Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1918 Session I-II | MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD,...

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CONTENTS. Page Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. ~ • ~ ~ 1-6 Mineral-production .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I Coal-mining . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Tungsten-ore (Scheelite) .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. .. 2 Petroleum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Iron . . .. . . . . .. . . .. .. .. . . 3 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •'! Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ;i Phosphate .. .. .. ~ .. .. .. .. 3 Persons engaged in Mining .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 4 Mining Accidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 4 Geological Survey .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 4 State Collieries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Schools of Mines . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 5 Subsidized Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 5 Poads and Tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Government Water-races .. ' .. . . . . . . .. .. . . (I Coal-miners' Relief Fund . . .. .. . . .. .. , . (i Stone-quarries . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . 6' Abandonment of Unconstructed and Disused Water-races .. .. .. .. (i Tables to accompany the Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. . . 7 12 No. 1. Export of Minerals, and Coal-output .. .. .. .. .. 7 No. 2. Coal and Oil Shale, Annual Production . . .. . , . . 7 No 3. Coal Output from Different Fields ... .. .. .. .. .. 8 No. 4. Coal— Output of Different Classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 No. 5. Coal, Imports and Exports .. . . .. .. . . . . .. 8 No 6. Number of Persons employed in Mining .. .. .. .. 9 No. 7. Mining Companies: Statements of Affairs .. .. .. .. ..10 Appendices to the Mines Statement., .. .. .. .. ..13-70 Appendix A—Reports relating to Metalliferous Mines and Stone-quarries .. ..13-40 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. „ .. .. 13 I. Production of Minerals ... .. .. .. .. ..11 11. Persons employed .. ~ .. .. .. .. II 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. ...14 IV, Gold-mines .. .. .. .. .. ..17 (1.) Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. ..17 (2.) Dredge Mining . . .. .. .. .. .. ..18 (3.) Alluvial Mining . . .. .. .. .. .. ~18 V. Minerals other than Gold .. .. .. .. .. ..19 Tungsten Ore .. .. . . .. .. . . ..19 Iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Petroleum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..21 Sulphur .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..21 Cinnabar .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Phosphate . . . . . . . . ~ .. .. 22 Platinum .. .. .. .. ... .. .. 22 VI. Stone-quarries . . . . . . . . . . 22 (1.) Quarry Inspection and Statistics .. .. .. .. ..22 (2.) Quarry Accidents .. . . .. . . . . 23 (3.) Portland Cement Manufacture .. .. . . .. 24

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Appendices to the Mines Statement— continued. Appendix A— continued. Report by Inspecting Engineer— continued. Pag^e VII. State Aid to Mining .. ... .. .. .. .. 26 (1.) Subsidized Prospecting .. ~ .. .. .. ..26 (2.) Government Prospecting-drills . . , . . . . . 28 (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields .. . . .. .. . . 29 (4.) Government Water-races.. .. .. .. .. ..29 VIII. Schools of Mines .. .. .. .'. ~ .. ..29 Annexure A- Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines . . . . ' ~ 30 Northern Inspection District . . . . . . . . . . 30 Quartz-mining . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Oil-wells .. .. .. .. .. ..31 Fatal Accidents .. - .. . . . . . . . . 32 Non-fatal Accidents .. . . .. .. . . .. 32 Cinnabar-mining . . .. . . .. .. .. .. 32 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast Inspection District .. .. .. 33 Quartz-mining . . .. .. .. .. .. 33 Dredging .. . . . . . . . .- . . .. 34 Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 Southern Inspection District . . . . ... . . . . 3(1 Quartz-mining . . .. . . .. . . . . 36 Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. ..37 Dredge Mining ... . . . . . . . . . . 38 Minerals other than Gold . . . . . . . . . . 38 Accidents . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 38 Annexure B—Extracts from Reports of Government Water-race Managers.. .. 39 Waimea Kumara Water-races, Westland .. .. ~ .. 39 Mount Ida Water-race, Central Otago .. . . .. .. 40 Appendix I? —Reports relating to the Inspection of Coal-mines . . . . . .41-61 Report by Inspecting Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Section 1. Output .. .. .. .. .. ... ... 41 Section 11. Persons employed .. ... •,:'. .. .. .. 42 Section 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. ..43 Section TV. General Remarks .. .. .. .. . . 46 Annexure. A- Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 49 Northern Inspection District .. .. ■■."". .. .. ..49 West- Coast Inspection District . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Southern Inspection District . . . . . . . . . . 53 Annexure B—Statistics of Workings in Coal-mines . . . . . . . .57-61. Northern Inspection District . . . . . . . . ■ . . . 57 West Coast Inspection District . . . . . . .. . . 58 Southern Inspection District .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 Appendix C—■ Examinations for Mine-managers and other Mine Officials ~ ..62-70 Report, of the Board of Examiners . . . . . . . . . . 62 List of Persons who hold Certificates under the Mining Acts .. .. ..62 List of Persons who hold Certificates under the Coal-mines Acts .. .. 67

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Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEA L A N 1).

MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the Mines Statement for 1917-18. After taking into consideration the great disadvantages under which mining has been carried on during this the fourth year of the war the production of minerals has, I think, been fairly well maintained, although there has to be recorded a decline in total value. This decline is chiefly due to shortage of labour by the voluntary enlistment of miners, and to the fact that many of the smaller mines and dredges have discontinued operations owing to the increased cost of everything required in the production of gold, while the value of the gold produced has remained stationary. The value of minerals exported and of the coal-output for 1917 amounted approximately to two millions and a half. MINERAL - PRODUCTION. The following table shows the quantity and value of a portion of our mineral export during the years 1916 and 1917, also the quantity of native coal consumed in the Dominion during the same periods. I regret that I cannot go into the matter more in detail, but the Imperial authorities are of opinion that during the period of the war it is inadvisable to give exact information regarding the import and export of gold, silver, &c, and hence the reason for \ the curtailment of the information usually supplied.

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Year i-ndecl Product, 31st December, 191H 31st December r, 1917. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Tungsten-ore ... ... ... 266 tons ; 49,070 161 tons Miscellaneous minerals ... ... 7,335 „ 14,614 2,357 „ New Zealand coal exported ... ... 328,183 „ 326,553 1 221,125 „ New Zealand coal used in New Zealand 1,928,952 „ 964,476 1,847,294 „ Kauri-gum ... :.. ... 5,456 „ 339,882 4,594 „ Coke ... ... ... ... 33 „ 57 119 „ £ 28,972 6,844 236,063 923,647 291,917 240 j\ I i

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COAL-MINING. The output of coal during 1917 amounted to 2,068,419 tons, as compared with 2,257,135 tons during 1916, being a decrease of 188,716 tons. The following is a comparative statement of the coal and lignite raised during the years 1915, 1916, and 1917 :—

New collieries have been laid down by the Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited) at Awaroa, near Rotowaro Station, on the Huntly-Pukemiro Railway : also by the Mount Torlesse Collieries (Limited), near Avoca, on the Christchurch - Arthur's Pass Railway. Both these collieries will supply brown coal of superior quality. In the Wairio district, Southland, several new coal-mining leases have been taken up to work portions of the extensive area of brown coal known to occur in that locality. The comparative the various classes of coal for the years 1916 and 1917 is summarized as follows :—

The decline in the coal-production was due to the reduction in the number of coal-miners owing to voluntary enlistment, also to the restriction of output at most of the principal mines during the first four months of the year. So serious was this that the average output for each person employed underground declined from 750 tons during 1916 to 715 tons during 1917. The quantity of coal imported into the Dominion during 1917 was 291,597 tons, as against 293,956 tons during 1916. I find on investigation that the working-conditions as regards output of quite a number of coal-mining leases granted by the Crown are not being duly observed. In some cases, indeed, there is not, and never has been, any output at all, the leases being apparently held purely for speculative purposes. This is a state of affairs that cannot possibly be allowed to continue, especially at a time like the present, when there is such a scarcity of coal on the market. lam therefore calling upon all defaulting lessees to forthwith comply with the terms of their leases, "failing which it will be necessary to cancel them; and several have been cancelled already. TUNGSTEN-ORE (SCHEELITE). The quantity and value of scheelite concentrate obtained during 1917 was 199 tons 8 cwt., value £37,863, as compared with 258 tons, value £47,374 durino--1916. The quantity exported during 1917 was 161 tons, value £28,972, being 38 tons, value £8,891, less than that produced, this difference between production and export being due to the holding of output for an increase in price by some producers.

Inspection District. Output for Output for 1916. 1917. Decrease, 1917. „ . , , increase Output for , . ,, ,q, r- between Years 1Jli) - 1916 and 1915. t Northern West Coast Southern (Canterbury, Otago, and Southland) Totals .. Tons. Ton . 486,114 ; 470,638 1,295,635 1,146,778 475,386 451,003 Tons. 15,476 148,857 24,383 Tons. Tone. 460,415 25,699 1,278,994 16,641 469,215 : 6,171 2,208,624 48,511 i I 2,257,135 2,068,419 188,716 i

Class. bituminous and semi-bituminous frown coal .lignite Output for 1917. Tons. 1,247,989 629,174 191,256 i Output for 1916. Increase or Decrease for 1917. Tons. Tons. 1,422,074 Decrease 174,085 653,898 „ 24,724 181,163 j Increase 10,093 Totals 2,068,419 2,257,135 Decrease 188,716 i

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The price paid by the Imperial Government, which has commandeered all tungsten-ore produced in the Empire, has recently been raised to a price per unit which is more than double the pre-war market price. During the approaching summer a careful geological examination will be made of the scheelite-mining district in Otago. PETROLEUM. Drilling for petroleum has been carried on in Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, and Westland. The principal operations were those of the Taranaki Oil-wells (Limited), situated at Moturoa and Waitara; six boreholes have been drilled at the former place and two at the latter, the greatest depth attained being 4,040 ft., at Moturoa. This company gained the Government bonus of £7,500 for the production of the first 1,000,000 gallons of marketable crude oil, and £1,250 for the first 250,000 gallons of refined oil. The deepest oil-prospecting bore in the Dominion is that of the Taranaki Oil Lands Company (Limited), at Moturoa, where a depth of 5,140 ft. has been attained, and drilling operations are still being continued. The petroleum industry of New Zealand has not so far proved profitable, the yields of oil hitherto obtained being too small to cover expenses. To encourage the industry the Government has paid by way of bonus, loans, or subsidy over £20,000, and is still assisting. IRON. Eor many years past attempts have been made to smelt the beach magnetic ironsand which occurs in millions of tons near New Plymouth, and at the present time the New Zealand Iron-ore Smelting and Manufacturing Company is engaged in constructing, near the Breakwater at Moturoa, a blast furnace and works necessary for the production of pig iron. This company has for several years been engaged upon experimental operations with the ironsand by the Heskett process, and has already produced a quantity of pig. The expenditure by the company, I understand, exceeds £30,000, and their enterprise is deserving of success. Nothing has yet been done to develop the large deposits of limonite at Parapara, held under lease from the Government by the Parapara Iron Company and Mr. T. A. Turnbull. QUICKSILVER. The Whangarei Cinnabar-mining Company, having developed its mine, installed a furnace, and has obtained therefrom 4,125 lb. of quicksilver as the result of treating 198 tons of ore. The quicksilver, I understand, was sold in Auckland at from ss. to 7s. per pound. A considerable reserve of ore has been proved. In addition to this company two parties of miners are prospecting for cinnabar in the same locality. For the purpose of encouraging production the Government during August, 1917, offered a bonus of 4d. per pound on the production of the first 100,000 lb. of good marketable retorted quicksilver, but no claim has yet been made. KAURI-GUM. The quantity of kauri-gum exported during 1917 amounted to 4,594 tons, value £291,917, as compared with 5,456 tons, value £339,882, during 1916 ; the total quantity and value of this resin exported to the end of 1917 being 353,873 tons and £18,167,939 respectively. The decline in output is largely due to the closing by war of the European market. PHOSPHATE. The only operations in connection with the quarrying of phosphate were those of the Ewing Phosphate Company at Clarendon, Otago, which produced during the year 5,050 tons, the total output of this company being 107,522 tons. The total output from other phosphate-quarries in the Clarendon-Milburn district to the end of 1917 was about 5,470 tons.

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PERSONS ENGAGED IN MINING. The following table shows the number of miners in each inspection district and the branch of mining in which they were engaged: —

During the period of the present war the number of metal-miners has declined by 1,408, and coal-miners by 471. To the 26th April, 1917, no fewer than 1,616 miners of all classes had voluntarily enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, miners being exempt from compulsory service. The stoppage of many small alluvial gold-mining claims and some gold-dredges owing to increased prices of materials used is also a contributing cause of the decline in the number of miners employed. MINING ACCIDENTS. In or about coal-mines during 1917 the proportion of deaths was exactly 1 per 1,000 persons employed, and 1*93 per 1,000,000 tons raised. On two occasions only during the history of coal-mining in New Zealand has the annual proportion been less. The figures also compare favourably with those obtaining in Great Britain, which generally stands ahead of all other countries as regards the low proportion of fatal colliery accidents. In the North Island collieries no fatal accident occurred during the year, and in the collieries of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland only one has occurred for over five years —a remarkable record, proving the wisdom of the safety provisions included in. our mining statutes. In metal-mines the proportion of fatal accidents per 1,000 persons employed was 2-03, being 0-39 less than during the previous year. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Oiticers of the Geological Survey staff visited a large number of localities in order to make examinations of coal, limestone, and other mineral deposits. A detailed survey of the Mokau and north Taranaki coalfield was begun, and it is expected that the survey of the area selected for examination will be completed during the next field season. Three palseontological bulletins were published during the year. One of these dealt with the Cretaceous faunas of Marlborough and northern Canterbury, and was the work of Mr. Henry Woods, of Cambridge University. Another, which had as its subject the Older Mesozoic floras of New Zealand, was written by Dr. E. A. Newell Arber, also of Cambridge University. The work done by these eminent specialists will be of service in promoting geological research in New Zealand. The other publications issued during the year include bulletins on the geology of the Tuapeka and Oamaru districts, one by Dr. P. Marshall and the other by Professor J. Park, and a list of Tertiary Mollusca. The report on the limestone and phosphate deposits of the Dominion mentioned in my last statement has been prepared, and is now in the Printer's hands. STATE COLLIERIES. The output from the State collieries during the late financial year was 246,273 tons, of which the Liverpool Colliery produced 128,196 tons, as against 133,013 tons during the previous year, and Point Elizabeth Colliery 118,077 tons, as against 132,709 tons during the previous year. The business resulted in a profit of £24,467, as compared with £18,521 during the previous year. The State Coal-mines Account

i r [ i i Inspection .District. Totals. Classification. Northern. . West Coast. , Southern, j 1917. .„.„ Increase or Decrease. I I I I " I i Cold, silver, and tungsten ore j 1,416 925 655 2,996 Coal .. .. .. | 843 2,186 954 3,983 Cinnabar .. .. .. 16 .. .. i6 | i Totals .. .. ! 2,275 3,111 1,609 6,995 3,703 Decrease 707 3,988 „ 5 10 Increase 6 7,701 Decrease 706

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is now substantially in credit, and it will shortly be practicable to pay off a portion of the debenture capital. The average price realized for State coal during the twelve months was £l 2s. 4d. per ton, as compared with 19s. 4-76 d. during the preceding year, but the retail rate to householders has not been increased. The gross capital expenditure on the State coal-mines up to the 31st March last amounted to £359,730, and no less than £208,400 of this amount has now been written off out of profits for depreciation, &c, being nearly 58 per cent, of the total capital embarked. The present book value of our assets is less than £150,000, but the actual value is largely in excess of that sum. It is extremely pleasing to be in a position to invite attention to these very favourable figures, especially in view of the fact that the coal sold to householders through the State depots is charged at a much lower rate than is usually obtained for other coals of similar character. It is also very gratifying to be able to state that during the past six years there has been no fatal accident at any State colliery, the health and safety of the employees being the first consideration of the management. Owing to the approaching exhaustion of the present Point Elizabeth Mine it has become necessary, if we are to retain the large business that we have built up, to look around for another suitable colliery to take its place. An area of coal-bearing land in the Waikato district has recently been brought under my notice, and an option has been obtained over it. The land is now being carefully bored and otherwise tested for coal, and if the reports of the departmental experts are favourable, arrangements will be made to obtain a lease of the area for an extended period. A valuable extension of the Point Elizabeth coal-measure has, however, recently been proved in the low coastal bills to the north of the Point Elizabeth Colliery, towards Nine-mile Creek. Boring is still in progress in this area, but sufficient evidence has already been obtained to justify the statement that a workable coalseam of superior quality and easy of access has been proved, and that the area exceeds 200 acres. The coal-seam, which is probably identical with that mined at Point Elizabeth, varies in thickness up to 22ft. A branch railway from near Runanga of about three miles in length would connect the mine with the Government railway system. SCHOOLS OF MINES. The expenditure by the Department on the seven schools of mines amounted last year to £4,553. Some of the schools, I fear, have ceased to justify the Government expenditure thereon, due doubtless to the decline of mining in certain centres. In other districts the schools serve a good purpose in preparing candidates for Government certificates of competency under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts. S ÜBSIDIZED PROSPECTING. During the year ended 31st March, 1918, nine approved prospecting parties were granted subsidies amounting to £1,933, of which £882 was expended during the year. In addition to this, £518 granted during previous years was expended by fifteen other parties. Upon these operations sixty-seven persons were engaged intermittently during the year. The results disclosed were in some cases very encouraging, resulting in one instance in the installation of an up-to-date dredging plant, and in another to the formation of a sluicing company which is already expending considerable capital. In addition to subsidized prospecting parties, financial aid towards prospecting deep levels which was given during the previous year to two West Coast companies produced encouraging results, especially in the case of the North Blackwater Mine. ROADS AND TRACKS. The expenditure on roads and tracks by subsidies and direct grants during the year was £6,911. The amount would have been much larger had more labour been available.

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GOVERNMENT WATER-RACES. The Waimea-Kumara and Mount Ida water-races supplied sixty-three miners with water for alluvial gold-mining, by which gold to the approximate value of £15,075 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to £2,430, and the expenditure on the upkeep and management of the races was £3,221. COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND. The following is a statement of the accounts of the fund during the last two financial years : — Year ended Year ended 31st March, 1917. 31st March, 1918. £ £ Contributions .. .. .. .. 1,980 1,655 Allowance on account of accidents, &c. . . 1,427 1,193 Balance carried forward .. 8,172 8,980 it is gratifying to observe that the available funds are gradually increasing. STONE-QUARRIES. The provisions of the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, are now being enforced. Unfortunately there is no provision in the Act for returns of output by quarry-owners, so the statistics available are incomplete. The Inspectors have, however, been able to collect some returns which show that during 1917 at least 150 quarries, employing 1,000 persons, were in operation, and these produced an output of not less than 1,040,000 tons of stone. During the year two persons lost their lives by quarry accidents. ABANDONMENT OF UNCONSTRUCTED AND DISUSED WATER-RACES. With the decline of alluvial gold-mining in some parts of the South Island a number of water-races held under mining privileges are no longer in operation, and have become practically abandoned. In some cases such water rights are of value for irrigation or other industrial purposes. I have therefore taken steps to have the registers purged of unused titles, so that the rights may revert to the Crown. Reports have been obtained from Inspectors of Mines upon most of the water-races which appear in the Wardens' Court registers, and in some cases proceedings have been taken under the Mining Act for striking such races off the registers. A considerable amount of work has been involved in these investigations, and progress has been slow ; but, notwithstanding this, good work is being done towards purging the registers of obsolete titles. The number cancelled already exceeds one hundred. TABLES AND REPORTS. - The usual statistical tables and departmental reports are appended.

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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY THE MINES STATTOiNT.

No. 1. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Minerals, except Gold and Silver, entered for Exportation during the Years ended the 31st December, 1916 and 1917, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal-output is also included.

No. 2. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Oilshale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.

For Year ended the 81st December, 1917. Name of Metal or Mineral. For Year ended the lBt the 'UkI; l-!ppmrtliov imf, ISli .Jamiai>, LM.i.i, IO Hie .list .December, me. 3lBt December, .1917. Quantity. Value. Value. Quantity. Value. I Quantity. Value. ilineral produce, including kauri-gum— Tons. £ Copper-ore .. .. .. .. 6 li Chrome-ore .. .. .. .. , .. Antimony-ore Manganese-ore Haematite ore.. Tungsten-ore.. .. .. .. 161 28,9' Sulphur (crude) Mixed minerals* .. .. .. 2,351 6,6' Coal (New Zealand) exported .. .. 221,125 236,01 Coke exported .. .. .. 119 2' Coal, output of mines in Dominion (less 1,847,294 923,(1exports) Oil-shale Kauri-gum .. .. .. .. 4,594 291,9: £ Tons. £ Tons. £ 1,504: 19,372 5,809 38,002 3,768 54,941 19,364; 61,905 77; 469 266J 49,070 1,994, 230,522 4,927 13,241 7,335; 14,614 53,673; 231,556 328,183 326,553 4,712,240' 4,429,442 33 57 16,683 25,366 1,928,952 964,476 41,446,350i 20,031,364 163 i 28,972 2 6,679 236,063 240 923,647 291,917 14,444 7,236 5,456 339,882 353,8731 18,167,939 2,270,225 1,694,652 46,634,766 43,911,355 Total quantity and value of minerals 2,075,650 ; 1,487,61 other than gold and silver 2,078,650 1,487,683! 2,270,225 1,694,652 . » Including lime, 32 tons; pumice-sand, 2,161 tons; pun :e-sand, 2,161 tons; pumici 3-stone, 136 tons ; and ston -stone, 186 tons ; and stone, 19 tons.

Coal and SI the Di lale raised in jniinion. Coal imported. Year. Tons. Increase over Preceding Year. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Decrease below Preceding Year. Prior to 1878 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 1907 1908 .. .. * 1.909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 709,931 102,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272' 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 1,831,009 1,800,975 1,911,247 2,197,362 2,006,073 2,177,615 1,888,005 2,275,014 2,208,024 2,257,135 2,068,419 Inc. 69,000 „ 68,705 „ 37,339 „ 41,010 „ 43,492 „ 59,009 „ 30,232 „ 23,290 „ 24,267 „ 55,275 Dec. 27,450 Inc. 50,952 „ 31,397 4,521 „ 18,233 „ 27,998 7,108 „ 66,197 „ 47,862 „ 66,320 „ 68,201 „ 118,750 „ 145,696 „ 125,354 „ 55,189 „ 117,609 „ 47,918 „ 143,780 „ 101,473 „ 29,966 „ 50,272 „ 286,115 Dec. 131,289 Inc. 111,542 Dec. 289,010 Inc. 387,609 Dec. 66,990 Inc. 48,511 Dec. 188,716 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,961 108,198 101,756 110,907 115,427 99,655 124,033 149,764 127,853 163,923 147,196 169,046 207,567 220,749 287,808 258,185 232,378 188,068 364,359 468,940 518,070 353,471 293,956 291,597 6,'664 24,904 20,722 14,379 135 9451 4,520 25,371 36,'070 21]850 38,521 13,182 67,059 170,201 104,581 49,130 16,072 33,778 380 6,042 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 17,124 8,009 4,483 4,703 6,442 15,772 21,911 16," 727 29,023 25,807 44,310 164,599 59,515 2,359

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No. 3. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1916 and 1917, together, with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

No. 4. Table showing the Output of Different Classes of Coal.

No. 5. Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand from and to each Country during the Year ended 31st December, 1917.

Name of Coalfield. Output. Increase. Decrease. Approximate Total Output up to 31st December. 1917. 1917. 1916. ' ""I Sorth Auckland Waikato (including Mokau) Molson liuller .. irey Canterbury Jtago Southland Tons. 101,320 369,318 19,616 652,183 14,766 460,213 .18,003 274,306 158,634 Tons. Tons. 126,506 359,608 9,710 26,147 714,015 11,402 3,304 544,071 19,465 281,552 174,369 Tons. 25,186 61,832 83j 858 1,402 7,246 15,735 Tons. 3,613,954 4,929,983 328,287 15,053,254 279,275 9,170,071 736,660 9,127,443 2,919,003 Totals 2,068,419 j 2,257,135 13,074 201,790* 46,158,590 • Net de icrease, 18H,7!fi toi IS.

Output. Increase. Decrease. Approximate Total Output to the 31st December, 1917. Class of Coal. 1Q1I7 I 1011! 1917. 10111. 1917. 1916. Bituminous and semi bituminous Brown Lignite Tons, 1,247,989 629,174 191,256 Tons. 1,422,074 653,898 181,163 Tons. 10,093 Tons. 174,085 24,724 Tons. 30,048,697 13,774,384 2,335,509 Totals 2,068,419 2,2.57,135 10,093 198,809* 46,158,590 * Net decrease, 1SH.716 torn

Country imported from or exported to. Imports. orts. Exp >orts.* Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. United Kingdom India Straits Settlements Bouth African Union Canada, via West Coast Australia Fiji Gilbert and Ellioe Islands Japan ftgypt Portuguese East Africa Chile Panama U.S.A., via East Coast U.S.A., via West Coast German Samoa Guam .. .. ... Hawaii Society Islands Tonga Tuamotu Archipelago .. Tons. £ Tons. 102,970 13,196 2,700 2,809 5,532 189,798 32,073 12,072 1,000 5,303 500 206 3,046 994 300 2,1.14 13,529 2,068 40,087 11 2,134 1,548 • .. 2,405 214,152 228,843f £ 117,414 22,614 4,864 3,839 252,116 5,532 33,563 11,871 1,550 750 220 6,'968 5 i 035 1,390 367 3,240 12,806 2,082 43,092 20 2,180 1,569 2,405 Totals 291,597 243,956 • Bunkers and cargo, and coal mined in other countries New Zealand prodilf-e. as well M in N r t*w Z lalaml. t Of this total 7,718 tons, val lue £7,893, waB not

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No. 6. Number of Persons ordinarily employed in Mining other than Coal during the Year ended 31st December, 1917.

Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand, Mines during 1917 and 1916.

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Number of Persons ordinarily employed at County or Borough. Gold-quartz | Gold Gold- Mines other than Minos. j Alluvial Mines, j dredges. Gold and Coal. I llll 7. Toi tni. Ill Hi. Northern Inspection Distriot. County and Borough of Thames .... 117 County of Ohinemuri .. .. 291 .. „ Coromandel .. .. 19 ... Piako .. .. .. 5 Borough of Waihi .. .. .. 971 .. .. ... Tauranga district .. .. .. Ill Puhipuhi district .. .. .. .. .. .. Ill Great Barrier Island.. .. .. 3 117 :».ll 19 5 971 10 111 •> .) 1 I l I I 53 359 72 3 I ,099 3 5 4 Wust Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough .. .. 66 7 „ Waimea .. „ Collingwood .. .. 8 4 ,, Murehison .. .. .. 42 Buller .. .. .. 2 33 ,, Inangahua .. .. 485 Ii 37 ,, Grey .. .. .. .. 66 10 Westland.. .. .. .. 113 37 Borough of Ross .. .. .. 7 2 ,, Hokitika 73 12 42 35 528 76 150 9 100 10 11 53 37 634 100 177 18 4 Southern Inspection District. County of Taieri .. .. .. 4 1 .. 12 Tuapeka ...... 5 112 2 2 Vincent .. .. .. 4 42 105 ,, Maniototo .. .. .. 51 7 Waihemo .. .. 31 .. .. 11 Waitaki .. .. .. .. 16 Lake .. .. .. 2 31 .. 63 Wallace .. .. .. .. 32 ,, Bruce .. .. .. .. .. 3 Southland .. .. .. 60 59 Stewart Island 17 121 151 58 42 16 96 32 3 119 17 121 151 58 42 16 96 32 3 119 7 198 193 63 53 17 110 47 7 173 3 Totals .. .. .. 2,030 618 260 104 3 618 260 104 3,012 3,012 3,713

1917. 1916. Increase or Decrease. , . I_ . silver and gold, and scheelite ... ... 2,908 Dther metalliferous mines, including scheelite ... ' 104 Ooal-minos ... ... ... ... 3,983 3,614 99 3,988 Dec. 706 Inc. 5 Dec. 5 — Totals ... ... ... , 6,995 7,701 Dec. 706 i

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No. 7. Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Companies Act, 1908.

Name of Company. Date of Registration. Subscribed Capital. Amount Value of Scrip \r„ m i,„ i o -d Quantitv and Value of t.„h.„, t>„*»i i m „,,„i Capita, *W5T S Amount paid Arrears £fe I J g | *». U£i of ; oVSSSl actually whteh no Cash aUotted shar «- ° f c holders at g 3 g, "" Begl3tratlOT1 since Dividends owingby_ paid up. paid. present. | g , Eegrstration. pyi. Company Value. AUCKLAND DISTRICT. £ Alluvial Claims (Limited) .. .. .. 24/10/16 2,500 Botha Gold-mines (Limited) .. .. .. 16/10/16 3,750 Cinnabar-mines of New Zealand .. .. 19/12/13 6,500 Gallant Gold-minino- Company I Limited) .. 120/10/15 525 Golden Belt Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 22/12/11 23,451 Good Hope Gold-mining Company (No Liability) , 10/11/10 12,975 Great Northern Waihi Gold - mining Company : 13/8/14 17,000 (Limited) Hauraki Reefs (Limited) .. .. .. 28/4/10 17,500 Komata Reefs Gold-mining Company (Limited).. 16/10/00 40,000 Kuranui Gold-mining Company (No Liability) .. 5/6/14 21,750 Maoriland Mines (Limited) .. .. .. 4/8/13 440 Xew Waitaia Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 25/2/09 15,000 New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited) .. .. 13/3/14 39,407 North Prince of Wales Consolidated Gold-mining 23/3/12 3,019 Company (No Liability) Occidental Consolidated Gold-mining Company 3/8/09 5,500 (No Liability) Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines (Limited) .. 1/6/14 66,849 Old Hauraki Gold-mines (Limited) .. .. 3/8/07 18,003 Rising Sun Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 1/10/08 16,555 Saxon Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 2/12/07 35,000 Sylvia Reefs (Limited) .. .. .. 13/4/17 10,779 Tairua Broken Hills Gold-mining Company (Li- 1/5/16 6,000 mited) Q| United Gold-mine (Limited) .. .. .. 17/7/15 17,242 Waihi Extended Gold-mining Company (Limited) 12/8/95 149,967 Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company (Limited) 4/3/10 125,000 Waiotahi Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 28/7/71 18,000 Waitangi Consolidated Gold-mining Company (No ; 23/10/08 147,833 Liability) Waitawheta Gold-mining Company (No Liability) 22/7/14 10,156 Whangarei Cinnabar (Limited)| ' .. .. ! 9/7/15 6,230 Zeehan Consolidated (Limited) .. .. 23/10/10 15,000 1,480 719 996 j 524 ' 7,512 1,982 5,433 11,682 1.294 440 ! 8,113 11,348 4,099 5,246 £ I £ s. d. 600 50 j 50 0 0 1,250 7,500 0 0 6 4,063 13,000 0 8 9 2,125 21,210 j 0 2 6 17,027 117,255 0 4 0 1.622 129,746 0 0 7 6,000 88,000 5,083 175,000 0 18 215,593 ; 0 1 0 87,000 0 0 3 105,800 0 0 1 2,500 : 150,000 0 15 116,529 i 0 4 0 1,250 24,150 0 2 3 107,938 0 10 629 3 "28 18 j 305 19 • 65 26 47 115 69 132 290 375 56 98 133 163 12 138 Oz. £ £ I 3 -.. .. I .558 2 .. .. 687 ! 1,064 j .. -546 19 14,908 16,272 18,796 99 277 2.553 1 !. .. 4,193 9,176 20.831 .. ! 441,579 372,313 329,555 3 22 1.526 2.620 3,611 1 6,483 24,026 22.512 4 9,320 12,430 27.025 3,462 5 4,649 13,659 18,748 j 7,467 1,875 1,349 £ 53 3 1,079 19 899 4 15 20 12 12 571 6,314 11,252 11,125 20.138 3,572 3,556 6,620 58,243 65,000 16,000 27,214 458 j 4,586 ! 3,060 ; 55,000 133,698 0 5 6 180,030 0 13 2,229 , 110,368 ! 0 2 2 13,333 : 200,000 j 0 2 Of 107,787 .0 0 8 60,000 0 13 10,000 17,242 10 0 5,498 149,967 ! 0 10 2J 60,000 125,000 1 0 0 240,000 0 14 1,000 : 170,800 4,849 . 96,982 0 0 lj 1.623 24,920 0 5 0 3,700 150,000 ..0 0 6J 143 136 21 110 262 148 9 107 142 272 162 111 156 65 47 122 150 570 65 57 14 4 .. .. 5,930 6,844 20,346 ! 28.545 j 4 I 9,948 19,599 28,704 \ 1 113 306 20.780 25 ! 1,760 1,457 6.864 I 236 373 3,812 6 | 7.267 12 | . 2 4 59.817 67 I 43,600 251,455 319.714 4 .. 678,941 281.564 17 .. 3,480 43,726 1 .. .-. 873 12 1.500 lb.* 375 2.469 I 3,060 2^625 2,759 400,800 30 98 500 10 3,772 339 1,242 712 1,615 7,041 397 i fuicksilrer.

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No. 7— continued. Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Companies Act, 1908- Continued.

Name of Company. 1 Amount Value of Scrip v„mh»r ° •"' Quantity and Value of T ... „ . , Hon. Capital. actually which no Cash allotted. per Share. of Calls, holdeia at £g g, 1 since , Dividends paid up. paid present. = g — " j Registration/ paid. f r k~". f, o Quantity. alue. I Amount of Debts owinE; by Company NELSON DISTRICT (INCLUDING WEST COAST). Addison's Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 28/5/15 Biaekwater South Gold-mining Company (Limited) 2/11/14 Boatman's Consolidated Gold-mines (Limited) .. 10/8/15 Dominion Consolidated Developing Company (Li- 18/1/11 mited) Five-mile Beach Gold-extraction Company (Li- 16/6/13 mited) Kapitea Goldfields (Limited) .. .. - - _ /7/16 Mount Greenland Gold-quartz Mining Company ; 21/11/14 (Limited) Murray Creek Gold-mining Company (Limited) .. 30/5/11 New Big River Gold-mining Company (Limited) ; 19/8/07 New Keep-it-Dark Mines (Limited) .. .. 26/2/17 North Biaekwater Development Syndicate (Li- j 19/11/15 mited) Worksop Gold-dredging Company (Limited; .. ' 20/3/07 £ £ £ £ s. d. £ 45,000 ; 10,000 35,000 45,000 10 0 6,601 | 5,814 22,500 13,203 0 9 6 143 I 28,982 I 18,210 22,000 29,982 0 15 6 1,801 15,000 I 7,000 8,000 15,000 10 0 16,305 i 727 7,000 16,305 10 0 3,750 '. 3,720 6,250 10.000 1 0 0 30 5,000 ; 4,448 855 10,000 0 10 0 50.000 ; 44,065 2.000 50,000 1 0 0 227 6,000 i 600 .. 24,000 0 0 6 17,018 9,643 32,983 50,000 0 17 0 939 25,640 17,860 1,000 2,564 i 10 0 0 12,000 ■ 10,500 1,500 I 12.000 1 0 0 40 110 277 47 75 46 63 132 62 195 31 89 Oz. £ I £ 3 22 84 14,086 ; 5,719 1 8 278 50 11,487 42,579 , ! 6,274 | 13 793 3,882 7,824 ,7 739 2,882 4,280 85 10,988 47,357 95,226 43 62,852 254,938 153,895 40 923 3,466 12,320 20 .. .. 2],445 i 13 25,766 100,228 25,766 £ 3,750 500 250 98,400 100,228 £ 134 140 5,068 686 2,541 315 120 350 2,073 10.610 230 I ,659 OTAGO DISTRICT (INCLUDING SOUTHLAND). Deep Stream Gold-mining Company- (Limited) .. 19/11/06 Dredges (Limited) .. .. .. .. 28/4/17.; Earnscleugh Gold-dredging Company (Limited) .. 15/7/01 Electric Gold-dredging Company (Limited) .. 2/9/99 Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company (Limited) .. 2/5/07 Golden Crescent Sluicing Company (Limited) .. 26/11/98 Havelock Sluicing Company (Limited).. .. 3/3/08 Island Block Gold-dredging' and Sluicing Com- 26/2/00 : pany (Limited) Ladysmith Gold-dredging Company (Limited) .. 19/4/00 Lawrence Sluicing Company (Limited).. .. 26/11/98 Lower Nevis Dredging Company (Limited) .. 29/9/06 Manila Gravel and Gold-dredging Company (Li- 24/9/13 mited) Mareburn Gold and Scheelite Mining Company 18/4/14 (Limited) Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company (Limited) .. 4/10/06 Naseby Dredging and Hydraulic- Sluicing Com- 16/10/97 pany (Limited) New Alexandra Gold-dredging Company (Limited) ] 16/2/16 New Crewe Gold-dredging Company (Limited) .. j 2/11/16 New Golden Run Dredging (Limited) .. ..I 21/11/07 2,500 500 2,000 2,500 10 0 10,000 5,000 .. 10,000 0 10 0 88 8 8 10,992 ' 11,000 10 0 1 26,000 .. 26,000 26,000 10 0 600 180 .. 600 0 6 0 3,500 3,500 .. 3,500 10 0 4,000 3,400 600 4,000 10 0 24,030 I 12,030 ■ 12,000 25,000 10 0 12,000 3,964 3.000 14,500 0 10 0 3,500 3,500 .. 3,500 10 0 600 600 600 1,200 10 0 50,000 5,893 13,954 32,241 0 4 0 205 , 6,000 5,947 .. 6,000 10 0. 53 14,400 14,400 5.550 19,950 10 0 5,000 2,288 2,000 5,000 0 15 9 1,325 1,326 .'. 1,325 10 0 1,000 500 .. 1,000 0 10 0 8,000 8,000 .. 8,000 I 1 0 .0 I 7 12 17 262 9 22 12 111 79 23 61 8 126 23 13 19 20 3 2,528 ■ 9,713 9,428 4,698 20 55,300 212,321 185,555 30 62,240 240,681 117,168 18 10,177 39,347 34,063 7 9,577 37,320 28,301 5 7,428 28,497 22,604 4 ! 8,092 31,540 42,143 7 12,843 49,493 37,750 8 567 : 2,198 3,398 5 6,343 '> 24,375 22,742 27,769 9 389 ] 1,398 6,896 15 ', 11,411 45,356 75,481 3 j 5,140 19,800 19,242 9 603 2,305 2,243 481 1 8,030 31,074 34,233 2,000 30,250 132.593 10,055 11,725 10,100 2,403 : 16,376 2,^970 4,750 3" 200 298 204 722 25 210 216 1,522 1,201 45 74 206 2,718 207 16,162 245 880 15 2.500

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No. 7—continued. Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Companies Act, 1908— continued.

