NEW ZEALAND MINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2550, 10 July 1909, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND MINES.

INTERESTING STATISTICS.

ME P. GALVIN INTERVIEWED

Mr P. Galvin, editor of New Zealand "Mines Record,” lias severed his .connection avith the Government service. The "Record” was started in 1898, Mr Galvin being then appointed editor, "with the object,” as the Minister of Mines (Mr A. J. Cadmah) said in his statement, "of placing be lore the investing public and others interested in the development of our mineral resources reliable information • gathered from official and trustworthy sources.” At that period, said Mr Galvin, to a "Post” reporter, owing to the impending trouble in the Transvaal, a lot of British capital was seeking an outlet in other parts of the world, and New Zealand received a considerable share. No fewer than 112 English companies .were at that time registered in New Zealand, for gold mining purposes, with a share capital, on a very moderate estimate, of at least ten million pounds. To-day there are only about a dozen English companies operating here. Amongst the most notable developments by the English companies are tlie Consolidated Goldfields* group at lteefton, the Talisman and Crown mines at Karangaha'ke, and the Waihi Grand Junction at Waihi, all of which are giving, a good account of themselves.

As showing the development that has taken place in mining in New Zealand since my appointment, twelve years age, continued Mr Galvin, the following figures are interesting: In 1897 the gold yield was 251,6450 z, valued at £950,204. In 190 S the yield was 506,3510 z., valued at £2,004,789. The yield of silver in 1897 was 183,8920 z. value £20,572. Last year it .was 1,731,3560 z. value £175,337,_ although the price, of silver has considerably decreased of late years. The output of coal for the year ending 31st March, 1897, was 792,851 tons. For the year ending 31st December, 1908, it was 1,860,975 tons, while the number of persons employed in coal mining increased from 1937 to 3910. In 1897 there were about 50 gold dredges at work, and 20 being built. In 1898, notwithstanding the big slump that took place, a few years ago, there were 135 dredges actually at work.

Eurther., said Mr Galvin, owing to the great care and supervision exercised by the inspectors, New Zealand has the sixth lowest death-rate in coal mines of any country in the world, being beaten by very little by India. Belgium, France, Queensland, and Great Britain.

Mr Galvin went on to mention some of tlie most important developments that have taken place of late years in connection with tlie industry. In the year he first joined the department the Government gave a subsidy of £25,000 towards deep-sinking at Thames, which resulted in one of the finest pumping plants in the world being erected there, capable of draining the low levels tc- a depth of 2000 ft. The company unfortunately got into financial difficulties, and the plant was purchased by the Government to save it being removed piecemeal, and has been handed over to the Thames Drainage Board for draining the mines at present in operation. Proposals are now under consideration for carrying on developments at the 1000 ft level, and it is hoped that some arrangement regarding a proposed cross-cut will be made shortly. The Government also gave a subsidy of £15,000 for unwatering and electrical equipment for pumps at Ross Flat, Westland. These works are still in hand, and it is hoped that the question of the existence of the. deep leads of gold will be finally settled. In the old days Ross Flat proved richly auriferous, five million pounds worth of gold beinrr. taken out of one hole .alone. In the old Ross United Company’s mine gold was found in seven different layers. Three diamond drills have been imported by the Government, and a keystone. borer, for testing deep auriferous gravel in Otago. These drills are hired out, and very satisfactory results have been obtained by their use. The State coal mines have been opened, and yet, notwithstanding the deyelopmont of the- industry, the head office staff remains practically the same as it was twelve years ago, with the exception of the addition of three inspectors. , , „ "My own relations with the officers of the department throughout the Dominion,” said Mr Galvin in conclusion, "have been of the most pleasant description. One of my greatest regrets at leaving is that I have to sever ray. connection with so many personal friends, who have offered me the greatest assistance in the of the "Mines Record” since it .was first established. As to its value, I can only say that whenever copies of it have by any chance, gone astray I receive prompt inquiries as to _ the reason < while a well-known English inventor told the late Under-Secretary (Mr T. H. Hamer) that he was surprised at the large amount of valuable, information contained in its pages.”