a—2

10

CONCLUSION. The mining industry generally may be described as being on a satisfactory footing. During the year under review, there has been a marked increase in the production of gold, silver, coal, and other minerals (including kauri-gum), representing a value of nearly half a million sterling in comparison with that of the year preceding. When the development-works in progress at many mines are completed, and the large number of dredges now in course of construction have been put to work, I confidently expect to find the returns of gold produced will materially increase. There is also every indication that the output from coal-mines will advance. In view of the excitement caused by the success wdiich has attended the dredging industry and the consequent activity in floating new ventures, I would reiterate the need of prudence in respect to speculation, and point out the fact that, although this branch of mining opens out a field for sound investment, its credit maybe seriously jeopardized by the flotation of properties which ought never to be put on the market.

No. 1. Table showing the Comparison in Quantity and Value of Gold entered for Exportation, and also the Quantity and Value of other Minerals produced, for the Years ending the 31st December, 1898 and 1899, as well as the Total Value since January, 1853.

For Year ending the 31st December, 1899. For Year ending the 31st December, 1898. Total from the lst January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1899. Name of Metal or Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 'recious metals— Gold .. Silver Oz. 389,558 349,338 £ 1,513,173 40,838 Oz. 280,175 293,851 £ 1,080,691 33,107 Oz. 14,235,285 1,728,351 £ 55,966,498 276,669 Total gold and silver 738,896 1,554,011 574,026 1,113,798 15,963,636 56,243,16' lineral produce, including kauri-gum— Copper-ore Chrome-ore Antimony-ore .. .. Manganese-ore Hsematite-ore Mixed minerals Coal (New Zealand) exported Coke exported .. .. Coal, output of mines in colony (less exports) Kauri-gum Tons. 135 1,309* 89,480 18 885,754 11,116 £ 407 6,591 83,085 9 404,532 607,919 Tons. 21 217 l,828f 56,332 9 850,701 9,905 £ 70 "703 4,792 50,381 14 403,136 586,767 Tons. 1,396J 5,666 3,610 18,637i 52§ 19,011 1,120,811 16,370 12,338,069 211,592 £ 17,938 37,367 52,361 59,644 226 90,165 1,091,707 24,804 6,076,917 9,707,538 Total quantity and value of minerals Value of gold and silver, as above 987,812 1,102,543 1,554,011 918,994| 1,045,863 1,113,798 13,735,215J 17,158,667 56,243,167 Total value of minerals produced, including gold and silver 2,656,554 2,159,661 73,401,834 * Including 1,227 tons sulphur ; qua t Sulphur, 1,765 tons; quartz, 22 toi yrfcz, 5 tons ns; unenu: ; scheelite-ore, 32 torn merated, 41 tons. ; unenumerated, 45 tons