Name of Company. Amount Value of Scrip i v„ m h«r ° -9 Quantity and Value of Tf . „,... »„„„„t S"d capita, *£&."£* oS" *—£" ~ ||1 "*2~ SKEW Hon. Camtal " actually which no Cash allotted. Per Share. of Calls, holders at |g|, K since ; Dividends owing by ; Paid up! paid. j j »—*• g g | QaanWty _ | ~ R*»tr.t«m, paid. .Company. OTAGO DIS' 'RIOT (INCLUDING SOl UTHLAND)— continued. £ £ £ 2,400 3,000 17,000 24,000 2,000 2,000 3,000 1,000 2,500 5.000 30,000 2,000 12,000 2,500 S.000 21.492 5,649 8,200 j 8.400 £ 3. d. £ 0 16 0 10 0 i 6 o j 1 10 0 1 0 0 244 0 9 0 156 10 0 12 10 0 5 0 0 10 0!... 10 68 70 17 19 24 26 157 79 ! 180 24 Oz. £ £ I 9 6,730 125,828 21,708 27 44,825 167,556 124,094 8 386 1,465 2,405 I 8 14,199 56,618 45,718 ! 1 .. .. 1,424 j 22 87 3,581 12 lj tons*! 229 1,684 19 4~S,035 186,442 143,064 10 24,102 93,281 71,058 16 41,645 178,665 174.436. 7 6, 175 I 4,425 49,884 300 14.815 9,438 53,100 24,000 12,287 I £ 238 412 !,046 16 1,086 1,630 840 416 1,600 Ngapara Gold-dredging Company (Limited/ Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited) Olrig Dredging Company (Limited) Ourawera Gold-mining Company (Limited) Phoenix Water-race Company (Limited) (Regd.) Pukepouri Gold-mining Company (Limited) Pukerangi Gold and Scheelite (Limited) Risc-and -Shine Gold-dredging Company (Limited) Rising Sun Gold-dredging Company (Limited) .. Round Hill Mining Company (Limited) Sailor's Gully (Waitahuna) Gold-mining Company (Limited) Scandinavian Water-race Company (Limited) .. Skipper's Sluicing Company (Limited) Stoneburn Mining Company (Limited) Success Gold-dredging Company (Limited) Tallaburn Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited) Teviot-Molyneux Gold-mining Company (Limited) Undaunted Tinkers Gold-mining Company (Limited) 9/9/11 26/3/98 i 24,000 ' 7,000 12/10/16 ' 2,000 23/5/95 3,000 3,000 12/10/67 1,500 1,500 22/1/14 2,500 2,257 15/8/17 15,000 1,344 24/2/00 10,000 9,746 16/2/01 ■ 8,000 5,500 30/7/02 28,245 6,753 3/6/96 j 8,400 200 10/12/07 I 7 .. 20/11/11 3,450 345 2/2/14 4,000 4,000 25/5/10 10,000 , 8,000 3/12/04 1.200 1,200 24/12/09 35,000 25,000 6/9/17 : 20,007 644 9,750 9,757 3,105 3,450 4,000 2,000 I 10.000 12 10,000 3o.000 15,000 ; 20,007 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 i 6 o V. 0 16 0 363 50 0 0 10 0 10 0 20 30 12 127 !l 23 48 8 " 13 13 5 7.319 27,869 30.457 2 ' 1,300 5,007 5,166 8 243 850 4,444 11 10.713 42,171 44.162 2 1,689 6,501 10 494 1,905 47.208 8 . 131 : 504 3,638 3 | 16,647 64,157 70,596 3 ' 3,975 15,267 14,146 1 | 3,130 ! 12,520 20,852 si 000 1,380 3,078 300 7,044 213 849 485 344 31,793 3,823 406 274 2.833 i United M. and E. Water-race Company (Regd.).. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Limited) Waikaka Deep Lead Gold - dredging Company j (Limited) 23/9/00 6,000 6,000 16/6/13 6,000 6,000 152 6,000 6,000 8/6/14 I .. 3,644 FOREIGN .MINING C COMPANIES. Hohonu Diamond Terrace Gold-mining and Water- j race Company 570 i I 5 I 494 1,938 12,188 [ II ! I I 400 * Scheelite.

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APPENDICES TO THE MINKS STATEMENT.

APPENDIX A. REPORTS RELATING TO .METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES.

The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Bm,— Wellington, 6th. June, 1918. I have the honour to present my annual report on metalliferous mines, together with annexures and statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1917. In accordance with the usual, practice, the tables showing expenditure on roads, bridges, tracks, prospecting operations, &c, are for the period covered by the financial year—viz., from the Ist April, 1917, to the 31st March, 1918. The reports, &c, are divided into the following sections : — I. Production of Minerals. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Cold-mining. (1.) Quartz-mining. (2.) Dredge Mining. (3.) Alluvial Mining. V. Minerals other than Gold. VI. Stone-cjuarries. (1.) Quarry Inspection and Statistics. (2.) Accidents. (3.) Portland-cement Manufacture at Golden Bay VII. State Aid to Mining. (I.) Subsidized Prospecting. (2.) Government Prospectiug-drills. (3.) Subsidized .Roads on Goldfields, (4.) Government Water-races. VIII. Schools of Mines. Annexures, — (A.) Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Minos (B.) Reports of Water-race Managers.

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I. PRODUCTION OF MINERALS. The following statement shows the value of the exports (other than gold and silver)' from metalmines, quarries, ami kauri-gum fields from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, .19.17 :

11. PERSONS EMPLOYED. The following statement shows the number of persons ordinarily employed in or about the metalliferous mines of the Dominion during the year : —

During the period of the present war -viz., 1914 to 1917 inclusive —the number of metal-miners employed has declined 1,468, and coal-miners 471. Included in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces up to the 26th April, 1917, were 1,616 miners of all classes.

111. ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of persons killed or seriously injured in metalliferous mines during 1917:—

Doing at the rate of 203 fatalities per 1,000 persons employed. None of the seven fatal accidents were due to any breach of the law by mine-owners or management. Two fatalities were caused, by defects in mechanical appliances. The actual cause of one blasting and one cage accident was never proved. The two fatalities from falls of ground were of the class which are considered unavoidable, the individual judgment of the miner being a variable equation. Some experienced and careful miners at times take risks ; unforeseen falls will always occur in mining operations f

Classification. 1916. 1917. Increase or Decrease': Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st Docember, 1917. Tungsten-ore Other minerals Kauri-gum... £ 19,070 14,611 339,882 £ 28,972 6,847 291,917 k Deo. 20,098 7,767 „ 47,9(55 £ - 230,522 419,489 18,167,939 Totals 403,566 327,736 Dec. 75,830 18,817,950

Classification. Classification. Inspection Distrii it. Southern. Total, 1917. Northern. West Coast. iold, silver, and tungsten Dinnabar Totals for 1917 Totals for 1916 1,416 16 1,432 1,698 925 925 1,144 655 2,996 16 925 1,144 655 871 3,012 3,713

f Inspection District. Expl. isives. 'El 'a 1 Fall; Groi Misoellanes °? In Shafts, ous Under- Surfi and - ground. ___[ JS3] ' 5i51 2 W , 3 I-h r C 3 W i O 3 OJ OS OJ O S IE '-. a ! r2 m a ; rz! '*-! CJ I <Dl_j .j. ai JI ojJjiIj CO M , M 00 M j W 03 H | M ice. About Total Dredges. __J Cf) OJ I EB 03 Ti q n irj ! rj (- " o.S • o.g, __«_ <£ H fl I rS M 5 4 1 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 ... 7 5 13 oi fl B a O ,S 'fi '5* 03 Northern West Coast Southern 1 1 1 ... i 1 i ; ... 2 1 2 1 ... i ... Totals 1 2 i i 2 ... 1 2 1

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The following is a brief description of fatal accidents in connection with metalliferous mining operations during 1917 :—

Date. >aiae and Situation of Mine. >ame and Situation of Mine. Name, Age, and Occupation of Person killed. Cause of Accident, Xature of Injuries, and Remarks. Cause of Accident, Xature of Injuries, and Remark^. I : ■ I 22 Feb. .. 18 April .. 4 July . . 13 July . . Waihi Grand Junction Mine, Waihi Bull's Battery, Thames Rise-and-Shine Gold-dredge, Cromwell Waihi Grand Junction Mine, Waihi William Evan Crompton (40), shift boss.. ' With the chamberman he assisted a miner, C. Naylor, who had been slightly injured, info the cage at No. 6 level. The cage had no gate, but had a hinged bar at each end 4 ft. from thifloor; but there is no evidence that such bars were put up. Also it was provided with chains attached to its interior sides, which could be clasped round the waists of persons travelling. There was no evidence to show if deceased made use of such chains on this occasion. The chamberman entered the cage and signalled to ascend. During the ascent, for no accountable reason the deceased fell out of the cage and was instantaneously killed. The chamberman was subsequently prosecuted by Mr. M. Paul, Inspector of Mines, for a breach of Regulation 94 -(12) under the Mining Act, which specifies that every cage shall' be provided with suitable gates or other approved barriers wlien persons are riding, the chamberman having, under section 8 (c) of the Mining Amendment Act, 1914, control of the chamber and the regulation of the descent and ascent of persons in the shaft. The charge was dismissed, no direct evidence being obtainable as to whether deceased had used the safety chains. The Warden, however, ruled that the braceman and chamberman were jointly in control of the shaft and signalling, and were responsible for the use of safety appliances in connection with cages. The Inspector has since notified all mine-managers that all cages used for raising or towering men shall have fixed gates opening only inwards. William John Ward (44), part-owner of With his two partners he had repaired a berdan driving-belt, after which he ascended to a battery platform parallel to the driving-shaft, where he sat down, his legs hanging below the platform. One of the partners below had just finished coupling the belt when it went out of his hands and caught around the foot of deceased, causing him to be revolved round the driving-shaft for about five minutes before the machinery was stopped. It is believed that the accident was due to the belt catching on a bolt-end standing out from the pulley, and being wound up round the shaft. The injuries received by deceased, and from which he died about three hours later, consisted of a very bad crush of the left leg, necessitating amputation, with consequent loss of blood and shock. William John Ritchie (46), dredgemaster.. To disconnect a chain of buckets on a ladder, a wire rope was led to a pulley attached by a shackle to a f in. eyebolt in the deck 29 ft. in front of the winch, and then on to the surge-drum of the winch. He was standing by that drum to take in the slack rope as the strain came on. when the eyebolt broke, the pulley-shackle and part of the bolt flew back and struck deceased, fracturing his skull. He died three days later. It was found that the eyebolt had a bad flaw. The deceased was responsible' for the quality of the plant used, and controlled the operations. James McConnell (33), miner .. . . With his mate James Stubbing he was sinking a winze below No. 7 level on the Royal lode; a depth of 22 ft. had been attained, six holes had been drilled which deceased charged with gelignite, having fuses 5 ft. in length attached. Stubbing then pulled the bucket containin<r unused gelignite up to the brace of the winze ; deceased then spitted the holes with gelignite and lighted them with a candle, after which he ascended the ladder to the collar of the winze, when the first hole went off, severely injuring him. Stubbing reached down and caught deceased by the hands and raised him to the level, along which he carried him to a place of safety. At the subsequent inquest the jury found that a premature explosion occurred owing, they believed, to defective fuse, and recommended electric firing in winzes and rises in future. They highly commended James Stubbing for his bravery in risking his life to rescue deceased. Subsequent tests of that consignment of fuse were made by Inspector of Mines M. Paul, who found it to be in good condition. Some of the gelignite, however, he found to be defective; and if such had been used for spitting, deceased may have been delayed and may unconsciously have spent more time than he was aware of endeavouring to light the gelignite-spitting. The Inspector has since notified mine-managers that to avoid similar accidents, until stocks of reliable time-fuses can be procured, instructions be given to men working in rises and winzes that all fuses be cut at least 6 ft. in length, and that instead of spitting with gelignite a small piece of candle should be placed under the fuse and allowed to I urn through.

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Date. 1 Name and Situation of Mine. Xante, Age. and Occupation of Person killed. Cause of Accident, Nature of injuriis. and Remark-. !8 July .. | Progress Mine, Reefton .. .. Thomas Henry Robbins (34), miner 1 Sept. .. Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company .. Peter Lincir (39), elevatorman .. 7 Oct. .. Waihi Mine, Waihi .. .. .. John McPherson (44), miner .. i He was one of a contract stoping party on the Pioneer block over Xo. HI level. With his mate he had worked down sufficient rock to enable them to stand a set of timber on the hanging-wall side of the lode. Believing that no loose rock was left hanging, they proceeded to shovel away the broken rock, when several pieces of quartz, weighing in all about 2 A cwt., fell from tlie back at the hanging-wall, one piece weighing about 1 cwt. falling on deceased. The stope was well timbered up to the face, the. only ground open being the space for the set at which deceased was working. If they- had used a few poles to support the back while they cleaned up in readiness for erecting the set they might have averted the accident. There was plenty of suitable timber in the stope for the purpose. The back was close to them, and they- could have sounded it without difficulty. He was employed at an elevator used to raise tailing from the river-punts to the extraction works. The elevator is controlled by an electrically driven winch on a platform above the river. He had lowered the elevator from the platform, and it is surmised was attending to the grease-cups when his clothes caught in the driving-shaft of the winch and that he was drawn into the machine. He was found in an expiring condition, having a fractured skull and other severe injuries. On the shaft are three collar-studs, two of which project 1 in. The men employed were warned not to fill the grease-cups when the machinery was in motion. The Coroner's verdict was that the accident was due to deceased being entangled on the shaft of a winch, there being no evidence to show how he became so. A rider was added recommending that all projecting coupling-bolts on shafts in exposed positions shall be properly covered. At the time of the accident there was no provision in the Mining Act or regulations making this compulsory. .. i After shot-firing, the deceased, an experienced miner, was barring loose quartz from the hangingwall above Xo. 12 level when a piece of quartz weighing about 50 lb. fell, striking him on the head, fracturing his skull and almost instantaneously 7 killing him. The stope was worked on the shrinkage system; the height from the ground to the back at the scene of the accident wa» 7 J- ft. ; the stope was well filled.

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IV. GOLD-MINES. The following statement shows the dividends declared, number of persons employed, and number of gold-mines end dredges :—

(I.) Quartz-mining The following is a statement showing the tons of ore treated, and the amount of dividends paid by quartz-mining companies in each of the inspection districts during the years 1916 and 1917 :—

The following is a statement of the quartz treated, dividends declared, and the number of persons employed by the principal gold-quartz mining companies during 1917 : —

During the year the most interesting developments in connection with the quartz-mining industry were carried out by the North Blackwater Development Syndicate under the direction of Mr. David Ziman, and at Te Puke by Muir's Gold-reefs (Limited), a new company. At North Blackwater, in the winding-shaft at a depth of 1,350 ft., a crosscut was projected to the main lode operated successfully by the adjoining Blackwater Mines (Limited), which up to the end of 1917 had obtained, from 358,678 statute tons of ore treated, bullion to the value of £732.600, and had distributed in dividends £162,494.

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i VI (uartz-miuing ... )redge mining ... .lluvial mining ... Totals, 1917 Totals, 1916 Dividends paid, Numbe r of Persons „ r N , U f ab " of ra t> ,"' i n ordinarily em- forking Quartz (By Registered Com- ployed and Alluvial Muuv panics only.) and Dredges. £ 203,069 2,030 82 4,800 260 35 5,710 618 198 213,579 2,908 315 208,089 3,614 368

Inspection Distriot. Statute Tons of Ore treated. 1917. 1916. Dividends paid. (By Registered Companies only.) 1917. j 1016. Northern (Vest Coast Southern 298,396 318,456 105,539 121,066 5,381 2,840 409,316 442,362 I £ 195,619 7,450 j 203,069 £ 158,566 26,499 185,065 Totals

Name of Company. Quantity of Quartz treated during 1917. Quantity of Quartz treated during 1917. Statute Tons. 171,198 103,687] 16,007 Dividends paid. ! 'C - ! °J| ST? e> Total to -%o° .-„ EndofDe- | if m/ ' cember, £ S 5 1917. I j j i £ £ 99,181 5,189,696 601 38,438 228,620 353 51,750 1,099,222 \ .150 6.250 18,750 i 62 Northern District— Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited) Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining Company (Limited) Talisman Consolidated (Limited) Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company* .. ... West Coast District— Wealth of Nations Biaekwater Mines (Limited) New Big River Gold-mining Company (Limited) Progress Mines of New Zealand Murray Creek Gold-mining Company Other quartz-mines throughout New Zealand 17,133 34,417 5,201 19.840 9,728 32,105, 79 162,494 120 7,200 98,400 i 43 326.562 95 21.727 75 250 .. 152 Totals, 1917 409,316 203,069 409,316 203,069 .. 2,030 _| i ieen included when t: en include ed when the ore was previously * 147,700 tons of re-treated tailings not included in total, having r orushed and treated at the mines.

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In its crosscut the North Blackwater Syndicate intersected three lodes carrying visible gold, one of these being the main Blackwater lode. Permanent winding and air-compressing machinery is now being installed at this mine. It is interesting to note that at both this and the Blackwater Mine successful prospecting and underground development was carried out with the assistance of Government subsidies. Accompanied by Inspector M. Paul during February of the present year I inspected the mining operations on the freehold of Mr. G. Muir, near Te Puke. The recent development upon the newly discovered Muir lode has been carried out a few chains to the east of the main lode formerly developed unprofitably by the Te Puke Gold-reefs (Limited), and reported upon by Mr. .1. A. Rartrum in the seventh annual report of the Geological Survey. The lode system near Te Puke resembles somewhat that at Waihi ; branching and interlacing quartz lodes occur in fissures due to contraction ol the bedded andesite ; the ore-bodies vary considerably in width and course. With the exception, however, of the main lode, which is outside the boundaries ol Mint's Cold-reefs (Limited), there is no comparison in magnitude hetween Waihi and Te I'uke lodes. In appearance the oxidized quartz from the upper levels of the. Waihi Mine also resembles considerably that at present being mined at Te Puke, being in parts sinterous, flinty, laminated, or banded. Upon the Muir lode at the time of my inspection the following development had been carried out: — About 93 ft. below the crest of Fleming's Hill on its eastern side a level known as the '" upper level " had been driven from an adit by Mr. Muir I'm- a distance of 360 ft. along the lode, varying between 4 ft, 6 in. and 5 ft. in width, bearing approximately north and south, underlying 85° east. Samples of ore properly taken by Inspector Paul along the whole course of this level upon analysis proved payable, containing an average assay value of about £3 per ton. Assuming the ore to ascend for 60 ft. above this level in undiminished width, there is available for stoping a block containing 7,160 statute tons. To the north of the upper level, and about 200 ft. below the same, the Muir lode has been intersected by an adit; at the point of intersection the lode is only 10 in. in width, but 10 ft. southward it increased to 2 ft. 4 in., and at 47 ft. (the face on the occasion of my inspection) it was 3 ft. wide. Samples taken at these points were of lower value than in the upper level. The lode is crossed by a small fault, causing slight displacement at the northern face of the upper level ; towards this fault the southern face of the bottom level is approaching. In addition to the Muir lode a small branch lode and some " droppers " have been proved in the upper level to contain rich ore in small quantity. Outside the boundary of Muir's Gold-reel's (Limited), a short distance to the west of the Muir lode, the main lode formerly developed by the Te Puke Gold-reefs (Limited) has been recently further developed at the top level by a footwall drive about 200 ft. in length. Samples taken by Inspector Paul across both north and south faces of this footwall drive averaged in value £3 10s. lid. on the western face, and ss. Id. on the eastern face. This lode is stated to be 50 ft. wide at the upper level, but declines in width at lower levels driven several years ago. The quartz has in the past been found too low-grade to be payable. The company is now installing a 10-head stamp battery, tube mill, and cyanide infiltration plant near the entrance, to the adit of the bottom level. The underground development by this company was also assisted by a Government subsidy. Reports on working quartz-mines by the district Inspectors of Mines are contained in Annexure A accompanying this report. (2.) Dregotc Minincj. This class of gold-mining is rapidly declining, only thirty-five dredges being in commission during 1917, whereas in 1906 there were 167 active dredges. During the year thirteen dredges ceased operations and two dredges previously idle were put into commission. Near Rimu, on the Hokitika River, the Rimu No. 1 Dredging Company commenced dredging early in April, and by the 3.lst December had handled 117,000 cubic yards of material (chiefly large boulders). The area dredged was 3| acres, and the average depth about 20 ft., but some of the gold may lie lost among the large boulders (too large for the dredge-buckets to deal with) assembled on the bottom. It is proposed to procure a more powerful dredge of American type to deal with the very heavy ground on this claim. At the Arahura River the Westland Prospecting Syndicate has successfully proved by Keystone drill an extensive area of workable dredging-ground averaging 27 ft. in depth. The Worksop No. 2 dredge has been purchased by the syndicate for use upon (his area, and is now being removed thereto. (3.) Alluvial Mining. There has been a considerable decline in the production of bullion from alluvial mines during the period, of the war. Reports on working alluvial claims by the district Inspectors of Mines are contained in Annexure A accompanying this report. Water-power for Mining Purposes. Water power is extensively used for hydraulic mining, also to a smaller extent for hydroelectric transmissions and lor water-motors installed to drive mining machinery.

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During 1.917 water was used for sluicing auriferous alluvium at 198 claims, employing 61.8 persons, in Otago, Southland, and on the West Coast. The quantity of water utilized per claim varies up to about 40 cubic feet per second. Most of the sources of water-supply are privately owned, but on the West Coast and in Central Otago the Government has constructed, and now maintains, very extensive water-races for the use of miners. On the West Coast the Waimea Kumara Government water-races, in length about forty-five miles, have a capacity of 220 cubic feet per second : the cost of construction has been approximately £250,000, the value of gold obtained by use of the water being about £1,400,000. In Central Otago the Mount Ida Government water-races, in length about twenty-two miles, have a capacity of 51 cubic feet per second ; the cost of these races to the Government has been about £80,000. The water is generally sold from Government races at a charge of 2sd. per sluice-head per hour. Of recent years the cash received for water sold has been less than the cost of the upkeep of the races. During 1917 sixty-three miners were employed on claims using Government water, and gold to the value of £15,075 was obtained therefrom.* Power from water-motors is used, in the Reefton. district at the Progress Mines for milling and ore-reduction, and in Central Otago on three gold-dredges. There are three hydro-electric mining transmissions. On the Waikato River the Waihi. Goldmining Company has installed a 9,000-horse-power plant at ilorahora Falls, near Cambridge, a distance of fifty miles from the mines and reduction works at Waihi and Waikino ; the transmission pressure is 50,000 volts. The power is used for winding, air-compressors, reduction works, lighting, and other purposes. The company has the right to supply local authorities en route with power for public distribution. At Kanieri Forks, near llokitika, there is a hydro-electric power-station, formerly the property of Ross Goldfields (Limited), but recently purchased by the Kanieri Forks Power Company. The water-supply is carried by races from Lake Kanieri ; from the peltons 675 horse-power is obtainable. The transmission pressure is 24,000 volts. From the Fraser River, near Alexandra, Otago, water is taken by the Earnsclcugh Gold-mining Company for hydro-electric power for its gold-dredges, 300 electrical horse-power being utilized.

V. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. Tungsten-ore. The quantity of tungsten-ore exported during (lie year amounted to 161 tons, valued at £28,972, as compared with 266 tons, valued at £19,070, in 1916. The following statement shows the quantity and value of ore exported.:

The quantity of tungsten-ore concentrate obtained (lining the year was 199 tons (value £37,863) as the result of treating 19,655 tons of scheelite-bearing quartz, from which gold to the value of £8,098 was also obtained. During the years 1914-17 inclusive, covering the period of the war, the value of scheelite concentrate produced exceeded that exported by £9,527. The price paid per unit of tungstic acid in the shipment has recently been raised from £2 15s. to £3 Bs., being double the market price ruling immediately prior to the outbreak of war. During the past year no new development of importance has occurred in this industry, although a considerable number of prospectors have been searching for scheelite-bearing lodes in Marlborough, Otago, and Southland. * For further information regarding Government water-races see Section VII (4) of this report.

Year. Quantity. Value. Year. Quantity. Value. 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 Tons, 32 51 2 39 12 17 28 55 137 68 58 £ 2,788 2,635 83 1,200 1,139 791 1,848 3,4.07 15,486 6,055 4,263 191.0 .. 1911 .. 1912 .. 1913 .. 1911 . . 1915 .. 1916 . . 191.7 .. Tons. 143 138 135 221 204 .191 266 161 £ 15,070 11,853 13,347 22,933 21,498 27,784 49,070 28,972 Totals 1,994 230,522

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Table showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Scheelite Concentrate obtained for the Year ended 31st December, 1917.

Several of the above mines produced a certain amount of gold in addition. Reports on the quartz-scheelite mines by the District Inspectors of Mines are contained in Annexure A accompanying this report. 1 RON . Near the Breakwater, New Plymouth, the New Zealand Iron-ore Smelting Company (Limited), which was formed for working the beach ironsand, commenced smelting during the latter part of 1917, but the results not then being entirely satisfactory operations were suspended to enable alterations to be made to the plant. During September of the present year smelting was resumed, and an improved pig iron was obtained in grades varying from grey to white. The process of manufacture adopted is that of Messrs. ,). Heskett and Fraser, and the recent operations were carried out under the direction of Mr. V. W. Aubel, A.I.M.E. The following is a brief description of the process of manufacture :— The ironsand from the beach is dried and magnetically concentrated. It is then mixed with 10 per cent, of its weight of coking-coal, and the mixture is ground in a Fuller mill. From this mill the mixture is elevated to an eggette machine, which turns out eggettes without any binder being added. These eggettes are gently roasted in a small vertical oven. It is considered important not to heat too strongly at this stage. The furnace-charge consists of 2,000 lb. eggettes (with a considerable proportion of fines) containing 50 per cent, of iron, 2,000 lb. Westport coke, 7001b. limestone (from Napier), and 300 Ib. road-metal (andesitc). When the furnace is working well this charge is given every hour or less, and takes about fifteen hours to go through. The hotblast has a temperature of

._ , -, ,„ . , , , Locality of Mining Name of Company or Claimholdor. Operations. | ' ' I Quartz Scheelite Concen- \ 7 a lue crushed. trat.es obtained. __i Otago odd Southland — Golden Point (.old and Scheelite Macrae's, Waihemo Company County Deep Dell Consolidated Gold and Ditto Scheelite Company William B. McGregor Andrew Phelan . . . . ,, F. A. Smith .. .. .. „ Fraser and Gay tan . . .. ,, Philip Donoghue . . .. ,, Patrick Donoghue .. .. „ Cockerel! and Inncs .. .. „ Donaldson Bros, and Ellis .. „ A. A. Cockerel] .. .. : ,, Stoneburn Mining Company .. | Stoneburn, Waihemo County William Gregg and party .. Ditto Mareburn Mining Company .. Hyde, Taieri County.. H. S. Molineaux .. .. The Beef s, Taieri County Tons. Tons. cwt. qr. lb. £ s. d. 643 15 4 2 15 2,837 7 3 17 2 18 1 25 541 14 8 7 2 3 1 7 | 409 17 8 1 6 0 24 261 18 2 7 10 2 1; 196 5 2 20 4 13 3 7 j 923 4 0 0 7 2 5' 78 3 9 0 4 3 16 46 17 9 22 2 9 0 24 486 7 3 10 2 2 2 27 418 2 11 5 1 1 3 23 143 18 7 1.078 3 2 3 22 541 14 2 I 194 1 0 1 26 j 125 10 9 3,196 7 15 2 26 ! 1,443 11 7 150 2 14 1 25 479 3 6 A. C. BiH-kland .. .. Ditto Pukerangi Mining Company .. Pukerangi, Taieri County G. Bertenshaw .. .. W a i p o r i, Tuapeka County George Scurr .. .. .. Glenorch y, Lake County Paulin and Tripp . . .. Ditto H. Birley and party .. .. „ Thomas Scurr . . .. „ Grant and Sinclair .. .. ,, Huntly Groves . . . . „ Glenorchy Scheelite Company .. „ 2 0 4 2 24 I 44 8 6 70 1 10 1 14 286 8 0 1 14 0 18 338 12 9 1 0 3 18 174 19 9 60 20 9 1 4 4,050 2 0 5 10 0 4 970 8 5 2 12 0 19 414 0 6 0 12 2 10 1 114 13 6 0 10 2 '9 | 104 10 11 1,107 85 6 3 10 [16,924 1 0 i 6.588 167 18 2 11 J32.356 2 6 6,588 167 18 2 11 Marlborough — Dominion Consolidated Company Wakamarina J. M. Cadigan .. .. ,, i 13,067 28 0 0 0 { 5,005 0 0 Tailings 3 10 0 0 502 0 0 13,067 Tailings 28 0 3 10 0 0 0 0 Totals 19,655 199 8 2 11 *37,863 2 6 19,655 199 8 2 11 37,863 2 6 i i

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about I,ooo° F., and has a pressure at the blower of 20 oz. and at the tuyeres of 16 oz. The height of the blast-furnace is 46 ft. 3 in. over all. The diameter at (he lop is 6 ft., at the boshes 9 ft., and at the hearth 4 ft. Air heated by waste gases is utilized lor a hotblast. This furnace has a waterjacket and water-cooled tuyeres. The following is an analysis of the ironsand after magnetic concentration : — Silica (SiO.J .. .. .. .. .. 5-40 Alumina (A 10.,) .. .. .. .. .. 1-53 Lime(CaO) .. .. .. .. .. 1-81 Magnesia (MgO) .. .. . . .. .. 2-80 Phosphoric anhydride* . . . . . . . . 069 Titanium dioxide (TiOJ .. .. .. .. 10-45 , I Ferrous oxide (FeO) .. .. .. .. 28-71 1 I Ferric oxide (F,0,) .. .. .. .. 48-61 100-00 Petroleum. No development of commercial value occurred during the year as the result of oil-prospecting operations, and none of the existing bores yielded oil in payable quantity. Taranaki Oil-wells (Limited) : During the year no drilling was carried out by this company, operations being confined to relining No. 2 bore with 8 in. easing to a depth of 3,045 ft., and No. 5 bore with 8 in. casing to a depth of 1,500 ft,, the total depth of No. 5 bore on. the 23rd May, 1918, being 2,950 ft, The Taranaki Oil Lands Acquisition and Development Company (Limited) has been engaged deepening its Blenheim bore at Moturoa, which on the 24th May, 19.1.8, had attained a depth of 5,130 ft., this being the deepest bore in the locality. This hole is lined with 5 in. casing. The stratum penetrated is Tertiary blue marine clay (papa). At a depth of 2,200 ft. a small flow of petroleum was obtained and stored. Consolidated Oilfields of Taranaki (Limited) : The lltiiroa bore of this company, situated fifteen miles from Strafford, was stopped at a depth of 4,921 ft., no oil having been proved. At a depth of 4,900 ft. the bottom length of easing became detached : this was never recovered. Kutuku Oilfields Syndicate : This company's Kaimata bore, situated near Greymouth, was stopped when a depth of 1,335 ft. had been attained, the stratum being then considered unfavourable. In this hole marl, sandstone, and conglomerate were penetrated, the bottom of the hole being in quartz conglomerate. Previous holes by this company reached primary rock. Sulphur, Tauhara North No. 1 Block, near Taupo, owned by a number of Natives, and containing valuable deposits of native sulphur (referred to in my last annual report), has been prohibited by the Government against private alienations ; and the Native Land Purchase Board, having decided to purchase the block, has already acquired about one-fifth of the total interests. At Rotorua, from Section 3 of the Sanatorium Reserve, situated near the Postmaster bath on the southern shore of the lake, Messrs. Keiupthorne, Prosser, and Co. (New Zealand Drug Company) during the year obtained 1.120 tons of crude sulphur, and paid a royalty of 15s. per ton thereon in accordance with their lease from the Tourist and Health Department. The total quantity of crude sulphur obtained by this company from that ground to the end of 1917 amounted to 4,841 tons. The sulphur is used at chemical-works owned by them. A few Maoris are engaged digging the sulphur from fumaroles ;it is then carted by drays to Rotorua Station for transport by rail. The crude sulphur is of medium grade, but is very cheaply obtained. Cinnabar. The Inspector of Mines for the North Auckland District, Mr. Boyd Bentlie, reports favourably (see Annexure A accompanying this report) upon the operations of the Whangarei Cinnabar-mining Company. This company having installed a furnace at its mine, has successfully treated two trial parcels of ore with the following results: 1917—68 tons of ore yielded 1,500 lb. of mercury; 1918 — 130 tons of ore yielded 2,625 lb. of mercury. This mercury sold at ss. and 7s. per pound respectively f.0.b., Auckland. Inspector Bennie estimates that there are 3,000 tons of ore in sight for stoping. Cinnabar-prospecting operations have also been carried out in the locality by Messrs. McLeod Bros., and at the Jofl're Mine by Messrs. Collins Bros. The number of persons employed at the North Auckland cinnabar-mines is sixteen. For the purpose of encouraging the cinnabar-mining industry the Government on the Ist August, 1917. published in the New Zealand Gazelle a notice that a bonus of 4d. per pound woidd be paid on the production of the first 100,000 lb. of good marketable retorted quicksilver, free from impurities, from any mine in New Zealand on the following conditions : (1.) That at least one-half of the quantity is produced on or before the 31st March, 1920, and the remaining half on or before the 31st March, 1921. (2.) The first instalment of the bonus will be paid when 50,0001b. of quicksilver has been produced as stipulated to the satisfaction of an officer to be appointed by the Minister of Mines, and on whose certificate alone the bonus will be paid. (3.) In the event of more than one person producing the required quantities of quicksilver before the dates named, inquiry will be made by the officer above referred to, when, if it is found that each applicant is equally entitled to a bonus, the amount will be divided in proportion to the quantities produced by each applicant, but in no case shall any bonus be paid until at least 50,000 lb. of quicksilver has been produced in the aggregate.

* Equivalent to phosphorus, 0-30 per cent. t Equivalent to metallic iron, 56-36 per cent.

