522 



EEroRT — 1887. 



veins ; in 1882 about 25 per cent. The average value of New South 

 Wales gold has been 31. 14s. Gel. per oz. 



It is probable that the future impoi'tance of New South Wales as regards 

 the precious metals will depend largely upon its silver. The ores chiefly 

 occur towards the northern and western parts of the colony, the latter 

 being that most recently becoming of importance. All accounts agi'ee in 

 the richness of the ores and in the extent of the ai'gentiferous area. 



The following figures show the recent production : — 



South Australia has never yielded much gold. But there was a fairly 

 steady rise to its maximum of 21,454 oz. in 1884,' then a sudden fall in 

 1885 to 4,694 oz., its lowest yield since 1873. The average value of 

 South Australian gold is 31. 9s. 4cZ. per oz. 



It is known that there are unworked alluvial deposits and reefs in 

 the northern territory, which the new railway may open up, and which 

 may for a time somewhat increase the yield of gold. 



The first return for New Zealand was in 1857, when 10,437 oz. 

 were obtained ; the yield fell to 4,538 oz. in 1860, and then rapidly rose 

 to its maximum of 735,376 oz. in 1866.^ Since that date there was a 

 fairly steady decline to 1884, when the yield was 229,946 oz., which 

 increased to 233.068 oz. in 1885. The average value of New Zealand 

 gold is 31. 18s. 4c?. per oz. 



The yield of gold in New Zealand has remained much more steady 

 than in the other Australian colonies, with the exception of Queensland. 

 It now yields only a little less than one-third of its maximum, whereas 

 Victoria now yields less than one-fourth and New South Wales less than 

 one-sixth. 



Almost one-half of the New Zealand gold is now obtained from 

 quartz, 111,432 oz. having been so obtained in 1885; an increase of 

 23,000 oz. over the quartz gold of 1884. 



From this fact, and from the known occurrence of unworked reefs, 

 there is reason to hope that the yield from quartz- veins may continue 

 steady even if it does not increase. 



Gold-mining in New Zealand is interesting from the application of 



' These figures give the amount of gold received at the yarious Australian mints 

 from South Australia, and possibly are under-estimates. 



- I take these figures and many others relating to Australasia from the IGth 

 Ann. Rep. of the Deputy Master of the Mint (1886), giving a complete table of 

 Australian produce to the end of 1884. Dr. Hector's diagrams, published in the 3rd 

 edition of his Handbook of New Zealand, 1883, show the maximum yield in 1871. 

 These diagrams distinguish the alluvial and the quartz gold in each of the four 

 districts into which New Zealand is divided. 



