MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. G. J. ANDERSON, MINISTER OF MINES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1923 Session I-II, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT.

CONTENTS. PAGE Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. l_(j Introduction .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . . . . J Mineral-production .. .. .. .. . . .. .. , . 1 Gold and Silver Mining . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Iron-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. • .. .. .. 2 Tungsten (Seheelite) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Cinnabar .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 2 Petroleum . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Coal-mining . . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .. 2 Investigations, New Zealand coals . . .. ... .. .. .. 3 Persons employed in or about Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. 3 Mining and Quarry Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3, 4 Geological Survey . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 4 Stage Aid to Mining . . .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 4 Government Prospeoting-drills . . .. . . . . . . . . 4 Subsidized Prospecting .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 4 Roads and Tracks . . . . .. .... . . . . . . 4 Schools of Mines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Government Water-races . . .. .. . . . . .. . . 4 Miner's Phthisis Act .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 5 State Collieries . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5, 6 State Firewood Depot .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 5 James Mine . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 5 Output and Sales . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5, 6 Items from Balance-sheet .. .. .. .. . . .. .. (i Tables to accompany Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. 7-10 No. 1. Export of Minerals and Coal-output .. .. .. .. .. 7 No. 2. Gold—Quantity and Value exported .. .. .. .. .. 8 No. 3. Coal—Output from different Fields .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 No. 4. Coal —Output of different Classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 No. 5. Coal and Oil-shale —Annual Production ; Coal Imported .. .. .. 9 No. 6. Coal —Imports .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Exports : Bunkers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Exports : Cargo .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 No. 7. Number of Persons employed in Mining .. .. .. .. .. 10 Appendices to the Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. 11-42 Appendix A. —Reports relating to Metalliferous Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. 11-25 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. .. .. 11-16 I. Minerals: Produced .. .. .. .. ... .. 11 Exported .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 11. Persons employed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 IV. Gold-mining : Bullion-production ; Dividends declared ; Persons employed ; Number of Mines and Dredges .. .. .. 12, 13 (1.) Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 (2.) Dredge Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 (3.) Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 V. Minerals other than Gold .. .. .. .. .. .. 13, 14 Tungsten-ore . . .. .. . . .. .. .. 13 Iron . . . . .. .. .. .. .. . . 13 Cinnabar .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 Petroleum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14

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Appendices to the Mines Statement continued. Appendix A— continued. Report by Inspecting Engineer — continued. PAG E VI. Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Quarrying Operations .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Quarry Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 VLI. State Aid to Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 14, 16 (1.) Subsidized Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. 14, 15 (2.) Government Prospecting-drills .. .. .. .. 16 (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields . . .. . . .. 16 (4.) Government Water-races .. .. .. . . . . 16 (5.) Schools of Mines .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Annexure A —Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. . . .. 17-23 Northern Inspection District .. .. .. .. .. .-. 17-19 Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17-19 Quicksilver. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Oil-wells .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast District .. .. . . . . 20-22 Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. . . ... .. 20,21 Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 21 Dredging .. . . . . .. . . .. .. . . 2.1 Alluvial Mining . . . . . . .. . . .. .. 22 Iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 Petroleum .. .. . . .. .. . . . . .. 22 Southern Inspection District . . .. .. .. . . .. 22, 23 Quartz-mining .. . . .. .. .. . . . . 22, 23 Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22,23 Dredge Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 23 Scheelite, Cinnabar, Phosphate Rock, Molybdenite, Ochre .. .. 23 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Annexure B —Mining Statistics .. .. .. .. .. .. 24, 25 Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained .. .. .. ..21,25 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 West Coast District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 Southern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 Appendix B —Reports relating to the Inspection of Coal-mines . . .. . . 26-42 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. .. . . 26-30 Section I. Coal Output and Imports .. .. .. .. .. 26 Section 11. Persons employed .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 Section 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Section IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act .. .. .. .. .. 28, 29 (a.) Permitted Explosives .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 (b.) Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 (c.) Electricity at Collieries .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 (d.) Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 Section V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining .. .. .. .. .. 29, 30 Annexure A —Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 30-38 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30-32 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 Prosecutions .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 31 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Welfare .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 West Coast District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32-35 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34, 35 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. . . .. .. 35 Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 Boring at Dobson .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 35 Onakaka Prospecting Operations .. .. .. .. .. 35 Southern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35-38 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. . . .. .. 38 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Annexure B—Colliery Statistics .. .. .. .. .. .. 39-42

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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. G. J. ANDERSON, MINISTER OF MINES.

Mr. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament my third annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended the 31st December, 1922. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metalliferous mines, stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, and of coal-mines during 1922 and 1921 :—•

The value of minerals, including kauri-gum, exported and of the coal used in the Dominion, which is shown in table No. 1 accompanying this statement, amounted to £3,171,105, as compared with £2,919,453 during 1921. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1922 amounted to £149,844,257.

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L922. 1921. MineraL i Quantity. Value. Quantity. Vuluo. £ 551,875 oz. 547,105 ton 231 38/t, tons 1,785 873" „ 2,619 Gold and silver* Quicksilver Tungsten-ore Sulphur Iron Asbestos Stone Pumice Coal £ 520,287 ox. 574,988 .If, ton 231 81 tons 627 318,087 3,020 „ 9,320 1,857,819 „ 1,857,819 358,362 2,945 „ : 7,958 1,809,095 „ 1,809,095 Totals £2,761,072 £2,727,205 * The gold-ailve: bullion is generally exported unseparated.

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GOLD AND SILVER MINING. The following statement shows the quantity and value of bullion-production, the dividends paid by registered companies, and the number of productive claims and gold-dredges during 1922 and 1921 :—

The bullion produced during the year from the quartz-mines in the Dominion was less in quantity by 39,653 oz. than that produced in 1921, though the value increased by £6,001. The yield from alluvial mining was less in quantity by 98 oz., and in value by £9,178. The production of gold by dredging increased markedly, the quantity of gold obtained being more than double that of the previous year, while the value shows an increase of approximately 86 per cent. This satisfactory increase is largely attributable to the successful operations of the Rimu Flat Dredge at Rimu, near Hokitika. The results there obtained by the use of a modern dredge give promise of leading to a very great extension of gold-dredging in Westland and elsewhere. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD AND SILVER. As stated in my report for last year, the Onakaka Iron and Steel Company obtained very satisfactory results from a trial run of the blast furnace. Operations this year have been confined to the erection of a wharf to serve the works, and it is expected in the near future to reach the production stage. The scheelite deposits were not worked during the year on account of the unprofitable price ruling. Development and prospecting operations were continued on the Cinnabar lodes during the year. At Mount Mitchell claim a Navak type of furnace was erected, and a plant for treating ore was constructed at the Rising Sun. Mine, Puhipuhi. The search for petroleum was continued at Kotuku, near Greymouth, but without success up to the present. The Taranaki Oil Wells (Limited) produced 5,190 gallons of crude oil, and the Blenheim Oil Company 3,500 gallons. COAL-MINING. The output of several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows : —

Class of Gold-mining. Produotioi i of Bullion. Divic paid by E Coin pi lends Number of Produoiegistered tivo Claims and inies. DrodguM. 1921. 1922. 1921. 192 22. 192 31. 1922. 1921. I Quartz Alluvial Dredging Oz. 488,202 16,620 15,465 £ 439,489 68,260 67,239 Oz. 527,855 16,718 7,302 £ 433,488 77,438 36,179 £ 51 ,991 1,040 £ 53,791 20 23 2,337 149 150 600 1 1 11 23 150 II Totals 520,287 574,988 551,875 547,105 53,031 56,728 180 184 L84

Glass of Coal. Northern District (North Island). Output of Coal during 1922. West Coast Southern District Distriot (South Island). (South Island). To: a!. Total Output to ihe End of 1922. Tons. 89,575 Tons. 878,863 Tons. Tons. 968,438 Tons. 34,917,970 Bituminous and semi-bitu-minous Brown ... Lignite 430,578 480 640 279,275 178,408 710,333 179,048 17,290,650 3,342,687 Totals for 1922 ... 520,153 879,983 457,683 1,857,819 55,551,307 Totals for 1921 ... 514,607 810,875 483,(513 1,809,095 53,693,488

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it is pleasing to note that there has been an increase of 48,724 tons in the production of coal during the year. The increase in bituminous and brown coals is 84,806 tons, while lignite has declined 36,082 tons. Importations, 85 per cent. of which came from Australia, decreased by 320,981 tons. Investigations, New Zealand Coals. The brown-coal and lignite mines of the Dominion are seriously handicapped in their operations by the difficulty experienced in marketing the small coal, which, results from screening for household purposes. The effect is that the small coal, if disposed of, is sold at prices below the cost of production, and this loss has to be made up from the sale of the screened coal, thus increasing very seriously the cost to the consumer of household coal. This is a matter to which I and my officers have paid, considerable attention during the year with a view to investigating the possibilities of increasing the market for small coal. If low - temperature carbonization or briquetting were commercially practicable the present difficulty would be overcome. To ascertain definitely the possibilities, an investigation is being undertaken by the Dominion Analyst, the necessary plant for conducting the tests having recently been procured from England by the Mines Department for that purpose. In addition, two representative samples of coal from the Waikato, and two from Otago and Southland, have been forwarded, for test purposes to Professor W. A. Bone, of the Imperial College of Science, London, the recognized authority in the Empire on the low-temperature carbonization of coal. When the results of the tests come to hand it will afford me great pleasure to bring the same under the notice of honourable members. Another matter upon which the coal-mining industry and the Department constantly felt the want of reliable information was the relative inflammability of New Zealand coals, the resulting liability to coal-dust explosions in our mines, and the amount of stone-dusting required to render them safe from this danger. It was quite impracticable to carry out tests on a sufficiently large scale in New Zealand, but I am pleased to say that arrangements are now being made for the necessary tests to be conducted by the British Mines Department at their Eskmeals experimental station. In all, seven samples of 10 tons each are being sent —two from Otago and Southland, three from Grey and Buller, and two from the Waikato. These samples are fairly representative of the coals of New Zealand. I anticipate that the results of the tests will give the Government the necessary information and data upon which to base amending legislation designed with a view to rendering the mines of this country more safe against the danger of coal-dust explosions. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed, in each inspection district during 1922 and 1921 : —

MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. At metalliferous mines, at which 2,091 persons were ordinarily employed, one life was lost by accident, and one other person received serious injuries. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, in which 1,383 persons were ordinarily employed, two persons were accidently killed, and four others received serious injuries.

Inspection District. Classification. Q , Northern West Coast (of , ° ou * ™ ln .. 1no , (North Island). South Island). 9 ' Totals. 1921. Increase. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 1,103 540 388 2,031 Ironstone, cinnabar, and asbestos 18 42 .. 60 Coal .. .. .. 1,242 2,207 1,107 4,556 Stone-quarries under the Stone- 934 55 394 1,383 quarries Act 2,031 60 4,556 1,383 2,021 49 4,367 1,561 10 11 189 178* Totals .. .. 3,297 2,844 1,889 8,030 3,297 2,844 1,889 8,030 7,1)98 32f- * Decrease. f Not in. irease.

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\n or about coal-mines, at which 4,556 persons were ordinarily employed, it is regretted that five fatal accidents occurred whereby six persons lost their lives. Thirty other persons received serious injuries. At all the mines and quarries the proportion of fatal accidents was LI per 1,000 persons employed. For the preceding year the percentage was L 5 per 1,000 persons employed. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the past year detailed geological surveys were continued in the Dargaville, Waiapu, and North Taranaki districts. The total area surveyed was somewhat over 1,100 square miles. In each of the districts mentioned the field surveys were brought to a close, and full reports on the work done are now being prepared. Further examination of the Waihi Goldfield was undertaken, with results considered on the whole to be satisfactory. A detailed report thereon has been furnished and will shortly be published. In the South Island the asbestosfield at the head of the Takaka River near Mount Arthur was examined in some detail. The report supplied indicates that the asbestos deposits offer considerable promise, provided the drawbacks due to their situation in rough, high country difficult of access can be overcome. Steady progress has been made with the investigation of the fossil collections of the survey, a work which is considered highly important by scientific men, and a pakeontological bulletin, No. 9 (" The Upper Cretaceous Gastropods of New Zealand "), was issued during the year. The other publications issued during the year included the annual report of the Survey, which, contains a certain amount of scientific information as well as an account of the work done, and Bulletins Nos. 24 and 25. Bulletin No. 24 described the geology and mineral resources (chiefly coal and limestone) of the Mokau district, and gave also accounts of the Te Kuiti district and of the Waitewhena coalfield, north Taranaki. Bulletin No. 25 dealt with the Coilingwood district, the coal and marble deposits of which received full attention. The coal resources, though considerable, were found to be hardly as large as was hoped. On the other hand, an area north of the Township of Coilingwood containing marbles of great possible value has been mapped and made known to those interested. The Parapara iron-ores, south-west of Coilingwood, some miles outside the area handled in Bulletin No. 25, were described as long ago as 1907 in Bulletin No. 3 of the Survey. STATE AID TO MINING. Government prospecting-driljs were utilized by four parties during the year, an aggregate of 3,673 ft. being drilled. In the search for building-marble at Takaka fairly satisfactory results were obtained, a workable coal - seam was proved at Dobson, near Greymouth, and one of the co-operative coal-mining parties used a drill to prospect their lease on. the State Coal Reserve at Dunollie with partial success. Boring was also continued at Tucker Flat to further prove the alluvial deposit. During the year ended 31st March, 1923, twenty-nine new applications by approved prospecting-parties were granted subsidies amounting to £3,280. There was expended during the year £2,504, which included subsidies authorized but not expended during previous years. Upon these operations ninety-nine persons were intermittently employed. The expenditure on roads and tracks by subsidies and direct grants out of the Public Works Fund vote, " Roads on Goldfields," during the year amounted to £4,850, as against £11,329 during the previous year. The expenditure by the Mines Department on schools of mines for the year amounted to £4,457. The Waimea-Kumara and Mount Ida Government Water-races, which in past years considerably aided alluvial-gold mining in the Kumara and Naseby districts, have during the year ended 31st March, 1923, supplied claims employing twentythree miners with water for sluicing, by which gold to the approximate value of £5,743 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to £1,157 35., the expenditure on the upkeep of the races being £2,085.

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MINER'S PHTHISIS ACT, 1915. The benefits under this Act are administered by the Pensions Department, and the following statement shows the amount of pensions payable, in force, and granted to the 3.lst March, 1923 : — Amounts paid since inception until 31st March, 1923 — £ From Ist November, 1915, to 31st March, 1922 .. 110,962 For year ended 31st March, 1923 . .* . . 33.447 £144,409 Number of new grants for the year 1922-23 . . . . 96 Annual value of new grants .. . . . . £6,825 Number of pensions in force at 31st March, 1923 . . 544 Annual value of pensions in force at 31st March, 1923 £33,826 Average pension payable per annum .. .. £62 Total number of pensions granted to 31st March 1923. . 964 Total number of pensions granted, to 31st March, 1923, includes the following' : To unmarried miners, 179 ; to married miners, 344 ; to widows of miners, 441 : total 964. STATE COLLIERIES. State Fibewood Depot. The activities of the Firewood Depot were brought to a close during the year. James Mini-:. Underground development was continued during the year, and the mine reached the output stage early this year, and a, small output was obtained. An agreement in connection with working the colliery is now in course of negotiation, and when a final settlement has been arrived at the output obtained therefrom will considerably increase the supplies of coal for domestic anil steam purposes. The railway connection with the Greyniouth-Rcwanui branch line has been completed. Output and Sales. The operations of the State coal-mines and State coal-depots for the year ended 31st March, 1923, are briefly reviewed hereunder. Liverpool Colliery. —The gross output for the year was .1.16,285 tons, as compared with 137,908 tons for last year, a decrease of 21,623 tons. James Colliery. —This colliery did not reach the producing stage up till 31st March, 1923, but in the course of development 2,889 tons of marketable coal were won after allowing for mine consumption. A comparative statement for the two years is shown hereunder :—

Note.— The difference between the gross and the net output is the allowance for mine consumption and waste. In addition to the above 11,019 tons of coal were purchased for resale, of which 10,032 tons were purchased from co-operative parties on the West Coast. The disposal, inclusive of stock on hand at the beginning of the year, was as follows: Supplied to -Depots, 21,081 tons; railways, 5,598 tons; other Government Departments, 8,241 tons; shipping, 26,286 tons; gasworks, 50,432 tons ; other consumers, 4,660 tons: total, 116,298 tons.

Output in Tons, 1922-23. Output in Tons, 1921- 2. Liverpool Junius Mine. Gross. Net. 116,285 112,358 2,889 ! I Gross. Not. ' 137,908 133.63G

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The total sales of State coal from the Liverpool Mine for the year amounted to 112,515 tons, value £180,534, as compared with 130,733 tons, value £222,81!), for last year, a decrease of 18,218 tons, with a decrease in value of £42,285. The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £1 12s. 1'09d., a decrease of Is. 11-96 d. on last year's average. This decrease is due to reductions in selling-prices consequent upon reduced wages and freights. The total sales of State coal from the James Mine for the year amounted to 2,889 tons, value £4,710, giving an average of £l 12s. 7-27 d. per ton. The sales of coal, &c, through the medium of the depots totalled 87,042 tons, value £187,057, as against 87,871 tons, value £213,860, for last year. The profit at the mines was £8,872, and the depots, &c, £1,814, making a total of £10,686, out of which £4,552 was applied to the Sinking Fund Account, leaving £6,134 to be carried forward. There was keen competition in the sale of coal during the year, owing mainly to large importations of coal by private enterprise from Australia. Losses on coal sold to miners, concessions in the form of special railway facilities, and of allowances for railway fares to miners and workmen amounted to £4,471, and this sum was allowed for in arriving at the net profit for the year. Items from Balance-sheet. The following items taken from the balance-sheet, which is now being audited, will prove of interest as indicating the more important items of expenditure, and for reference in respect to the position of Capital Account, reserve funds, and other accounts shown therein. £ The amount Avritten oil' for depreciation for the year was . . . . 14,097 The payments for interest totalled. . . . . . . . . 9,252 The payments for sea carriage of coal amounted to . . . . 58,1.88 The cost of railway haulage amounted to . . . . , . . 18,051 The total wages paid for coal-winning was .. .. .. 57,530 The amount paid for management and office salaries (Head Office and mines) totalled . . . . . . . . . . 4,184 The gross capital expenditure on the whole undertaking to the 31st March last was .. .. .. .. .. .. 539,102 The total depreciation written off to date (equal to 51 per cent, on the gross capital expenditure) amounts to . . . . . . 276,927 The debenture and loan capital stands at .. .. .. 227,601 The net profits of the State Coal-mines Account from inception to the 31st March, 1923 .. .. .. .. .. .. 104,448 The net profit for the year ended 31st March. 1923, was . . . . 10,686 The sinking fund is in credit . . . . . . . . . . 29,532 General reserve stands at .. .. .. .. .. 68,682 The amount at credit of Profit and Loss is .. .. .. 6,134 The cash in hand and in the Public Account at the 31st March last was (last year £32,971) .. .. .. .. .. 19,580 The present net book value of permanent or fixed assets is . . 254,241 TABLES AND REPORTS. The usual statistical tables and departmental reports are appended.

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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY MINKS STATEMENT.

No. 1. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold and other Minerals exported during the Years ended the 31st December, 1921 and 1922, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal-output is also included.

Name of Metal or Mineral. For Year ended the 31st December, 1922. For Year ended the 31st December, 1921. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1922. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Precious metals — Gold* Silver Oz. 131,848 443,134 £ 540,182 55,222 Oz. 149.595 480,023 £ 612,168 65,647 Oz. 22,872,948 23,540,036 Oz. ,872,948 ,540,036 £ 90,164,457 2,769,819 Total gold and silver 574,982 595,404 629,618 677,815 46,412,984 ,412,984 92,934,276 Mineral produce, including kaurigum— Copper-ore Chrome-ore Antimony-ore Manganese-ore Haematite ore Tungsten-ore Quicksilver Sulphur (crude) Mixed minerals f Coal (New Zealand) exported Coke exported Coal, output of mines in Dominion (less exports) Oil-shale Kauri-gum Tons. 711 lie. i i (re £ 528 674 Tons. :h £ 21 j Tons. 1,504 5,869 3,781 19,366 77 2. 312*, mn 4,927 66,816ft 5,285,043 .16,824 50,266,264 £ 19,390 38,002 55,045 61,915 469 299,839 8,336 13,241 277,493 5,349,834 25,708 30,685,186 Si 357ft 118,755 4 1,739,064 18,393 253,762 10 1,739,064 sioiift 53,183 2 1,755,912 8,988 .109,510 10 1,755,912 6,391 563*! 270 3,901 367 ,197 1.4,444 377,193 7,236 20,068,287 Total quantity and value of minerals Value of gold and silver, as above 1,867,680ft 2,575,701 595,404 1,810,012^;', 2,241,638 677,815 56,063,937ft 56,909,981 92,934,276 i Total value of minerals, including gold and silver 3,171,105 2,919,453 149,844,257 i ] I i * In reapeot of gold, ounces of th lumice-sand, 2,957 tons; also marble o1 lb fineness of 20 f weight unspeoi > carats and up' ified by the Cus" wards, f I itoma Departme; deluding lime, it. 1 6 J$ tons j pumices rtone, (i;i tons

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No 2. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold exported from New Zealand for the Years ended the 31st December, 1921 and 1922, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st December, 1922.

No. 3. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1921 and 1922, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

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District and Comity or Borough. Yea,r ended Year rslsL Deoember, 1921. 31st Docc Quantity. Value. Quantity. enrtod uiibor, 1922. Total Quant* from .lamia Hist Deceit Value. by ana Value iry, 1857, to iber, 1922. Auckland— County of Tauranga .. County of Ooromandal County of Thames County of Ohinemuri County of 1'iako Borough of Thames .. Great Barrier Island .. Borough of Waihj Oz. 104 197 181 369 £ 442 730 782 1,476 Oz. 6,866 18 209 560 9 214 £ 28,937 68 904 1,987 39 917 ()Z. £ 151 73^882 638 309,372 64,079 271,449 26,962,290 74,884 313,440 72,555 304,301 6,971,055 Wellington .. 706 188 Maulboeough— County of Marlborough 105,420 410,517 422 1,526 511 2,043 i Nelson — County of Waimea County of Collingwu'iii County of Takaka County of Murchison .. 4 2 16 8 "38 "l54 591 21891 203 804 241 958 1,740,353 6,900,398 West Coast — County of Buller County of Inangahua County of-Grey County of Westland .. Hokitika Borough Ross Borough Kumara Borough 3,124 20,697 2,179 12,472 597 12,337 79,412 8,779 50,036 2,415 303 27,152 229 11,898 1,208 ' 105,126 I 915 48,490 Canterbuey— County of Selwyn 38,472 150,564 39,582 155,739 6,324,872 120 25,103,960 473 Otago— County of Taieri County of Tuapeka .. County of Vincent County of Maniototo .. County of Waihemo .. County of Waitaki County of Bruce County of Lake County of Wallace County of Piord County of Southland .. County of Clutha 19 9,602 6,107 9,891 1 2,397 6 GOO 1,563 64 39,348 24,760 38,676 5 9,821 23 2,401 6,273 4,548 4,321 2,000 38 82 18,282 17,471 8,127 150 328 983 1,414 983 5,063 5,006 20,157 4,781 19,438 30,758,232 Unknown 34,692 141,528 18,167 73.44? 7,724,091 528 2,695 792 3,699 6,84'J 22,872,948 27,875 Totals 149,595612,168 131,848 540,182 90,164, :t. f i7

Name of Coalfield. Output. 1922. 1921. Iuorease. Decrease. Approximate Total Output up to 3lBt December, 1922. I North Auckland .. Waikato (including Mokau) Nelson Bullet- .. Inangahua Grey Canterbury Otago Southland Tons. 811,575 430,578 8,056 570,801 12,056 289,070 21,767 244,603 191,253 Tons. 83,325 431,282 10,353 485,284 40,868 274,370 26,259 275,935 181,419 Tonn. 0,250 Tons. Tons. 4,130,394 0,993,024 388,031 17,084,995 424,894 10,688,847 873,622 10,557,337 3,810,103 55,551,307 704 2,297 85,517 28,812 14,700 4.4S2 31,272 9,'834 Total h 1,857,819* 1, 1,857,819* 1,809,09,5 ,«)<>, 0!);-, • Incri aae, 48,724 tons.

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

No. 5. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Oil shale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.

No. 6. Table showing the Total Quantity and Value of Coal imported into and exported from New Zealand from and to each Country during the Calendar Year 1922. Imports.

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Class of Coal. Output. Increase. Approximate Total Decrease. Output to the 3l8t December, 1922 1923. 1921. Jituminous and semi-bituminous 5rown jignifce Tons. 968,438 710,333 179,048 Tons. 893,845 700,120 215,130 Tons. 74,593 10,213 Tons. Tons. 34,917,970 17,290,650 36,082 3,342,687 55,551,307 Totals 1,857,819* 1,809,095 * Increaao, 48,724 tons.

Coal and SI the Di )ale raised in sminion. Coal imported. Yoar. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Tons. Increase over Preceding Year. 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 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 709,931 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 511,063 534,353 558,620 613,895 586,445 637,397 668,794 673,315 691,548 719,546 726,654 792,851 840,713 907,033 975,234 1,093,990 1,239,686 1,365,040 1,420,229 1,537,838 1,585,756 1,729,536 1,831,009 1,860,975 1,911,247 2,197,362 2,066,073 2,177,615 1,888,005 2,275,614 2,208,624 2,257,135 2,068,419 2,034,250 1,847,848 1,843,705 1,809,095 1,857,819 Inc. 69,000 „ 68,705 „ 37,339 „ 41,010 „ 43,492 „ 59,069 „ 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 „ 118,756 „ 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. 289,610 Inc. 387,609 Dec. 66,990 Inc. 48,511 Dec. 188,716 34,169 „ 186,402 4,143 34,610 Inc. 48,724 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,961 108,198 101,756 110,907 115,427 99,655 124,033 149,764 127,853 163,923 147,196 169,046 207,567 220,749 287,808 258,185 232,378 188,068 364,359 468,940 518,070 353,471 293,956 291,597 255,332 391,434 476,343 822,459 501,478 6,664 24,'904 26,722 14*379 135 9*151 4,520 24 ,'378 25,371 36,070 21,850 38,521 13,182 07,059 176,291 104,581 49,130 136,102 84,909 346,116 6,'664 24*904 26,722 14,379 135 9*151 4,520 24 ,'378 25,371 16*072 33,778 6,042 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 17i124 8,009 4,483 4,763 6,442 15'772 21,911 36,070 16,727 21,850 38,521 13,182 67,059 29,623 25,807 44,310 176,291 104,581 49,130 164,599 59,515 2,359 36,265 136,102 84,909 346,116 320*981

Country whence imported. Tons. Value. United Kingdom Australia United States of America, via east coast 72,075 429,077 326 £ 109,229 511,525 326 Totals .501,478 081,080 The values shown are the ourrent domestic values in the countries of export )lus 10 >er cent.

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10

Exports: Bunkers.

No. 7. Number of Persons ordinarily employed at or about Mines other than Coal-mines during the Year ended 31st December, 1922.

Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand Mines during 1922 and 1921.

