INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1905.")

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, C-03a

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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1905.")

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. Frank Reed, M.lnst.M.E., Lie. Surveyor, Inspecting Engineer, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department. Sir,— Mines Department, Wellington, 11th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit the annual reports of inspection, together with statistical information in regard to the coal-mines of the colony for the year ended 31st December, 1906. The reports are divided into the following Sections : — I. Output of Mineral. IT. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. General Remarks. Appendices— (a.) Inspectors' Reports. (b.) Mine-managers' Examinations. (c.) Statistics of Working-collieries.

SECTION I.—OUTPUT OF MINERAL. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarised as follows : —

As compared with the output for the preceding year, the above statement shows an increase of 143,780 tons, and the comparison of the relative increase and decrease of the different classes of coal, &c, won during the year 1906 is given in the following tabulated form : —

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Class of Coal, &o. Northern District. West Coast District. Southern District. Total. Bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... Pitch-coal ... Brown coal... Lignite Tons. 120,700 180,486 Tons. 956,708 2,957 3,250 I Tons. Tons. 1,077,408 22,004 24,961 337,267 521,003 106,164 106,164 Totals... 301,186 962,915 465,435 1,729,536

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The total number of mines returned as being worked during the year was 150, of which sixteen employ more than twenty persons, and are therefore required by " The Coal-mines Act, 1905," to be under the control and supervision of a first-class certificated mine-manager. Mines employing over six but not exceeding twenty persons number forty-three, and for their management the holders of first- or second-class certificates must be employed. For mines at which not more than six persons are employed a competent person holding a permit from the Inspector of Mines for the district may be employed.

SECTION II.—PERSONS EMPLOYED.

SECTION III.—ACCIDENTS. Summary of fatal and non-fatal accidents classified, and cause : —

Northern District. vest Coas' Distriot. Southern District. Total Total Net Increase. Total Class of Coal, &c. Increase. crease. "Da Increase. crease. „ ; Increase. Inorease. orease. crease. lituminous and semibituminous coal 'itch-coal... Irown coal ■ignite Tons. 6,251 Tons. Tons. Tons. 106,074 90 ... 524 Tons. 1,799 Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 35,059 11,516 5,499 Totals 41,310 106,688 ... 7,298 11,816 155,296 11,516! 143,780

Inspection Distriot. Average Number of Persons employed during 1906. i i Above ground. j Below Ground. : Total. Northern West Coast Southern 111 731 332 406 1,313 799 517 2,044 1,131 Totals, 1906 1,174 2,518 3,692 Totals, 1905 833 2,436 3,269

Patal Ac icidents. Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Separate Patal Accidents. Number of Deaths. Number of Separate Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons injured, including those injured by Accidents which proved Fatal to their Companions. I Explosions of firedamp Falls in mine ... Shaft accidents Miscellaneous —- Underground On surface ... 2 "2 2 12 1 4 12 1 2 1 3 1 13 13 Totals 28 30

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The following table shows a comparison of the output and death-rate in respect of coal and shale mines in New Zealand, and certain other countries, for the years 1904-6 inclusive : —

The following statement shows the tons of mineral raised (coal and shale), persons employed, lives lost, &c., from 1878 to 1906 :—

Country or State. Death-rate from Accidents per 1,000 Persons employed. Number of Per- j Tons of Mineral sons employed per | raised per Life Life lost. lost. Tons of Mineral raised per each Person employed Underground. New Zealand— 1904 1905 1906 New South Wales — 1904 1905 1906 Great Britain— 1904 1905 Transvaal, 1905-6 United States of America, seventeen States providing 90 per cent, total output _j 1-21 1-83 1-62 0847 1-69 1-38 1-244 1-35 3-86 3-53 822 546 615 1,180 589 723 384,459 264,293 288,256 501,651 277,932 364,705 609 651 687 541 599 650 803 740 643 275 232,962 215,515 29,289 175,000 360 361 455

Year. Output of Mineral. Persons empl lyed. Tons of Mineral raised per Life lost. Persons employed per each Life lost. Lives lost per Thousand Persons employed. Tons of Mineral raised per each Person employed Underground. Number of Deaths. Above. Below. Total. Prior 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 ... I 709,931 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 719,546 726,654 792,851 840,713 907,033 975,234 1,093,990 1,239,686 1,365,040 1,420,229 1,537,838 1,585,756 1,729,536 147 361 393 338 392 388 414 466 512 416 485 590 506 525 590 531 556 554 617 688 803 717 763 833 1,174 366 888 890 1,145 1,213 1,111 1,275 1,251 1,334 1,277 1,196 1,298 1,393 1,274 1,347 1,381 1,447 1,599 1,843 2,066 2,082 2,135 2,525 2,436 2,518 513 802 1,038 963 1,043 1,249 1,283 1,483 1,605 1,499 1,689 1,717 1,846 1,693 1,681 1,888 1,899 1,799 1,937 1,912 2,003 2,153 2,460 2,754 2,885 2,852 3,288 3,269 3,692 4,771 115,609 149,961 337,262 189,136 210,882 160,277 170,354 139,655 153,474 146,611 79,674 167 ,198 673,315 138,309 119,924 145,331 12,013 210,178 907,033 325,078 273,497 413,228 682,520 355,057 384,459 264,293 288,256 15 401 519 963 521 624 421 494 375 422 313 231 423 1,681 377 316 360 29 478 2,003 717 615 918 1,443 713 822 546 615 66-27 2-49 1-92 104 1-91 1-60 2-34 2-01 2-66 2-36 2-37 4-33 2-36 0-66 264 3-16 3-33 34-07 2-09 0-49 1-39 1-62 109 0-69 1-40 1-21 1-83 1-62 443 475 540 456 440 503 481 261 477 523 563 533 516 618 588 609 627 609 593 600 655 665 609 651 687 341 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 0 4 4 4 8 4 1 5 6 5 66J 4 1 3 4 3 2 4 4 6 6 Totals... 23,430,955 54,895 193 * No life lost. f Year of Kaitai igata exploi don. T + ear of Bri inner exploi lion.

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SECTION IV.—GENERAL REMARKS. Ventilation. Great improvements have of recent years been effected in the mechanical ventilation of coal-mines in this country, for whereas in 1891 only three ventilating-fans were employed, during the past year nineteen were in operation, those fans most favoured being of the Waddle, Schiele, Cappell, Hayes, and Sirocco types. The last named has recently been installed at the Taupiri, Point Elizabeth, and Seddonville Mines, and it is proposed to employ it at the new Westport-Stockton Mine. The Sirocco fan appears to have solved the question of centrifugal ventilation, for its construction is simplicity itself, and its efficiency unequalled. The fan consists of a drum varying from 35 in. to 100 in. in diameter, around the circumference of which are placed steel laths so arranged as to resemble a Venetian blind open at its utmost, with the laths slightly convex to the forward direction, spaced 2 in., and 3 in. deep; the usual evasee chimney and shutter are attached to the case in which the machine is enclosed. This fan is extensively used in Great Britain, and it is claimed that one of the type 100 in. in diameter, running at 220 revolutions per minute, at 3 in. water-gauge, will deliver the enormous output of 532,000 cubic feet of air per minute. Electricity in Mines. The use of electricity, which has become so widespread in and about the mines of other countries, both for lighting and as a mode of transmitting power, has made hitherto but slow progress in the coalmines of this country, owing probably to the fact that at many of the laTge mines the haulage is conducted on the self-acting principle by endless rope, and the drainage by level free adits, consequently pumping and winding from shafts is avoided. Electric lighting, however, is employed in the main roads underground and upon the surface works of several mines. At other mines less favourably situated, and where this economical power could be profitably employed, steam-power had been installed prior to the advent and more general application of electricity in mines. At the Allendale Colliery electric power for haulage, pumping, and lighting has been effectively employed for two years; at the Blackball Mine an underground pumping plant is worked electrically with satisfactory results; but at the Denniston Colliery compressed air was found to operate the coal-cutting machinery in a more satisfactory manner than electricity. At the Westport-Stockton Mine, now being opened up and equipped, it is proposed to employ electric power for coal-cutting, ventilation, lighting, and haulage, the latter by means of electric locomotives, by which it is proposed to use coal-tubs of 30 cwt. capacity, on a 2ft. gauge, throughout the workings of the mine, which may not be found to be a success, owing to the weight and size of the tubs on steep grades. Mining Operations. During the past year extensive preparations for an increased output were carried out on all the mining fields, and an annually increasing output of coal is assured. In the Northern District, at the Northern and Kiripaka Collieries, and at Hikurangi, extensive new coal-areas have been entered by underground workings ; at Kawakawa Colliery boring operations on a new lease have proved a 6 ft. seam at a depth of 80 ft. At Taupiri Colliery the main (Ralph's) heading on the eastern side of the railway approaching Lake Wahi has opened a large field for operations. In the West Coast District, at the Seddonville State Mine, a promising area of hard bituminous coal has been entered on the southwestern extension of the cave area ; the workings at the Millerton Colliery have during the year reached Mangatini Creek, on the eastern side of which the larger portion of the coal-field is situated, and upon which mining operations will shortly be directed. The satisfactory extension of mining operations at Denniston continues in the directions of Mount William and Deep Creek, which it is proposed to bridge to facilitate haulage; likewise for a similar purpose to construct a girder bridge across the Waimangaroa River. The dip sections of the Point Elizabeth State Mine have proved an extensive area of excellent coal, and considerable reserves are now standing in pillars. In the Southern District, at Kaitangata, a new ventilating-shaft has been sunk on coal to a depth of 552 ft., at a distance of 58 chains to the east of the mine-entrance, with the workings of which it is connected. To the east of this shaft an extensive and valuable area of coal is supposed to exist. New Collieries. Active operations are being carried out to develop the new collieries, the property of the West-port-Stockton Coal Company (Limited), situated near Millerton, and the Paparoa Coal-mining Company (Limited), situated near Blackball. At the Westport-Stockton property, inclined and other haulage roads and tramways are being constructed. The mouth of the mine is situated at a distance of three miles and three-quarters from and an altitude of 1,600 ft. .above the Government railway at Ngakawau which is a further distance of about twenty miles by rail from the Harbour of Westport. It is proposed to negotiate the distance between the mine-mouth and the top of the incline by means of an electric tramway, two miles and a quarter long. This tramway will have an average inclination of 1 in 21-2 in favour of the full train, and will be worked by electric locomotives upon a 2 ft. gauge. From the top of the incline there is being constructed an endless-rope inclined haul-age-plane, in two sections, in length one mile, and half a mile, and having respectively an average gradient of lin 4 and lin 6-7, but in no place exceeding lin 3. It is proposed to use hydraulic brakes similar to those employed at the Denniston and Millerton Collieries, but worked by four water-cylinders instead of two, to avoid any sudden strain upon the haulage-rope and machinery. At the new Paparoa Mine, also situated at a considerable altitude above the Government railway at Blackball, now in course of construction, the works in progress embody the construction of one mile

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Westport: The Loading-wharves, Looking out to Sea.

Admiralty Collier Loading at Westport.

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and a quarter of railway to join with the Government line, the erection of coal-bins of about 5,000 tons capacity, also 50 chains of incline on a rising gradient of 1 in 3, and a high-level jock-tunnel, the whole system to be constructed and equipped for endless-rope haulage. A new lease of 1,785 acres has recently been taken up by Mr. Jonathan Dixon, M.E., onjthe coastal plain near Sergeant's Hill Railway-station, three miles from the Harbour of Westport. This plain lies at the base of the hills upon which the Coalbrookdale Collieries are situated, and is bounded on the west by the ocean, to the north by the Waimangaroa River, and to the south by Cape Foulwind, and may cover an area of, approximately, twenty-five square miles. The probable existence of coalmeasures under this plain has been reported upon by Sir James Hector, F.R.S., before the Royal Coal Commission, 1900, and by Mr. Alexander McKay, F.G.S., Government Geologist, in the " Geological Survey of New Zealand, 1901," and from these reports it would appear to be quite reasonable to expect a recurrence of the Coalbrookdale coal, with a westerly dip under the plain, at a certain distance from the base of the hills upon which the mines are now working. It is a question whether it is a downthrow fault or if denudation has taken place. There is no data available to go upon, but the lessee proposes to settle the point by means of the diamond drill without delay. If he is successful, an asset of great importance will be added to the mineral wealth of New Zealand. On the Grey Coalfield, between the upper branches of Coal Creek and the Ten-mile Creek, a large and valuable extension of the Grey Coalfield has been proved by Mr. James Bishop, M.lnst.M.E. This field contains workable seams of excellent bituminous coal, the exact area of which is as yet undetermined, but is included in the State Coal-mine Reserve situated between the Paparoa Range and the ocean. This coal and that which occurs in the Paparoa Company's lease adjoining have been erroneously classed as anthraoitic. An analysis of fourteen samples of this coal supplied by Mr. Bishop was made at the Colonial Laboratory, Wellington, in April, 1907. the following being an average of the results obtained: Fixed carbon, 58-15 per cent.; hydrocarbons, volatile, 36-85 per cent.; water, 2-40 per cent.; ash, 3-56 per cent.; sulphur, 0-27 per cent. The evaporative power per pound of coal was 14-70. The Brunner Mine. The Brunner Colliery, near Greymouth, after thirty-six years' work, has ceased operations, being exhausted, having produced during this period 2,167,231 tons from 450 acres worked out. The thickness of the seam varied between 7 ft. and 11 ft., inclining at an angle of 14°, the coal (bituminous) having a specific gravity of 1-311 ; hence the total weight of coal in the area was about 6,641,725 tons, and the proportion extracted amounted to 32-6 per cent., which, considering the number of faults met with on the New Zealand coalfields, may be regarded as a high rate of extraction, that of the Buller Coalfield not being nearly so high, owing to faults, denudation, and to soft-coal areas. These figures may serve to form estimates for future guidance, as the Brunner Mine is the first large bituminous colliery to become exhausted, and upon which to base calculations. The percentage of extraction on the British coalfields was estimated by the Royal Coal Commission (England), 1899, to represent from 53 to 75 per cent. The Westport Harbour. This important harbour, designed by the late Sir John Coode, M.1.C.E., and constructed in its earlier stages under the engineering supervision of the late Mr. C. Napier Bell, M.1.C.E., has been workable at almost all states of the tide, the depths of water registered upon the bar ranging between 17 ft. and 26 ft. On only eight days during the year was the port unworkable. The output of coal shipped during 1906 amounted to 607,608 tons. The port is equipped to ship 20,000 tons per week when required. With the new collieries at present being opened up, and the increasing productiveness of those at work, annually increasing shipments from Westport are assured. I have, &c, Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

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APPENDIX A. INSPECTORS' REPORTS. Mr. James Coutts, Inspector of Mines, Thames, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. g IR Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 25th February, 1907. In compliance with section 75 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905," I have the honour to transmit the following report on the coal-mines in the Northern District for the year ended 31st December, 1906 : — Kawakawa (Samuel Neill, manager).—There was no work done in this mine for some time after W. H. Culley relinquished the lease; but in the early part of the year Messrs. Hall and Black took it over, and, like the previous lessee, their attention has been directed* to taking out the small pillars left on the outcrop of Moody's old workings, and prospecting over their lease of 70 acres. They inform me that about 1,000 ft. of boring has been done, the deepest bore reaching to a depth of 80 ft., where the seam of coal was found to he 6 ft. 1 in. in thickness. This is most encouraging, and will probably lead to a profitable area of coal being discovered. An average of three men have been employed since the present party has held the lease, and the output for the year was 275 tons. Hikurangi Coal Company {Limited) (Moody, T. P.).—The company's operations are chiefly confined to the extension and development of the coal-area on the western side of the railway, between Waro Station and West Bryan's old coal-mine, a portion being worked under the limestone rocks. These rocks present an attractive appearance, and are greatly admired by people passing to and fro on the railway. The prospects of the seam extending in this direction are most reassuring, on account of the thickness and good quality of the coal being maintained throughout. Owing to the swampy nature of the country on the surface, a large quantity of water has found its way into those workings during the period of the floods, thereby entailing a considerable outlay and cost in pumping the water out, causing also an inconvenience by the stoppage of the various faces, and reducing the output, which is urgently required to supply the demand. The company is installing another pump in order to cope with any sudden influx of water, thus preventing the flooding of the workings in future. A fair supply of coal is still obtained from the pillars worked on the eastern side of the railway, and great care is taken in the extraction of the pillars, consequently only a small amount of coal is lost. The workings, when inspected from time to time, have always been found to be carried forward in an efficient and careful manner, and with there being very little cover over the coal the ventilation has been all that could be desired.' The output of coal for the year was 52,709 tons, an increase of 2,399 tons as compared with the previous year. An average of seventy men were employed. Dividends paid by the company for tne year amounted to £1,875. The Northern Coal Company {Limited) (W. R. Dunn, manager).—This company's operations are still directed to the development of their coal-area in a north-easterly direction from the top of the self-acting incline. As the work proceeds the seam continues to maintain its uniform thickness and quality. An improvement is being made in the main haulage road, commencing at the entrance of the tunnel and extending in toward the face. This has been enlarged to a height and width of 6 ft. by 9 ft., and carried in a straight line and graded to a very slight incline, which will enable a double line of rails to be laid down, and give better facilities for getting the coal out of the mine. During the year the mine was inspected three times, and on each occasion the workings were found to be carried forward satisfactorily to all concerned, whilst the ventilation was also good. The output of coal was 46,710 tons, an increase of 8,977 tons as compared with the previous year. Sixty-five men were employed, and dividends to the amount of £2,373 16s. were paid by the company during the year. The Ngunguru and Kiripaka Mines (E. W. Tattley, manager).—These mines are now owned by the Northern Coal Company (Limited), and are run under the last named. The operations are confined to the Kiripaka section, where a large area of excellent coal is being operated on, below the bed of the river. The seam averages 16 ft. in thickness, and the main dip is down a depth of 600 ft., from which two levels have been opened out. In the early part of the year the company decided to erect a plant capable of raising from 250 to 300 tons a day, and with this object in view a hght tram-line was constructed a distance of two miles and a quarter, and a 10 ton locomotive put on to take the trucks from "the mine to the wharf, where boats can lay alongside and load, thus doing away with the old method of loading with punts and frequent stoppages caused by the small tides and freshes in the river. By this means a considerable saving is effected, and a more regular supply of coal is put on the market. A boiler with a working-pressure of 120 lb. has been installed to drive a Waddel fan to ventilate the mine and also to drive the light machinery in the workshop. A Helical hoisting-engine with 10 in. by 16 in. cylinders is now being put in position. The workings and appliances as inspected from time to time were found to be safe, but the ventilation in the early part of the year was not as good as could be desired, but since the erection of the fan there is no further cause for complaint as regards the air. The output of coal was 28,617 tons, an increase of 9,026 tons over the previous year. An average of forty-nine men were employed. . . . ~ Union Collieries (F. J. Tattley, manager).—The work in this company s mine has been principally directed to the extension of the headings and the bords, from which a fair supply of marketable coal has been obtained. As the plant was sufficient for all requirements for the time, no important alterations have been made beyond carrying the working-faces forward to get sufficient coal to supply the

