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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1924 Session I, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT. CONTENTS. PAGE Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1-6 Mineral-production .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. I Gold and Silver Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Iron-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Tungsten (Soheelite) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Coal-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Investigations, New Zealand coals .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Persons employed in or about Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. 3 Mining and Quarry Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Geological Survey .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 State Aid to Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Government Prospecting-drills .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Subsidized Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Roads and Tracks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Schools of Mines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Government Water-races .... .. .. .. . . .. 4 Miner's Phthisis Act .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 State Collieries .. .. .. .. . • . - •. .. .. 5, 6 James Mine .. .. .. .. .. . ■ .. .. 5 Output and Sales .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. 5 'I'ree-planting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Items from Balance-sheet .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 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 Minks Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. 11-44 Appendix A.—Reports relating to Metalliferous Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. 11-26 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. .. ..11-16 I. Minerals: Produced .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Exported .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 11. Persons employed .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 IV. Gold-mining : Bullion-production ; Dividends declared ; Persons employed ; Number of Mines and Dredges .. .. .. .. 12 (1.) Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 (2.) Dredge Mining .. .. .. .. .. 13 (3.) Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 13v V. Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Quarrying Operations .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Quarry Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. 14

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Appendices to the Mines Statement — continued. Appendix A — continued. Report by Inspecting Engineer — continued. page VI. 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 .. .. .. .. .. .. 17-20 Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17-19 Quicksilver.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Oil-wells .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast District .. .. .. .. 20,21. Quartz-mining .. . . .. .. . . .. .. 20, 21 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ' 21 Dredging .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 Iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 21 Petroleum . . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . 21 Southern Inspection District .. .. .. .. .. ..22,23 Quartz and Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 22, 23 Dredge Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Seheelite, Phosphate Rock .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Accidents . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 Annexure B—Summary of Reports of Government Water-race Managers .. .. 23, 24 Waimea-Kumara Water-races .. .. .. .. .. ..23,24 Mount Ida Water-race . . .. .. . . . . . . .. 24 Annexure C— Report on Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. 24, 25 Paritu Granite; Quarry, Coromandel Peninsula . . .. .. .. 25 Annexure D—Mining Statistics .. .. .. .. .'. ..25,26 Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained .. .. .:. .. 25,26 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25, 26 West Coast District .. .. .. . . .. .. . . 26 Southern District .. .. .. . . .. .. . . 26 Appendix B—Reports relating to the Inspection of Coal-mines .. .. . . 27-44 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. .. .. 27-30 Section I. Coal Output and 1 mports .. .. .. .. .. 27 Section 11. Persons employed .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Section 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .'. .. 29 Section IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act .. .. .. ...29,30 (a.) Permitted Explosives .. .. .. .. ~ .. 29 (b.) Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. 29, 30 (c.) Electricity at Collieries . . .. .. .. .. .. 30 (d.) Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Section V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining .. .. .. .. 30 Annexure A —Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 31-39 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31-33 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 Welfare .. .. .. .. 33 West Coast District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33-36 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .....:) .. .. 36 Prosecutions .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 36 Southern District .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36-39 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 Annexure B —Colliery Statistics .. .. .. .. .. .. 40-44

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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Mr. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament my fourth annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended the 3.lst December, 1923. 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 1923 and 1922 :—

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 £3,423,927, as compared with £3,171,105 during 1922. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1923 amounted to £153,268,184.

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Mineral. 1923. Quantity. 1922. Value. Quantity Value. Gold and silver* Quicksilver Tungsten-ore Iron Stone Pumice Coal 692,090 oz tons '..' 3,716 ,, .. 1,969,834 „ £ 7,37,170 520,287 oz. •14 ton 218 81 tons 370,9% 10,029 3,020 „ 1,969,8,34 1,857,819 „ £ 574,988 231 627 318,033 9,320 1,857,819 Totals £3,088,246 £2,761,078 * The gold-silver 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 1923 and 1922 : —

The bullion produced during the year was greater in quantity by 171,803 oz. and in value by £162,182 than in 1922. The increase was almost wholly from quartz-mining in the Waihi Borough. The yield from alluvial mining continued to decline, and was less by 1,786 oz. in quantity and £9,086 in value than it was the previous year. Dredging produced 15,788 oz., compared with 15,465 oz. during 1922, but the continued success of the Rimu dredge has been an important factor in encouraging further prospecting for dredging areas, and has led to a considerable amount of drilling being done in other areas. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD AND SILVER. No smelting was done at the Onakaka ironworks during the year. Operations were confined to rebuilding and renewing plant destroyed by a fire, and to the constructing of a wharf which is necessary for the transport of coal to the works and of the iron produced to the different markets. A battery of Beehive cokeovens was erected and some coke produced in anticipation of the resumption of smelting operations. The low prices ruling during the year prevented the working of the scheelite deposits. COAL-MINING. The output of several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized, as follows :■—•■

The output of coal from the coal-mines in the Dominion shows a satisfactory increase for the year. The increase was very marked in the Northern Inspection District, the output for the year being 113,712 tons in excess of the output for 1922, the total, increase of brown coal for the Dominion being 150,027 tons. The production of bituminous coal for the year was 32,741 tons less than for the previous year, due to the industrial dispute which led to most of the mines in

Production i of Bullion. Dividends paid by Registered Companies. Number < tive Cla Drei of Produclims and Class of Gold-mining. dges. 1923. 1922. 1923. 1922. 1923. 192 Oz. £ Quartz .. .. 661,468 609,993 Alluvial .. 14,834 59,174 Dredging .. 15,788 68,003 Oz. £ 488,202 439,489 16,620 68,260 15,465 67,239 £ £ 24,795 51,991 2,266 1,040 3,283 22 130 8 20 149 11 Totals .. 692,090 737,1.70 520,287 ,574,988 30,344 53,031 160 180

Class of Coal. Output of Coi Northern West Coast Distriot District (North Island). (South Island). ,1 during 1923. Southern District (South Islano). Total. Total Output to the End of 1923. Tons. 126,118 Tons. 809,579 Tons. Tons. 935,697 Tons. 35,853,667 iituminous and semi-bitu-minous irown ... ignite 507,747 38,710 740 313,903 173,037 860,360 173,777 18,151,010 3,516,464 Totals for 1923 ... 633,865 849,029 486,940 1,969,834 57,521,141 Totals for 1922 ... 520,153 879,983 457,683 1,857,819 55,551,307

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the West Coast District being closed for the last quarter of the year. This mainly accounts for the reduced production per person employed below ground for the year 1923, as mentioned in Appendix B, and had such stoppage not occurred there would have been a very large increase over the previous year in the amount of bituminous coal produced. The output of lignite continued to decline. The amount of coal imported was 445,792 tons, which is 55,686 tons less than during 1.922. The Blackball Mine, which had had to close down the greater part of its working area in December, 1922, on account of a serious underground fire, was successfully reopened in March, and by the end of the year practically all the worlcings had been recovered. Investigations, New Zealand Coals. With a view to the utilization of much of the slack from our collieries, for which at the present time there is no profitable market, a small experimental briquetting-press was purchased from Yeadon and Son, Leeds, and installed at the Dominion Laboratory. With this, pressures up to 30 tons per square inch may be obtained. Some preliminary work has shown the necessity of providing some means of heating the moulds. A suitable heater is being constructed, and when completed the following points will be investigated with regard to the coals selected : (1) The most suitable degree of fineness ; (2) the nature and amount of binder required ; (3) the effect of varying pressure ; (4) the conditions generally under which satisfactory briquettes may be obtained. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1923 and 1922 :—

MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. At metalliferous mines, at which 2,034 persons were ordinarily employed, there was no fatal accident, but five persons were seriously injured. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, in which 1,644 persons were ordinarily employed, there were three fatalities, and three persons met with serious injury. In or about the coal-mines in the Dominion 5,000 persons were ordinarily employed. Five fatal accidents occurred during the year, and thirty-two other persons were seriously injured. The fatal accidents were consequently at the rate of 1-00 per thousand persons employed. For purposes of comparison it may be stated that in the British Isles, where the fatality rate for coal-mines is about the lowest in the world, the average rate for the last decade was 1-15 per thousand. Of the serious non-fatal accidents in the coal-mines in the Dominion eye accidents form a very large percentage ; it is a matter for serious concern that, roughly, onehalf of the accidents to hewers are eye accidents. At all the mines and quarries the proportion of lives lost was 0-92 per 1,000 persons employed. For the preceding year the percentage was 1-1 per 1,000 persons employed.

Ii ispoction District. Totals. Classification. Northern (North Island). \\r i. n t i t Southern tT of South South Island). Mand) 1923. 1922. Increase or Decrease. Jold, silver, and tungsten ore ironstone, cinnabar, and asbestos joal .. .. .. itone-quarries under the Stonequarries Act 1,249 3 1,497 1,084 453 325 4 2,395 1,108 138 422 2,027 7 5,000 1,644 2,031 60 4,556 1,383 Dec. 4 .. 53 Inc. 444 „ 261 Totals 3,833 2,990 1,855 8,678 8,030 Inc. 648

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GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the past year detailed geological surveys were begun in the Rodney, Motueka, and Kaitangata districts. The total area surveyed was approximately 1,471 square miles. The survey of the Kaitangata district as originally planned was completed, but further field-work in this area is required in order to enable a comprehensive report to be written. The surveys of the other two districts will be continued next field season. A final examination of the Waihi Goldfield was made, and the results were incorporated in the bulletin thereon (No. 26). Visits to many localities other than those being areally surveyed were made by members of the Survey, the most important being an examination of part of Chatham Island, made last January in conjunction with the scientific expedition organized by the Otago Institute. The Director of the Survey attended the Pan-Pacific Science Congress, held in Melbourne and Sydney last August and September, as one of the official representatives of the New Zealand Government. In connection with this Congress he visited the Maitland Coalfield and the Broken Hill district. Good progress is being made in the important work of investigating the fossil collections of the Survey, and a valuable report by Mr. Thomas Withers, of the British Museum, on fossil Cirripedes (Palaiontological Bulletin No. 10) was published a few months ago. In addition several papers by the Palaeontologist (Dr. J. Marwick) have been printed in various scientific publications. The only other publications issued during the year were the annual report of the Survey and various reports and papers by its officers, published in the New Zealand Journal of Science and Technology. Since the end of the period covered by the report of the Survey an important bulletin, No. 26, " The Geology and Mines of the Waihi District," has been published. During the present year it is hoped to publish several other bulletins, the manuscripts of which have been completed. STATE AID TO MINING. Considerable use continued to be made of the Government prospecting-drills. During the year eight parties employed these drills, an aggregate of 6,449 ft. beingdrilled. During the year ended 31st March, 1924, sixteen approved parties were granted subsidies amounting to £6,080. There was expended during the year £11,743, which included subsidies granted but not expended during previous years. The expenditure on roads and tracks by subsidies and direct grants out of the Public Works Fund amounted to £2,867, as against £4,850 during the previous year. The expenditure by the Mines Department on schools of mines amounted to £3,817 as against £4,457 during the previous year. 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, 1924, supplied claims employing eighteen miners with water for sluicing, by which gold to the approximate value of £5,619 was obtained. The cash received for water sold amounted to £1,233, the expenditure on the upkeep of the races being £2,032. MINER'S PHTHISIS ACT, 1915. The amount of pensions payable, in force, and granted to the 31st March, 1924, under this Act are as follows : — Amounts paid since inception until 31st March, 1924 — £ From Ist November, 1915, to 31st March, 1923 . . 144,409 For year ended 31st March, 1924 .. .. 36,084 £180,493 Number of new grants for year 1923-24 .. .. 88 Annual value of new grants . . .. .. £6,448 Number of pensions in force at 31st March, 1924 .. 580 Annual value of pensions in force at 31st March, 1924 £36,634 Average pension payable per annum .. .. £63 Total number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1924 1,052 Total number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1924, includes the following : To unmarried miners, 197 ; to married miners, 390 ; to widows of miners, 465 : total, 1,052.