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Kauri-gum. The quantity of kauri-gum exported during 1917 amounted to 4,594 tons, value £291,917, as compared with 5,456 tons, value £339,882, during 1916. The total quantity and value of. this fossil resin exported to the end of 1.917 were 353,873 tons and £18,167,939 respectively. Dredging for gum on the swamp land of North Auckland having proved successful, an Otago gold-dredge, the " Duke of Gordon," was dismantled for removal to the gumiiolds. Phosphate. The only operations in connection with the quarrying of phosphate were those of the Ewing Phosphate Company at Clarendon, Otago, which produced during the year 5,050 tons. The total output for this company from 1902, the year of its initiation, to the end of 1917 is 107,522 tons. The total output from other phosphate-quarries in the Clarendon-Milburn district to the end of 1917 is approximately 5,470 tons. Platinum. In the published lists of the minerals of New Zealand platinum is stated to occur in several places, associated generally with gold in gravel. It is only from Southland, however, that there is any record of platinum being obtained and exported profitably. The. Customs Department has not kept any separate record of the quantity and value of platinum entered for exportation, the value of this metal exported being included in a general total of exports by parcel-post, by which moans platinum has generally been despatched from the Dominion. In Southland native platinum occurs in auriferous wash, and is distributed on the beaches and coastal terraces from Blue Cliffs, west of Invercargill, to Longbeach, Waikawa "River, east of Invercargill, over a distance of about ninety-two miles. It is probable that the platiniferous sands of Southland have been derived from serpentine or other olivine-bearing rocks, which are known to occur in fiordland. In Russia and in Lapland platinum has been found in a matrix of serpentine (altered peridotite). Native platinum has been obtained in payable quantities from claims at Cameron Creek, Groveburn, Orepuki, Pahi, Round Hill, Steel Head, Bushy Point, Waipapa, Otara Beach, Twelve-mile Beach, and. Waikawa. The coarsest' and heaviest samples have been obtained from west of the Waiau River, that obtained east of Otara being extremely line, Direct from the gold-saving mats at the alluvial workings at the Waikoau River, Rowallen, as high a proportion as 1 oz. platinum to 3 oz. gold has v been obtained. The platinum is collected by miners as a residue, after amalgamation, of alluvial gold, and is reduced by further washing to about a 50-per-cent. concentrate, the remainder of the concentrate being chiefly iridosmine (osmiridiuni). During the earlier and more prosperous era of gold-mining alluvial miners did not save the platinum, as the banks would not give more than a few shillings per ounce for mat concentrates of platinum and osmium-indium ; consequently by far the greater proportion collected on the goldsaving matting at alluvial claims was thrown away. As years passed the price increased ; about 1907 it reached £6 per ounce for new refined platinum ; during 1917 it was quoted on the London metalmarket at £14 10s. per ounce. Prior to 1898 the Round Hill Gold-mining Company at Orepuki obtained 29 oz. platinum. The principal exporters of platinum are the Invercargill branch of the National Bank of New Zealand and Mr. John Kingsland, of Invercargill, who together have during the past- ten years exported on an average 30 oz. platinum (when refined) per annum. Between 1907 and 191.6, inclusive, the former exported .106 oz. platinum, the net price realized being £600; Mr. Kingsland during the past ten years has exported about 300 oz. of approximately 50-per-cent. concentrate for a net return of £908. The richest parcel of platinum purchased and washed by Mr. Kingsland contained 67 per cent, platinum, and was obtained from a 7 oz. parcel from west of the Waiau River. The following are the results of assays of concentrates taken direct from the gold-saving mats of Smith's Claim, Round Hill : No. 1 sample—Gold per ton of concentrate, 55 oz. ; platinum per ton of concentrate, 72 oz. No. 2 sample—Gold per ton of concentrate, 15 oz. ; platinum per ton of concentrate, 51-5 oz. The following is the result of an assay by Mr. A. Z. Clarke, of Melbourne, of a sample of concentrate from rich wash from the Otara claim, submitted by Mr. Kingsland: Osmiridium, 15dwt. 7 gr. per ton; platinum, 7 dwt. 14 gr. per ton; gold, 4 dwt. 22 gr. per ton; monazite, 2-07 per cent.; thoriua, 0-67 per cent.

VI. STONE-QUARRIES. (1.) Quakby Inspection and Statistics. The inspection of stone-quarries and those places which come under the operation of the Stonequarries Act, 1910, is now carried out entirely by Inspectors of Mines, who are also Inspectors of Stone-quarries in their respective districts. It having been found in some cases that a laxity existed by the management in carrying out the safety provisions of the Act and regulations, strict compliance is now insisted upon by the Inspectors. There is, unfortunately, no provision under the Act for returns of output and other statistics by quarry-owners ; the statistics available and here published are therefore somewhat incomplete.

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Table showing the Number of Quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, also the Number of Persons ordinarily employed thereat, and the Annual Output of Crude Stone.

(2.) QuAßiiv Accidents. The following is a summary of persons killed or seriously injured during 1917 at stono-quarries and places within the operation of the Stone-quarries Act: -

The following is a brief description of fatal accidents in connection with quarrying operations under the Stone-quarries Act during 1917 : —

' I 0 S Provincial N.-um-:md Address of nistrict iiiiviiniinciit Inspector nf •* Stone-quarries. ~ « S'3 !-SShJ San iff«| .._.... ■ L5 I. fi r& O OJ §& Pi's. I 'o >, . ""I S.S P 'A Output of Orttd' If I I I S-l J «i . si o ° 5 3 o • »p ifl If I 2-2 S h2£ '3 53 05 EQ fe Stono ill 4> . -. a* o P 3 Si ■-H-.H H niing I!U7. s I! Ih •s $ .■. I s 3 Ph h3S b ".2 3 °& | £ ' hti ' Auckland .. James, Newton, Mines Pept., | 50 Auo'ldand M. Paul, Minos Dept., Waihi I 10 (Hauraki Mining District only) Hawke's Bay ' James Newton, Mines Dept., 0 Auckland Taranaki .. .. 21 Wellington .. .. 15 Marlborough ) T r , ,, ,, r . ., / 2 Nelson J '*' Downey, Minos Dept,. I _ Westland ) 1{l>nfl "" ( 2 Canterbury ) T , T> ,, , , ,,,. ... / 11 ... ■ E. R. Green and A. Whitley, .- ' ' '" , , Mines Dept., Dunclin ', Southland ) ' ' [ (I 380 Tons. Tims. Tuns. 307,87(1 09,795 ; Tons. 4,7411 ! Tons. 95.187 Tons. Torn-, 52 30,107 59 7,784 13,222 ; I ,970 0.210 62 102 5 OS 7 101 103 55 31,430 | .. 30,999 I 7,250 .; 2,400 28,254 1,200 5,184 00,008 51,574 2,531 57,072 | 17,310 208 7,841 .. I III 312 Villi 25,278 i 2,044 30,501 24,958 3.7(15 10,870 127 .. j 3,124 5,050 Totals .. .. 15] 1 ,11(10 . , I , , , _l 020,201 |l80,161 (1,409 j '■<«), 861 154,717 J5.060 3,124

! Number of Accidents. 1 Number of Sufforors. Cause of Accident. 1'atal. Serious. , Seriously Tyillod. T . j Injured. Explosives .. .. - Falls of ground Palling from face, or during ascent or descent Miscellaneous I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Totals 2 3 2 3

Date. Name and Situation of Quarry. Name of V fMs"n kmed P4tl0 " f '-'"'"' " f Ac< ' illl ' nt - Nature " f and Hemarks. J _ . Mar. Wanganui Harbour B o a. i- d quarry, Kni whaike George Marvin (46), He had finishod stripping, and ciinnncnccd to descend via quarryman the rock-face, which was provided with a life-line and with slops cut at the top and bottom of the face. This was considered to lie a fairly safe travelling-way, although another travelling-way considered safer was mostly used, lie was scon to fall off the track over a ledge, and rolled down the side of i he hill for a distance of about 500 ft., breaking bis neck. There was no evidence as to what caused him to fall. Il is surmised that cither he did not use the rope or was overcome by giddiness. Had there been a permanent ladderway from one bench to another this accident might not have happened, but the construction and maintenance of such a ladderway would have been difficult. The Inspector of Stone-quarries has since notified the. quarry-manager that in future any means of access to tin- upper bench must be in such a position and made so secure that no similar accident can happen. Alexander Drummond Deceased, an experienced quarryman, was working by himself (50), quarryman on a ledge 25 ft. or 30 ft. up the quarry-face. Excessive rain had rendered the face dangerous. He was Undermining with a crowbar flic sandstone rock, instead of working it down from the top, a, safer method. Suddenly a fall of about 30 or 40 tuns of stone occurred, striking deceased and carrying him down to the ground, lie died flic same day, as the result of I In- very severe injuries sustained. Deceased was solely to blame for the OQOUrt'ence, The Coroner's verdict imputed no blame to any one. 1 Sept. Otamatea County quarry, at llukutore, via IV Kiipuni

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(3.) PORTLAND-CEMENT MANUFACTURE. The quarrying of material for the manufacture of Portland cement, together with the mechanical and chemical processes necessary to produce the finished article, is becoming an important industry in New Zealand, quarries and works of considerable magnitude being established at Whangarei (north Auckland), Golden Bay (Nelson), and Milburn (Otago). At Tarakohe, Golden Bay, the extens've quarries and works of the Golden Bay Portland Cement Company (Limited) are situated. For the purpose of obtaining information regarding the operations at Tarakohe I have inspected the works, the following being a report upon the quarries and process of manufacture, with the result attained :— Synopsis of Manufacture from Raw Material to Portland Cement. quarries (mechanical process). The limestone and* marl quarries are favourably situated in proximity a few chains inland from the wharf, on the northern slope of a hill. The limestone has been classed by Dr. J. M. Bell as Miocene (Oamaru Series) in Bulletin 3 of the Geological Survey of New Zealand ; the overlying marlstone (calcareous claysfone) quarried is of similar geological age. The quarries are worked in benched faces, the overburden being stripped preparatory to quarrying. At the limestone-quarry the face has a maximum height of about 90 ft. The marl-quarry is of lesser height. This raw material is broken down by blasting, gelignite and blasting-powder being used. The following are the average valuations of limestone and marl from the quarry as obtained by Mr. Sydney F. Strudwicke, works chemist to the company : — Percentage Carbonate of Lime. Sample No. I—Quarry-floor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 05-4 2—About 5 ft. above floor .. .. .. .. .. .. 93-0 „ 3 —Average height from quarry-floor 5 ft. to 15 ft... .. .. .. 89-4 4 „ „ 15 ft. to 25 ft... .. .. .. 90-2 5 „ „ 25 ft. to 45ft... .. .. ' .. 91-0 6 „ „ 45 ft. to 70 ft... .. .. .. 94-S 7 „ „ 7(1 ft. to 80 ft... .. .. .. 96-2 8 „ „ 8(1 ft. to 90 ft. or more .. .. .. 95-9 9 „ „ over 100 ft. .. .. .. . . 96-8 „ 10—Average of remainder to extreme top of deposits, say about 125 ft. height .. 97-8 Various layers of limestone shown above are roughly classified according to their exterior appearance in the various strata of the limestone-deposits. The stone becomes richer as the top of the deposit is approached. Typical Complete Analysis of Limestone, being Average Value of Stone for 25 ft. above Quarry-floor (Samples 1 to 4 inclusive). Per Cent. Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-24 Carbonic anhydride .. .. .. .. .. .. 40-10 Silica and insoluble .. .. .. .. .. .. 5-88 Alumina .. .. ~ .. .. .. .. 105 Peroxide of iron (estimated as ferric only) .. .. .. .. 0-32 Lime .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51-08 Magnesia .. . . .. .. .. .. . . 0-85 Sulphuric anhydride . . . . .. ~ .. .. Traces Alkalis and undetermined . . .. .. .. .. .. 0-48 Total carbonate of lime, 91-20 per cont. 100-00 General Sample of Bine Marl used in Cement-manufacture. Per ("cut. Moisture .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9-63 C() 2 and combined water .. .. .. .. .. .. 18-25 Silica .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36-44 Alumina .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8-49 Iron-oxide (as peroxide only) .. .. .. .. .. 5-76 Lime .. .. .'. .. .. .. .. .. 18-44 Magnesia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-80 Sulphuric anhydride .. .. .. .. .. .. None Alkalis and undetermined .. .. .. .. .. ~ 219 Carbonate of lime, 32-93 por cont. 100-00 It has been laid down* that a Portland-cement mixture when ready for burning should contain about 75 per cent, of lime carbonate (CaCO 3 ), and about 20 per cent, silica (Sio 2 ), alumina (A 1203), and iron-oxide (Fe2o 3 ) together, the remaining 5 per cent, containing only magnesia, sulphur, and akalies that may be present. Good commercial cement should have the following limits of these ingredients : Silica, 20 to 25 per cent. ; alumina, 4 to 8 per cent. ; oxide of iron, 2 to 5 per cent. ; lime, 60 to 67 per cent. ; magnesia, 0 to 2 per cent. ; sulphuric anhydride, 0 to 2 per cent. Tlfb raw material is carried by gravitation tramway to the factor}* adjacent to the wharf. CRUSHING, GRINDING, AND MIXING OF RAW MATERIALS (MECHANICAL PROCESS). The second step is the thorough crushing, grinding, and mixing of the raw mater als to such a fineness that 90 to 95 per cent, of the mixture will pass through a sieve having 32,400 apertures per square inch. The marl is crushed down to about 2 in. by a Hadneld's " Stag " jaw crusher ; limestone is crushed to the same gauge by NeweH's No. 8 gyratory crusher, having a capacity of 100 cubic yards

* " The Portland Cement Industry," by W A Brown (Crosby Lockwood), p. 9.

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per eight hours (this crusher has been in use for six years). The crushed, material is then elevated into toppers, from whence it is carried by conveyor, for calcination and removal of the water present, to a rotary drier, being a slowly revolving cylinder 15 ft. in length by I ft. 6 in. diameter, having a furnace at one end and a cliininev-stitck at the other The limestone and marl are dried separately. The temperature, in the drier is about 500° C. The material is then elevated into two funnel-shaped storage hoppers, from which it is drawn off and mixed (by weighing) into trucks, the proportions being marl 20 to 25 per cent., the balance limestone. It then passes for preliminary grinding to a Newell's " Lion " ball mill, where it is reduced to a grade of § in. (there is considerable wear on the grinding-pla.tes and screen), from whence it is fed for finer grinding to two Fuller-Lehigh pulvoriy.ing-iuills, which reduce it to the fineness previously stated. THE BURNING Oh' THE RAW MATERIALS TO INCIPIENT FUSION (dHBMIOAL PROCESS). The third step is the rotary kiln, where the chemical combination "I the. lime with the silica and alumina of the clay takes place, producing Portland-cement clinker. The rotary kiln in use. is 125 ft. in length by 8 ft. diameter ; it is revolved by geared wheels about once per 60 to 75 seconds ; it is lined with Brunner firebrick (which lining lasts about twelve months). The kiln is inclined about lin 25, so that material fed into one end will move by gravity to the discharge end. Fine West Coast bituminous coaldust, 95 per cent, of which is ground by tube mill from slack to a fineness of 100 by 100 mesh, is blown front a tube into the lower end of the revolving kiln ; a proportion of about 28 to 38 per cent, of coal in weight to that of the manufactured cement is used. The clinker is discharged from a hooded open end, through which the coal-feed pipe pusses ; this hood closes the end of the kiln. The temperature in the. kiln is about 1,200° C. This intense flame is projected on the raw material. As the material travels down the kiln chemical changes, brought about by the terrific heat, take place, viz. : (1.) Association of combined water and loss of organic matter in the clay ; (2) dissociation of sulphates and alkalis ; (3) dissociation of carbonates ; (4) chemical combination (incipient fusion) of silica, alumina, and lime in the hot zone of the kiln. COOLING AND GRINDING THE CLINKER (MECHANICAL PROCKSS). The fourth and final step is the cooling and grinding of the clinker. The clinker in grade to pass through a 3 in. screen is conveyed from the kiln to a storage dump, during which transport it is cooled to about 200° F. Gypsum (from Australia), in proportion of 11.l 1 . to 3 per cent, according to requirements, is now added to regulate the setting of the cement. The final step of grinding the clinker is now entered upon. The machinery and power required for this are. very closely the same as that required for grinding the hard raw materials for the same output, the. clinker being much, harder to pulverize, although for every ton of cement clinker 1-5 tons of raw materials are required. After passing through the preliminary grinding-mills and ball mills the article is finished by being ground in tube mills, 86 per cent, being to a fineness of 180 by 180 mesh, or 32,400 apertures to a square inch. The tube mills resemble those in operation on our goldfields ; they are lined with flint bricks, and flint pebbles are used therein. Electrical power (alternating current) generated upon the works is used for the whole process. THE FINISHED ARTICLE. The finished article is then elevated into hoppers, and automatically weighed and bagged ; the bags are sewn by hand. The bags contain 123| lb. of cement, being 18 bags per ton. For the shipment of their product the company has constructed at Tarakohe a substantial ferroconcrete wharf, at which vessels carrying 1,400 tons or more have been loaded. This wharf is situated about five miles east of the Waitapu (Takaka) Wharf. OUTLINE OF PROCESS. Limestone, Marl. I I Cyratory crusher (2 in. pieces). .law crusher (2 in. pieces). I I Hopper. Hopper. I I Rotary drier (500" C). Rotary drier (500° C). I I Hopper. Hopper. I I Mixing-trucks (marl, 20 to 25 per cent. ; limestone, balance). Coal. | Ball mill (J in. pieces). Tube mill (95 per cent., 10(1 by 10(1 mesh). j Fine pulverizing-mills. Bin. | Storage bin. Blower. | Rotary kiln (about 1,200° C). I Cooling-bin (gypsum, II to 3 per cent.) (200" l'\, 3in. screen). Grinding-mills, I Ball mills. Tubo mills (86 por cont. through 180 by 180 mesh). I Hoppers. Weighing and packing room (18 bags to a statute ton).

4—C. 2.

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Tests of Golden Bay Cement. The following are selected test results showing the tensile and compressive strength of Ihe finished article, by Sydney F. Strudwicke, works chemist, obtained at the works laboratory :

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH TESTS OF GOLDEN BAY CEMENT BY NEW SOUTH WALES PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. Sand is that used as standard l>v Public Works Department, New South Wales, obtained from Nepean River, and sifted through a sieve of 400 meshes and retained on a sieve of 900 meshes per square inch.

General. The Golden Bay Cement Company (Limited) has a nominal capital of £60,000 in 60,000 shares of £1 each, of which 2,400 fully paid up were issued, and 57,600 contributing shares now fully called up, in addition to which the company has issued £25,000 in debentures. The estimated value of the quarries in the balance-sheet is £5,791, and of the works £78.938. During the year ended 30th June, 1916, £5,744 was distributed in dividends. The output stage was arrived at during September, 1911. The output of Portland cement for 1916 was about 22,000 tons: the maximum capacity of the plant is about 30,000 tons. The manufactory is worked full time i.e., three shifts per day for seven djiys per week. The quarries tire worked one shift per day during six days per week. Ninety men on the average are employed at the quarries and works. The managing engineer at the works is Mr. J. A. J. McLaren (first-class certificate under the Mining Act), and the works chemist Mr. Sydney F. Strudwicke, to both of whom I am greatly indebted for much of the informal ion contained in this report. VII. STATE All) TO MINING. (1.) Subsidizell Prospecting. During the year ended 31st March, 1918, nine approved prospecting parties were granted subsidies amounting to £1,933 55., of which £882 Bs. Bd. was expended during that period. In addition to this, £518 Bs. Bd. granted during previous years was expended by fifteen parties during the past financial year. The following statement shows the total expenditure during the year ended 31st March, 191.8: — £ s. d. Tauranga County .. .. .. .. .. .. 125 0 0 Thames County .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 0 0 Ohinemuri County .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Pelorus Road District .. .. .. .. .. 15 0 o Wairau Road District .. .. .. . . .. .. 37 10 0 Inangahua County .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 11 8 Buller County . . .. .. .. .. . . 70 0 0 Westland County . . .. .. .. . . . . 686 8 6 Prospecting associations, &c. . . .. .. .. . . 328 7 2 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £1,400 17 4

I _ . . Nature of Tests according to British ii 1 ; ..i'wo'.i- r Standard Specification. | , S( ,, pt ,. mbo ,, ,<„.,. Packed in June, 1915. Supplied to Public Works, Wellington ! Packed and Blenheim, September, 1910. 28th September.l 915. I i Fineness Residue on 180 sieve .. l(i-0 per cent. Residue on 70 sieve .. .. 0-8 ,, Sotti no-time — Initial set, .. . . .. 1 hours Final set .. .. .. 1\ „ Soundness Boiling-water tests .. .. All perfect Expansion by I'' chatelier .. 2 millimetres Specific gravity .. .. 3-105 Tensile strength neat cemenl |,h. persq. in. A tier I day .. .. 333 7 davs . . . . 640 „ 28 days .. .. 656 3 months .. .. 732 ,, 6 months . . ' . . Not made ,, I year L4-0 per cent. 0-6 I hours 6 „ All perfect 2 millimetres 3-137 Lb. per sq. in. 301 733 S( 13 SI2 840 Not made 12-d per cent. 12-0 per cent. (I-1 „ D-1 2.1 hours 3 hours. 5 „ 5 „ All perfect All perfect I.', millimetres 1-1 millimetres. 3-106 3-121 Lb. per «<|. in Lb. per s<|. in. 405 381 777 857 SOI i 751 814 71)7 839 Not made. 845

Naluro of Tests. Standard required. Results N.S.H'.l'ulilie Works Department. Compressive, strength (cubes 50 sq. cm. : face about 2-75 in, : cement I part, Standard sand 3 parts) LI,, per sip in. After 1 day in air and 27 days in cold wafer . . . . 2.250 After 1 day in air, (i days in cold water, and a further 21 3.570 days in air Lb. per sip in. 4,170 4,840

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■ The following is a statement showing the number of subsidized prospectors, the amount of subsidy granted and paid, also the character and result of such prospecting operations from the Ist April, 1917, to the 31st March, 1918 :—

Name of Prospecting Party. Number of Pro- I speetors. Locality of Operations. Amount of Subsidy granted. I Amount Of niatano Subsidy ~SZ!r Mature 0 f claim. Character of Operations. , Remarks, expended. anven. Remarks. Northern Inspection District. Tierney and Regan orthern Inspection District. ley and Regan angi Gold-mining Company 2 Mi 6 | Ti 9 6 4 2 4 o Ma.hakirau Thames .. Coromandel i Waitekauri : Te Puke .. Waitekauri la.hakirau 'hames .. £1,000, at £2 subsidy for £1 subscribed .. £166 13s. 4d., 6s. 8d. per foot .. £1-50, at 10s. per foot £37 10s., at 7s. 6d. per foot £125, at 5s. per foot £25, at os. per foot .. £1,000, at £2 subsidy for £1 subscribed .. £166 13s. 4d., 6s. 8d. per £ s. d. 373 0 0 60 0 0 Nil 125 0 0 25 0 0 £ s. d. Ft, 373 0 0 360 Quartz .. Surface prospecting Nothing payable discovered; work suspended. 60 0 0 180 „ .. Driving .. Driving on large lode. Ore saved and treated, value lis. 3d. per ton. Ft. 360 j Waitangi Gold-mining Company 180 "™ Hauraki Reefs Company -aki Reefs Company 4 Cc loromandel foot .. £1-50, at 10s. Nil .. „ .. „ .. Xo work done. , i I ™,. (r.nh W. M. Walnutt and party 1. Walnutt and party 2 I W V'aitekauri ner foot per root £37 10s., at I 7s. 6d. per i I „ .. „ .. Sinking .. J' Work in progress ; no results. i i George Muir ge Muir ess Development Svndieat ay Bell Claim) est Coast Inspection District. rial Claims (Limited) •d and party le Consols kman Bros. i Creek Gold-mining Syndical y and Pennington redge and party .. es and .Jordan . . . . art and W;Ti(lniiiiiii 4 j T< te 3 : W 6 2 L; 2 ! St tte .. | VV 2 i R ... E 2 A 9 H 'e Puke Waitekauri \akamarina .. nyell ■tafford .. Vakainarina teefton toss thaura .. foot £125, at 5s. per foot £25, at os. per foot £ s. d. 520 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 ; 125 0 0 500 „ .. Driving .. Two lodes intersected; payable assay values. 25 0 0 100 „ .. „ .. Driving still in progress; results nil. 30 0 0 90 Quartz .. Driving .. Crosscuts to intersect scheelite-bearing lode; lode when met very small. 70 0 0 210 „ .. „ .. Crosscutting old Tyr Connel tunnel and driving on lodeline at a lower level. Good stone picked up and driven on. 40 5 6 537 Alluvial .. „ ... Nothing of value located. 16 13 4 50 Quartz _ .. „ .. Driving on scheelite-bearing vein. 33 6 8 100 „ .. „ .. Driving on quartz vein; said to show good values. 3 0 0 15 Alluvial Prospecting „ .. General prospecting in Paparoa Range. Several quartz veins reported to be located, but values low. 500 Success Development Syndicate (May Bell Claim) 100 West Coast Inspection District. Alluvial Claims (Limited) Alford and party 6 Wakamarina £ s. d. ! 520 0 0 30 0 0 Alpine Consols .. 2 i Lyell .. 200 0 0 70 0 0 Blackman Bros. Deep Creek Gold-mining Syndicate Duffy and Pennington Etheredge and party Fiddes and Jordan .. 2 2 2 Stafford .. Wakamarina Reefton . . Ross Ahaura .. 50 0 0 40 5 6 16 13 4 33 6 8 3 0 0 Howatt and Hvndmann J. J. Mcintosh' art and Hyndmann Mcintosh' i Jack and party .. sen's Creek Scheelite Synd 2 H 12 2 H 2 12 Hokitika tokitika law Haw Vairau i 42 10 0 162 6 0 42 10 0 162 6 0 i 162 5 0 162 5 0 .. I Alluvial .. , Sinking .. About twenty-five shafts sunk; considerable area of pav-ground proved. 27 10 0 250 „ .. j Driving 37 10 0 150 : Quartz .. „ John Jack and party Jackson's Creek Scheelite Syndicate Kotuku Oilfields Syndicate Haw Haw Wairau . . Kotuku . . 100 0 0 27 10 0 37 10 0 83 15 0 Kulsen and Havill McCormaek and party Pfahlert and party Westland Gold-prospecting Syndicate le lku Oilfields Syndicate len and Havill ormaok and party .. lert and party tiand Gold-prospecting Syn te ster and party outhern Inspection District. yrnes and party ;o Central Gold-mines K 2 K 1 E 2 K idi- 12 1 j R 2 B 6 B 2 1 2 12 1 Kanieri . . Rimu Kanieri . . Rimu ianieri .. ?imu Canieri .. limu .. .. Said Hill Flat Jannoekburn 50 0 0 500 0 0 80 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 500 0 0 80 0 0 .. £110 and £60 243 6 8 45 10 0 18 18 0 235 5 0 50 8 0 83 15 0 .. .. Boring .. j From 1,000 ft. to 1,335 ft. in oil-well at Kaimata ; no oil struck. 45 10 0 .. Alluvial .. Sinking .. ] 263 ft. of shaft-sinking; fair values got. 18 18 0 126 „ • • Driving .. j Driving on alluvial; results unsatisfactory. 97 ,, .. „ .. Prospecting at Kanieri Forks ; results said to be good. Water-race now being constructed to ground. 235 5 0 .. ] Prospecting ... i Continuation of work carried on by J. J. Mcintosh as already mentioned. Twenty-six shafts sunk ; also about one hundred bores put down at Arahura with payable results. 50 8 0 336 j Alluvial .. Driving .. No payable results. 110 0 0 .. Quartz .. i Surface prospecting : Work in progress ; loose auriferous quartz found. and trenching 57 0 0 171 „ .. Driving - .. Work in progress; driving- to test Carrick reefs at low level. Webster and party .. .. \ Southern Inspection District. R. Symes and party .. 2 Bald Hiil Flat .. £110 and £60 110 0 0 Otago Central Gold-mines 6 Bannookburn 243 6 8 57 0 0

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(2.) Government Peospecting-drills. The following is a statement showing the result of operations by Government prospecting-drills hired by various parties during 1917 :—

Type of Drill hired. : Name of Drill Superintendent Number of Holes drilled. By whom hired. Mineral Total sought for. : Depth drifted. Character of Country pierced. Average ' Cost per Foot drilled, including Transport. Remarks and Results. Diamond drill (o i 1- W. H. Warburton driven) Ditto ,, * * ... ?, 1 1 1 1 1 1 Point Elizabeth State Colliery .. Coal Waikaia Oil-shale Development Com- j Oil-shale .. pany Ditto .. .. .. Ft. 625 85 135 146 121 89 j s. d. Conglomerate, sandstones, clays, and i 5 1 No coal found. shaly mudstone Gravels, carbonaceous sand, and clay 7 4 2 ft. 3 in. oil-shale at 46 ft. 9 in. ; 4 ft. beds oil-shale at 52 ft. 3 in. Ditto .. .. .. .. 9 7 No oil-shale found. ..9 3 ..3 8 4 0 9 in. oil-shale at 70 ft.; 6 ft. oil-shale a( 78 ft. Tight river-bed gravel .. .. 10 0 Fairly satisfactory. Fairly tight river-bed gravel .. 3 4 Very satisfactory. (approx.) ! i I Kevstone placer drills G. E. D, Seale .. (3) Ditto .. .. I I i 26 70 Hokitika Syndicate (Limited) .. Alluvial gold Westland Gold-prospecting Company | „ (Limited) 1,144 1,840

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(3.) Subsidized Boads on Q-oldfiblds. The following schedule shows the amounts, expended by subsidies and direct grants out of the Public Works Fund, vote " Roads on Goldficlds," in the different counties, &c, during the year ended 31st March, 1918 : Direct Grants. Subsidies. £ s. d. ,£ s. d. Goromandel County .. .. .. .. 14 0 0 Thames County .. .. .. .. 758 18 9 (Ihinemuri County .. .. .'. . . 213 3 6 IVlorus Road District .. ... .. 133 0 0 Colling wood County .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 105 0 0 Buller County .. .. .. .. 1,688 10 9 116 13 A Inangahua County .. .. .. .. 1,499 16 I I Murehison County .. .. . . . . 326 5 6 Westland County .. .. .. .. 201 17 5 Grey County . . . . . . 691 16 1 Geraldine County .. .. .. .. .. 300 0 0 Vincent County .. .. .. .. .. 30 5 4 M.aniototo County .. .. .. .. 24-2 0 0 Lake County .. . . . . . . 217 13 7 Wallace County . . . . . . . . . . 191 10 3 Southland County .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 50 0 0 Totals . ; .. .. .. £6,115 4 6 £796 8 II (■l.) Government Watek-kaces, The Waimea -Kumara and Mount Ida water-races, which render possible hydraulic mining in the Kumara district, Westland, and the Naseby district, Central Otago, have during 1917 supplied sixty-three miners with water for sluicing, by which gold to the approximate value of £15,075 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to-£2,430, and the expenditure on the upkeep of the races was £3,221. These races are therefore not self-supporting, and no allowance for interest on capital expenditure or depreciation has been made. VIII. SCHOOLS OF MINKS. The following table shows the expenditure by the Government on, schools of mines during 1917-18:— £ s. d. Subsidies towards erection and maintenance .. .. 1,806 3 0 Chemicals and apparatus .. .. .. .. .. 28 12 3 Salaries of teachers, travelling-expenses, &c. .. .. .. 2,718 11 11 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £4,553 7 2 The following is a summary of the result of the Government, Schools of Mines annual examinations, 1917:

Number of Students presenting themselves at tho Annual Government Examination, 1917. Number of Papers submitted at the Examination. Average Number of Marks awarded per Paper. Senior. Junior. Name of School. On any of the Six ,, exclusively Mining | R '! , ? Subjects.* HUDjeot. r I Karangahake .. .. 2 16 Waihi .. .. .. '2 30 Thames .. .. .. 2 42 Westport .. .. .. 5 21 Reefton .. .. .. 6 17 Huntly .. .. .. 2 9 Coromandel . . . . .. . . 12 20 4 (54-83 39 4 57-14 65 1 54-09 32 2 52-17 30 .. 45-60 7 5 43-83 23 1 39-50 Totals .. .. 19 1.47 216 17 ,52-36 * The six exclusively mining subjects are mineralogy, metallurgy, iniiiii geology. I have, &c, Frank R: ig, ventilation, pumping and winding, and BED, inspecting Engineer of Mines.

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ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OP MINKS. Northern Inspection District (Mr. M. Paul, inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited). — The following arc the particulars of the principal development works carried out in this mine during the year:— No. 12 level (1,447] ft. below the collar of No. 4 shaft): The drive east on the Empire lode at 86 ft. in the north-west crosscut from No. 4 shaft was advanced 67 ft., making a total of 217 ft. From 144 ft. to 178 ft. east the width averaged, about 5$ ft., and the assay value varied, from £1 Bs. Id. to £5 4s. per ton. From 180 ft. to 193 ft. the drive was continued in country rock, owing to a large cavity in the lode. From 195 ft. to 217 ft. the width was about 6 ft., and the value varied from £1 2s. 4d. to £2 3s. 7d. per ton. No. 4 shaft west crosscut was continued 79 ft., making a total of 665 ft. At 653 ft. 12 ft. of lode was exposed, average value 6s. lOd. per ton. Quartz still showed in the face of the crosscut, which, is 150 ft. from No. 2 shaft. No. 4 shaft south-east crosscut, to cut the Royal lode, was driven 15 ft., making a total of 363 ft. The country rock was much fractured, and letting out a large volume of water when work was suspended. The Royal lode should be met in the next 60 ft. or so. Work in this level was suspended in February owing to shortage of men and stores. No. 11 level (1,301 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft) : From the Empire lode the Pistol north-west crosscut was started at 438 ft. east of the Bath north-west crosscut, and at 137 ft. from the south wall of the lode the north section of the lode was intersected. It was 26 ft. wide, having an average value of £1 4s. 3d. per ton. The lode being driven on to the west, for the first 36 ft. its average value was £1 6s. lOd. ; from 36 ft. to 50 ft. the drive was in a horse of country ; at 50 ft. west the lode was crosscut, being there, divided by a horse of country into two parts, the north branch being 8 ft. wide and averaging lis. 9d. per ton ; the south branch was 3 ft. wide and averaged £2 4s. per ton. Martha lode : Further work done to the east on the south branch of the Martha lode proved it to split up into small stringers of low value. No. 10 level: Cow south-east crosscut, started from the Martha lode at 160 ft. east of No. 4 shaft north-west crosscut, has been extended to 136 ft. south-east. A few small leaders of low value were met. The last 26 ft. was in brccciated dacite. No. 7 level: Martha lode north section, east of No. 6 shaft crosscut, was driven on 150J ft., making a total of 226 ft. B'rom 115 ft. to 226 ft. there is payable ore 9 ft. wide on the north wall of the lode. Shafts : No sinking was done during the year. At every level, in this mine men are engaged driving or stoping on the different lodes. A considerable tonnage of high-grade ore is also being won from the arches left in under the levels. In order to enable this ore to be extracted safely, gangways have been driven in solid country in the footwall, parallel to the lode, and at intervals of about 50 ft. short crosscuts are driven into the lode. The square-set method of timbering is employed. A Sirocco ventilating-fan, capacity 32,000 cubic feet per minute, has been installed at No. 5 shaft. Gates opening inwards are attached to each cage. ■ Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining Company. — No. 8 level (1,320 ft.) : North-west crosscut advanced 70 ft., the total length from main shaft being 140 ft., driven in country rock. South-east crosscut advanced 460 ft., the total length being 635 ft. The Royal lode was intersected at 560 ft., and proved to be 15 ft. in width, of which 5] ft. on the south wall assayed £2 os. lOd. per ton. The remainder of this lode is of low grade. The drive west from south-east crosscut was advanced 200 ft. ; the first 80 ft. assayed £3 2s. per ton, the remainder £1 os. 3d. for a width of 5 ft. The drive east of crosscut was advanced 286 ft., the values being low. The Empire footwall branch lode was cut at 147 ft. The drive west from south-east crosscut was advanced to 285 ft. The following values were obtained : From south-east crosscut to 160 ft. west, over an average width of 16 ft., value £1 14s. Id. ; from 160 ft. to 195 ft., average width 13$ ft-, value £3 18s. Id. ; from 195 ft. to 240 ft. west, average width 14,] ft., value £2 10s. 2d. The east drive advanced from south-east crosscut 587 ft. The following values were obtained for width of drive (5 ft.) : From south-east crosscut to 85 ft. east, £4 Is. 4d. ; from 85 ft. to 130 ft., lis. Bd. per ton ; from 130 ft. to 585 ft., £1 16s. 2d. Crosscuts at intervals of about 80 ft. have not disclosed any further payable ore. The main shaft was sunk 11 ft. during the year to a total depth below the shaft-collar of 1,357] ft. Stoping is in progress from No. 4 level downwards on the Royal and Empire lodes, but development was suspended owing to shortage of labour. Waihi Extended Gold-mining Company (Limited). —No. 7 level (1,360 ft.) : The south-east crosscut advanced 97 ft. At 44 ft. a small mineralized vein intersected, which by analysis contained traces of gold, silver, and molybdenite. The east crosscut advanced 94 ft. in favourable country. At 75 ft. above No. 7 level a quartz formation varying from. 6 in. to 18 in. in width, containing molybdenite, was intersected and driven upon for 6 ft. The molybdenite occurs somewhat irregularly in spots and ribbon-like veins. Three bulk samples treated at the Waihi School of Mines gave the following results : No. I—Gold1 —Gold and silver, traces ; molybdenum, OT3 per cent. ; value per ton, 13s. No. 2—Gold and silver, traces ; molybdenum, 0-30 per cent. ; value per ton, £1 lis. No. 3—Gold and silver, traces ; molybdenum, 045 per cent. ; value per ton, £2 ss.