Country to which exported. Produce of r ew Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Tons. United Kingdom Canada, via west coast Australia Fiji .. United States of America, via west coast .. United States of America, via cast coast .. Ocean Island Tutuila 86,910 820 0,847 895 300 2,454 1,278 504 £ 202,133 1,890 10,784 1,220 000 5,083 1,278 080 109 140 104 a 507 371 480 Totals 100,014 223,074 473 1,358 Ex; wrts: Cargo. Produce ol New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to which exported. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. United Kingdom Australia Fiji .. Tonga Western Samoa Society Islands Tutuila 9 10,431 2,027 3 9 £ 14 10,090 3,250 15 37 10,070 | 4 i £ ie i "a 0,202 Totals .. 18,741 30,088 5 21 I

Numher of Persons ordinarily employed at Tol al. County or Borough. Gold-quartz Cold Gold- Mines other than Mines. Alluvial Mines. dredges. Gold and Coal. 1922. 1021. ! I Northern Inspection District. County and Borougli of Thames County of Ohinemuri „ Coromandel .. ■ .. „ Piako Borough of Waihi County of Tauranga ,, Whangarei 49 45 51 842 116 . .* 49 45 51 03 47 46 5 924 02 11 is 842 116 18 [West Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough „ Waimea .. ,, Takaka .. ,, Collingwood „ Murchison Buller .. „ Inangahua Grey ,, Westland 8 3 1 3 20 17 9 31 97 30 II 1 39 20 17 292 40 102 22 I 1 35 27 18 260 21 132 283 1 2 65 0 Southern Inspection District. County of Taieri „ Tuapeka „ Vincent „ Maniototo „ Waihemo.. „ Waitaki .. ,, Lake „ Wallace .. ,. Southland 5 50 3 '80 55 42 1 80 103 50 3 7 29 40 70 2 82 106 50 3 7 31 31 83 "2 7 27 40 62 i2 2 Totals 1,455 452 121 63 2,091 2,070

Gold, silver, and tungsten mines Other metalliferous mines .. Coal-mines Totals 1022. 1921. 2,031 2,021 60 49 4,556 4,367 6,647 6,437 Increase. 10 11 189 210 6,437 210

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APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT. APPENDIX A. RBPOETS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The Inspecting Engineer of Mines t> the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir,— » Wellington, 23rd July, 1923. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries, together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1922. 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, 1922, to the 31st March, 1923. The reports, &c, are divided into the following sections :—■ I. Minerals produced and exported. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining. (1.) Quartz-mining. (2.) Dredge Mining. (3.) Alluvial Mining. V. Minerals other than Gold. VI. Stone-quarry Inspection and Statistics. VII. State Aid to Mining. (I.) Subsidized Prospecting. (2.) Government Prospecti rig-drills. (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. (4.) Government Water-races. (5.) Schools of Mines. Annexures : - (A.) Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines. (Pi.) Mining Statistics.

I. MINERALS PRODUCED AND EXPORTED. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metal-mines and of stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act during 1922 and 1921.

The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals (other than, coal) exported from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1922 :—

Mineral. 19: 12. 102 1. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Gold and silver (estimated) Quicksilver Tungsten-ore Sulphur Iron Asbestos Stone Pumice Oz. 520,287 Tons. cwt. 0 14 £ 574,988 231 Oz. 551,875 Tons. cwt. 0 14 38 7 873 0 £ 547,105 231 1,785 2,019 .. 81 0 'u27 318,087 9,320 0 5 50 358,362 7,958 3,020 0 2,945" 0 Totals 903,253 918,110

1921. 1022. Total from the 1st Increase or Decrease. tj^, 8, ! 5^1858^ 0 the 31st Dceoinber, 1922. Gold Silver Quicksilver lungsten-ore Kauri-gum Sand, lime, and building slono Dther minerals £ 612,168 65,647 367 j 97 8^988 £ 040,182 55,222 674 528 563,270 .10,037 8,351) £ £ Dec. 71,98li 90,164,457 10,425 2,7(39,819 l«o. 653 8,336 528 299,839 „ 196,073 20,068,587 Boo. "'IS) Totals 1,054,021 1,178,269 Inc. 124,248 113,776,293

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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 :—

111. ACCIDENTS. During 1922 one fatal and one serious but non-fatal accident occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 2,091 persons were ordinarily employed.

The fatal accident was that to William Edward Stephenson, and took place in No. 4 shaft, Waihi Mine. Deceased was working in the shaft-bottom, and a small windlass was used for raising and lowering an electric light with which the shaft-bottom was lit. The spindle, of the windlass gave way and the windlass fell down the shaft, striking the deceased and killing him instantaneously. Full reports of this accident and of tho serious non - fatal accident are contained in the District Inspectors' annual reports. IV. GOLD-MINING. The following statement shows the value of the bullion-production, also the dividends declared, number of persons employed, and the number of gold-mines and dredges:—

* In addition to the gold produced from the gold-mines, silver was obtained from them, hence the word " bullion " is used in preference to " gold." t The profits of privately owned dredges and mines are unobtainable, which renders this statement incomplete. % Tire bullion-production is from 150 alluvial claims, but the dividends are only ascertainable from those few that arc the property of registered companies. At the present time the gold-mining industry is far from thriving. During the year under review the gold premium continued to drop till by the end of the period gold was practically at its pre-war value, with the result that most of the gold won did not pay for the cost of producing it.

(1.) Quartz-mining.

The average value per ton of ore treated during 1922 amounted to £1 12s. 9d. as compared with £1 13s. lid. during 1921.

Classification. Inspection District. Gold, silver, and tungsten Cinnabar Ironstone Northern. West Coast. Southern. 1,103 540 388 18 42 1,121 582 388 Total, 1922. 2,031 18 42 Totals for 1922 .. :j88 2,091 Totals for 1921 .. 1,158 517 r 395 2,070

Cause. Fatal Ai Number of Separate Accidents. xidcnts. Serious Non-fa1 Number of Number ol "rw.tiia Separate Deaths. Accidents. ;al Accidents. Number of Persons injured. 'alls of ground Explosives liscellaneous, on surface liscellaneous, underground I .. i 1 i - i :; Totals L 1

Production of BulHoi i, 1922.* (All Minos.) Dividondspaid, 1022. (lly Registered Companies only.Jt Value. 93S83 iB& Unproductive Minos. D ™ d n ge ',T922. Quantity. (uartz-mining >redgo mining Jluvial mining J Oz. 488,202 15,465 16,620 £ 439,489 67,239 68,260 £ 51,991 1,405 20 121 11 502 149 l^040 Totala, 1922 520,287 574,988 53,031 2,028 180 Totals, 1921 551,875 547,105 56,728 2,012 1S4

Inspection District. Statute Tons 1022. if Ore treated. Value of Bullion. 1022. 1021. £ £ 338,465 334,550 100,082 98,422 342 516 i Dividends pal tered Comp: id (by llegisanies only). 1021. 1022. 1921. I Northern West Coast Southern 220,263 48,184 162 214,305 40,994 1-52 £ 49,591 2,400 £ 49,591 4,200 Totals .. 208,609 208,009 255,011 439,489 433,488 51,991 53,791

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(2.) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity, production, and profits of bucket golddredges during ,1922. (Note. —The profits made by privately owned dredges are not obtainable for publication.)

(3.) Alluvial Mining. The following is a statement showing the value of production and dividends declared from alluvial gold-mines during 1922 :—

V. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. Tungsten-ore. The price for scheelite was too low throughout the year to allow this mineral to be produced at a profit, and the deposits were not worked. Cinnabar. There; was practically no quicksilver produced during the year. Such mining as was done was merely prospecting and development. In connection with the Mount Mitchell claim a Navak type of furnace was erected, and at the Rising Sun Mine, Puhipuhi, a plant for treating the ore was constructed during the year. Iron. The blast furnace at the Onakaka Iron and Steel Company's work at Onakaka was given a nintdays trial run, and produced an excellent quality of foundry pig iron. The first half of the run was with coke from New South Wales as fuel for the blast furnace, and the second half on gas coke made in this country. In both cases the results were highly satisfactory to the company. It was of particular importance to the future prospects of the company that the trial damonstrated that a good grey foundry pig iron could be produced from the Onakaka ore with gas coke as fuel. The blast furance has been idle since the trial run, which concluded in May, pending the completion of a wharf to serve the works. v

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Name of Dredge. Locality. MS %%$ rf [3 OJ 'o o'Sc O f-i <p O jjjj p III la 5 to J If I '"J Sh gig ii ii ss P o a Dividends declared. During 1922. Total. Otago and Southland. Rise and Shine No. 1 .. Clutha River Rising Sun .. ., „ Electric No. 1 . . . . j Kawarau River Earnscleugh No. 3 . . I Clutha River Earnscleugh No. 5 .. ,, The Gorge Nevis Crossing .. .. j Novis River McGeorge's Freehold No. 3 I Waikaka Valley Kura .. .. .. j Waikaia .. Sir 7 5 7 6 10 20 10 25 10 16 12 150 13 150 Ft. S 40 S 45 S 35 E 50 E 35 £ 3,264 2,942 840 2,266 571 184 522 7,215 700 £ £ 53,700 24,000 J 30,250 3* 34 10 12 9 20 9 16 S 10 S 35 S 30 West Coast. Rimu .. .. . . Rimu Awatuna .. .. Awatuna Beach 10 8 19 125 15 20 E 58 S 12 44,802 3,933 ri* . m -m -■* ,■■* Totals, 1922 Totals, 1921 67,289 36,179 600 Unknown Unknown

Dividends declared. .Name of Company. Estimated Value o( Gold produced. During 1022. Total to End of l'jaa. Scandinavian Water-raeo Company Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company Lawrence Sluicing Company . . Golden Croscent Sluicing Company Sailor's Gully Sluicing Company.. Havelock Sluicing Company Ellis and Party Graham and Party Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company Round Hill Gold-mining Company All other claims £ 2,486 3,800 2,707 1,064 3,498 1,078 2,056 2,868 5,977 4,432 37,694 £ Nil £ Nil 15,615 250 12,862 5,840 11,400 840 200 Nil 54,684 12,287 t> Totals 68,260 1,040 Unknown.

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14

Petroleum. Drilling for oil in the West Coast Inspection District was conducted by the Kotuku Petroleum Prospecting Syndicate on its area at Kotuku, two holes being put down to 941 ft. and 612 ft. respectively, but both with negative results. In the Northern Inspection District 5,190 gallons of: crude oil were produced for the year by the Taranaki Oil Wells Limited, and 3,500 gallons by the Blenheim Oil Company. No new drilling was done during the year. VI. STONE-QUARRY INSPECTION AND STATISTICS. By section 2 of the Stone-quarries Amendment Act, 1920, the application of the Act was extended to include every place, not being a mine, in which persons work in quarrying stone and any part of which has a face more than 15 ft. deep, and also in any tunnel in the construction of which explosives are used. The Act, however, does not apply to any Government operations, or any road or railway-cutting, or excavations for buildings. The following is a table showing the number of quarries under the Stone-quarries Acts, also the number of persons ordinarily employed thereat, and the annual output and value of crude stone during 1922 : —

Quarry Accidents. The following is a summary of serious accidents during 1922 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act :—

Of the fatal accidents one took place on the sth May at the Paranui Quarry, Whareora, and by it one man, A. H. G. Husheer, lost his life, and another man, Clarence Akast, was seriously injured. The cause of the accident was a premature explosion of gelignite. The fatality led to prosecution of the person in charge of the quarry, who was convicted and fined. The second fatal accident was to A. A. McDonald, at the Timaru Borough quarry, on the 20th October, the injured person succumbing to his injuries on the 30th. The deceased had dropped some loose blasting-powder down a borehole in order to free the pump, which had jammed in the hole, and to light the gunpowder he dropped in a small piece of gelignite with a short fuse attached. The gelignite or attached fuse lit the gunpowder prematurely when his head and face were directly over the borehole. Accounts of the serious but non-fatal accidents are given in the District Inspectors' reports. VII. STATE AID TO MINING. (1.) Subsidized Prospecting. Upon subsidized prospecting operations ninety-nine persons were intermittently employed during the year. The following is a statement showing the results of prospecting operations as reported by the Inspectors of Mines.

Provtaolal District. Name and Address of Government Inspector of Stone-quarries. fcf> o S3 || 11 a §ts Is o o ii ' n si S3 _ 55 2 I w !! Eβ O , Is Output of Stone. S s| 81 D qj m o° «i s to fl ft P Hi l! 1 ui e* « Auckland James Newton, Minos Dept., Auckland M. Paul, Mines Dept., W a i h i (Hauraki Mining District only) James Nowton, Mines Dopt., Auckland Ditto 79 534 Tons. 260,510 Tons. 170,190 Tons. 42,500 Tons. 22,733 Tons. Tons. Tons. 175,147 £ 137,261 12 87 59,104 51 10,209 Hawke's Bay 8,079 :5,157 200 (i,U0O 5,699 13 08 Taranaki Wellington .. Canterbury. . Nelson | Westland ) Otago \ Southland ) 12 33 13 68 177 97 12,255 71,059 87,511 31,513 20,920 4,079 3,00-1 8,283 4,540 0,99:; 37,299 29,892 J. F. Downey, Minos Dept., Roof ton A. Whitley, Minos Dept., Dunodin Jl. ] 32 55 297 6,391 75,792 L3.232 913 13,904 1,900 40,025 35 35,002 3,128 220 6,486 78.254 I l_ 205,091 198,000 60,692 11,632 88,087 123,796 210,184 180,751 3,128 6,012 220 2,190 318,093 358,302 Totals 1922 Totals 1921 212 257 1,383 1,561 580,707 607,239 i

Number of Accidents. Number of Sufferers. Uauao. Killed. Seriously injured. Fatal, Serious. Explosives falls of ground Falling from face or during ascont or descent.. 2 1 2 2 2 •2 Totals 2 3 2

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Name of Prospecting Party. SIS ' *****" 0 * 0peIaaOn8 - SuteWnted. Amount of I «!«*.„«, Nature of Claim, Character of Operations. Remarks. Northern Inspection District. New Sylvia Hidden Treasure Rising Sun Gold-mining Company Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines Caledonian-Kuranui-Moanataiari W. F. McNeil Captain Argall .. .. .. F. McGuiness and H, Breen E. S. McNeil and W. S. Sewell T. A. Black 2 6 11 8 2 2 4 £ s. d. Thames .. 200 0 0 21 13 4 Owharoa .. 1,000 0 0 Maratoto .. 277 6 8 Thames .. 2,000 0 0 Coromandel .. 50 14 0 Waiokoromiko .. 86 13 4 Coromandel .. I 50 14 0 86 13 4 Puhipuhi .. 97 10 0 £ s. d. Nil 21 13 4 Nil 216 13 4 999 12 1 Nil Nil 35 2 0 43 6 8 46 16 0 Ft, Quartz 50 110 " Nil " 100 ',', Cinnabar .. ! Rising and driving .. i Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Driving Work in progress. Promising indications, but no gold seen. .. I Cutting out chamber and cross-cutting. .. I Driving on large lode ; nothing payable so far got. Testing reef system on eastern side of main fault. . . I Work suspended. No work done. Work in progress, but nothing payable located. Three small lodes intersected ; low grade. Testing large cinnabar deposits ; results unpayable. West Coast Inspection District. Blackwater Miners' Association .. j 8 Alexander River .. S09 13 4 193 8 4 39 0 0 50 0 0 33 3 0 136 8 1 11 12 0 I 63 0 0 J 46 16 0 ! 10 8 0 19 10 0 13 10 0 50 V9 i 101 8 0 45 16 5 19 10 0 35 2 0 115 2 3 j 156 17 4 2,503 14 10 630 j Quartz Quartz 117 Alluvial 123 Quartz Alluvial 24 454 j Alluvial 200 Quartz 290 Alluvial 253 Quartz 362 Alluvial Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Driving Prospecting .. Endeavouring to locate downward continuation reef ; not yet successful. No discovery of any importance reported. No work reported yet. Opening track to prospecting area. No work reported. ■ Number of small reefs found, but no values. No work reported yet. Number of reefs found, but nothing payable. No work reported yet. Small values found, but not paj-able. One small reef intersected with fair gold values. .. J Discovery of payable alluvial ground reported. .. I Driving to locate back lead. Operations abandoned. .. ! No payable ground found .. i No payable ground found. .. j No payable reefs found. .. j Work in progress. Nothing of value found. .. J Prospects encouraging. .. I Two small quartz veins found, but values low. .. ; Prospecting cinnabar lode ; work in progress. Work in progress ; prospects encouraging. Collard and Costello Cuttance and party Diamanti Dominion Consolidated Development Company Hughes and Samson Haines and party Inangahua Miners' Association .. i Kearns and party J. J. Mclntosh H. Osmers Wise and 0 Donnell W. Wring and Clarke Fayne and Danks .. Southern Inspection District Otago Central Gold-mines J. M. and D. Nieol .. R. Symes and party P. and W. H. Thomas Torrie and McCoird A. F. Wilson and party . , Thornton and Fitt Graham and party .. .. ,. I F. and H. Soper 2 2 2 2 16 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Karamea .. 66 6 0 Bald Hill .. 66 6 0 Wakamarino .. 50 0 0 86 13 4 Punakaiki .. 50 14 0 Arahura River .. I 46 16 0 Inangahua .. 211 0 0 Stephenson Creek 35 2 0 Arahura River .. 30 0 0 Donnelly's Creek 86 13 4 Wangapeka .. 76 1 0 ; Waimangaroa .. 43 6 8 54 12 0 Bendigo .. 49 1 0 Nevis .. .. 50 0 0 l , Old Man Range .. 101 8 0 Hamiltons .. 118 19 8 Mount Pisa .. 50 14 0 Longwood Range 66 6 0 Glenorchy .. 136 10 0 Greenvale .. 216 13 4 Nevis .. .. 50 14 0 99 5,924 14 4 5,924 14 4

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(2.) Government Prospecting Drills. These drills are lent to. hirers on generous terms. During the year under review four properties were bored—that of the New Zealand Marble Company at Takaka, tho Dobson Coal Company at Dobson, Messrs. Boote and party (a party of co-operative miners) on the State Coal Reserve at Dunollie, and the Rimu Gold-dredging Company (Limited) at Tucker Plat, Kanieri. On the first-named a total of 553 ft. was drilled in six holes at an average drilling cost of 3s. 4fd. per foot; on the second three holes were put down, 2,680 ft. of drilling in. all, at an average cost of 4s. 11-85 d. per foot; on the third property the depth bored totalled 1.75 ft., but owing to breakages the holes were not completed. The Rimu Gold-dredging Company (Limited) further tested their property at Tucker Plat, Kanieri, by drilling 265 ft. in five holes, and obtaining values averaging 3|-d. per cubic yard. The following table gives details of the drilling done and the results obtained : — Drill Superintendents :W. H. Warburton, A. Wiok, and S. W. Ford. Drill used : Schram-Harker diamond and Keystone drills.

(3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. The expenditure in the form of subsidies and direct grants upon roads on goldfields amounted to £4,850, as compared with £11,329 during the previous year. (4.) Government Water-races. The Waimea-Kumara and Mount Ida water-races, which greatly assist alluvial gold-mining in the localities of Kumara (Westland) and Nascby (Central Otago), but at an annual loss of £927 12s. lid. to the Government, have, during the year ended 31st March, 1923, supplied with water for sluicing auriferous gravel claims employing an average number of 22-99 persons, by which gold to the approximate value of £5,743 9s. 6d. was obtained. The following is a statement showing the cash received by the Government for water sold, and the expenditure on the upkeep of the races, together with the average number of miners supplied with water, and the approximate quantity and value of gold received for the year ended 31st March, 1923 :—

The results for the Waimea-Kumara system of races had been so bad during the previous year that for the year under report only the Waimea and Callaghan's races were maintained, and on them expenditure was kept as low as possible. Even then the loss on the year's working of those two races amounted to £917 6s. 5d., or £64 15s. 7d. per miner using the water. The amount outstanding on the 31st March, 1923, was £695 3s. 10d., an increase of £539 3s. 4d. on the previous year. (5.) Schools op Mines. The total expenditure on schools of mines during the year ended 31st March, 1923, was £4,456 16s. 3d., as against £5,848 during the previous year. The schools are doing very useful and very necessary work, but much the greater part of the work done is not that for which the schools were originally instituted. This is particularly the case with the schools on the goldfields; few mining students are now presenting themselves for mining and allied subjects, with the result that these schools have now become technical schools rather than schools of mines. Prom this point of view the Mines Department is not getting results at all commensurate with the expenditure. I have, &c, J. A. C. Bayne, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

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Number of Holes drilled. Total Depth, in Feet. Diameter of Hole. Mineral sought. Character of Bocks drilled through. To whom lent. Cost peridot of Drilling. Cost per Foot ot Transport. Results. [ i 1 118 Inches. 21 Buildingmarble Ditto .. G-ravel, clay, and marble ' Ditto .. N.Z. Marble Company, Takaka Ditto .. s. d. 4 0 s. (!. 2 3 J Fai ply satisfactory. 1 1 1 1 1 1 150 45 50 80 130 836 2! 2i 2!, 3, 2$ 2 8 2 11 4 Ojjr 3 6 3 5| 4 11-75 Goal '. . Gravel, mudstones, shales, sandstone Ditto Dobson Coal Company Ditto '. . 0 5£ 10 ft. 6 in. ooal at 821 ft. (i in. lift, coal at 750 ft. 20 ft. ooal at 1,055 ft. 6 ft. ooal at 81. ft., holes riot completed. Gold averaging 3£d. per cubic yard. 1 1 2 767 1,077 175 3, 2i 3, 2-J * Boote and party, Dunollie * RimuGold Dredging Company Limited), Tucker Flat, Kanieri 5 2-84 4 9-8 5 265 0 Alluvial gold Gravel * Drill Superintendent supplied by hirer.

Receipts. (Sales of Water.) Expenditure. Debit Balance. Average Number of Miners supplied with Water. Approximate Quantity and yalue of Gold obtained. iVaimea Jallaghan's Mount Ida £ s. d. 331 5 2 162 15 3 003 2 7 £ s. d. 863 9 5 547 17 5 073 9 1 £ s. d. 532 4 3 385 2 2 10 0 (i 8-75 5-41 8-83 Oz. £ s. (I. 504 2,213 14 0 453 1,778 0 6 455 1,751 15 0 Totals 1,157 3 0 2,084 15 11 927 12 11 22-99 1,472 5,743 9 0

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ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OP REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OP MINES. Northern Inspection District (Mr. M. Paul, Inspector of Mines). Quartz Mining. Waihi Gold-mining Company (Limited), (J. L. Gilmour, Manager).—During the year No. 4 shaft was sunk 172 ft., making the total depth 1,788 ft. No. 14 level chamber was opened out 173 ft. below No. 13 level, or 1,752 ft. from surface. No. 2 shaft was sunk 38J ft., making a total of 1,519 ft. from surface. No. 12 chamber has been opened out 146 ft. below No. 11 level. No. 13 level (1,5784 ft.). —No. 4 shaft, south-east crosscut, was driven 229$ ft., making a total of 338 ft. The Royal lode in this crosscut is split into three sections, varying from 3 ft. to 7 ft. wide. Driving was commenced on the 5 ft. section at 279 ft., a distance of 29 ft. east and 17 ft. west being done in quartz of low value. No. 13 level. —The north-west crosscut from No. 4 shaft was driven 407$ ft., making the total length 525 ft. The Dreadnought lode was met at 197 ft., the full width being 27 ft. and value low. A considerable flow of water was met on the intersection of this reef. The following further veins were met: At 257 ft., quartz and country mixed, 5 ft. wide ; At 277 ft., quartz 10 ft. wide ; at 314 ft., quartz 10 ft. wide ; at 337 ft., quartz 18 ft. wide ; at 380 ft., quartz 5 ft. wide ; at 441 ft., quartz 5 ft. wide ; at 485 ft., quartz 15 ft. wide. On this last vein, which is called the North section of Martha lode, 3174. ft. was driven east on its course and 354 ft. west; the width varied from 5 ft. to 15 ft. At 316 ft. east a crosscut was driven south and penetrated quartz for a distance of 50 ft. without exposing the south wall. Tho North section and the main portion of the Martha, form one body here. The work done on the North section disclosed short isolated payable runs. . No. 12 level (1,447$ ft.). —South section of Empire lode east of No. 4 shaft, north-west crosscut: 222J ft. was driven during tho year, bringing the total length to 8064 ft. The width varied from 18 in. to Bft., and the assay value was low throughout. Cow North-west crosscut was commenced from the Dreadnought lode at a point 530 ft. east of No. 4 shaft crosscut. At 62 ft. the Empire section of Martha lode was intersected ; width, 20 ft. ; and the average assay value was £1 15s. 6d. per ton. A total of 278$ ft. was driven east on its course. At 100 ft. a crosscut proved 27 ft. of ore ; average assay value, £2 6s. 9d. per ton. This crosscut was continued on through the main Martha lode, which was of low value. A crosscut at 200 ft. showed 20 ft. of ore assaying £1 10s. 6d. per ton. At 270 ft. a crosscut was driven to the north wall of Martha lode. The lode at this point is 69 ft. wide, but no payable ore was met. North section of Martha lode west of Bath north-west crosscut : A total distance of 460 ft. was driven on the course of the reef. The width of quartz varied from 5 ft. to 10 ft., and assay value on the whole low. The East drive from Bath crosscut on the Main section of Martha lode was advanced to 244 ft. At 100 ft. east the full widtli of reef is 68 ft., 10 ft. on the south wall averaging £1 4s. 6d, per ton. At 200 ft. oast the full width is 97 ft. There is a section 10 ft. wide about the centre of lode assaying £1 12s. 9d. per ton. Royal, east of No. 4 shaft, South crosscut: The drive was advanced 145 ft., making a total of 168$ fff. The width at 134 ft. is 8 ft. ; assay value, 16s. Id. per ton. Edward lode : A crosscut was projected across the Edward lode at a point 160 ft. south on the west wall gangway. The West seotion is 30 ft. wide, and tho average assay value is lis. per ton ; the East section about 65 ft. wide, with an average assay value of £1 9s. 6d. per ton. At 75 ft. south a crosscut showed the full width to be 77 ft., of which 10 ft. has an assay value of £1 12s. 3d. per ton. The total distance driven south on the course of the reef is 85 ft. At 75 ft. north the full width of roof is 43 ft., of which 5 ft. assays £1 14s. lid. per ton. No. 11 Level (1,301 ft.). —Salmon West crosscut: This prospecting crosscut was driven 575 ft. from Edward lode. At 249 ft. there is a vein 12 in. wide assaying £3 ss. lid. per ton. The country in the crosscut was mostly oxidized. Kingsford South-east crosscut, situated at 50 ft. east of Lion South-east crosscut, was driven a total of 100$ ft. At 53 ft. the Centre section of Empire lode was intersected ; width 18 ft., and assay value £2 9s. 2d. per ton. Driving was done on this reef, the payable ore extending to 80 ft. east and 50 ft. west, the width averaging about 9 ft. No. 10 Level (1,152 ft.). —Edward lode: The drive south on this reef was extended 169 ft., making a total of 1,433 ft. At 1,358 ft. the width is 10 ft., and assay value £3 Bs. 3d. per ton ; at 1,390 ft. the width is 20 ft., and assay value £3 ss. Od. per ton. No. 7 Level. —Alexandra lode east of Rimu Pass : A total distance of 415 ft. was driven on the course of this reef during the year. The width of quartz averaged about 2 ft. Jellicoe reef west of Rimu winze : A total of 302$ ft. was driven on the course of this reef. The width of quartz varied, from 18 in. to 5 ft., and the assay value is payable throughout. North branch of Martha lode east of Jove crosscut: A distance of 142 ft. was driven. The width varied from 1 ft. to 5 ft., and the ore is of good grade. No. 6 Level.—Jellicoe reef, east of No. 2 shaft, south-east crosscut: 224 ft. was driven in payable ore. The width varied from 2 ft. to 5 ft. Alexandra lode : 276 ft. east and west was driven on the course of this reef in payable ore. Tho reef averages about 4 ft. wide. North branch of Martha lode east of Jove south-east crosscut : 229$ ft. was driven in good grade ore. The width of quartz varied from 2 ft. to 11 ft. No. 5 Level. —Alexandra lode east of Albert Junction : 291$ ft. was driven. The reef is small and irregular in width. Open cut and Western Smithy level : A considerable tonnage was obtained from these places during the year. Waihi Grand Junction Mine (W. McConachie, Mine-manager).—No. 1 shaft (main) : No. 1 shaft was sunk 100 ft., making a total depth of 1,573 ft. below the surface and 33 ft. below No. 10 level. Prom 1,473 ft. to 1,537 ft. the shaft was sunk through a soft class of country rock. Prom 1,537 ft. to 1,561 ft. the shaft passed through bands of dark breceiatcd soft country rock dipping 10° to the south-east. Prom 1,56.1 ft. to 1,573 ft. is solid country rock. No. 10 level was opened at 100 ft. below No. 9 level and 1,540 ft. below the surface, and sinking below No. 10 level has been resumed. A water-cistern, having a capacity of 12,000 gallons, has been excavated and completed at No. 10 level. The Williams and Robinson stationary pump, which has been operating from No. 9 level, has been transferred to No. 10 level. This pump will now deliver the water to the main station at No. 8 level, and the sinking-pump will discharge its water to the new cistern at No. 10 level. During tho year 117,369,860 gallons of water wore raised to the surface. No. 10 level.—The Main South-oast crosscut was driven a total of 177$ ft. from No. 1 shaft. The crosscut advanced through soft country rock to 59 ft., where a fissure of 2 ft. wide, filled with loose oxidized quartz rubble of no value, was passed through. From this fissure to 70 ft. is country rock. At 70 ft. a fault 8 ft. wide, filled with soft crushed country rock was met. Prom the fault to 113 ft. is soft bedded country rock dipping 40° south-east. Prom 113 ft. to 136 ft. is country rock. At 136 ft. the Empire lode was intersected. The following values were obtained : 136 ft. to 140 ft. is quartz ; value, 3s. Od. per ton. 140 ft. to 148$ ft. is quartz, value, 19s. Bd. per ton. 148$ ft. to 161 ft., a mixture of quartz and country rock ; value, 3s. 4d. per ton. 161 ft. to 166 ft. is country rock. 166 ft. to 169$ ft., quartz, value, ss. 6d. per ton. 169$ ft. to 177$ ft. is footwall country rock.

