0.—2.

No. 5. Return showing the Quantity and Value of Coals imported into New Zealand during the Quarter ended the 31st March, 1897.

No. 6. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Production of Coal in the Colony, and Imported, Year by Year, during the last Nineteen Years.

No. 7. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Mining Districts, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1895 and 1896, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

19

Country whence imported. Quantity. Value. ictoria few South Wales Totalis Tons. 35,104 35,104 £ 30,450 30,450

Year. Coal raise Tons. Coal raised in the Colony. ed in the Colony. Yearly Increase. Coal imported. Plus or Minus. Increase and Decrease. Tons. 1878 .. 1879 .. 1880 .. 1881 .. 1882 .. 1883 .. 1884 .. 1885 .. 1886 .. 1887 .. 1888 .. 1889 .. 1890 .. 1891 .. 1892 .. 1893 .. 1894 .. 1895 .. 1896 .. 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 719,546 • 726,654* 792,851 69,000 68,705 37,339 41,010 43,492 59,069 30,232 23,290 24,267 55,275 27,450 50,952 31,397 4,521 18,233 27,998 7,108 66,197 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,961 108,198 101,756 + + 16,072 33,778 6,664 380 6,042 24,904 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 26,722 17,124 14,379 135 8,009 4,483 4,763 6,442 + + + * 14,173 toi is, error 1895, deducted.

Name of District. Output of Coal. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. Approximate Total Output of Coal up to 31st December, 1896. 1895. 1896. Kawakawa and Hikurangi Whangarei, Kamo, Ngunguru, and Whauwhau Waikato Mokau Pelorus West Wanganui Westport Reefton Greymouth Malvern Timaru Otago Southland Tons. 44,580 20,872 Tons. 53,586 21,106 ' + + Tons. 9,006 234 Tons. 920,738 357,708 55,558* 535 61,899 1,943 + + 6,341 1,408 884,732 10,505 711 48,858 2,344,432 67,807 2,267,252 327,975 10,657 3,112,005 382,460 1,615 223,143t 4,018 142,664 11,481 341 182,331 39,516 504 26-2,696 3,795 137,890 11,714 103 193,814 43,801 + 1,111 39,553 223 4,774 233 238 11,483 4,285 + + + Totals 726,654 792,851 66,197 10,735,900 ♦ 14,193 tons, error 1895, deducted. 120 tons, omitted from 1896, added.