23

a—s

The limited extent to which the testing plant —four parcels treated—has been made use of by mining men during the year is, as it was last year, doubtless due to the boom in dredging enterprises, which for the time have driven prospecting for auriferous quartz-reefs into the background. There is, however, some hope for an early improvement in this respect. Among those who sent donations to the mining museum are mentioned Messrs. P. G. Morgan (Director of School of Mines at Waihi), P. B. Allen (Director, Thames School of Mines), A. Sligo, H. Walcott (Curator, Melbourne Industrial Museum), F. Kayser (manager, Mount Bischoff Mine), Smith (Chairman, Industrial Exhibition Mining Committee), Herbert Buckland, J. M. McLaren (Director, Coromandel School of Mines), Charles Eilstone (manager, O.P.Q. Mine), and Captain Malcolm. EXPENDITURE ON SCHOOLS OF MINES. The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on schools of mines since their inauguration, exclusive of subsidies paid to the University of Otago towards the School of Mines in connection with that institution:—

The above statement shows the amount expended on the different schools of mines throughout the colony ; but, in addition to this, the sum of £7,303 6s. 2d. has to be added, as that has been paid to the School of Mines attached to the University of Otago, £553 6s. 2d. being paid last year towards maintaining the school, which makes the total expenditure up to the 31st March last to be £28,027 18s. 3d. This expenditure has extended over a period of fourteen years.

WATBR-EACES. Waimea Watek-eaob. The quantity of water obtained from this race is equal to present requirements, and even when the necessary extensions to connect with the claims to be worked from the Waimea Main Tail-race are completed it is anticipated that the supply will still be ample. A storage-dam will be required in connection with the supply for the claims that will be worked through the main tail-race, and a suitable area has been secured for that purpose. The following statement will show the receipts and cost of maintenance of the Waimea Eace for the year ended 31st March last, together with the approximate quantity of gold obtained by those using water for working claims from that supply : —

Financial Years. Subsidies towards the Erection of Schools of Mines, and Maintenance. Chemicals and Apparatus, also Mineralogical Specimens supplied to Schools of Mines. Scholar- Salaries of Teachers, ships Travellingexpenses, &c. Total Sums paid by the Department towards the Schools of Mines. £ s. d. £ s. d. 36 19 9 409 1 4 253 14 1 6 12 9 181 14 10 54 8 0 £ £ s. d. 1,223 9 10 2,716 9 3 1,714 9 6 1,139 4 1 716 3 10 620 9 9 689 5 9 670 1 0 858 19 4 773 17 8 849 3 0 834 12 8 780 19 0 729 10 11 £ a. d. 1,260 9 7 3,383 7 1 2,221 19 4 1,188 6 10 1,040 0 8 892 4 3 870 19 9 982 4 4 1,055 19 9 1,209 8 6 1,719 3 0 1,346 6 1 2,000 17 3 1,553 5 8 1885-86 1886-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 257 16 6 253 15 9 42 10 0 142 2 0 217 6 6 181 14 0 312 3 4 197 0 5 390 0 0 820 0 0 352 14 11 1,089 18 6 740 15 2 45 10 10 58 18 6 29 19 9 32 19 7 50 100 100 50 Totals ... 4,997 17 1 1,109 19 6 300 14,316 15 7 20,724 12 1

Month. Sales of Water. Cash received for Sales of Expenditure. Water. Outstanding Number ?Jf? Moneys at the of n, m „«t. Value of Gold End of each Menem- obtained. Month. ployed. „<*<***_ 1898. £ s. d. 53 14 7 74 2 9 64 18 d 6d 12 6 65 17 11 66 15 10 61 9 2 67 12 11 50 10 0 £ s. d. 52 15 6 86 15 6 56 12 0 56 17 9 81 3 6 48 13 9 64 0 0 51 19 6 57 11 0 £ s. d. 57 19 2 52 19 2 74 13 9 55 14 2 56 9 2 59 14 2 76 9 2 103 12 9 83 19 2 £ b. d. 14 13 8 11 19 3 11 19 3 15 15 5 11 19 3 " 14 19 8 14 1 10 20 3 9 14 6 5 Oz. 165 222 197 199 205 203 195 204 155 £ s. d. 643 10 0 865 16 0 768 6 0 776 2 0 799 10 0 791 14 0 760 10 0 795 12 0 604 10 0 Lpril .lay une 'uly Lugust September )ctober November )ecember.. 44 42 40 47 41 48 46 48 49 1899. 30 11 8 30 3 9 64 6 8 42 1 0 26 7 6 54 0 9 85 9 2 73 4 2 61 14 2 14 6 5 14 6 5 36 ■ 34 , 38 93 91 193 362 14 0 354 18 0 752 14 0 anuary February .. rlarch Totals 694 16 1 678 17 9 841 18 2 42-75 (average)ll 2,122 8,275 16 0