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REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND.

(By Under Secretary G. E. Haughton, Esq. ) In presenting the Second General Report upon the Goldfields of New Zealand, I must express my regret that the difficulties in the way of collecting reliable statistics, which I took occasion last year to remark upon, have not in any way been diminished, and that my efforts to obtain satisfac- ! tory returns from the mine owners and managers throughout the colony have been so feebly responded to as to make the information afforded absolutely useless for statistical purposes. The facts and statistics herein embodied are drawn almost solely from official sources, and, so far as they go, may be thoroughly relied upon. The reports of the several goldfields wardens, brought up to March 31st, I would specially call attention to; showing as they do very clearly the present condition of every portion of our goldfields; the'subject being treated in not a few instances in a very able and comprehensive manner. Gold. Under existing circumstances, it has not bee,n found possible to state tlie exact produce of the gold extracted from quartz and alluvial respectively. The banks very kindly expressed their readiness to offer any assistance in their power to enable such a return to be compiled, but as in many instances no separate account has been kent of the gold purchased, as to whether it was from quartz or alluvium, a complete return could not be furnished ; and no other would be in any way useful. As set forth in my former report, the quantity of gold absolutely raised in any one year cannot be accurately stated, but a very close approximation can be arrived at by the customs returns, by the courtesy of the Secretary to that Department placed at my disposal, and printed herewith in Tables Nos. 4, 5, 6. Summarising these the following data have been arrived at, upon which estimates maybe formed: — In 1871, gold exported, 730,029 oz. ; quarter ending March 31st, 1872, 154,997 oz. ; 1872. 445,370 oz. ; quarter ending March 31st, 1873. 194,442 oz. — showing a decrease upon the year 1572 of 284,659 oz.. and an increase upon the March quarter of 1873, as compared with the same period of 1872, 39,425 oz. The large decrease in the yield of gold for the year 1872, as compared with 1871, is to be attributed not so muck to any falling off in the yields of the ordinary mines, as to the enormous returns which during the year 1871, were produced by the Caledonian Mine at the Thames, being in three" months alone 82,894 oz. Silver. During the year 1872, 37,064 oz. of silver, valued at £9,900, were exported from Auckland, and during the March quarter of 1873, 14,057 oz., valued at £4,000. This being exclusively the produce of the Thames Goldfields, the very considerable decrease in the amount exported this year, in comparison with 1872, is only the necessary consequence of the decrease m the yield of gold already referred to. Revenue. Revenue and geld duty for the year 1872 amounted "to £111,135 Is. 10d., and for the quarter ending 31st of March, 1873, to £32,296 145. ; total, £143,331 15s. lOd. Complete details of the gold fields revenue in the several mining districts, as brought to charge in the public accounts, will be found in Tables 1. 2, and 3. The falling off in the revenue is partly attributable to the reduction of the gold duty last session by the legislation of the General Assembly, but more especially, as a matter of course, to the falling off in the return of gold for the year. The Tables appended, Nos. 1 and 2, show the revenue of the goldfields from all sources, and the gold duty collected in the several provinces, for the year 1872 and the first quarter of 1873 respectively. Tabtes Nos. 3 and 4 form a comparative return of the revenue during the years 1871 and 1872, showing the increase or decrease under each head, of