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demand ; but as the mine is well opened, a much larger quantity of coal could easily be raised if it were required. The coal having to be conveyed infbarges mine to the railway, a distance of ten miles, and with the extra handling increases the cost of the coal by the time it is placed in the wagons, therefore it places the company at a disadvantage as compared with some other mines. When inspecting the mine, the workings and the equipments necessary for the raising and the conveying the coal to the railway were found to be safe and in an efficient state of repair. The ventilation was fairly good ; but another shaft is to be sunk to connect with the workings for an outlet, and this will also improve the ventilation. The output of coal was 19,928 tons, an increase of 3,934 tons. Thirty-four men were employed. Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited) (E. S. Wight, manager).—Ralph's section: During the past twelve months the main dip and headings have been extended in the direction of the newly acquired lease of coal under Lake Wahi. This work is being extended with reasonable despatch ; but owing to the uneven nature of the floor a large amount of expense has been incurred by straightening the main dip in order to get a uniform grade, as this will be the future main haulage-road. The work has been carried out with very great care, and when finished will give increased facilities in bringing the coal to the shaft. The greater part of the haulage is done by the endless-rope system, which works very well, and is a great saving when contrasted with the means previously used. The portion of the seam worked varies from 7 ft. to 20 ft. in height. The coal is of a very fine quality, and when broken out with ordinary care only a limited amount of small coal is produced on account of its hardness, therefore the cost is minimum. The mine has been inspected frequently, and although there has been a number of minor accidents in the shape of men receiving cuts and bruises, yet there have been no serious accidents, and, as far as the working is concerned, there has been little cause for complaint. A fan is used for the purpose of ventilating the mine, and when driven at an ordinary rate of speed is capable of causing a larger inrush of air than is required by the Coal-mines Act. The screening plant is working.very satisfactorily, and has been a great saving by enabling the company to classify and deliver the coal into the railway-wagons at less cost than hitherto, and gives more satisfaction to consumers. The output of coal for the year from this section totalled 88,856 tons, and 159 men were employed. The extended section : Some extensive improvements have been effected during the year, and with the completion of the screening plant, the erection of a new and first-class ventilation fan, a " Sirocco " 50 in. diameter and driven by a 54-horse power compound steam-engine, the extension of the maindip headings, and other development-work, this section of the company's mine may be considered a valuable property. For the year an average of ninety-three men were employed and 57,500 tons of coal produced. This is no mean output, but with the improved facilities a greater quantity could be delivered if required. The ventilation is good ; the fan is causing 35,500 cubic feet of air to circulate through the workings, and with a slight improvement in the airways a much larger volume may be circulated. An endless-rope haulage system was installed at this mine, driven by a pair of engines, 12 in. diameter, 30 in. stroke, placed on the surface, connected with the mine by means of boreholes lined with iron pipes, through which the rope passes. Taupiri Reserve : It appears that this section of the company's mine is kept as a reserve, so that in the event of an increased demand for coal the company has this section to draw upon. The mine has been kept open and drained throughout the year, and an average of eleven men employed in keeping the workings and machinery in good order and producing 6,158 tons of coal, which is a sufficient quantity to comply with the terms of the lease. The coal is of a good quality, and there is yet a large amount in sight. The mine when visited was found to be in good order, with a sufficient volume of air passing through the workings. The total output for the year for the Taupiri coal-mines was 152,588 tons, being an increase of 33,967 over the preceding year, whilst dividends to the extent of £6,375 were paid. Drury Colliery, Drury (J. Holden, manager).—The work carried on in this mine during the past twelve months has only been very little, as the company decided to combine brickmaking, &c, on the mine with a view to making the mine a success ; and as kilns had to be constructed, and machinery placed in position for this purpose, the men have been chiefly employed at the brickworks. The coal is of a poor quality, and will not compete favourably on the market with coal from the other mines in the district, but no doubt a fair quantity will be used at their own kilns. The output was 595 tons, and four men were employed. Taupiri South (J. Duncan, manager).—The company has done but little work in this mine. Their attention has been directed to that portion of the property near the top of the spur of the hill, where at one place opened out in the early part of the year 2,856 tons of coal was obtained; but as this place became exhausted another drive was put in the hill and 275 raised. Since then a good deal of prospecting-work has been carried out, but not with as favourable results as anticipated, and it is said the company are likely to stop operations for the present. Five men were employed. Taupiri West Coal-mining Company (Limited) (R. McEwen, manager).—This is a new coalmine, the propert}"- being situated on the western side of the Waikato River, and about a mile and a quarter from the Huntly Railway-station. The greater portion is on Crown lands held on leasa from the Government, and includes coal under Lake Rotoiti and the larger part of that under Lake Wahi, altogether about 1,050 acres. A considerable amount of prospecting has been done by the original syndicate who first took it up in the shape of boring, and who discovered two different seams of coal, the top seam being 10 ft. thick and the main seam about 24 ft. The prospects met with being very satisfactorily, the shareholders determined to sink a shaft, which has reached a depth of 180 ft., where the seam was cut through and the coal found to be equal to the best local production. A small oilengine was used for the hoisting of the stuff broken in the shaft and for baling the water out to the depth named ; but the prospects were such as to encourage the directors to obtain modern winding and pumping machinery, and a powerful winding-engine and plant have been purchased, and are being

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removed to the mine, where they are to be erected with all possible speed. As the land adjoining this property is held by persons who hold the freeholds, a little delay may be caused before arrangements can be made with them to allow a tram-line (aerial) or a tramway to be constructed over their land, but it is not expected that any obstacle will be placed in the way of accomplishing one of those things to connect with the Government railway at Huntly, and when completed will to all appearances prove a profitable concern. Eight men were employed. Mangapapa {Mokau Coal-mine) (William Lennox, manager). —There is little new to report from this mine, as the work carried on during the year has been confined to extending the various bords and headings to get sufficient coal to supply the demand, which is only very limited, owing to the great disadvantages in the transport of the coal from the mine to Waitara and New Plymouth. The steamboats which run up to the mine can only carry from 40 to 60 tons coal, and seldom exceed two trips in the week, as they have to be run to suit the tides, and one steamboat is sufficient for present requirements. The output of coal was 4,244 tons, a slight increase of 491 tons as compared with the previous year. When last inspected the workings were safe, but the ventilation was not as good as could be desired, and it was pointed out to the manager that another shaft should be sunk. When this is done a more regular supply of fresh air will be circulated in the mine. From ten to fourteen men are employed. The total number of days men who were injured in the Taupiri coal-mines were off work and received the usual weekly allowance through the Waikato Medical and Accident Society, Huntlv, was 1,366 days, at 2s. Id. = £142 ss. lOd. I have, &c, James Coutts, Inspector of Mines. Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of. Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 28th March, 1907. I have the honour, in compliance with section 75 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905," to report as follows on the West Coast coal-mines for the year ending 31st December, 1906 : — Enner Glynn Coal-mine. —There has been no further effort made on this property towards the discovery of coal. ShaJcespeare Bay. —Prospecting for coal is now discontinued. Golden Bay Coal-mine, Motupipi. —(l/11/1906) : During the year mining on this property has been practically at a standstill, with the exception of unwatering the dip-tunnel for the purpose of taking 10 tons of coal and 10 tons of fireclay, the latter for a bulk trial for clay goods. Pakawau Coal-mine (owner, E. G. Pilcher, of Wellington; P. McCaffrey, mine-manager).— (27/10/1906) : Coal was taken from the dip-working until the 27th November, 1906, on which date mining was suspended and the pump withdrawn, pending completion of the low-level rock-tunnel, which was then driven 330 ft. Driving is continued on three shifts, and ventilation is well maintained and kept forward on the face with properly made canvas tubes. Reports kept to date. the dip-working was furnished up to date of suspension. Puponga Colliery (owners, Puponga Coal and Gold Mining Company (Limited) ; Mr. Sydney George Hayward, attorney).—(26/10/1906) : Although mining operations have been steadily maintained during the year, output shows a decrease of 1,927 tons as compared with that of the previous year. Pending additional pumping-power, extension of the main-dip haulage-road was not continued further, development being confined to the eastern and western sections of working. On the eastern district working-conditions are well maintained, while quality and thickness of seam show no depreciation. In the beginning of the year the connections necessary to maintain free ventilation to the bottom levels were satisfactorily completed on the west district, and considerable attention directed to heighten and secure the upper levels preparatory to open out the face on long-wall system, extension of face necessitating the removal of several small pillars. When last visited, a compound pump of large capacity had arrived from Home, and was placed in temporary position, awaiting the arrival of pipe-line connections. Capacity for the storage of water is amply provided, and the drainage leading to the pump connected by a short underfoot rock-tunnel. Steaming-power is also efficiently supplied by the addition of a new 40-horse power multitubular'boiler, now operative. Since the late improvements in connection with screening and washing the coal were completed, inquiry is more urgent for smaller sorts. Ventilation (fan) is efficient, and timber plentiful for all classes of work. General equipment in good order and reports to date. Arrangements to deepen the shipping channel have been completed, and dredging is now operative in forming a basin at the point of the jetty. On completion of this work, shipping movements should be greatly facilitated. Mokihinui Colliery. —Since the management of the Seddonville State Colliery withdrew all movable plant, and securely fenced off all entrances to the mine-workings, further work has not been resumed. The burning section of the upper mine continues in"a smouldering condition. Westport-Stockton Coal Company {Limited). —Mr. George- Broome, mining-engineer, under whose direction Mr. G. P. Robeitson, of Christchurch, was appointed general surveyor and draftsman, work in this department being greatly facilitated by the engineer's former surveys and general knowledge of the property. Since charge was taken in December of 1905 development has been actively pushed, and the surveys completed in February enabled the contractors to commence driving A and B tunnels (coal) in the beginning of March. In laying out these continued series of drivings, which intersect the

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Westport Coal Company (Limited): Millerton Colliery. Bins and Screens.

Westport Coat, Company (Limited): Millerton Colliery Portion Lower Incline.

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Plan of the Buller Coalfield. Sho wing Areas with Coal , Workings, and Leases.

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whole coal-bearing country, special care was taken to keep the various tunnels, named A, B, C, and D, in one continuous course, which, when completed, will cover a total distance of 171 - 5 chains, work being continuous by three shifts of workmen, Sundays and holidays excepted. A tunnel, 14-5 chains, was completed in September. B tunnel, driven 38 chains on the north end and 8 chains on the south end, leaving 19 chains yet to complete on Mangatini Creek. C tunnel intersects the coal-basin between Mangatini Creek and Ford Creek, a total distance of 36 chains, of which 16 chains are driven. D tunnel is driven but a few chains, and meanwhile awaits ventilating plant when available from the other drivings, when the proposal is to extend the tunnel to the boundary of the lease, a distance of 66 chains, before starting to open out and market the coal, in order that the " instroke method " of working may be adopted. The principal advantages claimed for this method are —(1) Greater safety and yield of round coal in extraction of pillars, as directly the bords are driven the pillars are removed, instead of standing for years to support the roof, which causes general deterioration.; (2) reduced cost of maintenance, as the maintaining of roads through broken ground is avoided ; (3) danger from spontaneous ignition is reduced to a minimum ; (4) increased ability to maintain a steady output of uniform quality. The " instroke method " of exploitation, although well known and practised in the Old Country, is quite new to this colony, and should tend towards safe and economical extraction. Altogether, these coal-tunnels aggregate a driven distance of one mile, proving a large area of hard, bright coal of excellent quality, with an average thickness of 12 ft. Throughout the whole series the headings have been driven next to the hard solid roof, and it is notable that not a single set of timber has been required. The average gradient is linl7 in favour of the load, the maximum gradient lin 10. As all works are heading riseward, natural drainage will be assured over the whole field. Ventilation has been efficiently induced throughout by means of No. 5 Sturtevant fans, driven by Tangye oil-engines of power each, exhausting through iron pipes of 12 in. diameter, kept well up to the face. In B tunnel 34 chains were driven in this way until relieved by a 5-ft.-diameter shaft, sunk from the surface through 93 ft. of strong sandstone cover, the fan and engine being then removed to the shaft. From the mine-mouth to the bin-site at Ngakawau the total distance is about three miles and three-quarters, with a fall of 1,600 ft., and from the same point an electric tramway is being constructed to the brake-head at the top of the inclines. The length of this tramway is two and a quarter miles, with an average gradient in favour of the load of 1 in 21'2. One mile of this tramway is practically completed and contracts let for the remaining sections. From the brake-head to the bins the distance will be covered by two wellgraded inclines, with an aggregate length of a mile and a half, having a fall of 1,037 ft. The upper incline, 40 chains in length, has an average gradient of lin 6'7 ; maximum gradient, lin 5 ; the lower incline average gradient, lin 4; maximum gradient, lin 3. The lower incline is nearing completion, and on the upper work is well advanced. Both inclines are to be worked on endless-rope system of haulage, and the motion regulated by two separately installed four-cylinder hydraulic brakes. To connect the traffic from the lower incline at Mine Creek with the screening and loading plant on the railway-siding at Ngakawau a rock-tunnel, 28 chains in length, is now being driven from both ends by three shifts of workmen, on a gradient of lin63 in favour of the load. Of this work 16 chains are completed, while 12 chains are yet required to pierce the ridge. Traffic on this section of way will be conducted by electric locomotive haulage. The company proposes to construct extensive siding accommodation at Ngakawau, equipped with up-to-date screening and handling plant, with storage-capacity of 5,000 tons; also to erect a central electric-power station to supply current for the whole mine and works, the electric power to be employed for coal-cutting, haulage, ventilation, lighting, and other purposes. Tenders are invited for the whole plant required. •!' <MUlerton Colliery (owners, Westport Coal Company (Limited); Mr. George Fletcher, mining-man-ager).—(ls/11/1906) : In comparing the commercial demands on the colliery against those of the preceding year, the gross tonnage sold —266,529 tons —was an increase of 27,684 tons, and, in addition to the figures stated, 3,701 tons were consumed as fuel at the mine. Development and general equipment continue to be efficiently maintained. East Dip section : Respecting the efficiency and safety of this sealed-off district, the walls are examined daily, and proper tests taken of the pent-up gases. Mine Creek area continues to be the chief centre of production, hardness and quality of seam showing no depreciation. Apart from the ordinary routine of operations in connection with the solid working and removal of pillars, fresh development affords little subject-matter of special importance ; ventilation, timbering, and free drainage are strictly observed as leading factors of safety and economy. In October last the main south heading was successfully holed on the Mangatini Creek Gorge, with the object of winning the major portion of the coalfield on the eastern side of this deep ravine, the bridging of which will necessarily entail considerable labour and expenditure. New Tunnel area : Driving is actively pushed from the main west heading to effect permanent connection and prove an approximate area of 23 acres, located between the Mine Creek workings and the haulage terminal of this area. So far quality of coal is satisfactory. New works completed during the year comprise the construction and completion of two dams for the conservation of water at Millerton, together with the necessary pipe-line connections suitable to meet the increased power required in driving the newly installed travelling belts in connection with the sorting and loading station at Granity. At the power-stations located at Mine Creek and the lower mine-mouth, further additions of machinery are unimportant, the ventilating-fans continuing to maintain their high efficiency. Reports and all provisions of the Act are strictly observed. Throughout the year the reports made by the Inspectors on behalf of the Miners' Union have been highly satisfactory. No serious accidents reported, neither was heating or gas found in the disused areas. Denniston Colliery (owners, Westport Coal Company (Limited); Mr. J. Dixon, mining-manager) — Commencing the year 1906, the output was maintained by single shift until May, after which period the Ironbridge Mine was worked double shift during the remainder of the year, output showing 49,286

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tons in excess of that of the preceding year ; the quantity of coal lowered down the company's inclines for shipment amounted to 310,000 tons. Generally, the mines continue to develop satisfactorily, while the development effected confirms the fact that the present productive capacity will continue well into the future. Coalbrookdale Mine. —(22/11/1906): Throughout the various working - districts of this mine a satisfactory standard of efficiency has been maintained, and extension continues to expose coal in fair quantity and quality. Endless-rope haulage having been extended into a central position of the Cascade Dip working, hauling operations are thereby much simplified. In the early part of the year fire, the result of spontaneous heating, was discovered in an incipient stage in the West Cascade section of pillar-working, but~the prompt and effective measures t&keh to_ fill awayand send out all heated debris from the mine, further danger was avoided. Munsie's section: In this section all the solid working that was deemed advisable to win from the present adit has been finished for some time, output being wholly maintained by the removal of the dip roadway pillars. However, in order to maintain the productiveness of the property, surveys have been completed preparatory to commencing the necessary rock-tunnelling operations in connection with the future development of the Whareatea lease. Owing to scarcity of labour, certain proposed works have been much retarded during the year. Ironbridge Mine. —(23/11/1906) : The development of Dundee Dip section has not proved a success, the seam being interrupted by a number of small faults, which hamper the "work and affect the cost of production; but it is worthy of note, the normal thickness of seam is showing more favourably in the direction of Mount William. Kiwi section, situated on the north bank of the Waimangaroa River, continues to yield a fair proportion of the output, the quality and thickness of seam being well maintained. Old shaft-workings : The prospecting-work so far carried out has proved an important additional area of first-class workable coal, with a thickness of 14 ft., which in future operations will form a strong factor towards the productive capacities of the Ironbridge Mine. Deep Creek area : In connection with the development of this section of the coalfield, the intended haulage-road, which junctions with the main underground haulage, has been driven out to the Waimangaroa River, where preparatory work is in progress towards the erection of a girder bridge; but before the coal-outcrops are reached, a further extension of rock-tunnel will be driven, and Deep Creek bridged. As an evidence of the advanced condition of exploration-works, an increased percentage of the total output was won from solid working, thus showing that the pillared areas are closely followed up. New works : Haulage system—The main haulage system leading from the Wooden Bridge, Bur nett's Face, to the brake-head, Denniston, a distance of 120 chains, is now controlled by a newly erected steam-driven"'double-cylinder haulage-engine, the constant power exerted being a dead pull of 40 tons. The new storage-bins orected at the brake-head, with a calculated capacity of over 2,000 tons, are now equipped to clean, grade, and load the coal into railway-wagons. The records kept at the respective mines of shots fired show a total of 46,191 shots, giving an average of 6-89 tons of coal produced per shot. Working-conditions have maintained their former efficiency in ventilation and timbering, together with the requirements of the Coal-mines Act. Coal Creek Coal-mine, Butter Road (George Walker, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : All operations are suspended. Entrance to the mine was partly blocked by a fall of loose earth, which formed a partial dam against the mine-water. White Cliffs Coal-mine, Butter Road (Job Lines, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : The limited supply of coal is confined to dredge requirements, the coal being chiefly taken from the extraction of pillars. Flaxbush Coal-mine, Three Channel Flat (De Filippi, owner). —(18/12/1906) : The supply of coal is still confined to the Mokoia and Feddersen dredges. Working-conditions are in good order, and timber freely used to secure the exhausted ground. Bourke's Creek Coal-mine (owners, Cairns and McLiver). —(14/12/1906) : Operations at this mine are somewhat limited, as the coal formerly worked on the terrace lands has failed to show any signs of improvement, either in hardness or quality. However, in order to acquire a better share of local trade, the party is jactively jengaged in constructing a roadway to develop a 6 ft. seam of better quality. Loekington's Leasehold, Bourke's Creek, Reefton. —(14/12/1906) : Operations were suspended the whole year. The coal-seam is practically valueless, with excessive pyritic stone. Plant and workingconditions are in good order. Archer's Freehold, Capleston (F. W. Archer, owner). —(14/12/1906) : The removal of pillars in the No. 2 tunnel continues to be the chief source of supply. However, as this section of pillar-working is nearing exhaustion, rock-tunnelling was commenced to win the bottom seam. On a later visit the seam was struck, showing coal of excellent quality and hardness. Coghlan's Freehold, Capleston (J. Coghlan, owner). —(14/12/1906) : The supply of coal continues to be taken from the rise mine. Considerable work has been done to exploit the seam on lower levels, but the prospects are not favourable towards further expenditure. Waitahu Coal-mine, Reefton (J. O'Donnell, owner). —(14/12/1906) : With the severe faulting met with in No. 1 section, together with the continued soft character of the coal riseward, operations were suspended and attention directed to develop a 6 ft. seam on a lower level. In opening out this seam, hardness was a marked feature until change of conditions was effected by a " thinning " and soft fireclay roof, which requires close timbering. For household purposes the coal is excellent, but cost of working is much increased by the high percentage of small coal. Reefton Coal Company (John Harris and party). —(13/12/1906): Coal is taken from two rise levels on No. 2 section, but the pyritic-stone bars maintain a strong and formidable position in the seam.