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STATE COLLIERIES. James Mine. Underground development work was carried on continuously throughout the year, and the results obtained were very satisfactory. The coal produced is of excellent quality for household purposes and has a ready sale. The mine is now in a position to meet all the requirements of the Department for household coal for the depots. 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 134,320 tons, as compared with 116,285 tons for last year, an increase of 18,035 tons. James Colliery. —The gross output for the year was 25,797 tons, as compared with 2,889 tons for last year, an increase of 22,908 tons. The colliery did not commence to actively produce coal until August, 1923. 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 5,923 tons of coal were purchased for resale, of which 3,522 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, 45,124 tons ; railways, 3,666 tons ; other Government Departments, 6,117 tons ; shipping, 26,598 tons ; gasworks, 71,440 tons ; other consumers, 4,870 tons : total, 157,815 tons. The total sales of State coal from the Liverpool Mine for the year amounted to 129,329 tons, value £204,176, as compared with 112,515 tons, value £180,534, for last year —an increase of 16,814 tons, with an increase in value of £23,642. The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £l lis. 6-89 d., a decrease of 6-20 d. on last year's average. This decrease is due to sales to Christchurch depot being changed from a c.i.f. Lyttelton basis to f.o.r. Rewanui consequent upon the opening of the Otira Tunnel. The total sales of State coal from the James Mine for the year amounted to 22,693 tons, value £36,817, giving an average of £l 12s. 5-37 d. per ton. The sales of coal, &c, through the medium of the depots totalled 119,387 tons, value £246,976, as against 87,042 tons, value £187,057, for last year. The profit at the mines was £15,114, and the depots, &c, £5,180, making a total of £20,294, out of which £4,552 was applied to the Sinking Fund Account, leaving £15,742 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 £4,931, and this sum was allowed for in arriving at the net profit for the year. Tree-Planting—State Coal Areas. The question of obtaining supplies of suitable timber for use at the State collieries is a most important one ; and, in order that requirements may be assured in the future, an area of about 84 acres has been planted at Waikokowai. Arrangements have also been made to plant an area on the State Colliery Reserve near Dunollie, where it is proposed to plant annually for the next three years an area of 75 acres. At Waikokowai the trees planted consisted mainly of Pmus radiata and Eucalyptus, and it is proposed to plant Douglas fir and Eucalyptus at Dunollie.

Mine. Output in Tons, 1923-21. Output in Tons, 1922-23. Gross. Net. Gross. Net. 134,320 129,663 116,285 112,358 25,797 24,036 .. 2,889 1 I jiverpool "ames

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Items prom Balance-sheet. The following items taken from the balance-sheet, which has been 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 written off for depreciation for the year was .. .. 20,451 The payments for interest totalled .. .. . . . . 9,252 The payments for sea carriage of coal amounted to . . . . 75,995 The cost of railway haulage amounted to . . . . . . 25,324 The total wages paid for coal-winning were . . . . . . 79,833 The amount paid for management and. office salaries (Head Office and mines) totalled .. .. .. .. .. 3,753 The gross capital expenditure on the whole undertaking to the 31st March last was .. .. .. .. .. .. 554,799 The total depreciation written off to date (equal to 53 per cent, on the gross capital expenditure) amounts to .. .. .. 297,434 The debenture and loan capital stands at .. .. .. 227,601 The net profits of the State Coal-mines Account from inception to the 31st March, 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 125,039 The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was . . .. 20,294 The sinking fund is in credit . . . . . . . . . . 35,407 General reserve stands at .. . . . . . . . . 75,853 The amount at credit of Profit and Loss is .. .. .. 15,742 The cash in hand and in the Public Account at the 31st March last was (last year £19,580) .. .. .. .. ... 17,389 The present net book value of permanent or fixed assets is .. 257,365 TABLES AND REPORTS. The usual statistical tables and departmental reports are appended.

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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY MINES STATEMENT.

No. 1. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold and other Minerals exported during the Years ended the 31st december, 1922 and 1923, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal-output is also included.

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For Year ended the 31st December, 1923. For Year ended the 31st December, 1922. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1923. Name of Metal or Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. i Quantity. Quantity. Value. Precious metals — Gold* Silver Oz. £ 169,512 698,583 514,655 62,851 Oz. £ 131,848 540,182 443,134 55,222 Oz. 23,042,460 24,054,691 Oz. £ ,042,460 90,863,040 054,691 2,832,670 Total gold and silver 684,167 761,434 574,982 595,404 47,097,151 93,695,711 Mineral produce, including kaurigum — Copper-ore Chrome-ore Antimony-ore .. Manganese-ore Haematite ore Tungsten-ore Quicksilver Sulphur (crude) Mixed mineralsf .. Coal (New Zealand) exported Coke exported .. Coal, output of mines in Do- j minion (less exports) Oil-shale Kauri-gum Tons. 8 13 £ 43 875 Tons. m 11° £ 528 674 Tons. 1,504 5,869 3,781 19,374 77 2,325^% 164* 4,927 70,3S4tf 5,,380,679 17,122 52.140,462 £ 19,390 .38,002 55,045 61,958 469 300,714 8,336 13,241 294,115 5,523,667 26,408 32,559,384 4.018& 95,636 298 1,874,198 16,622 173,833 700 1,874,198 118,755 4 1,739,064 18,393 253,762 10 1,739,064 6,598 596\222 6,391 563,270 14,444 383,791 7,236 20,664,509 Total quantity and value of minerals Value of gold and silver, as above 1,980,769-b^ 2,662,493 1,867,580^ 2,575,701 58,044,706^ 59,572,474 761,434 595,404 93,695,710 Total value of minerals, including gold and silver 3,423,927 3,171,105 153,268,184 * In respect of gold, ounces of th 3,660 tons; also marble of uns] ie fineness of 20. pecified by the ( ) carats and ui Customs Depai iwards. tment. t Including pu: licestone, 5(i tons ; pumice-sand,

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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, 1922 and 1923, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st December, 1923.

No. 3. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1922 and 1923, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

District and County or Borough. Year ended 31st December, 1928. Quantity. Value. Year ended 31st December, 1922. Total Quantity and Valui from January, 1857, to 31st December, 1923. Quantity. Value. Auckland— County of Tauranga .. County of Coromandel County of Thames County of Ohinemuri County of Piako Borough of Thames .. Great Barrier Island .. Borough of Waihi Oz. 16,219 £ 67,953 Oz. 6,866 18 209 560 9 214 £ 28,937 68 904 1,987 39 917 Oz. 93," 986 394,550 64,679 271 j 449 110,205 462,503 72,555 304,301 7,081,260 j27,424,793 Wellington 188 706 Marlborough— County of Marlborough 32 127 511 2,043 105,452 410,64. Nelson— County of Waimea County of Collingwooo County of Takaka County of Murohison .. 225 9 366 846 29 1,514 ".98 154 '203 "804 West Coast— County of Buller County ofInangahua County of Grey County of Westland .. Hokitika Borough Westport Borough Kumara Borough 958 1,740,953 6,902,787 600 2,389 241 27,427 647 15,019 1,764 36 484 107,171 2,603 60,827 7,124 130 1,939 303 27,152 229 11,898 1,208 105,126 915 48,490 Canterbury— County of Selwyn 45,377 2 179,794 39,582 155,739 6,370,249 25,283,760 482 122 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 Wallaoe County of Fiord County of Southland .. County of Clutha 3,926 2,791 1,362 386 183 1 458 1,133 15,766 11,341 5,511 1,535 730 4 1,836 4,678 4,548 4,321 2,000 38 82 18,282 17,471 8,127 150 328 983 1,414 5,663 2,728 11,039 4,781 19,438 Unknown 12,968 52,440 18,167 73,442 7,737,059 30,810,67 328 1,321 792 3,699 7,177 29,196 Totals 23,042,460 90,863,040 169,512 698,583 1131,848 540,182

Name of Coalfield. Output. Increase. Decrease. Approximate Total Output up to 31st December, 1923. 1928. 1922. Storth Auckland ■Vaikato (including Mokau) kelson iuller inangahua Jrey janterbury Dtago Southland Tons. 126,118 507,747 8,997 508,959 38,107 292,966 20,716 252,187 214,037 Tons. 89,575 430,578 8,056 570,801 12,056 289,070 21,767 244,663 191,253 Tons. 36,543 77,169 941 26,6,51 3,896 Tons. 61,842 Tons. 4,256,512 7,500,771 397,028 18,193,954 463,001 10,981,813 894,338 10,809,524 4,024,200 1,051 7,524 22,784 Totals 1,969,834' 1,857,819 57,521,141 * Incri ise, 112,015 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 1923.

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I Class of Coal. Output. Increase. Decrease. Approximate Total Output to the 31st December, 1923. 1923. 1922. Bituminous and semi-bituminous Brown Lignite Tons. 935,697 860,360 173,777 Tons. 968,438 710,333 179,048 Tons. 150,027 Tons. Tons. 32,741 35,853,667 18,151,010 5,271 3,516,464 Totals 1,969,834* 1,857,819 57,.521,141 * Increase, 112,015 tons.

Coal and Shale raised in the Dominion. Coal imported. Year. Tons. Yearly Increase or Decrease. Tons. Increase over Decrease below Preceding Year. 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 1923 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 1,969,834 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 „ 112,015 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 130,202 119,873 107,230 101,341 128,063 110,939 125,318 125,453 117,444 112,961 108,198 101,756 110,907 115,427 99,655 124,033 149,764 127,853 163,923 147,196 169,046 207,567 220,749 287,808 258,185 232,378 188,068 364,359 468,940 518,070 353,471 293,956 291,597 255,332 391,434 476,343 822,459 501,478 445,792 6,664 24,904 26,722 14 ,'379 135 9451 4,520 24 ,'378 25,731 16,072 34,778 .380 6,042 18,242 10,329 12,643 5,889 17,124 8,009 4,483 4,703 6,442 15,772 21,911 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 55,686

mports. Country whence imported. Tons. Value. United Kingdom Australia United States of America, via east coast 119 444,791 882 £ 124 519,021 1,158 Totals .. 445,792 520,303 The values shown are the current domestic values in countr of export plus 10 per cent.

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Exports: Bunkers.

Exports: Cargo.