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Empire lode drive east was driven a total of 114$ ft. from the south-east crosscut. The following are the assay values : Prom crosscut to 28ft. east, over width of 80in., £3 Is. 4d. per ton; walls not exposed. Prom 28ft. to 110 ft. east, 76 in., value 12s. per ton ; south wall exposed. Crosscut at 70 ft. east : The lode is 23 ft. wide. The first 7 ft. from tho south wall is worth 4s. sd. ; next 5 ft., £1 lis, ; and the next 11 ft., 2s. Drive west driven 116 ft. from south-east crosscut: assay value to 16 ft. west, average £1 7s. per ton, over width of 69 in.; walls not exposed. Prom 16 ft. to 112 ft., 10s. 9d. per ton over width of 79 in.; north wall exposed. The lode contains a large percentage of country rook ; the walls are irregular and ill-defined. Crosscut at 55 ft. west: The following arc the values from the north wall : First 5 ft., 12s. Id. ; next 15 ft., ss. 4d. ; next 5 ft. is country rock ; next 3 ft., £1 Os. Id. The south wall is exposed. A crosscut at 95 ft. west was driven 19$ ft. to the north of the main drive west through country rock containing a few manganese veins. No. 9 Level.—The Main South-east crosscut advanced 491 ft. ; total, 661 ft. From 170 ft. to 360 ft. is country rock. At 360 ft. a quartz vein, 12 in. wide, value Is., was intersected. From 360 ft. to 480 ft. is country rock. At 480 ft. the Royal lode, 8 ft. wide, value 4s. 5d., was passed through. From the Royal to 650 ft. is country rock. At 650 ft. the George lode, 57 in. wide, value 10s. od., was intersected. The crosscut continued in country rock to 661 ft. Empire lode drive east advanced 354 ft. ; total, 500 ft. The following are the values : From 145 ft. to 260 ft., £2 2s. 4d. ; width, 61 in. ; south wall exposed. From 260 ft. to 500 ft., lis. lOd. ; width, 53 in.; south wall exposed. Breaking out the lode from the south-east crosscut to 110 ft. east, 10 ft. wide, gave an average value of £1 os. 3d. ; south wall exposed. Crosscut at 200 ft. east: The lode is 44 ft. wide. The first 6 ft. on the south wall is worth £4 3s. Bd., next 23 ft., 10s. 10d„ and the next 15 ft., 6s. 2d. Crosscut at 280 ft. east: The lode is 25 ft. wide, of which 7 ft. near the south wall is worth 17s. 7d., and tho other 18 ft., 2s. 4d. Crosscut 385 ft. east: The lode is 8 ft. wide, value, 19s. The crosscut was driven 39 ft. to tho south through country rook, and 143 ft. to the north of the main drive east. At 39 ft. north a lode 48 in. wide, consisting of quartz and country rock, value, 3d. per ton, was passed through. Prom this lode to 68 ft. north is country rock. At 68 ft. north a lode dipping 62° south-east was intersected. Prom 68 ft. to 109 ft. is quartz, value, 4d. ; from. 109 ft. to 132 ft. is a mixture of oxidized quartz and country rock, value, lOd. ; and from 132 ft. to 143 ft. is country rock and quartz rubble of no value. The north wall is exposed. Crosscut at 495 ft. east: The lode is 8 ft. wide, value, lid. Empire lode : Drive east advanced 268 ft. ; lode 8 ft. wide. Having reached the western boundary the following average values were obtained : 205 ft. to 276 ft. west, 66 in., £1 16s. fid. (walls not exposed); 276 ft. to 328 ft. west, 61 in., 18s. 9d. (south wall exposed); 328 ft. to 412 ft. west, 59 in., £.1 13s. Id. (south wall exposed); 412 ft. to 476 ft. west, 49 in., £4 4s. 2d (south wall exposed). Breaking out the lode : from the south-east crosscut to 205 ft. west gave an average value of £1 15s. 5d., of width of 10 ft. Crosscut at 100 ft. west was driven 36$ ft. into the north wall. At 32 ft. from the south wall of the main drive west the crosscut passed through 96 in. of quartz ; value, 9s. Bd. Crosscut at 245 ft. west: The lode is 8 ft. wide ; value, 14s. 9d. South of the lode the first 5 ft. is country rock, and the next 45 in. is quartz and country rock ; value, Is. Crosscut at 325 ft. west: The lode is 23 ft. wide, of which 5 ft. near the south wall is worth £2 4s. Id. and the other 18 ft., 3s. Id. The crosscut was driven a total of 170 ft. north of the south wall of tho Empire lode. From Empire lode, to 60ft. north is country rock ; from 60ft. to 63$ ft. north is quartz; value, 15s. lOd. From 63J ft. to 69$ ft. north is country rock; value, 2s. lOd. Prom 694 ft. to 73 ft. north is quartz and country rock; value, 4s. 6d. Prom 73 ft. to 94 ft. north is country rock and narrow veins of quartz of no value. In crosscut north of Empire lode —From 112 ft. to 136 ft. is quartz; value, 2s. 4d. per ton. From 136 ft. to 156 ft. is quartz; value, £1 lis. 6d. per ton. From 156 ft. to 166 ft. is quartz ; value, ss. 6d. per ton. The lode from 135 ft. to 156 ft. north in this crosscut was broken out for 6 ft. east and 6 ft. west over width of 15 ft: average assay va.lue, lis. 4d. per ton. A crosscut at 440 ft. west was driven 15 ft. to the north of the main drive. The first 30 in. is country rock; next 69 in. quartz, value, £3 Bs. 6d ; and next 81 in. is country rock and quartz veins. The crosscut was also driven a total of 75 ft. to the south. The first 10$ ft. is a mixture of country rock and quartz, value, 2s. 5d.; from 10$ ft. to 19 ft. is quartz and country rock, value, 16s. 7d. ; from 19 ft. to 75 ft. is country rook. Drive west on Branch lode on the north side of Empire Main lode (at 40 ft. west of the south-east crosscut) advanced a total of 201 ft. This lode runs parallel to the Empire lode, with about 25 ft. of country between the two lodes. The following avera.ge values were obtained : From the junction to 98 ft. west, 48 in., lOs. Id. (walls exposed); from 98 ft. west to 125 ft. west, 51 in., £1 3s. 2d. (walls exposed); from 125 ft. west to 196 ft. west, 59 in., 16s. 2d. (walls exposed): Driving on this lode has been suspended. George lode : Drive west was driven a total of 40 ft. from the south-east crosscut. The lode is 51 in. wide ; average value, 1 Is. 7d. Drive east was driven a total of 304 ft. fiom the south-east crosscut. The lode is 45 in. wide ; average value, 4s. lOd. At 30 ft. east the lode is loose and open, the quartz being oxidized. Royal lode : Drive west was driven a total of 63 ft. from the south-east crosscut. The average width of the lode is 60 in., and average value, 6s. 4d. At 60 ft. west the lode is 75 in. wide ; value, 2s. The walls are exposed. Drive east was driven a total of 22 ft. from the south-east crosscut. Assays average 2s. lOd. for a width of 63 in. The south wall, is exposed. No. 8 level. —Extendod section: No. 8 level was opened 1,301 ft. below the collar of the Extended shaft. The South crosscut was driven a total of 373 ft. from the shaft and holed to the crosscut from No. 18 rise on the Empire lode. The crosscut advanced through a soft class of country rook. This connection has greatly improved the general ventilation of tho mine. Stoping operations on the Mary lode at Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 levels are also in progress and have produced 3,865 tons. Crushing was resumed early in January. Rising Sun, Owharoa (J. A. J. McLaren, Manager).—During tho year this company succeeded in raising further capital. An air-compressor, capacity 1,100 cubic feet of air per minute, was purchased, and mining operations resumed. The low level has been repaired, and the shaft unwatered down to 100 ft. It will, however, bo necessary to sink this shaft a further 15 ft. for a well-hole ; when this work is completed the chamber will be cut out and the crosscut pushed ahead with all possible speed to intersect the reef-system. It might, however, be mentioned thi»t tho average assay value of the main reef, for over 300 ft. along the floor of the low level, over width of 18 in., is £0 per ton : also that on account of the action of mineral water on the air-pipe line this work took longer than was anticipated. Waitekauri (W. F. C. Nichol). —W. F. C. Nichol continued prospecting what was considered the outcrop of a large lode, mentioned in last annual report, but this proved to be largo qrrartz boulders buried in a slip, and work was discontinued. New Waitekauri Syndicate. —Two men employed extending low-level cross-cut. Several lodes have been intersected, but the quartz is low-grade. Great Northern Waihi Gold-mining Company, Wttarekirauponga (J. R. Paepker, Manager).—Six men employed. Work done consisted of driving, sinking, and surface prospecting, but nothing payable has so far been discovered, consequently no attempt has been made to erect the ten-head stamp battery carted to site. New Zealand Crown Mines, Kamngahake (G. N. McGruer, Manager).—Mining operations for the past seven months were confined to surface prospecting and the upkeep of the mine and plant. Early in July a start was made to extend the Rose low-level crosscut, which will intersect most of the known reefs in the Karangahake Hill. Imperial Claim, (E. White and Party).—A crosscut was driven 120 ft. and a lode averaging 13 in. in width intersected. Half a ton of ore treated produced bullion valued at £33 ss.

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Woodstock Claim (S. S. Ralliif and Party).—Three men have been prospecting this claim, and a trial crushing of 30 tons yielded bullion valued at £88 12s. 6d. Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Maratoto (J. O'Sullivan, Manager).—-Driving north and south on the Camoola lodo is still in progress. The north drive has been extonded 190 ft. and the south drivo 352 ft. At intervals this lode has been crosscutted, showing average width to be over 30 ft. ; values low. Waiotahi Mines, Thames (H. Brownleo, Manager).-—Work was recently resumed in the lowest adit level obtainable above sea-ievol. A number of small veins have been intersected, sold being freely soon irr the quartz broken out. Evening Star Gold-mining Company, Waiotahi Creek (J. Smith,'Manager).—Owing to the capital of this company becoming exhausted work was suspended and the mine let on tribute. One ton of ore won from a small leader produced bullion valued at £34 Is. 6d. Caledonia-Kuranui-Moanataiari Gold-mining Company (S. G. Bakor, Manager).—The work of extending tho south crosscut on the castorn side of the main fault has been energetically carried out during the year. Up to date 774 ft. lias beon driven and four reefs intersected. Unfortunately, the ore is of low grade. Sylvia Mine, Tararu Creek (J. Benny, Manager).—Work in this mino during the year lias been confined to raising and sloping on the Norfolk lode, above the low level. A rise, dimensions 11 ft. by 5 ft., and closoly timbered was put up 159 ft. At this point a flow of water was met with, and the reef being of a rubbly nature, it was deemed advisablo to suspend operations to securely timber the back of the rise and let it stand until the water drained off. 400 ft. above this level a surface crosscut is being extended to intersect the Norfolk lode at a point immediately over the rise. This will not only improvo the ventilation, but also enable surface filling to be sent down to fill the stopes. This lode will avcrago 6 ft. in width. The ore is heavily mineralized, and requires special treatment. Golden Mills, Tairua (James M. Agnew, Owner). —222 tons of ore treated and won from the stopes yielded bullion valued at £600 17s. Id. Old Hauraki Mines, Coromandel (H. F. Shepherd, Manager).—During the year some stoping was done in the Wolcome Find section on a lode varying from 3 in. to 12 in. in width. Colours of gold were seen in the ore, but not in sufficient quantities to pay working-expenses. Three winzes wore also sunk on the now reef immediately below No. 4 level, under where a rich shoot of ore was discovered and worked out in the levels above. Tho quartz occurred in bunches ; no gold was seen. As the work of unwatering the shaft and reopening this mino absorbed all the subscribed capital, and an attempt to raise further capital failed, the directors decided to suspend operations* and this mine was closed down at the end of August. New Hero Claim, Cabbage Hay Road (C. Wells and Blythe).—Two men employed crushed 36 lb. of picked stone for a return of bullion valued at £50 12s. Royal Oak Syndicate (J. H. Fleming).—Two men are employed fossicking about the old workings, but, so far, have not located anything payable. Iris Claim, Tiki (J. Barclay).—Two men were employed and 4$ tons treated produced bullion valued at £21 2s. sd. Mahakirau. —A minor named W. Andrews, who has been prospecting this locality for about five years, discovered a small loader, from which about 201b. of rich specimen stone anil .several bags of general ore were obtained, estimated to contain £200 of gold. So far Mr. Andrews has not made any arrangements for the treatment of this ore. Egan and Nixon, who are also prospecting this locality, treated 1 ton of ore for bullion valued at £12 15s. Four-in-hand Syndicate, Waikoromiko. —Work in this mine has chiefly been confined to surface prospecting. 20 tons of ore treated yielded bullion valuod at £96 12s. Muir's Gold Reefs, Tepuke (Walter Dutton, Manager).—During the year an average of 116 men were omployed. Breaking and development were carried on actively. The development footage for the year has been as under : Driving, 2,162 ft. ; crosscutting, 273$ ft. ; winzes, 83f ft. ; rises, 005 ft. ; shaft-sinking, 36 ft. Of the driving, 605 ft. was done at No. 1 level, all of highly payable ore. At No. 2 level the drive north was advanced 294 ft., opening up a new block of oro 206 ft. in length, and extending up to and 20 ft. above No. 1 level ; average value, £3 15s. sd. per ton. Equipment for the sinking of a shaft to a proposed depth of 500 ft. to test the reofs at lower levols was completed in December, and the work of sinking is vigorously being proceeded with. This equipment consists of a9O horse-power motor, air-compressors, winding-engine, and poppet-legs. The sill of tho shaft is midway between Muir's reef and the large ore-body known as Fleming's lode ; and, as winzes sunk on Muir's reef, 101 ft. below the low level, did not meet with any water, it is expected that this shaft will reach a depth of at least 200 ft. bofore water is met with. During the year 28,810 tons of ore was treated for a yiold of bullion valued at £66,099 12s. (id. Rotorua. —Five men have been engaged prospecting at Horahora, ten miles from Rotorua, on the old Taupo Road. Four prospecting-shafts have been sunk, varying in depth from 30 ft. to 100 ft., without any sign of quartz ; and, although by careful panning a few colours of very fine gold can be obtained from some of the wash taken from the banks of a small creek, this deposit will not, in my opinion, pay to work, nor would I expect reefs to exist in this locality. I might mention that this work was undertaken on the advice of a man who claims to have the power to locate gold with a divining-rod. Quicksilver-mines. New Zealand Quicksilver-mines, Puhipuhi. —This mine was temporarily closed down in May, pending an attempt to raise further capital. 14 cwt. 7 lb. of quicksilver was obtained dining Ihe year, valued at £231 ss. Mount Mitchell Claim. —Hold by T. A. Black and party. Operations during the year consisted of the erection of a Novak type of furnace, 21 ft. high, condensers, and ore-shed, at a cost of £2,000. The cost of the erection of this plant greatly exceeded the estimates and absorbed all the available capital. Some prospecting-work was done on this deposit at the quarry, and a face opened up, showing a thickness of 16 ft., and it is estimated, as the quarry is worked back, tho ore will attain a height of 30 ft. Unfortunately, it is of low grade, and will not pay to break out and treat. Rising Sun Mine, Puhipuhi. —The ore in this mino occurs in pockets. Very little work was done in the mine during tire year, the men being engaged putting up the treatment plant designed by Mr. Bird. The retort or furnace is cylinder-shaped, constructed with closely reinforced concrete outer walls and inner walls or lining of specially designed firebrick segments, 6 in. thick, ten of which make a circle with an inside diameter of 4 ft. The furnace runs on a natural draught, the top of tho chimney being approximately 60 ft. higher up than the draught-doors at the bottom of the furnace. It was designed for the treatment of mixod coarse and, fine ores, and in a trial run burnt over 100 tons of this class of ore, a large quantity being of a very fine nature. Owing to the ore treated being in a very wot state tho great quantity of steam passing through the condensers caused the mercury to flour, thus preventing it freeing itself from the soot, which has thickly coated the condensers. A quantity of soot taken out of the condensers is heavily impregnated with fine mercury globules, a state of things that will be remedied when dry ore and fuel is put through tho furnace. Accidents. Fatal. —On the 24th October, 1922, a fatal accident occurred at No. 4 shaft, Waihi Mine, whereby a miner named William Edward Stephenson, aged thirty-nine years, was killed by being struck by a windlass, which fell down the shaft in which deceased and his mate, H. A. Pipe, were working. Serious. —On the 6th December, 1922, a blasting accident, of a somewhat serious character, occurred in the Waihi Mine, whereby a miner named Charles Bennie, aged twenty-two years, had his left hand blown, off above the wrist and his left eye so badly injured that it had to be removed. Oil-wells. Taranaki Oil-wells (Limited). —During the year this property was sold by public auction, and purchased by Messrs. Hadley and Mi: Donald, who, lam informed, are endeavouring to raise further capital. No drilling was done. Oil produced, 5,190 gallons. Blenheim, Oil Company. —This company went into liquidation, but satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Department, by a local syndicate, to endeavour to tap the oil at 2,120 ft., whore a good flow was mot in sinking. At this point the 9 in. casing was cemented in, and efforts are now being made to cut it out. Tho members of this syndicate are sanguine that, if successful, a good flow of oil will be met with. Production, 3.500 gallons for the year. Waipatiki Oil-wells. —Depth, 3,600 ft. No drilling has been done during the year, but two men have been employed endeavouring to free obstruction, but so far without success.

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West Coast Inspection District (Ma. J. P. Downey, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT. Dominion Consolidated Mining and Development Company (Limited). —During the year breaking and crushing was carried on for some months, 1,029 tons of quartz being treated for 412 oz. of gold, valued at £1,875 7s. 3d. Practically the whole of the quartz came from the stopes on the north end of No. I level, Golden Bar section. It will be seen that the average gold-values were low, being only a little over 5J dwt. per ton. Towards the end of the year the company ceased active mining operations. Alford and Party (Mountain Gamp).—This mine has been idle throughout the year, the condition of the market for scheelite offering no inducement for the party to resume operations. Jjittle Mabel (Mahakipawa).—Mr. C. Longhurst, the holder, drove 150 ft., but no gold was won. NELSON DISTRICT. Colossus Gold-mining and Development Company.-—The only work done for the year was general surface prospecting by one man. LYELI, DISTRICT. New Alpine Consols.—Owing to the unsatisfactory results of tho extensive driving and crosscutting carried out in the low-level adit, this mine has been idle for the year. New Creek Prospecting and Development Company.—A resumption of operations was made in this company's mine, and a considerable footage of driving and crosscutting was carried out on the battery level, but, as nothing of any value was located, work again ceased towards the end of the year. OU'LESTON DISTRICT. Boatman's Consolidated Mine.—The work at this mine for the period consisted chiefly of the repairing of the old No. 2 level, .Fiery Cross shaft, and the extension of this level. Altogether 020 ft. of the old level were picked up, and the level was then extended a further 70 ft. in virgin country. The result of this work was evidently to show that on this level tho shoot of stone found to carry a little value on No. 1 level had been located by the former company and stoped to some extent. How high these stopes had been carried cannot be said, but not much work appeared to have been done there ; it is very questionable if the stone was payable. The extension of the No. 2 level led to no discovery of consequence. In view of the failure to locate anything of a payable nature, the company ceased operations about October, and the mine was closed down. An average of twelve men were employed. REEFTON DISTRICT. Blackwater Minev. —During the year an average of 158 men were employed at mine and treatment plant. The development work covered 2,020J ft. of driving, rising, and winzing, of which 1,007 ft. were on reef. For the year some 40,092 tons of quartz were crushed, being an increase of 5,709 tons on the previous year. The quantity of gold won amounted to 19,477 oz. 15 dwt., being an increase of 5,047 oz. 12 dwt. on the yield for 1921. The average values for the year were apparently 1 dwt. 10 gr. per ton better than those for the previous year. The gross value of the gold won was £75,296 lis., as against £05,770 for 1921. During tho period the improvement in the rate of exchange practically eliminated the premiums formerly received on realization. Blackwater South Mine. —No active mining-work was done on this property during the year. North Blackwater Mine. —In the early part of the year the unwatering of the shaft and repairing of the workings were completed, and in March active development operations were resumed. Drives were put in on the two reefs intersected at 120 ft. and 220 ft. respectively in No. 7 level (1,350 ft). The total amount of driving on tho two reefs was 377£ ft., of which 213 ft. was on reef, with a general average of 18'2 in. in width. Atlhough the reef is somewhat narrow, the values throughout were fairly good. Assays made from thirty-nine samples taken gave an average of 1 oz. 10 dwt. 18 gr. gold per ton, equal at the present price of gold to about £8 os. Od. per ton. Reducing three of the larger results to the tenor of the others, the average value was 1 oz. 0 dwt. 3 gr., equal to £5 14s. 2d. per ton. The crosscut at No. 0 level (1,200 ft.) was extended 130 ft., making its total length 240 ft. from shaft. Unfortunately, neither of the two reefs previously referred to as having been driven on at No. 7 level was intersected. The failure to locate them on this level can only be accounted for by the occurrence of faulting, and the evidence afforded by the workings seems to indicate considerable displacement by this means, and leads me to doubt if the reefs on the No. 7 level are parallel reefs, as they were at first thought to be. An addition to the plant in the shape of machinedrilling outfits was made during the year, with a view to expediting the work of development. An average of thirteen men were employed. Murray Creek Mine.—This mine was idle during the whole year, the company having gone into liquidation. New Big River Mine. —Work was continued steadily, an average of forty-six men being employed. The only development of consequence consisted of sinking the main shaft a further 150 ft. to 1,925 ft., and the extension of a new level (No. 12), for a distance of 50 ft. from the shaft. During the year 3,906 tons of quartz were crushed, all of which came from between Nos. 10 and 11 levels. The gold won amounted to 4,243 oz. 5 dwt., which realized £18,389 16s. 2d. Dividend to the amount of £2,400 was distributed. The quartz crushed and its average value remained very close to the previous year's figures, but owing to the improvement in the rate of exchange the gross return was about £3,000 less. During the year extensive repairs were effected to the main shaft, which is now in very satisfactory condition. New Keep-it-dark Mine. —The only work done was carried out during the last month of the year, and consisted of the repairing of No. 1 level by a party of tributers, who purpose opening up a stope on that level in which a block of payable stone is thought to have been left behind years ago. It is rather difficult to understand why payable stone should have been left in this part of the mine, but the tributers, who have been familiar with the workings for many years, are confident that such was the case. As the old stopes are said to be only about 18 ft. above the level, it should, however, be possible for the party to prove in a short time the truth or otherwise of the claim. Good progress has been made with the repairing. North Big River Mine.—A considerable amount of work was carried out here both on the outcrops and in the various adits. In what is known as No. 3 adit a small reef-track was driven on for 85 ft., but it showed no values. In the same adit about 139 ft. of crosscutting was done without result. In No. 4 adit, 181 ft. of crosscutting was done, without anything in the shape of reef being disclosed. On what is known as the western outcrop, 7 chains to the north-west of No. 3 adit, a good deal of stripping was done, and a shallow drive was put in for 70 ft., cutting a body of stone 2 ft. wide. There was a little gold in the stone, but not nearly sufficient to pay for working. The northern outcrop was stripped for a length of 40 ft., showing a width of from 9 in. to 24 in. of quartz, but the best values got were only equal to about 3 dwt. per ton. New Millenon Mine.—Work during the year was confined practically to stoping above Nos. 2 and 3 levels, on a short shoot to the south of the main shaft. The only development carried out was the extension of No. 3 level south for a further distance of 60 ft. The values recovered from the stone broken out were not payable, and in October stoping operations ceased. For the year 2474 tons of quartz were crushed for a yield of 770 oz. 6.dwt. gold, equal to 6*2 dwt. per ton, for which a gross return of £3,216 was received. An average of twelve men were employed. The company is now considering the advisability of sinking the shaft another lift in the hope of better values or a more regular run of stone being located. New Discovery Mine. —The crosscut adit at this mine was extended a further 267 ft., to a total length of 1,253 ft. At 80 ft. back from the face of the adit a reef-track was driven on 47 ft. to the north and 25 ft. to the south. Boulders of quartz occurred in the north drive, but in the south there was merely track, and the values throughout were negligible. Jb'our men were employed.

