H.—ll

Sess. 1L—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

THE GOLD FIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT ON).

Return to an Order of the Bouse of Representatives, dated Zrd August, 1869. " That it is desirable that the Government should cause to be laid upon the table of this House, during eacli session, a report embodying a general account of the present condition of the gold fields of the colony, their advancement or otherwise during the preceding year, and their probable prospects ; together with particulars showing the average price of provisions during the year on each gold field, the rate of wages, estimated population, and such other information as would afford a comprehensive idea of the general condition of the mining interest in the colony; and that His Excellency be requested to forward a copy of such report to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies." — (Mr. W. B. Barrison.)

To the Hon. William Gisborne, Minister of Mines. Secretary for Gold Fields' Office, Sir,— Wellington, 20th August, 1879. I have the honor to forward the annual report on the gold fields. Iv the Appendix will be found the Wardens' reports on the several mining districts, together with statistical information tabulated in the same order as in previous reports. There are also reports in the Appendix from the managers of the Government water-races. I have, &c, James McKereow, Secretary for Gold Fields.

REPORT. The history of the gold fields during the past year reveals encouraging features of progress in several districts; but, generally speaking, there has been a considerable falling off in the average returns for the whole colony. This is most marked in the Customs returns of the quantity of gold exported. They afford the most reliable approximation to the Yield of Gold. In last year's report, 18,000 oz. was taken as the trade estimate of what was used up in the colony for the twelve months: this year the trade estimate is considerably less. Leaving this out of account, and comparing the export returns for similar periods, they arc as follow:—

1877. 1878. Decrease. Increase. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Auckland ... 09,081 £403,627 55,982 £220,454 43,099 £183,173 Marlborougb... 870 3,197 404 1,617 466 1,580 Nelson ... 602 2,300 4,463 17,223 ... ... 3,861 £14,923 West Coast ... 157,963 631,615 144,634 578,508 13,329 53,107 Otago ... 113,169 455,341 105,003 422,277 8,166 33,064 371,685 £1,496,080 310,486 £1,240,079 65,060 £270,924 3,861 £14,923 3,801 14,923 Decrease for 1878 61,19'J £256,001 Comparison of three-months periods ending 31st March, 1878 and 1879 : — 1878. 1879. Decrease. Increase. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Oz. Value. Auckland ... 15,446 £61,246 9,567 £38,108 5,879 £23,138 Marlborough ... 560 2,240 ... ... 560 £2,240 Nelson ... 1,139 4,276 1,193 4,518 ... ... 54 242 West Coast ... 47,361 189,418 41,764 167,035 5,597 22,383 Otago ... 38,684 156,544 21,616 85,592 17,008 70,952 102,630 £411,431 74,700 £297,493 28,544 £116,473 61i £2,183 614. 2,482 Decrease for three months onded 31st March, 1679 ... 27,930 £113,991 1—H. 11.