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In view, however, of producing a more suitable coal fcr household and general requirements, No. 3 rock-tunnel has been reopened, and driving continued to win the seam on lower levels. The tunnel is securely timbered. Murray Creek Coal-mine (J. Billet, owner). —(17/12/1906) : Open face —The stripping is sluiced off and kept well in advance of the face. The supply of coal is chiefly used for steaming purposes at the Golden Fleece battery and Energetic Mine. Phoenix Coal-mine, Reefton (John Knight, owner). —(27/12/1906) : This elevated coal lease of 15 acres, situated near the head of Murray Creek, contains two coal-seams of excellent quality, with an average thickness of 20 ft. each, and angle of inclination lin 3. The seams are parted riseward by a thin clay band, which thickens dipward. The coal-seam, which has the reputation of a first-class article, is easy of access. Coal has been obtained therefrom during the last thirty years, consequently the lease is practically riddled with old drives. About eleven years ago a central section of working was lost by creep, and never again reopened, and during the heavy floods in June of 1905 the thin and broken overburden finally crushed down the whole of the working and pillar areas, with the subsequent result that a large section of the road leading to the Inglew r ood Mine subsided. This movement of the underlying strata seems to have continued, and on the 26th December spontaneous fire suddenly burst through the fallen ground. Under my supervision, between the 27th and 31st December, three formidable fires were encountered and subdued ; but later on smoke has commenced to show through the surface over the old creep-working. The party having spent considerable time and labour in suppressing the open fires, a subsidy to the extent of £1 for £1 up to £50 has been granted to divertt a small creek over the lease. Coal-mining on the property is meantime suspended. Lankey's Creek Coal-mine, Reefton (owners, Pascoe and Watson).- —(13/12/1906) : Since this party was reconstructed development is more promising, particularly in connection with the surface works. The tramway connecting the mine with the surface incline has been thoroughly overhauled and relaid with steel rails. The brake arrangements are rebuilt, and useful improvements made on the incline. Thickness and quality of seam are well maintained on the western section of the lease, and a heading is now in progress to connect with an open section of old woiking, which will further extend and facilitate operations. New Inkerman Coal-mine. —All operations here are abandoned. Devil's Creek Coal-mine, Reefton. —Since last report there has been done on this property. Progress New Coal-mine, Reefton. —(17/12/1906) : Since the present section of working was opened by the new rock-tunnel, coal-getting has been much simplified, and ventilation is well maintained through the various openings on the outcrop. Timber is freely used where required, and the general workings are in good order. The coal is exclusively used at the Progress Mines. Loughnan's Coal-mine, Reefton. —This property changed hands during the year, and under the new ownership was shut down. Blackball Colliery (owners, Blackball Coal Company (Limited). — (11/12/1906): Operations are continued on single shift, the output showing an increase of 8,974 tons against that of the preceding year. Underground and surface development arc unimportant. The recent equipment of endlessrope haulage, free drainage, and mechanical ventilation are in every respect efficiert to meet all present and future requirements necessary to exhaust the newly opened section of dip-working. During the working-out of the rise areas, which extended over a considerable number of years, spontaneous combustion has been a continuous source of danger, causing a ruinous expenditure in the working of the property; but on exhaustion of these areas in March, 1906, precautionary steps were taken whereby all connections between the rise and dip workings were effectively sealed off by the construction of three strongly built brick and cement dams, capable of raising the mine-water over the whole heated areas: thus safety is assured against any possible spread of fire extending from the exhausted ground. Guided by the experience gained in the exhaustion of the rise areas by the ordinary bord-and-pillar work, the management has decided to exhaust the dip areas by the more improved "panel system," the system of ventilation installed being highly suitable and effective to sweep off any resultant gases that may occur through the outbieak of fire in any one panel directly into the main return airway without risk to life or property. In blocking out the field the panels have each a measured area of 200 yards by 150 yards, the panel being exhausted in the first working and accordingly sealed off. Apart from the more direct action in dealing with the exhausted ground, the working economy claimed is—full advantage gained in the first timbering, a higher percentage of round coal, with largely improved working-conditions, and minimum of risk. Regarding the development of this district of dip-working, the field is opened westerly by two main levels, driven in parallel lines from the bottom of the dip rock tunnel for a distance of 61 chains, the seam still continuing tc maintain coal of excellent quality. Rising from the main haulage road, the winning headings which intersect the field and connect the intake and return airways are firstly holed and completed for free ventilation before the ordinary work of getting coal is commenced. Hence, all smoke from explosives and othei gasecus impurities are swept directly into the return from each separately ventilated district. On the whole, worlringoonditions are simple and well regulated. The provisions of the Act are strictly enforced, and all reports kept to date. Average ventilation by Capell fan, 50,000 cubic feet per minute, circulating over a total of seventy-nine men employed underground. Mean air-current in" fan-drift, 926 ft. per minute. No serious accidents reported. The Paparoa Coal-mining Company {Limited). —(7/1/1907) : Mr. Ashley Hunter, C.E., kindly provides the following brief resume of proposed works : The number of workmen actively engaged on this mine is 130, and the varied works actually in progress include bushfalling, the formation of railwayline, roads, and tracks on the property. These, together with the erection of suitable camp accommodation for the workmen, and certain preparatory works incidental to pushing on with the inclines and

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tunnels, constitute the whole works in progress. The main features of the works embody the construction of a mile and a quaiter of railway to join with the Government line (now under construction to Blackball), together with ample siding accommodation, the erection of coal-bins of about 5,000 tons capacity, 50 chains of incline on a rising gradient of 1 in 3, and a high-level rock-tunnel, of which length and gradient are not yet determined, the whole system to be constructed and equipped for endlessrope haulage. In addition to the work stated, prospecting is .vigorously pushed, in order to expose and define the various coal-seams more fully than has been hitherto done. (Mine-manager, Mr. J. T. Watson, late Assistant Inspector of Coal-mines, New South Wales.) Tyneside Proprietary Company (Mr. R. Alison, mining-manager).—(7/12/1906): To meet the pressing demands on the Biunner coal double shifting became an urgent necessity. Under these conditions output was well maintained, and although fresh developments were not important, the gross tonnage raised (61,547 tons) showed the substantial increase of 17,500 tons when compared with that of the preceding year. Working westward from the main haulage road, the whole line of face was compulsorily abandoned on the boundary of the River Grey, but not until ample provision was made for the circulation of free and reliable air-currents (without brattice) against any probable accumulations of gas. Pumping still continuing to be a formidable tax on the property, extension of the dip-working failed to make any further progress, and in consequence output is chiefly maintained from the upper levels on the eastern section of the field. Progress, however, is being made riseward, and a holing is early expected whereby ventilation will be induced from daylight direct on the working-face. Fortunately, the_ urgency of increased pumping-power has been seriously considered. A plant of large capacity has just arrived from Home. The screening, sorting, and storage of coal has received further attention, and demands on the colliery are more urgent for all classes of coal. Monthly inspections are regularly made by the workmen in accordance with the Act, and the reports are honest and truthful records. William Morris (jun.) was killed in the face by a falling prop. Reports to date, and seven inspections made. Brunner Mine (Mr. R. Alison, mining-manager).—(7/12/1906) : The history of this old-established and notable mine commenced in the year 1870, and terminated by its total exhaustion and abandonment on the 22nd December, 1906. During the period stated the gross tonnage raised was approximately 2,167,231 tons, and, as taken from the colliery-plan, the exhausted and proved barren areas of the coal lease may be roughly estimated at 450 acres. In the matter of exhaustion, the coal-seam was practically worked to daylight, with the exception of a few standing pillars to support a certain section of the elevated terraces, so that the Mines Department and colliery management are fairly assured against any argument that may in future be raised on the matter of paitial exhaustion. At the'coke- and brick-making industries change of output is not likely to occur for several years to come, as raw clay is well provided on stock, and coal for coking purposes will be supplied both from the St. Kilda Mine on the Brunner lease and the Tyneside Proprietary. The St. Kilda section of the Brunner lease, located on the north bank of the Grey River and near the upper end of the Brunner Gorge, was firstly opened by Mr. Martin Kennedy, and after a short period of prospecting operations was subsequently abandoned. The existing company, howevsr, has recently opened the mine and carried out some useful developments, which have provided employment for a goodly number of resident miners formerly employed in the old mine. Coal of suitable quality is thus supplied for the manufacture of coke, the properties of the coal being soft and free from earthy impurities. As a means of conveyance from the mine, the original horse tram-line was reconstructed, and a shoot erected near the coke ovens for the delivery of the coal. Fleming's Coal-lease, Stillwater.— On commencing mining operations, this lease was opened by a rock-tunnel, 6 ft. by 5 ft., driven in the terrrace which forms the western boundary of the Stillwater Valley, and at a point about 100 yards from the Midland Railway. The total drivings as shown by colliery-plan are as follows : Rock drivings, 919 ft. ; coal drivings, 252 ft. ; sinking and raising on coal, 120 ft. : total, 1,291 ft. The average thickness of coal-seam may be taken as 2 ft. 4 in.; quality, soft'; angle of inclination, lin 1 nearly; and at a depth of 66 ft. below the main level, thickness of seam was 2 ft. ; practically valueless. To further extend development in the locality selected there certainly can be no hope of encouragement, as the geological features of the field are seriously against promise in that direction. Total coal raised for 1906 (from all work) was 130 tons. Operations were suspended on the sth March, 1907, pending further instruction. Nine-mile Beach.— This pioperty, worked by John Kane, of Greymouth, was not visited. Coal-miners' Accident Relief Fund, administered under the Coal-mines Act. Where the funds are managed under medical associations the following table shows the contributions paid by the various coal companies, the balances credited at the Post-Office Savings-Bank, the amounts expended on accident allowance, and the Increase on fund for the year 1906 :—

Name of Colliery. Contributions. Balance in Savings-Bank. Accident Allowance. Increase. Denniston Millerton Blackball Brunner and Tyneside ... Interest ... £ s. 608 15 525 8 142 5 199 12 245 9 d. 1 5 5 6 2 £ s. d. 5,101 9 10 2,120 13 8 926 5 9 1,010 16 9 £ s. d. 452 7 0 439 12 4 60 4 3 128 12 11 £ s. d. 302 19 11 147 9 11 95 4 7 73 0 5 Totals 1,721 10 7 9,159 6 0 1,080 16 6 618 14 10

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The contributions paid by the colliery-owners to the Coal-miners' Accident Relief Fund, under the Public Trust Account, was £467 14s. 10d., while payments made towards accident relief amounted to £308 4s. 6d., leaving a balance of £159 10s. 4d. Accidents. Of the number of accidents reported as coining within the meaning of section 60 of " The Coalmines Act, 1905," three were fatal and twelve non-fatal. Of the persons killed, two were underground at or near the working-face, and the other was a minei who fell over a cliff at Denniston while returning from his work at midnight. Fatal. Denniston Colliery. —(27/7/1906) : Alfred Archer, miner, killed by fall of stone about 9 yards from the face while taking loaded truck down incline. Tyneside Colliery. —(27/9/1906) : William John Morris, miner, killed by falling prop in the face. Denniston Colliery. —(24/10/1906) : James Wilson, miner, killed by accidentally falling over a cliff while returning from work. Non-Fatal. Seddonville Colliery. —(5/2/1906) : John Harris, miner, sustained fracture of small bone of right leg while escaping from small fall of soft side coal. Millerton Colliery. —(19/5/1906) : Charles Sibree, miner, had chest injured by falling off ladder in the face. Point Elizabeth Colliery. —(l9/5/1906) : Andrew O'Neil, miner, sustained fracture of right leg and slight injury to head, escaping from small fall of stone while working in a pillar face. Denniston Colliery. —(ls/6/1906) : C. Peterson, trucker, sustained fracture of leg by runaway empties striking full box which he was trucking. Millerton Colliery. —(5/7/1906) : Charles Lewis, miner, sustained injury to back and knee by fall of roof coal while setting timber. Millerton Colliery. —(3/7/1906) : Charles Grey, timberman, slipped on flatsheet while carrying a prop, and sustained severe strain. Millerton Colliery. —(lo/7/1906) : James Young, rope-road worker, slipped on rail and had left side and head injured by full truck. Millerton Colliery. —(l6/8/1906) : Frederick Smith, machine apprentice, had ribs and legs bruised b} r fall of coal in the face. Point Elizabeth Colliery.— {l7/10/1906) : James Kyle, trucker, sustained compound fracture of left leg by falling between two trucks in No. 1 tunnel district. Point Elizabeth Colliery. —(30/10/1906) : Robert Wilson, miner, sustained injury to back by piece of coal slipping from cutting side while he was kneeling in working-face. Point Elizabeth Colliery. —(s/11/1906) : John Kershaw, trucker, had ribs injured by runaway truck. Millerton Colliery. —(17/12/1906) : David McKenzie, miner, sustained injury to left side and arm by hanging shot coming away and smashing him against prop. Prosecutions. Denniston Colliery. —(22/5/1906) : Warden's Court, Westport. Proceedings were instituted against a trucker employed at Ironbridge Mine for breach of Special Rules 30 and 33. Proved guilty of breach of Special Rule No. 30, and fined £3, with costs £2 9s. Blackball Colliery. —(8/10/1906) : At the Warden's Court, Greymouth, legal proceedings were instituted on one count affecting two persons employed at this colliery for breach of Special Rule No. 36. Both parties pleaded guilty. Fines and costs, £3 16s. each. Millerton Colliery. —(l7/10/1906) : Warden's Court, Westport.. Proceedings were instituted against a coal-cutting-machine man for breach of Special Rule No 36. Accused pleaded guilty, and was fined £1, with £1 Bs. costs. General Remarks. Throughout the year the productive capacities of the West Coast collieries have maintained a steadv and marked increase, the gross tonnage sold being 962,915 tons, as compared with 856,227 tons for the year 1905. The increase for the year 1906 was 106,688 tons, as against that of 19,277 tons for the preceding year. New Leases. Westport Naval Coal Company. —(Cooke's lease) : According to notes received from Mr. R. Young, Westport, acting attorney for the company, working-capital to the amount of £100,000 has been subscribed in England. The surveys and plans in connection with the projected surface works are just completed. In addition to the £1,000 deposited on receipt of lease, local expenses in surveys, &c, was £840 ; London expenses, £500. Foreign Trade. Westport Coal Company. —The total tonnage shipped directly from Westport to ports outside the colony during the year 1906 was 33,245 tons, this being a decrease of 1,524 tons as compared with 34,769 tons for the year 1905, and in comparison with the year 1904 a decrease of 11,074 tons. I have, &c, R. Tennent, i Inspector of Mines.

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Mr. E. FR. Green, Inspector of Mines, Dunedin, to the Under - Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Office of Inspector of Mines (Southern District), Dunedin, 19th March, 1907. I have the honour to submit the following report on the coal-mines in the Southern District for the year ending the 31st December, 1906, in fulfilment of the requirements of section 75 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905 " :— Canterbury. Springfield Colliery, Springfield (J. Taylor, permit).—(4/12/1906) : Operations at this mine are gradually decreasing. No output of fireclay during the year. Two men generally employed. Springfield Fireclay Works, Springfield (lately Victoria Mine) (Luke Greening, mine-manager, permit).—(4/12/1906) : This property, formerly known as Victoria Mine, was sold by W. J. Cloudesley to the above company. At the time of my visit the mine was idle, pending the completion of a new air-shaft, as the workings had been extended beyond the influence of the existing shaft. The potteryworks were in active operation. Dalelhorpe Coal-mine, Springfield (G. Rutherford, owner; P. Campbell, manager).—(4/12/1906) : T learned on this visit that operations had been suspended. Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel (J. C. Campbell, manager ; Dean's trustees, owners).—(2l/12/1906) : South-going dip-workings are stopped meanwhile, and Nos. 1 and 2 hcading-pkt.es continue to supply the bulk of output, from this section. Ventilation is much improved since the fuiiiac-3 started. The new overcast for air-return from the north side will be another advantage when finished. It is estimated that the pillaring section to rise will last three years at present rate of output. The underviewer claims that less than 20 tons of coal have been lost in the pillars during the past twelve months. That close attention continues to be paid by officials to the false roof and safe timbering of working-places is evidenced by freedom from accident from that cause. The surface tramway from mine-mouth to railway is being straightened and graded to suit the light locomotive which is being imported to replace horse-haulage. Rules posted, plans kept, and report-books to date. 184 tons of fireclay were produced during the year for manufacture on the premises. St. Helens Colliery, Whitecliffs (H. Levick, permic). —(21/12/1906) : The old workings to rise are now exhausted. A new dip-drive and air-shaft are sunk on a 3 ft. seam of coal to the westward of all old workings. '. Craigiebum Coal-mine, West Coast Road (D. Manson).—During the year 35 tons of coal mined tor station and local requirements. Snowdon Coal-mine, Rakaia Gorge (George Gerard).—Coal mined for station purposes and local requhements. Kakahu Colliery, Gerald.ine (George Robu-fson, owner).—(B/12/1906) : A small prospecting shaft has been sunk on the creek-bank in the coal-measures underlying the limestone formation, The 2 ft. seam is visible, but efforts to reach the 8 ft. seam said to underlie are not being prosecuted meanwhile. Christchurch Lime Company, Slaveley (R. li. Scott, secretary, Christchurch).—No work has been done in connection with the coal-seams on this property during the year. Mount Somers Coal Company, Mount Somers (Andrew Thompson, mine-manager ; George Nell, secretary).—(l9/12/1906) : Headings and hvels are apparently up to boundaries on northern [and western sides of the freehold. The nianager suggests that new workings will be undertaken on Gibson's leasehold adjoining. Air good. Report-bock to date. Seam known to be 30 ft. in thickness. Woolshed Creek Colliery, Mount Somers (W. T. Doak, secretary; Thomas Harris, permit).— (19/12/1906) : Underground workings are now being extended to northward, but the coal is stony and roof bad, to which timber is set where required. Air good. This company, as applicants for a coal lease over Clown lands adjoining and to northward of the Mount Somirs Coal Company's freehold, if successful in securing the area, announce their intention of an extension of the county tramline up the valley of Chapman's Creek. _ "Albury Coal-mine, Chamberlain Settlement, Albury (G. H. Willetts, lessee and permit-holder).— (21/11/1906) : Under new tenancy the mine is working steadily in supply of local requirements. Mr. Willects concurred that the main level should be taken narrow under the creek-bed in ordei to avoid risk of falling roof letting the water into the mine. Seam, 10 ft. Waihao Coal Syndicate, Waihao Forks (G. Lomas, permic).—(22/11/1906): Seam, 5 ft., having 2ft of shale interbedded. System of work, modified long wall. A prospecting shaft, 6 ft. 2 in. by 4ft in the clear, being sunk at about 20 chains from Waihao Forks Railway-station, is down 173 ft. in the green sands, at which point water was struck, necessitating steam winding and pumping appliances, which are now being furnished. Elephant Hill, Waihao Downs (Lewis Mathias).—About 84 tons of coal have been taken from this pit during the year for station and local requirements. Dalgety Coal-pit, Hakataramea (New Zealand and Australian Land Company, owners ; J. Drysdale, manager).—A new mine has been opened further up the creek-bank, where the seam is semivertical and 30 ft. in thickness. North Otago. Wharekuri Coal-pit, Wharekuri (A. Shanks).—(3o/10/1906) : The new drive is to some extent unfortunately situated in having struck the old workings, of which no plans are available. The work, however, is not all loss, as a certain percentage of coal left standing by former woikers is recoverable. An uprise to surface for air-return is about to be started. Cairns's Coal-area, Awakino, Kurow (W. B. Cairns, licensee).—(3o/11/1906): Practically, nothing has been done on this area since the license was granted.

