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MINERAL PRODUCTION. The annexed Table No. 1 shows the quantity of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals, including kauri-gum, produced during the year ending the 31st December, 1902. The total production of gold and silver was 1,182,241 oz., valued at £2,023,408, and shows an increase in value of £204,367 as compared with that of the preceding year. The output of other minerals, including coal and lignite, has been 1,373,077 tons, representing a value of £1,198,214, being 124,913 tons in excess of the previous year. Kauri-gum to the amount of 7,430 tons, valued at £450,223, was obtained. Compared with the production of the previous year this shows a decrease of 111 tons, but an increase in value of £4,109. The quantities and values of the chief mineral productions for the past two years are summarised for comparison as follow : — Year ending 31st December, 1901. Year ending 31st December, 1902. Product. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold ... ... ... 455,5610z. 1,753,783 508,0400z. 1,951,433 Silver ... ... ... 571,134 „ 65,258 674,196 „ 71,975 Copper-ore ... ... 3 tons 105 Antimony... ... ... 30 „ 136 Manganese-ore ... ... 208 „ 614 Mixed minerals ... ... 696 „ 7,775 415 tons 4,422 Chrome-ore ... ... ... ... 175 „ 525 Colonial coal exported, including that used by Home steamers ... ... 159,643 „ 142,176 188,677 „ 154,747 Haematite... ... ... ... ... 17 „ 116 Colonial coal consumed in New Zealand ... ... 1,067,995 „ 533,998 1,174,025 , 587,012 Kauri-gum ... ... 7,541 „ 446,114 7,430 „ 450,223 Shale ... ... ... 12,048 „ 6,024 2,338 „ 1,169 Total value of production for 1902 ... ... ... £3,221,622 1901 ... ... ... 2,955,983 Total increase ... ... ... £265,639 The total value of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals (including kaurigum) produced up to the end of 1902 was £82,282,586. During the first six months of this year a substantial increase in the value of gold and silver exported is shown by the following table of comparisons, which has been compiled from the returns of Customs:—

Comparative Statement of Gold and Silver entered for Export during the First Half of the Years 1902 and 1903.

GOLD EXPORT. The quantity of gold entered for exportation through the Customs for the year 1902 was as follows : —Auckland, 201,583 oz. ; Marlborough, 601 oz.; Nelson, 5,947 oz. ; West Coast, 118,796 oz. ; Canterbury, 2 oz.; Otago and Southland, 181,116 oz. GOLD-MINING. Quartz. The working of gold-bearing quartz reefs continues to provide employment for a large number of men in both Islands, the principal centres and largest mines being in the Upper Thames portion of the North Island and in the locality of Eeefton in the Middle Island.

Half-vear endi 191 ing 80th June, 32. Half-year endi: 19( 3g 30th June, 13. Increase for First Half of 1903. Quantity Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. ! Gold Silver Oz. ... 232,403 ... 323,073 £ 889,450 36,707 Oz. 257,198 495,268 £ 977,821 48,891 Oz. 24,795 172,195 £ 88,371 12,184 555,476 926,157 752,466 1,026,712 196,990 100,555