No. 7. Number of Persons ordinarily employed at or about Mines other than Coal-mines during the Year ended 31st December, 1923.

10

Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to which exported. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. United Kingdom Straits Settlements .. .. .. Australia Fiji United States of America, via west coast United States of America, via east coast .. Prance 54,723 350 10,790 488 750 4,945 1,239 £ 117,023 710 11,570 609 750 9,942 2,354 342 103 £ 796 247 Totals 73,285 142,958 445 1,043

Country to which exported. Produce of Now Zealand. Tons. Value. Produce of other Countries. Tons. Value. [Jnited Kingdom Australia Fiji .. Solomon Islands Western Samoa Society Islands 20441 2,189 £ 27,733 3,069 5 6 £ 29 18 "20 1 "71 2 Totals .. 22,351 30,875 II 17

Number of Persons ordinarily employed at Total. County or Borough. Gold-quartz Gold Gold- ! Mines other than Mines. Alluvial Mines. dredges. Gold and Coal. 1923. 1922. Northern Inspection District. County and Borough of Thames. .. 41 County of Ohinemuri .. .. 73 „ Coromandel .. .. 36 Borough of Waihi .. .. .. 963 County of Tauranga .. .. 136 „ Whangarei 41 73 36 903 136 3 :9 45 51. 842 116 18 '3 West Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough .. .. 1 4 ,, Takaka .. .. .. .. 1 ,, Collingwood .. .. .. 3 „ Murchison .. .. .. 20 Buller .. .. .. . . 10 „ Inangahua .. .. 259 8 Grey .. .. .. .. 9 5 ,, Westland .. .. .. 77 56 4 1 3 20 10 8 9 77 5 56 4 5 1 7 20 10 267 14 133 11 1 39 20 17 292 40 162 Southern Inspection District. County of Taieri .. .. .. . . ] „ . Tuapeka .. .. .. ' .. 68 „ Vincent .. .. .. 5 36 30 „ Maniototo .. .. .. -50 „ Waihemo.. .. .. 6 „ Waitaki .. .. .. .. 8 Lake .. .. .. .. 26 „ Wallace .. .. .. .. 30 „ Southland .. .. .. 55 9 Totals .. .. .. 1,520 406 100 1 68 36 '50 8 26 30 55 30 9 1 I 68 71 50 7 8 26 30 64 80 103 50 3 7 29 40 76 406 100 8 2,034 2,091 Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand 'ines during ll 123 an 1922. ')/(/ I!): 18. 1922. Increase or Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten mines Other metalliferous mines . . Coal-mines .. 2,C 5,0 127 7 100 2,031 60 4,556 Dec. 4 " 53 Inc. 44 Totals 7',0 7',034 6,647 Inc. 387

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APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT.

APPENDIX A.

REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES.

The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir,— Wellington, 24th July, 1924. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries, together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1923. 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, 1923, to the 31st March, 1924. 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. Stone-quarry Inspection and Statistics. VI. State Aid to Mining. (1.) Subsidized Prospecting. (2.) Government Prospecting-drills. (3.) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. (4.) Government Water-races. (5.) Schools of Mines. Annexures : — (A.) Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines. (B.) Summary of Rejiorts by Water-race Managers. (C.) Summary of Report by Inspector of Quarries. (D.) Mining Statistics. I. MINERALS PRODUCED AND EXPORTED. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metal-mines and stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act during 1923 and 1922 :—

1923. 192: 2. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. ilold and silver (estimated) Oz. £ 692,090 737,170 Tons. owt. Oz. 520,287 Tons. owt. 0 14 £ 574,988 Juieksilver .. Pungsten-ore ron itone Pumice 5 9 ' 218 231 370,995 3,716 0 10,029 81 0 627 318,093 9,320 3,020" 0 Totals .. 1,118,412 903,259

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The following statement shows tho value of New Zealand minerals (other than coal) exported from the Ist January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1923 : —

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

111. ACCIDENTS. During 1923 no fatal but five serious but non-fatal accidents occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 2,034 persons were ordinarily employed.

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 : —

1923. 1922. Increase or Decrease. Total from the 1st January, 1853, to the 31st December, 1923. Gold Silver .. .. Quicksilver Tungston-ore Kauri-gum Manganese-ore Sand, lime, and building stone Other minerals £ 698,583 62,851 875 596,222 43 13,609 3,013 £ 540,182 55,222 674 528 563,270 £ Ino. 158,401 7,629 Dee. 674 Inc. 347 32,952 43 3,5721 Deo. 5,343 J £ 90,863,040 2,832,670 8,336 300,714 20,664,509 61,958 10,037 8,356 420,262 Totals 1,178,269 Ino. 196,927 115,151,489 1,375,196

Classification. Inspection District. Northern. West Coast. Southern. Total, 1923. Sold, silver, and tungsten cinnabar ironstone Totals for 1923 1,249 3 1,252 453 '*4 457 325 325 2,027 3 4 1,252 457 325 2,034 Totals for 1922 ,. j 1,121 1,121 582 582 388 388 2,091

Fatal Ah .oldettts. Serious Non-fi ital Accidents. Cause. Number of Separate Accidents. Deaths. Accidents. Number of Persons injured. 'alls of ground Ixplosives liscellaneous, on surface liscellaneous, underground 2 2 i 2 2 I Totals 5 Reports of the serious non-fatal accidents arc conti ined in the District Inspectors' ann' ial reports.

Production of Bullion, 1923.* (All Mines.) Number of Persons ordinarily employed at Productive and Unproductive Mines. Number of Productive Quartzmines, Alluvial Mines, and Dredges, 1923. Dividends paid, 1923. (By Registered Companies only.)t Quantity. Value. Quartz-mining Dredge mining Alluvial mining:]: Oz. 661,468 15,788 14,834 £ 609,993 68,003 59,174 £ 24,795 3,283 2,266 1,520 100 406 22 8 130 Totals, 1923 092,090 737,170 30,344 2,026 160 Totals, 1922 520,287 574,988 53,031 2,028 180 * In addition to the golc preference to "gold." t The profits of private! j The bullion-productioi of registered companies. produced from the gi old-mines, silver was o; ibtained from them, hence the word "bullion" is used in owned dredges and m is from 130 alluvial cli lines are unobtainable, \ aims, but the dividends which renders this sta i are only ascertainabi .tement incomplete. Ie from those few that are the property

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The value of gold produced during 1923 was greater by £162,182 than during 1922. This amount is made up of an increase of £170,504 from quartz-mining, an increase of £764 from dredging, and a decrease of £9,086 from alluvial mining. The greater part of the increase in the value of gold got from quartz-mining was from the mines in the Waihi Borough, where the value of the bullion produced during 1923 amounted to £427,622, against £269,238 for 1922, an increase of £158,384.

(1.) Quartz-mining.

The average value per ton of ore treated during 1923 amounted to £1 16s. Id., as compared with £1 12s. 9d. during 1922. (2.) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity, production, and profits of bucket golddredges during 1923. (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 1923 : —

Inspection District. Statute Tons of Ore treated. 1928. 1922. Value of Bullion. Dividends paid (by Registered Companies only). 1922. 1922. 1923. 1922. 1923. Northern Yost Coast Imithern 288,030 220,263 47,872 48,184 1,935 162 220,263 48,184 162 £ 508,545 99,143 2,305 £ 338,465 100,682 342 £ 24,795 £ 49,591 2,400 Totals .. 337,843 268,609 337,843 268,609 609,993 439,489 24,795 51,991

Name of Dredge. Locality. iO U3 M fl -sg, Qa (§•§ ~_S O rH 01 •*» S ' F-H rf -H> SfS« Sr33 Q-O 01 fQ 01 fl s d oi ja .2 --J OhfSn 933 _d ig CD OJ O'O «j a i ® --H -r-H ■ ri Cl) m d g p, a> O « O M T) 2p £S m3 I a «n |s 9 9 OS TS h-i 01 o a . 'oJCO 01-PIM SfQOS Divideni Is declared. During 1923. Total. Otago and Southland. Rise and Shine No. 1 Lady Run furl y .. BarnBclough No. 3 Sevis Crossing . . klcGeorge's Freehold No. 3 VlcGoorge's Freehold No. 2 Clutha River Kawarau River Clutha River Nevis River Waikaka Valley si io Ft. 20 S 40 £ 1,703 211 1,499 2,156 1,538 2,282 £ £ 53,700 7 12 3i 10 6i 9 . 150 E 50 12 S 10 20 S 35 30,250* West Coast. Rimu Awatuna Beach 10 19 8 15 525 E 58 20 S 12 56,190 2,424 3,283 limu .. iwatuna Totals, 1923 Totals, 1922 68,003 67,239 3,283 Unknown Unknown * Includes Earnscleugl h No. 5 (see pr :evious Statemi >nt).

Name of Company. Estimated Value of Gold produced. Divider During 1923. Dividends declared. Total to End of 1923. £ £ 1,191 2,639 4,681 1,225 904 2,393 1,246 2,686 1,354 4,501 233 4,593 1,315 1,254 1,230 27,729 £ £ 1,050 15,615 1,000 Vinegar Hill Sluicing Company . . Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company Lawrence Sluicing Company W- R- Smith Golden Crescent Sluicing Company Sailor's Gully Sluicing Company. . Havelock Sluicing Company Graham and Party A. Mutch Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company Ourawera Gold-mining Company Round Hill Gold-mining Company Havill Bros. Hohonu Gold Sluicing Company . . Stubbs and Steel ... All other claims 1,191 2,639 4,681 1,225 904 2,393 1,246 2,686 1 l )KA 750 1,400 12,862 5,840 11,400 1,400 1,354 54,684 15,231 1.2,287 4,501 233 iio 4,593 1,315 1,254 1,230 27,729 Totals 59,174 2,266 Unknown.

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V. 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. Tho 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 1923 : —

Of the fatal accidents the following is a short description : — Percy Ayden, at the Mount Eden sewerage-works, on the 10th February. The deceased was using a hammer and gad in a tunnel where six shots had been fired the previous day. He must have struck some unexploded gelignite, as an explosion occurred, which resulted in his death. John Fowler, at the Mangatuna Quarry, Tolaga Bay, on the 12th May. The deceased was the quarry foreman, and was engaged in firing a round of shots when the accident occurred. From the evidence it appears that he either miscalculated the time of burning of tho fuse or had attempted to light too many shots and left himself insufficient time to take shelter before the shots went off. Arthur Joseph Pobar, at Calder's Quarry, Dunedin, on the 7th June. The deceased with other workmen was engaged on tho quarry-floor when a large fall of stone took place from a height of about 90 ft. up the face of the quarry. The other workmen were able to get clear of the falling material, but the deceased was struck and so seriously injured that he died the following day. VI. STATE AID TO MINING. (1.) Subsidized Prospecting. Upon subsidized prospecting operations seventy-five 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.