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Heady Bullion, Mine. —The crosscut east from the low-level adit was extended a further 125 ft., to 200 ft. Small leaders were encountered at 100 ft, 143 ft., and 175 ft. respectively, in this crosscut, but they wero not found to carry any values of a payable nature. Towards the end of the year mainly, I understand, owing to financial difficulties operations came to a stanstill. Big River Extended Mine. —A little further work was done in an adit driven on one of the outcropping reefs, but tho results obtained were not satisfactory. Big River South Mine. —No work was done on this property during the year. Progress Mine. —The only work carried out on the property consisted of the retreatmont of some residues at the crushing plant, from which 577 oz. of gold, valued at £1,904, were recovered. Wealth of Nations Mine. —After being idle, as far as underground work is concerned, for a long period, a start was made again in the last half of the year to reopen this property by a new company which had acquired it from the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited). The principal work done so far has been the repairing of Nos. fi, 10, 11, and 12 levels, for the purpose of restoring ventilation. The result of this work has served to show that the old air-course is in much better condition than might have been expected after the mine being idle so long. A start was also made to sink tho main (Energetic) shaft another lift of 150 ft., with a view to opening out a further level. To the cud of December, 15 ft. of new shaft was sunk. Towards the sinking of this lift and tho opening out of a new level (No. 13), the Mines Department is assisting, on a pound-for-pound basis, to the extent of £2,625. Scotia Mine. — Nothing in the way of mining - work was done during the year, but early in the New Year, 1 understand, it is the intention of the present holders to push forward the formation of a syndicate to provide funds for further testing of the property. Alexander River Reefs. —The option taken over this property by the Recovery Gold-mines Syndicate was not availed of, but the discoverer's of the reef, Messrs. McVicar and Hurley, have vigorously prosecuted prospecting operations. In No. 1 adit, the country having been found to be badly crushed, a new adit (No. 2) was opened out, about 130 ft. lower than No. 1, and in this upwards of 600 ft. of driving and crosseutting were done. At first it was thought that this No. 2 adit would prove to be in settled country, but the extension of the work served to show that the country was still too gieatly disturbed to offer any probability of the downward continuation of the outcropping (Bull) reef being located in,it. Assistance by way of subsidy is being given by the Mines Department for most of tho work in this adit. HOKITIKA AND ROSS DISTRICT. The only two quartz-mines in this district —namely, the Mount Greenland and the Mount Greenland Extended— were both idle during tho year. At Donnelly's Crock, Mr. H. Osmers was engaged, howevor, in putting in a crosscut, with tho aid of subsidy, with a view to picking up, beyond tho old workings, the two small reefs worked many years ago by the Donnelly's Creek Quartz-mining Company. He has succeeded in intersecting one of them, which was found to carry fair goldvalues, but was very small, being only about 6 in. in width. The second reef, when intersected, should prove much wider than the first one. STILLWATER DISTRICT. Victory Mine. —No actual development work was carried out, but some diamond-drilling was done over the back of tho bottom level. At about 71 ft. up the drill passed through 3 ft. of reef, an assay from which is said to have yielded gold equal to 19 dwt. 17 gr. per ton. The point at which the drill intersected this reef was calculated to be about 25 ft. below Messrs. Curtis's old workings. This discovery was made in August, but nothing has been done since by way of active mining with a view to developing the reef located. The delay is due to the necessity of the syndicate owning tho mine to raise further capital. GENERAL REMARKS. Although very little has been done by the quartz-mines in the way of paying dividends, and the mines generally have been still severely hampered in their operations by the high cost of labour and of mining supplies, as well as having to submit to a marked shrinkage in gross revenue by reason of the gradual disappearance of the premiums formerly received on gold disposed of, there has been an all-round improvement, as compared with last year, in the quantity of stone crushed, the amount of gold recovered, the value received for the gold, and (to a slight extent only) in the number of men employed. The increase in tonnage crushed amounted to 7,190 tons, that of gold won to 4,670 oz., while that in value received was £2,261. The loss of premium was greatly felt. Only £2,400 was paid in dividends, as against £4,200 in 1921. I am pleased to have to report that no accidents of any kind calling for report occurred in any of the mines of the district during the period under review. A considerable amount of prospecting for reefs was carried out, particularly under the auspices of the Inangahua Prospecting Association, but although many reefs were reported to have been located none were found to contain payable values. During the year five informations were laid against various parties for breaches of the sections of the Act dealing with Sunday working. In two eases convictions were recorded and small fines imposed. In the other three cases convictions wore recorded without fines. A miner at Blackwater Mine was also proceeded against for carrying explosives otherwise than in a proper receptacle, and was convicted and fined. Dredges. This branch of the mining industry in the district has shown a decided improvement, mainly owing to the successful operations of the large American-type dredge of the Rimu Dredging Company at Rirmr Flat, Hokitika. During the year this dredge turned over 1,147,790 cubic yards of gravel for a return of 10,163 oz. 4 dwt. gold, valued at £44,801 14s. sd. This return is equal to 9-36 d. per cubic yard, which, I understand, is well up to the estimate of recoverable gold formed by the company prior to starting operations. The plant on the whole has been working very satisfactorily. The first line of buckets put on were somewhat on the light side, and gave a good deal of trouble through breakages, but since these have been replaced by buckets of a heavier type the proportion of dredging-time lost has been very small. The dredge completed its first cut, some 3,000 ft. in length, and is now working back towards its starting-point, taking a triple cut on the return trip to a total width of 400 ft. Having a free side to work to, it is now dealing with a much larger quantity of gravel than was possible on the original cut. At the finishingpoint of tho first cut the dredging reached a depth of 53 ft., 4fi ft. of which was below water-level. As the bottom was barely cleaned at this depth, it is evident that from 53 ft. to 55 ft. may bo considered as the limit to which the dredge will operate. In view of the success met with, it is now probable that tho company will proceed at an early date with preparations for supplying an additional dredge to work its large area. Before any further dredge can be put to work it will be necessary, however, for the company to provide further electrical power, th« present plant leaving no margin. The question of providing this additional power is now under consideration. The Awatuna dredge, which was put into commission in March on a beach claim near the Awatuna Railwaystation, recovered 992 oz. of gold, valued at £3,933. The working of the dredge was not, however, found to be profitable, and work ceased again before the end of the year. Tho lack of succcps appears to be due not so much to poverty of values in the ground as to the immutability of the plant for treating such material as heavy beach sand mixed with boulders. Had thore been a screen on the dredge for the purpiwe of readily separating out the stones, leaving only the fine sand to pass through the boxes, it is probable a much greater degree of success would have been met with. As it was, a heavy body of water had to be used to remove them, and this militated against the saving of the extremely fine gold the sands contained. The owners of the dredge a c now endeavouring to provide funds for the alteration of the dredge to meet their needs, and at the same time will consider the possibility of providing electrical power to work the plant in place of the present costly steam-power.

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Alluvial Mining. This branch of the industry showed a falling-off for the year, the value of the gold won being £4,1(19 less than for tho preceding period. There was nevertheless an increase of fifty-four in the number of men employed. The coming year-, however', may show an improvement again. The Hohonu Diamond Terrace Sluicing Company's claim, in connection with which some £10,000 is now being spent in bringing in a main-supply race, should start to produce at an early date, and is expected to be a good producer. Several other claims also, which only worked for part of the year, an: expected to got full time in. The following notes will servo to give some particulars as to the work carried out on the various fields :— Howard Diggings. —Returns show that only ten men were employed, recovering 273 oz. gold, valued at £1,089. Murchison. —For tho whole of this district, including Newton Flat and Lycll, only 134 oz. were recovered, valued at £522. Twelve men were employed. Addison's Flat. —Only one claim (Mouatt and party's) worked, employing four men, and winning 121 oz. 14 dwt gold, valued at £493 19s 'lid. Charleston and Brighton. —ln these localities the amount of gold won was 273 oz., valued at £1,032, the principal producer being Powell's claim, at Rahul, which yielded 23fi oz., valued at £893. Fairdown. —In this neighbourhood 97 oz. 10 dwt. gold was recovered, valued at £389. Grey Valley. —At the various claims thirteen men were employed, and 79 oz. gold, valued at £343, were recovered. Barrytown. —Some eighteen men were employed, and 532 oz. gold, valued at £1,975, were recovered. The principal producer was the Barrytown Sluicing Company, with 500 oz., valued at £1,850. Kumara. —On the Kumara, Greenstone, Stafford, and Callaghan's fields seventy-eight men were employed, and 1,193 oz. gold recovered, valrred at £4,923. Tho principal producers were—Linklater Sluicing Company (Stafford), 411 oz., valued at £1,747; llavill Bros. (Callaghan's), 349 oz., valrred at £1,371; Stubbs and Steel (Greenstone), 177 oz., valued at £7(50 ; and R. Kean (Greenstone), 109 oz., valued at £458. Hokitika. —In this district 492 oz. gold were recovered, valued at £2,046. The chief producers were—Rirrru United Sluicing Company, 254 oz., valued at £1,054, and Knight and Ford, 137 oz., valued at £553. Nineteen men were errrployed. Reefton. —Some nine men were employed, recovering 120 oz. gold, valued at £481. Coilingwood and Takaka. —Throe men were employed, and gold to the extent of 28 oz., valued at £101, recovered. Mining other than Gold. IRON. Onakaka Iron and Steel Company. —During the year the company completed its smelting plant at Onakaka, near Coilingwood, and made an experimental run, treating lfiO tons of crude ore for 81 tons of pig iron, valued at £027 15s. Tire plant was found to work most satisfactorily. An analysis of the resultant pig iron made from a sample taken at the time, gave the following results : Total carbon, 3-08 per cent. ; graphitic carbon, 2-89 ; combined carbon (by difference), 0-19 ; silicon, 3-92 ; sulphur, o'o4 ; phosphorus, 022 ; manganese, 064. An analysis of the ooke used. was as follows : Fixed carbon, 85-10 per cent. ; volatile hydro-oarbons, 0-98 ; water lost at 100° O, 0-72 ; ash, 13-20. An analysis of the furnace-gas gave following results : Carbon dioxide, 10-4 per cent. ; carbon monoxide, 27-fi ; oxygen, nitrogen, 62-00. The analysis of the pig iron showed it to be of a class comparing very favourably with imported pig irons, and subsequent tests made by a number of ironfoundcrs throughout the Dominion have, I understand, proved to be of a quality very suitable for ordinary foundry purposes here. Owing to the company not having at the time secured a permanent supply of coke for its purposes only a short run with tho furnace was permissible. Subsequent to the run the company completed a nest of sixteen coke-ovens of beehive type, with the intention of making its own coke, but I have since been informed that it has secured a sufficient supply of coke within the Dominion at a satisfactory figure and of satisfactory quality. In connection with tho plant and quarries some thrity-live men were employed. PROSPECTING FOR PETROLEUM. Kotuku Petroleum-prospecting Syndicate. —This syndicate has steadily pursued boring operations for petroleum on its mineral warrant at Kotuku, on the Greymouth-Otira Railway-line, throughout the year. In March its No. 1 bore was completed, being determined at 941 ft., in slate country. This bore was situated on Petroleum Creek, about 70 chains due north from, the junction of Deep Creek with the Arnold River. At 31 ft. slight traces of oil were got, and from a seam of line gravel I. ft. thick at 229 ft. a small amount of gas was tapped. No. 2 bore was started in May, and determined in August in hard white limestone at 612 ft. This bore was about 20 chains due oast of No. 1 bore, and near Deep Creek. The limestone gave off a little non-inflammable gas, but no trace of oil was got in the bore. At 280 ft. the sand-pump was lost, and much time was lost before it was recovered. No. 3 bore will be a little to the west of Molloy's Lookout, about two miles due north of No. 2 bore, and on the eastern side of tho No Town track. The derrick and plant have been already shifted to the site. Morula Oilfields. —Towards the end of 1921 a mineral-prospecting warrant over an area of 980 acres in the Matakitaki and Burnett Survey Districts was granted to Messrs. Oxnam Bros, and others, for the purposes of prospecting for petroleum. A number of seepages had been found in the locality, small, quantities of petroleum collected from them being evidently of a very fair quality. In the early part of 1922, the field was visited by Professor L. A. Cotton, Assistant Professor of Geology, University of Sydney, who made a geological examination of the neighbourhood, and furnished a report to the effect that there were probably oil-bearing beds there, but that they were at a groat depth from the surface —probably not less than 6,000 ft.—and that the strata was so dislocated by fractures that no area left between the fractures would be sufficiently Large to permit of the accumulation of a payable deposit of oil. As a result of this report the prospectors went no farther with their investigation. The strata overlying the possible oil-beds were estimated by Professor Cotton tir be about the following thicknesses in the ordermentioned : Sandstones (upper beds), 900 ft. ; conglomerate, 1,200 ft. to 1,500 ft. ; coal-measures, 2,000 ft. to 2,600 ft. ; arkose grits (lower beds), 500 ft. to 1,500 ft. Southern Inspection District (Mr. A. Whitley, Inspector of Mines). Quartz and Alluvial Mining. ' WAITAKI COUNTY. Livingstone and Maerewhenua. —A further decline is noticeable in the returns of gold from these localities. During tho year seven men were employed, producing 162 oz. 19 dwt. gold, valued at £650 9s. lid. MANIOTOTO COUNTY. Naseby. —Sixteen sluicing and elevating claims, employing twenty-two men, were in operation in this district. Some of the miners are supplied with 'water from the Government race, while others have their own supply, which is obtained from small streams in the vicinity of Naseby. In the past a loss has been incurred in the working of the Government race, and it was proposed to increase the charge for supplying water therefrom. A satisfactory arrangement was, however, arrived at between the Department and the miners, whereby water is supplied at the old rate on condition that the miners do all the maintenance-work required on the race. The value of the gold produced during the year amounted to £2,915. St. Bathan's. —The Scandinavian Water-race Company and the United M. and E. Water-race Company continue to work the quartz-drift deposits in this locality. Tho former company produced 589 oz. gold, valued at £2,486, and the latter 114 oz., valued at £458. —The production of gold from this locality amounted to 135 oz. 15 dwt., valued at £551. Only two claims were in operation.

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Kyeburn Diggings. —Throe claims were worked during the year. Tho gold won amounted to 170 oz., valued at £092. Palearoa. —Four men were employed at alluvial mining in this locality ; 143 oz. gold, valued at £557, wore recovered. TUAPEKA COUNTY. Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company (Blue Spur). —This company was operating in the cement deposit throughout the year. Sixteen men were employod, and the yield of gold was valued at £3,800. La,wrene,e Sluicing Company (Blue Spur). —Sluicing and olovating from Kitto's old paddock has been continuously carried on during the year. Water under a hydraulic head of 050 ft. is used for breaking down the auriferous cement. Gold valued at £2,700 was produced, being an increase of £1,419 on the previous year's output. Seven men were employed. Golden Crescent Sluicing Company (Weatherstone). —The cement worked during the year was of low grade, consequently a falling-off is noticeable in the returns, the yield of gold being valued at £1,063, as against £1,938 for 1920. Havelock Sluicing Company (Waitahuna). —The company's water-race was extended to command shallow ground between Waitahuna and Forsyth. Returns for the year show that gold valued at £1,078 was produced, and dividends amounting to £200 were paid. Sailors' Gully Sluicing Company (Waitahuna). —A paddock taken out of the cement in the early part of the year gave disappointing results. Operations were then directed, to working a deposit of clay and gravel resting on the cement, from which payable returns were secured. The production of gold amounted to 847 oz., valued at £3,498, and £840 was paid in dividends. Waipori. —Ten men wore employed in this locality during the year. Five claims were worked, producing 637 oz. gold, valued at £2,579. The principal producers were—R. J. Cotton, 155 oz., valued at £620 ; Dunedin City Corporation, 280 oz. 10 dwt., valued at £1,122. Teviot Molyneux Gold-mining Company (Roxburgh). —This company's claim having proved unpayable, operations ceased towards the end of the year. VINCENT COUNTY. • Matakanui. —Donnelly and party, tributers, in tho Undaunted Tinkers Gold-mining Company's claim, produced 193 oz. gold, valued at £802. Nevis. —Seven sluicing and elevating claims were in operation during the year. The yield of gold amounted to 1,532 oz., valued at £fi,278. The principal producers were—Graham and party, 696 oz., valued at £2,867 ; and Ellis and party, 495 oz., valued at £2,056. Soper and party were engaged in prospecting an extensive area of river-flat in the Upper Nevis with encouraging results. Old Man Range. —ln the Advance Mine a winze was sunk 25 ft. on White's roof at the battery lovel. The reef averaged about 2 ft. in width, and a crushing of 50 tons taken from it yielded 40 oz. 17 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £189 lis. The mine is owned and worked by R. T. Symes. Two men are employed. LAKE COUNTY. Shotover River. —Eighteen miners were engaged in sluicing operations in tho Shotover River and its tributaries during the year. The total yield of gold from the district amounted to 683 oz., valued at £2,933. Campbell and Murray were the principal producers, with 159 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £790. Glenorchy. —Thornton and Pitt, owners of the Invincible Mine, drove 253 ft. to prospect tho reef 40 chains southwest of the old Invincible Company's workings. Two quartz veins, each about 1 ft. in width, were cut. Samples taken from those veins assayed from 1 dwt. 7 gr. to 4 dwt. 21 gr. per ton. The Glenorchy Scheelite Company's mines and other scheelito-mines in this district were closed down throughout the year. WAIHEMO COUNTY. Golden Point Mine (Macrae's). —This mine was purchased from the Golden Point Gold and Scheelite Mining Company by David Peddie and party. Operations were commenced under the new ownership in September. Work in the mine was confined to sinking and stoping on the Home reef at the intermediate level. The battery was overhauled, and five head of stamps put into commission. A crushing of 112 tons of ore yielded 38 oz. gold, valued at £152. None of tho scheelite-mines in, this locality were worked during the year. SOUTHLAND COUNTY. Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Com,pany (Nokomai). —The company's water-races were cleaned out and repaired in the early part of the year. Sluicing and elevating has been in progress at Nos. 2 and 3 claims in Victoria Gully. The yield of gold amounted to 1,514 oz., valued at £5,977. Thirty-three men were employed. Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company (Waikaia). —A paddock was taken out on the flat near Maori Gully, where good prospects were found when drilling for shale some years ago. The auriferous gravel was confined to a small pocket, which was soon exhausted, and work in this part of the company's claim was discontinued. Sluicing has been carried on in Mathewson's and Maori Gullios. Nine men were employed, and the gold won during the year amounted to 159 oz., valued at £031. Alhol. —Blakoly and McLister, Wakatipu Gully, produced 150 oz., valued at £000, and A. Mutch, Paddy's Alloy, 261 oz., valued at £1,044. WALLACE COUNTY. Round Hill, Mining Company. —The company's two elevators have been in operation throughout the year. Payable ground is being worked in No. 2 claim, which will probably extend through to the beach. Eighteen men were employed. The amount of gold recovered being 998 oz., which realized £4,431. Ourawera Gold-mining Company (Round Hill). —This company's operations were hampered by a scarcity of water, there being only sufficient at times to koep one shift of men employod. Tho yield of gold for the year wasvalued at £934. Orepuki and Pahia. —The gold producod in these localities during the year amounted to 228 oz., valued at £911. Eight miners were employed. . Dredge-mining. This branch of mining provided employment for fifty-four men, and produced gold valued at £11,158. The Kura dredge at Freshford, Waikaia, was destroyed by fire in April. F. Jones arrd party purchased the Nevis Crossing dredge, and commenced operations in September. The lower Nevis and Forry dredges were dismantled during the year. Minerals other than, Gold. Scheelite. —No scheelite was produced during the year. The mines at Glenorchy, Macrae's, and The Reefs were idle, and operations will not be resumed until a better price is obtainable for the mineral. Cinnabar. —This mineral was discovered on Section 8, Block XI, Greenvale Survey District, during 1921 by J. B. Graham and party. To test the deposit at a depth of 100 ft. below the outcrop an adit has been driven 362 ft. A quartz vein 6 in. wide was cut at 341 ft. from the surface. Traces of cinnabar occur in joint-planes in the country, but the quartz vein is barren where cut through in tho drive. Molybdenite. —Quartz roofs carrying molybdenite were found on Sections 5 and 0, Block XIV, Warau Survey District, but tho amount of mineral in the ore was too small to be of commercial value. Phosphate Rock. —The Ewing Phosphate Company produced 3,128 tons of phosphate rock, valued at £3,128, from the quarries at Milburn and Clarendon. Ochre. —A deposit of ochre was found on Section 51, Block TIT, Lauder Survey District, the property of P. W. Wilson. Two tons were taken out and used in the manufacture of paint. Accidents. No serious accidents occurred in the Southern Inspection District during 1922.

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ANNEXURE B. MINING STATISTICS.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended 31st December, 1922.

Average Gold obtained. Locality and Name of Mine. °' Quartz crushed. employed. Amalgam. Cyanide. GoM obtained. Value. Thames County and Borouoh. Tararu Creek— Tons cwt. qr. lb. Oz. dwt. Oz. dwt. New Sylvia .. .. .. 20 733 0 0 0 130 6 1,538 5 Waiotahi Creek— Evening Star .. .. f> .. .. 14 2 Tairua— Golden Hills .. .. 2 222 0 0 0 230 19 63 3 £ g. d. 2,129 7 8 34 1 (i 600 17 1 Totals .. .. 28 955 0 0 0 361 4 1,015 10 28 955 0 0 0 361 4 1,615 10 2,764 6 3 2,764 6 .'! Waihi Borouoii Waihi— Waihi Goldmining Company* .. I 651 181,092 0 0 0 .. 428,142 18 Waihi Grand Junction* .. 191 9,280 0 0 0 .. 10,769 3 Totals .. .. 842 190,372 0 0 0 .. 438,912 1 Waihi Borough 181,092 0 0 0 9,280 0 0 0 428,142 18 10,769 IS 2! 2( 258,218 18 7 I 1,019 13 9 i (>! 18,218 18 7 1,019 13 9 19,238 12 4 842 190,372 0 0 0 438,912 1 209,238 12 4 I ; Ohinemuri County. K arangahake— Woodstock .. .. .. i 6 30 0 0 0 15 0 Imperial .. .. .. 2 0 10 0 0 16 4 38 12 6 33 2 0 38 12 6 33 2 0 Totals .. .. I 8 30 10 0 0 31 4 i 30 10 0 0 31 4 71 14 (J 71 14 6 Coromandel County Waikoromiko — New Hero .. .. .. 2 , 0018, .. 17 12 Four-in-hand .. . . 2 20 0 0 0 32 0 Hauraki Blook— Old Hauraki .. .. 23 70 0 0 0 35 16 TikiIris.. .. 2 4 10 0 0 7 14 Mahakirau — J. W. Egan .. .. . . 2 ; 1 0 0 0 j 5 4 2 2 23 Coromandel Count , 0 0 18 20 0 0 0 70 0 0 0 32 0 35 16 17 12 50 12 0 96 12 0 no 2 lo 21 2 5 12 15 0 50 12 0 !)(> 12 0 110 2 10 2 4 10 0 0 7 14 21 2 5 2 10 0 0 5 4 12 15 0 Totals .. .. 31 95 10 1 8 80 14 17 12 :u 95 10 1 s 80 14 17 12 291 4 3 291 4 3 Tauranga County. Te Puke— Mnir's Gold Reefs .. .. 118 28,810 0 0 0 .. 21,018 13 118 Tauranga County. 28,810 0 0 0 21,018 13 ft 66,099 12 6 Iβ 3,099 12 6 SUMMARY. Thames County and Borough .. 28 955 0 0 0 :{(il 4 1,615 10 Waihi Borough .. .. 842 190,372 0 0 0 .. 438,912 1 S Ohinemuri County .. .. 8 30 10 0 0 31 4 Coromandel County .. .. 31 95 10 1 8 80 14 17 12 Tauranga County .. .. Uβ 28,810 0 0 0 .. 21,618 14 SUMMARY. 955 0 0 0 190,372 0 0 0 30 10 0 0 95 10 1 8 28,810 0 0 0 361 1 31 4 80 14 1,615 10 438,912 1 2,764 0 3 269.238 12 4 71 14 G 291 4 3 66,009 12 6 61 2 19 Iβ 2,764 f> 3 ),238 12 4 71 14 6 291 4 3 S.099 12 6 "n 12 21,618 14 Totals, 1922 .. 1,025 220,263 0 18 473 2 402,163 17 3 220,263 0 1 8 473 2 402,163 17 338,465 9 10 CO 18 !,465 9 10 Totals, 1921 .. 1,039 214,365 8 3 18 (ttl 4 506,280 2 3 214,365 8 3 18 631 4 506,280 2 334,550 2 10 i:i< A t,550 2 10 ice ; silver, 2s. per • Waihi and Waihi (Jrand Junction Mines : Gold won from these minis \ alui id at £4 48. per oui iunce.

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Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the West Coast Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1922.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Southern Mining District for the Year ended 31st December, 1922.

Summary of Inspection Districts.

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Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. Quartz crushed. Gold obtained by 1 Estimated Value. tarnation. 8S2&& Wakamarina— Dominion Consolidated Develop- J 6 , ment Company (Limited) Mari.boroiio Tons cwt. qr. 1,652 0 0 I IH. Oz. dwt. gr. 412 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. 1,875 7 3 Hukawai— New Millerton Mine .. .. 12 Waiuta — Blaekwater Mines .. .. 158 '. Globe HillProgress Mines (Limited) .. 4 Big River— New Big River Mine .. .. 40 Nelson. 2,474 0 0 770 6 0 40,092 0 0 15,574 9 0 Nelson. 2,474 0 0 40,092 0 0 3,966 0 0 3,903 8 0 3,216 0 0 75,290 11 0 577 0 0 1,904 10 11 3,900 0 0 3,999 15 0 243 10 0 18,389 16 2 Totals .. .. 220 40,532 0 0 20,344 10 (1 46,532 0 0 4,723 16 0 98,800 18 1 Marlborough .. .. .. 6 Nelson .. .. .. 220 SUMMARY. SUMMAR\ 1,652 0 0 40,532 0 0 I 1,875 7 3 98,800 18 1 1,652 0 0 412 0 0 40,532 0 0 20,344 10 0 48,184 0 0 20,756 10 0 40,993 14 0 10,632 4 12 4,723' 16 0 Totals, 1922 .. 226 Totals, 1921 .. 233 48,184 0 0 40,993 14 0 4,723 16 0 4,187 7 3 100,082 5 4 98,421 6 8

Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. I I I Quartz crushed. Gold ol Amalgamation. Gold obtained by Value. Concentrates. Vincent County. Old Man RangeAdvance •• I 2 Tons. J 50 I Oz. dwt. gr. 46 17 7 | Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. 189 11 10 Macrae's — Ounce Waihemo County. 3 112 38 0 0 152 0 0 Vincent County.. Waihemo County SUMMARY. 189 11 10 152 0 0 Totals, 1922 Totals, 1921 2 50 3 112 5 162 5 252 46 17 7 38 0 0 84 17 7 114 1 0 10 0 0 341 11 10 516 1 11

Inspection District. PeSse'mploTed'l *«" «***■ Bullion obtained. Estimated Value. Northern (North Island) West Coast (of South Island) Southern (Otago and Southland) 1,025 220 5 Statute Tons. 220,203 48,184 162 Oz. dwt. gr. 462,636 19 0 25,480 6 0 84 17 7 £ s. d. 338,465 9 10 100,682 5 4 341 11 10 Totals, 1922 Totals, 1921 1,250 1,154 268,609 232,053 488,202 2 7 451,122 0 0 439,489 7 0 415,868 7 4

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APPENDIX B. REPOKTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES. The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir — Wellington, 23rd July, 1923. I have the honour to present my annual report, together with statistical information, in regard to coal-mines of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1922, in accordance with section 78 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908. The report is divided into the following sections : — I. Output. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act — (a) Permitted Explosives. (b) Dangerous Occurrences. (c) Electricity at Collieries. (d) Prosecutions. V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining. Annexures— A. Summary of Annual Reports by Inspectors of Mines. B. Colliery Statistics. SECTION I.—OUTPUT. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows:—

The following is a table showing the annual production of coal and the quantity of coal imported since 1911 : —

During 1922 the production of bituminous coal increased by 74,593 tons, that of brown coal by 10,213 tons, while the output of lignite was reduced by 36,082 tons, making the total increase for the year 48,724 tons. Throughout the year ample supplies of coal were available for all purposes, and at many of the mines difficulty was experienced in disposing of the output even at considerably reduced prices. This caused a slump in the collieries mining the lower grades of coal, and at the end of the year many of these collieries were working short time. The year was marked by a comparative freedom from industrial strife at the mines. One other feature that deserves mention is the striking increase in the number of small mines being worked by co-operative parties, most of whom did well during the year.

Output of Coal during 1922. Class of Coal. Northern District West Coast District (North Island). (South Island). Southern District (South Island). Totals. Total Output to the End of 1922. lituminous and semi-bituminous (rown lignite Tons. Tons. 89,575 878,863 430,578 480 640 Tons. 89,575 430,578 Tons. 279,275 178,408 Tons. 968,438 710,333 179,048 Tons. 34,917,970 17,290,650 3,342,687 Totals for 1922 520,153 879,983 457,683 1,857,819 55,551,307 Totals for 1921 514,607 483,613 1,809,095 53,693,488 810,875

Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Total Quantity of Coal produced and imported. Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Total Quantity of Coal produced and imported. 911 .912 913 .914 .915 .916 Tons. 2,066,073 2,177,615 1,888,005 2,275,593 2,208,624 2,257,135 Tons. 188,068 364,359 408,940 518,070 353,471 293,956 Tons. 2,254,141 2,541,974 2,350,945 2,793,063 2,562,095 2,551,091 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 Tons. 2,008,419 2,034,250 1,847,848 1,843,705 1,809,095 1,857,819 Tons. 291,597 255,332 391,434 476,343 822,459 501,478 Tons. 2,360,010 2,289,582 2,239,282 2,320,048 2,631,554 2,359,297

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The production from and the number of persons employed at the collieries of the Dominion are shown in the following table : —

SECTION II.—PERSONS EMPLOYED.

