C.—2.

1938. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Mr. 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, 1937. 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 1937 and 1936 : —

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 £3,916,176, as compared with £3,691,419 during 1936. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1937 amounted to £199,875,932. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. During the year 612,468 oz. of bullion, valued at £1,319,743 was produced, an increase in quantity of 14,920 oz., and in value of £47,156, as compared with the previous year. The gold content of the bullion is estimated at 168,487 oz., valued at £1,279,893.

I—C. 2.

I 1937. 1936. Mineral. r Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* .. .. .. 612,468 oz. 1,319,743 597,548 oz. 1,272,587 Platinum .. .. .. .. 55 ,, 423 29 „ 187 Iron-ore .. .. . - • • 571 tons 880 Stone .. 444,837 .. 342,861 Pumice .. .. .. .. 2,931 tons 8,057 3,242 tons 8,881 Coal .. .. .. .. 2,277,799 „ 2,277,799 2,140,217 „ 2,140,217 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 6,468 3,448 Manganese-ore .. .. .. 5 ,, 50 Silica sand .. .. .. • • 164 „ 236 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. 1,344 lb. 336 Totals .. .. .. .. £4,058,829 .. £3,768,181 * The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated.