C.—2.

1936. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT. BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES.

Me. Speaker.— I have the honour to present to Parliament the annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1935. MINERAL PRODUCTION. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metalliferous mines, stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, and of coal-mines during 1935 and 1934 : —-

The value of minerals, including kauri-gum, exported and of the coal used in the Dominion, which is shown in Table No. 1 accompanying this Statement, amounted to £3,694,480, as compared with £3,482,490 during 1934. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1935 amounted to £192,268,337. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. During the year 603,244 oz. of bullion, valued at £1,300,046, was produced, an increase in quantity of 60,381 oz., and an increase in value of £104,206, as compared with the previous year. The gold-content of the bullion is estimated at 165,277 oz., valued at £1,243,552.

I—C. 2.

1935. 1934. Mineral. — Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* .. •• 603,244; oz. 1,300,046 542,863 oz. 1,195,840 Platinum .. .. .. • • 14 ,, 79 Pig-iron .. .. .. 4,902 tons 23,775 1,337 tons 6,484 Stone •• 289,274 .. 261,637 Pumice .. .. •• 3,300 tons 8,769 2,491 tons 6,796 Coal 2,115,184 „ 2,115,184 2,060,315 „ 2,060,315 Tungsten-ore .. .. 4,719 39 ,, 4,678 Quicksilver .. .. .. •• 563 lb. 132 3,852 lb. 516 Totals £3,741,978 .. £3,536,266 * The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated.