EXPLANATORY NOTE

Owing to the termination of the Government printing contract, earlier publication of the Bureau's Report has been hindered this year, but the delay has permitted of the publication of statistics of metallic minerals for the first six months of 1899, which show a gratifying improve

ment on the statistics for the corresponding period of 1898.

August 1, 1899.

A.B.

[v.]

To His Honor SIR OLIVER MOWAT,

Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.

SIR,—I have the honor to transmit herewith for presentation to the Legislative Assembly, the Eighth Report of the Bureau of Mines.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

DEPARTMENT OF CROWN LANDS.

TORONTO, March 29, 1899.

Your obedient Servant,

J. M. GIBSON,

Commissioner of Crown Lands.