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Waihi Reefs Consolidation (Limited). —Favona shaft, No. 3 level (300 ft.) : In the west crosscut a lode 20 ft. in width was intersected, but owing to lack' of funds it was found necessary to ask for six months' protection, which was granted. Work was recently resumed, five men being employed. Rising Sun Gold-mining Corn-pang, Owharoa. —Work in this mine has been confined to stoping above the low level on lodes varying in width from 6 in. to 3 ft. 6 in., but owing to the hard nature of the quartz and the scarcity of labour, and pending the insta.lla.tion of a rock-drilling plant, work has been temporarily suspended. Talisman Consolidated (Limited). —No. 16 level (1,130 ft.) : Driving north and south has been carried on continuously, and a considerable, amount of crosscutting has also been done, the results proving disappointing. At No. 15 level the south drive was advanced into the Dubbo section, connecting with No. 19 winze from No. 14 level, but failed to reveal anything of value. New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited). — This mine has been in the hands of tributers, twenty-one men being employed. Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company. —During the year this company retreated 147,700 tons of river-sands for bullion valued at £51,300, which enabled the directors to pay a small, dividend. Komata, Reefs Gold-mining Company.- Work was confined to prospecting at No. 2 and bottom level. United Gold-mines (Limited), Maratoto. —The 10-head stamp mill is almost completed. No workwas done in the mine during the year. Bendigo, Hardy's, and Waitawheta Mines, Waiorongomai. —Five men have been employed. Work was confined to prospecting. 200 tons treated produced bullion valued at £158. Thames Borough- The only work within the borough boundaries is at the Waiotahi Mine (four men), and a few tribute, parties in the Kuranui Caledonian Mine. Sylvia Reefs (Limited). This company was reformed in. March, 1917 ; since then work has been confined to developing the Norfolk lode, which averages 9 ft. north and south of the low-level crosscut. In the north end a block 150 ft. in length, and in the south end a block 170 ft. in length, has been opened up on payable ore. Wailanga Consolidated, Gold-mining Company. During the year 150 ft. has been driven at No. 2 level on the main reef, the average width being 5 ft. A leading stope was advanced 85 ft. 583 tons treated produced £328 Bs. Bd. Mount Zeehan Gold-mining Company, Waiomio.- A considerable amount of development has been done at the different levels of this mine. The lode varies from 2 ft. to 7 ft. in thickness. Several short blocks said to contain payable ore have been opened up. A 10-head stamp mill is in the course of erection, which it is anticipated will be ready to commence crushing before the winter. Golden Bell Gold-mining Company, Nevesville.- Work- was confined to driving and stoping on a lode, which varies from 1 ft. to 12 ft. in width, at No, 1 level. Fourteen men were employed. 284 tons treated produced bullion valued at £1,651 13s. sd. Occidental Consolidated Gold-mining Company. —During the year five men were employed driving and stoping at No. 6 level. The results, however, proved disappointing,, and this mine is now under protection. Nonpareil Gold-mining Company. - This mine is owned by Mr. F. Sawyer ; a portion is let on tribute. Gold to the value of £1,380 6s. was obtained during the year. Coromandel. —Mining in this district is confined to a few prospectors. All the principal claims are held under protection. Barrier Reefs Gold-mining Company, Great. Barrier Island. During the year a lode was intersected at low level, the values being low. A winze is being sunk from the upper level for ventilation, and to further test the lode. Muir's, Gold-reefs Gold-mining Company (Limited), Te Puke,— This mine is situated about eighteen miles south of Tauranga on the eastern fall of the Te Puke Range. About; three years ago the freehold of this property was purchased by Mr. G. Muir, who employed an experienced prospector named R. Worth. At No. I level 200 ft. was driven upon the footwall of a lode 50 ft. in width, the quartz and country rock being similar in appearance to that of the Martha lode in the Waihi Mine. It is said that assays taken over the distance driven gave an average value of £2 per ton. Whilst this work was in progress loose boulders of quartz were found farther down the spur, which on being assayed proved to contain high values. A crosscut was started, and after driving 170 ft. a 2 ft. leader was intersected, of assay value averaging £5 per ton. This was driven on for 87 ft., when it junetioned with a, lode Oft. in width, running almost north and south. 40ft. has been opened up south and 297 ft. north on the latter ; values satisfactory. It was then decided to put in a lower level giving 200 It. of back's. After driving about 800 ft. a lode was intersected, which on my visit (18th February, 1918) had been driven upon 47 ft. south ; width in face, 3 ft. ; said to be highly payable. An up-to-date 10-head stamp mill and cyanide plant has also been purchased, excavations cut out, and a start made with its erection. # Oil-wells. • Taranaki (New Zealand) Oil-wells (Limited).- No new drilling has been done during the past year, the drilling staff having been employed repairing No. 5 bore and recasing No. 2 bore. No. 5 bore stopped yielding oil during 1916, but No. 2 bore still continues to be intermittently productive. No record has been kept of the yield, which has been small, and can only be ascertained when the storage tanks are gauged. Depth of wells : No. 2 bore, 3,045 ft. ; No. 3 bore, 4,019 ft, ; No. 5 bore, 2,950 ft. ; rotary £2,494^.

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Taranaki, Oil Lands Acquisition and, Development Company. The Blenheim bore has now attained a depth of 5,021 ft., and it is alleged that a main deposit of oil should be met with shortly. During the past year the company drilled 370 ft., but owing to constant difficulties through the drilling-cable breaking drilling was abandoned in July, pending the arrival of a new rope from London. The company estimates that 10,000 gallons of crude oil was yielded during 1917. Consolidated, Oilfields of Taranaki. Huiroa bore : The depth of this well is 4,921. ft. At 4,900 ft. the bottom length of casing became detached, owing to wearing by tools. The strata, is of incohesive nature, necessitating the casing being kept within a few feet of the bottom. Operations are at present, suspended. Fatal Accidents. 22nd February : William Edward Orompton was killed by falling out of cage at the Waihi Grand Junction Mine. 18th April: William John Ward was killed by being caught in belting at Bull's battery, Thames. I.3th July : James McConnell was killed by a blasting accident at Waihi Grand Junction Mine. 11th September: Peter Linoir was killed by being caught in the machinery at the Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company's works, .Paeroa. 17th October : John McPherson was killed by fall of stone at Waihi Mine. Non-fatal Accidents. 2nd April : Albert Toto, skull, fractured by hiving struck with winch-handle whilst working on river-dredge of the Waihi-Paeroa Gold-extraction Company's works. 3rd October : Edward Meagher, back injured by falling down a pass at the New Zealand Crown Mines, Karangahako. 20th. October : Mark Ryan, back injured by being struck with bucket whilst sinking a winze in the Waihi Grand Junction Mine. North Auckland Inspection District (Mr. Boyd Bennie, Inspector of Mines). Whangarei Cinnabar-mining Company. —The mine has been working for some years, and a number of pros pectin g-shafts have been sunk to depths varying from 30 ft. to 40 ft. This was a useless expenditure of capital, as the ore-body was outcropping on the hillside close to where the present adit level was driven on the lode, which is dipping north-west 1 in 10. The adit has been driven 163 ft., the lode being from 3 ft. to 5 ft. wide. The hanging-wall is well defined, but not. so the foot-wall, and in places the lode is a segregation of ore. Crosscuts on the lode have been driven north-east and south-west 59 ft. and 49 ft. respectively, and from the crosscuts stoping on the lode is being done, the lode being 3 ft. wide. I have had several samples of the ore assayed as follows : Assayed at Thames School of Mines. 21st March, 1914 : Sample No. I—s-11 —5-1 per cent, of mercury, valued at 2s. 3d. per pound ; average value per ton of ore, £12 17s. : sample No. 2 —l per cent, of mercury at similar value ; average value per ton of ore, £2 10s. 4d. : making an average value per ton of £7 13s. Bd. Five samples forwarded to the Dominion Laboratory, Wellington, in September, 1916, gave mercury as follows— No. 1, 6-26 per cont. ; No. 2, 0-78 per cent.; No. 3, 2-73 per cent.; No! 4, 2-77 per cent.; No. 5, 4-60 per cent. —which is very satisfactory. I believe there are 3,000 tons of ore ready to be stoped, and. the main-drive face is in the ore-body. Seven miners are employed in the mine, three men on the surface, and two men burning charcoal, making a total of twelve men. The company have erected a furnace at their mine, where two trial parcels of ore were treated as follows : — (1.) 1917. 68 tons of ore gave mercury valued at £375; 1,5001b. of mercury sold at ss. per pound, f.o.b. Auckland, to Messrs. Elliot Bros., of Sydney, N.S.W. (2.) 1918. 130 tons of ore gave mercury valued at £918 15s; 35 bottles, 75 lb. each, of mercury —2,625 lb.—sold, at 7s. per pound, f.o.b. Auckland, to S. V. Nevans Proprietary Company, Auckland. The prices quoted for the mercury are subject to revision, being the estimated value advanced by the, purchaser. The treatment plant is distant from the mine approximately 400 yards, being connected by a ground-trail!. The. property appeal's to be a valuable one, and with careful treatment of the ore should pay reasonable dividends on the capital invested. There has been some trouble with the pastoral-lease holders, through the dual control by the Warden and the Commissioner of Crown Lands, who granted pastoral lease over the. mining claim at 6d. to Bd. per acre per annum, while the, claim-holders pay 2s. 6d. per acre per annum for the same area. MoLeod Bros.' Alluvial, Cinnabar Claim. -Two men have been employed in preparing waterrace, dam, &c, to work this deposit. The prospects are very good, granulated cinnabar-ore being recovered from the soil and gravel of an upland swamp. Some samples wore assayed and found to be very rich. The area may contain a considerable quantity of valuable ore. •loffre Mine (Collins Bros, and Co.). -The claim is adjacent, to Messrs. MacLeod Bros.' claim. There is a cinnabar-ore deposit outcropping on the slope of a valley, and the deposit appears to be lying almost horizontally. Some feet below the outcropping ore-deposit an adit level has been driven for 50 ft., but had not then cut into the ore lode, and the work done gave no indication as to the value or- extent of the ore lode. Two men are employed. No other work has been done on the claim. General. —Although there are several claims held for mining cinnabar in the vicinity, none of the holders have done any work to prove the value of their claims. The Whangarei Cinnabar-mining Company only|have systematically prospected their property.

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West Coast Inspection District (Mr. J. F. Downey. Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. MARLBOROUGH. Dominion Consolidated Mining and Development Company (Limited). —Work has proceeded steadily throughout the year, and developments have been very fair. The most important have been in connection with the Golden Bar property, where the driving of Nos. 1 and. 2 adits has opened up a large reef carrying fair values in gold and a certain amount of scheelite. The Empire City Mine, from which the bulk of the scheelite was formerly obtained, has not shown such good development, but will continue to produce for some time yet. Shortage of men has hampered operations considerably, and has been responsible to a great extent for a decreased production for the year. The goldproduction was 1,844 oz. 13 dwt., valued at £6,873 7s. 2d., and the scheelite 28 tons, valued at £5,005. Deep Creek Gold-mining Syndicate. Very little development work has been carried out ou the property, but the erection of a battery has been practically completed, and a good, deal of work don > in I he way of making roads and tramways. Alford and Parly (Mountain Camp). Developments here have not been satisfactory. The iaef was very flat, and in hard country. When picked up by a rise from the bottom level it was very small. Work on the property has practically ceased for the time being. Cadigan's Treatment Works. This consists of a small concentrating plant erected by Mr. J. :\l. Cadigan to recover scheelite from the residues from the Dominion Consolidated Company's battery. The plant seems to be. working well. Trials with a primitive plant showed definite saving of scheelite, and the proprietor has now installed a Californian slime-table, from which much better results are expected. Some 3] tons of scheelite, valued at £520, was recovered to the end of the year. NELSON. Colossus Gold-mining Development Company (Limited). — This company has been carrying out prospecting operations in the Wangapeka district, particularly on Blue Creek and Nuggety Creek, with what appear to be encouraging results. On one reef at Blue Creek, known as the O'Malley reef, some 210 ft. of driving was done, and a shoot of pay-ore from 60 ft. to 70 ft. in length is claimed to have been revealed. Another reef has also been located, which the management claims gives colours by crushing and panning. Very little work has, however, been done on it. An average of six men has been employed. There is no other quartz-mining in the Nelson district. LYELL. New Alpine Consols Company. — Further work was done on the shoot of stone struck in the extension of the Tyr Connel tunnel, but as the stone was much disturbed at this level it was determined to start a new drive on the reef-line at a depth of 250 ft. below the old tunnel. Good progress was made with this low-level tunnel, and at about 200 ft. in a shoot of stone was met, with which at the time of writing had been driven on for some 50 ft., was up to 4 ft. wide, and showed gold. This mine promises well. CAPLESTON. Boatman's Consolidated Gold-mining Company (Limited). —The work of sinking the Fiery Cross shaft has been steadily continued, and to the end of the year it had reached a depth of 1,012 ft. It is the intention of the company to continue the shaft to 1,025 ft., then open out at the 1,000 ft. level. Up to the 30th September, 1917, the sum of £21,816 19s. Id. had been expended by the company. No other mining was done. REEFTON. Blackwater Mine. —Development work has been carried on steadily during the year, although the shortage of labour has restricted operations. On the whole developments have been good, the bottom level, No. 8 (1,214 ft.), opening up very well. The level is apparently in much more settled country than either Nos. 6 or 7 levels, and a particularly satisfactory feature in the development was the discovery of two valuable shoots of pay-stone in the south end, which have not been worked at any upper level. The location of these shoots promises a considerably longer life to the mine. The length of the payable stone on this level is now almost as great as at any stage of the mine's development, and the values appear to be living down in a fairly satisfactory way. The stopes over Nos. 5, 6, and 7 levels have also opened up well, and the north ends of these levels may be said to all look well. The returns from the mine still show a decrease, but it is not so great as during 1916. being only £15,844, as compared with £30,000 for the year mentioned. This falling-off has been mainly due to shortage of labour. Throughout the year there has been little more than enough men to man one shift. There seems, however, to be a slight falling-away in values, the average being £1 16s. sd. for 1917, as against £1 19s. 6d. for 1916. Blackwater South Mine.- - A. little further prospeoting-work was done here without any development of importance. Cumberland Mine. —No development work has been done for the yea*, litigation in connection with the. Scotia claim having a good deal to do with the arrest of operations. Energetic Extended.- Prospecting operations were continued through a considerable part of the year, from two to six men being employed, but nothing of any value was found. Keep-it-Dark Mine.- Ventilation was re-established, and work resumed. Development, work has been confined to No. 8 level, where several blocks of stone have been opened up in the south drive, but, the values were not high. These developments were on the west reef, which has always been

5— C. 2.

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low-grade. Some 5,542 tons of quartz were crushed for 922 oz. 19 dwt. of gold, valued at £3,469 16s. lOd. The mine is now in the hands of a Christchureh company. Murray Creek Mine- 'The new plant was completed and crushing was resumed in May, since when 9,728 tons have been treated for gold valued at £21,726 16s. 2d. No dividends were paid. Development work was confined to the continuation of No. 4 level, but was rather disappointing, inasmuch as the drive proved to be in a zone where faulting had somewhat disturbed the reef. This is not expected to seriously affect the future of the mine, as the stone will be picked up again below the # level. New Big River Mine- -"Work has progressed steadily. Like all the other mines of the district, the mine has been somewhat hampered by lack of sufficient supply of skilled labour ; nevertheless the amount of stone crushed was only about 300 tons less than last year. The value of gold produced was £19,177 17s. 3d., as compared with £19,363. The mine is one of only two which appear on the dividend list for the year for this district. Dividends to the amount of £7,200 were disbursed, making the total dividends paid by the company £98,400. Development work has been practically confined to No. II level. Some fairly extensive bodies of stone have been opened up, but faulting has greatly disturbed the reef, making prospecting-work difficult. • North Blackwater Development, Syndicate.- The sinking of the Prohibition shaft was continued tn 1,360 ft., and at 1,350 ft. a chamber was-cut and a crosscut started towards the line of the reef worked in the adjoining Blackwater Mine. In this crosscut a number of parallel reefs have been met with, at, least three of them carrying good values. It is believed by the management that the reef worked in the Blackwater Mine has not yet been reached. The developments are thus extremely satisfactory, and on its present appearance the mine promises well as a future gold-producer. Progress Mine. Not much development in the way of shaft-sinking or driving has been done, but a, large body of stone has been opened up in No. I I stope. The falling-off in production noticeable during 1916 has continued during the past year, returns falling to 19,840 tons crushed for 5,576 oz. 6 dwt., valued at £22,707 13s. 3d. Shortage of men has been mainly responsible for tli is. For the great part of the year work has had to be restricted to one shift. Wealth, of Nations and Energetic Mines. —A good deal of development work was carried out, particularly on Nos. 6, 7, and 12 levels, without any important results. There was a decrease of about 7,000 tons crushed as compared with last year, due greatly to shortage of labour. There has also been a decrease in values from an average of £1 10s. lOd. to £1 os. lOd. HOKITIKA AND ROSS. Mount. Greenland Company.- Noty little development work has been done at this company's mine at Cedar Creek during the year, but stoping was carried on steadily. Owing to the very dry season experienced on the West Coast the battery, which depends on water for power purposes, has been idle for a good part of the time. Some 493 tons of quartz were crushed for 806 oz. 9 dwt., valued at £3,145 19s. A small dividend absorbing £250 was paid. This is the only quartz-mining in this part of the district. WESTFORT. Columbia Reef. —Messrs. Bagley Bros.' prospectors have located the cap of a reef which is thought to be the downward continuation of what was known in past times as the Columbia reef, and from which years ago crushings were taken giving highly payable results. All trace of the reef was completely lost in the workings, however, and it was assumed that the stone worked was merely part of a reef which had slipped from higher country. A small company has been formed to test the present discovery. At present there is nothing showing but the cap of the reef, which is considerably broken. STILLWATER. Victory Mine. —A small company has been formed to work a gold-antimony lode situated about 1,000 ft. above Stillwater, on the range. A battery is being erected. The outcrop has been opened up at a number of places, but very little prospecting has been done to prove the extent or value of the lode below the surface. The lode is flat, and appears to be considerably split up. General Remarks on, Quartz-mining. Apart from the mines mentioned, very little prospecting has been done for quartz. Owing to the war and the difficulty of getting men, mining companies have been obliged to refrain as far as possible from everything except essential work, and there are very few men now who voluntarily devote their time to searching for new reefs. The mines have been visited regularly, and all care taken to see that the regulations have been strictly adhered to. Only one fatal accident happened during the year. This occurred at the Progress Mine to a miner named Thomas Bobbins, through his being struck by a rock falling from the back. The Coroner returned a verdict of " Accidental death." One miner was prosecuted for dry-boring, but the case was dismissed. Dredging. The dredging industry in the district has shown a little improvement for the year, the recovery of gold being valued at £30,325, as against £27,889 last year. One dredge-the Ahaura River—-only worked about six weeks and then closed down ; while two new dredges have been put in commission, the Kapitea and the Rimu No. 1. The former won 792 oz. 16 dwt. and the latter 1,782 oz. 10 dwt. The. Rimu No. I dredge has not been so productive as was anticipated. It was estimated that, judging by the values shown by the test bores, 100 oz. a week would be recovered, This hope has not

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been realized, however, even within measurable distance. The ground, however, has been heavy, and the dredge is light for the work ; a lot of time was lost through breakage. The material dredged to the 31st December is stated, to be 102,388 cubic yards. Only two dredges paid dividends during the year—namely, Success (£1,500), and Kapitea (£500), Alluvial Mining. MARLBOROUGH. Very little work has been done in this district, only 8 oz. 17 dwt. having been returned. CJOLLINGWOOD. One claim only, the Parapara, produced a little gold. Four men were employed. The total return was only 13 oz. 16 dwt. HOWARD DIGGINGS. No fresh finds have been reported, and the number of diggers has been steadily shrinking as the, older claims worked out. An average of about forty men was employed during the year. The total yield of gold returned from the various claims is 774 oz. for the year. MURCHISON. Only two claims have produced gold in any appreciable quantity during the year — Hunters, at Matakitaki, and Beilby and Richardson's, at Horse Terrace. ADDISON'S FLAT. Williamsons and party and the Addison Flat Sluicing Company are the only two claims that have done any active work. The latter, however, only carried, on sluicing operations for a short period. CHARLESTON. Work has continued steadily at Messrs. Powell Bros.' Beach Claim, eight men being employed, and some 711 oz. of gold were won. This is a big falling-off from last year. Three other small claims, employing seven men in all, were also worked. GREY VALLEY. Lake Hochstetter Sluicing Company. — Construction of water-race is still being proceeded with. An average of thirty men was employed. Apart from this very little alluvial work is being done now in the valley. The Grey Valley Sluicing Company, at Goat Terrace, employed, three men and recovered 182 oz. Donnellan Bros., Nelson Creek, employed five men. Several other small claims were working, but very little gold was produced. ISARRYTOWN. The Barrylown Sluicing Company has employed an average of thirteen men, and produced 287 oz. of gold. KUMARA. The number of men employed has not varied much during the year. Practically the same number of men have been employed around Kumara, Callaghan's, Goldsborough, and Stafford as during 1916. HOKITIKA. Brighton Terrace Sluicing Company.—"Work has been carried on steadily. The return of gold does not appear, however, to have been as satisfactory as could, have been desired. An average of twenty-two men has been employed, and the gold recovered, was 293 oz. 15 dwt. The company had a good deal of trouble to contend with. The old Douglas tunnel, which had been used as a tail-race;, was found much too low to give the sluiced material sufficient fall, and it became necessary to drive another tail-race into the claim. An alteration of the channel of the Hokitika River interfered greatly with the supply of water, the main stream shifting a, considerable distance away and leaving only a very limited quantity of water in the channel at the pumping-station. It became necessary to put in an extra pump to augment the supply from the main channel. It is to be hoped that with the new tail-race in operation, allowing for more rapid work, the company will during 1918 receive the reward that it deserves for its enterprise. The Westland Prospecting Syndicate has carried out very active operations on several areas in the district. At Kanieri Forks the syndicate carried on the work previously started by Mr. H. S. liungerford, sinking three ol' the old shafts a farther depth of from 18 ft. to 35 ft., and sinking twentysix new shafts ranging from 8 ft. to 54 ft. in depth, and totalling 844 ft. of sinking. Some 264 ft. of tunnel were also driven. The prospects, though good in many shafts, did not, however, prove sufficient payable ground to warrant the expenditure of the large sums necessary to bring the water on to it. The syndicate accordingly abandoned the area. It is, however, still actively prospecting by means of the, Keystone drill, an extensive tract suitable for dredging at the Arahura River. Up to the 22nd December seventy boreholes have been put down, ranging up to 50 ft. in depth and averaging 27 ft. The results have been very satisfactory, and a very considerable area has been proved payable. It will be scarcely possible to put dredges on the ground while the war lasts, but the syndicate intends to provide the necessary plant with as little delay as possible.

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REEFTON. Very little alluvial work has been done in this locality during the year. Several claims have worked, but the results were, small. There has, however, been a good deal of active prospecting. An Auckland company known as the Alluvial Claims (Limited) has tested a large number of places about the, district by means of boring and shaft-sinking. The results in several of them seem to prove the existence of payable areas. On one of them at Antonio's the cutting of a, race, is being started immediately, and it is expected that on another at Waitahu a start will be made very shortly at active operations. The company also prospected areas at the Landing, on the Buller and the Inangahua Rivers, at Orwell Creek, Stillwater Creek, Larry's Creek, Maori Gully, and Grey River. Gold was got in a number of these, but the area of pay-ground was in no case sufficient to justify the putting-on of either dredging or sluicing plants. A representative of English capital, Mr. Wray, also prospected some large areas in the district, but, was not satisfied with the results. Fatal, Accident. 28th July Thomas Robbins was killed by a fall of stone at the Progress Mine. Serious Non-fatal Accident. 19th December: Frederick Reginald Jones sustained fractures in both ankles by a fall in a prospeeting-shafl at Larry's Creek. Southern Inspection District (Mr. A. Wuitlby, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. GLENORCHY. Glenorchy Scheelde-mdning Company (Limited). —Mount Alfred Mine: No. 1 or battery level is being driven on the main lode north of the junction of the east and west lodes. No. 2 level, 47 ft. above No. 1, has been driven 200 ft. from tin; surface on the east lode, which varies from 2 ft. to 6 ft. in width and carries high-grade scheelite. At No. 3 level, 25 ft. above No. 2, driving and stoping has been carried out. on the east and west lodes. Glenorchy Mine : No. 1a level has been extended to 500 ft. from the surface, and connected with No. 1 level, giving 100 ft. of backs on the lode and opening up a block for stoping. Stoping has been in progress at Nos. I, 3, and 5 levels, high-grade ore having been won from No. 5 level. Junction Mine : A block of good ore was discovered on the surface in the Bonnie Jean section. This is worked opencast, water being used for stripping off the, clay overburden. The output of scheelite concentrates by the company shows an increase of 10 tons over the 1916 return. The principal producers of scheelite among the small parties of miners engaged in the industry were. Paulin and Tripp, Black Peak (20] tons), and Birley and party, Mount Larkins (5] tons). Small ore crushing and dressing plants, worked by hand, horse, or water power, have been installed for dressing the scheelite, and a high-grade concentrate is produced. MACETOWN. United Go'd/ields (Limited). This company resumed operations in the latter part of the year. Levels are being driven in the All Nations and Garibaldi sections of the mine to test the reefs, 220 ft. and 160 ft. respectively below the upper workings. macrae'r. Golden Point Gold and Scheelite Company. —Owing to the lodes in the upper levels having been practically worked out, development has been commenced at deeper levels. For this purpose an intermediate level is being driven between the smithy and Donaldson's low levels. Scheelite and gold to the value of £3,061 was produced, during the year. Gold and Tungsten, (Mount Highlay) . —Operations in this mine have ceased. The battery and tramways were dismantled and sold for removal. Mareburn Gold and, Scheelite Company (Mount Highlay). —From opencast workings on the lode in Block- 18, 3,196 tons of ore have been mined, and treated for a return of scheelite and gold valued at £2,037. Work- has been carried on continuously throughout the year. Stoneburn Mining Company. —Operations were carried out during the year on Mouat's and battery lodes, From the level on the battery lode a rise, was put through to the surface 100 ft. The lode was small, and did not carry payable ore below the oxidized zone of country, wliich is characteristic of the lodes in this locality. Most of the ore treated was won from the outcrop of Mouat's lode. Ten small parties were engaged in schcelite-mining during the year. Of these, Messrs. Gaytan and Fraser were the most successful, producing about 4] tons of scheelite concentrates.- The work done consisted of trenching and sinking shallow shafts on the outcrops of lodes. THE REEFS. Pukerangi Mining Company. This company was formed to develop a scheelite lode which was discovered by Mr. A. Fwart in 1916, at a point about one mile south-west of the Barewood lode. A level was driven 215 ft. to give 90 ft. of backs on the lode, and two rises were put up to the surface. Crosscuts from the level showed the lode to be about 20 ft. wide and carrying scheelite on both walls. An ore crushing and dressing plant was erected, consisting of stone-breaker, screens, jig, and Wilfiey table, for treating high-grade ore, and 5-stamp battery for treating low-grade ore and tailing from screens and jig.

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The Reefs Syndicate. --This syndicate took over Mr. A. C. Buckland's mine during the year. A crosscut was driven and the Barewood reef intersected 34 ft. below the outcrop. A 5-stamp battery and amalgamating-tables for saving the free, gold were installed. 100 tons of ore were crushed for a yield of 30 oz. gold, valued at £116 ss. Barewood No. 1. —H. S. Molineaux, the owner of this mine, is working a stockwork formation, about 20 ft. wide, in the footwall of the Barewood reef. Scheelite occurs in veins and leaders throughout the formation. The ore is dressed by hand to bring it up to the required standard. WAIPORI. Cosmopolitan Mine. Alfred Rogers and party reopened this mine, which, had been abandoned for years. A 5-stamp battery was erected, and 1.6 tons of ore taken from the reef at the 70 ft. level of the Cosmopolitan shaft yielded by amalgamation process 8 oz. gold, valued at £31 4s. lid. Assays of battery concentrates showed that they contained, high values, and crushing was discontinued until suitable machinery could be installed for saving them. A discovery of wolfram and scheelite was made in the lode outcrop west of the Cosmopolitan shaft. An analysis of a general sample of the wolfram showed it to contain 39 per cent, of tungstic acid, and picked samples analysed as high as 60 per cent. G. Bertenshaw was the only producer of scheelite in the Waipori district during the year. His workings consist of open cutting and shallow shaft on a small scheelite vein. BALD HILL PLAT. While's Reef. —R. T. Symes crushed 130 tons of ore from the stopos below the battery level for a return of 115 oz. 15 dwt. gold, valued at £445 135.. Excelsior Reef. —Surface prospecting with a view of locating this reef north of Gray's old. workings has been carried on by Symes and party without any discovery of importance having been made. BANNOOKBURN, Otago Central Consolidated Gold-mines. —This company has acquired the Garrick Company's mine and plant, and is proceeding with the development of the Royal Standard and White Horse reefs at the low level. Alluvial Mining. TUAI'ISKA DISTRICT. Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company (Lawrence). Two elevating plants have been steadily employed treating the tailing-dc posit from Blue Spur. The returns show a failing-off in the yield of gold for the year as compared with J 916. Lawrence Sluicing Company.— This company is working old tailing from Blue. Spur at the head of Munro's Gully. Payable returns are being obtained. Golden Crescent Sluicing Company (Weatherstone's).Shiicißg and elevating auriferous cement from a depth of 100 ft. with payable results. Waitahuna Claims. -The Havelock and Sailor's Gully Sluicing Companies worked steadily throughout the year. The former company is still on the list of dividend-payers. Waipori, Claims. — Eight parties were working in this locality. iMuuro and George, Post-office Creek, were the most successful, producing gold to the value of £1,493. Teviot-Molyneux Gold-mining Company (Roxburgh). Elevating has been in progress during the year, but numerous stoppages were caused by breakage of elevator castings. Difficulty has also been experienced in obtaining suitable labour to keep the plant in continuous operation. Gold to the value of £1,659 was obtained. Ladysmilh Gold-mining Company (Roxburgh). This company's operations were not as successful as in former years. The deep ground in this claim cannot be effectively dealt with by the available water-supply. Coidter and Parly (Commissioner's Flat). —The schist bottom in this claim rose 70ft. to 10 ft. on the west side near the river, and the wash is not as good as that in the deeper ground. Sluicing claims in this district suffered considerable damage by the heavy rain and floods in May. The water-races, dams, and pipe-lines of the Tuapeka and Tamiti claims were very badly damaged, and owing to the high price of material and difficulty in securing labour to carry out repairs the owners were compelled to suspend operations. NASEIiY. Dry summer and autumn seasons caused a scarcity of water, and several claims suspended work. Heavy rains in May replenished the supply, and sluicing operations were carried on steadily during the remainder of the year. About twenty small parties of miners find employment in this district. ST, hathan's. Scandinavian Water-race Company. —Operations wen; confined to the Kildare section, where elevating from a depth of 80 ft. was in progress, Morgan Bros. (Cambrian). -This party is working a seam of quartz drifts that they discovered in the bed of Cambrian's Creek. It is about 10ft. in width, and is dipping towards the foothills at an angle of 30°. Payable returns are being obtained. Other claims working in this district are —Vinegar Hill, United M. and E., M. Gannon, and O'Hara and McCarthy. The returns obtained during the year were barely payable.

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MATAKANUI, The Undaunted and Tinkers Gold-mining Companies amalgamated during the year. The whole of the water from the comnany's races can now be used on one lace, and should result in increased ret urns. UPPER TAIERI. Lammermoor Mining Parly. This party purchased the Lamniernioor Company's mine and plant, and sluicing operations arc carried on when water is available. Can and Wilson (Palearoa). Three men employed. Sluicing and elevating from a depth of 30 ft. for satisfactory returns. MAEREWHENUA. Sluicing is still being carried Oil in this locality. Eight parties of miners were engaged in the industry during the year, LAKE DISTRICT. Alluvial mining in this district is gradually declining. Three claims were worked within the Arrow watershed during the year, and eight on the Shot-over River. The returns in all cases were small. NEVIS. A mild winter and absence of heavy falls of snow resulted in a short sluicing season in this district, consequently there was a falling-oil' in returns. Seven claims were in operation when wafer was available. NOKOMAI. Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company.—This company's No. 3 elevator was shifted from Nokomai Greek to the lower end ol Victoria Gully, where it is operating on payable ground. No. 2 elevator, also operating in Victoria, Gully, has been worked steadily throughout the year for satisfactory results. WAIKAIA. Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company. —Payable wash 25 ft. in depth was opened up in that part of Ihe terrace, known as Short's Hill. Two faces were worked when water was available. Sluicing was also carried on in shallow ground in Maori Gully, Operations were considerably hampered by shortage of water. The yield of gold for the year amounted to 658 oz., valued at £2,649. ROUND HILL AND OREPUKI. Round Hill Mining Company. —No. 1 Claim : Sluicing and elevating plant was moved to new ground above the Ourawera Company's claim. New gold-saving tables were erected, .vatcr-race extended 65 chains, pipe-line 18 in. diameter and 35 chains in length laid down from race to claim, and a small dam for water-storage erected behind the penstock. No. 2 Claim :An area of about 25 acres has been worked to an average depth of 45ft. on the west side of the claim. As the faces were getting too far away from the elevator to be worked to advantage the plant was dismantled, and preparations made to open out a new paddock on the east side. Ourawera Gold-mining Company. —This company's elevating plant, in Italian Gully has been in continuous operation during the. year, with satisfactory results. Gold to the value of £2,200 was produced, and dividends amounting to £600 paid. Orepuki Claims.- Fortune and Son, Dawson and Turnbull, and J. 11. Sorenson are sluicing away small blocks of ground that had been driven out by miners in the early days of the field. The returns obtained are small. Dredge-mining. Twenty-eight dredges were in commission in Otago and Southland during .1917, a decrease in number of seventeen as compared with 1916. Six were dismantled and scrapped- viz., Kohinoor, at Roxburgh ; Golden Treasure, and Golden Gate Nos. I and 2, at Miller's Flat; Paterson's Freehold No. I, at Waikaka Valley ; Muddy Creek, at Waikaia. The Duke of Gordon at Waikaka Valley was dismantled for removal to Auckland, where it is to be used for dredging kauri-gum. The Electric. Dredging Company had. an unprofitable year. No. 2 dredge is to be dismantled, and parts of the machinery used for repairs and renewals to No. I, which will continue to work in the Kawarau River. The Rise-and-Shine Company has purchased 50 acres of the Atheiucum endowment, on the west side of the Clutha River, above Cromwell. The area if payable throughout will keep the company's two dredges employed for several years. The rapid decline of the dredging industry during the past two years has been caused chiefly by the high prices ruling for material required for renewal and repairs, increased cost of fuel, and difficulty in obtaining suitable labour. Machines that were profitably worked before the war are unable to pay working-costs under present conditions. The value of gold has remained stationary, while everything employed in its production has increased considerably, in some cases 200 and 300 per cent. Those who are engaged in the industry are finding it exceedingly difficult to continue operations. Minerals other than Gold. Tungsten-ore-. The output of scheelite lor the year amounted to 168 tons, valued at £32,356. This is a decrease in quantity of 23 tons, and in value of £3,168, as compared with the output lor 1916, which was caused by the exhaustion of the ore in the upper levels of the Golden Point Mine, Macrae's, and a decrease in the number of small parties of miners engaged in scheelite-mining throughout the district. Fa/at Accident. 11th July : William Ritchie, dredgemaster on the Rise-and-Shine No. I dredge, was killed by a blow on the head from an eye-bolt which broke under a heavy strain.