Provincial Name and Aadress oI 9 I iCtret Government Inspector of "g 3 "3 >. District. Stone-quarries. ° » fi a a ■ .a .3 a Sts a-? tun o fj <M S o at i> In s»<l S5 li So' AhBh | 'SrS Si a-H >& fl. 'f'g d "3 3 o u et M N 9 o a ■ O <U bC IS Sa 11 m Output of Stone. o o h? <h-h <h-h O a OS o ma cn a 01.H 01 § St jjjj h4 «M 0Q,S <4 | Q i M a -» S3 4) )3 I a a o a £ s8<| a o Auckland .. James Newton, Mines 90 656 Dept., Auckland M. Paul. Mines Dopt., 18 119 Waihi (Hauraki Mining District only) Hawke's Bay James Newton, Mines 15 76 Dept., Auckland Taranaki .. Ditto .. ..12 48 Wellington .. „ .. 32 185 Canterbury.. J. F. Downey, Mines 18 124 Dept., Reefton Nelson ~) "1 Westland \ Ditto .. .. V17 138 MarlboroughJ Otago | A. Whitley, Mines ... „qa Southland ) Dept., Dunedin 15 12 32 18 96 18 76 48 185 124 656 119 Tons. 485,205 77,134 19,711 8,207 83,886 93,763 Tons. 180,000 29,118 42,481 15,990 5,949 Tons. 10,700 53 541 1,620 2,186 Tons. 15,951 14,400 8,330 7,210 Tons. 92,443 207 Tons. Tons £ 148,740 25,381 10,022 8,277 37,582 35,523 'so 1 }" 138 7,616 2,825 910 2,544 I 1,740 6,835 34 298 88,890 39,819 18,418 55,125 38,858 2,383 98,635 Totals 1923 .. 242 1,644 Totals 1922 .. 212 1,383 242 212 1,644 1,383 864,412 580,707 316,182 265,091 34,458 60,692 103,566 88,087 143,248 210,184 2,383 3,128 80 220 370,995 318,093 Qu. .ery Accidents. The following is a summary of serious iccidents during 1923 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act:—

Cause. Number of Accidents. Fata!. Serious. Number of Sufferers. Killed. Seriously injured. explosives .. .. 'alls of ground 'ailing from face or during ascent or descent.. lisoellancous Totals 2 I 3 1 I r 3 2 1 3 I 1 i 3 3 3 3 3

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Name of Prospecting Party. Number of Prospectors. Locality of Operations. Amount of Subsidy granted. ' Amount of j Distance Subsidy i driven expended. ! or sunk. I Nature of Claim. Character of Operations. Remarks. Northern Inspection District. New Sylvia Gold-mining Company Rising Sun Gold-mining Company Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines 6 6 9 Thames Owharoa Maratoto £ s. d. 200 0 0 1,000 0 0 108 0 8 £ s. d. 185 18 0 1,000 0 0 108 6 8 Ft. 429 Quartz Rising Driving Work temporarily suspended. Results up to date proved most disappointing. Driving on large lode, but so far nothing payable has been found. Testing the reef-system on the eastern side of the main fault, but so far nothing of a payable character has been discovered. No work done. Failed to locate any gold-bearing lodes. Promising dish prospects, but failed to trace the source of the gold. Results met with not payable. Work in progress. 250 Caledonia - Kuranui - Moanataiari Goldmining Company 6 Thames.. 2,000 0 0 2,000 0 0 Four-in-Hand F. MeGuiness and M. Breen Home and McKenzie 8 2 2 Waiokoromiko Coromandel 86 13 4 50 14 0 50 14 0 Nil 50 14 0 50 14 0 Nil Prospecting T. A. Black Muir's Gold-reefs Limited o Whansarei Te Puke 113 2 0 5,000 0 0 113 2 0 5,000 0 0 Cinnabar Quartz Trenching Shaft sinking and equipment Thomas Paruer Hardy's Mines 2 Waitekauri Te Aroha 23 8 0 130 0 0 Nil Nil Prospecting No work done. No work done. West Coast Inspection District. Blackwater Miners' Association Avery and party Payne and Danks Holmes and Barnett Honey and Cook Kearns and party Lewis and party Osmers and party Wealth of Nations Mines Limited Wise and O'Donnell H. Watson and partv H. F. Chaff ey 6 2 2 2 9 2 2 2 Alexander River .. Waimangaroa Alfred River Stevenson's Oollingwood .. Ross Reefton.. Wangapeka Waimangaroa L r pper Takaka 199 15 4 43 6 S 35 2 0 31 4 0 56 5 0 35 2 0 30 0 0 33 7 4 2.625 0 0 29 5 0 7 17 6 35 2 0 177 4 8 43 6 8 11 14 0 15 12 0 Nil 10 S 0 24 1 9 20 160 2,625 0 0 18 4 0 5 5 0 Nil 409 100 Quartz Prospecting Gold-bearing reef of promising appearance located. Gold bearing reef opened up. Nothing of any value located. Work in progress. No work reported yet.' Work in progress. Assistance towards erecting plant. Reef located, but too small to work. Main shaft sunk 150 ft. ; No. 13 level extended 404 ft. Nothing of value reported. Shaft sunk ; payable alluvial reported. 48 554 Quartz Sinking and driving Prospecting 2 22 Alluvial Southern Inspection Di-trkt. P. and W. H. Thomas A. F. Wilson and party F. and H. Soper Hayward and party Coal Creek Prospecting Association 2 2 2 2 2 Hamilton's Longwood Range Nevis Mount Pisa Old Man Range .. 118 19 8 113 2 0 50 14 0 50 14 0 50 14 0 118 19 S 113 2 0 50 14 0 Nil Nil 420 Alluvial Alluvial Driving Prospecting No payable ground opened up. No discovery of importance reported. Run of payable wash found. Work in progress. 75 12,308 8 6 11,743 2 5 ..

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(2.) Government Prospecting Drills. The following table gives details of the drilling done and the results obtained :— Drill Superintendents: VV. H. Warburlon, G. E. D. Scale, S. W. Ford, T. Williams, I'\ Carter, and H. Butland. Drills used: Schram-Harker diamond and Keystone drills.

(3.) Subsidized Roads on G-oldfields. The expenditure in tho form of subsidies and direct grants upon roads on goldfields amounted, to £2,867, as compared with £4,850 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 Naseby (CentralfOtago), but which showed a loss of £798 13s. 9d. to the Government, have during the year ended 31st March, 1924, supplied with water for sluicing auriferous gravel claims employing an average number of 17-91 persons, by which gold to the approximate value of £5,618 13s. was obtained. The following is a statement showing the cash received by the Government for water sold, and the expenditure on the upkeep of tho 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, 1924 :—

The amount outstanding on the Waimea-Kumara water-races on the 31st March, 1924, was £722 13s. 2d., an increase of £27 9s. 4d. on the previous year. No money for water supplied was owing on account of the Mount Ida water-race. (5.) Schools of Mines. The total expenditure on schools of mines during the year ended the 31st March, 1924, amounted to £3,816 13s. 3d., against £4,456 16s. 3d. during the previous year. The schools continue to do very useful work, but the students who take advantage of the facilities which the schools offer are increasingly from occupations other than mining. This is markedly the case in schools, like the Thames School of Mines, which are situated in districts where mining has seriously declined, and where other industries have taken its place. In that particular school the students engaged in mining or likely to follow mining comprise less than 12 per cent, of the total number of students attending the school, so that the institution is now a technical school rather than a school of mines. I have, &c, J. A. 0. Bayne, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

rtlMes d™h, Dimeter Mineral Charactor of Rooks drlTled Sleet. ol Hole ' am « hL drilled through. To whom lent. Cost per Foot of Drilling. Cost per Foot of Transport. Cost per Foot of Carbon's wear. Results. 1 1,345 Inches. 2. 1 , Coal Gravel, mudstone, sandstone, and grits Ditto Gravels Dobson Coal Co., Ltd. s. d. 4 8 s. d. 0 5$ s. d. I 1 -35 21ft. of coal at 1,323 ft. 2 8 1,908 1,218 2,i 5 Gold J. Taylor *\Vaikaia Gold Syndicate *Ngahere Dredging Syndicate ♦Ohristchureh Municipal Electricity Dept. *Rimu Gold Dredging Co. * Westland Prospecting Association "Westland Dairy Co. 4 10 7 6 0 6 2 0 ! 0-3 12 ft. of coal at 902 ft. Pour holes carrying fair gold. Sovoral holes carrying fair gold. 'I'esting bed of Waimakariri River for power-project dam. Gold averaging 0-94d. per cubic yard. No gold; hole not completed. II) 794 6 25 4 7 311 4,3 Gravels and greywacke 15 1-145 9 613 6 Gold Gravels 1 150 6 Moraine gravels 1 110 6 Water Clay and gravel 4 0 Satisfactory. * Drill Superintendent supplied ly hirer.

Receipts. (Sales of Water.) Expenditure. Debit Balance. Average Number of Miners supplied with Water. Approximate Quantity and Value of Gold obtained. /aimea-Kumara Water-raoes ount Ida £ s. d. 758 13 0 471 4 10 £ s. d. 1,314 19 11 716 11 8 £ s. d. 556 6 11 242 6 10 10-91 7-00 Oz. 944 497 £ a. d. 3,705 4 0 1,913 9 0 Totals 1,232 17 10 2,031 11 7 798 13 9 17-91 1,441 5,618 13 0