The following statement shows the tons of coal raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about collieries, &c, to 1922.

Name oi Colliory. Locality. Class of Coal. Output for 1922. Total Output to 31st December, 1922. Total Number of Persons ordinarily employed. Northern District. Flikurangi (2 collieries) Wilson's Colliery Taupiri Extende'l Rotowaro Pukemiro Wai pa West Coast District. Wcstport-Stockton Millerton Denniaton Paparoa Blaokball Liverpool (State,).. Southern District. Kaitangata and Castlehill (3 collieriei ) Taratu Linton Wairaki (2 collieries) 156 other collieries Hikurangi Huntiy Semi-bituminous Brown Tons. 30,813 30,257 130,499 93,496 138,941 41,488 Tons. 1,389,023 74,099 2,985,281 365,471 732,139 601,785 80 110 354 187 219 106 >> ■ • Ngakawau Millerton DennifitoQ Roa Blackball Rewanui Bituminous 86,676 265,285 177,639 39,342 102,925 122,711 1,805,438 6,412,903 8,366,334 387,954 3,104,148 1,109,758 270 521 501 82 259 297 >» ■ • Kaitangata Nightcaps Brown Lignite Brown 105,257 26,007 37,033 20,703 402,747 4,036,694 503,137 87,111 67,895 23,522,137 340 71 46 47 1,066 All coalfields .. Various Totals 1,857,819 55,551,307 4,556

Inspection District. Average Ni Above Ground. imber of Persons employed luring 1922. Below Ground. Total. Southern Vest Coast Northern 333 542 316 774 1,005 920 1,107 2,207 1,242 Totals, 1922 1,191 3,365 4,556 Totals, 1921 1,218 3,149 4,367

P P ?a, Total. Lives Lost by Accidents in or Tons raised about Collieries. per each Per- p son employed Per Million m. „ ' , Number Below Ground. Tons p° r "™ d of Lives produced, Lost. Year. J'ers. Persoi us ordinarily cmp] loyed. Output, in Statute Tons. Above Ground. Below Ground. Prior to 1900 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1900 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 n,te±Aoi 1,093,990 1,239,686 1,365,040 1,420,229 1,537,838 1,585,756 1,729,536 1,831,009 1,860,975 1,911,247 2,197,362 2,066,073 2,177,615 1,888,005 2,275,614 2,208,624 2,257,135 2,068,419 2,034,250 1,847,848 1,843,705 1,809,095 1,857,819 t 617 688 803 717 763 833 1,174 1,143 992 1,159 1,136 1,365 1,130 1,053 1,176 1,050 988 1,090 1,102 1,095 1,152 1,218 1,191 t 1,843 2,066 2,082 2,135 2,525 2,436 2,518 2,767 2,902 3,032 ! 3,463 2,925 3,198 3,197 3,558 3,106 3,000 2,893 2,892 2,849 2,926 3,149 3,365 t 2,460 2,754 2,885 2,852 3,288 3,269 3,692 3,910 3,894 4,191 4,599 4,290 4,328 4,250 4,734 4,156 3,988 3,983 3,994 3,944 4,078 4,367 4,556 t 2,4(50 2,754 2,885 2,852 3,288 3,269 3,692 3,910 3,894 4,191 4,599 4,290 4,328 4,250 4,734 4,156 3,988 3,983 3,994 3,944 4,078 4,367 4,556 t t t 165 593 3-65 1-62 4 600 2-42 1-09 3 655 1-46 0-69 2 665 2-81 1-40 4 609 2-60 1-21 4 651 3-78 1'83 6 687 3-46 1-62 6 662 6-55 307 12 641 2-68 1'28 5 633 '•' 3-65 1-79 7 634 7-28 3-55 16 706 6-77 3-26 14 681 4-13 2-08 9 590 3-18 1-38 6 639 21-53 10'35 49* 711 4-07 2-16 9 750 2-65 1-50 6 715 1-93 1-00 4 703 2-95 1-50 6 648 5-41 2-53 10 630 0-54 0-24 1 574 5-52 228 10 552 3 23 1-31 6 Totals .. 55,551,307 364 ment, 1921. ar of Ralph's (lluntly) explosion. t For return is for previous yei irs sec page 32, Mines State]

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SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1922, with their causes : —

The fatalities being in the proportion of 1 - 31 per thousand persons employed, and 3-23 per million tons produced. Of the fatal accidents the following is a short description :— Sydney Bartholomew, al Denniston, on 24th May. —The deceased, a youth of sixteen, was crushed between a derailed truck of stone and the handrail of the viaduct. No direct evidence is available, but the facts point to the conclusion that deceased was riding on the truck, which became derailed, overturned, and caught deceased. W. C. Merrill, at Stockton, on 7th June.— The deceased was a miner working in No. 5 section of the Stockton Mine. At the time of the accident he and his brother were splitting a pillar near the outcrop, when a sudden large fall took place, which swung the timber in their place and caught and buried deceased as he and his brother were running back towards safety. W. E. Booth, at Denniston, on 8/h July. —This was an extraordinary accident. It appears that deceased, a miner, was walking up the haulage-road on his way home at the end of his shift when his head struck a low part of the roof. He was picked up unconscious, and died three days later. D. Veilch and J. Craig, at Wilson's Colliery, Hikurangi, on 4th August. —Both the deceased were miners, and at the time of the accident were going down the incline on their way to work. The brakesmen at. the top sent away a set of which all the trucks had not been coupled. Five of the trucks ran down the incline and caught the two deceased, J. Craig being killed instantaneously, and. D. Veitch succumbing to his injuries on the same day. Arising out of the circumstances that led to this accident legal proceedings were instituted by the Department against the company and the brakesmen. Owen Lynch, at Linton Mine, on 11th December. —Deceased, a miner, had had one shot fired in his place, and was preparing for another shot, when he was struck by some coal that fell off a drossy back, and which had probably been shaken by the first shot. Accounts of the serious but non-fatal accidents are contained in the District Inspectors' reports. Of this class of accident the most marked is the very high-proportion of eye-injuries. During the year four miners each lost the sight of one eye, three of the four cases being in the Waikato. In some of the Waikato mines there is a decided necessity for the miners, when cutting, using some form of eye-protection, on the same lines as that in use at Kaitangata. SECTION IV.—WORKING OF THE COAL-MINES ACT. (a.) Permitted Explosives. (Regulations 128 to 134 inclusive.) The following is a table showing the quantity of permitted explosive used and the number of shots fired at New Zealand coal-mines during 1922 : —

Seventy-two per cent, of the coal produced in the Dominion during 1922 was broken down by permitted explosive, and the average production of coal per pound of explosive used was 5-1 tons, and per shot fired 4-5 tons.

Fatal Ai widents. Serious Non-fi ital Accidents. Number of Separate Fatal Accidents. Number of Deaths. Number of Separate Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons injured, including those injured by Accidents which proved Fatal to their Companions. Explosions of lire-damp or coal-dust Palls of ground Explosives Haulage Miscellaneous —Underground On surface 2 2 1 "2 1 r> 2 5 12 3 8 5 2 5 12 3 Totals 5 29 30

Quantii Exp ty of Perm] ilosives usei ited i imbet ot Misfired 81 lots. »S ■Sell F i. I > SB sf <a Q > ■m ta Inspection District. "3 I ! w & I Number of Shots fired. Total. Northern (i.e., North Island) West Coast (of South Island) .. Southern (i.e., Canterbury, Otago, and Southland) 79,981 149,788 13,417 IS,674 3,391 90,907 187,977 21,463 132 48 322 582 33 28 168 2 482 798 35 362,936 855,702 131,960 Totals 243,186 15,674 3,391 300,347 180 937 198 1,315 1,350,598

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(6.) Dangerous Occurrences reported. (Regulation 81.) The following is a short account of the more serious of these. A full list is contained in the District Inspectors' reports. Taupiri Extended Mine. —On the 20th November an outbreak of fire took place in the No. 4 section, west side. This was got under, but a much more serious fire occurred in the same section on the sth December. To deal with the second outbreak the whole of the workings in the section had to be sealed off. The cause of the fire was a severe crush due to working the top seam over old workings in the bottom-seam, the pillars of the latter being too small to carry the weight without crushing. Liverpool Stale Mine. —On the 26th July a blower of gas was struck in the low-level tunnel of the Morgan, seam. Blackball Mine. —The fire up No. 17 seotion gave much trouble during the year, as it kept drawing air from cracks to the surface, and the water coming down the bank carried noxious fumes on to the water-level. Another underground fire broke out in No. 5 bank on the 19th August, and had to be stopped off. A much more serious fire occurred on the 24th November, in the cable-road at the foot of No. 4 bank, caused probably by a fall of roof breaking the insulation of the electric cables and causing arcing, which ignited the coal. Every effort to extinguish it by water failed, and finally the whole of the workings past No. 3 had to be sealed off ; this meant the stoppage of fully two-thirds of the working-places of the mine. As many men as possible were employed working a small seotion up No. 1 bank on three shifts, but this could not accommodate all the former employees, and the balance were forced to leave Blackball and seek employment elsewhere. An attempt was made in February of this year to reopen the scaled-ofi area, but it failed. A second effort at the end of March succeeded. The grave danger in this fire was its close proximity to the main intake, and the possibility of a similar outbreak trapping men inbye. In order to provide fully against this steps are now being taken to guard against a recurrence, and, if such should take place, to make it impossible for the fire to get down to the intake airway. Millerlon Mine. —On the 15th December two officials climbed up a fall in the South Pillar section to inspect the roof. They were using naked lights, and ignited some inflammable gas that had accumulated in the cavity over the fall, with the result that both of them were seriously burned. The law requires such an inspection to be made with a locked safety-lamp. On previous occasions gas had been detected in this mine in small quantities, and after this accident the Department insisted on the mine being worked with safety-lamps. (c.) Electricity at Collieries. (Regulation 160.) During 1922 there has been a further 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 .. ... 19 Number of continuous-current installations .. .. .. .. 13 Number of alternating-current installations .. .. .. .. 7 Number of collieries electrically lighted .. .. .. .. 19 Number of collieries using electrical ventilating-machines .. .. 11 Number of collieries using electrical pumping plants .. .. .. 11 Number of collieries using electrical haulage plants .. .. .. 10 Number of collieries using electrical screening plants .. .. .. 3 Number of collieries using electrical miscellaneous plants .. .. 1 Number of collieries using electrical locomotives .. .. .. 9 Total horse-power employed from motors on surface .. .. .. 2,860 Total horse-power employed from motors below ground .. .. 1,146J (d.) Prosecutions. On the 16th March the manager of Rotowaro Mine was convicted and fined for having failed to install safety-lamps after he had been notified as to the necessity for his so doing. On the 17th March the Department unsuccessfully prosecuted the manager and deputies of Waipa Mine for having used other than a permitted explosive in what the Department held was a dry and dusty mine within the meaning of the Coal-mines Act. On the 20th March an underviewer was convicted and fined for a breach of Special Rule 17. On the 7th August an underviewer at Pukemiro Mine was convicted and fined for a breach of Special Rules 8 and 10. On the 7th, Bth, and 9th August the manager of Pukemiro Colliery was prosecuted for failing to install safety-lamps in that mine, but the prosecution did not succeed. On the sth December proceedings were heard against the company and the two brakesmen in charges arising out of the fatal accident to two men at Wilson's Colliery, Hikurangi, on the 4th August. The informations against the company were dismissed ; the two brakesmen were convicted and fined. SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. The Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1922, makes the following provisions : — Section 2 gives power to the Warden and Commissioner of Crown Lands to grant coal licenses and leases in respect of scenic reserves. Seotion 3 provides for the granting of licenses over any education reserve or education endowment. Section 4 amends tho former provisions regarding tho

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granting of coal prospecting licenses over Crown lands. Section 5 makes provision for an Inspector under the Mining Act inspecting certain coal-mines. Section 6 amends the former provisions regarding the fees payable by applicants for examination. Section 7 specifies the qualification of Minemanagers for various classes of coal-mines. Section 8 amends the fees payable by applicants for certificates without examination. Section 9 makes compulsory the payment of overtime at overtime rates. Section 10 amends the provisions for the drilling of shot-holes, and for fuller examination of the working-places by tho fireman-deputy, and for a report of any defect observed in such examination. Section 11 provides for the notification of accidents underground. Section 12 provides for power to proscribe fines for breaches of the regulations. Section 13 increases the maximum fine for a breach of the Act from £10 to £30. Section 14 includes the breaches of the regulations in the former provision for proceedings for recovery of fines. Section 15 amends the provisions for industrial disputes at the State Coal-mines. Section 16 prohibits any person employod by the Crown in connection with the administration of the Coal-mines Act, or in connection with the State Coal-mines, or any member of his family, from having any pecuniary interest in any coal-mine or coal-mining lease or license. Section 17 amends the qualifications required by an underviewer or fireman-deputy. Section 18 requires a record to be kept of hewers under the age of twenty-one years. Section 19 amends the provision respecting mine plans. Section 20 provides for the transfer of funds from the Coal-miners' Relief Fund to any sick and accident fund. Section 21 amends Special Rule 1 of the Second Schedule of the principal Act, and provides for the appointment by the manager of a sufficient number of officials to secure the proper working and supervision of the mine, and amends Rule 53, making it illegal for any intoxicated person to enter or continue about a coal-mine. Section 23 provides that on the assignment of any coal-mining lease tho Minister may require payment of a proportion of the royalty in excess of Is. per ton. There were no alterations during the year to the regulations. I have, &c, J. A. C. Bayne, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.

ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. Northern Inspection District (Mr. William Barclay, Inspector-). Hikurangi, Waikato, and Mokau Inspection Districts. Hikurangi Coal Company (Limited).—'No. 1 Colliery : Phoenix dip section was abandoned during the year, the remaining coal pillars being rendered inaccessible for- extraction through surface water flooding tire workings, ami the means of drainage was inadequate to successfully oope with the abnormal quantities of water. The South dip was advanoed 12 chains in tho coal-seam, levels were broken off, and, having reached the determined boundary, pillars are being extracted. This coal-seam is much troubled by faulting and varying gradients. No. 2 Colliery (under development) : No. 1 upcast circular shaft intersected the coal-seam at a depth of 322 ft. Tin- shaft has been divided into two compartments for ventilating purposes, and levels spaced 60 ft. apart are being advanoed to develop working-sections and oonnect with No. 2 downcast shaft, which is in course of sinking, and a borehole is being drilled lo oonnect with the workings of No. 1-shaft, allowing the water from the sinking shaft to be collected and pumped from the completed shaft. Machinery is being assembled for drainage, haulage, and ventilation, and an endless-rope-haulage tramway is being laid down to convey the output from the New Colliery to the company's permanent screens and railway-siding at Waro. Wilson's Collieries (Limited). —Northern Tauranga : The output is derived from pillar-extraction, and the workings are becoming rapidly exhausted. Tho coal is delivered ovor a surface tramway to the Northern Coal Company's railway coal-siding. Six men employed under permit. Wilson's Colliery (Waro Mine). —Several development dips were driven to provide future working-plaoes. Pillar-extraction was commenced on the formerly first workings, north and south of the main-haulage dip. These pillars were of small dimensions, and roadways badly fallen, necessitating the cleaning-up of falls, and in some oases entirely new levels were required to reach the pillars. An outstanding feature of the atmospheric conditions directly tho pillars are extracted and the roof fallen is the appreciable rise in the temperature in proximity to the falls, occasionally rising from 65° F, to 80° I<\, and also the abnormal quantities of C0 2 6i free nitrogen that accumulate in the gob. In respect to these physical conditions, observations would lead me to conclude that tho properties contained in the limestone-roof formation are in all probability the Bouroe of these actual chemical changes. Output maintained by three full working shifts. Additional accommodation is being provided in the bathhouse, and more suitable clotlies-drying appliances aro to be installed. A regrettable accident, involving the death of two miners, ocenrred on the haulage-road on the 4th August, caused by alleged misunderstanding of banksmen's and brakesmen's duties. Kerr and Co. (McLeod's Freehold). —Mining operations have been safely conducted during tho year by a party of co-oporative miners on. this freehold property. The workings are in close proximity to the Main North Road, and a sufficient barrier of solid coal has been left to support the road. Twelve miners ordinarily employed hewing and conveying the coal to tho Waro railway-siding. Silverdale (Foot and Doel: Crown Leases), —The mine is entered by three drives, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and the coal-seam, which varies in thickness from 2 ft. fl in. to 4 ft. occurs on tho hilltops, and is generally found with little roof cover. Bords are broken, off the levels, and immediately upon completion to a thinning of the coal-seam pillars are extracted, beginning at tho innermost ones. A band of superior fireclay occurs in the coal-seam, and is mined in conjunction with the coal, transported to Auckland, and manufactured into firebricks and gas-retorts. Northern Co-operative (Cunningham's Crown Lease). —During the past year several drives have been driven to win out small outcrop blocks left from former workings, but owing to tho results being unremunerative these operations were abandoned and the plant transferred to the eastern boundary of the section, where tho coal-seam was found outcropping on a rising ridge.

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Kerr and Wyatt (Crown Lease). —Mining operations confined to the extraction of remaining pillars. Surface water troublesome during heavy rains, and a syphon proved, insufficient to drain the haulage drive. Preparations being made to win coal from a lower water-free level. Christie's Colliery (Christie's Freehold.). —Prospecting by boring north of tho old workings disclosed a workable coal-seam 6 ft. in thickness lying on an easy grade. A dip was driven into the seam and a section developed. The plant was removed from the old mino and installed to operate tho new workings. Ferndale Colliery (Cherrie and Go. : Crown Lease). —Mining operations commenced in June to win out isolated blocks of coal left by the Northern Coal Company (Limited). Adit levels connected with former workings and pillars extracted towards tho mine-mouth. Output conveyed by horse-wagons to Hikurangi railway-sidings, a distance of three miles. Kawakawa Colliery. —A small party of miners mined 254 tons of outcrop coal from a portion of the abandoned workings. The results were unprofitable, and operations ceased,, with little prospect of further development. Raulangata Colliery, Kama. —The Kama Potteries Limited reopened the old mine-workings, but, owing to the abandoned pillars being submerged, in water, together with roof falls, mining was discontinued after several unsuccessful attempts to drain the water and timber away through the fallen roadways. Taupiri Extended Mine, Huntly. —At this colliery a serious crushing of the coal pillars in Nos. 3, 4, and. 5 sections, west side, occurred during the past year. At the outset the point of maximum pressure was in tho vicinity of the recent falls in No. 4 section, bottom scam. The movement spread over a large area, resulting in falls of roof, destruction of roadways and airways, and upheaval of the bottom. A serious underground fire, due to heating of the fallen coal, broke out in an inaccessible portion of the crushing-aria. The fire was subsequently scaled off with thirty-four substanJal sand stoppings. The endless rope was extended from No. 5 section to No. 7 section, north side, through a stone drive driven to grade an undulation of the coal-scam. No. 1 dip development headings progressing satisfactorily in the barriei between North and West sections. The headings are down 00 chains, and, with the exception of occasional out-throughs for ventilation, no bords havo been broken off. A problem confronting the management of this colliery is the receding of tho coal-faces causing lessened output, higher transport costs, and an increasingly lengthening distance the miners have to walk underground. Rotowaro Colliery (Taupiri Coal-mines Limited). —The main headings have advanoed considerably during the past year, but a series of undefined faults proved troublesome in maintaining the grade. Endless-rope haulage was installed to the farthest inbye working-point, and is working satisfactorily. Jig section haulage-road extended into an area of thick workable coal. Safety-lamps installed and in use throughout the mine. First working sections are being scaled off with brick stoppings. Electric current is being conveyed underground in approved conduits for the transmission of power to operate pumps and winches. A commodious safety-lamp cabin is being erected, with appliances for operating the charging and maintenance of Oldham's electrical safety-lamps. Pukemiro Collieries (Limited). —North mine, comprising the Straight Heading section and North section, has maintained the largest portion of the output. The north-east heading has been holed through to the surface, shortening tho ventilating-system. A drainage level at this point is contemplated to drain surface water when pillars are being extracted, north heading being extended through a faulted zone. Straight Heading section workings confined to the western boundary of tire section. Souih mine : During the past year this section of the colliery has been developed in a thick coal-seam. South jig-heading haulage has been supplanted by an extension of the main endless-rope system. The sides of the main haulage-road contiguous to the haulage levels havo been, reinforced with curved brick walls. An, electric coal-cutting machine is installed and in operation in this mine. Waikato Extended Goal-mine, Huntly. —Nos. 1 and 2 sections of this mine have been connected improving the ventilation and shortening tho haulage. To minimize the risk of accidents all shots are fired by tho deputy at the termination of the shift. Coal-scam 20 ft. in thickness with solid sandstone roof. Waipa Colliery, Glenn Massey. —Pillar-extraction in Siberia section rapidly becoming exhausted. Broadway section has been divided into bords and pillars, and pillaring will be commenced shortly. Mary section bord workings advanced to tho fringe of the gob in Siberia section, and preparations are being made to attack these pillars. Main Road Extension section is developing solid workings through the fault. Stone drive completed to grade the haulage road to Extension section, and endless rope extended inbye. Pillars are extracted in this colliery immediately the solid workings have reached sectional boundary, and new workings are set away in advance of the pillaring. Glen Afton Collieries (formerly United Coalfields), Glen Afton. —Mining development during the year was continued by the advance of Nos. 1 and 2 headings. No. I heading reaching a point approximately 33 chains from the outcrop.' An intermediate heading in an easterly direction was broken off No. 2 heading to open out a working section. Safety-lamps installed and in use in No. 1 heading. Electrical machinery being assembled to operate screens, fans, haulage, and drainage appliances. Fifteen workers' houses have been erected, and others are in course of erection. Railway communication will soon be completed to the company's siding and loading-screens. Pukemiro Junction Colliery (Glare and Partner's Crown Lease). —Situated, about 20 chains from. Pukemiro Railway Junction. Mining operations confined to a narrow block of coal on the hilltop. Levels to the west struck a thinning of the coal-seam. Easterly the coal-seam has been followed to the dip into a clean thick coal area. Output delivered to railway-wagons by 12 chains of surface jig tramway. Huntly Goal-mine. —During the year the outcrop has been followed, and a number of working-places have been opened out to produce 30 tons of coal daily. Pillar-extraction has been commenced along the eastern boundary. Palls to the surface provide openings for ventilation. Taupiri East Coal-mine, Kimihia. —Situated three miles from. Huntly. An old working-drive was repaired and advanced to a fault. Bords broken off struck faulted coal. Remaining pillars were extracted, and prospectingdrives are being driven in several directions to intersect the seam through the faults. Macdonald State Mine, Waikokowai. —Development operations suspended early in the year and mine-entrance securclv fenced off. The main drive had been driven a distance of 500 ft. through a marl formation, and indications of the coal-seam were discernible at the face. Twenty-three thousand Pinus radiata and 8,000 eucalyptus trees were planted on suitable parts of the property. Huntly Brick and Fireclay Company. —Mining operations were conducted safely during the year. About 60 tons of fireclay arc produced daily from the opencast faces. New endless-rope haulage completed, and the plant transferred from the disused drive. Greencastle Coal-mine, Mokau. —This small mine continues to supply the settlers and dairy factory with a superior grade of brown coal. Worked intermittently during tho year according to trade demands. Stockman's Mine, Mokau. —A small mine on Chambers Bros.' estate, worked for household requirements only. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 81). Taupiri Extended Mine. —20th November, 1922 : Manager W. Wood reported outbreak of fire in No. 4 old workin"s, west side. sth December, 1922 : Manager reported outbreak of fire at a fall in No. 4 section, west side. Glen Ifton Collieriei. —10th December, 1922 : Manager P. Hunter reported that a miner named Mandcrson ignited a small quantity of inflammable gas at the face of No. 1 heading. Prosecutions. On 16th March, 1922, a mine-manager was fined £20 and costs for failing, after notification, to install and use safety-lamps throughout his mine. 17th March, 1922 : Mine-manager and deputies were charged with firing shots in dry and dusty places. The method of taking samples for analysis was challenged and informations dismissed. 7th August, 1922 : An underviewer was charged on two informations for failing to use a safety-iamp when making examinations under Special Rules 8 and 10. Convicted and fined £1 and costs on each information.

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7th, Bth, and 9th August: Informations against a manager were heard for failing to install and use safetylamps. Informations were dismissed. Notice of appeal submitted. sth December, 1922 : A miner acting as brakesman on the occasion of the fatal accident at Wilson's Colliery (Waro Mine) was fined £4 and cost 3 £3 3s. 6d. for failing to see that the trucks were securely coupled before setting in motion. A youth acting as assistant brakesman was convicted and fined £2 and oosts £2 lis. 6d. for a similar omission. sth December : The owners of the Wilson's Collieries (Limited) were proceeded against as contributory parties in negligence on the occasion of tho fatal accident. Informations dismissed. Fatal Accident. Wilson's Collieries, Hikurangi. —At (i a.m. on the 4th August, 1922, a fatal accident occurred on the main haulage and travelling road (Waro Mine), whereby John Craig, miner, was instantaneously killed, and David Veiteh, miner, sustained injuries to which he subsequently succumbed in the Whangarei Hospital the same day. Investigations into the circumstances revealed a serious defect in the method of carrying out the brakesman's duties under Special Rule 88. The deceased were working short shift, wet places, and before descending the incline at 6 a.m. it is alleged that they did not notify the brakesmen to cease haulage while they were travelling. There were two brakesmen appointed to carry out the statutory duties of coupling and conducting trucks at tho top of the incline- On the occasion of the accident the trucks had not been coupled before they were pushed over the brow of the incline, and five uncontrolled trucks set in motion by tho brakesmen collided with tho deceased about 7 chains down the incline. At the inquest the Coroner stated the accident was caused by a want of care on the part of the brakesmen in omitting to couple up the trucks before setting in motion. Legal proceedings were taken against the brakesmen for a breach of Special Rule 88, and both were convicted and fined. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Taupiri Extended Mine. —16th January : Andrew Chrysta], miner—synovitis of right knee due to slipping in his working-place ; still off work. 3rd February : James Seath, trucker —injured left hernia through slipping on flatsheet; off work 101 days. 11th April : Matt Botaci, rope-attendant —amputation second finger right hand; fingers crushed in jig-wheel; off 100 days. sth Juno :W. R. Mayland, miner—severe injuries to side, due to being struck by a prop he was setting ; still off work. 28th July :C. Bestwick, miner—injury left inguinal hernia., due to lifting a full skip which was derailed ; off ninety days. 9th October :J. Dooley, miner—injured right sterno-clavieular joint through slipping on the travelling-road ; still off work. Rotowaro Colliery. —lst February : James Fulton, miner—slight dilation of heart due to straining himself whilst at work; still off work. 24th February :A. Byers, surfaceman —injury right side of chest, due to falling off plank on to logs in dam ; still off work. sth May : John Walsh, miner—severe injuries to back, due to being struck by falling roof-coal; still off work. Pukemiro Collieries. —19th June : Joseph Melting, miner—injury to left eye with corneal ulcer; struck by piece of coal from pick-point; off work 151 days. 23rd August: Thomas Sharp, miner—bruised back and pelvis ; struck by an upturned skip he was righting ; still off work. 16th October : Walter Brown, miner—loss of vision left eye, due to being struck by a piece of coal from pick-point; off work seventy-nine days. Kerr and Party's Mine.—ZxA August: William Crackett, miner—total loss of right eye, due to piece of coal from pick-point; still off work. Pukemiro Junction Colliery. —llth January: Edwin Davey, miner—fractured femur and injuries to pelvis; struck by roof-coal while preparing to set a prop; still off work. Cunningham's Mine. —l6th March : W. Trotter, miner—injuries to back and shoulder, due to fall of roof-coal whilst extracting timber; off work 153 days. Hikurangi Collieries. —31st August: A. G. Tunstall, deputy—fractured small bones of foot; assisting the erection of set of timber when bar fell, striking his foot; off work thirty-seven days. Wilson's Collieries. —22nd May : W. R. Ware, miner—badly strained back sustained whilst at work; off work eighty-six days. General Remarks. Accidents. —46B accidents were reported during the year 1922, and compared with the figures of 1921 (438 reported accidents) this year's total is unsatisfactory. There were sixty-nine eye accidents and fifty septic accidents, and the majority of these would be preventable by the use of approved eye-gauzes, and the more liberal use of the antiseptics provided at the mines. There were no accidents arising from the use of electricity for the transmission of power, or from the operations of shot-firing. Welfare. —It is worthy of note that several of the principal coal-mining companies have assisted with facilities for recreation. The Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited) has set aside a block of suitable ground for recreation purposes, and assisted with the erection of a fine pavilion. The Pukemiro Collieries (Limited) has laid down and prepared tennis-courts and a football-ground. The Waipa Company is proceeding with excavations for providing two tenniscourts and a bowling-green. In connection with mining accidents, the establishment of a cottage hospital at Huntly is much desired for treating urgent accident oases. West Coast Inspection District (Mr. George Dijgqan, Inspector.) Coal-output. —l am pleased to record that the output of coal for the year —879,983 tons —shows an increase of 69,108 tons over that of the previous year. The Buller district output increased by 85,517 tons, and that of the Greymouth district by 14,700 tons. There was a decrease in the Reefton district output of 28,812 tons, and in the Nelson district of 2,297 tons. Grey District. New Zealand State Coal-mines. —Liverpool Colliery, No. 1 section : The output from this section was produced by pillar-extraction in the upper seam and in the Morgan seam workings. In the low-level tunnel the upcast was completed early in the year, and a ventilating-fan installed at the top of the upcast. Owing to the prevalence of inflammable gas only safety-lamps and permitted explosives are used in this drive. It is estimated to strike the Morgan seam at 56 chains from the entrance. The 11 ft. seam, met 20 chains in, is fairly clean, and three pairs of miners are producing coal therefrom. Liverpool No. 4 section : This is a small section of worldngs near the Morgan seam, low-level tunnel, and safetylamps are used there also. The coal is about 7 ft. to 8 ft. thick, and fairly clean. A dip has been driven about 3 chains, and the average grade was 1 in 5, but at the face the grade increased to about 1 in 2J. Liverpool No. 3 seotion : This section is rapidly approaching exhaustion. As no reports of inflammable gas had been recorded for over two years, the use of naked lights was sanctioned on tho Ist June last. James Mine. —The main heading has been driven a distance of 38 chains from the entrance, and the coal has improved considerably in quality within the last few chains, there now boing 5J ft. of clean coal. The coal is a little thinner in the back heading—about 5 ft.—and two places going to the east off the main heading have also proved clean coal, but it is inclined to thin. A place driven off the heading going north-westward shows 5|- ft. of clean coal. Paparoa Colliery. —The coal met through the downthrow fault in the No. 1 section being very stony and unsaleable, the management decided to commence extracting the pillars in this section, and the output for the latter half of the year was therefore solely from pillars being worked in this and in the Wilson's jig section. Blackball Colliery. —The large fault was struck in four places off No. 10 bank, No. 9 dip section, during August, so the workings off this level will only last about another twelve months. The main dip is 18 chains below the No. 1 level.