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ANNEXURE B. EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF GOVERNMENT WATER-RACE MANAGERS. Waimea-Kumara Water-racks, Westland (Mr. James Rochford, Manager). Waimea Water-race. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year ended the 31st March, 1918, was £713, and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs amounted to £737, showing a, debit balance of £24 on. the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water during the year was nineteen, a, decrease of two on the previous year; and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 1,051 oz., valued at £4,125, a decrease of £427 on that of last year. The sales of water amounted to £700. an increase of £24 on the previous year. Although the sales showed a slight increase over the previous year they were over £233 less than during the year 1916. This falling-ofi was mainly due to the scarcity and high price of labour owing to the war, arid some of the claims that were paying wages under pre-war conditions have closed down, for a time at least. Two parties Messrs. G. Linklater and 11. Morgan—who are at present working were very considerably handicapped during the year owing to their inability to obtain labour to fully man their respective properties, and to this alone can be attributed the fact that the water purchased by them during the year showed a decrease of about £100 on the previous year. W. Blackman and party opened out, a, new claim near Hatters Track', in the vicinity of Stafford, in December last, and since that time they have purchased water to the value of £42, and the results obtained have been very satisfactory. This ground, which presented no mining difficulties whatever, was abandoned years ago. Although the year was one of the driest experienced for many years past there was an excellent supply of water, and the Waimea siphon, which carries about 30 heads, was practically running full all the time. Kumara Water-race. The cash received from this race for the year was £39, and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs, £347, showing a debit of £308 on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water was 2-75, a decrease of 1-91 on the previous year: and the approximate amount of gold obtained by them was 114 oz., having a value of £447, a decrease on that of last year of £416. The sales of water amounted to £39, a decrease of £38 as compared with the previous year. Moynihan and party was the only claim supplied with water from this race, and they abandoned their property in February. Since that time no sluicing has been done on the Kumara field, The Kumara Flax-milling Company started to purchase water from this race for scutching purposes, and used water intermittently until the end of the year, but, although the industry finds employment for a considerable number of men, the revenue derived from sales of water is very small. Branch Race lo Callaghan's and Middle Branch Flat. The receipts for sales of water from this race for the year wore £114, and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs, £353, showing a debit of £238. The average number of miners supplied with water during the year was 3-33, a decrease of 1-42 on the previous year; and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 196 oz.. having a value of £769, a. decrease on last year of £580. Kumara Traus-Taramakau, Water-race. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year was £140, and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs, £325, showing a debit balance of £185. The average number of miners supplied with water during the year was I I, and the approximate amount of gold obtained by them was 494 oz., having a value of £1,929, an increase on last year of £1,754. Erin-go- Bragh Water-race. The cash received for sales of water from this race was £223, and the expenditure amounted to £290, showing a debit balance of £67 for the year. The average number of miners supplied with water was 9-75, a decrease of 2-58 on the previous year ; and the approximate amount of gold obtained was 537 oz., having a value of £2.107, a, decrease on last year of £793. Wainihinihi Water-race and Waimea Branch Race. On the night of the 31st December an unusually large uood occurred, which carried away about a chain of ditching, together with the. outlet tank at the end of the pipe-line over the Arahura Wainihinihi ('reek ; it also completely filled up a small tunnel and about 2 chains of ditching at the intake of the western branch of the Arahura, Wainihinihi, and about 3 chains of ditching at the intake in Macpherson's Creek. Repairs were started by the permanent staff on the 15th .January, and were completed by (he end of February, and the races are now in good order.

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Waimea- Kumara Water-races. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditure of these races for the year : Sales of water, £1,197 ; expenditure, £2,054 ; approximate value of gold obtained, £9,388 ; average number of miners employed, 46. The sales of water show a, decrease of £146. In addition to the above, free water to the value of £1 13 was supplied to parties opening out new claims. Mount Ida Water-race, Central Otago (Mr. J. (.'. Buchanan, Manager). The total sales of water from the Mount Ida Water-race during the year amounted to £1,200, a decrease on last year of £126. The expenditure on maintenance and repairs for the same period amounted to £1,167, a decrease on last year of £455. Free water for washing up was supplied to the value of £96. The approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from the race was 1,477 oz., valued at £5,686, an increase on last year of £854. The average number of men employed was 17-33. From the Ist April until the 26th May the season continued very dry, with a shortage of water. On the 26th May (after about six months' drought) an exceptionally heavy rain set in, and, continuing on the 27th, caused one of the heaviest Hoods known in this district for many years. The lower sections of the race suffered little damage, but on the upper section the flood caused four breaks. brought in several slips, filled in creek-crossings, anil in places completely filled the race with debris, the worst of these places being near Trinity Creek, where it is filled for a distance, of 5 chains. The chief cause of this damage was that after 10 in. of snow had fallen a heavy warm rain set in, which quickly melled the snow and caused every small hollow to become a raging torrent. Owing to the shortage of labour 1 have so far been unable to carry out the necessary repairs to this section of the race.

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APPENDIX B.

REPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES. The Inspecting Engineer of Minks to the UNnER-SEORETAKY op Mines. Sir,— Wellington, 12th March, 1918. 1 have the honour to present my annual report, together with statistical information in regard to the coal-mines of the Dominion, for the year ended 31st December, 1917. The report is divided into the following sections : — I. Output. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV, General Remarks. Annexures— A. Summary of Annual Reports by Inspectors of Mines. B. Statistics of Workings in Collieries.

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

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Output of Coal during 1917. Class of Coal. Northern West Coast | Southern Distriot. District. District. Total. Total Output to the End of 1917. I i Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and semi-bitu- 101,320 \ 1,146,669 urinous" Brown... ... ... 369,318 109 259,747 Lignite ... 191,256 Tons. 1,247,989 629,174 191,256 Ton-. 30,048,697 13,774,384 2,335,509 Totals for 1917 ... 470,638 .1,146,778 4S1,003 451,003 2,068,419 2,068,419 46,158,590 . Totals for 191(1 ... 486,114 1,295,635 475,386 475,386 2,257,135 2,257,135 44,090,171 * Including ooa' form'rly classified as " pitch " coa as " pitoh " coal al. I.

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In the foregoing statement a decrease of 188,716 tons is shown in the annual output; for such decrease the bituminous-coal mines of the West Coast arc responsible for 148,875 tons; but at all the coalfields, except Waikalo and Inangahua, the output for 1917 was less than that of the preceding year. The decline in the coal-product inn was due lo restriction of output at sonic mines during the first four mouths of the year; also lo the reduction in the number of millers employed underground. In Otago damage by Hood during (he early part of the year caused temporary suspension of work al some mines. The quantity of coal imported into the Dominion during 11117 was 291,597 lons, as against 293,956 (luring 1910; the quantity exported being 228,843 tons, as against 331,675 during the previous year. The production from, and (he mi.Tiber of persons employed at. the principal collieries of the Dominion are shown in Ihe following table : —

The only new colliery of importance which attained the output stage during the year was the Awaroa Colliery, the property of Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited), situated about six miles south-west from Huntly on a short branch line from the Iluntly-Pukemiro Railway. At some of the principal collieries on the west coast of the South Island some coal areas which hitherto had remained inoperative, owing to difficulty of access, sntallncss of seam, or friability of coal, have been developed as a result of the increased price and considerable demand for coal of almost any class.

SECTION II.—PERSONS EMPLOYED.

Total Number of t ... ™ . , Output for Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal. far, Total Output to 31st December, 1917. Persons ordinarily employed. I I Northern District. Tons> Hikurangi ... ... ... Hikurangi... Semi-bitu- 31,881 minous Taupiri Extended ... ... Huntly ... Brown ... 192,205 Pukemiro ... ... ... Pukemiro... „ ... 89,375 Waipa ... ... ... ... Glen Massey „ ... 81,718 West Coast District. ,, ,, , j , | Millerton ... Bituminous 279,760 Coalbrookdale ... ... -p. . , „ nm I Denniston „ 200,950 Westport-Stockton ... ... Mangatini „ 167,122 (Point Elizabeth... ! DunoUie ... Semi-bitu- 119,411 State Coal-mines -j minous (Liverpool ... Kewanui ... Bituminous 145,856 Blackball ... ... ... Blackball... „ 132,515 Southern District. Kaitangata and Castle Hill ... Kaitangata ; Brown ... 107,274 Nightcaps ... ... ... Nightcaps... j '„ ... 73,133 Other New Zealand collieries ... All coalfields > Various ... 445,519 Tons. 1,099,922 2,182,181 181,966 319,699 5,252,4.25; 7,601,5881 1,203,492 2i255,717i 95 339 145 100 440 J 409 280 189 472,471 2,588,380 302 |, 286 3,507,495 1,254,144 288 116 18,329,110 || 994 Totals ... ... ... ... 2,068,419 2,068,419 46,158,590 3,983

Average Number of Persons employed during 1917. Inspection District. Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Northern West Coast Southern 225 590 275 I 618 1,596 679 843 2,186 954 Totals, 1917 1,090 2,893 I 3,983 Totals, 1916 988 3,000 I 3,988

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The increase of 102 persons employed above ground can only be attributed to increased surface development and installation of plant. The decline of 107 in the number of miners employed below ground is due to several causes, the principal being the improved wages paid in other occupations, also the fact that young men are not. taking up coal-mining as a means of livelihood. Coal-mining being an essential industry, coal-miners may be and generally are exempted from military service, therefore the reduction of miners during the year is not, 1 think, due to any considerable extent, to (he call of the war, though up to the 26th April, 1917, when the 28th Reinforcements entered camp, no less than 1,616 coal and metal miners, chiefly volunteers, were included in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of coal-mining accidents during 1917, with their causes : —

The proportion of deaths by accident in or about coal-mines (hiring 11)17 was P93 per million tons raised and 1 per 1,000 persons employed. On two occasions only during the history of coal-mining in New Zealand has the annual proportion been less. This result compares most favourably with those obtained in Great Britain, which generally stands ahead of all other countries as regards the low proportion of fatal colliery accidents. For comparison it may be stated that during the past four years at British collieries fatal accidents per 1,000 persons employed amounted to 153, 1"35, 073, and P22 respectively, and per million tons of coal raised 4-84, 3-75, 3-64, and 4-36. During 1917 two fatal colliery accidents, causing three deaths, occurred in this Dominion, both of wliich happened at the Blackball Colliery on the Grey Coalfield, which colliery has for several years held a bad record for fatal accidents. In addition to the two fatal accidents, a, death occurred from an accident received during 1916, and this is included in the foregoing summary. It is again my pleasing duty to report that there has been no fatal accident in or about the coal-mines of Canterbury, Otago, or Southland during 1917, being the fourth successive year of immunity from such accidents in the Southern Inspection District under I he control of Inspector E. R. Green. At the North Island collieries under Inspector Boyd Bennie no fatal accident occurred, although a death took place due to an accident which happened during 1916. The credit for these good results from our safety provisions is shared equally by mine officials, workmen, and Government Inspectors.

Fatal Accidents. Serious Nonr atal Accidents. Number of ».(■-. Separate Fatal Number of Accidents. Deaths. Number of Separate Non-fatal Accidents. J •_; Number of Persons injured, including those injured by Accidents which proved Fatal to their Companions. Explosions of fire-damp Falls of ground Explosives... Haulage ... ... Miscellaneous —Underground... On surface ... 1 1 1 "i 1 2 6 1 10 5 1 6 1 10 5 1 Totals 3 4 23 23

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The following statement shows the tons of coal and shale raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about coal-mines, 4c., from 1878 to 1917 : —

i i i Year. Persons employed. .Tons Lives Lost, raised per Ontnnt each er " er 6r Number " ' son em Million Thousand by Above. ; Below. ! Total. ployed Un- Tons Persons Acciderground. raised, employed, dent. I ) " ...... 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 1908 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 Totals •No life lost. fYef explosion. 709,931 ... ... ... 162,218 147 366 513 443 * * 0 231,218 802 ... 194-64 i 44-00 35t 299,923 1,038 ... 6-66 j 1-92 2 337,262 963 ... 2-96 104 1 378,272 1,043 ... 5-28 ! 1-91 2 421,764 361 888 1,249 475 ! 4-74 j 1-60 2 480,831 393 890 1,283 540 6-23 2 34 3 511,063 338 1,145 1,483 456 587 2-01 3 534,,353 392 1,213 1,605 : 440 * * 0 558,620 388 1,111 \ 1,499 | 503 7-16 2-66 4 613,895 414 1,275 : 1,689 I 481 6-51 2-36 4 586,445 466 1,251 1,717 468 6-82 2-37 4 637,397 512 I 1,334 1,846 : 477 ' 12-55 4-33 8 668,794 416 | 1,277 1,693 523 ' 5-98 ', 2-36 : 4 673,315 485 1,196 1,681 563 1-48 , 066 1 691,548 590 1,298 , 1,888 i 533 7-23 | 2-64 '' 5 719,546 506 I 1,393 1,899 516 : 8-33 8-16 6 726,654 525 | 1,274 i 1,799 j 618 6-88 j 3-33 5 792,851 590 I 1,347 I 1,937 588 83-24 . 34-07 66J 840,713 531 1,381 1,912 609 4-75 2-09 4 907,033 556 1,447 2,003 627 110 0-49 ; 1 975,234 554 1,599 2,153 609 307 1-39 ! 3 1,093,990 617 1,843 j 2,460 593 3-65 1-62 | 4 1,239,686 688 2,066 2,754 600 2-42 .1-09 i 3 1,365,040 803 2,082 2,885 655 1'46 0-69 2 1,420,229 717 "2,185 2,852 665 2-81 1-40 4 1,537,838 763 2,525 ! 3,288 60!) 2-60 1-21 4 1,585,756 833 2,436 3,269 651 3-78 1-83 6 1,729,536 1,174 2,518 3,692 687 ; 3-46 1-62 j 6 1,831,009 1,143 2,767 3,910 662 655 307 i 12 1,860,975 992 2,902 3,894 641 2-68 1-28 5 1,911,247 1,159 ; 3,032 4,191 633 3-65 1-79 7 2,197,362 1,136 j 3,463 4,599 634 728 355 i 16 2,066,073 1,365 | 2,925 4,290 '706 6-77 3-26 j 14 2,177,615 1,130 ! 3,198 4,328 681 > 413 \ 208 9 1,888,005 1,053 ! 3,197 ! 4,250 j 590 j 318 1-38 6 2,275,614 1,176! 3,558! 4,734 639 21-53 1035 49§ 2,208,624 1,050 3,106 4,156 i 711 i 4 07 216 9 2,257,135 988 3,000 3,988 750 ! 2-65 150 6 2,068,419 .1,090 2,893 3,983 715 1-93 1-00 4 46,173,033 ... ... ... 329 iar of Kaitangata explosion. J Year of Brunner explosion. S Year of Ralph's (Huntly) The output per ce shows a decline, when lost is the lowest for sh ach person employed underground, although higher than in most countries, eas the output per life losi is phenomenally high. The proportion of lives xteen years.

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The following is a, description of fatal accidents in connection with coal-mining operations during 1917: —

Date. Xame and Situation of Mine. Name, Age, and Occupation of Person killed. Cause of Accident, Xature of Injuries, and Remarks. 14th Dec, I 1916 ; died! 13th Jul v, 1917 28th July 10th July Taupiri Extended Colliery, Huntly Blackball Colliery, Blackball .. James clipper .. .. At the commencement of the morning shift be was unclipping coal-tubs from the endless haulagerope at the winding-shaft. The space between the shaft and unclipping-point was full of standing full tubs, leaving deceased only a few feet in which to stand to unclip the tubs approaching him on the endless rope. If he had failed to unclip a tub it would have collided with the standing full ones, and pushed some of them into the shaft. For security deceased signalled to the enginedriver to stop the rope while he undipped an approaching tub. The signal was obeyed, but i while deceased was unclipping, the rope restarted, and he was severely crushed between the approaching tub and the standing full tub nearest to him. The engine-driver states that he received a signal to start, probably from some other point on the haulage-road. The system of signalling on haulage-roads renders it necessary that great caution shall be exercised by persons working thereon. In this case' the rope should have been stopped until the congested space near the shaft-bottom was free from standing tubs. The deceased also took a risk in working between the tubs. He died of acute mania seven months after the accident. William Graham (40), miner .. .. With his mate he was working in No. 2 dip, No. 6 bank. After getting coal they ran it down from the face to near the jig, and were about to jig when a fall of timber occurred followed by a fall of coal which buried deceased, killing him. The timber which fell consisted of sets, above which was built chocks to a height of 6 ft. or 7 ft. to the roof. Complaints had been made and opinions had been expressed by tbe cross-mates of deceased and those working in the bord opposite that the timber was not safe. The deputy, D. Yeitch. in evidence stated at the inquest that he considered the place safe. At a subsequent inquiry held upon the application of the Inspector of Mines (under section 7 of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914) the manager and underviewer were exonerated from biame, but it was found by the assessors that the Inspector was justified in asking for the inquiry. John Henry Tipler (41), deputy ; Thomas At 6 a.m. tlie two deceased together entered the mine, which that day was idle. Tipler (deputy) Lindsay Abbott (28), shiftman first made an inspection of No. 17 section. An obstruction had been caused by a fall in No. 17 section waterway, three days previous, thus blocking water back for a depth of about 6 ft. and a length of about two chains. As the tw-o men did not return to the surface in the afternoon, a search was made, and they were found drowned, with minor injuries to their bodies, near to where the waterway crossed the No. 17 heading rope-road below where the fall had dammed back the water, which was found to have broken away. The manager of .the mine, Mr. John Watson, in his evidence at the inquest, stated that it was the deputy's duty to examine No. 17 section, and that he gave him instructions not to interfere with the water which he reported had accumulated in consequence of the fall in the waterway. There was no evidence given at the - inquest or at the subsequent inquiry held by the Warden and two assessors, at the application of the Inspector of Mines (under section 7 of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914), to prove what the deceased were doing immediately prior to the breaking-away of the impounded w-ater. There is probabihty that they were attempting to remove the obstruction when it gave way and overwhelmed them. The management was exonerated of blame. The assessors recommended a better system by colliery officials of reporting inspections than appeared to be observed in the Blackball Mine. It is, however, necessary to state that, in addition to there being no report of the fall in the waterway entered in any of the mine officials" books, there was no danger or caution board erected to warn persons of the danger existing. The water could have been safely removed by diverting the inflow from the waterway down the No. 17 haulage-road at their crossing above tlie fall, and thereby permitting the accumulated water below to percolate through the fall and flow down the wat.erw-ay, or the accumulated water could have been siphoned over the fall. A Supremo Court action for damages was commenced by the widow of T. L. Abbott for neglect by the company whereby his death was caused ; the company did not, however, contest the case, but forthwith paid £750 compensation, being £250 above the maximum provided by the Workers' Compensation Act for death by accident during occupation in or about a mine. With regard to this accident, the absence of conclusive evidence as to any instructions given to deceased leaves the matter in an unsatisfactory position.

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SECTION IV.-rJ-GENERAL REMARKS. Ventilation. —The ventilation of mine-workings has been found generally to be excellent, and in no case has it been found necessary to remove men from a, place by reason of the air containing less than the statutory quality standard of I!) per centum of oxygen or more than I per centum of carbon dioxide. No large accumulation of fire-damp lias been reported at any mine, and no aocident from gas-ignition occurred during the year. At the following mines lire-damp mixture lias been reported most frequently by deputies during the year: — .. , , Maximum Numbeir of ,-. ... ~ ~ . Uiiantity Caseous Occasions. ~. ' Mixture. Taupiri Extended ... ... ... 24 500 cubic feet. Kaitangata No. J. ... ... ... ... 51 500 Castle Hill ... ... ... ... ... 28 600 Point Elizabeth ... ... ... ... 26 20 At Castle Hill Colliery on the 26th September a blower was tapped in a bord in the rise workings "of the Carson seam; on the sth December 1 measured 600 cubic feet of gaseous mixture in the bord end. anil bottled two samples therefrom, which upon analysis were proved to contain methane 53 - 80 per cent.; carbon dioxide, 040; oxygen, 8\82; nitrogen, 36 - 98. The fire-damp contents are I he highest, anil the oxygen-contents the lowest, of any sample of mine-air of which I have any record. At the time the samples were taken the gas was being properly removed by fixed brattice. J understand that the blower is now diminishing, but further influx of gas may be expected as work advances in the same locality. Coaldust. —As a result of experiments conducted by Mr. Donovan, M.Sc, Mining Chemist, at the Dominion Laboratory, Wellington, it lias been further proved thai some of our bituminous and brown coal is exceedingly inflammable; and, in view of this anil the impracticability in some cases of rendering harmless or removing accumulations of coahlust, (he use of no explosive other than an Imperial-permitted explosive is now allowed at mines in which inflammable gas has been found within the previous three months, or at those which are not naturally wet throughout. The safe degree of wetness adopted by the Department as adequate is that recommended in (he Sixth Report of the (British) Explosions in Mines Committee—viz., " The maintenance of at least 30 per cent, of water in a state of intimate mixture with the coaldust." At some mines, such as those at Kaitangata, it has often been found impracticable to maintain pillar-sides free from accumulations of coaldust, as such dust is constantly being produced by frittering, and to a certain extent when heaped against the pillar-side prevents greater decrepitation. At the Taupiri Kxtcnded Colliery fully fifty miles of old standing workings contain accumulations of coaldust from falls and frittering. Efficacious treatment by stone-dust or watering in such places is impracticable. In such cases as these safety can only be secured by the use of permitted explosives and safety-lamps, and general observance of the regulations pertaining to the use of explosives and lights. On the 23rd May, 1917, at 1.1.20 a.m. a coaldust explosion, fortunately unattended by loss of life, occurred in the Deep Creek section of the Ironbridge Colliery, the property of the Westport Coal Company (Limited). The Deep Creek section consists of a remnant of erosion containing about 10 acres of bituminous coal at an altitude exceeding 2,000 ft. above sea-level. The coal-seam is lift, thick. The method of working is bord and pillar, the bords not exceeding 18 ft. in width, with an average height of about 9 ft.; the dimensions of the pillars are variable. The workings are lighted by naked lights, no inflammable gas having been seen in this colliery, the numerous outcrops and proximity to the surface having assisted in the liberation of occluded gas. Gunpowder was used for blasting. A plan of the mine-workings accompanies this report. From the signed evidence of the colliery officials and some of the witnesses of the explosion, courteously supplied to me by Mr. Alexander Marshall, local manager for the company, and formerly Government Inspector of Mines for the district, the following account of the explosion has been prepared : — A bord was being driven eastward at the point marked A on the plan, towards a place driven tn split the pillar. Between the face of the bord and the side of the split there was only about 4 ft. 6 in. of solid coal. In the bord two miners were working, I). Crawford and E. Coppersmith; in the split no person was employed. Crawford drilled a shot-hole about 3 ft. 6 in. in length in a south-east direction at the face of the bord towards the split, inserted three plugs (1 lb.) of compressed gunpowder in the hole, and tamped the same with clay under the supervision of M. Connelly, deputy. None of these men knew that there was only about I ft. of solid coal between the charge and open place ahead of it. The shot was fired, and did not do its work, but blew through into that place; it made a report "like a cannon "; "the flame came as a ball of fire"; "the place was completely full of flame"; "the flame was steady"; the light from it was sufficient to enable the three men to retreat down the jig from the point B on the southern margin of the zone of explosion, where they had sheltered unhurt, although the shirt worn by Coppersmith was burned. Upon inspection of the zone of explosion it was found that the flame in every case had travelled towards flic open goaf fallen to daylight, and to the holings to the surface, as shown by arrows on the plan. Along every drive marked by such arrows evidence of intense heating was noticeable, considerable charring of the coal and of the limber props being visible. The flame did not extend throughout the open workings, but propagation was confined to the area shown by the stippling of fine dots on the plan. No timber was knocked down or falls caused. Nine persons were employed in the Deep Creek section at that time; none, however, were in the zone of flame or received any injury. On the 17th September I. inspected the scene of the explosion. I found the sides of the pillars slightly damp, in degree insufficient, however, to moisten a, postage-stamp.. The floor was wet, although no pools were visible; coaldust could not be raised by kicking the floor or by blowing

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on the sides. Props were the only timber used: there were no bars to harbour dust. Owing to this small section of workings being surrounded by outcrops and hidings to daylight, the ventilation was excellent and the mine-air as pure as that outside. I never saw a place inure free of coaldust; but, notwithstanding this I am perfectly satisfied that sufficient dust was created or raised by the blown-through shot to cause propagation, which was confined to a small area owing to increased moisture in the unaffected workings. After this occurrence the owners of the colliery very wisely introduced British Imperial explosives into their collieries at Dennistiin and Milleilon. This explosion must be taken as a serious warning, for had it occurred in a larger anil drier section of the extensive IVnniston collieries the loss of life mighi have been appalling.

In the Regulations under (he Coal-mines Act it, is provided that—L2B (2)—ln all coal-mines other than opencast workings which are not naturally wet throughout no other than a, permitted explosive shall be used; and by 129 (/) (iii), In all cases in wliich permitted explosives are required by these regulations, no shot shall be fired unless a shot-firer has examined the ftoor, roof, and sides of all contiguous places within a, radius of 5 yards of the place where the shot is fired, for coaldust, and has taken efficient steps lo render any dust within that area harmless. In the case of the Deep Creek section, prior to the explosion it would have been a very debatable question as to whether it was not naturally wet throughout; the examination, however, of the contiguous place was not made. The necessary degree of moisture to render coaldust uninflammable is seldom naturally present in mines. It appears necessary that an additional regulation should be ma.de prohibiting the use of any but permitted explosives in all coal-mines except lignite-pits and opencast workings.

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In the report of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1.916, it is stated that investigations have shown that in one case it was found that, a mixture of 77 per cent, of pulverized Pittsburgh coal and 23 per cent, of water (not including the water of composition in the coal) gave a very strong propagation in the experimental mine. In the Sixth Report, of the (British) Explosives in Mines Committee, 1914, page 6, it is stated that "From, the American experiments which were made with artificially prepared dust from a bituminous coal containing about, 35 per cent, of volatile matter and about 5 per cent, of ash, it was concluded that the total moisture-content of the dust must approach 30 per cent, to ensure that it should be incapable of propagating flame. We have repeated these experiments, using not only coaldust containing merely its natural ash, but mixtures of coal and in combustible dust, and have determined quantities of water that it was necessary to mix intimately (by atomizer) with the dust in order to render them incapable of ignition by a stemmed charge of 24 oz. of blasting-powder. Our results are in accordance with those obtained in America." Explosives. —There has been little or no shortage of Imperial-permitted explosives during the year. On the Grey Coalfield there have been numerous complaints that cartridges other than those in which the detonator is inserted have failed to detonate, in. one instance a, consignment of permitted explosive from a well-known British manufactory which cost ,£1,250 was destroyed owing to the above defect. In other parts of the Dominion permitted explosive gave satisfaction. At the Taupiri Extended_ Colliery during the year 35,783 shots, containing 30,4811b. of Viking Powder or Cambrite, were fired, 'and in no case where the detonator exploded did the charge inissfire. ft is therefore reasonable to conclude that either the atmospheric conditions on the West Coast, or the transport thereto from the chief ports, is responsible for the defective condition of the explosive, some of the ingredients of which, such as nitrate of ammonium, sodium nitrate, or chloride of sodium, are exceedingly hydroscopic. In addition to more careful transport, handling, and storage, it appears advisable, that the ends of the cartridges for use in New Zealand shall be completely closed by dipping in wax before they leave the manufactory. It was found at the Dominion Laboratory, where numerous tests were carried out by the Chief Inspector of Explosives, that, the ends of defective cartridges were frequently insufficiently closed by their waxed cartels. Support of Roof and Sides. —There has been considerable improvement in the observance of the regulations as regards systematic timbering, and. to this must be credited the reduction in the number of accidents by falls—the most prolific cause of mining accidents throughout the world. The importance of a thorough observance of systematic timbering cannot be overestimated or too frequently instilled into miners and deputies. I generally find that where there has been failure in this respect the timber is available in the working-place, but the miners have delayed putting it up after firing until they have " filled their coal," or were " just going to put it up " when I came along. The workmen's inspectors in their reports after inspection, which are otherwise fair, seldom or never refer to failure by workmen to erect timber as required, and I will be glad if they will do so in future. Supply of Materials. —The supply of material produced in the Dominion has been equal to the demand at no considerable increase in cost, but new material manufactured abroad, except, explosives, has been practically unobtainable, such items as steel ropes, rails, tubs, wheels, axles, and electrical supplies being offered only at prohibitive prices. As a result shortages have been made good from installations at inoperative mines and works. Bathhouses. —ln accordance with the provisions of the Coal-mines Act, mine-owners have erected or are erecting bathhouses at such mines where by a vote of the workmen they are desired. The first colliery bathhouses were erected at the State collieries near Greymouth, from a design by Mr. I. A. James, the chief mine-manager; these proving a success, the design has been followed at the principal mines. The building consists of a changing-room with parallel rows of seats, above which clothing is elevated by cords and pulleys, where they are suspended and dried by heat from steam-pipes. Hot and cold showers, also fixed hand-basins, are contained in cabinets built as lean-tos of the changing-house, from which they are entered. The concrete floor is graded and drained, the floor-space in the change-room being not, less than 12 square feet for each person. The bathhouses in use have proved an unqualified success, and are very popular with the miners. At some mines they are made use of by more persons than voted for their erection. In all cases bathhouses are erected and maintained at the expense of the mine-owners. Electricity at Collieries. —During 1917 there has been practically no increase in the number or capacity of electrical installations. The following is a summary of the annual returns in accordance, with Regulation 160 (c) regarding electrical apparatus at collieries : — Number of collieries at which electrical apparatus is installed ... 13 continuous-current installations ... ... ... 10 ~ alternating-current installations ... ... ... 2 ~ collieries electrically lighted ... ... ... ... 12 ~ collieries using electrical ventilating-machines ... ... 7 ~ ~ pumping plants ... ... 5 ~ ~ haulage plants ... ... 7 ~ screening plants ... ... 2 ~ ~ miscellaneous plants ... ... 3 ~ ~ locomotives ... ... ... 1 Total horse-power employed from motors on surface ... ... ... 1,740 ~ ~ underground ... ... 671 I have, &c,, Frank Reko, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Mines,

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ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. Northern Inspection District (Mr. Boyd Bunnik, Inspector.) Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited), Extended Colliery. —The present mine-workings are located in the north-west and south-west dip sections. In the north-west section, No. 6 level, south-cast, a mine-creep was observed early in the year; the base of the coal-pillars were crushing and the floor heaving. Towards the end of the year the pillar-sides and the drives were being crushed to such a degree that mining there was suspended. The affected section is some chains west of the Waikato River, and where the cover is 450 ft. The area affected is small. The concrete dams, built last year, have been closed, but the water behind the dams is allowed to drain through them by means of pipes. The mine, generally speaking, is in a good condition, ventilation being good. The company's official examiners report that small quantities of gas have been seen on several occasions in the present and old workings, mostly due to interruption of the ventilation by breaking down of the brattice-cloth. Some improvements have been made in the haulage gradients during the year. Taupiri Goal-mines (Limited), Awaroa Colliery. —This new colliery is six miles south-west of Huntly, on the Huntly-Pukcmiro Railway line; 60 chains of private line connect the Government railway to the mine. The coal-seam is entered by a short adit; the coal is hard and of good quality. The seam 17 ft. thick, dipping south-east, 1 in 10. The drainage will be light. Several valleys intersect the field, where the coal has been denuded, yet there appears to be an extensive field of coal available. The screening and haulage plants are being erected, most of the machinery being that wliich was used at the company's Ralph's Mine, now closed, A sirocco fan is to be erected at the mine, with a capacity of 60,000 to 70,000 cubic feet per minute. Steam power will be used. Pukemiro Colliery. —An extensive area of good coal in sight. The field is intersected by two faults; that to the right of the haulage-road is 90ft. of an upthrow, and the one to the left 80 ft. of a downthrow. The faults are approximately 25 chains apart and bearing north-east and south-west. Between these fault-lines are the present workings. A tunnel has been driven through the floor-rock of the coal beyond the fault to the right and into the coal, where the development drives are being driven. The mine has been examined regularly by me, and also by the workmen's inspectors, and found to be in a safe state. There has been no addition to the mining plant during the year, only the main haulage-rope has been extended farther into the mine. Tin.' thickness of the seam is approximately 20 ft., bords being worked .14 ft. wide and 16 ft. high, with 8-yard pillars. Waipa Colliery. —At the Nos. 1 and 2 sections the first working has been completed to the upthrow fault, and a considerable portion of the pillar coal worked. No. 1. section is almost exhausted, only a few pillars being left. A fire occurred in that area, and it is now sealed off from No. 2 section. At No. 2 level there is extensive crushing of the pillar coal, in places the floor rising to the top of the drives; there remains, however, a considerable quantity of coal there to be won. No. 3 section, beyond the upthrow fault, is closed for the time being, owing to a collapse of the main heading through defective timbering. In No. 4 section, west, of the No. 2 section and beyond the big upthrow fault, there are a number of miners at work. The coal is hard and of a good quality, the seam being from 8 ft. to 10 ft. thick. The ventilation is by two sirroco fans, and is adequate and satisfactory. I visited the mine approximately once a month. The company, without authority, mined under- a public road to such an extent as to cause subsidence. For this the Crown received compensation from the company. Huntly Goal and Fireclay Mining Company. —The mine is being worked by opencast, the cover overlaying the coal being approximately 8 ft. thick, of poor fireclay. All coal mined is used at the company's brick and tile kilns. The fireclay-quarry is adjacent to the coal-mine, and is the foot-wall fireclay. Both the mine and quarry are carefully worked. Waikato Extended. —Early in the year the mine became the property of the Waikato Steam Navigation Company. Since then a new wharf has been built and a new ground tram formed to the mine. The mine, has not been energetically worked. The coal is taken in barges over the Waikato River to settlers, butter-factories, &c., but the directors of the company have been lax in providing sufficient barges and temporary storage for coal, and unless a more vigorous policy is pursued the mine must ultimately be closed. I examined the mine several times during the year and found it safe. Ventilation by natural means good.