17

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ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. Northern Inspection District (Mr. M. Paui.,, Inspector of Mines). Quart?-mining. Waihi Gold-mining Company (limited), (J. L. Gilmour, Manager).—No. 14 level (1,752 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft): The north crosscut was driven to 120J ft. from No. 4 shaft. The first 70 ft. was in disturbed country, but from this onward the country is firmer. The following low-grade veins were intersected: At 102 ft., 31 ft. wide; course, 19° (true), vertical. At 117 ft., 2 ft. wide, dipping 2in 1 north. Driving east on the vein at 102 ft. was done for 58 ft., and a crosscut north commenced from this point and driven to 292 ft. The following veins wore intersected in this crosscut: At 55ft., lift, wide; assay value, 2s. 6d. per ton; course, 33° (true); dip, 1 in 3 south. A distance of 112 ft. east was driven on the course of this lode. At 107 ft., 3 ft. wide ; assay value, 2s. 4d. per ton; course, 68° (true); dip, lin 8 north. At 163 ft., 21 ft. wide; the first 171 ft. is of low value; the last 3J ft. has an assay value of £1 16s. 9d. por ton: this vein has a dip of lin 6 south-east. At 199 ft., 9 ft. wide ; assay value, Is. per ton. At 274 ft. the north section of Martha lode was intersected, the full width being about 6 ft. and average assay value £1 14s. 9d. per ton. Driving east and west was commenced on this, and a total of 107 ft. was driven by the end of the year. The average assay value for this distance was about £1 10s. per ton, and average width about 8 ft. ."'. No. 13 Level (1,5781 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft). —Martha lode east of No. 4 shaft crosscut: Driving east on this was continued to 0091 ft. The lode was crosscut at different points, tho widths being as follows ; .At 400 ft., 87 ft. wide, of which 50 ft. is payable ■ at 500 ft., 73 ft. wide, containing some payable quartz ; at 600 ft., 53 ft. wide. North section of Martha lode west: At a point 358 ft. west, and at 10 ft. in Foster's southeast crosscut, a section of the Martha lode, 28 ft. wide, was intersected. The assay value is low. Dreadnought west crosscut, commencing at 218 ft. in No. 4 shaft, north crosscut, was driven 166 ft. The object of this crosscut is to intersect the Edward lode at Trout winze. No. 12 Level (1,447 1 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft). —Martha lode, north section: At 460 ft. west a crosscut was driven 37 ft. south-east. The first 22 ft. is a mixture of low-grade quart/, and country ; the next 10 ft. is quartz, assaying £1 ss. per ton ; and the last 5 ft. quartz and country, assaying 9s. 3d. per ton. A total of 82 ft. has been driven east and west in the payable section. At 52 ft. west a crosscut proved the full width to be 27 ft., of which 10 ft. is payable. Royal lode : The drive east on this was advanced 71 ft., making a total of 239J ft. No payable ore was met, and driving was suspended. Edward lode south of Trout crosscut: The drive was extended to 188 ft. in low-grade quartz. A crosscut at 161 ft. proved 33 ft. of reef, the assay value being low. Trout winze, situated at 81 ft. in Trout crosscut, was sunk 1071 ft. A crosscut at 91 ft. deep showed the full width of reef to be 60 ft., of which about 30 ft. is payable. No. 11 Level (1,301 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft). —Edward lode : Salmon winze was sunk to 90J ft. A crosscut at this depth proved the full width of reef to be 23 ft., the value being low. Salmon west crosscut: On the 12 in. vein at 249 ft. 165 ft. was driven north and south : the value was low, and further work was stopped. No. 10 Level (1,152 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft).—-Edward lode : The south drive was advanced to 1,700 ft. from No. 2 shaft. At 1,447 ft. a fault displaced the lode a few feet to the east. At 1,573 ft. a cross-lode 14 ft. wide again displaces the lode to the east. This cross-lode was followed to 90 ft. south-west, where work was suspended. A crosscut to the east was then commenced from the cross-lode with the object of locating the main Edward, ar.d after driving 57 ft. the lode was intersected, the width being 10 ft., 5 ft. of which assayed £1 lis. per ton. Driving south has been continued on this. The full width at the face is about 3 ft. ; the value is low. No. 9 Level (1,004 ft. from collar of No. 5 shaft). —Edward lode: Work in the south face was resumed. A distance of 467 ft. was driven, making the total 1,149 ft. Payable ore came in at about 860 ft. and continued to the face. Several crosscuts were driven a.cross the lode, the widths ranging from 131 ft. to 221 ft., all of good-grade ore. No. 8 Level (852 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft). —Edward lode : After driving 181 ft. from Scorpion crosscut on the south branch of Royal lode the junction of tho Edward lode was found. Driving was then continued on this to 182 ft. The width of the reef varied from 18 in. to 5 ft., and the value is low. No. 7 Level. —Harman north-west crosscut, situated 45 ft. east of Jove crosscut: This was driven 1133-ft. to prospect for the north lode. A carbonaceous seam I ft. wide was intersected at 26 ft., and from this point to the face the country is not favourable. The crosscut was driven considerably beyond the point where the north lode should be, but it is possible the reef may be found farther eastward beyond the disturbed country. No. 6 Level.—North lode : This branches off the north branch of Martha lode at 154 ft. east of No. 6 shaft, and has been followed north-east for 1721 ft. The average width of quartz is about 5 ft., and the grade is good. Shafts :No sinking was done. Repairs to the upper part of No. 6 shaft were effected during the latter part of the year. From the collar of shaft to 140 ft. down the shaft was straightened and the timbers renewed. Sinking in the main shaft below No. 14 level has been resumed, and good progress is being made. The total tonnage crushed amounted to 201,430 tons (dry weight) of 2,000 lb. per ton, which yielded bullion to the value of £322,830 os. (id., being increases of 20,338 tons and £64,611 Is. lid. respectively compared with the previous year. The ore was obtained in the following proportions from the reefs worked during the year: Martha, 60,158 tons ; Royal, 30,541 tons ; Edward, 28,468 tons ; Empire, 22,521 tons ; Alexandra, 9,736 tons ; Dreadnought, 9,356 tons ; .Jellicoe, 8,335 tons ; North branch Martha, 7,878 tons ;Ni 2 Reef, 6,891 tons ; North section Empire, 6,832 tons ; Albert, 2,499 tons ; Bell, 2,331 tons ; South branch Welcome, 1,597 tons ; Rcgina, 1,475 tons ; Welcome, 1,41.0 tons ; North, 813 tons ; South branch Martha, 424 tons ; Mary, 164 tons ; South branch Dreadnought, 1 ton : total, 201,430 tons. Waihi Grand JnwHon Gold-mining Company (A. J. Walker, Mine-manairer) —No. 10 Level (at 1,540 ft. below the surface). —Empire Lode: The east drive was advanced 215 ft. ; total, 3591 ft. Assays from 174 ft. east to 276 ft. east average £1 7s. Bd. for a width of 65 in. The balance of the driving done exposes low-grado ore with scattered samples of higher value. The foot-wall drive east started at 170 ft. from the shaft and advanced 102 ft. At 83 ft. east a crosscut was driven 5 ft. to the north and holed into the main cast drive. Assays from 43 ft. to 74 ft. east average £1 14s. 2d. for a width of 50 in. The balance of the drive is low-grade. The west drive was advanced 345 ft.—total, 401 ft. —and was stopped, being close to the western bourdary. Assays from 200 ft. to 220 ft. west averago £1 lis. 3d. for a width of 68 in. The balance of the assays are low, except for isolated ones of higher value. The north drive at 27 ft. west of the south-east crosscut was driven 26 ft. into the north wall of the Empire lode following a band of quartz from the main drive. Nothing of value was discovered, and the work was stopped.

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The 290 ft. crosscut: At 290 ft. west on the west drive a crosscut to the north was started to cut the Martha lode which was intersected on the 325 ft. crosscut on No. 9 level. This crosscut advanced 41 ft. through country rock. The foot-wall drive west was started under No. 7 rise to locate a band of material intersected at the south end of the 55 ft. crosscut west. Nothing of value was found till the drive holed into the 55 ft. crosscut. From the south-east crosscut the drive was advanced 117 ft., when it holed into the main west drive at No. 6 rise. Assays from 50 ft. to 98 ft. average £2 Is. Id. for a. width of 74 in. No. 9 Level (1,440 ft.). —Martha lode cut in 325 ft. crosscut west on Empire lode. The drive west advanced 751; ft.—total, 81 ft.—and was stopped, being close to the western boundary. Assays from 5 ft. to 75 ft. west average 9s. 6d. for a width of 64 in. ; walls not exposed. The 80 ft. crosscut west was driven through the lode against the west boundary. The width of the lode is 45 ft., and the average value is Bs. 3d. Both walls are exposed. The drive east advanced 3(iJ ft. ; total, 531; ft. Assays from 17 ft. east to 50 ft. east average Bs. lid. for a width of 74 in. The above values have been checked by bulk samples. Umpire lode east: The 200 ft. crosscut east was advanced 491_ ft. ; total, 102 ft. This crosscut was driven to locate the Empire hanging-wall lode east (cut 52 ft. north in the 210 ft. crosscut east on the Empire lode No. 8 level). The crosscut passed through a low-grade reef formation, much shattered and vuggy for its whole length. The hanging-wall drive at 10 ft. north of the Empire main drive was driven 27 ft. east and 32£ ft. west from the 200 ft. crosscut. On the east end only 2 ft. of cross-cutting was necessary to hole into the main drive. On the west end a crosscut 8 ft. long through country rock was driven to connect. Assays from 80 ft. west to 20 ft. east of the 200 ft. crosscut gave an average value of 12s. 7d. over a width of 57 in. At 33 ft. north of the main, drive 5 ft. of driving was done to the eastward of the 200 ft. crosscut on some promising mineral; it proved to be only a patch, which cut out, and no further work was done. No. 8 Level (1,320 ft.). —An intermediate level at 46 ft. above No. 8 level was started from the abovo rise. The drive east advanced 7| ft., and holed into the tilling of the Nos. 5 and 6 rise stopes on the Empire foot-wall lode. The drivo west advanced 971 ft. ; total, 97J ft. The following average values were obtained : From 5 ft. to 26 ft. west, £3 3s. 2d.; width, 48 in."; from 28Jft. to 431; ft. west, 13s. 9d. ; width, 28 in.; from 51 ft. to 80 ft. west, £1 10s. 3d. ; width, 47 in. From 28 ft. to 43 ft. west the drive followed the edge of the filling of the Nos. 4 and 5 rise stopes of the Empire foot-wall lode : this is probably the reason of the narrow width and low values. Empire hanging-wall lode east: Drive west from the west end of the No. I rise stopes advanced 1191; ft. ; total, .1191 ft. Assays from 5 ft. west to 96 ft. west average £1 2s. 4d. for a width of 53 in. An intermediate drive, 68 ft. above the level from the west end of the same stope, was driven 35 ft. west; assays averaging £2 6s. 3d. in value over 56 in. in width were obtained. Stoping is now being done on this block of ore. Empire foot-wall lode west: No. 2 winze was sunk 661_ ft. at the intersection of the 415 ft. crosscut, Empire lode west. This winze had to be sunk in the foot-wall country to avoid interference with trucking from the stope overhead, and the lode was first sampled at 47 ft. below the level. Assays from 47 ft. to 65 ft. gave an average value of 13s. Id. and width of 17 in. A crosscut at 40 ft. down was driven 23| ft. to the north. The lode matter exposed was ill-defined and composed of a mixture of quartz stringers and country rock. Samples of the first 16 ft. average 3s. Id. No. 6 Level (1,082 ft.). —Mary lode: The drivo east advanced 124 ft. —total, 1,233 ft. —from the north crosscut. The lode averages 42 in. wide, and is of low value. Martha lode : Exploratory work to locate the north section of the Martha lode discovered on No. 5 level was undertaken on this level. Some side stripping and 47 ft. of driving was done in the north crosscut from the east end of the Dominion lode shrinkage stopes. No. 5 Level (944 ft.). —Martha lode : The foot-wall drive east of the north-west crosscut advanced 50£ ft.—total, 50J ft.—and holed into the main east drive. Values were low. A foot-wall drive was advanced 176 ft. —total, 176 ft. —east of the 160 ft. crosscut east on the main drive. Assays : From the 160 ft. crosscut to 93 ft. east, average value £1 3s. for a width of 146 in. ; from 93 ft. to 157 ft. east, average value £1 6s. 6d. for a width of 153 in. ; from 157 ft. to 173 ft. east, average value £1 6s. Bd. for a width of 110 in. This drive proved to be on a north section of the Martha lode, while the original drive had been on the south section, and the 245 ft. and 350 ft. crosscuts from the latter were not driven far enough to expose the north section. No. 2 Level (500 ft.). —Martha lode : At 150 ft. west on the Martha lode a prospecting-crosscut was driven 26J ft. —total, 30| ft. —to the north to explore the foot-wall country near the western boundary: 111 in. of low-grade quartz was passed" through, being part of the Martha lode. The balance of the crosscut was in solid country rock with no signs of reef showing. No. 1 shaft was sunk 97 ft. —total, 1,670 ft.—below the surface, through country rock. No. 2 chamber, at 1,639 ft. below the surface and 99 ft. below No. 10 level, was excavated. Stoping : The following shows the sources of ore sent to the mill during the current period : —