revenue, and in respect of each district respectively. The falling off in the revenue in the Province of. Nelson and County of Westland during the year 1872, as compared with 1871, may be accounted for by the exceedingly dry summer, which seriously impeded sluicing operations for many months, and in some districts put a stop to mining altogether. Mining Population. The number of miners employed during the year ending 31st March, 1873, was 22,335, of which number 3,872 are Chinese. Dividing the value of the total quantity of gold exported amongst the mean number of miners employed in alluvial and quartz mining, it appears that in 1872 the average was per man for the year £77 10s. 3d., while for the year 1871 the average per man was about £101 16s. s|d., showing a falling off of £24 6s. 2|d. per head, a result simply deducible from the falling off in the yield of gold already commented upon. The Chinese miners are chiefly located in the Province of Otago. and confine themselves to alluvial mining ; many have left this year for China with a competence realized in a few years ; yet from the returns it appears that their number is on the increase ; they are generally reported to be a hard-working and orderly class of men, chiefly confining their operations to old and abandoned ground which the European miners have considered worked out. It will be seen that there is a considerable falling off in the mining population. This decrease is apparently so great that I am inclined to think that the numbers giyen in my last report must have been overestimated, being probably based upon the census of 1870. Assuming, however, the decrease to be real rather than apparent, I believe it may be attributed principally to tho fact that the very high price of labor of all kinds which, lately ruling throughout the Colony, has attracted from the goldfields more congenial pursuits a large proportion of the " wages men," many of whom were never " minors " in the true sense of the term, and whose chances of employment during the late stagnation in our quartz mining field became exceedingly precarious. Wateb baces. There are within the colony 4 932 miles of water races, carrying 6,776 sluice heads, constructed at an estimated cost of £703,899. Last year the return was 3,595, carrying 7,056 sluice heads, valued at £711,386 ; but this increased supply over last year is not nearly sufficient to meet the pressing demands of the present workings either alluvial or quartz. The Wardens' reports show that operations have been suspended for many months, owing to the season being so dry. In looking through the Wardens' reports, I find that nearly all of them express their opinion that a large increased supply of water is required for the better working of the different districts under their charge. Mr. Warden C. Broad, writing from the Nelson South-west goldfields, remarks that •' some better means will have to be adopted for securing a constant supply of water. The experience of the past summer points to the necessity of constructing reservoirs to fall back upon in dry weather." Mr. Warden Whiteford, Ahaura, writes : " I avail myself of the opportunity now given me of again bringing under the notice of the Government the urgent necessity of at once proceeding with the formation of one or more large water races in this district, without which this portion of the gold fields can never be properly worked, or afford employment to anything like the population it is capable of supporting/ And again: "From the want of some proper water supply in this district, I am quite satisfied that, owing to the dry season we have exp'erinced during the last few months, the loss to the country caused by so many miners being idle for weeks at a time, may be estimated at a' very large sum." Mr. Warden FitzGerald, writing from Westland on the same subject, remarks : " The construction of the Waituea Water Race is anxiously looked forward to, and will doubtless draw a much larger population to the district, which it would be well able to maintain." And again : " With regard to water supply, my opinion, and indeed the opinion of every one at all acquainted with the subject, is, that were a race constructed (to carry say from sixty to eighty sluice heads) from the Kanieri Lake to Blue Spur, Big , Paddock, and the various terraces such a race would command, the yield of gold in the district would be enormously increased." The same want of a good water supply seems to be felt in Otago, judging from the following extracts taken from the Warden's reports :—: — Mr. Warden Simpson, Dunstan, Otago, in his report, remarks on certain races which are in course of construction in his district as follows :—": — " All these races will open up new ground of proved auriferous character to the extent of some hundreds of acres." It will be seen from these extracts the absolute necessity which is felt by the officers in charge of mining districts for a large extension of the present system of water supply. Machinery. The number of engines employed* upon 31st March, 1873, in quartz

mining was as follows : — 1 80 Bteam engines of 1,816 horse-power. In alluvial mining, the number of steam engines employed was 11, and the aggregate horse-power 259. Nine dredging machines were employed during the year in working the beds of tbe Shotover and Molyneux river. For the fullest obtainable information respecting the number and description of machinery, see tables Nos. 14 and 15. Mining Leases and Holdings. They were in occupation upon the 3lßt March, 1873, 496 mining leases, covering a total area of 3,255 acres 1 rood 23 perches. In the number are included 75 licensed holdings, covering an area of 499 acres 39 perches. These are all upon the Thames Goldfield, being taken up under " The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1871." Tables Nos, 17 and 21 give in detail the number and extent of mining leases and holdings in the several districts. Agbicultubal Leases. Twelve hundred and forty-nine leases, comprising an area of 47,395 acres 8 roods 20 perches, were in occupation on the 31st March, 1873. These leases are almost entirely within the province of Otago, and the falling off in numbers is accounted for by many of the lessees during the last year having taken advantage of the purchasing clause, and made their leases freehold. Table No. 18 gives the number and extent of agricultural leases within the several mining districts. Mining Companies. From the official returns it appears there are 342 companies registered under " The Mining Companies Limited Liability Act, 1865," and amended Acts, having a nominal capital of £4,510,026, aDd thirty-two under the Joint Stock Act, with a nominal capital of £557,625, three under the under " The Mining Companies, Act, 1872," .having a nominal capital of £15,160. Rate oe Wages and Peices of Pboyisions. The current rate of wages and average prices of provisions in the several mining districts will be found in Tables 9 and 11. Wages rule exceedingly high in Otago and on the West Coast. In many places, although the means of communication with the ports is greatly improved, yet the price of provisions remains about the same as in my last year's report. The high price of wages in Westland has gone a long way to check mining enterprise, and in some cases to put a stop to the enterprise of companies who were engaged in deep sinking, and who were large employers of labour. Any attempt made to reduce the wages led to a strike on the part of the miners, so that in the end the companies had to cease working, as the miners would hear of no reduction, and the ground was not sufficiently rich to justify the necessary expenditure. Water Supply on the Goldfields. During the last year the construction of two large water races, undertaken by the Government under the terms of " The Public Works and Immigration Act, 1871," has been commenced, and two are in course of survey. The following return shows the amount of liability and expenditure up to 30th June, 1873, upon these works, and also the advances to water race companies by way of subsidy under the Acts of 1871 and 1872. As the construction of the Waitnea race in the County of Westland has been undertaken by the Government since" my last report was submitted to Parliament, I may remark that I have every confidence that it will be a work of great public utility. The race wiil be about sixteen miles long, heading from the Kawhaka Creek, which has a constant supply of water, and it is to be constructed to carry forty sluice heads. The extent of known auriferous country which will be rendered available for mining purposes by this supply will probably not be less than the whole Waimea district, and will give remunerative employment to several hundred men. Mining Laws. " The Gold Mining Districts Act, 1871," which has only been put in force in the Province of Auckland, seems after more than a year's trial to give general satisfaction, to judge from the reports of Wardens Keddell and Fraser. The following is from the report of Mr. Warden Keddell : — " One decided effect of this Act is to lessen the amount of litigation, the chief incentive for actions for breach of regulations under the Goldfields Acts being the forfeiture of defendant's interests in favour of the plaintiff." Mr. Warden Fraser writes on the same subject: "In my last report I stated that I hesitated to give a decided opinion, but that I thought it wpuld work satisfactorily. Twelve months' further experience of the working of the measure enables me to state that it is well adapted for the requirements of this field. Under the Goldfields Act, every dispute or proceeding could only be dealt with by a suit in the Warden's Court, causing enormous expense for litigation. Under the Gold Mining Districts Act; it is made the business of the Warden, the Inspector, and the other officials to afford such assistance to all engaged in mining enterprises as shall enable them to avoid litigation."