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Crown Lease, Aria. —I visited the mine on the 12th November, 1917, and found that, since my previous visit, a road had been formed to the mine and the adit level driven into the coal, approximately 140 ft., the drive being securely timbered. The seam is broken. I expect that an upthrow fault will be met. with after about 25 ft. more driving, and beyond that fault or slide the coal-seam will be firmer and the coal of a better quality, with less waste. 75 tons of coal were sold during the year, mostly to the butter-factory at Aria. Ma/ngapapa Mine (Mokau). —Owing to the accumulation of logs in the Mokau River, referred to in the previous report, preventing shipping from reaching the mine, the mine has been idle during the year. Hikurangi Colliery. —Early in the year this company had great difficulties to overcome in the drainage of the mine. The water-free coal has been mined, and the surface has subsided, resulting in the surface drainage entering and flooding the lower levels of the mine during the winter months. A shaft was sunk to the deepest part of the mine, and the water is bailed therefrom. The mine was drained and work resumed in December. There is an extensive area of pillar coal to be worked under the Waro limestone rocks. The Phoenix section, which has been closed for many years, is now being worked, but, there are several faults, which will considerably increase the cost of mining. The company have purchased all the coal mined from a Crown lease near-by, which is owned and worked by a co-operative company of workmen. I have visited the mine many times during the year. Northern Colliery, Hikurangi, Section. —The company's Tauranga section (the Old Northern Mine) is almost exhausted, only two miners being at work there on a small outcrop pillar of coal. In the company's Crown lease, Section 2, Block XVI, Little and party, tributors, the coal-seam has been from 8 ft. to 10 ft. thick, and of good, clean, hard coal, but the area is small. The Waro Rocks section is still closed. Northern Colliery, Kiripaka Section. —(Crown lease. Block VII, Whangarei Survey, District.) The mine is situated on the bank of the Waitangi Stream, Te Kiripaka. The coal is good, but the seam is much faulted, which has hindered the development in opening up the mine. The coal seam is from 6 ft. to 12 ft. thick. A section of the seam is folded, and the coal is inclined at an angle of 45°, Some of the places have been worked up the fold to a height of 60 ft., where the same angle continues. At the south-east portion of the mine the coal is displaced by faulting. Ventilation is fair. Grown, Lease, being a Portion of Section 2, Block XVI, Hikurangi. —(Doel and Foot, lessees.) This is a small area adjoining the Northern Coal Company's lease. The coal is good, the seam being from 6 ft. to 9 ft. thick. Grown Lease, Section N.E. 39, Block XVI, Hikurangi. —(Kerr and Co., lessees.) The company arc working small areas left by a former mining company. There is nothing permanent, but at one point got into a fine block, where the coal was 15 ft. thick, and is worked from an adit. The coal is sold to the Hikurangi Coal-mining Company. The ventilation is good. Grown Lease, Section J/.8 N.E., Block XVI, Hikurangi. —Some small outcrop pillars of coal, left in by a former company, are now being worked. The coal is sold at the mine and carted to the settlers in the district. North New Zealand Goal and Cement Mining Company. —During the past year a greater number of men have been employed and a record output of coal obtained, but development has been neglected owing to inadequate pumping machinery. The coal in the deepest workings is much improved in thickness and quality. The ventilation of the mine has been fair, but, owing to the pumps in the mine being driven by steam, more air is required to keep the temperature at a reasonable minimum. A Hayes fan is being installed. An electric-lighting plant has been erected. Several minor improvements have been made during the year. I have made many visits of inspection of the mine. Fatal and Serious Non-fatal Accidents. FATAL ACCIDENT, James Gibson : Aged thirty-one, clipper, crushed by trucks in Taupiri Extended Colliery on the 14th December, 1916. Died in Avondale Asylum seven months later on the 13th July, 1917, from "exhaustion from acute mania." In the doctor's opinion this mania was the result of the injuries to his head received when crushed in the Extended Mine. SERIOUS NON-FATAI, ACCIDENTS. J, Moore, Pukemiro Colliery : Fractured knee-cap, 31st May, 1917. D. Gumming, Pukemiro Colliery: Compound fracture of leg, caused by fall of coal m his working-place on 6th December, 1917. D. Burt, Waipa Colliery: Crushed ankle-joint, on 2nd August, 1917. S. Martin, Taupiri Extended Colliery : Total loss of the sight of one eye. West Coast Inspection District. (Mr. James Newton, Inspector.) New Zealand State Goal-mines. Liverpool Colliery, Nos. 1 and 3a. Sections. —In the No. 1 section, lying to the east of the Seven-mile Creek, development has proceeded continuously in a north-easterly direction. The seam going eastward has pinched to an unprofitable thickness, and winning of the pillars has

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commenced. The rise headings have been driven approximately 27 chains. The coal is of good quality. On the west side of the Seven-mile Creek the output has been derived solely from pillarextraction, owing to the seam being thin and incapable of further development. There now only remains the standing pillars to be won. The Morgan Seam : This seam, underlying the upper seam above referred to, is entered by a cross-measure drift from the main adit of the upper seam. East and west levels have been driven during the year a distance of 7|- chains and 51 chains respectively. The Morgan seam, which when first entered was very soft, friable coal, has somewhat improved in hardness. During the year small quantities of fire-damp have been met with. A. considerable area of proved coal in this seam awaits exploitation. Section No. 3a : This area, employing only a limited number of colliers, has not, during development, shown any improvement, and is, in fact, fast becoming unworkable, owing to thinning caused by stone replacing the coal. Section No. 3 : Development during the year has undoubtedly proved this area to be limited in extent, owing to extensive faulting trending north-east and south-west, in addition to thinning of the seam to the north-east and east. The coal won has been excellent in quality. A fair quantity has been obtained by pillar-extraction. The life of this area will most probably be of short duration. Point Elizabeth Colliery.-- This colliery is almost exhausted, and cannot, under the most favourable conditions, continue to produce coal beyond a few months at most, Paparoa Colliery. —A small area lying to the south-east has been opened, and is still under development, The coal, throughout is very friable and soft. Inflammable gas has been met with frequently during the year, which undoubtedly proves the stand, taken to prevent the manager replacing the safety-lamps with naked lights was a wise one. During the period under review a deputy and trucker were prosecuted and fined for abusing each other on the property during working-hours. The manager was also proceeded against and fined for failing to provide timber in accordance with Special Rule 11. Blackball Colliery. —During June a very serious fire originated between the main haulageroad and the return airway from No. 9 dip at No. 7 bank, necessitating the entire isolation of the principal winning portion of the colliery, No. 17 section and No. 9 dip. The former section was closed for approximately three months, whilst the latter was idle for the remainder of the year. During the period the inner workings were cut off; the No. 2 dip only was available for production of coal. This section was subsequently abandoned towards the end of the year. Future development of the colliery will be mostly to the dip, necessitating expensive pumping plant, as all previous workings in the colliery having proved the dip areas to be heavily watered. Two fatal accidents, by wdiich three lives were lost, occurred at this colliery during the year. North Brunner Colliery. —The output has been exclusively won from pillar-extraction. The top section has been won back; work thereon ceased until a lower level commanding a small area may be attained by a stone drive. The lower section (Changing Flat) approaching exhaustion will cease to produce coal in a few months. Brunner Mine. —The output has exclusively been obtained from pillar-extraction. There is no prospect of improvement in the area, being worked, and with the present small output the life of the present mine can only be a matter of two or three years. An inclined stone drive has been driven intermittently during the year in order to cut a seam of clay previously proved by boring to enable the brick and tile works to continue operations. An endeavour is being made to unwater the old Tyueside and Brunner workings in order to win some pillars of coal that were previously abandoned. Reefton Mines. —The output, of 14,717 tons from these small mines, ten in number, shows an increase of 3,218 tons over last year's winnings, the coal being used for household and steam purposes. A good deal of local assurance exists that in the near future there will be large collieries operating in this district ; but before such can be warranted it will be necessary to expend a considerable sum of money in boring to thoroughly prove the area, which I believe will be found to be extensively faulted. The overlying strata is heavily charged with water. Iron Bridge Colliery, Denuislon. —Development has proceeded steadily in a westerly direction on the north side of the Wainiangaroa River. The seam, approximately 12 ft. thick where pierced, has proved the coal to be hard and of excellent quality. Preparations for endless-rope haulage for this area have not yet reached completion. A good deal of the output has been won from pillars in the Shaft and Deep Creek sections. The future outlook for a steady output from this colliery is good. Coalbrookdale Colliery, Denniston. —The Wareatea area, lying to the south of the lease, is the only one that is capable of development, and during the year operations have been steadily pushed forward. The seam, which is undulating and variable in thickness, has been proved to be hard coal and of excellent quality. Stone-band intrusions, causing splitting and occasionally minor faulting, have been encountered, but nothing to hamper to a serious degree the development of the area. There yet remains a large portion of the lease untouched that is known to contain workable coal. No. 8 and Dip sections, both of which are in the Cascade area, have produced their output exclusively by pillar-extraction. These sections are both incapable of further extension, and their life depends entirely on the amount of (-oal that can be safely won. The overlying strata in both sections are difficult to control, and most probably some of the pillar coal will have to be sacrificed in order to keep the operations within safe mining limits. Millerton Colliery. —Development of the colliery has mostly been confined to the areas known as the Stone Drive, 2nd West and 4th West levels. All of these sections are in the Mine Creek portion of the colliery, and are operated from the crosscut haulage-way going north and west.

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The lower or dip area of the colliery has been proceeding steadily in a southerly direction, and eventually will connect with the areas mentioned above, the approximate distance apart being 14 chains. In (he Mangatina section the output has been won from small isolated coal areas. The main South Mangatina heading has been driven for 30 chains in barren ground and stopped, and a borehole recently drilled to the west of the heading, a, distance of .10 to 12 chains, has cut, the coal. The prospects of a long life for this colliery are good. Westport-S/ock/on Colliery. —Development is mostly confined lo the eastern portion of the mine (E section), where a large area, of medium hard coal of good quality has been proved by driving, and there yet remains a. large area known to contain workable coal not touched. Old mine, B, (', and I) tunnel sections: Development to the south of D tunnel has ceased owing to inferior and dirty coal, and the pillars, mostly soft coal, are being won homeward. (' tunnel is at present producing no output, A few pillars have been won from this area iluring the year. B tunnel: A few pillars are yet to be won on the boundary side (west) of the haulage-way. On the eastern side a section of good hard coal, the seam being about 5 ft. 6 in. thick, has been operated, and is still being won out. Should the present demand for steam-coal continue, there yet remains sufficient available coal in the old mine to last a considerable number of years at the present output. Puponga Colliery, Collingwood District. —This colliery ceased work during July. At the lime of stoppage it was impossible lo successfully drive lo the dip, the only direction apparently open to profitable operation, owing to (he inadequate plant available at the colliery. The winning-places eastwards were fast becoming unworkable, owing to the intrusion of stone bands splitting the seam and replacing the coal. North Cape Mine, Collingwood, District. —The outlook for this property is not bright, and most probably its productive life will be short, In every direction driven the seam has consistently thinned to an. unprofitable thickness. The main winning-dip, which has been driven approximately 10 chains, is standing in thin coal. The bottom west level after proceeding 12 chains has encountered a downthrow fault, and as the level has proceeded the seam has gradually thinned io about 18 in., an unprofitable thickness. The fault met with at the face of this level cuts the country cast to west, and will be met with almost immediately driving is commenced again in the dip. Sinking on the head of the fault is being carried out, and unless the throw is small ami the seam shows decided improvement in this direction development must cease. Mokvhinui Mine. Coal Creek. —No improvement in the quality of the coal has been met with during the year, although a considerable amount of diiving has been accomplished, The country driven through has been found to be somewhat faulted, and the seam of coal dirty and irregular in thickness. Co-operative Mine, Scddon ville. —Driving has been continued on the outside of the old No. I workings with varying results. At times the seam has been found hard and clean, and al others soft and dirty. Fatal Accidents. Three persons lost their lives underground, and all at (he Blackball Colliery. On the 28th July a miner named William Graham, whilst engaged jigging a truck in No. 2 dip, No. 6 bank, was struck by a fall of coal from the roof, with fatal results. On the 30th July John. Tipler, deputy, and Thomas Abbott, shiftman, met their death by drowning, the result of being overtaken by a sudden rush of water which had accumulated behind a fall in (he back heading of No. 17 section. An official inquiry was held, pursuant to the provisions of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, in each of the foregoing occurrences. The Court found in each case that the charges against the officials of the mine could not, upon the evidence, be sustained. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Puponga Colliery. —lst June: John Waddell. mirier; received a severe injury to his right hand, caused by premature explosion of a detonator. ll' est port-Stockton. —2sth July: A. Kearns, trucker; received a severe fracture of the base of his skull through being struck with full tub of coal. Kearns was lowering a tub down a gentle gradient when it became derailed. He was in Ihe act, of spragging at the time, and the back portion of the tub as it lifted struck him, causing the injury. On the 14th September, 1917, George Higham, miner: lasccralod the muscles of his lower leg, caused by falling and striking buffer of truck, on incline. Point Elizabeth Colliery, No. I Section. —27th July: Peter Neilsou, miner; fractured his skull, caused by a falling prop. Dennislon Colliery, Iron Bridge Section. —Bth August: Edward Oldham, trucker; being struck by an empty tub while jigging, received injuries causing amputation of his leg. Coalbrookdale Section. —22nd November: William Brown, miner; by a fall of coal al, the face his thigh was broken. Blael-liall Colliery. —3rd November : William kiddle, miner; by a fall of coal bad both collarbones broken. Millerlon Colliery. —l2th December: S. McDonald, horse-driver: by being jammed between a full tub and limbers or shafts on which he was riding had a thigh bone broken. Dangerous Occurrences requiring Notification in accordance with Regulation 81. Dennislon Iron Bridge Colliery. —On the 23rd May an explosion occurred in the Deep Creek area, the result of a blow-through shot, the explosive used being blasting-powder. This has been specially reported on by me.

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Blackball Colliery. —On the 18th June a serious fire occurred close to the main haulage-road at a stopping in No. 7 bank, A detailed report regarding this occurrence has been forwarded. Millerton Colliery. —On the 27th August a spontaneous lire was discovered in the 6th West pillars section in the Mine Creek area. The, outbreak was speedily and successfully dealt with by cutting oil the air-supply. Since the completion of the air-stoppings no further trouble from this source has been encountered. Coalbrookdale Colliery. —On the 13th December a tiro was discovered by the examining deputy on his rounds in the No. 8 Cascade section. After a couple of hours strenuous work by several of the employees the lire was extinguished, It, is surmised to have had its origin in a spark from a miner's oil-lamp, the spark falling amongst and kindling old timber and rubbish. Ventilation. —At all the larger mines efficient mechanical appliances (fans) are employed to produce ventilation; and, generally speaking, the working-places throughout the mines have been found, when inspected, to be in a satisfactory condition. Whenever samples of the air have been taken in any place they have upon analysis been found to be of good quality. Coaldust. —More attention than formerly has been given to coaldust, and managers have been urged to thoroughly damp and keep the roadways as clean as practicable from small coal in order to more thoroughly minimize the dangers from this source. Instructions have been given to managers to discontinue non-permitted and use only permitted explosives. Falls of Roof and Sides. —There has been only one fatality under this head during the year. This is undoubtedly an improvement compared with previous years, and can, I think, be apportioned mostly to better attention being given to systematic timbering. There is, however, still room for improvement, and in order to bring this about it is necessary that officials and workmen should keenly appreciate the danger from falls from roof and sides, and should, by careful and frequent examination, endeavour to safeguard against such occurrences. I am strongly of the opinion that a very large proportion of the accidents that occur under the above heading would bo prevented if ordinary precaution and a little common-sense were displayed. Southern Inspection District. (Mr. E. R. Gkeun, Inspector.) Sheffield Coal-mine, Sheffield. —Prospecting for coal; shaft down 100 ft., following a bore hole, where 5 ft. seam had been passed through at 120 ft. Bush Gully Coal-mine, Goalgate. —Drawing pillars on south side of crosscut dip, and now at, No. 4 level, 200 ft. from surface. Supports were being left to the pair of dip drives, so that any future mining may be conducted in that direction. lloinehush Coal-mine, Glentunnel. —Driving to dip in the old engine seam and levels off the same are being broken away north and south. The mine had been closed down, and is only in the reprospecting stage. St. Helens Coal-mine, \Vh/ileeliffs. —The mine last seen had been abandoned as worked out, and a new mine to the dip has been driven in a spur where there remained some unworked coal. Tripp's Goal-mine, Mount Somers. —Mine in fairly good order. The pillars towards the outcrop are being well drawn ; second outlet is to be further improved for travelling and airway. Woolmer's Coal-mine, Mount Somers (George Bland). —Tram laid, grade 1 in 3, 1.,500 ft, in length, to the foot of the hill, thence transport by drays to the Selwyn tram-line, distance about one mile. A/bury Coal-mine, Albury. —Mine in good order, and ventilation good. A new air-shaft had been sunk ahead of the advancing workings, thereby providing direct air-circulation. Allanholme Coal-mine, Waihao. —A good seam of hard lignite which had the appearance of being fairly extensive, with improvement to the dip. Ventilation good. St. Andrew's Coal-mine, Papakaio. —Extraction of pillar coal practically finished. Another opening will soon be required if the output is to be maintained. Prince Alfred Coal-mine, Papakaio. —Robbing dip pillars and head coal. Ventilation good. Report-book kept. Ngapara Goal-mine, Ngapara. —Ventilation good. Advancing in solid coal on the freehold towards the boundary of the adjoining Crown land, the surface of which is leased by Mr. Nimmo. Shag Point Coal-mine, Shag Point. —The return airway had recently been restored. Ventilation is generally good. These workings were conducted in an upper seam, 3 ft. to 4 ft., overlying the original main-seam workings in old Shag Point Colliery. Shag Point Goal Proprietary Mine, Shag Point. —Workings well timbered. Ventilation not quite satisfactory in distant places, chiefly on account of the small furnace in use being inadequate lo remove powder-smoke. McPherson's Coal-mine, Coal Creek Flat. —Opencast working. The low-level drain for uuwatering the pit was progressing slowly, water for sluicing the overburden being only available on Sundays when not required by the gold-miners. The fire on the hill-face in the upper and inferior seams is well kept under by water and smothered with clay from above. Perseverance Goal-pit, Coal Creek Flat. —Suspended. This pit had stood idle throughout the winter owing to the difficulties of mining in the vicinity of the creek. Alexandra, Coal-mine, Alexandra. —Workings in good order, and ventilation satisfactory. Roof tender at far-in places, necessitating timbering, although driven narrow. St. Bathan's Coal-mine, St. Bathan's. —Pit flooded with water and face mostly smothered with fallen overburden. Output small. Rough-ridge Coal-mine, Oturehua. —Water in pit and face encountered with winter waste from overburden.

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Idaburn Goal-mine, Oturehua. —Opencast pit flooded with water, as it frequently had been during this wet season. Cromwell Coal-mine, Cromwell. —Prospecting for seam on the left-hand bank of the Kawarau River. Shepherd's Creek Coal-mine, Bannockburn. —Mine-workings in good order, and ventilation satisfactory. Gardrona Coal-mine, Gardrona. —Overburden, 30 ft. to 40 ft., sluiced away with water fo expose coal-seam. Gibbslon Coal-mine, Qibbston. — Pillaring outward, substantial fire-stoppings constructed against the waste. Nevis Goal-mine, Nevis. —A. seam of coal 15 ft. to 20 ft. in thickness had been opened by a surface cutting. Nevis Crossing Goal-mine, Nevis. —Opencast. Manager's attention drawn to dangerous method of getting coal by undermining at one point. Fernhill Goal-mine, Abbotsford. —Mine in good order. Ventilation satisfactory. Firestoppings well attended. Freeman's Coal-mine, Abbotsford. —The lower dip workings hail been abandoned owing to creep and fire. Pillar and head coal extraction continued. Green Island, Coal-mine, Green Island. —A new entrance had been made toward the rise workings. Substantial fire-stoppings constructed against the waste. - Jubilee Goal-mine, Saddle Hill. — Withdrawing pillar and head coal left at first, working. Christie's Saddle Hill, Nos. 1 and '.' Mines, Saddle Hill.--Y;\r\ ventilation good; pillarextraction carefully conducted. East Taieri Goal-mine, East Taieri.-- Floor heaving badly owing to creep. Attention to brattice was required at two working-faces. Brighton Coal-mine, Brighton. -The new drive to the dip will tap the level drive near the face and shorten the haulage. U'aronui Coal-mine, Milton.—New dip workings had become lost, by water-inflow from overlying strata, which the pumps were unable to cope with. Roads were being laid into the rise pillars for maintenance of output. MeGilp's Coal-mine, Milton. —The old lire at. the surface near the mine-mouth is now completely subdued. Levels are being driven, also headings to the outcrop. Natural ventilation by two shafts satisfactory. Taratu Colliery, Lovell's Flat. —Pillar-drawing continued, with some development to the dip, where water is troublesome and additional pumping plant is necessary. Workings to the south of the shaft are pillared and stopped off, also part where heating had occurred. The coal-roof is tender, and close attention to timbering is necessary. Pillar and head coal being taken from old mine reserve, and development proceeding in Barclay's drive at the surface-level seam. Mahara Goal-mine, Kaitangata. —Mine in good order; timber well used; air well conducted by brattice. Longridge Coal-mine, Kaitangata. —A small mine driven in an upper seam of the Kaitangata coal-measures. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —No. 6 dip section. The principal development had been continued eastward, where the main seam was proved to be undisturbed by faulting, and remarkably flat compared with earlier workings the westward of the field. This district should provide most of the output in the near future. Owing to "creep," all places had been driven from 6ft. to 8 ft. in width, in order to reduce upkeep and provide facilities for future withdrawal of pillar and head coal, together with better control of spontaneous "fires," which inevitably occur as work and time progress. Working-faces are about one mile and a half distant from the minemouth. It is proposed to sink a shaft, or to construct a rise at No. 6 dip, for the purpose of substituting surface for underground haulage, also to improve the ventilation and provide a second outlet. Mundy's Dip section has been continued on pillar and head coal; substantial stoppings had been inserted against the waste. Fire-damp, usually in small quantity, had been reported on a number of occasions. A maximum of 500 cubic feet having been reported in the waste, the pillaring-place was then finished and stopped off. No. 21 dip section : The 32 ft, seam here worked has provided a considerable output. It is estimated that 70 per cent, of the seam lias been extracted. The barrier system of getting coal has been followed, with satisfactory results. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —Nos. I and 2 dip sections provided, the output from this mine. Owing to heavy creep, the maintenance of roads and airways had been difficult in consequence. Heating from spontaneous fire occurred behind the steel tubbing on the haulage-way where old coal-workings had been crossed, and it became necessary to extend the tubbing at several points, with apparently satisfactory results. The 6ft. seam: Further development proved the seam to continue to the dip, having a fine hard conglomerate roof, with no fire-damp and very little water. In all probability the small quantity of water and comparative absence of fire-damp in this mine was due to their having been drained away by former workings in the proximity, but every precaution was taken as though fire-damp was known to occur, and safety-lamps only were allowed in the mine. Castle Hill Mine, Kaitangata. —No. 7 dip and rise workings north have been finished and permanently stopped off. The output was produced from the Carson seam, being developed north and south from, the rise stone heading. On the 26th September, near a "roll" on the

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south side, a blower of gas was tapped. Work in the level was suspended, and the place fenced off. The blower is now diminishing. Improvement has been made to the travelling airway to second out-let shaft since the installation of a sirocco fan, which replaced the furnace. No lamps other than safety-lamps were allowed at Kaitangata collieries, also only permitted explosives used,-with electrical shot-firing by authorized shot-firers. Foundations had been prepared for a modern bathhouse for workmen for early erection. The condition of the ponies used in the mines, about thirty in number, had been favourably reported upon by the Inspector of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Benhar Coal-mine, Stirling.- —Mine in good order, and ventilation well conducted by brattice around the working-faces. Mount, Wallace Goal-mine, Stirling. —Lignite seam about 20 ft. in thickness, of wliich 10 ft. worked. Mine-mouth standing well. Tram laid to main roadside, a distance of about 500 yards. Pukerau Coal-mine, Pukerau.^-- -Worked for supply of local requirements. Whiterigg Goal-mine, East Gore. —Ventilation satisfactory, and workings in good order. Green's Goal-mine, Gore. —Roof ami sides strong. Ventilation good. The pillar which had been on lire was not properly cooled down, but the faces of the stoppings were cool, and there was evidence of the fire being well in hand. Water laid on as required. Bushy Park Coal-mine, Gore. —Opencast pit,; one place well stripped ahead of working-face. Burnwell Coal-mine, North Ghatton. —Seam large and strong, but excessive extraction to rise had been the cause of heavy fall to surface, so that, difficulty may be expected in future working to dip. Ramsay's Coal-mine, North Ghatton. —New dip drive opening out satisfactorily. New powder- magazine being constructed. Springfield, Coal-mine, Waikaka Valley. —Mine-mouth fallen; work practically suspended. Pyramid Coal-mine, Riversdale. —Reopening on the seam where formerly worked and exhausted as was thought at, that time. Rossvale Coal-mine, Waikaia.- -New air-shaft required, the old one having been affected by recent rains. Magazine approved for storage 3501b. of explosives. Waikaia Coal-mine, Waikaia. —Prospecting to dip; output, small and not likely to increase apparently, as the seam appeared to have run out. Muddy Terrace Shale-mine, Freshford. —Prospecting for oil-shale is being conducted by aid of a Government Keystone drill. Prinehester Greek Goal-mine, The Key. —Only a small annual output from this out-of-the-way place, for supply of local requirements. Seam irregular, coal occurring in pockets or bunches each of a few tons having 25 ft. to 30 ft. of stripping on top. Mataura Collieries, Mataura. —The new air-shaft and doors at mine-month have evidently improved ventilation. Powder-smoke not now hanging in workings, and workmen stated that ventilation had been satisfactory. Mataura Lignite-mine, Mataura. —Opencasting has been suspended, and underground mining is in progress. I pointed out to the manager that the pillars being left' near the entrance were too small, and that timbering is necessary. Nightcaps Collieries, Nightcaps. — No. 1 Mine, Nightcaps: No. 1 section: Pillar and headcoal extraction, continues. Where heating had occurred in the waste substantial ash stoppings have been put in. A drive had been commenced at near the mine-mouth with a view to winning the resin-seam lying to the dip. The old resin-seam workings contained an accumulation of water, and precautions were being taken. No. 2 section: A few men were employed getting coal from pillars near the outcrop at first working. No. 3 section, or Lloyd's dip : Dip workings are being developed toward the south, hard conglomerate forming excellent roof. Rise workings are being pillared backward, and falls of roof kept close up for safe working. No. 2 Mine, Morley: A new mine being opened on land leased from the Southland High Schools Commissioners. The seam, 25 ft., overlain by from 8 ft. to 10 ft, of clay and gravel, which is stripped and the coal worked opencast, Prospeoting-drives and boring from the surface indicate the existence of a fair-sized area of coal. The coal is conveyed by a light locomotive to the company's loading-bank at Nightcaps Railway-station, a distance of one mile and, a half. Black Diamond Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —Seam 25ft.; underground mining; bord and pillar; new air-shaft provided. Beatlie's Burndale Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —New mine opening. Seam 9 ft. Coaldale Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —A new opening. Tramway being laid to Nightcaps Railway terminus. New Brighton Coal-mine, Wairio. —Drawing pillars and head coal. Timber used. Ventilation good. Three several openings at outcrop; new low-level drive prepared for connection with dip workings. Thistle Goal-mine, Nightcaps. —Worked out and abandoned. Wairio Coal-mine, Wairio. —Drawing pillars and head coal. Ventilation good. Timber well used. Beaumont Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —The narrow bank left between Ohai Stream and the mine carried away, and the mine was inundated. Mossba.nk Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —Three several openings on seam at near outcrop. Newlow level prepared for connection with the proposed Wairio Railway extension, which was beingmade. Linton Goal-mine, Nightcaps. —Work suspended on account of the tramway embankmentbeing carried away by flood-water in Ohai Stream.

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Diamond Lignite-pit, Seaward Bush. —Opencast pit. Two men at work. Orepuki Goal-mine, Orepuki. —An opencast mine being driven on the outcrop of a lease held by the New Zealand. Coal and Oil Company. Seam 12 ft.; stripping 9 ft. Lynwood Goal-pit, Te Anau. —Pit worked for supply of fuel, to the Government Tourist Department's steamer on Lake Te Anau. South/port Coal-mine, Preservation Met, —Prospecting has been carried out, and a, surface survey was being made. Accidents. There has been no fatal accident in or about the coal-mines of the Southern Inspection District during 1915, 1916, or 1917. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine, Kaitangata. —3rd January: Henry Hansen, 15, rope attendant; injury to foot and back; jammed between rake and runaway box; seventy-three days off work. Green's Coal-mine, Gore. —l3th February: John Smyth, 46, miner; injured ankle; struck by fall of coal on returning to face after shot-firing; 114 days off work. Bush Gully Goal-mine, Goalgate. —23rd February : Amund Petersen, 34, banksman; lacerated linger, caught between drum and rope; 141 days off. Nightcaps Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —l6th March: John Foster, 34, miner; injury to ribs while trucking a box of coal; seventy-five days off work. Mataura Lignite-mine, Mataura. —23rd April: John Bolger, engineman; fractured forearm; sleeve caught in belt off engine-shaft; forty-eight days off work. Saddle Hill No. 2 Mine, Saddle Hill. —7th May: A. Manderson, miner; contusion of back by fall of coal; fifty-one days off work. Whiterigg Coal-mine, Gore. —30th June: James Strachan ; rupture of blood-vessel in thigh; knocked by coal-truck; still off work. Nightcaps Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —l6th August: John Eunson, 49, carpenter; two fingernails torn off; was booking rope on winch-drum; eighty-three days off work. Jubilee Coal-mine, Green Island. —6th September: James Miller, 45, miner; contusion of hand and sprained finger while filling coal; sixty-four days off work. Freeman's Coal-mine, Abbotsford. —24th September: A. Diehl, miner; fractured collar-bone; struck by prop, which fell Avhile setting it; forty-three days off work. Jubilee Coal-mine, Green Island. —l6th October: Robert Campbell, miner; injured eye (subsequently removed), coal flying from pick; still off work.

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STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1917.

ANNEXURE B.

B—C. 2

Xante of Mine and Locality. >ame of Manager. I 1> 13 -6 hS-S Quality of Coal. j s Thickness of -, g Seams. P Thickness worked. 2 —. Number of Men ~ Approximate Approximate ordinariiv employed. System of T „ t „, ontrnrt Total Total Underground ° 10 f „*, Q , 7 put Output to Output to working. S ° 31st December, 31st December, 6 1916. 1917. > i -s fl -a 3 o ileans of Ventilation. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. North Auckland Coalfields. Whangarei .. .. E. J. Sooble .. 7 Northern .. .. H. Tipton ., 20 Northern Crown lease .. G. Doel .. .. lj Northern Kiripaka .. .. E. Nelson .. 2\ Northern Co-operative .. E. A. Cunningham 3J Kerr and Wyatt .. .. F. H. Kells " .. 2 Foot and Doel .. R. Cherrie .. i Hikurangi .. .. A. H. Taylor .. 26 7 Semi - bitu- 1 6' to 8' 6' to 8' Bord and 2 minous pillar 20 Ditto .. 2 4' to 6' 4' to 6' Ditto If „ .. 1 5' to 10' 5'to 10' „ .. .. 2J . . 1 4' to 10' 4' to 10' „ . . 2 3J .. 1 5' to 8' 5' to 8' „ .... 2 „ ..2 4'to 11' 4 to 11' „ .. .. i „ .. i v r „ .. .. 26 „ .. j 1 8'to 12' 6'to 10' „ .. 2. ' 2 2 Tons. Tons. Tons. 9,083 17,825 26,908 13,381 597,583 610,964 14,401 8,111 22,512 21,254 304,705 325,959 1,880 19,317 21,197 7,585 1,984 9,569 1,855 . . 1,855 31,881 1,068,041 1,099,922 4 5 17 2 28 19 23 Natural. 5 10 10 10 28 45 Fan. 6 8 Natural. 10 12 4 4 67 95 Fan. 2. Waikato Coalfield. Waipa .. .. .. H. Thomson .. 4 4 Brown coal j 1 11' to 12' 9' Bord and ..- pillar 29 ., 1 10' to 34' 20' Ditto .. 2 i „ | 1 17' 9' „ .. .. 2J „ | 1 16' to 20' 7' to 15' ., .. 5 ,, 1 15' 15' Open cut If „ - 1 7' 7' Bord and . . pillar i „ | 1 12' 9' Ditto .. .. 'hieh operations are abandoned or suspended .. I 4 81,718 | 237,981 319,699 192,205 1,989,976 2,182,181 1,656 .. 1,656 89,375 92,591 181,966 j 3,399 13,686 17,085 i 890 30 920 75 .. 75 I 3,721,489 i 3,721,489 30 62 20 45 9 1 70 100 j Fan. 277 339 15 35 Natural. 100 145 Fan. 9 5 6 Natural. 2 2 Taupiri Extended .. .. W. Wood .. 29 Taupiri Rotowaro .. A. Penman .. \ Pukemiro .. . . A. Burt . . . . 2\ Huntly Coal and Brick .. R. Greenwell .. 5 Waikato Extended .. .. W. C. Davies .. 1-: 29 i 5 X 3 Greencastle (Aria district) .. I A. Morgan .. | \ Output of mines included in previous statements at whic Nelson Coalfidd. Puponga .. .. .. I A. Morris .. j 14 WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT. North Cape .. .. .. Job Hughes .. i Buller Coalfield. Co-operative Mine .. .. H. Chester .. 3 - 14 Bituminous 1 9' Full height Bord and pillar 7 .. 12' 6" to 4' 6" 4' Ditto .. 1 3 Bituminous 1 10' 8' Bord and pillar 2 „ 1 4' 4' Ditto . . 9 „ 14' to 20' 4' to 18' ., .. 2 26 ., 1 5' to 30' 10' „ .. .. 7,485 207,968 ' 215,453 12.131 42,566 54,697 1,688 2,973 4,661 2.554 2,477 5,031 167.122 1.036,370 1,203.492 279.760 4.972,665 5,252,425 20 14 1 ! 110 81 30 50 Mechanical. 31 45 5 5 „ 170 280 359 440 Coal Creek Mine .. .. W. McGuire .. i 2 Westport-Stockton .. .. j P. Hunter .. 9 Millerton C-Mierv .. .. R. Fox and W. Fear- ; 26 son

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STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1917— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. I Name of Manager. tSh Quality of Coal. "o TMckness of n"u Seams. Thickness worked. 3 1 System of „ Underground ° working. 3 a I Total Output for 1917. Number of Men Approximate Approximate ordinarily employed. Total Total Output to Output to j 31st December, 31st December, - 1916. 1917. | | -3 £ A hh. < m h Means of Ventilation. i . WEST COAST INS! 1ST >ECTION DISTRICT— coiriti ■nti'i lued. Buller Coalfield —continued. Iron Bridge Colliery .. .. I G. Smith Bituminous 12 1 3' to 30' I I Full height I Bord and pillar ' Ditto .. .. 8' „ .. .. Tons. Tons. Tons. I Coalbrookdale Colliery .. N. Milligan Rocklands Mine .. .. J. P. Burley (P.) .. 26 37 15 1 4'to 20' Brown .. j 1 27' -> 1 1 "1 y 200,950 7,400,638 109 6,956 7,601,588 124 I ... 124 235 409 Mechanical. 7,065 2 2 j Natural. -• Inangahua. Coalfield. Coghlan's Freehold .. J. Coghlan (P.) 21 Semi - bitu- 1 12' minous Ditto .. 2 9' to 12' ..1 12' . . 1 12' .. 2 25' to 30' --1 8' .. 1 4' ..1 1'toS' .. 1 4' to 12' --1 14' 1 8' I Bord and .. pillar 8' to 10' I Ditto .. 8' .. .. Full height ., 12' x 8' „ . . . . 7' ...... Full height i „ ,. .. 988 5,838 6,826 «> 2 Natural. Archer's Freehold .. .. F. W. Archer (P.) .. Burke's Creek Mine .. A. Thompson Deep Creek Mine .. .. E. F. Lockington (P.) Phoenix and Yenus Mine .. W. Knight (P.) Lankey's Creek Mine .. .. F. Knight (P.) Loughnan's Coal-mine .. I H. Griggs Big River Mine .. .. W. Kirwin (P.) Murray Creek Mine .. .. | C. A. Svensen (P.). . Waitahu Mine .. .. I. Rhodes 22 16 16 36 15 31 4 4 1'5 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1.650 18,566 4.304 28.266 314 3,382 3.165 34,755 1.606 23,183 1,821 13,226 724 2,707 134 1.473 60 4,659 20,216 32,570 3,696 37.920 24.789 15,047 3,431 1,607 4,719 1 3 2 1 1 6 2 3 o 2 3 9 2 i 3 3: 2 I 2 i „ ,, Open cast 8' Bord and pillar Grey Valley Coalfield. Paparoa Colliery .. .. H. Talbot Bituminous 1 5' to 25' 36,435 227.114 263,549 15 52 I Blackball Colliery .. . . G. Davidson North Brunner Colliery .. J. Armstrong Brunner Colliery .. R. Allison 9 27 8 53 2 17' 1 2' to 12' 1 12' 12' Bord and pillar 15' Ditto .. j .. Full height ,, .. | .. 132,515 2.455,865 17.060 87,324 8.936 2,399,316 2,588,380 104,384 2.408,252 59 20 5 227 31 15 67 Mechanical. 286 51 20 N.Z. State Coal-mines. Point Elizabeth .. .. | 0. J. Davis 13J ... . LI Bituminous 1 8' to 16' 8' to 10' j Bord and .. pillar Full height | Ditto .. 119,411 2.136,306 2,255,717 51 138 189 Mechanical. . Liverpool Colliery .. ,. W. Parsonage and G. Duggan Output of mines included in previous statements at i 5 | 3 4' to 16' 145,856 326,615 472,471 82 220 302 I -hieh operations have been abandone ;d or suspended .. I .. I 2,133,767 2,133,767 I SOUTHER ,N INSPECTION DISTRICT F. I 37,183 j 8 24 Fan. 15 Exhaust steam. 4 Natural. 5 ■i Canterbury. Bush Gully, Coalgate . . .. i J. Gillick.. 4 Brown 1 5' ..1 6' --1 6' ..1 40' ..1 5' ..1 5' 5' Bord and 1 pillar 6' Ditto .. 1 5' ., .. 1 15' „ .. .. 4' 6" „ .. 1 5' „ .. .. 8,265 28,918 16 Homebush, Glentunnel .. ,, St. Helens, Whitecliffs .. I J. Sutherland Tripp's, Mount Somers .. J. McClimoiit (P.) Woolmer's, Mount Somers . . G. A. Bland Te Moana, Geraldine .. .. i G. D. McFarlane .. 44 36 51 1 3 3.266 296,312 1,744 25,130 2.020 66,118 294 1 144 299,578 26,874 68.138 294 145 6 1 1 1 9 3 4 3 »