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Sanderson's Coal-mine {late Phillips's), Awakino, Kurow (John Sanderson, owner). —(30/11/1906): This mine having been acquired by Mr. Sanderson, the new owner has driven 50 yaids in and 50 yards southerly along the strike of the semi-vertical coal-seam to a fault which was being proved. A prospecting shaft to south of present workings is down 30 ft, Awakino Coal-mine, Kurow (George Orr, owner). —(30/11/1906): Not worked since March, 1905. St. Andrew's Colliery, Papakaio (Thomas Nimmo, owner and manager). —(23/11/1906) : A feature of the work in this mine is the safe manner in which pillars and head coal continue to be withdrawn without accident. Air good. Rules posted. Prince Alfred Colliery, Papakaio (Mrs. J. E. Willetts, owner; William Russell, permit).— (23/11/1906) : The 7 ft. seam of coal in the leasehold is practically exhausted. Timbering is well and safely done. A quantity of C0 2 being given off from the waste is led direct to the upcast air-shaft. A prospecting shaft being sunk on the freehold is down 40 ft, in the coal-measures. Ngapara Colliery, Ngapara (William Nimmo, owner and manager). —(14/8/1906) : Mine-workings in good order. Ventilation excellent. Seam, 25 ft, lignite and shale intermixed, having bands showing resinous and woody structure. Allandale Colliery, Shag Point (0. H. Westfield, mine-manager ; W. Everest, secretary, Shag Point). —(27/11/1906) : North section: Coal having thinned down considerably, it was decided to cease advancing and come back on the pillars, which w r ork is now proceeding. A prospecting bore at 58 ft. passed through a seam of coal 3 ft. 6 in. in thickness. Dip section: Development continues. The dip is at 280 yards to the face, and No. 2 north and south levels are broken away —the north level in top seam and south level in No. 2 seam. These seams are seen contiguous in several sections of the district, giving a total thickness of from 12 ft. to 14 ft. of ooal where exposed. Ventilation satisfactory, and timbering of working-places systematically attended to, an abundant supply for the purpose being constantly maintained on the premises. Electric-power plant for dip-haulage, pumping, and lighting purposes having proved efficacious, additional electrical plant is on order for the purpose of working the 7 ft. seam to the dip at near foot of main-haulage incline. Rules posted. Report-hooks and plan to date. Shag Point Colliery {old pit). Shag Point. —(2/5/1906) : Buildings are taken down ; engines, boilers, pumps, and all plant and machinery removed. Shafts are fenced around and covered with substantial beams. I had a quantity of old and damaged explosives removed from the magazine to a place of safety. Shag Point Colliery, Shag Point (William Hunt, permit). —A land-sale trade is being done from the upper or 3 ft. seam on the hillside. Pillar-extraction continues. South Otago. Fernhill Coal Company, Abbotsford (James Gray, lessee and manager).—(l4/11/1906) : A section of the old workings has been opened and cleared of damp. Falls of roof and sand from above coalseam maks effective stoppings to fire area. Ventilation satisfactory. Freeman's Coal Company, Abbotsford (R. Hill, manager).—(l4/11/1906) : The irregular method of development adopted is not conducive to free ventilation, with the result that while a fair supply of air enters the mine an unduly small proportion of the whole reaches a number of the working-faces. At my request improvements have been effected from time to time by closer attention to bratticing, and the ventilating furnace has been repaired and enlarged somewhat. It is, however, apparent that, as airways and roadways lengthen the loss of air by leakage and drag is such that the requirements of the Coal-mines Act are becoming incapable of fulfilment under the existing system. Pillais are being successfully drawn in the dip area, and the line of fire stoppings is maintained. An air-door on the haulage-road was found burnt in half, but whether maliciously or accidentally set on fire has not, been ascertained. The new coupled haulage-engine is working effectively. Report-books to date. Plan kept. Rules posted. Jubilee Colliery, Saddle Hill (Peter Campbell, mine-manager).—(l9/9/1906): A new air-shaft, 4 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 6 in., has been sunk a depth of 75 ft. to the coal-seam ; hence the ventilation around the working-faces is considerably improved. The former air-course has been cut off, and the old workings have now a separate ventilating system. Twenty-eight men employed. The mine-workings and roadways are in good order. Powder-canisters provided. Rules posted. Report-book up to date. Plan kept. Burnweil Colliery {including Glenochiel Colliery), Saddle Hill (Adam Harris, owner and manager).— (19/9/1906) : Mr. Harris having acquired the adjoining Glenochiel Colliery property (so long owned and worked by Mr. Bryce), has recently directed his efforts in the latter direction. Hauling-engine and steam-boiler having been erected, a new dip is being driven easterly, which will command a reasonable area of coal-seam to the rise of the engine plane. Ventilation good, and brattice up to workingfaces. Saddle Hill No. 1 Colliery, Saddle Hill (Christie Bros., owners ; W. W. Ogilvie, manager).— (9/10/1906) : A brick furnace has been built to the new upcast air-shaft. Ventilation excellent, and air conducted by brattice to working-faces. Extension of main dip is being proceeded with. This mine is water-free, due to percolation of water-growth (which is considerable) into a seam of sand underlying the coal-seam, thus becoming a source of underground springs at lower altitudes. Seam 20 ft. in thickness, of which 8 ft. is being worked bord and pillar.as first working. Saddle Hill No. 2 Colliery, Saddle Hill (Christie Bros., owners ; James C. Christie, manager).— (19/9/1906) : Pillars continue to be successfully drawn in a safo manner, an ample supply of timber being kept up to the lip of the waste as required. Mr. Christie estimated that from 85 to 90 per cent, of the coal-seam is being recovered. It is worthy of notice that fifteen miners produced 21,000 tons

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of coal from this mine during the year 1906. The total number of men underground, 17. Seam, 20 ft., all being worked. Mosgiel Colliery, Mosgiel (Orr and party; Hugh Orr, manager).—(l9/9/1906) : Operations are being continued in the dip section of the mine. All work on south side is stopped on the boundary. Ventilation, fair. Mine-workings generally in good order. Six men employed. Rules posted. Reportbook kept. Lauriston Colliery, Duncan Settlement, Brighton Road (J. Walker, owner and manager).—About 250 tons of coal were raised from this mine during the year for local requirements. Three men employed. McColl's Coal-pit, Duncan Settlement, Brighton (D. L. McColl).—Two men employed during the year raised 256 tons of coal for local requirements from this pit, Drummuir Coal-mine, Brighton (A. Louden).—Coal mined for private use. Fairbairn's Coal-mine, Taieri Mouth (R. Fairbairn, owner).—Coal mined for private use and local requirements. Bruce Coal-mine, Milton (Anthony Young).—(lß/10/1906) : Mine idle meanwhile. Reed's Coal-mine, Milton.— (lß/10/1906) : Mine idle meanwhile. Real Mackay Colliery, Milton (Lovell's Flat Coal Company, owners ; James Carruthers ; mmemanageT).—(lß/10/1906)': Driving to boundaries and robbing pillars homeward. Workings m good order and air excellent. A new mine is being driven to the 8 ft. seam which was found by boring. The Bruce Railway and Coal Company, Milton (Thomas Barclay, mine-manager ; R. Robertson, secretary).—(lß/10/1906) : Steam-haulage and pumping plant have been provided. Workings to dip are turning out well, coal being strong and improved in quality. Substantial brattice erected, and air fairly well conducted throughout the workings. Adam's Flat Coal-mine, Adam's Flat (J. Reid, owner).—Opencast pit for supply of local requirements. Wallsend Coal-mine, Lovell's Flat (R, Hewitson).—Opencast pit, 74 tons were taken out during the year for local requirements. Benhar Coal-mine, Stirling (P. McSkimming and Son, owners; James McLeod, permit).— (12/12/1906) : Nos. 2 and 3 seams are now being worked from the new dip drive to eastward. Shotfiring and blasting was in progress at the time of my visit, just prior to the miners ceasing work for the day. . . Mount Wallace Coal-mine, Stirling (Francis Park, lessee, lately James Walls).—Mr. Park took over the proprietorship of this mine during the year, and a steady output has been maintained, about 540 tons being extracted. Taratu Railway and Coal Company, Taratu Colliery, Kaitangata (Thomas Shore, mme-manager ; G. R. Cheeseman, general manager).—(4/10/1906) : All work is still confined to the upper seam. Working-places and roadways in good order. Timber well used. Ventilation good. There are now three air-returns, and a new one is being made to come out on the other side of the hill. The mam level has been driven to the roof at 12 chains 22 links. A dip has now been driven 75 ft. at a grade of 1 in 5 and a start made to open up this section. The coal looks well in the dip section. An oil-engine is to be installed for pumping and winding. Mine idle on this date. Eighteen men employed. Report-books in order. Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata.—(Sew Zealand Coal and Oil Company, owners; O. G. Lockhart, secretary, Dunedin; W. Carson, mine-manager).—(ll/12/1906) :At the commencement of the year Mr. Carson, mine-manager, Castle Hill Colliery, was appointed manager over both the company's mines at Kaitangata. In the month of April, signs of heating being apparent in No. 12 dip, the men were withdrawn from the two remaining pillars and the dip closed off. Development-work in the new main seam, south district, was continued during the early part of the year. No. 19 dip was driven 370 ft., the main south level extended, and Nos. 3 and 4 headings were put up several hundred feet and bords broken away. No. 18 dip workings were being freely robbed when a feeder of water with gas was experienced in No. 3 bord off No. 19 dip ; the water rose and overflowed into No. 18 dip, which also became flooded. As extension of the main-seam workings progressed the circulation of air ar.»und working-faces became increasingly difficult, and during an extended period of unfavourable atmospheric conditions in the month of May exudation of gases became so pronounced that the ventilating system proved inadequate to sufficiently dilute the increased volume of gas being given off. This state continuing, the management decided in June to proceed with the sinking of a new air-shaft on the seaward side of the main range of hills as already surveyed to a site in advance of the new workings. The shaft, 7 ft. 6 in. by 5 ft. in the clear, was sunk 583 ft,, and communication successfully made underground, thus cutting off a mile and a quarter of return airway, the major part of which had been driven and maintained through old workings. During the period of cessation of coal-winning pending sinking of new air-shaft, advantage was taken of the opportunity to effect necessary repairs to the mam crossmeasures haulage-road underground. Brick-wall fire-stoppings were repaired and strengthened, the brick arch at No. 3 reinforced with bent and shaped railway metals backed with 4 in. hardwood lagging. At intersections of Nos. 8, 9, and 16 districts—the coal-seams being practically worked out—continuous sets of bent rails having boiler-plate sheathing and sand backing have been inserted in the cross-sections of the coal-seams from rock to rock, which it is hoped will effectually]act as| airtight stoppings, imprison black damp, and prevent subsequent outbreak of fire by spontaneous ignition at those points. Unfortunately, several serious accidents happened to the mine officials while these improvements were being carried out. (25/7/1906) : Neill McAllister, assistant manager, and Charles Milne, repairer, were severely burned about face, hands, and body by a small fall'of heated sand which came away unexpectedly from near the roof at brick-wall fire-stopping undergoing repair at foot of main incline. (10/10/1906) : John McCaughern and William Proctor, deputies, sustained burns of face and arms by slight ignition of firedamp at No. 8 crossing. For purpose of "getting in to play water

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on a small fire which had arisen they took brattice in, when a small quantity of gas which had accumulated near the roof came in contact with a flame from the fire. (8/11/1906) : Frederick Olive Anderson, acting assistant manager, and William Lee, mechanical engineer, were missed during the morning, and their bodies were subsequently found in the return airway, which was heavily fouled by gases from a partially deluged spontaneous fire at No. 9, which latter, it is assumed, deceased went in to explore. (17/12/1906) : James Hill, banksman, and David Coulter, miner, sustained burns of face, neck, and arms by an ignition of gas at top of new sinking air-shaft. Owing to unfavourable weather, ventilation was dull, and work in the shaft was suspended. Hill, Coulter, and a miner named Ulingworth were engaged adjusting the plumb-lines, when Ulingworth struck a match to light his pipe and caused the ignition. (5/2/1907) : Alexander Bennie, miner, was fatally injured at No. 3 level, No. 18 dip, by a fall of coal from low roof, crushing deceased on the end of a box which he had just filled. A pillar " nug " occurred, and the coal, about 10 cwt., came suddenly away from a " sooty back." Deceased's brother and workmate stated that he had sounded the roof prior to the accident, and, although " drummy," he thought it safe. Castle Hill Colliery, Kaitangata (New Zealand Coal and Oil Company, owners ; W. Carson, minemanager).—(l2/12/1906) : This mine has been unusually vigorously worked during the year on account of the difficulties encountered at the sister Kaitangata Mine. Green's Seam district had been extensively drawn upon for output, the north level driven to the roll and No. 5 dip to the fault, pillaring and robbing being subsequently conducted. The carriage heading section, south extension, had been practically exhausted, and fire-stoppings are being put in. No. 6 dip in this section is down 100 ft. to the face. Stone drive crosscut section pillars have been freely drawn upon. The main cross-measures extension had intersected a new 6 ft, seam, and levels and headings are being driven for development. Air-register, 21,672 cubic feet per minute. Working-places, roadways, and airways maintained in safe condition with timber. Ventilation good. Traces of gas are occasionally met with in advancing places, which are kept bratticed up close to the face, and only safety-lamps used. A water-balance for man-hoisting purposes at the upcast air-shaft has been submitted to successive trials, which are yet incomplete. Rules posted. Report-books kept; and plans to date. Joseph Terry, twenty, repairer, sustained injuries to chest and head through being struck by a runaway box while working on No. 1 heading south, on the 26th May. The circumstances surrounding the runaway were not satisfactorily explained, but inquiry failed to elicit sufficient information to enable further proceedings being taken. Wangaloa Coal-mine, Kaitangata.— (Joseph Smith, lessee).—The coal is still mined as required for, local consumption. Mainholm Colliery, Conical Hills, Waipahi (W. Lischner).—Opencast workings. 3,190 tons of lignite were produced during the year. Three men employed. Central Otago. W. J. Tonkin's Property, Ettrick. —Prospecting operations were carried out by David Jones, but the work proved unsuccessful in finding a payable seam of coal. Coal Creek Collieries, Coal Creek Flat, Roxburgh (R. Pilling, jun., secretary ; J. Barber, mine-man-ager).—(23/5/1906) : Leasehold Mine : The " old mine " pillars and head coal were won opencast to water-level. A dip was then started to work the coal " underfoot," and a large quantity of coal has been won in this way. As all the coal from this section must now be mined from the dip, a new drive has been put in to meet the seam in the dip and lessen the water difficulty. 2,165 tons of coal were extracted from this section during the year. Freehold Mine : Although. 2,474 tons of coal were raised from this section during the year, very little work has been done during the last half-year. The dredging companies raised objection to the class of coal produced from the mine, and in order to retain the trade it was necessary to draw supplies from the leasehold section. Rules posted. Report-book and plan kept up. The company employs on an average ten men. McPherson's Coal-pit, Coal Creek, Roxburgh (Mrs. M. McPherson, lessee ; A. McPherson, manager). —(23/5/1906) : This opencast pit has been worked during the year on the usual good lines. Two work-ing-faces are now opened up. Six men are employed in stripping and in mining coal. 4,836 tons of coal were sold during the year. Craig's Perseverance Coal-mine, Coal Creek Flat, Roxburgh (James Craig, lessee ; W. Craig, permit). —(23/5/1906) : The old dip-workings have been blocked off, and the north-western area, which was heating, has been flooded. A new dip drive has been put down to maintain ventilation, pumping, and haulage. On the eastern end of the lease the coal is being worked opencast. 3,372 tons were raised during the year. Six men employed. Progress Colliery {Gully Pit), Roxburgh (A. Edmeades, lessee).—No work was done on this area during the year. McQueenville Colliery, Alexandra (S. T. Lett, lessee).—(2o/12/1906) : The area is kept fenced off pending complete settlement of the worked-out portions. The surface plumps are being attended to at intervals. Lett's New Mine, Gemmell's Gully, Alexandra (S. T. Lett, lessee).—(2o/12/1906): No work has been done on this area during the year, and the lessee has abandoned his intention of working it, Alexandra Coal-mine, Alexandra (Mathias Bros, and Co., lessees; A. Hunter, manager).— (10/1/1906) : Mr. Hunter reported an occurrence of firedamp on the 4th instant in a pot-hole in roof at water lodgment, discovered while niaking ordinary morning examination with safety-lamp. The gas having been cleared by ventilation had not subsequently been seen. Working-places in good order, but air a little dull at two faces, which were improved by bratticing. The fault parallel to the dip

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drive is interfering considerably with the southerly side of work. The area affected is three-quarters of a chain in width, within which coal is soft, broken, and inferior. (20/12/1906) : This mine has continued to be wo ked on the usual good lines throughout the year. Unfortunately, the dip section o he seam is inclined to be soft. The workings, roadways, and air-courses are in good order. Vent latum good , plan kept; report-book to date ; rules posted. 6,010 tons of coal were raised principally for dredge requirements. The average number of men employed was two above ground and eleven below. Safetylamp inspection continues to be regularly made prior to men descending to work. l Alexandra Coal Company, Alexandra (L. Ryan, secretary; James Pollock mm (29/9/1906) • It is becoming quite evident from alteration of dip of seam toward he fault, also prevalence of "wet backs" in the riverward area to west of present workmgs-that if the cod-seam does not outcrop in that direction there is at least a change for the worse, and Mr Pollock is now running his places along the fringe of the « wet back" area, which is becoming more defined, as may be seen on reference to the plan of the workings. In this section boreholes ahead flank, and roof regularly put in at intervals of 15 ft. and 20 ft. respectively for flank and roof-holes and while Z Tflank and straight boreholes indicate " wet backs "as they occur, it is remarkable hat the roofholes are-all dry. Most of the water comes from the parting between the black and brown seams Boreholes'indicating "wet backs" are plugged up tightly as soon as water is detected. Jnfi towd water into the pit-viz., 150,000 gallons per day-is an appreciable reduction or, wha had latterly been usual The row of watertight brick stoppings is completed and ready for use if and when required. An unfortunate accident happened on the 14th July, whereby four men were imprisoned for eighteen hours A fire, supposed to have originated accidentally in the pumping-chamber, extended to the woodwork and latticing at foot of the shaft, the lining timbers of which, being kauri timber, burned fiercely until several supplies of water from the surface having been laid on the fire became subdued Rescue parties were organized, and the men were brought to bank suffering more or less from the effects of shock foul air, and slight burns. The shaft is 73 ft. in depth, and, being the single outlet from the workings, not more than ten persons are employed below at any one time, as provided by section 46 ' T Cambrian's (Catherine Dungey, lessee).-Opencast pit. One man employed to SUPP Ewfri% Coal-pit, Cambrian's (James McGuckin, lessee).-(25/10/1906) : The pit is mainly closed by slip clay from the face. A section of the seam is being stripped by water, where a few tons of coal are being taken out. ,oK/in/iQrv» • Th P hill Jones's Coal-pit, Cambrian's (Lilah Jones, lessee ; R. Jones, manager).-(25/10/1906) . The hillside having slipped in, the pit is now closed. Application is being made for a lignite license at Threemile Creek, Lauder Station, over an area formerly known as Mc Arthur s lease Blackstone Hill Coal-pit, Blackstone Hill (James Armitage, lessee).-(24/10/1906) : Work wa suspended during the winter, and has not been resumed, Mr. Armitage being of the opinion that the pit WflS Coal-fit, Blackstone Hill (D. McKnight, late G. Price, lessee).-Coal taken out for private UM Balkan's Coal-pit, St. Bathan's (James Enright, lessee).-(24/10/1906) : Two men engaged stripping and carting spoil out of the pit, which is in fair working-order. tt>A/mn onfi, • Rough Ridge Coal-pit, Idaburn (Mrs. M. Beck, lessee; William Beck manager).-(24/10/ 906) Stripping kept well ahead, but sales reduced, it is claimed, since the advent of the Otago Central RailWay ' ldaburn Coal-pit, Idaburn (J. White, lessee).-(24/10 / 1906) : Stripping kept well in advance of the working-face. Natural tunnels or waterway under-runners in the seam interfere with the work and spoil the face of coal. _ . Border Coal-pit, Rough Ridge (G. Tumbull, lessee, deceased ; W. Roebuck, trustee, Oamaru).No work has been done since Mr. Turnbull's death. The pit is idle and full of water. Gimmerburn Coal-pit, Gimmerburn (C. Dougherty, lessee).-Forty-eight tons of coal were taken from this opencast mine to supply local requirements McCready and Coombs's Coal-pit, Kyeburn Diggings (W. Coombs, deceased, lessee).-Only about, 6 tons mined for private use. . . Healey's Lignite License, Kyeburn (Thomas Healey, hcensee).-Want of funds is the reason assigned why no work has been done in prospecting for suitable inlet into the seam, which lies below the level of Kveburn River. ~-.•« a -ix. \ Clyde Collieries Company, Clyde (A. C. Ackroyd, secretary, Dunedin ; G Smith, manager).------(16/8/1906) • This company continues to develop this property according to trade requirements, llie mine-workings are in good order. Ventilation is good throughout, Rules posted ; plans kept; reportbook up to date. The total output for the year from the Vincent and Dairy Creek sections was 4,196 tons, principally for dredge consumption. Ten men employed. Eraser River Coal-mine, Shepherd's Flat, Clyde (James Goodger, secretary, Cromwell; C. lippet, permit)—(lß/5/1906) : Mine-workings in fair order. Seam thin and roof bad, necessitating narrow work and good use of timber. Plan kept. Two men employed. The output of this pit depended solely on the operation of the Loch Lomond dredge. As this dredge ceased work m June, the pit has been idle ever since. , , . „ . ~ Scott's Freehold, Lowburn Flat.— The location of a seam of workable coal m the Clutha Basin would be of advantage to the dredges working in that locality. Some prospecting by boring was undertaken, but only a thin seam of coal was passed through. Further prospecting by boring was hindered by the stiff nature of the clay underlying the seam. It is intended to continue the search by shaft-sinking. Cardrona Colliery, Cardrona (R. McDougall, lessee).-(l 1/12/1906) : The lessee continues to work