Development work produced 6,457 tons of ore, making the total output of tho mine 80,464 tons. Rising Sun Gold-mining Company, Owharoa (A. McGruer, Manager).—At a depth of 90 ft. in the main shaft below No. 3 level a chamber was cut out, a crosscut driven, and No. 1 reef intersected. This reef varied from 8 in. to 12 in. in width and was low grade. Owing to lack of sufficient power to work tho pumps to deal with the incoming water work was suspended. At a point 220 ft. north of the shaft a winze was sunk to a depth of 87 ft. on the lode. The first 50 ft. carried payable ore over a width of 15 in. ; the remaining distance proved the lode to be small and of low grade. Stoping operations are now in progress at various points on No. 1 reef above No. 3 level. 46 tons were treated For bullion, valued at £244 9s. New Waitekanri Syndicate, Waitekanri. —The low level was extended during the year a farther distance of 180 ft. Two small lodes were intersected, but values were low. Great Northern Waihi Qold-mining Company, Wharekirauponga (J. R. Paepker, Mine-manager).—Three men employed. Work in this mine during the year has been confined to surface prospecting, without discovering anything of importance. New Zealand Crown Mines (Limited), Karangahake (G. N. McGruer). —Eight men employed. The Rose lowlevel crosscut was extended 284 ft., making the total distance 608 ft. At 245 ft. the crosscut passed through what is known as Sheehan's leader —width, Ift.; values low. At 402 ft. a reef formation 14 ft. in width was passed through ; assay value, 9s. per ton. At 607 ft. a leader 1 ft, in width was intersected ; average value, 14s. per ton.

Lode. No. 3 Level. No. 4 Level. No. 5 Level. No. 6 Level. No. 8 Level. No. 9 level. No. 10 Level.l Total. Mary Martha Royal Republic Rmpire Dominion Tons. 3,853 Tons. 9,165 939 Tons. 15,884 3,226 Tons. 7,272 74 679 77 Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 36,174 4,481 679 77 31,681 915 242 915 15,614 12,322 15,614 3,745 Totals 3,853 10,104 .19,110 9,017 15,614 12,564 3,745 74,007

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Imperial Claim, Karangahake (E. D. White and party). —Half a ton of ore treated produced bullion valued at £58 lis. 6d. Woodstock, Karangahake (Ratcliff and party).—Operations by this party have been confined chiefly to prospecting in No. 5 Woodstock level: 93 tons of ore treated yielded bullion valued at £129 12s. 9d. New Talisman Gold-mining Company, Karangahake (R. M. Aitken, Owner). —Area, 62 acres, which includes the richest portion of the late Talisman Gold-mining Company. During the year an effort was made to raise further capital to drive on a large reef formation exposed on the tramway, but, owing to the depressed state of mining, Mr. Aitken was unable to raise the capital required for this purpose. Ohinemuri Gold and Silver Mines, Maraloto (J. O'Sullivan, Manager). —During the year the drive on the Camoola lode was driven for 308 ft. 6 in. south of the low-level crosscut, making the total distance 661 ft. Two crosscuts through the reef proved it to be 73 ft. in width ; values low. No. 4 crosscut is now being extended with the object of proving whether othor ore-bodies exist in the foot-wall of the Camoola lode. Majestic Gold-mining Company, Maratoto (J. W. Smith, Manager).—This was formerly known as the " United Gold-mining Company." Operations by the Majestic Company were commenced on the Bth January, 1923, by extending the drivo north on the Maratoto lode at No. 7 level. This has been driven a total distance of approximately 2,000 ft. on the Maratoto reef, which averages about 8 ft. in width. For a distance of 1,190 ft. this reef was sampled by me, and the average assay value proved to be lis. Id. per ton. The Maratoto lode is one of the most consistent in the Hauraki Goldfields. At No. 7 level the ore shows distinct evidence that leaching has taken place. In order to prove whether the values will improve at a greater depth it is proposed to oxtond a drive north and south on this lode from what is known as Adam's level in Mcßrinn's Creek, which is 117 ft. below No. 7 level. On the foot-wall portion of this reef in Adam's level there is a small band of sulphide ore, which the management seem, confident indicates that this level is below the leached zone. A suction plant, air-compressor, and rock-drills have been purchased with the object of vigorously pushing on with the development of the Maratoto reef. New Waiolahi Gold-mining Company, Thames (H. Brownlce, Manager). — Work in this mine is still confined to prospecting the Cure reef and. other veins from the lowost level attainable above high-water mark. Five men were employod. Twenty-two loads of quartz and 301b. picked stone treated yielded 102 oz. I7dwt. of gold, valued at £274 17s. Id. Alburnia Gold-mining Company, Thames (Thomas Gillan, Manager). —Operations were recently resumed in this mine with the object of testing a block of ground said to have been left in the early days of this goldfield on Dixon's reef from the dune's level. Two men were employed. Nonpareil Gold-mining Company, Thames. —Two men were employed. The work in progress in this mine consists of driving on the Cambria reef, which shows a width of 12 ft. Mineral indications were favourable, but no gold has been seen. Caledonia-Kuranui Moanalaiari Gold-mining Company, Thames (S. G. Baker, Manager).—The crosscut behind the main slide was extended during the year a farther distanco of 720 ft., making the total distance 1,494 ft. A number of reefs were intersected, ranging in width from a few inches up to 10 ft., but, on account of lack of ventilation, very little work was done on any of the reefs intersected. Early this year a connection was made with Kidd's surface level, 230 ft. vertical above the tunnel level, which provides adequato ventilation, and will onablo the Waiotahi, Cambria, No. 9, and other reefs passed through in the crosscut to be further tested. A little gold was seen in a foot-wall dropper from the Cambria reef in. the winze sunk from Kidd's level. The work of proving the reefs referred to is now in progress. New Sylvia, Tararu Creek, Thames (J. H. Benny, Manager). -Ten men employod. During tho year the work in this mine has been confined to driving, rising, and stoping on the west branch of the Norfolk reef. The ore won is put through a washer, and the mullock picked out before sending to the mill. 1,420 tons treated yielded bullion valued at £1,381 14s. 2d. Mount Zeehan Consolidated, Thames (H. F. Shepherd, Manager). —Six men employed. During the year work was confined to extending No. 5 level, 681 ft. above sea-level, to intersect other reefs known to exist on the surface. The first lode out varied, from 9 in. to 2 ft. in width, and at the point of intersection 4 lb. or 5 lb. of fair picked stone was obtained. The next lode proved to he 6 in. in width, crossing the level at an angle ; this also showed strong blotches of gold through its length in the level. 20 ft. farther ahead another reef, 15 in. in width, running at the same angle, was met with carrying silver sulphides and gold along with copper-pyrites. Erection of a 30 horse-power suction-gas plant is well under way, also an air-compressor for working rock-drills, a Ross mill for ore-treatment, and a sawmill for cutting the necessary timber. Golden, Hills, Tairua. —Work in this mine was confined to stoping and surface prospecting : 34 tons treated yielded bullion valued at £90 16s. 9d. Four-in-hand Mine, Coromandel (W. J. Patcrson, Manager). —Eight men employed. This claim was worked by a small syndicate until the 9th July, 1923, when it was taken over by a new company, which was registered as the " Four-in-Hand limited." Since the new company commenced operations a considerable amount of pro-specting-work has been done in the Tainui section. The reef varies from a few inches up to 2 ft. in thickness. A few pounds of picked stone has been obtained. It is also proposed to test the Four-in-Hand reef above No. 5 level. In order to minimize the cost of transport between the mine and battery a ground and aerial tramway is under construction. 2 tons 17 lb. of picked stone treated yielded gold valued at £74 3s. 7d. Try Again (Success) Mine, Coromandel. —Mr. Samuel James, owner of this mine, has had two men surface prospecting, but tho results so far have proved disappointing. Sterling Syndicate Dredging Claim, Coromandel. —This claim is worked by Messrs. J. F. Brunton and Thomas Maude. A small experimental dredge was put on the property with the object of proving that it was possible to disintegrate the pug and mud and save the concentrates. Being satisfied with the results of the test, the owners discontinued operations pending arrangements for further capital in order to put on a larger dredge. Only samples of concentrates of wash were obtained, from which the gold has not been separated. Owera Gold-mining Company (Limited). —Two men have .been employed cleaning out and repairing the low level, also the winze between Nos. I and 2 levels, in order to provide ventilation. It is proposed to commence stoping at an early date. Muir's Gold-reefs (Limited) Te Puke (William MacConachie, Mine-manager).—During the year just over 15,000 tons of new payable ore were doveloped. At the end of the year the ore reserve was approximately 2,000 tons, which, though more than payable if it could be mined at the rate of 3,000 tons per month, would yield little or no profit when mined at the slower rate at which it would now have to be broken out in consequence of the restricted number of working-places from which it could be attacked. Under these circumstances the directors decided to stop all mining with the exception of shaft-sinking, and to close down the battery pending the development of payable ore in the deep levels of the mine, which are to be opened up from the shaft. No. 3 winze was sunk to a depth of 146 ft. below No. 3 level on Muir's reef. Water-level was reached at 142 ft. down, but this has since receded about 3 ft. No. 4 level was started from the winze at 140 ft. below No. 3 level, and driven 109 ft. south and 51ft. north of the winze. The reef is very much wider at No. 4 level than at No. 3, four cross-cuts at the former level showing an average width of 13 ft. Apparently the true ground-water level has not been yet reached, as the reef at the bottom of the winze and at No. 4 level is very much leached, with the exception of a band of solid stone on the east wall which carries values. In one crosscut this band is 18 in. wide and assays £2 2s. sd. per ton, and in many other places in the drive its value exceeds £1. In driving No. 4 level from the winze fragments of mineralized quartz and country rock were met with, which would seem to indicate that at no great farther depth tho change from oxidized to mineralized stone will be experienced. The main shaft was sunk 3031_ ft. during the year, making a total depth of 339|* ft. From 100 ft. to 190 ft. the shaft advanced through a soft sandy formation saturated with water. This caused much trouble and delay, as the heavy pressure made it necessary to replace some of the shaft-timbers and also to adopt a closer system of timbering. From 190 ft. down the sinking has been through a good firm class of country rock containing a number of small quartz veins. Lattorly, highly mineralized rock has been occasionally passed through.

