profitably invest their money. In all mining matters there is an uncertainty in regard to wealth buried beneath the sui'face ; and mine-owners requiring capital to prospect and orjen up their mines should not place too high a value on their properties, nor submit to the outside public any which are not likely to pay fair interest on the capital proposed to be expended. It is only by following this course that abundance of capital will be forthcoming to open up and develop the mineral resources of the colony.

STATISTICS. The total value of the gold and minerals produced in 1888, including kauri gum, was £1,551,614, as against £1,437,888 for 18S7, showing an increase last year of £43,726. The total value of gold and minerals, including kauri gum, since 1853, was £52,512,642. The yield of gold from the Thames district for the past year amounts to 48,6760z from 54,688 tons of quartz. Reference is made to the increased impetus given to the industry in Coromandel, owing to the introduction of English capital.

MANGANESE. This mineral is found in Auckland, and the quantity exported last year amounts to 1,085 tons, valued at £2,404, as against 305 tons valued at £895 for the previous year. It is only where large deposits are found with a cheap mode of transport that manganese mining can be made to pay.

COAL. The total output of coal from the mines of the colony last year was 613.895 tons, being 55,275 tons more than in 1887 ; while the quantity itopoi'ted from other countries was 101,341 tons, being a decrease of 5,889 tons from the previous year's irnpoits This makes the total quantity of coal raised within the colony and imported to be 715,236 tons. 01 this amount there were 68,087 tons exported to other countries, including 40,409 tons which were used in coaling' the direct mail steamers, and which might be fairly considered as coal consumed in the colony. The total consumption of coal within the colony last year was, tnerefore, 687,558 tons, or 34,659" tons more than in 1887. The leport states that the increased consdtnption shows that other industries in the colony are progressing and becoming more numerous, and that steam is now largely used as a motive power. The number of coal mines on the list Jast year was 128, being two more than in the previous year. The number of men employed was 1,689 as against 1,499 for 1887, showing an increase last year of 190. It is estimated from what is known of our coalfields that we have 187 million tons, of which 177 millions are in the Grey- [ mouth and Westport districts.

EARNINGS OF THE MINERS. The actual number of persons engaged in goldminine on the 31st March last was 13,497, and at the end of last year 11,720 ; making an average for the year of 12,608, being an increase on the previous year of 858. The value of gold obtained was £831,907, which makes theavei'age earnings of the miners £65 19s 6d per man. For the previous year it was JE6S 4s 3d. The average earnings per man at coalmining are about £109, which is doublechose of coal-miners at Home.

KAURI GUM. Tbe value of the gum exported last yea was £380,933, as against £362,449 for 'tho previous year. A sum of £254 10s was realised from licenses to dig gum within the Stafce forests during last year, that being the first in which any such charge was made.

WORKS ON GOLDFIELDS. The expenditure on roads and works undertaken either wholly by the Department or by subsidies to local bodies during the past year has been £8,555 5s 6d, including £1,188 6s lOd paid on account of Schools of Mines ; while the value of the works undertaken amounted to £19,531 2s 6d. The liabilities on works authorised and in progress, including the works authorised previous to last year, amount to £19,419 13s 3d.

MANAGERS' CERTIFICATES. During last year there were thirteen applications for mining managers' certificates, of which 10 were under the Mining Act and three under the Coalmining Act. One applicant has passed and the others were examined during the third week in July last.