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this pit on the opencast system. A good supply of water under pressure enables the top material to bo sluicedjoff. The coal is then mined to water-level. This pit supplies the requirements of the Cardrona, Wanaka, and Arrowtown districts. 8,588 tons of coal were raised during the year. Seven men employed. Gibbston Coal Company, Gibbston Saddle (Duncan and Scheib, lessees ; John Duncan, manager). — (13/12/1906) : The company has leased the mine to Duncan and Scheib, who are carrying on operations on the usual lines. Timber is well used. Ventilation good, being maintained by a connection with the upper-level workings. Mine-workings in good order. The tramway down the mountain-side continues to work satisfactorily. Five men employed. Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company, Bannockburn (T. K. Harty, secretary, Dunedin ; A. S. Gillanders, manager).—(lß/5/1906) : Kawarau Mine : The dip-face now stands at 850 ft. from daylight. The dip of the seam is not uniform, and has flattened out considerably, while there is a proportion of soft coal in the seam. The places are driven narrow to obviate the risk of breaks occurring in the roof. Drainage through the upper workings near the outcrop continues to give trouble. Ventilation good. Report-book to date. Plan kept. Rules posted. Thirteen men are employed in this mine. Excelsior Mine : Connection has been made with the adjoining mine, Wilson's, and good ventilation is now obtainable. A start has been made to come home on the pillars in the Excelsior section. The mine-workings are in good order. Timber well used. Report-book to date. Plan kept. Rules posted. Twenty men employed in this section. ♦ Wilson's Mine : Work in this mine has been confined to keeping the level and airway in order. Cairnmuir Coal Company, Bannockburn (J. E. McCabe, secretary, permit).—(2o/8/1906) : This mine is now well opened out by shafts, and considerable improvement has been effected. The surface plant has been removed to the head of the incline-dip, while the air-connection has been completed through the mine. Mine-workings are in good order. The coal is hard and strong. 1,859 tons were raised during the year. Report-book and plan kept. Six men employed. Charles Angel's Coal-pit, Bannockburn. —Mine worked for private use only. Nevis Coal-pit, Nevis (Charles Scott, lessee, permit).—(l9/12/1906) : The lessee continued to work this lease principally to supply coal to the New Era dredge. There is a considerable proportion of soft coal in the seam at present being worked, but a smaller upper seam yielded coal of good quality. Two men generally employed. Ryder's Coal-pit, Nevis (Charles Scott, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : This pit is worked opencast, the overburden being sluiced off. Very little coal has been mined during the year, attention having been given to developing the pit to maintain a large output this season. Pit now in good order. One man employed. Gunion's Coal-pit, Nevis (R. Gunion, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : No work was being done on this ease at this date. Ritchie's Coal-pit, Nevis (Robert Ritchie, lessee). —(18/12/1906) : Seam semi-vertical. The pit is worked opencast, the overburden being sluiced off. 1,669 tons, principally for dredge requirements, were raised during the year. Three men employed. James Ritchie's {late Graham's) Area, Whitton's Creek, Upper Nevis. —(lß/12/1906) : This coal is not in demand for steam purposes owing to its soft friable nature, which is due to its proximity to the Upper Nevis fault-line. Blocks of hard coal are sometimes met with during sluicing operations in this district, but they are not continuous. Southland. Pukerau Coal-pit, Pukerau (C. O'Hagan, permit). —(18/6/1906) : No. 1 lease (area, 10 acres) : Water proved troublesome under the present system of working the coal from the dip of the level. A new drive is being driven to the dip of the present workings to enable the coal to be won water-free. The seam is thick and strong, and the mine-workings are in good order. Ventilation good. The lessee intends to sink a new pumping-shaft further to the dip. Three men generally employed. Rules posted. Plan kept. No. 2 lease (area, 5 acres) : This area is not being worked. The lessee considers it can be worked to best advantage from No. 1 lease when the workings are far enough advanced. Nelson's Coal-pit, Pukerau (J. H. Nelson). —(18/6/1906) : Two men are generally employed in this mine, which is worked for district requirements only. The seam is thick and strong, and the mine is in good order. Water troublesome. The lessee intends to install an oil-engine and belt-driven pump. Mason's Coal-pit, Pukerau (A. Mason). —Coal taken out for private use only. Milne's Coal-pit, Pukerau (A. Milne). —Coal taken out for private use only. Glover's Coal-pit, Pukerau (Thomas Glover). —Coal taken out for private use only. Riverview Coal-pit, Gore (L. D. Nicol, owner). —This pit is situated on freehold land. Supplies are drawn for private use and limited district requirements. Hoffman's Coal-pit, East Gore (T. Hoffman, lessee). —(13/12/1906) : This pit was opened out with the view of locating an alleged trespass by the neighbouring colliery-owner. 408 tons 7 cwt, of coal were mined, but as the seam at this place did not prove suitable the mine was closed down. Whiterigg Colliery, East Gore (W. H. Paterson, owner; John Hartley, permit).—(l3/12/1906): The area affected by " creep " having settled, new workings are being opened to northward. Owing to the extreme competition resulting in the reduction of the selling-price in the district, trade is slack at this pit. Two men were employed taking out old pillars in the " rise " section to get dry coal for the household trade. Powder carefully stored and used. Ventilation good. Rules posted. Plan kept, fj Heffernan's Coal-pit, East Gore (W. Burgess, lessee, permit).—(9/10/1906) : Since last visit a boiler and steam-pump have been installed, and operations have been extended to the dip. The dip

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having been driven excessively wide, for safety, I gave instructions to reduce the width to 16 ft. and to increase the size of the pillars. Timber at mine-mouth requires renewal. Rules posted. Powder well handled. Ventilation good. Two men employed. On the 26th May, 1906, Joseph Lamberton, miner, sustained fracture of fibula in a simple manner by a piece of coal rolling on to his leg. Rosedale Coal-pit, Waikaka Valley (A. Reinke, owner; A. Mutch, lessee). —(11/9/1906): Pit situated on freehold land. Supplies are drawn from this opencast pit principally for dredge requirements in Waikaka Valley. 944 tons were raised during the year. One man generally employed. Michael Leitze's Coal-pit, East Gore. —Coal mined for private use only. A. McDonald's Coal-pit, East Gore. —(9/10/1906) : No coal was taken out during the year. Robert Smith's Coal-pit, East Gore. —Pit on freehold land. Coal mined for private use only. H. Smith's Coal-pit, East Gore. —Pit on freehold land. Coal mined for private use only. Green's Coal-pit Gore (Thomas Green, owner; J. Mason, manager).—(l3/12/1906): During the last half-year, Smyth's lease having expired, the owner assumed control over the mine. Considerable alterations have been made to the haulage-roads, loading-banks, and machinery on the surface. A new haulage-engine, steam-boiler, and steam-pump have been added to the plant, which is now capable of turning out an increased output. 7,881 tons of coal were raised during the year. The mine is in good working-order. Compressed powder carefully used. Rules posted. Report-books and plan kept. Eleven men are employed. Smytk's Coal-mine, Gore (Joseph Smyth, owner ; John Smyth, permit; reopened).—(l3/12/1906) : This mine has recently been reopened, and steam boiler and pump installed. The water is out, and coal is now being produced. The mine had only slightly deteriorated during the nine years which it had been standing. Tail's Coal-pit, Bushy Park Estate, Croydon (James R. Tait and Co., owners). —(13/12/1906) : This new pit is situated at the head of Charlton Valley, and was opened to supply fuel for sawmilling and dredging operations. A tramline, six miles in length, has been constructed down the valley to connect the pit with the various dredges. The seam is 14 ft. to 20 ft. in thickness, and is worked opencast. Thickness of clay stripping, 5 ft. and upwards. Three men employed. Knapdale Coal-mine, Knapdale (W. Irvine). —Pit idle throughout the year. Further winning of the coal to the dip would necessitate installation of winding and pumping plant. Boornwell Coal-pit, Chatton (G. P. Johnson, owner ; James Stark, permit).—(l3/12/1906) : This visit was paid in connection with an accident to John Ramsay, who sustained injuries to head and face and back by a fall of coal from roof on the sth December, 1906. I learned that Ramsay had fired a shot the previous evening, and on the morning of the accident had filled away several boxes of coal, when a flake came away from the roof inflicting injuries described. It would appear that Ramsay (who was in charge of the pit during temporary incapacity of Mr. Stark) had not carefully examined roof of place after shot-firing and before proceeding to work thereunder. Pacey's Leasehold Coal-pit, East Chatton (R. Pacey, lessee). —(11/9/1906) : Nothing has been done on this lease during the year. Pacey's Freehold Coal-pit, East Chatton (R. Pacey, owner ; W. Mclvor, permit). —(13/12/1906) : Opencast pit, 10 ft. to 12 ft. ; seam, 30 ft. Thomas Maslin sustained burns on the arm on the 22nd November, caused by a spark from a spitting fuse igniting loose blasting-powder in a tin which Maslin had been using. Perkins's Coal-pit, East Chatton (A. Perkins, lessee). —(13/12/1906) : A set of timber has been placed at mine-mouth, and Perkins promised that the clay-bank face would be trimmed for safety during the forthcoming holidays. Chatton Coal-pit, Chatton (A. Beath, lessee). —(16/10/1906) : This vertical seam is disadvantageously situated owing to the heavy overburden and the soft nature of the walls. In the upper level the seam proved to be broken and soft. The dip was then turned away at a steeper grade to open out at a lower level. Owing to the heavy drainage, and the absence of suitable hauling .and pumping machinery, the venture proved unpayable, and the mine has been closed down. Two men were employed. Cross's Coal-pit, Otama (Cross Bros., owners). —This coal-pit is situated on freehold land, and coal is mined for private use, also during the threshing season. Thorndale Coal-pit, Waikaka Valley (William Lloyd, owner ; F. Raunslcy, lessee). —(9/10/1906) : The condition of this pit is such that unless expenditure is incurred on suitable pumping machinery the future output will be very limited. Owing to the heavy nature of the overburden, there is now a tendency to undermine the face in order to maintain the trade. I instructed the owner and the lessee to desist from this method of working. One man generally employed. Springvale Coal-pit, Waikaka Valley (J. P. Mclntyre, owner, Core ; D. McColl, lessee). —(10/7/1906) : Opencast pit; seam, 10 ft, in thickness ; stripping, 10 ft. The pit supplies coal for dredge and local purposes. The overburden is kept well stripped back, and the pit is in good working-order. Suitable powder-magazine provided. Output for the year, 2,576 tons. Two men generally employed. Willowbank {late Reed's) Coal-pit, Waikaka Valley (W. Paterson, owner; W. Jones, permit).— (10/9/1906) : A suitable winding and pumping plant having been installed, .operations are being continued to the dip. Good ventilation is maintained through several openings into the mine. The mineworkings are in good order ; timber well used ; powder carefully used. Rules posted. Six men employed. McGill's Glenlee Coal-pit, Wendon Valley (J. McGill, owner ; D. T. McGill, permit).—(ls/10/1906) : This mine is situated on freehold land. One man is generally employed, as the output is limited. The coal is worked partly opencast and partly underground. Explosives well stored and carefully used. McDonald's Coal-pit, Wendon Valley (A. A. Edge, owner; S. Coulter, permit). —(15/10/1906): Operations are being carried on as usual in this pit. 3,481 tons of coal were raised and sold, principally

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for the requirements of dredges working in Waikaka Valley. The mine is in good working-order. Ventilation good. Powder well stored and carefully used. Rules posted. Four men employed. Edge's Coal-pit, Wendon Valley (A. A. Edge, lessee). —No coal has been mined from this area during the year. J. Bushbridge's Coal-pit, Wendon Valley. —Supplies are drawn from this pit during the summer months for threshing and winter use. Perkins's Coal-pit, Wendon Valley (George Perkins). —Coal mined for private use only. Henderson's Coal-pit, Wendon Valley. —Coal mined for private use only. Radford's Coal-pit, Wendon. —This pit was idle throughout the year. Mystery Flat Coal-seam, Waikaia. —A bed of lignite from 2 to 4 chains in width has been proved by boring and dredging operations to exist in the main valley opposite Monaghan's woolshed, Landslip. It was proposed to work this seam, but the plan was not carried through. Landslip Coal-mine, Waikaia (Landslip Coal Syndicate, owners ; W. E. C. Reid, secretary, Dunedin ; R. Brown, manager). —(11/1/1906) : The tramway bridge, 4 chains in length, across the Waikaia River facilitates coal-loading when the river is in fresh. The coal-seam is 18 ft. in thickness, of which 8 ft. is being extracted fiist working ; pillars, 30 ft. square. Increased ail -circulation by erecting a chimney on the upcast shaft, and utilising exhaust steam from pump is under consideration. Kyle and Sons' Coal-pit {lately Rear's), Waikaia (William Kyle, permit). —(11/10/1906) : Coalseam tender, and oare required to maintain the places intact. The low-level drainage-tunnel being driven should prove a benefit. Rossvale Coal-pit {late Ross's), Waikaia (Bond and Cain, lessees ; J. Bond, permit). —(11/10/1906) : Mine-entrance well timbered, and main level is in good order, and gradually getting around Ross's old workings, which are fallen. The lower seam is 10 ft. in thickness, of which 6 ft. is worked, leaving strong roof in coal so long as present width of bords (8 ft.) is not exceeded. Monaghan's Coal-pit, Landslip, Waikaia (R. Monaghan, lessee; J. T. Young, permit). — (11/10/1906) : North-going levels are driven past old workings, which are fallen. This seam will not stand wide or high drives, and the roof of soft sandstone is not self-supporting. Stentons for air are driven at regular intervals. The proprietor contemplates selling his interest in the mine. Muddy Terrace {Shale-pit), Waikaia (T. F. Goldie, owner; J. M. Hazeldine, manager).— (23/3/1906) : This seam is now worked partly by opencast and partly by underground mining. The mine-workings are in good order. Timber well used. Ventilation good. The seam is 17 ft. in thickness. The depth of clay-stripping in the open face is 15 ft, Six men are employed. Argyle Coal-pit, Upper Waikaia (J. and T. Baxter, lessees). —(22/3/1906) : Owing to its distance from the dredging-field this pit does not maintain a steady output. The supply is chiefly to farmers, and does not exceed 250 tons per annum. The seam is worked opencast. Two men employed. Pyramids Coal-pit, Mandeville (E. MacAllister; owner). —The mine has not been reopened during the year. Waimea Coal-pit, Waimea Village, Waimea. —This pit has been idle throughout the year. Radford's Coal-pit, Balfour (E. Fitzgerald, owner). —Only 152 tons of coal were mined from this property in the early part of the year. H. Studholme's Coal-pit {late R. McKenzie's), Blackmount Station, Takitimo District. —Forty-five tons of coal were mined from this pit for private and station requirements. Waimumu Coal-pit, Mataura (C. P. Sleeman, owner). —(10/10/1906) : Operations have been conducted on the usual good lines throughout the year. Two faces are now opened up, and steady supplies are drawn from them. 8,215 tons of lignite were raised and sold during the year. Powder carefully stored and handled. Seven men generally employed. Boghead Coal-pit, Mataura (A. Cameron and James Duncan, lessees). —(10/10/1906) : 375 tons of coal were raised during the early part of the year, but work was suspended in March, and the pit has been flooded since that month. Mataura Lignite-pit, Mataura (Beattie, Coster, and Co., owners; W. Coster, manager).— (10/10/1906) : Opencast pit in good working-order. Large area of overburden stripped in advance of working-face. Powder well stored and canisters provided for use. 7,427 tons of lignite were raised and sold during the year. Nine men generally employed. McGilvray's Coal-pit {late Mutch's), Mataura. —No coal was mined from this pit, but 14 tons of haematite were raised for the Mataura Paper Mills. Waimumu Colliery Company, Waimumu (H. W. Royds, secretary ; W. J. Williams, manager). — (12/9/1906) : This pit is worked on the opencast system. On this visit I found that the overlying clay had not been kept sufficiently well stripped back from the working-face and haulage-road. In consequence of the wet weather the overburden had slipped over the face. I instructed the manager to withdraw the men from the coal and clear off the overburden to a safe distance. (17/10/1906) : Revisited the pit on this date, and found that a large area of the overburden had been cleared off with ploughs and scoops. 4,314 tons were raised and sold during the year, principally for the supply of dredges working in the Waimumu Valley. Powder well stored and handled. Ten men employed. Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps (J. Lloyd, mine-manager ; William Handyside, managing director). — (14/10/1906) : No. 1 district, north-going and dip sections : Under the policy of development in advance as hitherto carried out boundaries to rise of water-free level have been reached, consequently extraction of pillar and head coal is now in full swing. Large quantities of timber are used for protection of the workmen, and many crib log buildings erected on roadsides for support of roof on the lips of the waste are rendered necessary by reason of the numerous clay backs which occur at irregular angles in the coal-seams. No. 2 district (pillars) : Robbing of pillar and head coal continues to be safely done. The district is drawing homeward gradually. Timber plentifully used, most of which is withdrawn and used over again. The ventilation of the colliery is generally good, as the fan is working well within