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Quicksilver-mining. New Zealand Quicksilver-mines, Puhipuhi. —No work has been done in this mine during the year. Mount Mitchell Mercury-mine, Whangarei. —Operations during the year have been confined to prospecting. A surface trench, 400 ft. long to a depth of 4 ft., has been cut through this deposit and disclosed five different ore-shoots; from picked samples the highest value obtained was 5-8 per cent, mercury. A few pounds of mercury was produced by retorting for a special purpose. The Dominion Analyst reported this mercury to be free from impurities and well suited for dental purposes. Rising Sun, Puhipuhi.--No work has been done in this mine during the year. Accidents. FATAL. I am pleased to report that no fatal accident has occurred in the district under my supervision during the year. serious. Waihi if Hie.—l2th January, 1923 : A miner named David MoClure received serious injuries to his spine by falling down a pass. 28th June, 1923 : A serious blasting accident occurred in the drive on the Martha lode above No. 9 level, whereby a miner named F. G. McLean lost the sight of both eyes. Waihi Grand Junction Mine. —10th January, 1923: A serious accident occurred in the Waihi Grand Junction Company's battery to a man named Edward Pendergrast, who, whilst engaged oiling the bearings of a counter-shaft, got caught in the belting and, besides other injuries, had a portion of his finger torn off. 10th March, 1923: James Dunlop, working in a stope, received serious injuries to his right knee and severe cuts on both legs, head, and body, due to a fall of calcite. Oil-wells. Taranalci Oil-welU. —No work has been done during the year; oil produced was 120 barrels. Paritutu, Oil Company (Limited). —The depth of the well is approximately 6,000 ft. The Paritutu Company has withdrawn most of the casing below the 2,000 ft. level, and it is probable, therefore, that the well below the 2,000 ft. level has caved in. This well has been running fairly consistently during the year, but no record has been kept of the exact quantity produced ; it is estimated, however, that the quantity which flowed from the well during the year would not be less than 86 barrels. Waipaliki Weill. —No drilling has been done in this well during the year, and all efforts to free the obstruction failed. West Coast Inspection District (Mr. J. F. Downey, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT. Dominion Consolidated Mining and Development Company (Limited). —This company has been idle throughout the year. NELSON AND LYELL DISTRICTS. No quartz-mining was done in these districts for the year. REEKTON DISTRICT. Blaekwater Mine. —During the year the average number of men employed amounted to 141. The developmentwork carried out consisted of 1,665$ ft. of driving, rising, and winzing, of which 9214 ft. was on reef averaging 14-28 dwt. over a width of 30J in. The details of the work are as follows : Low level, extended branch drive, 86.1 ft. ; No. 5 level extended 411 ft., of which 33 ft. were on reef; N°- 6 level south extended 26 ft., oft reef; No. 7 level north, 301 ft., off reef; No. 7 level south, 166 ft., off reef; No. 7 level rise at 1,515 ft. south, 401 ft., off reef; No. 8 level north, 1801 ft., of which 164$ ft. were on reef ; No. 9 level north, 159£ ft., of which 1391, ft. were on reef; No. 9 level, rise at 520 ft. south, 19J ft., on reef; No. 9 level north, rise at 20 ft. north, 79 ft., of which 48 ft. were on reef; No. 9 level, rise at 820 ft. north, 84 ft., of which 28£ ft. wei-e on reef ; No. 9 level, winze at 200 ft. north, 1061 ft., on reef ; No. 10 level north, ft., of which 1641 ft. were on reef; No. 10 level north (south branch), 49$ ft., 391 ft. on reef ; No. 10 level north (intermediate from rise 220 ft. north), 28 ft., on reef; No. 10 level south, 9 ft., off reef; No. 10 level, rise at 200 ft. north, 311 ft., on reef; No. 10 level, rise at 220 ft. north, 49 ft., on reef. Winzes were also sunk from low level and No. 8 level, at 1,380 ft. south in the former and 850 ft. north in the latter, to 109' ft. and 29 ft. respectively, all of which was on reef. Some 63J- ft. of crosscutting was also done. For the year, 39,730 tons of quartz were crushed, being approximately the same quantity as during 1922. The quantity of gold won amounted to 19,295 oz. 16 dwt., which was 182 oz. loss than during the previous year ; but tho amount realized for it, £75,438 os. (id., shows a slight increase on the 1922 figures. Shortage of suitable labour greatly handicapped progress. North Blaekwater Mine. —No active mining-work was done on this claim during the year, the company not having completed the rearrangement of its financial affairs. Murray Creek Mine. — This mine has also been idle the whole year, but funds have been raised to give it another trial, and a resumption of work is expected at the New Year. New Big River Mine. —An average of thirty-nine men were employed in mine and treatment plant. 4,324 tons of quartz were crushed, an increase of 358 tons on last year. The recovery was 3,804 oz. of gold., valued at £15,609 7s. 10d., a decrease in quantity and value respectively of 439 oz. and £2,780. The stone put through was thus evidently of lower grade than previously. The main development during the year was in the extension of the new level, No. 12, a farther 878 ft., making 1,028 ft. in all. At 866 ft. from the shaft the reef was entered, and was driven on for 140 ft. • it was, however, rather small, and broken, but should improve in size a little farther ahead. New Keep-it-Dark Mine.—A tribute party has worked continuously at this mine throughout the year, taking out a block of quartz left over No. 1 level. Sixteen men were employed. Some 2,549 tons of quartz wai treated, which yielded 1,306 oz. 17 dwt. gold, valued at £5,068. The party, I understand, has done fairly well out of its tribute, but the amount of stone left is strictly limited, and work cannot be continued for more than a few months longer. North Big River Mine.-—A considerable amount of work in the way of winzing, rising, driving, and crosscutting was carried out with a view to tracing downwards a small reef said to carry gold in No. ] intermediate level. So far, however, this reef has not been traced below the level mentioned. New Millerton Mine. —This mine was idle during the early part of the year, but has since been worked in a small way with from four to six men. Stoping was carried out in Nos. I and 2 levels, and 285 tons of quartz were mined and treated for 89 oz. 13 dwt. gold, valued at £365 Is. 6d. No cyaniding was done, the sands being stacked for future treatment by this process. New Disciiiery Mine. —This property was idle since the early part of the year, but preparations are now beiin? made for a resumption of work. Ready Bullion Mine. —This has been idle the entire year.

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Progress Mine. —The only work carried out was a little further retreatment of tailings, from which a recovery of 477 oz. 16 dwt. gold, valued at £1,422, was made. Wealth of Nations Mi'ie. —Work has gone on steadily throughout the year, an average of thirty men being employed. The main shaft was continued down a further 135 ft., and a new level, No. 13 (2,270 ft. from collar of shaft), extended out to the south a distance of about 400 ft. It is expected very shortly to cut the shoot of rich stone which was sunk on for 80 ft. from No. 12 level. A considerable amount of further repairs have been effected also to the old levels. In September crushing was started, the stone treated coming from the old stopes over No. 11 level north, and No. 12 level south. To the end of the year 984 tons of quartz were treated, which yielded 316 oz. 12 dwt., valued at £1,240. The average value of the stone treated was approximately 61 dwt. This low value was, however, attributable to some extent to the fact that much of tho material crushed came from repair work, and was consequently not as clean as it would have been had it come directly from stoping operations. Scotia Mine. —This mine is also known as the "Justification." During the year work was resumed by a small syndicate. The machinery was overhauled and a start made to unwater the shaft, a task which had not been completed up to the end of the year. .Alexander River Reefs. —Prospecting-work has been carried on vigorously throughout the whole year, from four to six men being employed. Most of the work has been carried out in the vicinity of the Bull reef outcrop, and upwards of 500 ft. of driving and crosscutting was done in the endeavour to locate the downward continuation of the reef exposed in this outcrop. Down to the lowest adit put in (about 500 ft. below outcrop) the country was found to be shattered, and no sign of the reef was seen. Towards the latter end of the year, however, prospecting in another direction was more successful, a strong reef apparently carrying good gold-values having been located about 20 chains north-east of the Bull outcrop. This new find has now been sunk on for 1.20 ft., and, on the surface, trenches have picked it up for a length of about 3 chains. Wherever it was cut it carries gold. The prospectors now purpose putting a small battery on the ground before doing any more prospecting, and have already started the construction of a water-race with which to generate electric power for the driving of the battery. The locality of the reefs is very difficult of access, and a new track will need to be made for about four miles to admit of the battery being got in. The party have applied for assistance from the Department for the making of a track from the head of Brown's Creek. A good deal of assistance by way of subsidy in prospecting was given the party during the year by the Mines Department. STILLWATER DISTRICT. Victory Mine. —Throughout the year a pair of men wotre employed continuously in an endeavour fo locate in the low level the gold-bearing reef which was touched by a. i,orehole put up from this level. After driving, however, about 40 ft. in the direction in which this reef was expected to be picked up a vortical fault was met with and no sign of reef was seen. An effort was then made to pick up what is known as Curtis Brothers' No. 2 adit, with a view to sinking on the reef from it, but, after getting this adit in order for 40 ft. in, lack of funds compelled a temporary stoppage of operations. GENERAL RKMARKS. The Wealth of Nations Mine should reach, a position when larger output and better returns may be looked for, and the Alexander River Mine will probably enter the list of gold-producers. The discovery at the New Millerton Mine of a small reef on the south side of the Snowy River, which is said to carry fair values, may also better the returns from that mine, and the opening-up of stoping operations at the New Big River Mine on the new level should also improve the position in that property. Mining in the Reefton district is, however, being badly hampered for want of a supply of good miners, and if the various mines mentioned open up as is anticipated a good many more men will be required. I am pleased to report that during the past year, as during the previous one, there have been no fatalities at any of the mines or quarries in the district, and only two accidents of a serious nature were reported. In one of these a miner at the Big River Mine had a leg fractured by a fall of stone, and in the other a shift-boss at the Blaekwater Mine lost an eye through being struck by Hying debris from a blast. Dredges. The Rimu Gold-dredging Company's dredge at Rimu Fiat, Hokitika, continues the successful work carried out by it during 1922. This year it-turned over 1,577,444 cubic yards of gravel for a return of 12,852 oz. gold, for which £56,189 15s. 4d. was realized. This meant an increase in turnover for the year of nearly half a million cubic yards of material as compared with 1922. The amount of gold recovered showed an increase of 2,689 oz. of gold, and the increase in value recovered was £11,388. The value of the ground treated was 8-sd. per cubic yard. The Awatuna dredge, after being idle for some months, was altered to some extent, a larger area of tables being put in, also a grizzly for the removal of large stones, and once more put into commission towards the end of the year, since when it has recovered 626 oz. gold, valued at £2,424. With the improvements effected it is hoped that the dredge will now be able to work profitably. Alluvial Mining. This branch of mining has moved backward again during the year, there being fifty-two less men employed at it, and the recovery and values of gold decreasing by 641 oz. and £2,690 respectively. Howard Diggings. —Returns show that only nine men were employed, recovering 283 oz. of gold, worth £404. Murchison. —Throughout this district ten men were employed, recovering 83 oz. of gold, valued at £356. Charleston and Brighton. —Powell's Claim at Brown's Terrace was the only producing one worked, 96 oz. of gold, worth £384, being won. Fairdown. —A number of sea-beach claims yielded gold valued at £60. Kumara. —On the Kumara, Greenstone, Callaghan's, and Stafford fields sixty men were employed, recovering 1,174 oz. gold, valued at £4,781. The principal producers were Linklater's Sluicing Company (Stafford), 59 oz., valued at £239 ; Havill Bros. (Callaghan's), 335 oz., valued at £1,315 ; Hohonu Gold-sluicing Company (Greenst- ne), .140 oz., valued at £1,254 ; Stubbs and Steel (Greenstone), 307 oz., valued at £1,230 ; Blackrnum Bros. (Stafford), 166 oz., valued at £654 ; and McLachlan's (Payne's Gully), 319 oz., valued at £1,254. Hokitika. —In this district 215 oz. gold was recovered, valuod at £869. Twelvo men were employed. Reefton. —In this district only ten men were employed, mining 112 oz., valued at £496. Mining other than, Gold. Iron. —At the Onakaka Ironworks no actual smelting was done throughout the year. The burning-down of portion of the plant during the year necessitated considerable rebuilding operations. Apart from that work the company erected a wharf at Onakaka, about 1,000 ft. in length, for convenience in landing coke and shipping its products. The coke-ovens were also completed, and a start made to produce coke from coal brought from Greymouth. Active smelting is expected to be resumed early in the coming year. Prospecting for Petroleum. —The Kotuku Petroleum-Prospecting Syndicate put down a third borehole to a depth of 1,230 ft. without obtaining any satisfactory result. Subsequently an oil geologist brought by the company from America examined the whole area, and, as his report was unfavourable, the syndicate abandoned further effort.

