4

C—2

On the Thames Goldfield the result of mining operations has been somewhat disappointing, but as the 1,000-ft.-level crosscut to connect the Government pump-ing-shaft with the Kuranui-Caledonian shaft is now well under way, there is reason to anticipate a recovery at this once important and famous goldfield. On the West Coast considerable activity and energy were displayed in developing quartz-mining propositions. During the year in the Reefton, Big River, and Blackwater districts the ore produced amounted to 121,105 tons, valued at £229,315, being an increase of 19,978 tons in quantity and £27,344 in value. Systematic prospecting has been carried on during the year in connection with other quartz-mining ventures in this district, and also in connection with the Mokihinui reefs, as well as new reefs recently discovered in the vicinity of Lake Brunner. Quartz-mining in Otago was practically at a standstill during the year, with the exception of the Barewood Reefs, which produced 5,428 tons of ore, valued at £4,118. A number of other small quartz-mines throughout New Zealand produced 33,028 tons of ore valued at £55,803. In the following table the present position of our quartz-mining is summarized : —

* The total value of the output of this company at the end of the year was £9,106,318. The dividends here given are free of income-tax. f Short tons of 2,000 lb. dry weight. J In the annual report of the directors of this company for 1910 the value of the bullion production is stated to be £920,100 ; but the figures given in the table above are the official returns from the company to the Inspector of Mines. The discrepancy occurs owing to ttie actual value of the bullion not being known until it is refined in England. § Unknown. ALLUVIAL AND DREDGE MINING. As already indicated, this branch of the mining industry experienced an exceptionally bad year, owing, doubtless, primarily to the unusually dry weather and the consequent scarcity of water prevailing during the most of last year, and probably also to the general prosperity and plentiful employment offering in other industrial pursuits. The yield from sluicing operations last year amounted to £188,464, as against £333,235 produced from the same source during the previous year, the decrease for the period amounting to £144,771. The yield from dredging amounted to £315,237, being a decrease of £12,439. The number of dredges in

During 1910. Dividends p.ii.i. Name of Corn-any. Quantity Value Average of Quartz of Value treated. Bullion. per Ton. Total to Total Cost , ,- Knd of DeperTon. lala cember, 19X0. Number of Persons ordinarily employed. Northern District — £ fi e. d. Waihi Gold-raining Company (Ltd.)* 442,O2Ot 894,815 J j 2 0 5£t Waihi Grand Junction Goln-mining ; 84,226t 132,295' 1 11 5 Company (Ltd.) New Zealand Crown Mines (Ltd.)! 6,661 13,301 1 19 11} Bremner's Freehold 1 2,238; £2,238 Talisman Consolidated (Ltd.) ... 45,020 210,264 4 13 5 Komata Eeefs (Ltd.) ... ... 10,880 20,576 117 10 Old Hauraki Gold-mining Company 704 13,058 18 10 11} (Ltd.) West Coast District — Keep-it-Dark Quartz-mining Com- I 3,273 3,025. 0 18 6 pany (Ltd.) Progress Mines of New Zealand! 50,207 71,352 18 5 (Ltd.) Consolidated Goldnelds of New 21,363 36,385 114 Of Zealand (Ltd.) New Big River Gold-mining Com- 3,040 15,628 5 2 9| pany (Ltd.) Blackwater Mines (Ltd.) ... 39,192 91,381 2 6 7 Southern District — Barewood Gold-mining Company 5,428 , 4,118 0 15 2 (Ltd.) Other quartz - mines throughout 33,028 55,803 1 13 9£ New Zealand Y £ s. d. £ £ 0 15 2 252446,316;4,007,127 0 15 3 i ... 70,000 600 600 1 IS 5-9 94,374 450,984 14 9 ... 33,333 2,625 225,208 ? ... 158,667 1 5 55 10,312! 326,562 0 18 i § 5,400 88,090 0 18 7-5 37,500, 50,000 0 17 82 ... 2,000 1,400 462 70 6 380 75 31 50 353 129 15 274 21 1,028 , Totals, 1910 745,043 1,564,189 2 5 5 -- I 597,127 i I 597,127 s< 4,324 4,324 !_ !_