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a—2

I. PRODUCTION OF MINERALS. The following statement shows the value of the exports from metal-mines and kauri-gum fields from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1916 : —

The advance in the production of tungsten-ore is due to the increased price created by munition requirements. The decrease in the value of bullion from gold-mines is not unexpscted, quartz-mining and gold-dredging being declining industries.

11. PERSONS EMPLOYED. The following statement shows the number of persons ordinarily employed in or about the metalliferous mines of the Dominion during the year : —

111. ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of persons killed or seriously injured in metalliferous mines during 1916 :•—

Being at the rate of 2-42 fatalities per 1,000 persons employed. During the first half of 1916 no fatal accident occurred at any metal-mine; then followed nine before the close of the year. Of these only two may be classed as accidents inseparable from the dangerous occupation of mining—viz., those by which T. F. Rowney at Waihi and perhaps T. J. O'Connor at Reefton lost their lives—and I regret to report that the accidents to W. Irvine, A. Riley, J. Shore, M. Hillhouse, E. Parker, and G. Edgar were due to either the recklessness or ignorance of the sufferers, and that the death of J. Mcintosh was due to a criminally mischievous act, for which the culprit escaped justice. Full details of these fatal accidents are here furnished. The most capable management and inspection in the world is helpless against some of the careless acts I describe.

Classification. 1915. 1916. Increase or Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1916. Decrease. Gold Silver Tungsten-ore Other minerals Kauri-gum... £ ... 1,694,553 95,583 27,784 ... ! 5,377 279,133 £ 1,199,212 85,111 49,070 14,614 339,343 £ Dec. 495,341 Dec. 10,472 Inc. 21,286 Inc. 9,277 Inc. 60,210 £ 85,847,675 2,181,493 201,550 412,642 17,875,483 Totals 2,102,430 1,687,350 Dec 415,080 106,518,843

Classification. Classification. Inspection District. Northern. West Coast. Southern. Total, 1916. Gold, silver, and tungsten Cinnabar Tin Copper 1,693 1,144 866 5 ■ ... 3 2 3,703 5 3 2 Totals for 1916 Totals for 1915 1,698 1,144 871 1,876 1,356 971 1,144 1,356 871 971 3,713 4,205 3,713 4,205 The decrease in the number of persons employed ma inlistment for military service, and to the decline of gold-i -, to a couside lining. •able extent, b< attributed to

Inspection District. Exp! isives. Falls of In S] Ground. iafts. Miscellaneous Under- Surface. ground. g3 -&! ta qj • to a ® o _s ■© o t W CQ Ph CO About Dredges. To: »l. 3 rfe^j 0 t B i« QJ 5 >-a I arj <D flJJ -s O JB : JD w 01 p a .2. 'in 'a* CO J Ol (fl CD §3 'g 5" r5-d mi M 1° 'O I rH fcH r2 O.* 3 IrH 'C Q M r2 M a> co QJ r-J t-4 'C fl OJ H CO. Jorthern Vest Coast iouthern 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 "i i 4 4 1 4 2 l Totals 2 2 2 3 1 1 3 l l 9 7