Mr. Warden Fraser further expresses bis opinion that the Act is eminently suited for such a goldfield as the Thames, where the ground is worked almost exclusively by companies, but does not think it would be suitable for alluvial diggings. Prospects of tiie Goldfieds. Whilst the results for the year ending 31st March, 1873, have not been so satisfactory as for the previous year, yet in looking through the Warden's reports good and sound reasons will be found for this depression, and good prospeccs for the future are held out. Mr. Warden Keddell (Coromandel) writes as follows on the subject: — " Tbe period of depression has, however, terminated, and for the last two months a decided improvement is noticeable. The yield of gold for the last month was far in excess of any during the past half-year, although the yield for the year is consider*ably less than that shown in my last report. A great deal of steady work has been done — dead work that will tell in future yields; and several claims are now coming forward with steady returns. The old Kapanga ground, to which I referred in my last report, has within the last few months been occupied by a London company, called the New Zealand Kapanga Gold Mining Company, with a capital of £100,000, with £20,000 shares, all held in England. Machinery and stores of the value of £16,000 have recently arrived from England, and placed on the ground, and work commenced." The same Warden attributes the great depression in the year 1872 to over speculation, which was brought on by the reported wealth of the Green Harp Company's reef — a company whose proceedings are too well known to require particularising. Mr. Warden Fraser reports\pn the Thames Goldfields as follows :— 'TSferif"" has been a very prevalent depression in mining affairs during the greater portion of the past year, principally caused by the falling off in the extraordinary yields from the Caledonian Mine. The Cure Company in September crushed one small parcel of two tons of stone which produced 966 oz. of gold. In the same month a crushing of 370 tons yielded 600 oz,, and the total yield from the mine, from September, 1872, to January, 1873, amounts to 6,415 oz. of gold from 1,522 tons of quartz." He goes on to state : " Altogether I may say that notwithstanding the temporary depression which are at present prevails, the operations progressing, and the enterprising spirit shown by mine owners in the development of their properties, coupled with the rich prospects of the reefs, convince me that the future of the field will be as prosperous as the past." The Pumping Association at the Thames have lately got to work, and the result has been the means of draining a number of quartz claims in the neighbourhood, amongst which are comprised the most celebrated upon the field. The following is from the report of the Warden on this Company's plant : — " The engine, which has been erected on a massive stone foundation, works directly over the shaft. The nominal power of the engine is 350 horsepower. The cylinder of this massive machinery is 82 inches in diameter, and the whole is capable of raising fully 10 tons of water per mii^Mw The cost of shaft and machinery nas been £40,000 up to the present time. In the Inangahua, province of Nelson, the reefs have not turned out as well as was expected when I furnished my last report. At the same time I see no reason to doubt that, in the course of time, when these reefs are thoroughly opened up and proved, they will be found very remunerative ; and in this I am borne out by the expression of opinion by the Warden in his report. In the alluvial mines of the Middle Island there seems to have been a falling off for tbe last year, but with a very decided improvement in the returns for the three months ending 31at March, 1873. This falling off, aa I gather from the Wardens' reports, is attributable to the great dryness of the season. Mr. Warden Eevell reports that " the remarkable dryness of the weather during tbe past five months has tended considerably towards this depression." Mr. Warden Eobinson (Mount Ida) reports : — "The year has on the whole not been a favourable one for mining. It has been unusually dry in all seasons, and the consequence has been a remarkable scarcity of wafer for sluicing purposes. This has seriously cramped the energies of the miners." Mr. Warden Carew (Blacks) reports : " A scarcity of water has prevailed to an unprecedented extent. Taking all these circumstances into consideration, a careful perusal of the reports and statistics hereto attached, will, I think, prove that' although a considerable depression did undoubtedly exist over a large portion of the goldfields during the year 1872, yet that the depression was temporary, and that the returns for the first quarter of 1873 show a decided revival in all branches of this important industry — a revival which I take leave to think will not be transitory, but which will, under the various most favorable circumstances of the colony, develop into the permanent prosperity of our mining community. C. E. Haughton.

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TT18730904.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 6

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3,240

REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND. Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 6

REPORT ON GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND. Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 292, 4 September 1873, Page 6

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