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The fire in No. 17 section was drawing air from breaks to the surface, and men were continually employed during the year in filling in these breaks. Another underground fire occurred in No. 5 bank, No. 9 section, on the 19th August, and clay stoppings were built around the heated area. On the 24th November a tiro broke out at 6.30 p.m. between the intake and return airways inbye No. 4 heading off the main haulage-road. This fire gained such headway that it was impossible to control it with the water available, and the whole of the workings inbye No. 3 heading had to be sealed off. The Sirocco double inlet fan was put into use a few weeks prior to the fire, and gave every satisfaction. The small area of pillar workings in the No. 1 section' has been worked on three shifts since the No. 9 section was sealed off, and six pairs of miners are omployod on oach shift. Go-operative Parties, near Dunollie. —A party of co-operative miners obtained a sublcaso over some outcrop coal, 14 ft. thick, near Blackball Township, and have commenced to produco coal therefrom. The output is conveyed from their mine to the railway-siding by drays. Clark and party's old mine was oxhausted in August, and they commenced to prospect a few chains to tho westward of theso workings. They proved about 6 ft. of coal, and have commenced to put in a lovel to work it. Hunter and party's mino : Down the dip only one place going north is being worked. A downthrow fault has been met about 2 chains in from the dip. Unloss the party decides to extond tho dip and cross this fault little mora work can be done in this portion. A crosscut, going westward, has been driven from the main haulage-road (old No. 3 tunnel), and the bottom seam met after driving about a chain. The seam is hard and clean, and. about 2-J ft. in thicknoss. Only safety-lamps are allowed to be used in this mine. Baddeley and party's mino : In this mine, across the Seven-mile Creek, a largo upthrow fault was met in the main level. Before meeting the fault the coal thinned to about 18 in., but it again thickened to about 6 ft. after crossing the fault. Another mino was opened during the year to the dip of Baddeley's and worked by Mclvor and party. The coal is about 4 ft. in thickness. Three men are employod, and the dip is now down about 150 ft. at a grade of lin 2. The coal in Boote and party's mino contains thin streaks and bands of stone, and this party has in consequence much difficulty in finding a market. They commenced to put a borehole down from the surface about 6 chains to tho dip of tho main level, and expected to pierce tho bottom seam at 230 ft. After boring 100 ft. the bit broko in the holo and attempts to withdraw it proved unsuccessful. They intend to work this seam from a lower level. Smith and party's mine : The upper 4-J ft. of coal from this mine is vory clean, and finds a ready sale. Work continued uninterruptedly during the year. Safety-lamps only used. Manderson and party's mine : This party has acquired a lease over an area of the old No. 1 section workings. They commenced a dip drive from the inbye end of the No. 1 tunnel, but owing to water had to suspend oporations until suitablo plant was obtained. They intond delivering tho coal along tho haulago-road used by Messrs Smith and party. Armstrong and party opened a small mine about 10 chains east of the Hillsido Mine. They have about 13 ft. of clean coal, which is conveyed by surface jigs and horse-haulage to a bin at tho Dunollie backshunt. Simpson and party have constructed a bin and surface tramway from tho Dunoilio backshunt to the Moody Creek seam, which outcrops about a mile up the Seven-mile Creek. They should be producing coal early in the present year. Near Rewanui two parties havo obtained coal leases. Duggan and party have boon producing coal since early in 1922, and are working a clean seam about 2-J ft. in thickness. Hilton and party are producing a little coal from thoir mine on the oast side of the Sevon-mile Crook, about a ojuarter of a mile north of tho Rewanui Railway-station. Buller District. Weslport-Stocklon, Colliery. —Most of tho output was produced from tho E field. An exit has been driven to Fly Creek, and a stone drive is proceeding into the new southern section of the field. The coal has been proved by a borehole 27 chains ahead, to be 8-J ft. thick, and outcrops show up to 19 ft. The coal is clean and hard. In the No. 5 section, E field, the coal thins to the wostward, but a borehole, 15 chains south-west of the No. 5 heading, proved 7| ft. of coal. In C section five pairs of miners are employed on pillar-extraction. F dip section will last about another eighteen months. Arrangements are being made to substitute ondless-ropo haulage for the winch haulage, out of No. 5 dip. Wooden fluming, one mile in length, is being constructed to convoy coal by water from south of D section to the motor haulage from tiro E field. An auxilary haulage has been made from the C section haulage to tire eastern portion (or L section) of tho old mine area by three short drives, partly in stone and partly in coal. Substantial bridges spanning tire gullies between these drives havo been constructed, and at the end of the farthest bridge a small bin of about 50 tons capacity has boon put up. Millerton Mine. —A large proportion of tire output is now derived from pillar-extraction, which is going on in tho south pillars, No. 1 dip third West dip, Mangatina, and old dip section. A small area of solid coal is being worked in the north-cast soction. The output from the No. 2 dip section (solid workings) was formerly hauled up a dip to the Mine Creek haulage-road, but it is now conveyed over a haulage-road connecting to the old dip haulage system. Tho stone drive through tho hill in the third West dip section was completed in July, arrd preparations are being made to work an area farther to the wost. A short stone drive is also being driven from near the old " Lonely " workings to command an area of coal across the Mangatina Creek. Safety-lamps have been in use in the No. 2 dip and old dip sections, but owing to the latter workings being driven to outcrops in numerous places, and tho absence of inflammable gas for over a year, it was deemed advisable to permit the resumption of tho use of naked lights in the old dip section on tho 15th April. Owing to an ignition of inflammable gas on the 15th December, by which two men were burned, safety-lamps aro to bo used throughout the Millerton Mine. Ironbridge Mine. —Pillars have been worked during the past year in the shaft, No. 1 and Kruger sections, and No. 4 section (to the left of the main haulage-road) has been reopened for pillar-extraction. Most of the miners are now omployod in tho Deep Creek section. The endless-rope haulage is complete to the top of tho 2-acro block. Many surface jigs havo been constructed during the year, including one going toward the 74-acre block. The haulage from the Ironbridge Mino is now controlled by a three-phase " Mctrovick " induction motor of 150 b.h.p. fitted with a single reduction gear reducing from 485 to 220 revolutions per minute. Three huts and a residence for tho examining deputy have been erected near the Deep Creek workings. On analysis, the coal of the Deep Creek section has proved to be of high calorific value, giving 15,412 B.Th.U. per pound and evaporating 15-98 lb. of water at2l2 c F. A large bathhouse has been completed near the entrance to the Ironbridge Mine, and is in daily use by the minors. Coalbrookdale Mine. —Wareatea Extended section : A heading has been driven north-westward off the main heading, and has proved coal 20 ft. in thicknoss. Places have been driven off this heading, and they will prove if the coal exists west of where the main heading was stopped by the large fault. Places will also be driven northward toward the Jig section old workings, but owing to the " want " those places will not connect with the old workings. In Birchall's heading (driven south-west) Wareatea jig section, the seam has thinned to about 6 ft., and boreholes have proved that a lower seam exists 11 ft. thick. Only about 2 ft. of soft stone separates the seams. The main dip in the Waterloo district is stopped, being near a large downthrow fault, and a heavy fall Iras occurred in this dip. In tho stono (hive district of the Waroatea jig section two places only are being driven. The coal is only 2 ft. in thickness, and if it does not soon improve this district will be stopped. An extension of 20 ft. in length, containing 8 cubicles, has been made to the bathhouse at tho Coalbrookdale Mine. Goal Creek Mine, Mokihinui. —Two places are being worked in the lower soction workings—near tho old Mokihinui workings—but they are approaching a very stony area. A stone tunnel is also being driven to connect with the old workings. In the upper section, all the places on tho west side of the main heading are in troubled country, the coal thinning and becoming very stony. O'Brien and Regan's Mine, Seddonville. —This party, having completed the solid work, have commenced to oxtract the pillars from the 10-acro lease. Dove's Mine. —A party of competent miners has been engaged for some months reopening the Old Cardiff main drive. The drive, which had almost completely fallen in, has been retimberod with good substantial squared sets, and

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the concrete dam (put in in 1901, owing to an underground fire) has been removed. Two large falls are still to be removed before coal-production can be recommenced. So far, the fire, which is still burning near Chasm Creek, has not given tho party any trouble. Bennett's Mine, Mokihinui. —Three miners are working a portion of the Hutt seam near the end of the railway. The area was worked about twenty-five years ago, and some pillars still remain. Marris and Murray's Mine. —This is a mine situated about midway between Seddonville and the Mokihinui mines, and the entrance is alongside the railway-line. The coal is about 6 ft. in thickness and rather soft. Two men aro employed. Mulholland and Party's Mine. —Most of the output has been produced from the Bridge section lease. The minetubs are conveyed across Chasm Creek (a span of 6 chains) by means of an aerial, and are then drawn to the top of the hill by a steam-winch. From thence the tubs aro jigged down to the flat, and arc drawn along the flat, and to near the Seddonville bins, by horse-haulage. The output is from sixty to seventy tubs (approximately 40 tons) per day. Tho loaso on the near side of the Chasm Creek was not worked for most of tho year, but during the last two months a pair of miners were producing coal therefrom. A party of prospectors have proved a seam of coal, about 2£ ft. thick, near the Seddonville bins. It is about level witli tho railway, and should be cheaply mined. Mokihinui-Westporl Coal Syndicate's Mine. —ln the upper section of this mine places have been drivon in 5} ft. of hard coal. Above this coal is from 1 ft. to 2 ft. of black sale, then soft coal above. The heading, driven straight into the hill from the outcrop, when about 50 ft. in entered troubled ground. The coal has gradually pinched, and is now only 12 in. in thickness. This party also have an aerial across Chasm Creek, but the mine-tubs do not cross this aerial. The aerial buckets hold about 8 cwt. of coal, and are worked by gravity. About 25 tons per day can be convoyed across the creek. Chester's Mine. —The middle band of stone thickened, so only the coal below this band is now being mined. A dip has also boen driven, but the coal proved very dirty and unsaleable. St. Helens Mine. —The pillars off the lower level in the bottom seam are now boing won in this small mino. Rocklands Mine, Butter Road. —The output from this mine was rather larger than usual, as some coal is being convoyed by motor-lorries to Westport for household purposes. Nelson District. Puponga Mine. —The upper west pillars are almost exhausted. Tho area betwoen the dip and rise soctions (in which prospecting was done during tho previous year) has recently been reopened, and three places are being driven there, consisting of two levels and an incline. The bottom level is in about 7J- chains, but the coal is rapidly thinning, now consisting of 12 in. of tops, 18 in. claystono, and 12 in. of bottoms. In the incline the top coal is 24 in. thick and tho middle olaystone only 3 in. in thickness. Preparations are in hand for reopening the B section, where the pillars are still standing and an area of thin coal can be worked. North Gape Coal-mine. —This mine recommenced mining operations early in tho year, and the slant dip was driven down to the fault. Places have boon driven east and west from this dip. Tho coal on the west side near tho fault is 3 ft. thick, but on tho east side is only 18 in. in thickness. Later an attempt will be made to drive tho dip through tho fault. Prospecting has boen done on a nearly vertical seam, found about a mile from the North Cape Mine, and a small shaft was sunk thereon for 40 ft. An incline is now being driven at an angle of 65" on another outero'p of this seam, which is about 8 ft. in thickness. Enner Glynn Mine, near Nelson. —The vertical shaft was sunk to the 300 ft. level, and a crosscut, 100 ft. in length, driven from the shaft bottom to the coal-seam. A level was drivon south 120 ft., but the seam thinned to 12 in. Tho level going north was only driven 60 ft. and the coal thinned there also. Only 188 tons were produced, and the mino closed down in October. Gladstone Mine, Motupipi. —The opencast workings were abandoned and tho old workings to tho oast reopened. Coal produced for local sale. Stone's Mine, Takaka. —-Only a few tons were mined during tho year. Inangahua District. Reefton Goal Company's Mine. —Three pairs of miners employed on pillar-extraction in the No. 2 seam workings. No work done in tho No. 4 seam workings. Morris and Learmont's Mine. —Tho small output was prodirced from the No. 2 mine. Victory Mine. —All the year's output was produced from tire 4 ft. of coal above the clay parting in tho bottom seam. The main heading, going south, is in about 6 chains, and the coal has thinned to 3 ft. Tho places going west are also in thin coal. A place, drivon to tho east, off the main heading, met troubled country when about 2 chains in. Tho coal thinned to about 18 in. The coal again thickened to 'i\ ft. after driving 20 yards, but has again fhinnod to about 18in. Another surface jig has been laid to a higher outcrop, and a place driven in the coal about 25 yards. The coal is dipping steeply, and, at the face of tho drive, a placo had to bo broken off going about parallel with the outcrop. Phoenix and Venus Mines. —Four men constantly omployed on solid work. Big River Mine. —Two men producing coal for power purposos from a soft seam. Merrijigs Goal-mine. —A level has been driven, about 10 yards from tho old workings, in a 6 ft. soam of clean coal. This party are extending their wooden fluming for another two miles, making tho total longth approximately four miles and three-quarters. From tho end of the flume the coal will be carted to the Taipo-iti Railway-station, a distance of about one mile and a quarter. Empire Coal-mine, Burkes Creek. —Only a small quantity of coal, produced during the early part of the year, was obtainod from this mine. Woodlands Coal-mine, Burkes Creek. —Three men have been constantly employed during the past year, but principally mining coal- from places driven to the west off tho dip drive. Coal 5J ft. thick, with a very tender roof. Birchwood Coal-mine. —A small output.was produced from tho mino early in the year. No coal was produced during the year from tho three small mines at Capleston, nor from the Ferndalo-Timaru Mine at Burkes Creek. Fatal Accidents. Thrco fatalities occurred in the West Coast Inspection District during tho year, one on the surface and two underground. On the 24th May a youth named Sydney Bartholomew, sixteen years of age, was killed by being jammed between an overturned tub of stone and the handrail on the viaduct leading from tho Denniston bins to the stone-tip. The viaduct is about 2 chains long, and is down-grade for half-way and up-grado tho remainder. The grades were about 7 per cont. Deceased was assisted by a tipper to push the tub of stone from the bins. Anothor tippor went on to tho viaduct about fifteen minutes later, and found tho tub anglewise across tho rails, and almost completely overturned, being prevented from resting on its mouth by the body of the youth. No direct evidence could be obtained, but it is surmised that the deceased had been riding on the buffer, and the tub becoming derailed he was thrown ahead of the tub, which overturned forward and on to him. On the 7th Juno a miner namod William C. Merritt was killed by a fall of coal and stone in No. 5 section E field, Stockton Mine. He and his brothor had been splitting a pillar, and had just holed through. They noticed that coal was fretting about 12 to 15 yards ahead. They went forward a few yards and listened. The place commenced to move and they ran back towards safety, but the fall caught the doceasod and buriod him. He was extricated about forty-five minutes later, but had died of syncope caused by the shock. On tho Bth July William E. Booth, a miner, having completed his day's work, was walking up the Cascade dip of tho Coalbrookdale Mine. He was passing through a low place, 5 ft. 4 in. high, and he raised his head and struck tho roof with it. He becamo paralysed, and succumbed to his injury throe days later. A post-mortem rcvoalod a fracture of the cervical vertebra.

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Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On the 7th February a minor named E. Guy suffered a fractured fibula by slipping on a gangway at the Liverpool Mine. On the 15th March the mine-manager of the Blackball Mine, Mr. J. Neilson, was crushed between a full tub and the leg of a set. Seven ribs were broken. On the 3rd April Peter Dawson, a miner working at the Blackball Mine, had his right femur fractured. He stumbled over a shovel when jumping back from a fall of coal. He fell, breaking the bone. On the 4th May, at the Enner Glynn Mine, Charles Bradford, a miner, was burned on the face and arms by an ignition of gas in his working-place. On tho 13th September, C. Hewitson, a shiftman, suffered a fractured fibula from a fall of coal and stone from the rib-side in a place in tire Liverpool No. 3 Mine. On the 18th October J. Braithwaite, a miner, also had a fibula fractured, in the Liverpool No. 3 Mine by a piece of the middle stone falling upon him. On the 28th October, James Regan, a minor, working in O'Brien and Regan's Mine, Seddonville, was struck in tho eye by a small piece of coal flying from his pick, lie worked a few days, but subsequently had to go to the Westport Hospital, and the eye had to be removed on the 21st November. On tho 15th December, James King, deputy, and William Mahor, underviewer, were burnod on thoir faces and arms by an ignition of inflammable gas in tho south pillar section of the Millerton Mine. A fail had occurred in an old bord and completely blocked tho place. Methane accumulated at the top of tho fall, and was ignited by King's carbide -lamp. Dangerous Occurrences requiring Notification (Regulation 81). A small fire was discovered on the Mino Crook haulago-road, Millerton Mine, cm tho 2nd February, but it was soon put out by buckets of water. On the 28th February two minors ignited a small quantity of inflammable gas in the main level, No. 9 dip section. Blackball Mine. This is the first occasion on which gas has been reported at that mino, and a close inspection by four officials was made, but no further trace of gas was found. On the 27th May heating was noticed in the third west pillars, Millerton Mine. Some of the heated coal was filled away and water was pumped on and extinguished the fire. On tho 2nd June the workings of the No. 2 seam, Ferndale-Tirnaru Mine, wore discovered to be on fire. This mine had been idlo for somo months, and the section had been partly pillared towards the end of 1921. The fire reported on the 11th November, 1920, is presumed to have again broken out, and it had gained considerable headway before being discovered. Entrances were stopped off and water was led on. A Cameron duplex pump also helped to fill the lower workings with water. This fire appears to bo now extinguished. On the 19th June heating was discovered in the Extended section, Coalbrookdale Mine. Tho heated matter was filled out and the temperature then reduced to normal. On tho 26th July the contractors in the low-level tunnel, Morgan soam, Liverpool Mine, struck a " blower " of gas. Tho next day this " blower" increased in quantity and the men were withdrawn. A safety-lamp was extinguished by the gas noar the roof 20 ft. back from the face. Another line of ventilating-pipes was connected to tho fan. In the south pillar section, Millerton Mine, two officials were burned by an ignition of inflammable gas on the 15th Docember. A shiftman was burned on the 21st December in the No. 4 tunnel, Liverpool Mino, by an ignition of a small quantity of gas. The underground firos at tile Blackball Mine which occurred on the 19th August and the 24th November are referred to elsewhere in this report. Cancellation of Coal Leases and Coal-prospecting Licenses. Two coal leases held by the Seaforth Coal Company, near Coilingwood, were determined on tho 14th September owing to non-oomplianco of tho terms of the leases. Ten coal-prospecting licenses were also cancelled —four at Recfton, two at Westport, two at Charleston, one at Greymouth, and ono at Glonhope. Four licenses were surrendered during the year, and one coal lease. Prosecution. On the 20th March an underviewer was fined £1 and costs for a breach of Special Rule 17 by not seeing that two workmen were out of the mine. Boring at Dobson. To prove if workable coal existed in the southern portion of the area hold by the Dobson Coal Company, boring was commenced in March, and so far three diamond-drill boreholes havo been completed. The first hole proved lOJft. clean hard coal at 821 ft. ; the socond hole, to the east, proved 11 ft. of coal at a depth of 761 ft. ; the third hole proved 20 ft. of coal, at 1,055 ft. ; the fourth hole is being drilled near Mill Creek. Onakaka Prospecting Operations. Finding that the Mataura seam of coal, near Coilingwood, was suitable for producing blast-furnace coke, the Onakaka Iron and Steel Company engaged prospectors to prove the thickness and area of tho coal available. The soam outcrops on the hills behind Kaituna, a few miles from Coilingwood, and at an altitude of about 1,200 ft. abovo sea-level. One small drive, put in years ago, shows coal about 3 ft. thick. One of the drives, recently put in for about a chain, has proved the seam to bo split up by stone bands. Near the floor is 20 in. of clean coal, then 18 in. of conglomerate, thon another 20 in. of clean coal, then 6 in. of stone, and then another 6 in. of coal. Numerous other outcrops have been prospected. The country is very rugged, and the soam is from eight to nine miles distant from the ironworks. Southern Inspection District (Mr. E. R. Green, Inspector). Mount Torlesse Collieries. —The working-places were well timbered and in safe condition. The working-places were, well bratticed and free from smoke, and a fresh opening was being holed to the surface to maintain the ventilation. Pillar-working had been commenced back from the fault which had been met with, and in which a slight ignition of firedamp had caused burns of hands and face to the underviewer, G. Littlewood, who was in consequence off work eight days. The place was carefully stopped oil, and gas had not been reported since. A new dip was being driven from the surface to pick up the seam at a lower level and thus open a new block of coal. Springfield Mine. —A small output had been obtained from an outcrop of surface seam of coal. Hornebush Colliery. —The principal places of this company's colliery had been abandoned as worked out. Four men continued working at the surface section, where a small quantity of coal remained to be recovered from the dip. Bush Gully Mine. —The colliery plant, with rfils and sleepers of tho private branch railway, had been removed to Coalgato for disposal by sale. St. Heleni Mine. —The working examined on the previous inspection was abandoned, and a prospecting-dip had been driven in which three seams, 3 ft., 5 ft., and 6 ft. respectively in thickness had been intersected. Timbering satisfactory. Natural ventilation good. Steventon Mine. —A 6 ft. seam, dipping' 1 in 2, with a strong stone roof, was being worked. Tho main heading was driven to the full dip of the seam for a distance of 5 chains, winning-places, driven at right angles on the strike of the seam, having 10 yard pillars between. Workings were in a satisfactory condition, and ventilation was good

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Clearview Mine. —The workmen were driving two winning-places with 10 yard pillars between on the strike of the seam. The working-places were in a safe condition, being small in seotion. Ladders were provided in tho upcast airshaft. Tripp's Mine. —Working to rise was not being prosecuted, but a road was laid toward the old workings, where coal had fallen and roof appeared secure, having stood so for some years. Burnwell Mine (Harris Bros.). —Continued prospecting had resulted in the coal-seam being driven on in two separate levels. A deviation of tho Mount Somers tramway was being laid to connect with a jig 4 1 chains in length from the mouth of the mine, and coal-production might be expected at early date. Cavendish Mine. —A drive was being put in at a lower level to strike the coal-seam dipping in that direction as shown by previous working. Albury Mine. —A smail set of timber was required at the mine-mouth for better security. Natural ventilation good. Lambrook Mine. —Driving to dip had been continued for development. Output poor the demand being low. A lj-horse-power oil-engine which had been placed at the foot of the air-shaft for pumping purposes was removed outside for safety and prevention of accident from poisonous gases. Allanholme Mine. —This mine was worked occasionally as trade required. Ventilation good. Meadowbank Mine. —Mine not worked regularly owing to lack of trade. Waihao Forks Shale-mine. —A reopening of the thin shale-seam workings at Waihao Forks had been commenced, when, after a short time, they closed down again. Wharekuri Mine. —Worked for supply of local requirements. St. Andrew's Mine. —The former mine-workings were finally closed and abandoned. Prospecting on an outcop on the hillside, where a few tons of coal were being obtained. Prince Alfred Mine. —Pillars being withdrawn in the dip workings carefully, Ngapara Mine. —Ventilation good. Workings safely conducted. Shag Point Mine. —The mine opened at Cabbage-tree was being worked intermittently for local sale only. Shag Point Coal-mining Company. —A crosscut heading being driven south-easterly from the dip would provide for ready haulage and more direct ventilation to the long lower-level working-faces. Working safely conducted. Fan ventilation good. Electrical power used for fan ventilation and pumping purposes. Kyeburn Diggings Mine. —A small opencast pit, worked for local supplies. Gimmerburn Mine.— Opencast working for local requirements. Bolting's Mine. —A small lignite-mine, opened recently for local purposes. Rough Ridge Mine. —A small output was being obtained from the outcrop of seam formerly worked. Idaburn Mine. —Opencast working well conducted. Stripping kept in advance of working-face. Oturehna Mine (Becker Bros.). —Opencast working. Stripping kept ahead of working - faeo. An improved pumping plant had been installed. Lowis's Mine. —An opencast pit, worked for private use only. Dillon's Mine. —A small opencast pit, worked for private use. Wade's Mine. —A small opencast pit, worked for private use. Armitage's Mine. —A small opencast pit, worked for private use. St. Balhan's Mine. —An opencast working. Stripping heavy, having to be carted from the pit. Cambrian Mine. —Stripping was being sluiced away by water under pressure of 250 ft. The working-face was in excellent order, and a large body of lignite stripped ready for immediate production. Lauderlane Mine. —Under reconstruction. It was expected that this mine would be reopened at early date. Alexandra Mine. —An attempt made to reopen the workings on the north side of the dip had proved unsuccessful owing to the seam thinning with poor roof. Pillar-working was being carried on safely. Ventilation good. McPherson's Mine. —An opencast pit, from which stripping was being removed by water laid on. Cromwell Mine. —A new dip was being driven to replace the haulage dip, which owing to pressure from floor and sides had become unduly constricted in area. Shepherd's Creek Mine. —Workings in good order, Ventilation good. Pillar-extraction in dip workings continued with safety. Gardrona Mine. —An opencast pit, seam 5 ft., semi-vertical, having a band in the centre which caused some waste. However, the coal-seam was said to be improving in thickness and quality. Nevis Mine. —Work had been safely conducted at this opencast mine, worked for supply of local requirements. Nevis Crossing Mine. —Opencast mining on a small block of coal near old workings of a vertical seam, and opening up a new face at the south end of the lease. Workings 10 ft. in depth. Overburden sluiced away by water brought in under pressure. Fernhill Mine. —Working was being continued in the lower seam.» The original mino had been reopened for extraction of a few remaining pillars of coal, and to get building-sand from the deposit overlying the coal-seam. Freeman's Mine. —Withdrawing pillar and head coal left at first working. Work conducted safely. Furnace ventilation adequate. Jubilee Mine. —Dip workings driven underneath Fairfield-Brighton Road in a safe manner, and developing in direction of boundary. Places driven narrow at first working. Fan ventilation good. Saddle Hill, No. 1 Mine (including Burnweil Mine). —Ventilation good, throughout the mino. Timber was being erected to roof where weak in pillar places. Stoppings were erected to dip of the workings for the purpose of withholding blackdamp in the waste, thus keeping down spontaneous fires. Saddle Hill No. 2 Mine. —Withdrawing balance of remaining pillars from old workings. Ventilation good The pole or beam stop-block erected at top of inclined entrance to the mine acted effectively. Walton Park Mine. —Dip driven in coal-seam from outcrop under tire Fairfield -Brighton Road and Saddle Hill Branch Railway in the direction of old Prince of Wales workings, which had been tapped and found to contain blackdamp, but free from water, being above water-level ascertained in tho old winding-shaft, but the extension of dip drive and lower places was being bored ahead and on flank for safety. Ventilation excellent. East Taieri Mine. —The mine was being worked in two sections, where prospecting and development work were being conducted with moderate success meanwhile. No. 2 section was being ventilated by a small fan, and a fresh opening was being driven to surface to improve the ventilation. Willowbank Mine. —A small mine worked for supply of local requirements. Brighton. Mine. —Workings in good order. Ventilation conducted by brattice to working-faces. Ruanui Mine. —Workings carefully driven narrow, but seam low and discouraging to work, being unpayable. Waronui Mine. —An overcast was being driven near the foot of haulage incline for facilitating ventilation of the lower dip workings. Mining safely conducted ; places were being driven narrow at first working for subsequent removal of pillars and head coal. Electrical power used for fan ventilation and pumping purposes. McOilp's Mine. —Coal having been worked out, the former mine-entrance had been closed and abandoned. Coal was being obtained from a new entrance on another part of the property, but the quality being poor, the place was finally closed and abandoned. Tres Bon Mine. —Mining had been continued in a small way by the party of workmen at this mine. Crichton Mine. —Mine worked intermittently as required by trade offering. Lakeside Mine. —A small mine worked for local supplies. Taralu Mine. —Workings to the dip from the shaft section were being conducted safely. Brattice carried well up to working-faces for ventilation where required. Barclay's section. The drift for second outlet and airway was nearing completion. Poles were erected for transmitting current from the power-house to the new Sirocco ventilatingfan which was being erected. Erection of bathhouse had been completed for convenience of workmen at the colliery. Tuakitoto Mine. —The former entrance on the hill-face had been closed by a partial landslide, and coal was being produced from a new entrance drive made to the seam.

