a—s

PEODUCTION OF GOLD AND SILVEE. The following comparative statements show the quantity and value of gold entered for exportation for the last two calendar and financial years : —

QUAETZ-MINING. Noeth Island. In the Northern district the chief centre of activity is at Waihi. The Waihi Gold-mining Company's mine and plant have been further extended, and, with a view to the development of the property at deeper levels, preparations are being made for the erection of a very large pumping-engine at No. 5 shaft. There is already a compound Hathorn-Davey differential Cornish pumping-engine at No. 2 shaft, and also a similar engine, having a stroke of 10 ft. and working a 17 in. diameter set of pumps, at No. 5 shaft. This latter shaft is intended solely for pumping purposes. When the new pump and engine are erected the present pump will be utilised for unwatering the shaft below its present level as the work of sinking proceeds, the new pump— 24 in. in diameter by 12 ft. stroke, worked by compound Hathorn-Davey differential engine—being used to lift the water from the present lodgment to the surface. With the addition of this new plant it is anticipated that a depth of 2,000 ft. may be reached, and should this be effected there appears little doubt but that the result of pumping from so great a depth will be to drain not only the company's property, but areas adjoining. Such a course would materially and favourably affect neighbouring properties, and it appears quite possible that in the near future some mutual agreements may be advantageously entered into between the Waihi Gold-mining Company and owners of adjacent mines for drainage generally, or, at all events, down to a given level at least. In the mine sixteen different reefs or lodes have been found. A few of these are narrow, but several are of good workable width. The famous Martha lode is of very large size, and in one part of the mine—where two other reefs junction with it—the great width of 81 ft. is attained. This is made up as follows : Magazine reef, 10 ft.; Eegina reef, 19 ft.; Martha reef, 52 ft. : total, 81 ft. Where the reef attains such a great width it is worked in two divisions of about 40 ft. each, the system of filling the stopes in vogue at this mine lending itself admirably to the method of work adopted. Filling material (mullock, clay, soil, &c.) is sent down passes from the surface and spread in the stopes as the ore is taken out. This sets very compact, gives the men a good footing to work on, and reduces the amount of timber —which would otherwise be required for securing the ground very materially. In working the extra-wide reef it is found that by keeping the sloping of the first division well ahead of that of the second division the material used for filling becomes well

3

Name of District. Year ended 31st December, Year ended 31st December, 1902. 1901. Increase for 1902. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Decrease for 1902. Quantity. Value. Auckland Marlborough Nelson ... West Coast Otago Canterbury Oz. 201,583 601 5,947 118,796 181,116 2 £ 721,977 2,404 23,649 475,272 728,124 7 Oz. 191,968 133 7,212 113,286 142,940 22 £ 695,551 513 28,138 454,006 575,492 83 Oz. 9,615 468 5,510 38,176 Oz. i.,265 20 Totals 508,045 1,951,433 455,561 1,753,783 52,484* Name of District. Year ended 191 31st March, 38. Year ended 31st March, 1902. Quantity. Value. Increase for 1903. Deorease for 1903. Quantity. Value. Auckland yiarlborough kelson ... SVest Coast Oz. 203,158 401 6,235 125,399 155,056 £ 724,892 1,604 24,704 501,639 623,213 Oz. 201,861 277 4,207 104,441 128,200 19 £ 728,498 1,108 17,118 418,322 515,265 71 Oz. 1,297 124 2,028 20,958 26,856 Oz. 3tago Canterbury 19 Totals 490,249 ; 1,876,052 439,005 1,680,382 51,244+ * Total net increase, value £197,650. f Total net inorease, value £195,670.