11

C.—2

APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT.

APPENDIX A.

REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES.

The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir, — Wellington, 26th May, 1926. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries, together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1925. In accordance with the usual practice, the tables showing expenditure on roads, bridges, tracks, prospecting operations, &c., are for the period covered by the financial year —viz., from the Ist April, 1925, to the 31st March, 1926. The reports, &c., are divided into the following sections : — I. Minerals produced and exported. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining. (1.) Quartz-mining. (2.) Dredge Mining. (3.) Alluvial Mining. V. Minerals other than Gold. VI. Stone-quarry Inspection and Statistics. VII. State Aid to Mining. (1.) Subsidized Prospecting. (2.) Government Prospecting-drills. (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. (4.) Government Water-races. (5.) Schools of Mines. Annexures : — (A.) Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines. (B.) Summary of Report by Water-race Manager. (C.) Summary of Report by Inspector of Quarries. (D.) Mining Statistics.

I. MINERALS PRODUCED AND EXPORTED. The following statement shows the quantity and value of tbe production of metal-mines and of stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act during 1925 and 1924 : —

The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals (other than coal) exported from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1925 : —

1925. I 1924. Mineral. j Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. £ Oz. £ Gold and silver (estimated) .. .. .. 625,626 546,026 652,855 607,253 Tons ewt. Tons cwt. Tungsten-ore .. .. .. . ■ 1 15 64 3 0: 126 Iron .. .. .. .. .. 1,289 0 8,701 630 0 4,725 Stone .. .. .. .. .. .. 463,667 .. 373,827 Pumice .. .. .. .. .. 2,532 0 7,672 1,629 0 4,956 Sulphur .. .. .. .. .. 269 0 1,154 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,027,284 .. 990,887

: Total from the 1st 1925. 1924. Increase or Decrease. +i an^a^ y f* 1853 'K Z the 31st December, 1925. £ £ £ £ Gold .. .. .. .. 472,364 551,788 Dec. 79,424 91,887,192 Silver .. .. .. .. 60,773 71,981 Dee. 11,208 2,965,424 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 2,255 1,156 Inc. 1,099 304,125 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 414,901 443,576 Dec. 28,675 21,522,986 Sand, lime, and building-stone .. 7,968 7,625 Inc. 343 \ Other minerals .. .. .. 451 5,103 Dec. 4,652/ oil,703 Totals .. .. 958,712 1,081,229 Dec. 122,517 117,191,430