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Kailuna Mine. —A now ventilating-fan having been erected, ventilation of this mine had become much improved. Wangaloa Mine. —A small output was being obtained from this mine on the Coal Reserve. Kaidale Mine. —Worked intermittently for a moderate output. Kaibrook Mine. —Another small mine worked for local purposes. Coal Reserve, Wangaloa. —Several lignite licenses had been issued to parties who, after prospecting, had abandoned and applied for cancellation of licenses. Roseneath Mine. —Work on the freehold had been suspended, and output was obtained from the foreshore area during tho latter half of the year, which work would be continued until the area held under lignite license had become exhausted. Kai Point Mine. —On account of slackness of trade, work became suspended and the mine was closed down in October, 1922. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —Working throughout the year had been confined to a few shiftmen keeping the mine in repair and a small amount of prospecting being conducted in the 18 ft. seam ; also driving in the direction of the upcast airshaft, the intention being to deepen the shaft beneath the level of Barclay's stone drive, the present main return aircourse and travelling-way to the second outlet shaft. Firedamp had occasionally been found as reported at the stoppings erected on tho main haulage-way to the old south extension workings, also at the stopping on the return airway side of same at Oliver's dip. Gas had not been reported as observed in the 18 ft. seam workings, neither had any spontaneous fire underground been reported during the year. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —This mine had been almost the sole producer of coal for Kaitangata Collieries during the year. The 18 ft. seam workings had been finished as worked out and permanent stoppings inserted. In tho 6 ft. seam workings pillars were being withdrawn homeward in the direction of the dip haulage-way, those cm the south side having been completed to phe middle lift and the waste sealed off. On the north side three lifts were being worked, and the waste stopped off for retention of blackdamp. Ventilation good. Air conducted by brattice to working-faecs. An ample supply of timber was kept on hand and erected systematically for protection of workmen. Main seam workings : In the north level at 1,200 ft. a roll or fault was met. Driving on, the seam thinned out. The level was continued in stone a distance of 200 ft., when a dip was driven and a coal-seam met with, which was expected to be the main seam, and was the most easterly coal found in this mine. In Nos. 1 and 2 dips, also No. 3 dip, the pillars were being withdrawn safely. Rise working-places were being driven narrow with a view to future pillar-extraction. Ventilation was good, also timbering of roadways and working-places. The return aircourses from main seam and 6 ft. seam were in a satisfactory condition, the work of relining a portion by replacing timber with iron tubing having been completed. At the foot of the main haulage-way the steel tubing and rings or ribs which had become compressed by pressure from roof and sides were restored and enlarged, making convenient room for passing and working daily traffic. Firedamp had not been reported during tho year, or any underground fire with the exception of a slight outbreak of smoke on the 28th October, 1922, at the tubing at the bottom of the haulage incline, which was quickly suppressed, and no damage occurred. A new 50-horse-powcr motor had been installed for electrical fan drive, the 40-horse-power motor previously used boing kept as a stand-by. Samples of mine-air were collected on the 2nd November, 1922, and forwarded to tho Dominion Analyst, Wellington, who reported as under :— " No. 1, taken at return air-course from north side of dip workings, 6 ft. seam ; No. 2, taken at return air-course from south sido of dip workings, 6 ft. seam ; No. 3, taken at return air-course from south side main-seam workings ; No. 4, takon at return air-course from north side main-seam workings. ''Analyses. (1.) (2.) (3.) (4.) " Carbon dioxide .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-27 0-19 011 0-18 Methane .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-04 0-03 0-07 0-1.1" Castle Hill Mine. —Only a few officials have been employed underground attending to pumping, maintenance, and ventilation. The new drive from surface for airway and second outlet has been holed through to tho Castle Hill Mine workings. Length of drive, 1,332 ft. ; grade, 1 in 2-81. This mine has been reported as free from firedamp and underground fires during tho year. Benhar Mine. —Brick air-stoppings have been erected on the intake side of the dip haulage and airway. The installation of a new ventilating-fan has overcome the difficulties formerly experienced in removal of powder-smoko from working-faces after shot-firing. Pukerau Mine. —One man steadily employed obtaining coal from underground for local requirements. Working safely conducted. Rosedale Mine. —An opencast pit, now worked for private use. Todd's Mine. —An opencast pit, from which 330 tons of lignite had been obtained when working was abandoned, and the pit became filled with water. McLean's Mine. —The seam had been worked out when the pit closed down and abandoned after a production of 3,545 tons of lignite. Whiterig Mine. —Turning dip to loft below old workings, from which the water accumulated had been drained by bqreholes. Ladder-way required in shaft had been completed. Green's Mine. —The old mine-workings had been abandoned and openings fenced securely. At the new mino opened up six miners were employed underground. A heading was being driven to surface and outcrop of the seam for convenient haulage. Fan ventilation good, and workings clear of powdor-smoke. Riverview Mine. —A small pit worked opencast for private use. Springfield Mine. —An opencast pit at which work became suspended toward the end of tho year after 360 tons of lignite had boen produced. Glenlee Mine. —Underground mining. Worked up to boundary ; now bringing the upper level pillars backward. Air good. Two men below. Ramsay's Mine. —Worked intermittently for district requirements ; 2,520 tons of lignite was produced during tho year. Three men employed underground. Knapdale Mine. —A cross-measures tunnel had been driven 450 ft. through the footwall to this vertical seam, from which 551 tons had boon produced. The lessee attempted to sink an air-shaft, but could not got down owing to water in the gravels, when working became suspended and the mine abandoned. Wendon Mine. —l4o tons of lignite had boen produced during the early part of the year, when working was suspended and the mine abandoned by tho workman. Landslip Mine. —Worked intermittently ; 100 tons of lignite was produced by the licensee for 1922. Rossvale Mine. —Withdrawing pillars ; 1,570 tons of lignite had been produced. Two men employed underground. Argyle Mine. —Seam worked opencast by stripping and sluicing with water. Two men employed when working. The new bridge over Waikaia River on road leading to the pit was a substantial-looking structure. Terrace Mine, Kingston Grossing. —A ladder had been provided in the shallow air-shaft, and roof-joints timbered whero required. Princhester Creek Mine. —An opencast pit, worked for supply of settlers in Mararoa district. Lynwood Mine. —An opencast pit, worked for the purpose of supplying the steamer owned by the Tourist Department on Lake Te Anau. Scam 6 ft., with overburden 6 ft. to 7 ft. in thickness. Forest Hill Mine. —An opencast pit, worked for local supplies, 246 tons of lignite having been produced during the year. Mataura Collieries Company's Mine. —Working-places in good order. Fan ventilation adequate. Shot-firing allowed at end of shift only. Six men underground. Boghead Mine. —Opencast working continued, but a small place had been driven underground in a haphazard manner. Mataura Lignite Mine. —Fan ventilation satisfactory. Six men below ground. Terrace Mine, Mataura. —An opencast mine ; scam 11 ft., being worked for local supplies. Ti Tepu Mine-. —497 tons of lignite had been produced during the early part of the year, when working became suspended indefinitely.

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Heatherlea Mine. —A small lignite-mine, worked opencast for local supplies. Ota Creek Mine. —An opencast working ; stripping 6 ft. One man omployod. Produced 814 tons during the year. Clarke's Mine. —A lignite-pit worked opencast. 1,066 tons was produced by the workman for the year. Diamond Lignite-mine. —An oponcast pit, from which 1,702 tons of lignite was obtained by the two workmen employed. Nisbet's Mine. —A small opening from which 12 tons of lignite had been obtained when tho place was closed down and abandoned. Nightcaps Nd. 1 Mine. —With the closing of Lloyd's dip soction during tho year coal-mining became suspended on tho Nightcaps Coal Company's original freehold property at Nightcaps, available coal being practically worked out after operating forty-one years, during which 1,377,196 tons of coal was produced. Nightcaps No. 2 Mine (Educational Reserve, Nightcaps). —Owing to the coal-seam to dip becoming troubled and faulted witli tho heavily saturated nature of tho ground and tho spontaneous fire in the upper levels on tho comparatively small section of the remaining part of tho srfam rendering mining difficult, work became suspended ; plant was withdrawn and the mine abandoned during the year. Sterling Mine. —After production of 132 tone of coal during the early part of the year, work became suspended and tho mine abandoned, tho lignite being unsaleable. Goaldale Mine. — The elaystono fault intrusion mot with in the workings to dip of the seam had seriously interrupted progress, and the seam thinning, the quantity of available coal became diminished to such an extent that coal-getting proved unremunerative. Prospecting by boring from surface, driving and boring underground having proved unsuccessful, mining was practically suspended at the end of the year. Subsequently the plant was removed and the mine abandoned. ■ Black Diamond Mine. —Coal-seam 25 ft. in thickness, of which 8 ft. was being worked. Pumps in mine (two) and ventilating-fan on surface driven by compressed air, a plant having been installed for the purpose. Air well conducted by brattice to working-faces. Falls from roof had not occurred, but timber was being regularly used in working-places. New Brighton Mine. —An upthrow fault struck in the dip drive was being prospected. Mine-floor naturally wet throughout the workings, roof and sides damp ; no spontaneous heating had yet occurred, ail dross being filled away. Roadways and working-places well timbered ; fan ventilation excellent. Wairio Mine. —Work at the Resin seam had been suspended owing to the mineral being practically unsaleable A small output was being obtained from the prospecting-drive to dip of former workings, where an area of thin scam (6 ft.) was expected to occur between the faults known to exist as proved by previous working. Mossbank Mine. —A new dip had been driven 6 chains to the face, and levels broken away on either side from which working-places were won. Ventilation and other conditions were satisfactory. The area to rise, which had been closed on account of spontaneous fire, remained sealed meanwhile. , Adequate ambulance equipment kept at tho mine. Wells and Party's Mine. —Working had not been resumed during the year owing to coal of this quality not being readily saleable. Wairaki No. 1 Mine. —■ Conditions generally were satisfactory. Ventilation was sufficient, and an improvement was being effected by building close stoppings between the intake and return airways. Firedamp had not been reported by the mine officials, but a quantity, estimated at 20 cubic feet, was discovered on the 22nd June, 1922, which was found in a vacant place where tho brattice erected was 10 ft. back from the face. Tho brattice was immediately extondod and tho gas cleared by ventilation. Firedamp bad not been reported as found in the mino since. Fan ventilation was sufficient. The fault botweon Nos. 1 and 2 Wairaki Mines had not yet been tested by driving through the claystone dyke which occurred near the boundary between tho mines. Adequate appliances for rendering first aid kept at the mine, also at the mine office on the property. Wairaki No. 2 Mine. —Tho systematic timbering regulations posted at the mine were being fairly well complied with by workmen. A plentiful supply of props was being kept in the mine for use as required. Fan ventilation adequate. Ambulance equipment in good order. Linton Mine. —The steam-driven ventilating-fan provided good air throughout tho workings. Mine-floor naturally wet throughout. Water was dripping from roof and sides of working-places. Return airway to second outlet was wire-fenced and in good order for travelling. Coal-workings to rise on eastern side of the seam wore interrupted by a deposit of ashes, the result of a prehistoric fire in the coal-seam. Tho north levels were standing on a downthrow fault, the dimensions of which had not been demonstrated, but indicated a considerable throw northerly. Ambulance requirements kept. Report-books in order. Oltai Mine. —Very little coal-getting had been done during the year. Prospecting by boring and driving had been conducted with a view to opening and developing the seams of coal oxpected to be found on the property. Birchwood Mine. —A pair of lower levels had been driven narrow to tho fault, from which pillars were being drawn outward. Timber used and working safely conducted. The ventilating-fan at the end of the year was giving satisfactory results. Ambulance requirements were in good order. Orepuki Mine. —The coal-seam in tho dip extension north and drives on tho western side of the dip proved to be troubled and faulted and productive of a low percentage of marketable coal. Somewhat similar conditions prevailed on the lower level on the eastern sido when a fault or want was struck. It was then decided to suspend mining operations, and I was notified by tho mine-manager that mining was suspended on the 7th September, 1922 ; that openings to underground workings were fenced, and that tho plant was being transferred to Kaitangata Collieries at Kaitangata. Dangerous Occurrences notified under Regulation 81. Taratu Mine, Kaitangata. —l9th January : A fire which had broken out to surface from the old waste was subdued by filling with clay and gravel, and turning the water on. Wairaki No. 1 Mine, Ohai. —22nd June : A pocket of firedamp, estimated at 20 cubic feet, was found by tho Inspector of Mines at the roof of a vacant place when the brattice was extended and the gas cleared away by ventilation. Nightcaps No. 2 Mine, Nightcap>s. —22nd August: Owing to a spontaneous fire which broke out in the upper lovels, combined with other disabilities, the workmen were withdrawn and mining became abandoned. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine, Kaitangata. —2Bth October : A slight outbreak of smoke at the tubing at tho bottom of the haulage incline was quickly suppressed and no damage occurred. Fernhill Mine, Abbotsford. —21st November : A small quantity of smoko and blackdamp had been found leaking from a stopping, which was repaired, and another stopping placed in front for security. Fatal Accident. Linton Mine, Ohai. —11th December : Owen Lynch, 44, Miner—killed by a fall of coal from roof while working at the face of tho pillar which ho was extracting. A shot had boen fired in the face, and Lynch was preparing for another shot when the coal fell from a drossy back, having evidently beon shaken by the preceding shot. Dr. Leeper considered that Lynch had died from shock caused by a blow on the heart or full stomach from such a fall of coal as described. The Coroner and jury brought in a verdict that Lynch was accidentally killed. I reported on this accident fully to you under date 19th Docember, 1922. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Christie Bros. No. 2 Mine, Saddle Hill. —l lth January : William McNeill, 69, deputy—fracture on left clavicle, caused while putting up props : one swung round and fell on him. Springfield Mine, Waikaka Valley. —lBth February : Robert L. Reid, 40, opencast labourer—burns of right thigh, caused by ignition of blasting-powder while firing a shot. Princhester Greek Mine, The Key. —loth March : Edward Sands, 15, helper—ruptured kidney; fell over side of waterway, rope for hauling sacks having broken. Nightcaps Mine, Nightcaps. — 24th MarcTr: Thomas Duncan, 24, miner—burns, result of blasting-powder explosion caused by naked light on hoad having fallen into canister containing half a plug of blasting-powder.

39

C—2

ANNEXURE B.

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1922.

Name of Mine and Locality. i Name of Minemanager. Name and Address of Owner. | | Classification | § Thickness of Thickness 0 Xgroand H Outputfor S« °< Coal £ « Coal-seams. worked. < wor £ mg . §| 1922 £3 " ' ill Z S Total Output Total Output to 31st to 31st December, December, 1921. 1922. Number of Persons ordinarily employed. : Means of aj ,- | Ventilation. rO O O NOBTHEBN INSPECTION DISTEICT. North Auckland. j i i Hikurangi Colliery, Hikurangi .. A. H. Taylor .. Hikurangi Coal Co., Ltd., Auckland 30 Semi-bitu- 1 6'to 10' 6'to 9' Bord and minous pillar Hikurangi New Colliery, Hikurangi E. W. Tattley .. Hikurangi Coal Co., Ltd., Auckland .. Ditto .. 1 11' 7' Ditto .. 1 Northern Tauranga, Hikurangi .. James Jones (P.) .. : Wilson's Colls., Ltd.. Auckland .. 4 „ .. 1 4' 4' ., .... Kerr & Co. (McLeod's), Hikurangi F. Kells .. .. I Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi .. 2J „ .. 1 3' to 6' 3' to 6' „ .... Silverdale Colliery, Hikurangi .. J. W. Brown .. Foot & Doel, Hikurangi .. 4 „ .. 1 3' to 4' 3' to 4' „ .... Northern Co-operative, Hikurangi E. A. Cunningham(P.)! E. A. Cunningham <fc Co., Hikurangi 4 ,, ..1 5' 5' ,,.... Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi .. J. Hamilton (P.) .. ( Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi 7 ,, .. 1 4' to 5' 4' to 5' „ .... Christie's Co-operative, Hikurangi W. Tunstall (P.) .. '• Bayburn Lime Co., Whangarei .. I 2& .. 1 5' 5' ,. .... Foot's Mine, Hikurangi.. .. S. G. Foot (P.) .. Foot Bros., Hikurangi .. .. j Oi „ .. 1 5'to 7' 5' to 7' Ferndale Colliery, Hikurangi .. B."C. Cherrie . . ! Cherry & Party, Hikurangi .. Oj „ .. 1 6' to 7' 6' to T „ .... Wilson's Colliery. Hikurangi .. G. Davidson . . Wilson's Colls., Ltd., Auckland ..15 ,. .. 1 5' to 0' 5' to 9' „ .... Waro, Whangarei .. J. C'adman .. N.Z. Coal & Cement Co., Whangarei 12 ,. .. 1 , 6' to 10' 7' „ .. 1 Bautangata-Kamo, Kamo .. B. Dickson (P.) .. Kamo Potteries, Ltd., Kamo ,. 2J ,, .. 1 I 5'to 6' 5' „ .... Kawakawa, Kawakawa .. , Francis Cloke .. Francis Cloke, Kawakawa .. 2 „ .. 1 5' 5' „ .... Waikato (incladino Mokau). Taupiri Extended, Huntlv .. W. Wood .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 34 Brown .. 2 10' to 34' 12' Bord and 2 pillar Botowaro Colliery, Botowaro .. A. Penman .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 5 ., .. 1 6' to 15' 12' Ditto Pukemiro Colliery, Pukemiro .. A.Burt .. .. Pukemiro Coll.. Ltd., Auckland .. 7 1 16' to 18' 6'to 12' „ .. .. Waipa Colliery, Glen Massey .. T. Thomson .. Waipa Eailway and Colls., Ltd., 0 ,, .. 1 10' 8' „ .... Wellington * Waikato Extended, Huntlv .. D. Nicholson .. Boose Shipping Co., Mercer .. 6), .. .. 1 16' 12' ., .... Glen Afton Collieries. Glen Afton P. Hunter .. N.Z. Co-op.Dairy Co.,Ltd.,Hamilton 2! ., .. 1 8'to 17' 8' ,. .... Pukemiro Junction, Pukemiro .. C. V. Malony .. Clare & Party, Pukemiro .. 2 ,, .. 1 8' to 17' T to 12' ,. .... Huntlv Coal-mine, Huntlv .. J. Lamont * .. j Lamont & Starr. Huntlv .. "ll .. .. 1 14' 9' .. .... Taupiri East Mine, Huntlv .. J. Holland (P.) .. J. Holland, Huntlv .. .. 1 „ .. 1 12' 10' Campbell Coal-mine, Whaiawhata W. C. Davies .. j Campbell Coal Co., Hamilton .. 0J „ .. 1 12' 8' „ .... Greeneastle Coal-mine, Aria .. j A. Morgan P.) .. I A. Morgan. Aria .. ..6 „ ..1 12' 9' , T .... Old Stockman Mine, Mokau .. I C. Wright. (P.) .. j Chambers Bros., Awakino .. 2 ,, .. 1 5' 5' „ .... Output of collieries included in previous statements at which operations are abandoned or suspended I .. .. I Tons. 30,684 120 3,702 4,601 6.525 1,216 1,160 4,398 106 1,704 30,257 4,550 100 254 130,409 93,496 138,941 41,488 6,066 3,869 8,494 4,249 1.446 1,728 188 114 ) Tons. Tons. [ f 1,388,894 J 1 1,358.210 J - 21 50 I 129 620,666 624,458 . 1 5 4,385 8,986 4 10 11.364 17,889 5 12 26,465 27,681 2 2 23,759 24,919 1 3 6.448 10,846 2 5 196 2 2 1.704 : 3 7 43,842 74.099 j 32 78 31.497 36.056 I 3 10 140 240 I 2 517 771 1 4 2,854,782 2,985,281 ! 66 288 271,975 365,471 42 145 593,198 732,139 62 157 560,297 ! 601,785 20 77 22,653 28,710 '. 2 10 2,213 6,082 28 21 2.522 11,016 i 2 ; 7 540 4.780 2 I 7 1,446 1 3 1,728 3 10 1,428 1,616 1 2 780 804 1 4.165,604 4.165.604 I Waddle fan. 80 J ( Compressed ail 6 Natural. 14 17 7 ,, 4 10 110 Sirocco fan. 13 Fan. 2 Natural. 5 „ 354 Sirocco fan. 187 Fan. 210 Fans (2). 106 Fan. 12 Natural. 49 Sirocco fan. 0 Natural. 9 4 13 3 1 | WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTBTCT. Nelson. Puponga Mine .. .. A.J. McHardy .. i Puponga Coal Syn.. Puponga .. 19 Bituminous 2 3' and 9' Full height Bord and pillar North Cape Mine .. .. P. McCaffrey .. North Cape Coal Co.. Puponga .. 12 ,. 1 2' to 4,V „ Ditto Golden Bay Mine .. .. J. McDougall (P.) .. McDougall & Cotter, Motupipi ,.. 3 Lignite ..1 4'6" .. „ .... Stone's Mine .. .. .. W. Stone (P.) .. Stone Bros.. Takaka .. .. 3 Brown .. 1 3' 6" „ „ .... Enner Glynn .. .. J. Dymond .. Nelson .. .. .... .. .. „ .... O'Bourke's Mine .. J. Burgess .. I A. O'Bourke, Murchison .. 3 „ .. 1 li' to 2' Full height ,, Buller. Westport-Stockton Mine .. James Fletcher .. Westport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd.. 14 Bituminous 2 4' to 20' Full height Bord and Westport pillar Millerton Mine .. .. T. King .. .. Westport Coal Co.. Westport .. 31 ,. 15' to 14' „ Ditto Millerton Mine .. .. William Pearson .. Westport Coal Co.! Westport .. 31 ,. 14' to 20' 12' „ Tronbridge Mine .. .. G. Smith .. , Westport Coal Co., Westport .. 31 .. 12 3' to 30' Full height „ .... J Coalbrookdale Mine .. .. William Hewitson Westport Coal Co.. Westport .. 42 .. 14' to 22' „ „ .... i Began & O'Briens .. .. H. McAvoy .. Dove & party, Seddonville .. 8 ., 1 15' to 20' 15' Coal Creek Mine (McGuire's) .. V. Armstrong .. McGuire & party, Seddonville .. 7 ., 1 5' to 20' 8 to 12' „ Chester & party's Mine .. H. Chester (P.) .. : Chester & party, Seddonville .. 3 ., 1 3 3' .. .. St. Helens Mine .. .. A. Pratt (D.) .. ; Bennett & party, Seddonville .. 4 ,. 1 6!' Full height „ .. j .. Marris & Murray's Mine .. Charles Murray (P.) j Marris & Murray, Seddonville .. 2 „ II 7' ,. „ .... Mulholland's Mine .. .. J. E. Boberts .. Mulholland & party, Seddonville 2 „ 1 I 20' 8' „..!.. 4,083 2.170 640 30 188 45 80,676 265,285 177,630 9,738 12,776 2,804 6,592 1,281 5,879 225,254 230.237 6 8 95,396 97.566 15 20 350 000 2 600 630 2 1.457 1.645 3 4 143 188 I .. 2 1,718,762 1,805,438 87 j 183 6,147,618 6,412,003 74 447 8.188,605 8,366,334 ' - gjj JJj* 23,134 32,872 I 5 10 36,012 48,788 1 14 1.767 4,571 1 2 8,651 15,243 .. 5 02 1,373 1 2 2,825 8,704 ! 7 | 8 14 j Natural. 35 I Fan. 2 : Natural. 2 7 Fan. 2 Natural. 270 Fars. 521 233 Fan. 268 15 Natural. 15 3 „ 15 .