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Alburv. Alburv T. 1'. Slowey (P.) .. 26 I 26 Brown Bord and pillar Ditto .. 1 I 1,822 I 14.963 | 16,785 2 3 Natural. Allanbolme, Wailiao Forks Dalgcty's, Hakataramea Verdun, Waihao Forks Alex. Todd (P.) .. C. W. Ensor A. Todd (P.) O 2 36 1 342 20 289 411 3,570 753 3,590 289 1 2 36 ! i i 1 1 1 15' 30' 5' 9' 15' 4' ,, • ■ 1 1 1 2 1 North Otago. St. Andrew's, Papakaio T. Nimmo (P.) 39 Brown .. i 6' Bord and pillar Ditto .. Natural. 39 1 2 2 1,842 | 54,866 56,708 1 1 4 5 Prince Alfred, Papakaio Ngapars, Ngapara Shag Point (old mine), Shag Point Shag Point Proprietary, Shag Point A. Beardsmore (P.) W. Nimmo (P.) .. W. Hunt (P.) C. E. Twining 48 on 48 39 3 9 1 1 1 9' 25' 4' 5' 7' 8' 4' 5' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1,422 842 1,264 12,074 61,023 30.649 408,664 22,068 62,445 31,491 409,928 34,142 1 1 1 9 1 1 1 9 2 2 6 23 3 3 32 9 Furnace. Central Otago. Coal Creek, Roxburgh W. Burt (P.) 47 Lignite . . 20' 7 Bord and pillar Open .. Bord and pillar Ditto .. Open .. 246 60,431 60,677 2 1 3 Natural. 1 McPherson's, Coal Creek Flat .. Perseverance. Coal Creek Flat .. J Weatherall (P ) .1. Craig' 47 30 1 1 60' 75' 20' 25' 1 1,716 90 68,918 60,401 70,634 60,491 3 1 3 1 Alexandra, Alexandra.. Cambrian, Cambrian Laudervale, Cambrian St. Bathan's, St. Bathan's Roughridge, Oturehua Idaburn, Oturehua Gimmerburn, Gimmerburn Shepherd's Creek, Bannockburn A. W. Whittleston David Jones R. Jones J. Enwright J. Beck (P.) J. White (P.) ('. Doughertv W. R. Parcell 36 56 13 20 31 47 61 40 9' 30' 12' 20' 20' 20' 12' 8' All 12' 20' 20' 20' 12' 1 3,743 319 84 94 1,209 867 24 3,293 89.707 48.752 1.225 6,057 29.829 45.417 3,229 S3,265 93,450 49,071 1,309 6,151 31.038 46,284 3,253 86.558 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 3 I S 11 5 2 9 1 1 1 2 2 1 13 S 6 3 3 Exhaust steai Cairnmuir, Bannockburn Ranfurlv. Bannockburn Cardrona, Cardrona Gibbston, Gibbston H. C. Russell (P.) .. J. Hodson, jun. (P.) R. McDougal (P.) .. R. Cowan (P.) 15 7 33 31 1 1 1 1 12' 10' 10' 15' 10' 10' 10' 10' Bord and pillarDitto .. Levels Open .. Bord and pillar Levels .. Open .. 1 1,80 1,022 148 847 S9,992 S.125 25.780 22.712 41,794 9,147 25,928 23,559 Exhaust steai Natural. Nevis, Nevis Nevis Crossing, Nevis Dillon's, Blackstone Hill R. Thompson (P.) R. Ritchie (P.) J. Dillon 17 14 20 1 1 1 20' 16' 12' 20' 16' 12' 1 487 394 8 2,082 6,088 12.971 274 157,137 6,575 13.365 282 159.219 -> -> 2 2 South Otago. Fcrnhill, Abbotsford J. Dunlop (P.) 40 Lignite .. 11' 8' Bord and pillar Ditto .. 1 1 3 4 Natural. 40 1 Freeman's, Abbotsford Green Island, Green Island Jubilee, Saddle Hill Saddle Hill (No. 1), Saddle Hill Saddle Hill (No. 2), Saddle Hill East Taieri, Riccarton Brighton, Brighton Waronui, Milton McGilp's, Milt n Taratu, L veil's Flat Mahara, Kai angata Port Arthur, Kaitangata Longridge, Kaitanga'a Ci. F. Whittleston T. Barclay, jun. T. Barclav, sen. Robert Hill Robert Hill W. Coulter (P.) .. H. C. Russell (P.) .. J. Carruthers J. J. Cooper (P.) .. T. Shore J. Neilson (P.) J. M. Morrison N. Mackie (P.) 37 on 30 I on 20 j 45 37 .'in 20 45 16 6 2 13 13 16 9 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 I 1 10' and 12' 10' 6' to 10' 20' 20' 10' 6' 18' 12' 8' to 18' 9' 10' 4' All 8' All 20' 20' 7' 6' 8' 10' 8' to 15' 7' 8' 4' 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 2 11,787 4,415 17,786 7,738 17,810 3,127 54 6,359 7,584 46,137 948 421 188 545,807 127,029 322,185 234,259 232,454 11,981 3,459 184.577 32,543 260.939 1.301 891 3,626 557. 594 131,444 339,971 241,997 250,264 15,108 3,513 190,936 40,127 307,076 2,249 1,312 3.814 4 3 9 4 6 1 1 13 1 16 2 4 3 9 4 6 1 1 3 1 6 2 16 5 22 8 20 6 2 23 7 49 3 1 1 20 8 31 12 26 7 3 36 8 65 5 1 1 Fan. Furnace. Fan'.' Natural. 5S • • 2 j Brown Fan. Natural. Fan. Natural. 13 ! 16 I 9 Lignite .. Brown 1 1 1 8 n sj • *

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STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1917— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Manager. §1 Quality of Coal. i a T. ■g ■ Thickness of b Z Seams. II 3 r\ Thickness worked. 3 g Approximate Approximate System of „ T . , ontrmt Total Total Underground - ,,f , „, f Output to Output to working. S mi mi. 3i s t December, 31st December, -g 1916. 1917. I a ! Number of Men ordinarily employed. hO 1, C Means of Ventilation. South Otago —continued. N.Z. Coal and Oil Company (Limited) — Kaitangata No. 1. Kaitangata Si Brown .. U'i HERN INS: 25' 'ECTION DISTKK IT— continued. i , I I I I Tons. Tons. Tons. Kaitangata No. 2, Kaitangata Castle Hill, Kaitangata Benhar, Stirling Stevenson Collieries, Stirling A. S. Gillandere W. Carson W. Carson J. Walls (P.) J. Throp (P.) 41 5 24 54 1 Lignite .. 1 o i i 26' and 6' IS' 25' 15' 25' Bord and 1 "1, pillar ! All Ditto .. If 18' „ .. 1 J 12' to 16' .. ..1 10' 107,274 6,563 196 3,400,221 163,271 3,507,495 169,834 196 65 1 1 223 6 223 6 288 Fan. 288 7 Exhaust steai 1 Natural. 7 1 Southland. Pukerau, Pukerau Whiterigg, East Gore F. A. Junker (P.) .. W. C. Johnston (P.) 37 39 Lignite .. 1 14' 20' 14' Open 12' Bord and 1 pillar 14' Ditto .. 1 j 20' Open .. 12' Bord and 1 pillar 15' Ditto 10' „ ..1 10' Open .. 10' Bord and 1 pillar 8' Ditto .. 1 6' „ .. 1 12' Open .. ..j 6' „ .. .. 12' Bord and 1 I pillar 14' Ditto .. .. 8 Open . . 9' „ .. .. 12' 6' All Bord and 2 " pillar 20' Bord and .. > p i 11 a r and open 10' Bord and .. pillar Open .. .. 718 3,647 12,211 246 1,748 4,299 3,349 559 770 3,410 252 417 118 7,213 14,498 86 1.357 845 46 73,133 2,614 41,385 64,497 178,064 22,268 38,757 80,652 55,832 15,331 36,827 14,501 5,294 1,613 179,803 158,552 478 19,951 14.049 339 1,181,011 138 34 42,103 I 68,144 190,275 22,514 40,505 | 84,951 ! 59,181 15,890 770 40,237 14,753 5,711 1.731 187,016 173,050 564 I 21,308 j 14,894 i 385 I 1,254,144 2,752 ' 34 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 ' 2 1 2 2 32 2 2 8 2 3 2 1 3 1 8 6 84 5 1 I 3 j Natural. Green's, Gore Bushy Park, Croydon Burnweil, North Chatton J. Mason G. M. Wilson W. Mclvor (P.) .. 29 12 18 1 1 1 20' 20' 20' 11 Fan. 3 Natural. | Ramsay's, North Chatton Springfield, Waikaka Valley Glenlee, Waikaka Edges, Grcenvale J. Broome N. Fletcher D. T. MeGill (P.) .. A. A. Edge (P.) .. 14 24 24 1 1 1 1 1 20' 17' 14' 14' 4 3 1 2 NaturaL Rossvale, Waikaia Waikaia, Waikaia Argyle, Waikaia Punchester Creek, The Key Mataura Collieries, Mataura R. Craig (P.) J. Johnstone H. C. Hutton J. A. Denton A. E. Barnes 14 9 26 15 21 10' 8' 12' 6' 17' 4 2 10 Exhaust steai Mataura Lignite Mine, Mataura .. Heatherlea, Waimumu Ota Creek, Wyndham Clarke's, Wyndham Glcnham, Wyndham Nightcaps No. 1, Nightcaps W. Coster (P.) I-'. Barber E. George (P.) 1'. Farrinston N. McEwan W. Barclay -:1 6 37 10 2 36 3 18' 10' 9' 12' 6' 8', 12', and 16' 28' 8 Natural. 1 2 i 2 I Brown Nightcaps No. 2, Xightcaps W. Barclay 1 ] 11 c I Two fam. 110 I Natural. TJ], -1. tv 1 vri_Uf n iv— i .— '"D v O 25' i „ Beattie's. Nightcaps ,. G. Beattie 3 9'

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New Brighton, Nightcaps Thistle Coal Company, Nightcaps Wairio, Nightcaps Wairio Rail and Coal Company, Wairio Coaldale Company, Nightcaps .. Wairaki, Nightcaps Beaumont, Nightcaps Mossbank, Nightcaps W.Dixon .. 11 | Brown .. 2 5'and 11' All J. Robertson .. 4 „ .. 1 9' 7' C. R. Heycoek ..12 „ ..2 5'to 17' All C. R. Heycock .. 3 „ ..1 Prospecting Bord and 1 pillar 1 Ditto .. 4,473 44,056 1,587 4,238 15,216 51,008 1,155 '.'. 350 650 11,584 1,872 765 1,467 2,312 3,314 15 349 20 312 35 1.1133 1.228 14,075 454 24.471 81 2,284 2,565.249 451,003 12,144,520 1,446,778 23,574,975 : 470,638 8,073,319 48,529 5,825 66,224 1,155 350 12,234 2,637 3,779 3,314 364 332 1,968 15,303 24.925 2,365 2,565,249 12.595,523 24,721.753 ' 8,543.957 5 2 6 1 4 2 6 2 1 1 275 590 1, 225 11 5 19 6 4 2 679 ,596 618 16 Exhaust steam. NaturaL J. Robertson (P.) .. j .. „ .... „ W. Exceli . . 4 „ . . 1 9' W.Crawford ..19 „ .. ] 20' 12' D. McKenzie (P.) .. 3 „ .1 12' 7' W.Smith (P.) ..2 „ .. 20' 20' W. J. McGregor .. 23 „ .. 1 20' 15' A. il. Mason .. 16 Lignite .. 1 7' 7' \V. J. Voight .. j 20 ..1 7' 7' •I. Xicol .. .. ! 30 ..1 10' 10' \V. Robinson (P.) .. 15 „ ..1 25' 18' W. Herrick .. 21 Brown .. 1 10' 10' N.Z. Tourist Dept. 17 Lignite .. 1 7' 7' irevious statements at which operations are suspended or abandoned Open Bord and pillar Open .. 7 4 6 Natural. Linton, Nightcaps Mount Linton, Nightcaps Wellwood Park, Pukerau Otikcrama, Pukerau Riverview, Gore Diamond Lignite, Seaward Bush Orepuki, Orepuki Lynwood, Te Anau Output of mines included in j; ii 2 3 1 Totals, Southern District, South Island Totals, West Coast District, South Island Totals, North Island Grand totals j 1890 not included in the above statement j 2,068,419 43,792,814 12,595,523 24.721,753 ' 8,543.957 1,090 2,893 275 679 590 1,596 225 618 954 2,186 843 3,983 45,861.233 — Output of some mines prior ti Shale exported, 1914 311,779 21 .. .. ■- 46,173,033* » This total includes 14,443 tons of oil-shale mined prior to 1914.

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1 APPENDIX 0. REPORT <>X THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS, Mines Department, Wellington, 11th November, 19is. The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. 1 have the honour to submit the following report of the, Boards oi Examiners under the Mining Act and Coal-mines Act for the year 1917—18. A meeting of the combined Boards was held on the 30th .January, 1918, to consider the work' of candidates at the, annual examinations. Before proceeding with the business the Chairman expressed the great regret of members at the. death of their former colleague, Mr, 11. A. Gordon, and their sympathy with Mrs. Gordon and other relatives of Hie deceased. The following new members were welcomed by the Chairman : Messrs. W. Carson, J. L. Gilniour, and Professor I). B. Waters. First-class mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act were granted to A. W. Whittlestone and G. Langford, and partial passes to T. McDonald, T. King, M. McLean, J, Neilson, W. E. Ilewitson, and C. Strongman. No second-class certificates were awarded, but It. W. Duncan was granted a partial pass. A first-class mine-manager's certificate, under the Mining /Yet was granted to G, W. Lowes, and a partial pass to W. H. Scott. A partial pass for second-class certificate was gained by J. J. Birch, while G. H. Metcalfe gamed a battery superintendent's certificate and L. J. Kitching a partial pass for same. The necessity of holding interim examinations was considered, and as it seemed that the Act required such examinations to be held, arrangements were duly made, and all candidates who had been unsuccessful at the December examinations were given an opportunity of sitting again in May. A meeting of the coal-mining members of the Board was held on the Ith July bo deal with the results of this examination, and first-class certificates were then issued to T. King, M. McLean, and C. Strongman, and a second-class certificate to -I. Robertson. A special meeting of the Board to deal with certificates under the Mining Act was not called, but with the approval of all the members a battery superintendent's certificate was granted to L. J. Kitching and a second-class mine-manager's certificate to J. J. Birch. Examinations for firemen-deputies and underviewers were held during the year at bluntly, Greymouth, and Kaitangata, and the following certificates were granted : Firemen-deputies: Alex. Wyse, William Eckersley, Thomas Caldwell, Henry Timms, William Frew, John Itodgers, Robert Oliver, John Joseph Cooper, P. G. Cruiekshanks, John Idris Lewis, Edward Kerry, Arthur Colledge, John Hale, Alex. Hill. Underviewers : David Mclvor, John Chippendale, A. .1. Honey, V. Armstrong, Job Makinson, Alex. Cain. P. G. Morgan, Chairman of Board. Appended are lists of persons wfio hold certificates of competency under the. Mining and Coalmines Acts :— LIST OF MINE - MANAGERS, BATTERY SUPERINTENDENTS, AND DREDGEMASTERS WHO HOLD CERTIFICATES UNDER THE MINING ACTS. FIBST-OLASS MINB-MANAGBBS' OEBTIFICATJfiS. Certificates of Service issued under the Mining Act, 1886, without Examination. Adams, H. H., Waiorongomai. Harrison, R. H., Goromandel. Ojuinn, E., To Aroha. Andrews, T., Thames. Hunter, R., Thames. Ralph, J. G., Thames. Barclay, T. H., Thames. James, P., Thames. Reid, P., Goromandel. Bennett, J., Alexandra. Jamieson, A., Goromandel. Roonoy, P., Reefton. Black, T., Waiomio. Jonkins, M., Wakatipu. Scott, T., Waiorongomai. Burch, W. H., Thames. Johnstone, H., Bluespur. Smith, J. E., Thames. Cameron, A., Maeetown. Kerr, J., Thames. Stone, F., Karangahake. Chapman, J. A., Dunedin. MoCullough, R., Thames. Sturm, A., Waipori. Davis, J. E., Queenstown. McGruor, Gr. N., Karangahake. Todd, C, Heriot. Edwards, J., Skipper's. Mcintosh, D., Bluespur. Treloer, J. S., Reefton. Elliott, J., Maeetown. Moore, H. W., Thames. Watson, T., Reefton. Evans, J. H., Skipper's. Morrisby, A. A., Glenorchy. Wearne, T., Endeavour Inlet. Prewen, J. 8., Queenstown. Newman, W., Naseby. Williams, J., Skipper's. Gilmour, T., Thames. ' Polton, A., Karangahake. Wylie, W., Ross. Glass, W. M., Naseby. Porter, J., Waipori. Young, G., Skipper's. Issued after Examination under the Mining Act, 1886, and Amendment Acts. Adams, 8., Thames. Fleming, M., Thames. Kruizenza, W., Reefton. Baker, W., Thames. Harris,'W., Thames. Logan, H. F., Wellington. Cochrane, D. L., Reefton. Horn, G. W, Thames. Mangan, T., Thames. Colebrook, J. D., Goromandel. Home, W., Coromandel. Mouat, W. G, Dunedin. Crawford, J. J., Thames. Horniok, M., Thames. Watkins, W. E., Reefton. Donaldson, W., Otago. Hosking, G. F., Auckland. Issued on Production of Certificate from a Recognized Authority outside the Dominion under the Mining Acts, 1886, 1891, 1898, 1905, 1908, and 1913. Argall, W. H., Gorumandel. Datson, J., Manaia. Hal), E. X., Reefton. Beokwith, L. H., Wellington. Dodd, William, Milton. McKenna, Thomas, Dunodiu. Brook, R. H. T., Reefton. Griffiths, A. P., Auckland. Molineaux, H. S., Gore. •Cook, J., jun., Ross. Griffiths, H. P., Auckland. Rioh, F. A., Auokland. Cock, W. Waiomio. Hailey, R. C, Dunedin. Williams, W. H, Auckland. Alluvial.

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FiBST-cr.ASS Mintc-managtcbs' Cicbttfioates — continued. Issued after Examination under the Mining Act,' 1891. Aguow, J. A., Thames. Koam, P. E., Thames. Paul, Matthew, Thames. Anneal, William, Reefton. Lawn, C. H., Capleston. Robertson, D. 8., Stafford. Arscott, R., Waihi. liiuek, P. W., Thames. Ross, Richard, Thames. Bennett, E. P., Thames. Morrison, R., Thames. Russell, Murray, Dunedin. Boydell, H. C, Coromandel. MoDermott, G., Thames. Shepherd, H. P., Thames. Bradley, R. J. H, Te Puke. McDermott, J., Thames. Stanford, W. J., Maeetown. Carroll, J., Lyell. McDermott, W., Thames. Tierney, R., Thames. Oartwright, E., Thames. McGregor, W. T., Thames. Vialoux, F., Goromandel. Orabb, J., Reefton. McKenzie, H. J., Coromandel. Warne, George, Thames. Evans, H. A., Wnllington, MoPeake, J., Thames. Waters, D. 8., Skipper's, (lilmour, J. L., Thames. O'Koeffe, M. D., Thames. White, G. H., Thames. Hodge, J. H., Thames. Paltridge,Henry, Thames. Whitley, A., Thames. Issued after Examination under the Mining Acts, 1898, 190,), and 1908. Allen, Henry, Waihi. George, M. T., Waihi. Morgan, William, Waihi. Autridgf, L. E., Thames. Goldsworthy, C, Karangahake. Morrison, William, Waihi. Baker, S. G., Thames. Giddsworthy, W., Coromandel. Move, Michael, Reefton. Barker, 8., Thames. Cordon, J. A., Toames. Oats, John, Black's Point, Reefton. Barrance, K. M., Karangahake. Grayden, P., Thames. O'Shea, J., Reefton. Bell, 0., Waihi. Greening, W., Karangahake, O'Sullivan, J. W., Tliames. Bennio, Boyd, Waihi. Gudgeon, C. W., Macrae's. Rimmer, J. C, Helensvillo. Bishop, Thomas Otto, Skipper's. Hitchcock, W. E., Barewood. R iddt-n, John, Reefton. Blenkhorn, C, Coromandel. Hooker, John, Coromandel. Ruffin, R. C, Reefton. Bolitho, Joseph, Reefton. Irwin, Samuel, Waihi. Saunders, W. H., Reefton' Bower, J. W., Coromandel. Jackson, G. T., Waihi. Scoblo, E, J., Waihi. Broad, R., Waihi. Johnson, J. H., Coromandel. Sheohan, D., Karangahake. Buddie, Frank, Goromandel. Kingsford, C, Waihi. Smith, Wallor, Karangahake. Bull, C. W., Waihi. langdon, H., Waihi. Spearing, J. R., Waihi. Caisley, John, Karangahake. Tiangford, G. S., Waihi. Stewart, P., Waihi, Carroll, A. M., Reefton. Lautour, H. A. de, Waihi. Stewart, R. A., Reefton. Carroll, John, Kuaotunu. Lawn, Nicholas, Reefton. Sullivan, T., Reefton. Carter, R. P., Waihi. Lewis, Ralph Reginald, Waihi. Thomson, J. R., Waihi. Clouston, R. R., Kaitangata. Lowes, G. W., Reefton. Thomson, Thomas, Waihi. Collier, E., Reefton, Maekie, Portland George A., Waihi. Thome, (I. M., Waihi. Cooper, J. H., Thames. MoOonaohie, W., jun., Waihi. Tucker, E. S., Goromandel. Cooper, Thornhill, Waihi. McDonald, R. M., Table Hill. Turner, O. W. E., Reefton. Cordes, F. M., Karangahake. MacDulf, R. B , Thames. Turnbull, E. V., Goromandel. Comes, J. G., Waihi. McGruer, A., Karangahake. Turner, C. E., Murehison. Docherty, W. H., Coromandel. MaoLaren, J. A. J., Coromandel. Ulrich, G. A. C, Waihi. Downey, J. F., Reefton. McMahon, J. H., Reefton. Walker, A. J., Waihi. Dutton, W. P., Waihi. McMahon, T., Reefton. Watson, J. L., Thames. Ellery, John, Reefton. McMillan, T., Waihi. Wood, P. H, Reefton. Fry, S., Waimangaroa. Mitchell, William J., Barewood. Wotherspoon, James, Waihi. Evered, N. J., Waihi. Moore, L. 0., Waihi. Issued under Section 31H of the Mining Act, 1891. Hornibrooke, H. P., Coromandel. Snow, Thomas, Huntly. White, John S., Karangahake. Martin, James, Reofton. Thomas, James, Thames. Williams, John, Kuaotunu. Rickard, John, Thames. Trelease, J. H., Thames. Certificates of Competency granted to Holders of Provisional Warrants under Section 3!i of the Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896. Alexander, Thomas, Deep Creek. Harvey, A. G., Goromandel. Mooroeraft, Walter, Coromandel. Argall, A. E., Coromandel. James, Robert, Thames. Morgan, William, Owharoa. Battens, H., Goromandel. Jamieson, John, Reefton. Moyle, Thomas, Thames. Bunney, Joseph, Waihi. Johns, Thomas, Waihi. Patton, William, Maeetown. Campbell, Alexander, Cullensville. Konnerley, W. H., Thames. Pearco, Francis, Reefton. Carlyon, Samuel, Coromandel. MoOombie, John. Karangahake. Pottor, William H., Thames. Oornes, C. A., jun., Karangahake. Mac Donald, H., Coromandel. Rillstono, Charles, Waipori. Daldy, Edward Arthur, Coromandel. McEnteor, James, Tararu. Somervell, John, Thames. Draffin, Samuel, Waitekauri. McLean, Benjamin J., Waitekauri. Thomas, Archelaus, Tapu, Thames. Parmer, 0. S., Waitekauri. Meehan, James, Wostport. Turnbull, Thomas A., Whangamata. Goldsworthy, William, Karangahake. Issued to Inspectors of Mines by virtue of Office under the, Mining Acts, 1886, 1891, and 1898. Binns, G. J., Dunedin. Green, E. R., Dunedin. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Cochrane, N. D., Westport. Hayos, J., Dunedin. Torment, R., Westport. SBOOND-OLASS Mine-.MANAiiuks' Cbbtificates. Certificates of Service issued under the Mining Act, 1891. Adams, W. J., Thames. Gribble, James, Norsewood. McNeill, George, Upper Kuaotunu. Agnew, J. A., Coromandel. Grimmoud, Joseph, Ross. Meagher, John, Karangahake. Argall, A. E., Coromandel. Guthrie, John, Wellington. Morgan, William, Upper Thames. Blair, Thomas, Kuaotunu. Hardman, James Edward, Thames. Moyle, Thomas, Thames. Bolitho, James, Reefton. Hetherington, William, Thames. Newdick, Alfred, Thames. Bremner, John, Coromandel. Hill, Alexander Grey, Waikakaho. O'fCeefo, M. W. D., Thames. Brokenshire, James, Thames. Hollis, Frederick J., Waihi. Page, John, Lyell. Brown, John, Macrae's. Hore, John, Wellington. Peebles, Alexander, Kuaotunu. Bunny, Joseph, Thames. Hornibrooke, H. P., Kuaotunu. Pettigrew, Robert, Sydney, Byrne, John, Karangahake, .lamioson, John, Reefton. Potts, W. H., Thamos. Comer, W. W., Thames. Jobe, Jamos, Thames. Primrose, J., Kuaotunu. Comer, George, Thames. Johns, Thomas, Thames. Richards, A. H., Kuaotunu. Corbett, T., Paoroa. Johnstone, William, Oollingwood. Rickard, John, Thames. Orabb, Thomas, Reefton. Kerr, George, Kamo. Rogers, William Henry, Kumara, Daniel, P. P., Greymouth. ICirker, Thomas, Thames. Shaw, James, Karangahake. Dobson, John Allen, Kuaotunu, Laughlin, David, Thames. Sligo, Alexander, Nenthom. Edwards, George, Westport. Law, John, Thames. Thomas, A., Thames. Ellery, John, Roefton. Loughlin, S., Thames. Thomas, James, Thames. Foster, Thomas, Wellington. Mackay, William, Nenthom. Thomson, John, Dunedin. Oemmings, Charles, Thames, Martin, David, Black's Point. White, John S., Karangahake. Gill, George, Thames. Martin, James, Reefton. Williams, James, Thames. Goldsworthy, Henry, Thames. Mayn, John, Coromandel. Williams, John, Thames. Goldsworthy, William, Mauku, Auok- McCombie, John, Karangahake. Wilson, J. G., Thames, land. McEwen, James, Reefton. Worth, Robert, Waihi. Issued after Examination under the Mining Acts, 1891, 1898, and 1908. Bennoy, J., jun., Paeroa. Draffin, S., Waitekauri. McNeil, A. H., Coromandel. Bennie, Boyd, Coromandel. Dunkin, T., Coromandel. Tilsley, G., Thames. Cahill, T. M., Upper Kuaotunu. Evans, H. A., Skipper's. White, F. H., Kuaotunu. Carroll, John, Upper Kuaotunu. Mathewson, A., Hyde. White, G. H., Thames. Christie, William, Waitekauri,

C—2

Second-class Mine- managers' Certificates— continued. Issued, under Section 313 of the Mining Act, 1891. Gonnon, William, Thames. Edwards, E., Coromandel. McCormick, W. J., Waitekauri. Certificates of Competency granted to Holders of Provisional Warrants under Section 3!i of the Mining Act Amendment Act, 1896. Allen, W. J., Coromandel. Davis, James, Goromandel. Martin, William, Tararu, Thames. Barney, Montague T., Waitekauri. Gardner, James, Waimangaroa. Murphy, Joseph, Coromandel. Brownlee, Henry, Thames. Howe, Albion S., Waitekauri. O'Brien, John, Westport. Collins, Charles, Waitekauri. Johnson, Frank IT., GollingwooJ. Preseott, Arthur J., Goromandel. Curtis, Charles, Taylorville. Kirwan, William, Reefton. Ruffin, Richard, Manaia, Ooromandei_ Certificates of Service issued under the Mining Amendment Act, 1910. Adams, Albert Augustine, Thames. Hansen, Charles Hans, Puketui. McKenzie, D., Georgetown. Adams, R. W., Thames. Hayes, James, Thames. Reid, George, Glenorchy. Barker, J. W., Coromandel. Hill, Harrold Alexander, Thames, Reynolds, Kdmond Francis, CoromanBrabyn, John, Clarendon. Hyde, Henry John, Karangahake. del. Butcher, F. J., Waitekauri. lies, E. J., Bannookburn. Sheehan, James, Thames. Donaldson, George, Macrae's Flat. Inglis, Robert, Kuaotunu. Tallentire, John, Waiorongomai. Gillan, Thomas, Thames. Kell, Arthur, Karangahake. Williams, John Paul, Puriri. Grace, Pierce, Waitekauri, liynch, James, Glenorchy. Battery Superintendents' Ckutificates. Issued under tlie Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894, without undergoing Examination. Adams, H. H., Waihi. Hope, John S., Waitekauri. Park, James, Thames. Aitken, R. M., Reefton, Hutchison, William, Karangahake. Shepherd, Henry Franklin, Waihi. Banks, Edwin Gripper, Waihi. Margetts, Frederick Ernest, Kuao- Sims, C P., Tararu. Barry, Hubert Percy, Waihi. tunu. Walker, James A., Kuaotunu. Goldsworthy, Henry, Kuaotunu. MoKenna, T. N., Tararu. Wilson, Arthur E., Waihi. Goldsworthy, John, Kuaotunu. McLellan, William, Waitekauri. Wilson, James Kitchener, Auckland. Greenway, H. Howard, Auckland. Noble, Jamos R., Karangahake. Issued after Examination under the Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894. Adams, A. A., Thames. Fuller, J. P., Kuaotunu. Morgan, P. G., Thames. Allen, P. 8., Thames. Gray, J. W., Waihi. Morrin, W. S., Thames. Allom, H. 0., Thames. Hayward, P. W., Komata. Noakes, H. L., Waihi. Ansley, Comyn, Paeroa. Horn, G. W., Kuaotunu. Raithby, R. W., Reefton. Ansley, Walter, Thames. Jaokson, J. H., Paeroa. Robinson, J. R., Waitekauri. Banks, J. H., Waihi. Jones, Achison, Waihi. Stafford, B. H., Waihi. Bowers, W., Thames. Kidd, P. D., Thames. Taylor, C. H., Tararu. Brown, A. E., Thames. Laurie, D. 8., Karangahake. Thorpe, A. H., Thames. Clarke, J. L., Thames. Lee, J. W., Reefton. Vercoe, R. 8., Thames. Clarke, R., Waitekauri. Macdonald, W., Waihi. Williams, A. G. R., Thames. Clarke, W. J., Waihi. McKenzie, H. J., Thames. Wingate, H. M., Maratoto. Day, A. T., Thames. McMicken, S. D., Thames. Winslow, G., Thames. Dixon, Clement, Waihi. Issued after Examination under the Mining Acts, 1898, 1905, and 1908. Adams, J. H., Coromandel. Eaton - Turner, Geoffrey William, McEwin, J. A., Reefton. Adams, J. H., Thames. Waihi. McKinlay, John, Waihi. Adams, Richard W., Tararu, Thames. Ellis, L. L., Waitekauri. McNeil, A. R., Karangahake. Airey, Hubert, Karangahake. Empson, J. 8., Karangahake. McPadden, J., Coromandel. Aitken, Alexander Hugh, Waihi. Evans, G. C, Waihi. Melrose, P., Waihi. Allen, D. V., Thames. Evans, J., Waihi. Metcal/, G. H., Karangahake. Allen, H. E.; Wellington. Evans, W. 8., Reefton. Montgomery, A. E., Opitonui. Anderson, David, Waihi. Ewen, H. P., Auckland. Morgan, Robert Jamos, Waihi. Andrews. T. T., Waihi. Fletcher, H. T., Katikati. Motherwell, William, Waihi. Auld, J. 8., Crushington. Fry, Sidney, Westport. Moyle, W. T., Upper Tairua. Baker, W. H, Thames. Puller, John P., Kuaotunu. Orbell, G. S., Waikouaiti. Banks, C. A., Waihi. Pyfe, A., Dunedin. Orr, F. S., Waiuta. Banks, E. J., Thames. Gardner, E. A., Reefton. Paßridge, P., Thames. Barrance, K. McK., Karangahake. Gibson, William, Waihi. Pond, H. C, Auckland. Barrett, J. J., Karangahake. Gilpin, J., Waihi. Quick, J. N., Thames. Barron, William E., Waikino. Gow, E. A., Crushington. Reid, J. E., Great Barrier. Baskett, E. G., Karangahake. Grayden, J., Waitekauri. Reynolds, E. A., Auckland. Bell, L. M., Waihi. Grayden, Peter, Thames, Roberts, H. C, Waihi. Bidlake, A. E., Waiomio. Grumitt, P. H., Thames. Rodden, William, Lyell. Bird, A. W., Thames. Gwilliam, Benjamin, Karangahake. Rosewarno, R. H., Thames. Bishop, T. ()., Reefton. Halliwell, L. V., Karangahake. Royse, W. G., Reefton. Blackadder, William, Crushington. Hargravos, E. P., Waihi. Sanford, A. G., Waihi. Bradley, R. J. H., Karangahake. Harsant, C, Puketui. Shaw, D. S., Waikino. Brown, F. M., Karangahake. Hay, Adam, Karangahake. Shaw, L. J., Waikino. Brown, J. E., Komata. Hazard, T. R. C, Waitekauri. Stephens, H., Dunedin. Brown, W. E., Reefton. Hitchcock, W. E., Barewood. Sutherland, J. A., Reefton. Browne, E., Waitekauri. Hogg, 8., Karangahake. Thomson, G. W., Bendigo. Burns, William, Waiomio. Hogg, T. R., Karangahake. Thurlow, J. R., Coromandel. Bush, E. P., Parawai. Horn, G. W., Kuaotunu. Tomlinson, A., Karangahake. Bush, George Arthur, Karangahake. Gillooly, T., Roxburgh. Tomlinson, David Mitchell, Barewood. Bush, H. R., Thames. Gillstrom, Carl A., Berlin's. Tomlinson, W. P., Dunedin. Campbell, Colin, Thames. Hutchison, R. M., Karangahake. Turnbull, E. V., Waihi. Carless, Noel, Waihi. Johnson, Edward, Waihi. Ulrich, G. A. C, Komata. Carpenter, W. E., Karangahake. Jones, R. D., Karangahako. Ulrich, Herstall, Whangapoua. Carroll, John, Kuaotunu. Kidd, R. 8., Waitekauri. Walker, Alfred James Diekson, Waihi. Garter, S., Waihi. Kingsford, A., Karangahako. Waters, D. 8., Waihi. Chappell, G. A., Karangahake. Kingsford, C, Waihi. Watson, A. 8., Waitekauri. Clark, John L., Waihi. Langford, G. S., Waikino. Watson, A. P., Crushington. Clarke, Thomas, Waihi. Launder, G. H., Waitekauri. Watson, J. P., Reefton. Ooote, J. M., Thames. Lawless, L. J., Paeroa. Watson, J. R., Reefton. Couper, J., Thames. Lawn, H., Reefton. Watson, W. A., Crushington. Oowles, R. X., Crushington. Littlejohn, W. D., Karangahake. Weame, W., Roefton. Crawford, H., Macrae's. Lovelock, J. E., Crushington. White, A. S. H., Karangahake. Crompton, H., Maratoto. Mackay, John, Crushington. White, E. D. Karangahake. Oroucher, Herbert, Waihi. Maltman, A., Reefton. Williams, A. C, Waihi. Dawson, 8., EUerslie. Mann, C., Westport. Williams, James, Reefton. Donnelly, Thomas, Waihi. Matheson, A. M., Barewood. Williams, Joseph, Reefton. Donovan, Willie, Waikino. Maxwell, W. L., Waihi. Williams, William Eustace, Waihi. Draffin, Eugene, Kuaotunu. MoDonall, P. H., Waihi. Wilson, A. P., Crushington.