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its power. In far-in levels, &c, brattice is carried to working-faces for ventilation as required. The opencast to furnish a considerable proportion of the total output, Stripping of overburden systematically carried out and workings are safely conducted. All plant and machinery maintained in good working-order. Report-books and plans to date. Hit or Miss Coal-mine, Nightcaps (William Tinker, lessee, permit).—(27/9/1906) : At this date the lessee was busy putting in a new drive to reach the coal-seam on adjoining sections. The mine is unwatered by means of syphon. Lamont's Coal-mine {H.8.), Nightcaps (D. McKenzie, permit).—6o3 tons of coal were raised from this mine during the year. The mine is now closed. Morley Coal-pit, Nightcaps (G. R. Spence).—Opencast pit, from which 1,167 tons of coal have been taken during the year. Mcßride's Coal-mine, Nightcaps (William Reed, lessee, permit).—(27/9/1906) : Driving a level westerly on strike of the coal, the intention being to thereby prove an area of 10 acres held by McKenzie and Cousins and lying to westward of Mcßride's section. Meanwhile coal is carted a distance of three miles to Wairia Railway-station, but a proposal is afoot to lay down a tramway to the station. The Willow Coal-pit, Nightcaps (John Clark).—33o tons of coal were mined for local requirements from this opencast pit during the year. Groves's Coal-pit, Manuka Hill, Nightcaps (George Groves).—(27/9/1906) : A new pit. A wooden tram-line, 60 chains in length, has been laid to the opencast pit at the foot of the hill. Hogan's Lignite License, Orepuki (Cornelius Hogan, licensee).—Opencast pit. Four tons of lignite were raised during the year. An inferior seam of lignite, 8 ft. in thickness, occurs on the banks of Falls Creek. There is nothing doing, and from appearances the pit is closed down, if not abandoned. Bush Siding Coal-pit, Seaward Bush (I. W. Raymond, late R. W. Robson, lessee ; F. Bowden, manager).—(29/8/1906) : Working opencast on north side of railway-line. Seam, 20 ft. Stripping of clay, 6 ft. to 8 ft., is kept fairly well in advance of working-face. Thomas Gillies's Coal-pit, Clifton.—The pit is still flooded owing to the small pump being unable to cope with surface drainage, and no coal has been mined during the year. Remarks. Contributions by coal-owners to the Coal-miners' Relief Fund amounted to £465 16s. 7d., while payments from the fund to the amount of £416 18s. lid. have been recommended on account of accidents which have occurred in and about coal-mines in this district during the year. Accidents. During the year 118 cases of accident were reported to me, three resulting fatally, while nine might be termed serious, and the balance, 106—mainly trivial accidents incidental to the calling—were chiefly reported to me in connection with claims for relief from the Coal-miners' Relief Fund, there being no Sick and Accident Fund in connection with the miners' associations in the district. For various reasons eleven of the claims were not prosecuted by the claimants. All accidents of a serious nature were inquired into and reports thereon duly forwarded to you by me. Fatal Accidents. sth February, 1906.—Alexander Beuuie, fifty-one, miner, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Fatally injured by fall of coal at face. Bth November, 1906.—Frederick Olive Anderson, forty-seven, acting assistant manager, and William Lee, twenty-four, mechanical engineer, Kaitangata Colliery : Suffocated by foul gases in return airway. Non-fatal {Serious) Accidents. 26th May, 1906.—Joseph Terry, repairer, Castle Hill Colliery, Kaitangata : Fractured rib, injuries to chest, lung, and head ; struck by runaway box on heading. 164 days off work. 26th May, 1906.—Joseph Lamberton, miner, Heffernan's Colliery, Gore : Fracture of fibula by piece of coal rolling on to leg. Seventy-two days off work. 25th July, 1906.—Neil McAllister, assistant manager, and Charles Milne, repairer, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Severe burns about face, hands, and body by small fall of heated sand and live coal which fell from brick-wall fire-stopping. 142 and 143 days off work respectively. 10th October, 1906.—John McCaughern and William Proctor, deputies, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Burns of face and arms by ignition of firedamp. Each sixty-one days off work. sth December, 1906.—John Ramsay, miner, Burnwell Coal-mine, Chatton : Injuries to head and back by fall of coal from roof. , . 17th December, 1906.—James Hill, banksman, sinking air-shaft, Kaitangata Colliery, kaitangata : Severe burns of face, arms, and body by ignition of firedamp at surface. 17th December, 1906.—David Coulter, miner, sinking air-shaft, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Burns of face, neck, and arms by ignition of firedamp at surface. Forty-nine days off work. I have, &c, E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines.

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APPENDIX B. PAPERS SET AT THE 1906 MINE-MANAGERS' EXAMINATIONS. Examination op Candidates for Certificates of Competency as First-class Mining-managers. Subject No. 1. — On Shaft-sinking, Tunnelling, and Opening out a Colliery. 1. If you were charged with the exploitation of a coal lease of 2,500 acres, and the strata were monoclinal, what preparatory measures would you adopt; also, how would you determine the position of shafts and service equipments ? 2. Describe and show by sketches the various methods of sinking through heavily watered alluvial deposits. If portion of a shaft 18 ft. diameter in the clear is to be lined with cast-iron tubbing, with water-pressure thereon of 197 lb. per square inch, what thickness of metal would you have put in ? 3. What are the dangers to be apprehended from the turning and oscillation of the sinking bucket in a deep shaft ? Show by sketch a suitable apparatus to prevent such ; and how is it fixed ? 4. Describe the method of putting in a bricking curb in a sinking shaft, also of putting in a length of brickwork ; likewise the method of putting in a water-ring. What precautions should be taken during these operations {a) if inflammable gas is given off, (b) if the sinking is in hard ground ? 5. Two shafts, 1,750 ft. and 1,785 ft. deep respectively, are sunk from a level surface to a gassy seam 5 ft. thick, having inclination of 1 in 10, with a soft floor : give dimensions of shaft-pillars, and state which shaft you would make the upcast, and why. Show by sketches position of shafts and shaftpillars, arrangement of pit-bottom, position of main intake and return airways, direction of air-currents through workings to upcast. Give sizes of air-courses and roadways. Provide for a daily output of 1,300 tons. 6. Describe and show by sketches the different kinds of cage-conductoTS used in shafts, and the various methods of arranging and fixing same. Subject No. 2.— On working Coal, and timbering underground. 1. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of bord-and-pillar and longwall methods of working coal-seams, respectively. Describe and show by sketches the system of working under the foregoing methods. 2. Given a coal property of 1,200 acres, with a seam 6 ft. 3 in. thick, dipping 1 in 18, and a cover of 1,100 ft., with hard bottom and tender roof, what system of working would you adopt, and why ? Show by sketch how you would lay out the workings. 3. Explain the different causes of " creep," and give sketches showing effect of same ; also describe what precautionary measures you would adopt to obviate " creep " under the various conditions. 4. Describe, and show by sketches, how you would set props, also timber sets, for the support of the roof in a seam having an inclination of 30° ; likewise how you would secure a longwall face, with tender roof and floor, the seam being 4 ft. 9 in. thick, and inclination 1 in 5. 5. Calculate the diameter of a circular beam of timber, 12 ft. between supports, and load distributed, for a breaking-strain of 100 T % tons (coefficient of rupture, -75). 6. Describe, and show by sketches, in plan and side elevation, the different systems of working and timbering places, both in flat and very steep seams, also the method of securing the working-faces under both conditions, whilst holing and cutting. 7. Describe, and illustrate by sketches, different methods of pillar-working, and explain the principal dangers to be guarded against during extraction. Subject No. 3.— On the Gases of Mines, Spontaneous Combustion, and Ventilation. 1. Give the chemical properties of firedamp and black damp, and their weights compared with atmospheric air. State the residual gases from an explosion of firedamp, and what are their properties and effect on human life. 2. Under what conditions may a small amount of explosive gas render a mine exceedingly dangerous ? Also, if a quantity of gas occupies 19,750 cubic feet when the barometer reads 30-3 in., how and in what manner will the volume be affected if the barometer falls to 28-4 in. ? 3. It is required to travel 90,000 cubic feet of air per minute through an airway 18 ft. wide by 8 ft. high, and 1,790 yards long : what pressure will be needed to do so ? Give answer in feet of air-column, and also inches of water gauge ; likewise show what quantity of air would pass if water gauge doubled. 4. State what are the causes of spontaneous combustion in mines ; also name the gases generated by gob-fires, and describe their properties and action on human beings. In a seam liable to spontaneous combustion, what precautions would you take to obviate the occurrence of fires ? 5. Descrbe the various systems of ventilation in mines. Show sketches of an overcast and undercast, and describe their uses ; also explain the uses of regulators, doors, and stoppings. State the most advantageous method of splitting air, and its limit. 6. Forty thousand cubic feet of air per minute is split into three airways, A, B, and C : A is 1,400 yards long, 4 ft. high, and 6 ft. wide ; B 1,000 fathoms long, 5 ft. by 7 ft, ;" and C is 7,500 ft., and 6 ft, by 12 ft, : what quantity will each get ? 7. A volume of 310,000 cubic feet of air per minute is passing in a downcast shaft 18 ft, diameter and 1,300 ft. deep : what is the extent of rubbing-surface, also the velocity of air per second ?

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Subject No. 4. — On dealing with Old Workings and other Sources of Danger. 1. State what dangers are liable to arise from extensive old workings in a mine, and what precautionary measures you would adopt to obviate same and prevent accident. 2. What would you consider dangerous explosives to use in dry and dusty mines ? Where you permitted explosives to be used in such mines, what precautions would you take, and what instructions would you give 1 3. Assuming you were in the workings of a mine, in charge, and an active fire broke out on the main intake airway, what steps would you take for the safety of the workmen ? 4. Describe the various types of water-dams used in mines. Assuming a feeder of 3,000 gallons per hour has to be be dammed off, explain and illustrate by sketches how you would construct a dam to do so, in a place 12 ft. wide by 6 ft. high, and to withstand an ultimate pressure of 3001b. to the square inch ; give the head of water in feet for said pressure, also total weight in tons against the dam. 5. Enumerate the causes of coal-dust explosions in mines, and explain measures you would take for their prevention. 6. Describe in detail the steps you would take if charged with the direction of operations immediately after an explosion in a coal-mine operated by shafts, and the ventilation effected mechanically, but the appliances for the latter damaged by the explosion. 7. What accidents are liable to occur from the use of naked lights in mines ? In a mine worked with naked lights, describe fully the conditions which would necessitate the introduction of safetylamps. Subject No. s.— On Steam Boilers and Engines used about Mines. 1. Describe the various types of steam-boilers in use at collieries, and showsketrh of any one type with the necessary mountings in position; also calculate the safe working-pressure of steam for a Lancashire boiler 28 ft. 6 in. by 8 ft., with double-riveted steel plates 0-875 in. thick. 2. Enumerate the various kinds of mechanical stokers ; describe the principle upon which they operate, and explain the chief points of their utility ; also show by sketch a longitudinal section of a boiler-furnace fitted with a chain-grate stoker. 3. In operating steam boilers and engines, what important measures is it imperative to observe whereby accidents may be avoided ? 4. An underground haulage-engine with pair cylinders 12 in. diameter has to be driven by compressed air at 60 lb. per square inch ordinary pressure : show diameter of single-stage air-compressing cylinders required to compress sufficient air to maintain the said pressure, assuming uniform speed of air-compressors and haulage-engine. 5. A pair of capstan engines have cylinders 12in. diameter and 2 ft. stroke; the effective steampressure is 90 lb. per square inch ; the pinion and spur wheels between first and second shafts are 2 ft. and 5 ft. 6 in. diameter, and between second and third shafts 1 ft. 6 in. and 6 ft. diameter ; the cap-stan-drum is 5 ft. 9 in. diameter : what load can be lifted, not calculating friction ? 6. Calculate the thickness of metal required in a cast-iron pipe 7 in. internal diameter for a workingpressure of 120 lb. of steam per square inch ; also give sketch, both plan and section, of a stuffing-box and gland steam-pipe expansion joint. 7. A fan produces 90,000 cubic feet of air per minute, at 80 revolutions, with 2-3 in. water gauge : calculate the horse-power of fan, also engine, taking useful effect of fan at 65 per cent. Also, what would be quantity of air, water gauge, horse-power of fan, and horse-power of engine if fan-speed reduced to 60 revolutions ? With direct-coupled engine, calculate diameter of steam-cylinder and thickness of metal, also length of stroke, to drive fan at 80 revolutions ; mean effective steam-pressure, 80 lb. per square inch. Subject No. 6. — On Mine Drainage and Haulage, and Appliances for same. 1. Seven hundred tons of coal are to be hauled in eight hours by endless rope ; gradient against the load, 1 in 7 ; length of road, 1,850 yards ; average effective pressure of steam on piston, 80 lb. per square inch ; piston-speed, 280 ft. ; speed of rope, 2| miles per hour ; empty tubs weigh 5 cwt. each, and when loaded carry 12 cwt. of coal: calculate size of pair of engines to effectively do this work, also the ratio of gearing. 2. Sketch in detail a longitudinal vertical section through the centre of the steam and water chambers of a direct-acting steam-pump ; also describe the principle of, and show by sketch, a mine-pump actuated by a column of water. 3. A pair of winding-engines have cylinders 30 in. in diameter, with stroke 5 ft., the effective steam-pressure on piston being 90 lb. per square inch : calculate the maximum diameter the drum can be made whereby the engines can lift an unbalanced load of 5J tons. (Allow one-third for friction, and reckon upon one engine to lift the load.) 4. Describe the modern appliances used in connection with coal-winding arrangements, to give the maximum amount of safety ; also describe and show by sketches the onsetting and banking-out arrangements of a deep winding-shaft, to deal with an output of 1,200 tons in eight hours. 5. Describe briefly, and illustrate by sketches, the various arrangements adopted for taking up slack rope in endless-rope haulage ; also explain the methods of communication between different stations on a haulage system. 6. The delivery column of a steam-driven double direct-acting pump is 2,000 ft, long ; the first 300 ft. rises lin 5, next 600 ft, lin 4, next 540 ft, lin 3, and the last 560 ft. are vertical: what is the pressure per circular inch on the plungers ? The discharge is 30,000 gallons of water per hour at pumpspeed of 100 ft, per minute : calculate size of pistons, plungers, also of suction, delivery, and steam pipes.

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Subject No. 7. — On Geology, Surveying, and making Plans. 1. Describe the various strata, in descending order, superimposed over any coal-seams in this colony of which you have knowledge ; likewise name and describe the action of the geological agencies which operate on the earth's crust. 2. Show by sketches the effect upon coal-seams of faults and igneous dykes, and explain the common action of such on the adjacent coal. 3. Explain the various reasons which make underground surveys necessary in conjunction with the practical working of a mine ; also state what are the advantages of having the levels marked on colliery-plans. 4. A rectangular coal lease contains 420 acres, the width is 22 T S T chains : what is the length in chains ? Also, what would be the length of the side of a square of equal area ? 5. Candidates to produce plan showing the workings of a col'iery with the surface taken up for at least 20 acres in the vicinity of the shaft or adit, the workings to be shown in colours. The connection between the surface and underground must be shown and described in the event of there being only one shaft. The levels and main headings must have assumed traverse calculated in detail, and showing latitude and departure for each bearing. The plan to be candidate's own work, and to be accompanied by field-book. 6. The perimeter of a triangular reservoir is 61 chains; A-B is £of A-C, and 3 chains longer than B-C : find the length of each side. 7. Plot the following bearings with protractor and scale, and calculate the latitude and departure and give course and length from G to A : — A-B, N. 41° 30' E., 520 links. B-C, E. 450 links. C-D. N. 9° 15' E., 450 links. D-E, S. 69° 30' E., 500 links. E-F, S. 36° 25' E., 750 links. F-G, S. 42° 45' W., 450 links. 8. What instruments are necessary for making an accurate survey and level ? Describe how you would adjust and test the accuracy of each instrument. Subject No. 8. — Arithmetic, and a Knowledge of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905." 1. In portion of a coalfield containing 380 acres the seam is 7 ft. 6 in. thick, yielding T 9 W of a ton per cubic yard ; 20 per cent, is lost through faults and in working ; the miners produce 80 per cent, of large and 20 per cent, of small coal: what are the total amounts paid for hewing at the rates of Is. IOJd. per ton for large and BJd. per ton for small, and for royalty at 6d. and 3d. per ton on large and small coal respectively ? 2. A shaft 200 fathoms deep has to be bricked to a finished diameter of 18 ft. clear, with an average of 14 in. of brickwork : state how many rods of brickwork required, and the number of bricks, standard size, to complete the work ; also show in cubic feet the quantity of debris excavated during the sinking of the shaft. 3. A mine-reservoir covers 1 acre 1 rood 11 poles nj'yards of ground, [and contains 5,400,000 gallons of water : what is its average depth ? 4. In a 7 ft. seam of coal, the headings, 9 ft. wide, are being driven at the rate of 14s. 2 T \jd. per lineal yard ; it is desired to alter this system to a tonnage rate : what price per ton would equal the cost per yard, a cubic yard of coal weighing o'9 of a ton ? 5. How many gallons of water per minute should a pump deliver to lower a lodgment of 28 acres a depth of \ in. per twenty-four hours, working constantly, and with a regular feeder of 90 gallons per minute flowing into lodgment ? 6. The cost of getting out and putting into wagons of 295,000 tons of coal is ss. 9£d. per ton, the other expenses amounting to 4s. 2£d. per ton : find the total profit if 70 per cent, of the coal is sold at 13s. per ton and the remainder at 9s. 6d. per ton, a discount of 5 per cent, being allowed to purchaser. 7. Fifty thousand gallons of water has to flow through a 3 in. pipe at a velocity of 220 ft. per minute : how long will it take to run the water off ? 8. Briefly state the requirements of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905," as to — {a) Ropes, chains, and machinery ; (b) Securing of shafts ; (c) Ventilation ; {d) Withdrawal of workmen, &c. ; (e) Plan of workings ; (/) Serious accidents ; (</) The use of safety-lamps.