a—2

40

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1922—continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Minemanager. Name and Address of Owner. ei ■a 9 ° Classification j> g I « of Coal - i » » £ *.£ Number of Persons Svstem of °-= Total Total Out-Pit : T <> ta, Output ordinarily employed. Thickness of Thickness Cn X™°' d Ml OuSntfor *° slst to 31st Coal-seams. worked. On w d o e t r f? n ° g und || 0 % u |. fOT December, December, 6 \ * > . „. 19-1. 1922. ||1 Means of Ventilation wA ;ion. ruST COAST INS PECTION DISTRICT — continued. Buller —continued. Mokihinui-Westport Mine ■.. J. Black (2nd) Mokihinui-Westport Coal Co., Ltd., 1 Seddonvillo J. P. Burley, Berlin's .. .. 20 Bituminous i 1 8'to 14 10' j Bord and | .. pillar 27' 8' Ditto .. i .. 12' 8}' I P.ord and .. pillar j 16' to 20' 8' to 10' Ditto .. j .. 5'to' 12' Full height " '.'. \ '.'. 40' to 80' 7' „ .... 6' Full height 1 8'to 12' ,. j 6' to 20' 8' „ .... I 5'and 12' 5'and 9' T Full height ] „ .... 9' to 20' 8' ,, .... 6' to 11 6 to 8' ,, .. I . 6' to 20' 12' „ . . 14' Full height Pord and pillar 17' 15' Ditto .... 2' 6" Full height „ .. .. 5' " " .. .'. iv ,; :: .... 7' ,. .. .... 5' 5' .. .... is , r ',: .... 5' 5' „ .... 4'to' 12' Full 'height " '.'. '.'. I -no 8- ;: ' ;; :: :: f Tons. I 1,914 217 4,354 1.530 650 1,136 1,100 1,688 268 680 180 470 39,342 102.925 2.076 96 3,296 3.054 4,979 5.704 1.477 2,590 122,711 820 Tons. [ Tons. i I 1,914 i 4 ' 7,562 7,779 I .. 10,618 10,618 I .. 30,069 30.069 900 900 68,753 73.107 5 48.072 49i602 | .. 20,184 20,834 | 1 6,629 . 7,765 .. 21,602 22,702 4.667 6,355 1,680 1,948 1 229 909 1 2,476 2,656 470 1 22,600 22,600 \ .. 348,612 387,954 26 3,001,223 3,104,148 4S 2,076 96 2 1,800 5,096 2 3.210 6,264 1 4.683 9,662 2 896 6,600 6 1,477 2 2,500 2 I 04 987,047 1,109,758 i 24 820 8 7.152.782 : 7,152,782 I .. 5 9 Natural. 2 2,, Natural. 3 "s > Naturai. 4 * - 3 4,, 3 3,, 3 3,. 4 4,; 6 7 2 3 2 I 2 3 14 „ 56 82 Fan. 211 259 „ 0 6 Natural. 5 7,, 4 6 Fan. 7 8 6 8 Natural. 12 18 6 8 Natural. 6 8,, 138 202 Fan. 53 77 It IS „ 29 37 Rocklands Mine .. .. J. P. Burley (P.) .. Brown .. 1 Reef ton. Coghlans's Mine .. J. Coghlan (P.) J. Coghlan, Capleston .. .. 26 Semi-bitu- j 1 minous Ditto .. 1 ..2 . . 1 .. I 1 ■ ■2 Archer's Mine .. .. F. W. Archer (P.) .. Doran's Mine .. .. J. J. -Doran (P.) .. Reefton Coal Co.'s Mine .. T. H. Boustridgo (C.) Phcenix & Venus Mine .. .. William Julyan (P.) Clele Mine .. .. . . A. J. Grigg (P.) .. New Big River Mine .. .. William Kinvan (P.) Morris & Learmont's Mine .. J. Baxendale Victory Mine .. .. .. P. H. Wood (P.) .. Birchwood Mine .. .. William Lowden .. Woodlands Mine .. A. Chadffick Empire Mine .. .. .. P. Mitchell (P.) liolitho's Mine .. .. J. Bolitho (P.) Ferndale-Timaru Mine .. B. W. Tattley F. W. Archer, Capleston .. 27 Doran & party, Capleston .. 2 Reefton Coal Co., Ltd., Reefton.. 21 Collins tfc Kearns. Reefton .. 31 Alborn & Pascoe, Reefton .. 36 Big River G.M. Co., Reefton .. 9 Morris & Learmont, Reefton .. 10 Wood & party, Reefton .. 4 A. R. Ayson, Reefton .. .. 3 McKenzie & party, Reefton .. 2 Paseoe & others, Reefton .. 2 Bolitho Bros., Reefton .. 1 Ferndale-Timaru Co., Reefton .. 19 Greymouth. Paparoa Mine .. .. J. A. C. Bayne Paparoa Coal Co., Roa .. 14 Bituminous 1 i Blackball Mine .. J. Neilson TJuggan's Mine .. .. W". Richmond Mclvor's Mine .. .. J. Mclvor (D.) Baddeley's Co-operative Mine .. , J. Bowse (D.) Hunter's Mine .. .. A. Hill (D.) Hillside Co-operative Mine .. W. S. Clark Smith's Mine .. .. .. W. Lowden (D.) .. Armstrong's Mine .. C. Kaye (D.) Boote's Mine .. .. .. I. Powell (D.) Liverpool No. 1 Mine .. .. O.J. Davis Liverpool No. 3 Mine .. C. Strongman Liverpool No. 4. Mine .. ..1C. Strongman James Colliery .. .. I W. Parsonage Output of mines included in previous statements at \ Blackball Coal Co., Blackball .. 32 H. Duggan & party, Runanga .. 1 Mclvor & party, Runanga .. [ 1 Baddeley & party, Runanga .. 2 Hunter & party, Runanga .. 2 Clark & party, Runanga .. j 2 Smith & party, Runanga .. j 2 Armstrong & party, Runanga .. 1 Boote & party, Runanga .. 1 N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. 10 N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. 10 N. Z.Government, Greymouth .. N.Z. Government, Greyinoiith .. i .. hich operations have been abandoned or s 2 1 1 1 1 i } 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ", i i suspended i J Canterbury. Mount Torlesse, Avoca .. .. j W. Leitch Mount Torlesse Coll., Christchuroh [ 5 j SOUTHERN I .N II S T SPECTION DISTRICT. 12' I Ail Bord and ..I pillar 4' All Ditto 3i' All ., .. .. 6' 6' iV All 9' 6i' .. .. .. 20' 8' .... 14' 8' to fi' „ .... 15' 8' „ .. ! . . 9J' 5' Iβ' 8' ., .... 26' 8' „ .... 6' 44' „ .. .. 30' 6' Bord and Pillar 9' 7' Ditto .. .. 12' to 7' 7' to 6' „ .. I .. 25' 10' to 8' 7,529 80 4,482 566 2,729 1.471 2,667 231 716 231 692 34:; 30 I 56 562 1,230 1.082 120 47,586 55,115 13 ' 92,485 92.565 j 1 334,920 339,402 3 30.676 31.242 1 1,813 4.542 1 I 778 2,249 1 75,307 77,974 1 i 825 i 1.056 1 22,898 ! 23,614 i 1 100 331 1 8,508 9,258 1 2.344 2.687 1 ! 30 1 3,007 ' 3,063 1 J 60.624 61,186 1 j 67,357 68.587 1 | 35,881 36,963 1 I 120 .. 18 ; 31 i Steam, fan, & natural. 1 ! 2 Natural. 12 15 3 4 5 (i 3 4., 2 ! 3 1 I 2 1 ! 2 _ 12,, 1 2 1 2 Natural. 12,, 3 4,, 3 j 4 ii i ! Brown .. 3 8 1 Springfield, Springfield .. J. Taylor Homebush, Glentunnel .. D. Kane St. Helens, White Cliffs.. .. | J. Sutherland Steventon, White Clifls.. .. ! J. C. Campbell Clearview, Glenroy .. .. j C. G. Marsh Trips, Mount Somcrs .. .. j A. Thompson Cavendish. Evandale .. .. I G. Harris Albury, Albury .. .. T. P. Slowey Lambieok, Winscnmbe, Fairlie .. J. H. Smillie Allanholme. Waihao Forks .. J. Campbell Meadowbank, Waihao Forks .. J. Craig Waihao Forks Shale.Waihao Forks ; J. Campbell J. Taylor, Springfield .. .. ! 42 Homebush Brick & Coal Co. Ltd., 49 Glentunnel J. Sutherland, Glentunnel .. : 41 Campbell & Leeming, Glentunnel I 3 Smith & Marsh, Glentunnel .. 3 J. B. Harris, Mount Somers .. j -56 Mrs. F. J. M. Morgan, Mount Somersj 3 T. F. Slowey, Albury .. ..31 J. H. Smillie. Fairlie .. .. 2 Allanholme Coal Co.. Waiinate .. i 7 A. E. Kirk. Waihao Forks .. 5 J. Campbell, Waihao Forks 1 .. 1 ;; :: I 1 i i i i i j Lignite .. 1 i .. 1 1 1 ,. .. 1 North Ok.go. Wharekuri, Wharekuri .. .. A. F. Shanks St. Andrew's, Papakaio .. T. Barclay, jun. .. Prince Alfred, Papakaio .. A. Beardsmore Ngapara, Ngapara .. .. W. Nimrno Roekvale, Herbert .. .. W T . Marshall A. F. Shanks, Wharekuri .. 3 Papakaio Coal Co.. Oamaru .. 44 Mrs. 3. E. Willetts, Papakaio .. 53 W. -Nimmo, Ngapara .. 44 W. Marshall, Herbert .. .. I .. Lignite .. 1 :; .. I i 1 1 I ..ii

C—2.

41

Shag Point (old mine), Shag Poimt W. McLaren .. Waronui Coal Co., Vogel Street, 8 Brown .. | 1 Dunedin Shag Point CM. Co., Ltd., Shag J.Hughes .. Shag Point CM. Co., Ltd., Dunedin 14 „ 1 Point Central Otago. Kyeburn Diggings, Kyeburn Dig- J. T. Weatherall .. J. T. Weatherall, Kyeburn Diggings 3 Lignite .. 1 gings Gimmerburn, Gimmerburn .. C. Dougherty .. C. Dougherty, Gimmerburn 66 ,, .. 1 Bolting's, Idaburn .. .. j G. Botting .. G. Botting, Naseby .. .... „ .. 1 Rough Ridge, Oturehua ..IE. Beck .. .. Margaret Beck, Oturehua 36 ,, .. 1 Idaburn, Oturehua .. .. ' R. K. Deaker .. R. K. Deaker, Oturehua ..52 „ .. 1 Oterehua, Oturehua .. .. Becker Bros. .. Becker Bros.. Oturehua 28 „ .. 1 Lowis's, Blackstone Hill .. | T. A. Lowis .. T. A. Lowis, Blackstone Hill .. 3 „ .. 1 Dillon's, Blackstone Hill .. ! J. Dillon .. .. J. Dillon, Blackstone Hill .. 25 „ .. 1 Wade's, Blackstone Hill .. W. J. Wade .. W. J. Wade, Blackstone Hill I 1 Armitage's, Blackstone Hill .. J. Armitage .. J. Armitage, Blackstone Hill 42 ,, .. 1 St. Bathan's, Blackstone Hill .. J. Enright .. J. Enright, St. Bathan's 25 ,, .. 1 Wheeler's, St. Bathan's.. .. ; J.Wheeler .. J. Wheeler, St. Bathan's .. .. „ .. 1 Cambrian, Cambrian .. .'. O.Jones.. .. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic S. Co., St. 61 ,, 1 Bathan's Lauder Lane, Cambrian ..IF. Kippenbergcr .. F. Kippenberger, Beck's .. [ 18 ,, .. j 1 Alexandra, Alexandra .. .. D. Mathias .. Alexandra CM. Co., Alexandra .. 41 ,, 1 14 3 66 3fl 52 28 3 25 4' All 4' All 12' All 20' 12' 20' All 20' All 17' 7 10' All 12' All 6' All 16' All 30' All 6' All 18' All 12' 6' 9' 6' 6' All 12' 7' Up to 10' 12' to 6' 30" and 20" All 10' 6' 16' 6' 8' 6' 14' to 10' All 11' to 7' All 20' All 20' All 20' All 10' AH 7' 6' 7 51' 7' 6' 7' 6' 7' 6' 10' 7 30' 8' 18' 7' 35' to 15' 15' to 7' 18' 7' 15' 6' 11' 7' 14' to 10' 61' 11' 6*.' 16' 7' 18' 8' 12' to 6' All 25' to 6' All 20' to 12' All 14' 10' 11' 7' 12' 8' 10' All 12' All 24' 14' 19' 12' 10' All 10' All 14' 9' I " Open .. j .. Bord and pillar Open Bord and pillar Ditto Opes .. J .. Levels Open .. j .. Bord and pillar Ditto ..... Bord and pillar ;; ;; j/|t Bord and pillar Open .. ..' Bord and pillar Ditto .. .. Open Bord and! pillar 247 15,133 30 48 74 92 1.145 390 30 14 8 100 79 877 39 1,580 2,150 1,735 3,716 149 68 201 1,815 4,095 14,663 6.007 4,487 7,479 2,954 2,083 219 380 227 13.945 2.464 2.369 730 32G 26,007 375 3,967 155 715 447 833 1,243 105,257 10,466 904 106 330 542 2.549 12.821 12 360 1,652 412,607 110,686 66 3,337 35,359 49,351 4,213 46 311 "4,718 6,743 49,591 2,683 104,660 79,599 8,438 105,022 26,441 7.167 15i202 174,944 583,732 405.714 274, 758 72,483 308,989 90 35,010 4 7,352 19 250.255 94,378 29.773 1^270 1,500 477,130 3.375 14.674 641 6,795 1,088 2,290 1,846 3,931,437 209,600 3,616 888 3,003 83.011 254.841 2,072 59,313 22,180 412,854 112 125,819 13 44 57 96 3,385 j .. 74 I .. .. I .. 35,451 i 1 .. 1 50,496 3 3 4,603 2 ..*• 2 76 311 14 4.726 6,843 1 1 79 50,468 3 .. 3 2,722 1 .. 1 106,240 14 5 81,749 2 .. 2 10,173 13 4 57 Fan. .. .. 1 3 2 •* 1 .. : 42 25 - "l '.'. <ji "3 '.'. 18 41 1 5 Exhaust steam McPherson's, Coal Creek Flat .. I I, Weatherall .. X. Harlewich. Roxburgh .. 52 „ .. 1 Cromwell, Cromwell .. .. R. B. Cowan .. A. Scott, Cromwell .. .. 8 „ .. 1 52 8 2 4 Exhaust steam. Shepherd's Creek, Bannockburn .. J. Hodson, jun. .. Bannockburn CM. Co., Bannock- 45 „ .. 1 burn Cardrona, Cardrona .. .. R. McDougall .. ■ R. McDougall. Cardrona .. 38 Brown .. 2 Nevis, Nevis .. .. .. E.J.Williams .. E. J. Williams. Nevis .. ..22 „ .. 1 Nevis Crossing, Nevis .. .. R.Ritchie .. R. Ritchie. Nevis .. ..19 „ .. 1 IS 108,738 1 I 5 6 6 S8 22 l!l 26.590 3 .. 3 7.235 .. 1 I 1 15,403 8 1.. 2 3 1 Natural. 2 South Otago. Fcmhill, Abbotsford .. .. G. F. Turner .. Fernhill Coal and Sand Co., Dun- 45 Lignite .. 1 edin Freeman's, Abbotsford .. .. W. Evans .. Freeman's Coal Co., Green Island 4 2 ., .. 1 Jubilee, Saddle Hill .. .. T.Barclay .. Jubilee Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin.. 25 ., .. 1 Saddle Hill (No. 1), Saddle Hill .. R. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin 50 „ .. 1 Harris's Burnweil, Saddle Hill .. R. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel. Dunedin .. ., .. 1 Saddle Hill (No. 2), Saddle Hill .. R. Hill .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin 21 „ .. 1 Walton Park, Fairfield .. .. R. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin 2 „ 1 East Taieri, Riccarton . . .. A. G. Rogers .. East Taieri Coal Co., Riccarton. 11 ,, . . 1 Mosgiel Willowbank, Riccarton. . .. G. Scurr .. .. I G. Scurr, Riccarton, Mosgiel . . 2 .. .. 1 Brighton, Brighton .. .. R. C Wright .. I Smith .ft Wright. Brighton .. 7 ,. . . 1 Ruanui, Brighton .. .. N. McColl .. i D. L. McColl, jun., Brighton .. 2 „ . . 1 Waronui, Milton .. J. Carruthers, jun. Bruce Rly. & Coal Co., Dunedin 18 .. .. 1 McGilp's, Milton .. J. Carruthers. jun. J. J. Cooper, Milton .. 18 .. .. ! 1 Tres Bon, Akatore .. .. J. Hill .. Hill A Perry, Milton .. .. 3 „ . . 1 Crichton, Crichton .. .. George D. Cooper .. Crichton Coal Co., Reefton .. 3 ,. .. 1 Lakeside, Lakeside .. .. I C. Penman . . C Penman, Kaitangata .. 3 „ .. 1 Taratu, Lovell's Flat .. .. I J. Hadcroft .. Sargood & Cheeseman. Dunedin 21 „ .. 3 Tuakitoto. Tuakitoto .. J. Throp .. .. J. fhrop. Kaitangata'.. .. 12 „ .. 1 Kaituna, Kaitangata .. . . G. F. Whittlestone Kaituna Coal Co.. Ltd., Dunedin 14 ,. . . 1 Wangaloa, Wangaloa .. .. j T. Gage .. .. T. Gage, Kaitangata .. .. 3 ,, .. 1 Kaidale, Wangaloa .. ..IV. Wilson .. j Morrison Bros., Kaitangata .. 4 „ .. 1 Kaibrook, Wangaloa .. .. j T. Gage .. .. J. Gage, Kaitangata .. .. 3 Lignite .. 1 Roseneath, Wangaloa .. .. i T. Middleton .. T. Middleton, Wangaloa .. 3 „ .. 1 Kai Point, Kaitangata .. .. I J. Caird .. .. Caird Bros., Kaitangata .. 3 ,, .. 1 Kaitangata (No. 1), Kaitangata .. A. S. Gillanders .. N.Z. Coal & Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 46 Brown .. 2 Kaitangata (No. 2). Kaitangata .. F. Carson . . N.Z. Coal & Oil Co.. Ltd., Dunedin 10 „ .. 3 Castle Hill, Kaitangata.. .. W.Carson .. N.Z. Coal & Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 29 „ ..3 Benhar, Stirling .. .. J. Walls .. .. P. McSkimming <ft Son, Bcnhar .. 59 Lignite .. 3 Southland. Pukerau, Pukerau .. J. Broome .. j Miller Bros., Pukerau .. .. 4 Lignite .. 1 Rosedale, McNab .. .. A. Reinke E. H. Reinke. McNab .. .. 3| ., .. 1 Todd's, McNab .. .. H. Todd .. .. H. Todd. McXab .. .. .. ! „ .. 1 McLean, Whiterig .. .. j D. McLean. .. D. McLean, Whiterig, Gore .. 3 „ .. 1 Whiterig. East Gore .. .. | R. Craig .. . . R. Craig, East Gore .. .. 44 „ .. 1 Green's, Gore .. .. ..IE. Charles .. T. Green .ft Co., Ltd., Gore .. 34 „ 1 Riverview, Gore .. .. J. J. Nicol J. J. Nicol, Gore .. ..35 ., .. 1 Springfield, Waikaka Vallev .. R. L. Reid . .. R. L. Reid, Waikaka Valley .. j 26 „ .. 1 Glenlee. Waikaka .. .. A. H. Edge .. A. A. Edge, Waikaka .. 29 I „ .. 1 I 176,759 15 6 587,827 2 6 8 420.377 7 20 27 280,765 4 5 9 76,970 17 8 316,468 4 6 10 3,044 3 7 10 37,093 3 6 9 223 1 1 l 2 7,732 1 1 ! 2 246 1 112 264,200 12 19 j 31 96.842 1 2 j 3 32,142 1 2 I 3 2,000 .. i 2 1.826 112 503,137 20 51 71 3,750 .. 2 2 18,641 3 7 10 796 1 1 2 7,510 12 3 1,535 1 .' 2 3 G Natural. 8 ] Furnace. 27 Fan. 2 - 8 10 in 10 I „ 9 j Natural. 2 1 2 2 Exhaust steam. 31 Fan. 3 Natural. 3 2 2 " 71 Fan'.' 2 Exhaust steam 10 Fan. 2 Natural. 3 3 j 3,123 112 3,089 .. j 2 2 2 i •7 2 4,036,694 82 j 258 i 340 340 Fan. I 220,066 II 7 8 8 ' Fan. . ... ! 4,610 i .. 1 1 1 I Natural. 994 ( 330 3 .. 3 3,545 [112 .. 3 I 2 Natural. 85,560 12 3 267.662 2 8 10 2,084 59,673 1 .. 1 23,838 .. 3 1 3 3 Exhaust steam. 10 Fan. 1 1 3 Natural.

C.-2

42

Approximate Cost 0/ Paper. — Preparation, not given ; printing (750 copies), £75.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1923. Price Is ]

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1922— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Minemanager. Name and Address of Owner. £ 5 Classification £ § 3 H 3 c x\ k .-[ i ■ i ».£ Number of Persons __. , . ___. , Svstem of °" Total Total Output Total Output ordinarily employed. Thickness of Thickness Under g?ound ■* i Output for to 31st *» 31st Means of Coal-seams. worked. ll i§?2 December, December, ~ T~1 Ventl'ation. working. 3, luzz. 1921 192g » g . J -i W 1 H SOUTHERN INS IPECTION DISTEICT— coi itinued. Southland —continued. i Ramsay's, North Chatton P. Ramsay, North Chatton .. 19 I Lignite .. 1 M. A. Duggan, Knapdale .. .. „ .. 1 J. L. Hardy, Wendon .. .. 2 „ .. 1 T. Northcoat, Waikaia.. ..23; „ .. 1 T. D. Moffat, Waikaia .. .. 19 „ .. 1 Mrs. M. C. Hutton, Waikaia .. i 31 I „ .. 1 E. Jones, Kingston Crossing .. I 4 ,, 1 I 20' 15' Bord and pillar Ditto .. Open Bord and pillar Open Bord and pillar Open Bord and pillar Open Bord and pillar Ditto .. Open Bord and pillar Ditto .. Open Tons. , 2,520 551 140 100 1.570 612 1,710 102 246 7,689 1,816 11,561 484 497 116 814 1.066 1.702 12 6,194 l 1,779 I 132 4,448 15,968 11,984 3.553 17,228 5.803 l 20.900 f 37,033 328 11,309 1,806 114 | Tons. 96,550 | 166 36,719 46,431 7,515 4,369 2,085 60 228,523 23.439 238,744 912 | 100 777 26,816 18,547 25,375 1,418,988 324 7,839 37,294 78,162 129,704 43,514 420 41,192 50.078 3,796 2,616 34.651 2,898 2,857,699 Tons. 99,079 12 3 Natural. 551 1 1 2 306 .. 1 1 36,819 .. 1 1 „ 48,001 12 3.. 8,127 2 2 :, 6,079 1 2 3 „ 2,187 1 1 306 2 2 236,212 2 6 8 Fan. 25,255 2 2 4 250,305 3 6 9 Fan. 1,306 1 .. 1 507 2 .. 2 893 1 .. 1 27,630 1 1 19,613 1 1 27,077 2 .. 2 12 I Fan. 1,426,961 16 34 50 J I Exhaust steam, 456 .. .... 12,287 2 8 10 Exhaust steam. 53,262 6 14 i 20 Fan. 90,146 6 I 22 28 133,257 4 7 11 Exhaust steam. 60,742 8 20 | 28 Fan. 420 . .. Natural. 67 805 I 3 7 10 Fan - 87,111 10 36 46 4,124 13,925 7 19 26 : Fan. 36,457 4 5 9 I Exhaust steam. 3,012 2,857,690 | P. Ramsay Knapdale, Knapdale Wendon, Wendon Landslip, Waikaia Rossvalo, Waikaia Argyle, Waikaia Terrace, Kingston Crossing J. Robertson J. L. Hardy T. Northcoat D. R. Gaudion P. R. Parker E. Jones 15' 11' 16' 10' 5' All 15' 8' 10' All 24' 11' Princhester Creek, The Key Forest Hill, Tussock Creek Mataura Colleries, Mataura J. A. Denton J. C. McDonald .. R. Brown J. A. Denton, The Kev .. 20 ; „ .. 1 J. C. McDonald, Tussock Creek .. 2 | „ .. 1 Mataura Colls. Co., Gore ..26 ,, .. 1 C. E. Rowe, Mataura .. .. 17 ,, 1 Beattie, Coster, <fe Co., Ltd., 46 „ 1 Mataura Peck Bros., Mataura .. .. 3 „ .. 1 Peck Bros., Mataura .. 2 „ 1 P. H. Barber, Waimumu .. 3 ,, .. 1 E. Genge, Wyndham .. .. 42 „ 1 J. Bushbridge, Wvndham .. 15 ,, .. 1 S. McMillan, Invercargill .. 20 „ .. 1 C. J. Nisbet, Ryal Bush .. .. j „ .. 1 Nightcaps Coal Co.,Ltd., Invercargill 41 Brown .. l Nightcaps Coal Co.,Ltd.,Invercargill 6 „ .. 1 Thomson, Currie, and Dockerty, 4 „ .. 1 Nightcaps Coaldale Coll. Co., Ltd., Dunedin 5 „ 1 Black Diamond Coal Co., Ltd., 7 „ 1 Nightcaps Southland Coal Co., Invercargill 16 „ .. 1 Smith & Timpany, Invercargill 17 „ .. 1 Mossbank Coal Co., Ltd., Inver- 8 ,, 1 cargill Wells <fc party, Nightcaps .. 2 „ .. 1 Wairaki Coal Co., Ltd., Nightcaps 9 „ .. ! 1 Wairaki Coal Co., Ltd., Nightcaps 4 „ . . 1 Linton Coai Co., Ltd., Invercargill 7 „ 2 Nightcaps Coal Co..Ltd..Invercargill 3 „ -.2 Birchwood Coal Co., Ohai, Night- 2 „ 1 caps N.Z. Coal & Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 26 „ 1 E. C. Govan, Te Anau .. .. 12 Lignite .. l lich operations have been abandoned or suspended 5' All 10' All 18' to 15' 12' to 10' Boghead, Mataura Mataura Lignite, Mataura C. E. Rowe T. McCloy 15' All 18' 12' Terrace, Mataura Ti Tepu, Mataura Heatherlea, Waimumu Ota Creek, Wyndham Clarke's, Wyndham Diamond Lignite, Seaward Bush.. Nisbet's, Ryai Bush Nightcaps (No. 1), Nightcaps A. E. Peck A. E. Peck P. H. Barber E. Todd . . J. Bushbridge A. McMillan C. J. Nisbet W. Morgan 12' All 12' 6' 10' All 8' All 10' All 32' 17' 7' 5' Nightcaps (No. 2), Nightcaps Stirling, Nightcaps W. Morgan T. Thomson 8' All 7' All H. Talbot R. W. Duncan . Coaldale, Nightcaps Black Diamond, Nightcaps 7' All 25' 8' New Brighton, Nightcaps Wairio, Nightcaps .. Mossbank, Nightcaps .. W. Dixon J. Duncan T. McMillan 10' 7' 8' 6' 9' to 8' oi Wells & party. Nightcaps Wairaki (No. i), Nightcaps Wairaki (No. 2), Nightcaps Linton, Nightcaps Ohai, Nightcaps Birchwood, Ohai, Nightcaps J. Thomson A. W. Whittlestonc A. W. Whittlestono a. W. Morris W. Morgan A. W. Whittlestonc 5' All 10' T 16' 8' 25' to 7' All 16' to 7' All 18' 8' Orepuki, Orepuki .. Lynwood, Te Anau .. .. I Output of mines included in pre J. Gillick.. J. Porter.. ;vious statements at wi 10' 7' 8' to 6' i All Totals, Southern District, South Island Totals, West Coast District, South Island Totals, North Island .. .. .. Grand totals Output of some collieries prior to 1890 not included in the above statement Shale exported, 1914 457,683 879.983 520,153 1,857,819 14,595.796 28,197,050 10,603,285 53,396,131 14,505.796 28,197,050 10.603,285 15,053,479 29.077,033 11.123.43S 338 54 2 774 1.107 1,665 2,207 926 1,242 3,365 4.556 55,253,950 > 297,336* 21 1,191 ' 55,551,307 * Shale produced not now included.