a—2

Dredgemastf.rs' Certificates. Issued without Examination under the Mining Act, 1898, and Amendment Acts, 1901 and 1902. Anderson, L. 0., Alexandra. Hogg, Thomas, Cromwell. O'Leary, D., Waiau. Andrews, Ralph, Canvastown, Hoskins, Thomas, Maori Point. Olsen, Charles, Roxburgh. Baker, J. R., Alexandra. Hoy, Samuel, Alexandra. Parsons, J. D., jun., Clyde. Ballantyne, D., Miller's Flat. Inwood, W. J., Rocklands Beach. Percy, John, Clyde. Barnes, T. J., Beaumont. Johnston, E. A., Alexandra. Perkins, A. 0., Dunedin. Bradloy, Neil, Alexandra. Johnstone, Alexander, Cromwell. Pettigrew, George, Nelson Creek. Bennett, George, Gore. Kennedy, Angus; Alexandra. Poulter, G. W., Alexandra. Bennett, James, Kumara. Kitto, Edward T., Miller's Flat. Pringle, John, Miller's Flat. Blue, G. P., Alexandra. Kitto, Francis, Lowburn. Ray, J. 0., TotaraPlat. Brand, Peter, Waikaka. Kitto, J., Lowburn Ferry. Reeder, Philip, Bald Hill Flat. Brennan, Philip, Palmerston South. Kitto, John F., Miller's Flat. Rennie, Andrew, Roxburgh. Bremner, A. P., Lower Shotover. Kitto, W. H., Cromwell. Ross, Alexander, Cromwell. Brioe, William H., Cromwell. Kloogh, N. P., Lowburn Perry. Ross, Robert, Alexandra. Bringans, D., Alexandra. Lawson, Edward, Dunedin. Richmond, J., Gibbston. Brown, T. G., Ahaura. Ledingham, J., Bannockburn. Ritohie, J. S., Waitiri. Bunting, James, Murchison. Lee, George, Collingwood. Sanders, H. P., Clyde. Busbridge, P., Gore. Lidicoat, R. IT., Fern Flat. Sanders, John, Cromwell. Butler, Ewen, Roxburgh. Luke, S. J., Alexandra. Sanders, Thomas, Alexandra. Butler, M. J., Kanieri. Magnus, A., Roxburgh. Sohaumann, H., Alexandra. Cameron, Samuel, Alexandra. Magnus, Olaf, Box 130 a, Ohristehurch. Scott, M. G., Alexandra. Clarke, Edward, Port Chalmers. Mailer, John, Stillwater. Scott, Robert, Capleston. Compton, Albert, Dobson. Maitland, A. E., Miller's Plat. Shore, T. M., Queenstown. Cormack, W., Greymouth. McClure, P. C., Rongahere. Shore, William, Gore. Cornish, J. T., Miller's Flat. MoConnell, J., Cromwell. Simonson, Charles, Alexandra. Coutts, Henry, Miller's Flat. McCormack, D., Kanieri. Skilton, A. G., Old Diggings, Cowan, Alexander, Stillwater. McDonald, E. A., Waitiri. Sligo, N. X., Ahaura. Cowan, James, Nelson Creek. McDonald, J., Sofala. Smith, Alfred, Inangahua Junction. Orookston, W. L., Three-channel Flat. McDonald, John, Cromwell. Steel, Arohibald, Kawarau Gorge. Cumming, J. C, Beaumont. McGeorge, Alexander, Dunedin. Steel, Thomas, Dunedin. Curtis, Charles, Stillwater. MoGeorge, J., Dunedin. Templeton, Ivie, Rongahere. Cutten, W. H., Dunedin. MoGregor, D., Kanieri. Thompson, T., Miller's Flat. Deniston, R. A., Cromwell. MoGregor, G. R., Alexandra. Troy, G. C, Cromwell. Dewar, John, Alexandra. Mcintosh, D. J., Lowburn Ferry. Turnbull, W. D., Canvastown. Donaldson, J. G. A., Greenstone. McLean, I)., Waitiri. Tyson, John, Rongahere. Faithful, William, Greymouth. MoMath, D. C, Ross. Yon Haast, J. H., Clyde. Foohy, J. M., Alexandra. McMath, Thomas, Alexandra. Wallace, John A., Miller's Flat. Gibb, William, Croydon Siding. Mills, Edward, Murchison. Weaver, Charles, Alexandra. Gibson, A., Island Block. Mitchell, D. A., Dunedin. Williamson, R., Miller's Flat. Graham, J. M., Gore. Morel, C. G., Inangahua Junotion. Williamson, Walter, Miller's Flat. Grogan, William A., Miller's Flat. Morris, G. S., Cromwell. Wilson, S. W., Waikaka Valley. Hay, James, Dunedin. Murray, D., Clyde. . Wood, R. M., Cromwell. Hedley, A., Cromwell. Murray, Madget, Cromwell. Woodhouse, W. S., Roxburgh. Herbert, J., Beaumont. Neilson, S., Miller's Plat. Young, Andrew, jun., Roxburgh. Hewitt, James, Clyde. Nicholson, W. E., Alexandra. Issued after Examination under the Mining Acts, 1898, 1901, 1902, 1905, and 1908. Anderson, Andrew, Alexandra South. Fisher, Hurtle, Miller's Flat. Mayne, W. C, Nelson Creek. Anderson, Bertram, Maori Point. Foley, S., Lowburn Ferry. McCallum, W. S., Alexandra. Anderson, G. 8., Roxburgh. Forco, D., Inangahua Junction. McDonald, C. J., Waitiri. Archer, D. J., Ngakawau. Praser, W. J., Roxburgh. McDonald, G., Alexandra. Baird, William G., Clyde. French, T. E. X., Three-channel Flat. McGregor, Dougald S., Alexandra. Bardsley, John James, Cromwell. Gibson, William H., Cromwell. McKenzie, John, Roxburgh. Bate, H. T. G., Greymouth. Graham, Thomas Arthur, Gore. MoKinnon, John, Alexandra, Bishop, Hugh Arthur, Collingwood. Gunn, W. E., Beaumont. McLean, John, Roxburgh. Blair, G., Abbotsford. Guy, Donald, Cobden. Melvin, J. R., Roxburgh. Borthwick, Robert, Alexandra. Guyton, James, Dunedin. Merchant, Isaiah, Clyde. Bourke, John, Clyde. Harming, C. J., Clyde. Milne, John A., Roxburgh. Brent, C. D., Cromwell. Hansen, H. C, Throe-channel Flat. Moffitt, R. W., Miller's Plat. Briggans, Thomas, Alexandra. Harden, J., Stafford. Mollison, William, Stillwater. Briggans, William, Alexandra. Harliwiek, Matthew, Roxburgh. Moncrieff, Henry, Miller's Fla'. Broderick, T., Lyell. Hepburn, D. 0., Alexandra. Monson, C. H., Miller's Flat. Bruoe, J. A., Kawarau Gorge. Hewetson, Sydney, Nelson Creek. Morel, A. E., Noble's. Burley, J. P., Westport. Hogg, J., Nevis. Morel, L. H., Inangahua Junction. Burnside, Walter, Alexandra. Holdon, Charles, jun., Cromwell. Morgan, Harold, Roxburgh. Burton, A. P., Miller's Plat. Holden, John, Cromwell. Morgan, John, Alexandra. Callaghan, E., Three channel Flat. Hughes, John L., Miller's Plat. Morris, V., Cromwell. Campbell, G. W. T., Alexandra. Johnston, John, Maori Gully. Mouat, W. G., Greymouth. Carnegy, A., Three-channel Plat. Johnston, Louis, Beaumont. Munro, C. T., Waitiri. Carr, W., Alexandra. Jones, David Rowland, Island Block. Munro, Hugh, Alexandra South. Carter, W. W., Sandy Point. Jones, T. R., Miller's Flat. Munro, R. P., Ross. Chapman, Robert, Maori Point. Junker, Frank J., Berlin's. Murray, H. 8., Cromwell. Clark, D., Oallaghan's Creek. Kane, William, Clyde. Murray, Robert John, Canvastown. Clarke, R. S. 8., Alexandra South. Kean, P. P., Waikaka. Nelson, Edgar, Brunuerton. Coup, George, Albertown. Kellett, C. H., Dunedin. Nelson, George L., Brunnerton. Cox, R. D., Alexandra. Kennedy, A., Ophir. Newick, Albion Edgar Charles, Ban Craig, D. A., Shag Point. Kitto, Henry, Alexandra South. nockburn. Curno, C. 8., Alexandra. Kitto, John, Clyde. Nicholson, Charles S. G., Mataura. Dalton, J. R., Three-channel Flat. Linney, William, Island Block. Noble, William, Alexandra. Dalzell, T. L., Cromwell. Livingstone, D., Alexandra. Olsen, Hans, Alexandra. Donaldson, John, Lawrence. Lloyd, Arthur, Inangahua Junction. Omond, Thomas, Nevis. Downie, Henry, Totara Flat. Lloyd, Hubert, Lyell. Orknoy, H. E., Cromwell. Eaton, Edgar W., Alexandra. Mac Donald, 0. J., Cromwell. Orr, H. T., Cromwell. Elder, D. D., Roxburgh. MacGinnis, J. A., Cromwell. Orr, William W., Crumwell. Fache, S. C, Gore. MacGinnis, M. P., Alexandra. Parker, P. R., Roxburgh. Faithful, Alfred, Bannockburn. MacLaren, John, Alexandra. Paterson, J. 8., Miller's Flat. Parmer, Nathan C, Miller's Flat. Marklund, C. 0., Lowburn Ferry. Patterson, J., Clyde. Farquharson, George, Alexandra. Mathews, James Halbert, Miller's Plumb, E. H., Maori Point. Pilippi, S. de, Westport. Flat. Poppelwell, William, Alexandra. Findley, David, Dunedin. Matthews, A. A., Three-channel Flat. Rait, Hume, Albertown.

9—C. 2

C—2

DREDGEM ASTERS' CERTIFICATES— continued. Issued after Examination under the Mining Acts, 1898, 1901, 1902, 1905, and 1908 —continued. Ray, J. F., Bannockburn. Simpson, Edward Robert, Cromwell. Weir, R., Gore. Ray, Robert Marshall, Bannockburn. Sparrow, J. A., Upper Nevis. Weir, T. R., Cromwell. Reiderer, K.dward, Cromwell. Steele, Thomas, Alexandra. . Weir, W., Nevis. Reynolds, T., Greymouth. Steele, W. H., Miller's Flat. Wescombe, Alfred L., Island Block. Roberts, G., Three-channel Flat. Taylor, Alexander, Alexandra. Westcott, P. A., Miller's Flat. Robertson, D. J., Alexandra. Taylor, J. T., Dunedin. Williams, Frederick, Alexandra. Robertson, W. R., Alexandra. Theyers, C, Alexandra. Wilson, George, Marsden. Rooney, J. 8., Roxburgh. Theyers, J. W., Alexandra. Wilson, Stephen L., Inangahua JunoRumble, Charles, Ngahere. Turner, T. P., Moonlight. tion. Rumble, Joseph, Miller's Flat. Vickerman, E. M., Cromwell. Wood, W. W., Cromwell. Sanders, W. J., Ahaura. Walker, J. J., Alexandra South. Woodhouse, F., Bannookburn. Saunders, C. E., Cromwell. Wasserbrenner, M., Alexandra. Woodhouse, G. G., Waitiri. Sawle, J., Cromwell. Wathen, James, Miller's Flat. Wylde, G. R., Inangahua Junction. Sawyer, J. F., Alexandra. Watson, E. H., Collingwood. Sherwood, T. W., Greymouth, Weaver, P., Alexandra.

C—2

LIST OF PERSONS WHO HOLD CERTIFICATES UNDER THE COALMINES ACTS.

First-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886 and 1891. Aitken, T., Wendon. Kerr, G., Kamo. Shore, T., Oropuki. Alexander, T., Brunnerton. Lloyd, J., Invercargill. Smith, A. E., Nelson. Binns, G. J., Dunedin. Love, A., Whangarei. Smith, T. F., Nelson. Bishop, J., Brunnerton. Mason, J., Nightcaps. Sneddon, J., Mosgiel. Cameron, J., Denniston. May, J., Greymouth. Swinbanks, J., Kawakawa. Cochrane, N. D., Dunedin. Moore, W. J., Springfield. Taylor, E. 8., Huntly. Collins, W., Taupiri. Ord, J., Huntly. Thompson, A., White Cliffs. Dando, M., Brunnerton. Reed, F., Westport. Walker, J., Collingwood. Gray, J., Abbotsford. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886, 1891, 1905, and 1908, after Examination. Armitago, F. W., Auckland. Pox, R. A., Denniston. Milligan, J., Denniston. Armstrong, J., Brunnerton. Pry, Sydney, Waimangaroa. Milligan, N., Westport. Barclay, T., Kaitangata. Gibson, John, Westport. Morgan, William, Waihi. Barclay, W., Kaitangata. Gillanders, A., Shag Point. Mosley, J. T., Kaitangata. Bennie, Boyd, Waihi. Green, E. R., Abbotsford. Murray, T., Westport. Bishop, T. 0., Reefton. Green, J., Brunnerton. Newton, James, Brunnerton. Brown, J. C, Denniston. Hamilton, J. S., Burnett's Pace. Parsonage, W., Runanga. Burt, A., Waihi. Herd, J., Brunnerton. Pearson, W., Waihi. Campbell, Peter, Fairfield, Heycook, C. R., Nightoaps. Penman, A , Huntly. Carruthers, J., Shag Point. Hill, Robert, Abbotsford. Scoble, E. J., Waihi. Carson, W., Kaitangata. Hosking, G. F., Auckland. Smith, Georgo, Fairfield. Crookett, S., Millerton. Hughes, Job, Puponga. Sowerby, H., Denniston. Crowe, W., Ngakawau. Jebson, D., Canterbury. Talbot, H, Brunnerton. Davis, O. J., Runanga. Jones, T., Kimihin. Tattley, E. W., Huntly. Dixon, C. W., Granity. Langford, G. S., Huntly. Tattley, F. J., Mercer. Dixon, W., Kaitangata. Lcitch, J., Blackball. Taylor, A. H., Waikato. Duggan, George, Burnett's Face. Leitch, W., Blackball. Thomson, Thomas, Donnistou. Dunn, Andrew, Denniston. Marshall, A. G., Denniston. Turner, G. F., Shag Point. Dunn, W., Brunnerton. McCaffrey, Patrick, Ferntown. Wostfield, C. H., Fairfield. Dunn, W. R., Thames. McCormack, W., Denniston. Whitflesfone, A. W., Shag Point. Fleming, J., Kaitangata. MoEwan, Robert, Coromandel. Young, James H., Waimangaroa. Fletcher, James, Granity. McGeachie, J., Mokau. Issued under tlie Coal-mines Act, 1886, on Production of English Certificate. Binns, G. J., Dunedin. Cochrane, N. D., Dunedin. Reed, P., Wellington. Black, T. H., Waipori. Hayes, J., Kaitangata. Tattley, W., Auckland. Broome, G. H., Ngakawau. Hodgson, J. W., Ross. Issued to Inspectors of Mines by virtue of Office, under the Coal-mines Acts of 1.886 and 1891. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts of 1891, 1905, and 1908, on Production of Certificate from a recognized Authority oulsi.de the Dominion. Alison, J., Mangatini. Goold, A. L., Auckland. McAvoy, H, Christchurch. Alison, R., Greymouth. Hunter, Peter, Ngakawau. Morris, A., Huntly. Bayne, J. A. C, Roa. Irvine, James, Dunedin. Nelson, E., Hikurangi. Clark, W., Blackball. Jamos, Isaac Angelo, Westport. Tennent, R., Brunnerton. Davidson, Gavin, Blackball. Kane, !)., Denniston. Twining, C. E., Dunedin. Davies, D. J., Ngakawau. Kirkwood, D., Coromandel. Warson, Jimes, Greymouth. Fletcher, George, Westport. Lamont, J , Devonport. Watson, John, Blackball. Frame, Joseph, Kaitangata. Lewis, W., Blackball. Wight, E. S., Auckland. Gillick, J., Kaitangata. Mark, W. S., Kaitangata. Woods, William, Mokihinui. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued under the Coal-mines Act, 1891. Collier, Levi, Kamo. Lobb, Joseph, Mokau Smith, Ohurles, Whangarei. Clarke, Edward, Shag Point. Mcintosh, Allan, Shag Point. Thomas, Jamos, Springfield. Elliot, Joseph, Coal Creek. McLaren, J. M., Thames. Wallace, William, Huntly. Harris, John, Denniston. Murray, Thomas, Denniston. Willetts, John Morris, Papakaio. Herd, Joseph, Brunnerton. Radcliffe, William, Roefton. Young, William, Waimangaroa. Howie, James, Kaitangata. Sara, James, Reefton. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886, 1891, 1905, and 1908, after Examination,. Allan, J., Brunner. Cadman, J., Hikurangi. Davies, W. C, Huntly. Austin, W. 8., Sheffield. Campbell, Peter, Fairfield. Dixon, W., jun., Kaitangata. Ball, A., Kimihia. Carruthers, J., jun., Nightcaps. Doel, G., Lovell's Flat. Barber, John, Shag Point. Charles, E., Glentunnel. Duffy, Frank, Burnett's Face. Barclay, T., Kaitangata. Cherrie, R. C, Mokau. Duncan, James, Kaitangata. Barclay, T., jun., Kaitangata. Christie, James, Saddle Hill. Duncan, J. E., Kaitangata. Barclay, William, Kaitangata. Clemo, G, Whangarei. Duncan, John, Lovell's Flat. Barnes, A. E., Shag Point. Craig, John, Coal Creek Plat. Ferguson, A., Kaitangata. Broome, J., jun., Gore. Crookett, S., Millerton. Ferguson, G., Roa. Brown, Robert, Kaitangata. Dale, E. G., Kaitangata. Fox, R. A., Blackball.

10—C. 2.

a—2

Second-class Mine-managkrs' Certificates— continued. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts, 1886, 1891, 1905, and, 1908, after Examination, —continued. Harris, A., Saddle Hill. McLilland, J., Kaitangata. Price, F. J., Burnett's Face. Henitson, W. E. G., Burnett's Face, McLelland, A. C, Kaitangata. Scoble, E. J., Blaokball. Heyes, T., Kaitangata. McNeill, D., Fab field. Snow, T., Mercer. Heycock, C. R., Nightcaps. Milligan, J., Denniston, Tattley, P. J., Mercer. Hill, R., Abbotsford. Mills, Walter, Huntly. Taylor, Joseph, Collingwooi. Hodson, John, Kaitangata. Morganty, Louis. Ngakawau. Thompson. Joseph, Blackball. Hughes, Job, Roa. Mosley, J. T., Stirling. Thomson, James, Nightcaps. Hunter, A., Southland. Neilson, J., Runanga. Todd, T , Nightcaps. Kolls, F. H., Denniston. Neilson, Moffat, Abbotsford. Waldie, A. 8., Mokau. Lewis, David, Puponga. Newburn, S., Kaitangata. Watson, A , Soldier's Greek. Lewis, J., Nightcaps. Ogilvie, W. W., Saddle Hill. Westfield, C, Fairfield, Otago. Lindsay, J. 8., Orepuki. Orr, Hugh, Fairfield. Whiti.lestone, A. W., Shag Point. Lowden, W., Millerton. Paroell, W., jun., Bannockburn. Whittlestono, G. F., Abbotsford. McAllister, Neil, Kaitangata. Penman, C. P., Kaitangata. Issued under the Coal-mines Acts of 1891, 1905, and 1908, on Production of Certificate from a recognmed Authority outside the Dominion. Arundel, W., Hikurangi. Inglis, A., Huntly. Molnny, C. V. P., Auckland. Baxendale, J., Mine Creek. Jones, T., Kimihia. Newbum, F., Roa. Black, J., Granity. Kerr, D., Collingwood. Parsonage, W., Dunollie. Boyd, J., Hikurangi. Lennox, W., Springfield. Penman, A., Huntly. Brownlie, T., Huntly. Little, W., Wellington. Provan, P., Runanga. Burt, A., Huntly. Littlewood, G. G., Denniston. Robertson, R., Roa. Clarkson, S., Kaitangata. Longstaff, H. C. Kaitangata. Sneddon, j., Blaokball, Cross, G., Hikurangi. McCall, John, Wellington. Strachan, J., Dunedin. Dickinson, W., Gore. MoGeaehie, J., jun., Mokau. Tennant, D., Paparoa. Eyeington, G., Huntly, McGuiro, P.. Mount Somers. Talbot, H., Huntly. Greenwell, R., Huntly. McGuiro, William, Seddonville. Webb, T. E., Huntly. Grenall, S., Granity. MoHardy, A. J., Fcrntown. Underviewers' Certificates. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909. Allan, James, Puponga. Hawthorn, James, Puponga. Newlands, George, Brunnerton. Attrill, Charles Waterford, Mercer. Hunter, Peter, Ngakawau. Nimmo, Thomas, Papakaio. Berry, A. H, Huntly. Johnston, William Crowan, Gore. Nimmo, William, Ngapara. Bond, John, Waikaia. Johnstone, Thomas, Denniston. Penman, John, Denniston. Boustrage, T. Hubort, Brunnerton. Leviok, Harry, White Cliffs, Proctor, William, Kaitangata. Broome, James, Gore. Marsh, Charles George, Glentunnel. Robertson, William, Mosgiel. Clough, Henry, Millerton. Muncaster, William, Runanga. Todd, Thomas, Nightcaps. Davidson, William, Mine Creek. McAlister, Robert, Kaitangata. Walker, John, Blackball. Davis, William, Runanga. McGrane, Reginald, Seddonville. Williams, William, Kaitangata. Donaldson, James, Kaitangata. McKenzie, David, Nightcaps. Wilson, Daniel, Kaitangata. Flynn, John, Bannockburn. McNeill, William, Fairfield. Winter, John, Denniston. Green, Richard, Abbotsford. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909, after Examination. Ainscough, William, Huntly. Hewitson, W. E. G., Burnett's Face O'Brien, D. Q., Mangatini. Armstrong, V., Runanga. Honey, A, J., Burnett's Pace. Peacock, Thomas, Denniston. Atkinson, John, Puponga. Hughes, T. G., Huntly. Pear.-on, William, Burnett's Face. Bishall, J., Puponga. Hunter, Peter, Stockton. Pendleton, Samuel, Blackball. Berry, A. H., Huntly. Jaok, W., Millerton. Powell, Isaao, Rewanui. Boddv, A. J., Rewanui. Johnston, C. M., Seddonville. Rogers, James, Ngakawau. Brcnnan, John, Kaitangata. King, T. H.. Granity. Stroi gman, C. J., Cobden. Brown, Charles Henry, Denniston. Lowden. William, Millerton. Sweeney, J. L., State Collieries. Carson, F. Kaitangata. Maher, William, Denniston. Thomson, James, Huntly. Chippendale, John, Westport. McDonald, Thomas, Ngakawau. Tucker, J., Kaitangata. Clark, W. S., State Collieries, Molvor, D., Runanga. Turnbull, E. V., Thames. Dowgray, John, Granity. McKernan, John, Millerton. Turner, Alfred, Kiripaka. Duffy, F., Burnett's Face. McLean, Malcolm, Granity. Purton, J., Huntly. Dymond, John, Mine Creek. McLeod, J. G.. Millerton. White, Edward, Ngaruawahia. Griffen, J., Kaitangata. Morganty, L., Stockton. Wbittiestone, G. F., Abbotsford. Hadcroft, John, Dunollie. Moslev, J. T., Denniston. Williamson, W. R., Rewanui. Hall, Thomas, Kaitangata. Nicholson, D., Huntly. Young, Joseph, Huntly. Issued under the Goal-mines Amendment Act, 1910. Boardsmore, E., Denniston. Jonos, David, Nightcaps. Mason, Edward, Kingston Crossing. Cuthberlson, Robert, Fairfield. Jones, Morris, Nightcaps. Mitchell, Alexander, Runanga. Evans, William, Abbotsford. Jones, W., Waikaka Valley. McCnughern, John, Kaitangata. Fisher, T., Westport. Kitto, Richard, Kaitangata. Neill, S., Kawakawa. Gibson, M., Abbotsford. Mai derson, P., Runanga. Newburn, S., Kaitangata. Greene, M , Kaitangata. Mann, D., Granity. Statbam, Robert, Kaitangata. Hadcroft, J., Runanga. Marshall, J. W., Weftport. Walker, J. R., Brighton. Hunt, W., Shag Point. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, on Production of Certificate of Corresponding Class granted in any British Possession or Foreign Country. Martin, Elias, Ngakawau. Middleton, Robert, Runanga. Firemen ai*d Deputies' Certificates. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909. Aitkon, George, Glentunnel. Boyd, Robert, Waronui. Chamloy, William, Millerton. Allan, A. George, Abbotsford. Bradley, Robert, Denniston. Clausen, EmilP.,c/o J. Worthington, Allan, Charles, Brunnerton. Buchols, Joseph, Waikaka. 33 Hiropi Street, Newtown, WelBeardsmore, Edward, Denniston. Burgess, William Charles, E. Gore. lington. Berry, Albert Henry, Huntly. Callaghan, Frederick, Kiripaka. Connelly, Michael, Denniston. Blaney, James, sen., Kaitangata. Campbell, Samuel, Millerton, Connew, John, Puponga.

a—2

Firemen and Deputies' Certificates— continued. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1909 —continued. Coppersmith, John, Denniston. Higgins, Thomas James, Denniston. McKenzie, James, Nightoaps. Goulthard, Thomas, Brunnerton. Hislop, William, Denniston. Ne-vburn, Robert, Kaitangata. Gowan, Robert Black, Gibbston. Holden, Samuel, Granity. Newburn, Samuel, Kaitangata. Cuthbertson, Robert, Fairfield. Housley, Benjamin, Huntly. Nicholas, William, Kaitangata. Davis, Evan, Denniston. Howe, George Charles, Shag Point. Oliver, William, Kaitangata. ' Deoming, William, Hikurangi. Jackson, Samuel, Millerton. Parcell, Henry Clyde, Bannockburn Dellaway, Archibald, Denniston. Jarvie,William Marshall, Kaitangata. Park, Francis, Stirling. Dickson, Richard, Hikurangi. Jaspers, George P., Denniston. Penman, Robert, Kaitangata. Dillon, Lawrence M., Nightcaps. Jenkins, James, Ngakawau. Richards, Jamos, Brunnerton. Duncan, Frank, Huntly. Johnston, 0. Mountier, Soddonville. Rodgers, Edwin, Kaitangata. Duncan, Hugh, Kaitangata. Jones, David, Nightcaps. Sanderson, John, Kurow. Evans, John, Granity. Kaye, Charles, Runanga. Soott, Charles, Nevis. Evans, William, Abbotsford, Kitto, Richard, Kaitangata. Scott, John, Runanga. Findlav, Charles, Denniston. Leeming, J. T., South Malvern. Smith, William, Seddonville. Foot, Frederick Ernest, Denniston. Lutton, William, Millerton. Snedlon, James, Blackball. Gibson, Matthew, Abbotsford. Mann, Duncan, Millerton. Statham, Robert, Kaitangata. Gibson, Robert, Millerton. Mason, William, Denniston. Taylor, David, Roa. Gilmour, William, Millerton. Mears, Andrew David, Runanga. Taylor, James, Springfield. Glover, Richard, Runanga. Monorieff, Thomas, Nightcaps. Thin, William, White Cliffs. Gray, Thomas, Abbotsford. Moore, Thomas, Mangatini. Travis, James, Alexandra South. Gribben, John, Kaitangata. Morganty, Charles, Ngakawau Tripp, Albert, Kaitangata. Headcroft, Jamos, Runanga. Murdoch, Colm McColl, Stirling. Wallace, John, Mataura. Hamilton, John, Hikurangi. McCaffrey, James, Seddonville. Wardrope, Francis, Hikurangi. Hargreaves, Charles, Millerton. McCaughern, John, Kaitangata. Watson, Andrew, Roa. Harris, John, Reefton. McDonald, John T., Millorton. West, George Thomas, Waronui. Harris, Joseph T., Saddle Hill. McGarry, Isaac, Millerton. White, James, Roa. Hartley, John, Denniston. McGhee, William, Kaitangata. Wilson, Walter William, Springfield Hay, James, Denniston. McGill, Douglas Thomas, Waikaka. Young, Thomas Gardner, Waikaia. Heron, Ralph, 'Kimihia. McGill, John, Huntly. Issued under the Goal-mines Amendment Act, 1909, after Examination. Allan, George, Huntly. Hawkins, Joseph, Burnett's Face. Pearson, William, Burnett's Face. Allan, James, Brunnerton. Hendry, John, Millerton. Pendleton, S., Blackball. Anderson, Walter, Blackball. Hicks, J. R., Kiripaka. Phillips, J., Puponga. Armstrong, V., Runanga. Hill, E. E., Brunnerton. Ponton, F., Millerton. Atkinson, J., Puponga. Hilton, Thomas, Denniston. Powell, J., Dunollie. Baddeley, Jesse, Dunollie. Hogg, C, Blackball. Pratt, Alexander, Millerton. Ball, A., Kimihia. Honey, Archibald John, Denniston. Ralph, J., Huntly. Birchall, J., Burnett's Face. Hopkinson, Joseph, Seddonville. Ramsay, J. MoK., Kaitangata. Blair, Peter, Huntly. Hughes, T. E., Huntly. Reed, W. H., Hikurangi. . Boddy, Archibald John, Runanga. Inuos, Andrew, Runanga. Reid, Henry, Millerton. Bond, W. T., Huntly. Ishorwood, T., Runanga. Reid, Henry, Huntly, Brennen, J., Kaitangata. James, F. T., Seddonville. Richardson, W., Dunollio. Broadbent, Samuel, Huntly. Johnson, J. H., Hikurangi. Robson, W., State Collieries. Brown, J., jun., Denniston. Johnson, Thomas, Huntly. Rodgers, J., Ngakawau. Buchanan, William, Millerton. Jones, 8., Millerton. Rogors, A. G., Kaitangata. Burdon, George, Denniston. Jones, J., Hikurangi. Rowse, J., Runanga. Burt, T., Huntly. Jonos, J., Kimihia. Ruston, Edwin Walter, Huntly Caldcr, Thomas, Ngakawau. King, Thomas Henry, Granity. Rutherford, W. R., Kaitangata. Caldwell, Tnomas, Blackball. Lancater, Herbert, Puponga. Soott, James, Blackball. Gallaghan, M., Blackball. Lauder, Matt Gurrie, Runanga. Seddon, William, Huntly. Campbell, J. C., Glentunnel. Lowden, W., Millerton. Sharp, J. R., Kaitangata. Carson, Frederick. McAuley, P., Ngakawau. Shore, W. M., Taratu. Chadwick, A., Millerton. McAvoy, William, Ngakawau. Smith, C. 8., Dunollie. Chapman, A. E., Kaitangata. McDonald, J., Ngakawau. Smith, J. A., Seddonville. Chippendale, J., Millerton. McDonald, Thomas, Burnett's Face. Smith, Thomas W., Millerton. Clark, W. S , Dunollie. McGovern, R., Wairio. Smith, W. A., Denniston. Clarke, S., Roa. McGuinness, E., Runanga. Snell, J., Kaitangata. Cleveland, F. L., Kaitangata. Mclvor, David, Runanga. Southward, William, Runanga. Connolly, John, Runanga. McKenty, H , Denniston. Strongman, Charles James, Cobden. Connolly, John Joseph, Runanga. MoKernan, John, Millerton. Sutherland, J., Millerton. Gowan, J., Millorton. McLaughlin, J. W., Huntly. Sweeney, John Lewis, Runanga. Cruikshank, P. G., Runanga. McMillan, John, Huntly. Tate, Anthony, Seddonville. Curragh, A., Burnett's Face. McMillan, John, Kaitangata. Taylor, Christopher, Millerton. Gurran, James, Ngakawau. McMillan, R., Kaitangata. Thawley, William, Denniston. Cuthbertson, John, Glentunnel. Mackinson, Job, Hikurangi. Thomson, J., Huntly. Danks, Peter, Millerton. Maddison, W., Huntly. Thomson, Thomas, Mine Greek. Darby, W., Huntly. Maher, W., Denniston. Throp, J., Kaitangata. Davidson, Thomas, Mine Creek. Makepeace, Henry, Runanga. Tunstall, A. G., Hikurangi. Davies, P., Puponga. Martin, T. N., Huntly. Tunstall, W., Hikurangi. Davis, Oliver James, Runanga. Miles, B. C, Millerton. Tumor, P., Kiripaka. ■ Delaney, J. E., Puponga. Mitchell, A., Seddonville. Turton, John, Huntly. Dowgray, John, Millerton. Morganti, Louis, Millerton. Unwin, Jamos, Runanga. Downes, William Norbury, Cobden, Moroland, S., Hikurangi. Veitcb, D., Blackball. Duggan, Francis, Runanga. Moslev, J. T., Denniston. Vurlow, Frederick Alexander, DenDunsdale. George, Rewanui. Moyo, John Patrick, Denniston. niston. Dutton, John, Granity. Myers, Richard, Millerton. Walker, W. J., Granity. Dymond, J., Millerton. Nicholson, David, Huntly. Wallwork, Moses, Runanga. Eckersloy, W., Paparoa. Nicholson, J., State Collieries, Wear, Daniel, Huntly. Fairliurst, R. W., Huntly. Niven, Peter, Ngakawau. Webster, Oliver, Huntly. Fannigan, P., Ngakawau. Nolan, John, Granity. White, Edward, Granity. Ferguson, A., Kaitangata. Nuttall, John, Blackball. Williamson, W. R., Rewanui Forrest, John, Runanga. O'Brien, Denis Quinsin, Millorton. Wilson, J. T., Kamo. Gox, Henry John, Blackball. O'Brien, Martin, Millerton. Wilson, W., Shag Point. Gilligan, H., Runanga. O'Fee, J., Kaitangata. Woods, A., Millerton. Green, T., Kaitangata. Parker, Andrew, Greymouth. Wood, W., Huntly. Griffen, James, Kaitangata. Parr, Joseph, Burnett's Paoe. Worthington, T., Millerton. Hall, R. H., Huntly. Parrott, W., Waiuta. Wyse, A., Blackball. Hall, Thomas, Kaitangata. Paul, James, Seddonville. Young, Joseph, Huntly. Hurdle, J., Millerton. Pearson, James Thomas, Mataura. Young, Thomas, Granity. Harvey, D., Huntly. Pearson, Samuel G., Burnett's Pace.

C—2

FIBEMBN AND DkPOTIKS' CeBTIFICATISS— conUwued, Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1910. Broadfoot, W., Millerton. Halscy, W. J., Saddle Hill. Molntosh, A. S., Shag Point. Burgess, K. 8., Waikaka. Hartshorne, W. C, Brunnerton. Mclvor, W., Waikaka. Cain, Alexander, Waikaia. Hodgetts, 1., Burnett's Face. Nolson, J. H , Pukorau. Cameron, D., North Chatton. Hunt, William, Shag Point. Ramsey, George, Waikaka. Churchill, S. G., Alexandra South. Junker, P. A., Waikaia. Robinson, R., Ngakawau. Glasen, Charles, Shag Point. Kidd, G. C, Albury. Russell, H. C, Bannockburn. Crabbe, George, Alexandra South. King, J., Granity. Saunders, W., Denniston. Gumming, J. S., Denniston. Lee, S., Nightcaps. Stevenson, J., Shag Point, Cunningham, Thomas, Kaitangata. Mackie, N., Kaitangata. Thomas, 8., Denniston. Dixon, A., Nightcaps. McAuley, John, Kaitangata. Tinker, G., Nightoaps. Garroy, W., Kaitangata. MoClimont, John, Mount Somers. Whittlestone, G. P., Abbotsford. Gray, Hugh, Dunedin. MoDowell, R., Nightcaps. Issued under the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, on Production of Certificate of Corresponding Class granted in any British Possession or Foreign Country. Barr, T., Coalgate. Davies, W. C., Huntly. Quinlan, A. E., . Coan, R., Huntly. Maloolm, A., Nightcaps. Tucker, J., Kaitangata.

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MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. W. D. S. MacDONALD, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1918 Session I-II, C-02

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