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List of Persons who have obtained Certificates as Mine-managers under the Coalmines Acts. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts, ISB6 and 1891. Aitken, T., Wendon. Gray, J., Abbotsford. 'Redshaw, W., Whangarei. Alexander, T\, Brunnerton. 'Harrison, J., Brunnerton. Reed, F., Westport. Austin, J., Sheffield. Irving, J., Kaitangata. 'Richardson, D., Abbotsford. Binns.G. J., Dunedin. Jemison, W., Waimangaroa. Shore, J., Kaitangata. Bishop, J., Brunnerton. Kenyon, J., Shag Point. Shore, T., Orepuki. •Brown, T., Westport. Kerr, G., Kamo. 'Shore, W. M., Kaitangata. Brown, T., Glentunnel. Lindsay, W., Otago. 'Smart, W., Christchurch. Cameron, J., Denniston. Lloyd, J., Invercargill. Smith, A. E., Nelson. Campbell, J. C, Fairfield. 'Louden, J., Green Island. Smith, T. F., Nelson. Cochrane, N. D., Dunedin. Love, A., Whangarei. Sneddon, J., Mosgiel. Collins, W., Taupiri. Mason, J., Nightcaps. Swinbanks, J., Kawakawa. Dando,' M., Brunnerton. May, J., Greymouth. Taylor, E. 8., Huntly. 'Elliott, R., Wallsend. Moody, T. P., Kawakawa. Thompson, A., White Cliffs. Ferguson, A., White Cliffs. Moore, W. J., Springfield. Walker, J., Collingwood. 'Freeman, J., Green Island. Nelson, J., Green Island. Williams, W. H., Shag Point. ♦Geary, J., Kamo. Ord, J., Huntly. First-class Certificates issued after Examination under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886, 1891, and 1905. Armitage, F. W., Auckland. Fletcher, James, Granity. McCormack, W., Denniston. Armstrong, J., Brunnerton. Fry, Sydney, Waimangaroa. McEwan, Robert, Coromandel. Barclay, T., Kaitangata. Gibson, John, Westport. McGeachie, J., Mokau. Barolay, W., Kaitangata. Gillanders, A., Shag Point. Milligan, N., Westport. Bennie, Bovd, Waihi. Gowans, W., Millerton. Morgan, Wm., Waihi. Brown, J. C, Denniston. Green, E. R., Abbotsford. Murray, T„ Westport. Campbell, Peter, Fairfield. Green, J., Brunnerton. 'Newsome, F., Denniston. Carruthers, J., Shag Point. Hamilton, J. S,, Burnett's Face. Newton, James, Brunnerton. Carson, W., Kaitangata. Herd, J., Brunnerton. Shore, Joseph, Kaitangata. Coombe, J., Waihi. Hill, Robert, Abbotsford. Smith, George, Fairfield. Coulthard, J., Taylorville. Hosking, G. F., Auckland. Sowerby, H., Denniston. Dixon, C. W., Granity. 'Hughes, D., Preservation Inlet. Tattley, E. W., Huntly. Dixon' W., jam, Kaitangata. Jebson, D., Canterbury. Tattley, F. J., Mercer. Duggan, George, Burnett's Face. Johnson, W. P., Thames. Taylor, A. H., Waikato. Dunn, Andrew, Denniston. Leitch, J., Blackball. Thomson, Thomas, Denniston. Dunn', W., Brunnerton. Leitch, W., Blackball. Turner, G. F.. Shag Point. Dunn, W. R., Thames. Marshall, A. G., Denniston. Westfield, C. H., Fairfield. Elliott, R., jun., Denniston. McCaffrey, Patrick, Ferntown. Young, James H., Waimangaroa. Fleming, J., Kaitangata. Mine-managers' Certificates, issued on Production of English Certificate, under " The Coal-mines Act, 1886." Binns, G. J., Dunedin. 'Garrett, J. H., Auckland. Macalister, J., Invercargill. Black, T. H., Waipori. Hayes, J., Kaitangata. 'Nimmo, J., Oamaru. Broome, G. H., Ngakawau. Hodgson, J .W., Ross. "Straw, M., Westport. Cater, T„ Auckland. 'Lindop, A. 8., Springfield. Tattley, W., Auckland. Cochrane, N. D., Dunedin. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates, issued to Inspectors of Mines by virtue of Office, under the Coal-mines 'Acts of 1886 and 1891. Coutts, J., Thames. 'Gow, J., Dunedin. 'Wilson, G., Thames. Gordon, H. A., Wellington. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Mine-managers' Certificates, issued on Production of Certificate from a recognised Authority outside the Colony, under the Coal-mines Acts of 1891 and 1905. Alison, R., Greymouth. 'Jordan, R. S., Kaitangata. Tennent, R., Brunnerton. Dixon, J., Westport. Kirkwood, D., Coromandel. Twining, C. E., Dunedin. Fletcher, George, Westport. Lewis, W., Blackball. Watson, James, Greymouth. Frame, Joseph, Kaitangata. Pollock, James, Green Island, Otago. Wight, E. S., Auckland. Goold, A. L., Auokland. 'Proud, Joseph, Wanganui. Wood, William, Mokihinui. Irvine, James, Dunedin. Scott, Joseph, Ngahere. Second-class Mine-managers' Service Certificates. Issued under " The Coal-mines Act, 1905." Carson, M., Kaitangata. Longstaff, H. C, Kaitangata. 'Roberts, John, Brunnerton. Collier, Levi, Kamo. Love, Alexander, Orepuki. 'Ross, John, Kawakawa. Clarke, Edward, Shag Point. McCall, John, Wellington. Sara, James, Reefton. Elliot, Joseph, Coal Creek. McGeachie, J., jun., Mokau. Smith, Charles, Whangarei. Harris, John, Denniston. Mcintosh, Allan, Shag Point. Thomas, James, Springfield. Herd, Joseph, Brunnerton. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Wallace, William, Huntly. Howie, James, Kaitangata. Marshal], J., Ngakawau. Willetts, John, Papakaio. Leeming, William, White Cliffs. Murray, Thomas, Denniston. 'Willetts, John Morris, Papakaio. Lennox, W., Springfield. 'Nimmo, George Stewart, Ngapara. Young, William, Waimangaroa. Lobb, Joseph, Mokau. Radcliffe, William, Reefton. ♦Deceased since issue of certificates.

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Second-class Certificates issued after Examination under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886, 1891, and 1905. Austin, W. 8., Sheffield. Dixon, W., jun., Kaitangata. McNeill, D., Faiifield. Barber, John, Shag Point. Doel, G., Lovell's Flat. ' Neilson, Moffat, Abbotsford. Barclay, T., Kaitangata. Duncan, James, Kaitangata. Ogilvie, W. W., Saddle Hill. Barclay, T., jun., Kaitangata. Duncan, J. E., Kaitangata. Orr, Hugh, Fairfield. Barclay, Wm., Kaitangata. Duncan, John, Lovell's Flat. Parcel!, W., jun., Bannockburn. Barnes, A. E., Shag Point. Fox, R. A., Blackball. Penman, C. P., Kaitangata. Brown, Robert, Kaitangata. Harris, A., Saddle Hill. Price, F. J., Burnett's Face. Cadman, J., Hikurangi. Hill, R., Abbotsford. Snow, T., Mercer. Campbell, Peter, Fairfield. Hodson, John, Kaitangata. Tattley, F. J., Mercer. Charles, E., Glentunnel. Hunter, A.. Southland. Taylor, Joseph, Collingwood. Cherrie, R. C, Mokau. Kells, F. H., Denniston. Thompson, Joseph, Blackball. Christie, James, Saddle Hill. Lindsay, J. 8., Orepuki. Waldie, A. 8., Mokau. Clemo, G., Whangarei. McAllister, Neil, Kaitangata. Westfield, C, Fairfield, Otago. Craig, John, Coal Creek Flat. McLelland, J., Kaitangata. Whittleston, A. W., Shag Point. Dale, E. G., Kaitangata. McLelland, A. C, Kaitangata.

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APPENDIX C. SECTION VII.—STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1906.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Manager. 03 co o o a S3 a o o a 0 a c 6 3 a: CO CJ •d - o ■J: a a rM 3 s o "tf 3 O be r- . CD GO 3 CD CO CO c X 3 p •A Depth of Size of Shaft Shaft or or Length Adit. of Adit. Dimensions of Shafts. 3 +H a o Coal. Slack. Total. Output for 1906. H °>H1 = b Bag a a: 3 s o era all s Number of Men , ordinarily employed. > Q H 5 « .» ° is •rH <J) CJm cog rp d Pumps. -3 -H 5 pq CD 53 0 -43 r= "3 a o a CD o St? CO O £2, CO B>> rH -ba •*H "O ©ft ft p NO! STHEPJS dist: ICT. Kawakawa Disteict. Kawakawa Mine bord and 1 pillar 5' 6" x 3' 6" x 5' 5" 200' adit Tons. 275 Tons. Tons. 275 Tons. 71,598 Tons. 71,873 3 Neill, S. semibitum. pillars 6' 6' 1 in 3 ! horse Hikurangi District. Hikurangi Coal Company .. Moody, T. P. ditto 7' to 12' 7' to 10' 6" 1 in 6 ditto 4 6' xo' 264' 411,004 463,713 8 horse and steam ditto 10" 10" natural 12/12/06 14 52,709 52,709 68 76 S" 8" 50'! 50'| Northern Coal Company Waro Co-operative Coal Company (late Phoenix and West Bryan's) Dunn, W. R. 6' to 9' 6' to 9' lin 10 1 9'x6' 1,782' . 46,711 46,711 138,762 79,371 185,473 12 79,371 .. 11/12/06 9 58 70 ■ • •• .. .. •• •• •• • • •• •• Ngunguru District. Ngunguru Mine Tattley, E. W. .. 2' to 5' lin 6 adit 195.454 \ 12 95,883 J 14 semibitum. 2' to 5' extracting pillars bord and pillar 1,448 1,448 194,006 ( 8" ( 6" 5" 3" 100' 30'i 1 fan Panipo (Kiripaka) 13' to 20' 11' to 20' 1 in 6 9' x6' 262' 37 49 steam 11/12/01 m ditto 19,557 19,557 76,326 ?l Waikato District. Waikato Mine (stopped) Taupiri Extended Wight, E. S. 10' to 30' 20' 1 in 10 bord and pillar ditto 209,089 714,619 209,089 .. 772,127 22 18J brown 2 7' diam. 8'x6' 10' x 10' 45^408 12|l00 57^508 71 93 steam 12'' two 7" 220' steam 18/10/06 Taupiri Beserve 191 10' to 24' ... 1 in 8 6,158 66 6,224 310,725 316,949 3 473,463 31 8 11 12" 210' fan 19/10/06 18' two 5" two 7" 6" Balph's Taupiri 161 10' to 50' 20' lin 10 9' 6" x 5' 8' 6" diam. 7'x6' 6'x6' 68,697 20,159 88,856 384,607 128 159 12" 24" 190' 260' 17/10/06 Taupiri South (Harrison's) .. Duncan, J. 41; 18' to 24' 12' lin 7 300' 184' adit 3,131 3,131 17,542 20,673 3 horse • • natural 9/8/06 Mokau District. Mangapapa Mine Lennox, W. 6' to 8' 6' to 8' lin 10 9' x6' 1,752' 4,244 43,755 47,999 2 furnaoe 31/8/06 22 4,24. 11 13 a

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Miranda District. Union Collieries Tattley, P. J. .. 6 Holden, J. .. 2 brown Ij 57' 25' to 30' varied . • • 13' 6" V l in 6 57' 25' to 30' bord and pillar 4' x4' 6' x 6' 61,757 90' 333 adit 19,908 20 19,92 8 41,829 steam 12" duj 71" 18" 6" lex 5" 6" 90' IDruby District. Drury Mine 90' 90' 7/8/01 ditto 6'x5' 610' 8/12/0. l 595| • • I 595 J 363 958 manual natural Output of mines included in 1905 si tatement lose opera itions are suspendi d .. ..I '1,149,31! 1,149,312 Takaka. Golden Bay (Motupipi) McParlane, Robert 2 | ' brown 1 4' 4' i 1 in 12 3T COAS IT DISTI i HOT. Colling wood. Pakawau Puponga < brown 1 in 12 driving 2* 6' x 4' 8' x6' 25' t 100'+ adit 10 10 80 90 hand windlass 6" 5" 25' natural [ 1/11/06 McCaffrey, P. .. LJ Taylor, A. H. .. 3 bitum. 1 3' 3" 3' 3" 1 in 31 1 7' to 8' all 1 in 4 bitum. 1 in 31 1 in 4 longwall bord and pillar 6' x5' 9' x 6' 6" engine plane 741 12,160 1,174 6,070 1,915 18,230 5,354 34,689 7,269 52,919 5J"x3i 8" 5" 11 3 1 1 It 100' 15 ch. 6 30 10 40 16 70 steam "x5 41" 3" "43' 200' 120' fan 27/10/06 26/10/06 •• Wallsend (not at work) ! Westport. Seddonville State Colliery .. Murray, Thomas 3 bitum. 1 12' 8' variable .. 47,413 47,413 bitum. variable bord and pillar 6' x 12' 7' x 10' 8' x V 10' x 6' 10' x 6' 11' x 7' 150' 72 ch. 3,000' J 33ch.§ 45 oh.|| 19 ch.1T endless rope 36,713 j 36,713 82,030 118,743 steam fan 30/11/06 Westport-Stockton Millerton, Granity t 19 71 90 Marshall, A. G. Dunn, William .. 15 15 . ..12' to 20', .. lin 17 1 4' to 40' 12' variable 1 1 in 17 variable bord and pillar 3} endless rope 46,736 264 \ 001. 1,772,705! 2,036,706 57 101 98 408 electric gravita'n 1 Hayes fan 1 Schiele fan ditto 1 Hayes ' fan 16/11/06 15/11/06 . I 217^265 41 307 f Coalbrookdale, Denniston .. Green, John .. j 26 Milligan, Nicholas [ 15 2 4' to 18' all I variable 16' to 20' all J variable variable ditto i ditto | 4,416,755 J steam 6" 8" 22/11/06 Ironbridge, Denniston 26 15 variable 2; 8'x 8' 9' x5' 8' x6' 8,146' 2,640'. 9,050' 237,636 69,9191 307,555. 4,109,200 ; 89 153 242 3" 4" 40' 40' 23/11/06 88 256 344 10" I 5" 15' Schiele fan Bullbb Road. White Cliffs Rocklands McDonagh, J. .. 11 Walker, George .. ' 6 11 ' 6 brown brown 1 18' 9' 1 in 4 2 10' 8' ! 1 in 10 1 2 1 in 4 1 in 10 r\ 10' x 7' 6' x6' 250' 5 eh. top mine 61 ch. bottom mine adit 1,012 30 1,012 50 2,733 5,803 3,745 5,853 1 1 1 2 manual horse natural 19/12/06 19/12/06 - "20 1 •• . Waitakere (not at work) Thbee-Channel Plat. Plaxbush 868 868 Morganti, Carli .. 6 brown brown 2 4'and 2' all 1 in 1 V and 2' all 1 in 1 s toping 6'x5' 1,050' adit i;533 1,533 4,078 5,611 manual natural 18/12/06 Boatman's. Archer's Mine Freehold bitum bitum. 2 9'to 11' 9' j 1 in 25 9'to 11' 9' 12' j 8' 6" 1 in 25 bord and pillar ditto 6'x6' 600' 240' 300' 1,800 1,800 8,941 10,741 14/12/06 Coghlan's Mine Coghlan, J. .. 10 10 1 12' t 8' 6" 1 in 3 1 in 3 6' x4' - 55 101 156 1,6081 1,764 manual natural 14/12/06 * For air. 1 Air-shafts. X Tunnels. § Main heading. || Mine creek heading. 11 New tunnel.

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Statistics of Workings in Coal-mines, 1906— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Manager. W cd CD . tr O a S5 c Ho cd 3 S Jc I a c -25 s cc Q a JO 3 rM 8 m m CD EH a a IS o s o rH • CD 60 CD >> CO O CD rO Depth of Size of Shaft j Shaft or or Length Adit. ! of ; Adit. Dimensions of Shafts. CD CD S a. O CD Output for 1906. CD-r-> CD Slack. Total. £°Q 1-H „ & co 3 o O £h 3 8 o S CD +3 CD & HJ P. CO Number of Men ordinarily employed. ,q cd o <1 « EH imps. 9 a o QQ a a o J3 '3 o CD o S CD O S3 «H rfi °ft CD ft Coal. JH C Reefton. Burke's Creek Cairns, Robert .. brown 12' 10' 1 in 6 WEST 1 bord and pillar OAST DISTRICT— continued. I Tons. . 7'x6' No. 1,500' adit 130 No.'2, 260' No.' 3. 160' No. 4, 140' 242 Tons. 1 Tons. 130 Tons. 5,827 Tons. 5,957 manual natural 14/12/06 Murray Creek Billett, James .. bitum. 12' all variable open face bord and pillar ditto 2,930 3,172 18,305 21,477 17/12/06 27 " Phoenix and Venus, Murray Creek Waitahu Knight, John 25 20' 10' 1 in 1 . 4'6"x 250' adit 1,263 5'6" . 6' x 8' 600' . 288 200 1,463 21,598 23,061 4 manual natural 27/12/06 Mechen, Robert.. i semibitum. brown 12' & 6' 8' and 5' 1 in 3 288i 470 : 758 14/12/06 Reefton Harris, John 1 10' 8' 1 in 4 . 6' x 4' 600' . 360| 155| 515 1,246 1,761 3 13/12/06 Lankey's Creek Pascoe, Simon .. 4 semibitum. pitch 10' 8' 1 in 25 . 6' x 4' 500' . 575 575 9,2181 9,793 2 13/12/06 :1 Progress .. Kearns, R. L. 9 5' 5' 28° stall and pillar . 6' x4' 200' level adit 2,957 2,957i 21,190 24,147 1 6 17/12/06 Gbeymouth. Watson, J. T. .. . 11' x 7' .. .. 160 160 11/12/06 Paparoa.. Blackball Leitch, Walter .. 16 bitum. 17' 15' 1 in 6 bord and pillar ditto . 9' x 6' 1,232' adit 60,917 j 10' x 7' 600' .1 8' x7' 200' I „ 15,016 I 12,770 73,687 774,502 848,189 30 79 109 steam fan 11/12/06 Brunner, Brunnerton Tyneside, Brunnerton Coulthard, J. .. Armstrong, James 42 24 10' to 12' 12' all 1 in 4 12' 1 in 4 1 10' 103' shaft 40,241 diameter I 6,660 21,306 ! 21,676 61,5471 2,145,555: i I 118,346 2,167,231 179,8931 * 50: 120 15' 27 170 horse steam { 10" J 13" 4" 1.36" 5J" 7" 6" 8" 180' 160' 100' 280' natural [■ fan natural 7/12/06 7/12/06 South Brunner (Fleming's lease) Point Elizabeth State Colliery Morgan, W. 1 2'6" 2' 6" 40° driving * 9' x 3' 50' (dip adit 130 shaft) . 10' x 7' No. 1 endless 163,800 242 yd. rope No. 2 264 yd. 1301 130 manual 7/12/06 i* 1 7 8 I Herd, Joseph (mine manager); Bishop, James (general manager) 21 8' 8' 1 in 24 bord and pillar 163,800 192,071 355,871 70 190 260| steam fans 6/12/06 ltput of mines inclui led in 190 1,117,853 1,117,853! i statement whose operations are susp> ,re susi ended * Underlay.

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Cantebbuby. Springfield, Springfield S( I 1THERN DISTRICT j Taylor, James .. 30 brown 3' 3" all 1 in 6 bord and pillar 4' x 5' 70' tunnel 133 17 133 17 ! I i 89,745 89,878 .. 2 .. 2 2 steam 21 horse direct st acti m exhaust steam from pump natural 4/12/06 Springfield Fireclay Works (late Victoria Mine), Springfield Homebush, Glentunnel Greening, Luke .. 4' lin 6 4' 6" x 3'. 50' adit 472 earn longwall 1 455 4/12/06 Campbell, J. C. .. 34 &' and 7' lin 3 bord and pillar pillar, stope, and wall bord and pillar ditto 6' x 6' | 40 ch. tunnel 13,491 1,365 1,935 15,426 1,365! | 182,776 198,202 4 41 1 5 furnace 21/12/06 St. Helens, White Cliffs Levick, H. 25 8' 4' 6" 3' 30' 1 in 3 4' 6'- x 3' 7": 90' adit | 5ch. 13,855 15,220j 45| horse & steam 6 hand natural 21/12/06 Mount Somers, Mount Somers Thompson, A. 10' south lin4£ 1 in 9 5' x 4' 25' 3.088J 870j 3,958 16,652 20,610j 19/12/06 5 2| 7 9 horse 6 ■Woolshed Creek, Mount Somers Harris, Thomas (permit) ; Doak, W. T. (secretary) Willetts, G. H. (late Willetts, J. M.) Waihao Coal Syndicate (owners), Lomas, G. (permit) Grant, William .. Mathias, L. 42 40' 15' 952 2,977 3,929; 49,136 53,065 2 4 " 19/12/06 .Albury, Albury 15 10' 7' 1 inl 4' x 3' 6" 68' adit 853 853, 7,128 7,981 5 21/11/06 Waihao Porks, Waihao Forks 14 lignite 6' 5' 5' x 4' 100' 712 85 712 85 1,148 1,860 9 22/11/06 Waihao, Waihao Forks Elephant Hill, Waihao Downs 17 38 1 1 14' 10' all 8' 5' x 4' 260' 6' x 5' 2,032 477 2,032 562 brown 85 1 hand 1 i Private Pits. Dalethorpe, Springfield Snowdon, Rakaia Gorge Craigieburn, West Coast Road Christchuroh Lime Company (late Springburn Lime Company), Staveley Campbell, P. Gerard, George .. Manson, D. Scott, R. L. (secretary), Christchurch 12 21 10 0 1 1 1 1 6' 14' r all 8' lin 3 narrow open levels i 4' x 4' 9*6' shaft open 5' x 4' 150 yd. adit 25 "50 25 "50 -J 25 .. 50 343 1,808 274 901 368 1,808 324 901 hand natural all vertical natural . •• Nobth Otago. Dalgety, Hakataramea Wharekuri, Wharekuri Kurow, Kurow Sanderson's (late Phillip's), Kurow St. Andrew's, Papakaio Drysdale, J. Shanks, A. Cairns, W. B. .. Sanderson, J. 25 36 10 30' 40' irregular indefinite 13' semivertical vertical lin2J vertical bord and pillar levels narrow stoping 140 140 140 2,377 2,517 1 1 1 4'x3' 8' x6' 80* 50' dip incl. dip-drive 258' 258| 258 2,028 11,395 2,389 2,286 11,395 2,785 ■> 30/10/06 30/11/06 30/11/06 30' 1 1 396 396 3961 1 2 1 horse „. 28 6' 6" Nimmo, T. 6' 1 in 4 bord and pillar ditto 4' x 2' 6" 60' adit 1,489 1,489 1,489 36,492 37,981 1 23/11/06 Prince Alfred, Papakaio Russell, Wm. (permit) Nimmo, W. Hunt, William .. Westfield, C. H... 37 1' to 9' all lin 9 5J' x 6' 51' 1,376 1,376 1,376 50,515 51,891 23/11/06 Ngapara, Ngapara Shag Point, Shag Point Allandale, Shag Point 28 36 19 pitch II 3 25' 2' 6" 4' to 6' 8' all 1 in 17 1 in 4 1 2 4' x 4' 50' 1,244 516 13,858 1,244 516 .3,858 7 1,244 60 576 7,570 21,428 "60 7,570 22,001 403,891 251,607 23,245 404,467 273,035 1 1 12 2 3 61 3 4 73 hand eleotric 14/8/06 2/5/06 27/11/06 bord and pillar & longwall 10' x 6' 8' x4' 1,000' 280' incline I tunnel fan South Otago. Fernhill, Abbotsford Gray, J. 19' 10' 1 in 10 353 1 1,122 1,475 143,871 horse 29 brown bord and pillar I 4f'x4i' 50' 142,396 natural 353 1,122 10 14/11/06

32

C—3a

Statistics of Workings in Coal-mines, 1906— continued.

Name of Mine aud .Locality. Name of Manager. m cd CD . rHTJ •f- ° U O "is z, eg o "o •a I CD o IS [fl O 6 I'A a 5 O 3 3 •c CD JH O CJ 3 JH Eh a CD CD 3 a 3 o CD &£ CD era Dimensions of S Shafts. S i o ! Depth i j Size of Shaft S Shaft or 3 or Lengt] 3 Adit. of. A Adit. Depth of Shaft or Length of. Adit. o CS Output for 1906. o S B „ - ■£•»■= I 5 2 < s I Number of -3 S Men o ordinarily in 0 .r employed. O +H ffl fl j i I 3 r=? r? * imps. o 33 B o o '3 a o CD fl O no <D"fl &rS CD fl Coal. Slack. Total. o ir JH O 5 SOUTH] i in dist: 'RICT— c ■ontinued. South Otago — continued. Freeman's, Abbotsford bord and pillar ditto 6' x5' 7'x7' 1,400' 264' inclined drive adit Tons. ' 20,234 Tons. 2,269 Tons. 22,503 Tons. 317,343 Tons. 339,846 30 39 steam & horse horse 12" 5" 130' furnace] 14/11/06 Sneddon, J. 26 brown 7' to 14' 6' to 7' lin7 Green Island, Green Island* Barclay, W. 19 14' 10' lin 10 550 550 550 3 41 natural. Campbell, P. .. 9 12' to 18' 8' j lin 10 I • ! 6' x5' 4 eh. 15,767 3,985 19,752 86,103 105,855 27 32 steam & horse i furnace 19/9/06 Jubilee, Walton Park Burnweil (including Glenochiel), Saddle Hill Saddle Hill (No. 1), Saddle Hill Saddle Hill (No. 2), Saddle Hill Mosgiel, Mosgiel Lauriston, Brighton Brighton, Brighton Fairbairn's, Taieri Mouth .. Bruce, Milton Akatore, Milton Real Mackay, Milton - A. Harris.. i Ogilvie, W. W. 15 25 34 1 1 1 20' 16' 20' 10' 7' to 9' 8' to 16' variable lin 9 1 in 10 1 3 4 5' x3' 6' x4' 5' 10" x 4' 6" 30' 4 oh. 264' incline tunnel inclined drive adit | 1,840 3,247 5,493 1,840 8,740 57,317 151,459 59,157 160,199| 1; 3 4 13 5 16 ditto natural furnace 19/9/06 9/1/06 Christie, James .. 5 20' all lin 14 16,234 5,225 i 21,459 40,693 62,152 5 I 17' 22] 19/9/06 Orr, H. Walker, James .. McColl.D. L. .. Fairbairn, R. Young, A. Reid, James (Lovell's Plat Coal Co.) Carruthers, James Barclay, T. 22 20 18 23 39 12 2 8' 6' 6' 10' 15' 14' 8' 7' 5' 6" 5' 6" 8' 9' all 1 in 10 variable 4' x4' 14 ch. 48' tunnel 842 249 256 39 502 1,344 249 256 39 97,153 6,514 2,013 702 24,314 508 2,471 98,497 6,763 2,269 741 24,314 508 11,617 2 1 1 4 2 1 1 6 3 2 1 horse 19/9/06 " 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 " 10' x 8' 100' | tunnel adit hand natural 18/10/06 18/10/06 18/10/06 lin 8 ..I 6,935 2,211 9,146 4 10 14j . „ Bruce Railway and Coal Company, Milton Wallsend, Lovell's Plat Benhar, Stirling 12,042 12,042 3,754 15,796 20 27 steam 18/10/06 2 hand steam Hewitson, R. M'cSkimming, P. 36 43 lignite 20' ! 30' in aggregate L 14' L 20' 1 50' in aggregate L 50' in jaggregate all 12' open jbordand pillar |ditto 4' x 4' open incline 74 2,304 751 74 3,055 11,357 111,532 11,431 114,587 1 1 il natural 12/12/06 1 3 *4 Mount Wallace, Stirling Taratu, Taratu Kaitangata and \ Castle Hill, Kaitangata Port Arthur, Kaitangata Wangaloa, Kaitangata Park, P. Shore, T. Carson, W. (N.Z. Coal and Oil Co., 0. G. Lockhart, sec.) Irvine, J. Smith, J. 12 5 I 30 | 13 2 26 brown > 1 1 3 8' to 10' 8' to 14' all lin 10 to 1 in 4 lin 14 to 1 in 4 6' x 6' 9' x7' 6' diam. H'x6'6" 9' diam. 5 ch. 51 ch. 360' ' 45 ch. 526' adit inclined 539 16,149 L62509 159 2,378 698 18,527 5,852 56,373 6,550 74,900 2,100,547 11 ■2 29 2 40 horse oil-engine i steam & compressed air ditto 2' 6" thre •• ' 6"l e-thj 280' row s 500' fan 4/10/06 35,311 97,820 2,002,727 59 272: 331 P ditto ump 6" furnace ! 129 1,866 natural i 10' 6" 8' 1 in 6 bord and pillar adit 60 160 60 160 69 1,706 1 1 1 2 1 hand 1 •• •• •• •• „ •■ •• . * Prior to 1890 this mine had produced 108,198 .tons, which are included in the additions at end of statement"

33

C—3a

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34

C—3a

Statistics of Workings in Coal-mines, 1906— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Manager. 00 CD . *H O a 3 rH 73 CD ■a | %-> I of) I o CC 3 CD o CD o r0 en CD jj 3 a" to o a, a fl O CD DC CO CD CO m '■■ o rH CD . a Dimensions of Shafts. Depth of Shaft or Length of Adit. XI ■3 CD •a 3 O Output for 1906. Me- ©*= CD CU J3 Ch m < S3 © *•> CD "£■"■3 h s a £°o P. m Nui ore em mber of Men linarily iployed. CD O Fh 5 Krf Pumps. CD c QQ a o rfl 03 a a CD O CD CD rt "rH o S3 %h o3 H» Q Size of Shaft or Adit. Coal. Slack. Total. 9 > C < 6 o SOUTHERN DISTRICT■continued. GentbaIi Otago — continued. Private Pits. Kyeburn, Kyeburn Diggings McKnight's (late Price's), Blackstone Hill Angel's, Bannockburn Coombs, W. MoKnight, D. 23 9 j brown lignite 12' ail vertioal levels • .. open adit open Tons. 6 4 Tons. Tons. 6 4 Tons. 15,446 162 Tons. 15,452 166 1 1 •• 1 1 •■ natural Angel, C. J. 4 brown it " 3 3 11 14 1 Southland. Pukerau, Pukerau O'Hagan, C. lignite 16' 8' to 10' lin 10 bord and 1 8' x 8' 11 oh. pillar ditto adit 743 743 32,403 33,146 2; horse wind i mill natural 18/6/06 26 Nelson's, Pukerau Hoffman's, Bast Gore Whiterigg, Gore Nelson, J. H. Hoffman, T. Hartley, J. (permit) Burgess, W. C. (permit) Mutch, A. Mason, J. 17 1 24 16' 10' incline tunnel ditto 252 408 2,058 1,376 252 408 2,058 3,382 3,634 408 26,580 i i 2 1 1 4 hand Dougl las » 18/6/06 13/12/06 13/12/06 1 1 1 " 18' 12' 1 in 20 bord and 1 6' x 5' 2 oh. pillar levels & 1 6' x 5' headings open bord and 1 10' x 8' 5 oh. pillar ditto i 24,522 2 horse Tangye •• Heffernan's, East Gore 28 11' 8' 1,376 11,050 12,426 2 2 handpump 9/10/06 Bosedale, Gore Green's, Gore 20 18 1 1 22' all 17' 1 in 20 open incline tunnel ditto 944 7,882 1,141 944 7,882 4,103 58,859 5,047| 66,741 1 3 5 1 8 Tangye natural 11/9/06 13/12/06 1 Smyth's, Gore Smyth, John (permit) Nicol, L. D. Jas. B. Tait and Co. Stark, J. (permit) 10 20' 15' 1 in 20 1,141 7,107 8,248 4 " i 13/12/06 River View, Gore Tait's Bushy Park Estate, Croydon Boornwell, Chatton 15 1 1 1 14' to 20' all open open 140 2,746 140 2,746 1,458 1,598 2,746 1 ■' 4 hand horse 13/12/06 I ''I i • 7 16' 12' 1 in 10 levels & .. 20' x 12' 100' headings open adit 4,252 4,252 6,928 11,180 5 5 handpump ditto natural 13/12/06 Paoey's (freehold), East Chatton East Chatton, East Chatton Chatton, Chatton .. Thorndale, Waikaka Valley.. Springvale. Waikaka Valley Molvor, W. (permit) Perkins, A. Beath, A. Raunsley, P. McColl, D. (permit) Jones, William (permit) McGill, D. T. (permit) Coulter, 8. (permit) Brown, R. 3 30' 10' to 12' open 5,126 5,126 17,635 22,761 5 steam 13/12/06 4 2 7 13 30' 20' lin 5 1,540 428 1,466 2,576 1,540 428 1,466 2,576 3,210 955 6,467 12,108 4,750 1,383 7,933 14,684 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 hand 13/12/06 16/10/06 9/10/06 10/7/06 1 1 1 1 - •■ 10' 10' ail all • • horse . .. •• Willow Bank, Waikaka Valley (lately Reed's) Glenlee, Wendon Valley 10 15' 6,260 6,260 15,835 22,095 5 6 steam two Do pumps igla s natural 10/9/06 13 14' 8' levels & .. 10' x 8' 2 ch. headings ditto .. 12'xl2' adit 734 734 8,531 9,265 1 15/10/06 •: McDonald's, Wendon Landslip, Landslip, Waikaia 7 15 16' 18' 12' 8' incline tunnel 3,481 7,056 3,481 7,056 9,818 9,675 13,299 16,731: 1 8 13 4 17 steam steamdriven 15/10/06 11/10/06 1 1 • • , . •■ ••

35

C—Ba

Kyle's (late Rear's), Landslip, Waikaia Rossvale (late Ross's), Landslip, Waikaia Monaghan's, Landslip, Waikaia Muddy Terraoe, Landslip, Waikaia Argyle, Upper Waikaia Beer's, Mossburn Radford's, Balfour Kyle, W. (permit) i Bond, J. (permit) Young, T. G. (permit) Goldie, T. P. 3 3 2 4 lignite 10' 10' 7' all 6' all 1 in 8 levels & headings bold and pillar levels & headings open 6 x4' j 6'x5' 6' x4' 100' adit 1,817 2,426 1,300 1,817 2,426 1,300 1,1071 1,292 1,377 2,924 3,718 2,677 ■ I 3 3 hand natural 11/10/06 11/10/06 11/10/06 15 4 2 lignite & shale lignite 17' open 3,178 3,178 5,066 8,244 i\ horse 23/3/06 Baxter, J. and T. Beer, Mrs. G. (owner) Fitzgerald, E. (owner) Sleeman, OP. Cameron and Duncan, lessees Coster, W. 1 1 10' 252 56 152 252 56 152 2,753 110 10 3,005 166 162 hand 22/3/06 2 1 1 2 1 1 Mataura Coal-mine, Mataura Boghead, Mataura 10 10 1 1 17' 16' all 8,215 375 8,215 375 86,241 5,337 94,456 5,712 7 4 7 -1 horse Dougla s water ■ centrif t steam s p -di uge -d mp ven 10/10/06 10/10/06 Mataura Lignite Mine, Mataura Waimumu, Waimumu 30 17' 7,427 7,427 51,315 58,742 s pu -dri ugal -dr 10/10/06 9 9 I •- Ota Creek, Wyndham Genge's, Wyndham Robin Hood, Pine Bush Graham's, Fairfax Williams, W. J. 7 6' 10' 6" 5' 6' 4,314 4,314 15,781 20,095 10 10 •• liven •• 17/10/06 Shields, William Genge, E. Couser, William Graham, P. S. 26 2 25 28 " i l 1 15' 5'6" 35o' 497! 155| 5291 350 497 155 529 12,824 415 2,334 15,247 13,174 912 2,489 15,776 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 2 . 1 in 20 bord and pillar open 6 oh. adit 2 hand natural! •• Isla Bank, Fairfax Ardlowie, Fairfax Nightcaps, Nightcaps Slattery, M. Poole, E. Lloyd, J. 26 4 25 i i 3 5' open 147 48,976 147 48,976 6,665 278 469,463 6,665 425 518,439 " •• brown 36' in aggregate 24'" in aggregate variable to lin 7 4' x 4' 4' x 4' 6" 5'x5' i 29 •I "l 83 Hit or Miss, Nightoaps Tinker, W. (permit) McKenzie,D. (permit) Spence, G. R Reed, W. (permit) Clark, John Groves, G. Hogan, C. Raymond, I. W. (owner); Bownden F. (manager) Gillies, T. 6 open and bord and pillar bord and pillar open 3 32 oh. open and adit adit 524 524 1,926 54 2 steam and horse horse sypfc hor fan natural 14/12/06 27/9/06 8 2,450 hon H.B., Nightcaps 6'6" all open 603 603 4,242 4,845 hand 27/9/06 Morley, Nightcaps McBride's, Nightcaps The Willow, Nightcaps Manuka Hill, Nightcaps Hogan's, Orepuki Bush Siding, Seaward Bush 3 6 7 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 10' 14' open open 1,167 569 330 256 4 1,240 1,167 569 330 256 4 1,240 2,691! 4,243 1,471 81 16 1,958! 3,858 4,812 1,801 264 20 3,198 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 natural 27/9/06 27/9/06 lignite brown 1 120' all " „ 27/9/06 29/8/06 .. Clifton, Clifton 297 297 Private Pits. Waverley Park, Pukerau Mason's, Pukerau Glover's, Pukerau Smith's, East Gore Smith's, East Gore Leitze's, Gore Cross's, Otama Ford's, Chatton Perkins's, Wendon Valley .. Milne, James Mason, A. M. W. Glover, Thomas .. Smith, R. Smith, H. Leitze, M. Cross Bros. Ford, P. Perkins, G. A. 5 5 9 5 4 27 8 26 5 lignite 1 1 7' 7' 14' 7' 4' to 7' 4' all ail open I open "24 25 24 25 24 82 134 44 47 1,518 156 564 42 24 106 159 44 47 1,535 169 608 48 " 17 13 44 6 17 13 44 6 •• - r • I - . I . , I I I .. I .. I

C—3a.

36

Statistics of Workings in Coal-mines, 1906— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Manager. m 5 CD rH rH m o s o o 0 o m a 3 St c c cj O 1. CS O En CD O rll •D fl a cj CD o S •a a o 3 CC P !h a CD HJ IS 00 c. fl o CD a Dimensions of Shafts. Depth of Shaft or Length of Adit. CD CD a o Out Coal. ;put for 1906. Slack. Total H? S. 0« CD all a hj d3fl a « r CO HJ G3 O r^ CD-tJ CD Number of Men ordinarily employed. CD O « EH fH* O rH tj a *a r-H^H — 9 O Pumps. CD I Ol a 3 o 0 o X '3 X d c a CD O 2 2 00 o CCr^ a> ►"H Hr3 HJ Ol Q Size of Shaft or Adit. CD C < sot THERN DISTRICT—contim ;e(?. Southland —continued. Radford's, Wendon stoping ! .. .. Tons. i Tons. I Tons. Tons. 4,751 Tons. 4,751 Scott, John, owner 16 lignite 20' all vertical incline tunnel horse natural Studholme's, Blaokmount .. Linwood, Te Anau Wyndham, Wyndham Mount Linton, Nightcaps .. Studholme, H. Ross and Co., D. Irvine, D. Gates & MoGregor 6 11 13 lignite 1 1 10' open all 8' open .. .. open 44! 250| "lO ••" - 44 250 10 14 520 325 634 58 770 325 644 - i brown •• Output of mines included in 1905 statement, but whose operations are suspended .. 1225260 Totals, Southern District, Middle Island Totals, West Coast Distriot, Middle Island Totals, North Island 391,731 7017463 7482898 332 799 1131 73,704 465435i 791,917' I 170998 962915J j10501683 11464598 731 1313 2044 268,841 1452489 32,345 277,047 301186J 3842908 4144094 111 406 517 .. 1174 2518 Grand Totals 1729536 21362054 23091590 3692 Add output of following eleven mines, included in previous statement but now abandoned : Motupipi, 360 tons ; Westport-Wallsend, 3,441 tons ; Waimangaroa, 17,307 tons; Wellington, 2,299 tons; Inkerman, 2,665 tons; Inglewood, 314 tons; Devil's Creek, 343 tons; Inangahua, 71 tons; Murray's Creek No. 2, 450 tons ; Burke's Creek, 300 tons ; Reefton, 36 tons : total Output of mines included in statement for 1890, but whose operations were suspended prior to 1890 (less three, which are again included in body of statement —namely, Hill's Creek, 779 tons; Lovell's Flat, 323 tons ; Wyndham, 1,988 tons : total, 3,090 tons) Output of mines included in former statements, but whose operations were suspended prior to 1889 Output of Waikaka, Adam's Flat, and Waimea Mines, inserted twice in statement for 1891 27,586 132,732 172,529 6,518 ,430,955 25 Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (2,400 copies), i331 3s. 6d., exclusive of illustrations. Price Is.} By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington. —1907.