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Southern Inspection District (Mr. A. Whitley, Inspector of Mines). Quartz and Alluvial Mining. WAITAKI COUNTY. Livingstone and Maerewhenua. —Eight men were employed at alluvial mining in these localities. The gold won amounted to 279 oz., valued at £1,088. T. and J. W. Cooper were the principal producers, with 174 oz., valued at £680. WAIHEMO COUNTY. Golden Point Mine (Macrae's). —Operations were confined to stoping a block of pre on the Home reef at the intermediate level, from which 1,880 tons were mined, and treated for a return of gold valued at £2,068 lis. lid. 30 tons of scheelite-ore were crushed and concentrated, producing 3 tons of scheelite concentrates, valued at £98. H. Eraser produced 2 tons 9 cwt. of scheelite from 13 tons of ore, which was mined from shallow trenches on small quartz veins. MANIOTOTO COUNTY. . , Naseby. —The returns from this district show that twenty-one men were engaged in alluvial mining, and that gold valued at £3,821 was won. The principal producers were B. G. Brown (£807) and W. George (£730). Kyeburn Diggings. —-Three sluicing claims were in operation. The gold won amounted to 131 oz., valued at £502. Five men were employed. Cambrian. —An increaso in the gold returns from this locality is recorded. The production for the year amounted to 549 oz., valued at £2,006, as against 135 oz., .valued at £551, for 1922. The increased production has resulted chiefly from the Vinegar Hill Sluicing Company's operations on the lead of quartz drift from which Morgan Bros, obtained highly payable returns in the past. St. Bathan's. —Two sluicing and elevating claims, employing eight men, were in operation. The Scandinavian Water-race Company produced 400 oz. gold, valued at £1,635, and the United M. and E. Water-race Company 120 oz., valued at £464. The Kildare lead in the Scandinavian Claim has been worked to a vertical depth of 130 ft., which is the limit attainable with the available water-supply. Patearoa. —Two claims were worked during tho year. The gold won amounted to 165 oz., valued at £644. Hyde. —Symes and Peak repaired some old mining races and installed an elevating plant to work the deep ground in this old field. 'Their operations have been hampered by a scarcity of water. TUAPEKA COUNTY. Lawrence Sluicing Company (Blue Spur). —The cement deposit in this company's claim continues to yield payable returns. The gold produced for the year was valued at £4,681, an increase of £1,975 on tho previous year's output. Dividends amounting to £750 were paid. Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Company (Blue Spur). —A falling-oil is noticeable in the returns of gold by this company, due to the low grade and hard nature of the cement treated during the year. The gold won amounted to 641 oz., valued at £2,659. Fourteen men were employed. Golden, Crescent, Sluicing Company (Weathersione). —The auriferous cement in this company's claim is dipping steeply under Wcatherstone Flat, and owing to the increasing depth of overburden is becoming unprofitable to work by hydraulic elevating. The yield of gold for the year amounted to 219 oz., valued at £904. Six men were employed. Sailors' Gully Sluicing Company (Waitahuna). —Sluicing and elevating have been steadily carried on during the year. A shallow deposit of clay and gravel is being worked. Nine men were employed, and 568 oz. gold, valued at £2,393, wan produced. Havelock Sluicing Company (Waitahuna). —This company is working shallow ground between Waitahuna and Forsyth. Five men were employed, and gold valued at £1,246 was produced during the year. Waipori. —Returns from this district show that five claims, employing ten men, were in operation during the year. The yield of gold amounted to 800 oz., valued at £3,1.96. The principal producers were R. J. Cotton, 287 oz., valued at £1,151 ; Gare Bros., 187 oz., valued at £751 ; Dunedin City Corporation, 192 oz., valued at £757 ; and Russell Bros., 122 oz., valued at £500. VINCENT COUNTY. Nevis. —Six sluicing and elevating claims, employing twenty-six men, were in operation during the year. Graham and party's claim continues to give payable returns, producing 667 oz. gold, valued at £2,686. The yield from the field amounted to 1,220 oz., valued at £4,809. Soper and party's prospecting operations at Upper Nevis resulted in the discovery of a payable run of gold, which is probably an extension of the auriferous ground which has been worked farther down the valley. Clutha River. —An a-rea of 1,500 acres of river-bed. between Lowburn and the Lindis River junction has been taken up by an Australian syndicate-. One of the Government Keystone drills is being used for testing the area. If payable prospects are obtained it is intended to install a modern-type dredge of large capacity. Old Man, Range. —R. T. Symes mined and crushed 55 tons of quartz from the stopes on White's Reef, at the battery level in the Advance Mine, for a return of gold valued at £236. Hesson and party were prospecting for a reef on Coal Creek Spur. Loose gold is found in the clay and soil, and surface indications are favourable for the existence of a reef in the locality. LAKE OOITHTY. Shotover River. —Seven small parties of miners were employed in the Shotover River and its branches during the year. The total yield of gold amounted to 340 oz., valued at £1,283. Cochrane and Party (Moonlight Creek). —A tunnel tail-race is being driven to provide fall for tailings from tho party's claim on the terrace on the west side of Moonlight Creek. Water for sluicing is brought on from Dead Horse Creek. Kawarau River Mining Syndicate. —This syndicate purposes damming the Kawarau River at the outlet to Lake Wakatipu, and the Shotover River at Arthur's Point, and the branches, and thereby reduce flow of water in these rivers to a level which will allow their beds to be worked for alluvial gold. Licenses for three dams and sixteen special dredging and river claims have been applied for by the syndicate. The scheme, if successful, will provide employment for a large number of men during certain periods of the year, and result in an increased production of gold. SOUTHLAND COUNTY. Muddy Terrace Sluicing Company (Waikaia). —Work was carried on intermittently during the year by Hamer and party. Paddocks were taken out in Maori and Mathewson's Gullies, which yielded 39 oz. 13 dwt. gold, valued at £141 14s. The claims and plant have been purchased by Mr. A. E. Usherwood, who intends to work an area in Muddy Creek by sluicing' and elevating. Break-em-ali Claim (Waikaia). —A company has been formed to work the deep ground in the claim by sinking and driving, and the necessary plant for pumping and haulage is being installed. Nokomai Hydraulic Sluicing Company (Nokomai). —The company's Nos. 2 and 3 claims in Victoria Gully worked steadily throughout the year, resulting in returns of gold valued at £4,501. As these claims are almost worked out, two prospecting-areas of 100 acres each have been taken up at Paddy's Alley with the view of providing for future mining operations. A. Copeland and party's claim in Victoria Gully, Nokomai, produced gold valued at £691. Three men were employed. Athol. —D. McLister and A. Mutch secured profitable results for the year. Their operations were hampered by a scarcity of water for sluicing.

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WALLACE COUNTY. Round Hill Mining Company. —This company purchased the Ourawera Company's claim, water-races, and plant, and is opening up a block of ground on the boundary of the two claims, which should yield payable returns. Two elevators were in operation during the year, producing 1,085 oz. gold, valued at £4,593. Orepuki and Pahia. —Four small parties were engaged in working blocks of ground which had been left by former miners. The total yield of gold amounted to 124 oz., valued at £492. Dredge-mining. Six gold-dredges were in commission during the year. Thirty-nine men were employed, and gold valued at £9,389 was produced. The Rise and Shine Gold-dredging Company went into liquidation, and the dredge was sold to a Cromwell syndicate. This company, which was registered in 1900 with a capital of £10,000, produced gold valued at £211,000, and paid £53,700 in dividends. The Rising Sun Gold-dredging Company was also wound up and the dredge dismantled. Minerals other than, Gold. Scheelite. —A small quantity of the mineral was obtained from the quartz-mines at Macrae's, where it occurs with gold in the reefs. The total production amounted to 5 tons 9 cwt. Phosphate Rock. —2,383 tons of phosphate rock, valued at £2,383, were produced at Clarendon and Milburn by the Ewing Phosphate Company. Accidents. No serious accident occurred at metal-mines or dredges in the Southern Inspection District during 1923.

ANNEXURE B. SUMMARY OF REPORTS OF GOVERNMENT WATER-RACE MANAGERS. Waimea-Kumara Water-races (Mr. James Rocheop.d, Manager). Waimea Water- race. The cash received from sales of water from this race for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was £516 2s. 4d., and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs amounted to £808 9s. 9d., showing a debit balance of £292 7s. sd, on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water during the year was 5-25, a decrease of 3-50 on that of the previous year; and the approximate quantity of gold obtained by them was 443 oz., valued at £1,738 15s. 6d., a decrease of £474 18s. 6d. on that of the previous year. The sales of water amounted to £560 16s. 4d., a decrease of £309 10s. sd. as compared with the previous year. The falling-off in the sales of water, although large, is more than accounted for by the fact that the Linklater Sluicing Syndicate only used water to the value of £188 14s. 2d., as against £723 16s. for the previous year—a decrease of £535 Is. lOd. Although the sales of water show the decrease previously mentioned, a redeeming feature of the position, however, is that the ca,sh received shows a decided improvement, and this, coupled with a reduction in expenditure, makes the loss on the working of the race £239 16s. lOd. loss than the previous year. The cash received was £184 17s. 2d. greater than the previous year, and the expenditure showed a decrease of £54 19s. Bd. Although the last three months of the year were exceptionally dry, there was an excellent supply of water, and the Waimea inverted siphon was running full all the year. Branch Rare to Callaghan's and. Middle Branch Flat. The cash received for sales of water from this race for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was £115, and the expenditure on management, gauging, maintenance, and repairs amounted to £484 4s. Bd., showing a debit balance of £369 4s. Bd. on the year's transactions. The average number of miners supplied with water was 2, a decrease of 3-41 on the previous year; and tie approximate quantity of gold obtained was 288 oz., having a value of £1,130 Bs., a decrease of £647 12s. (id. on that of last year. Tho cash received was £47 15s. 3d. less than for the previous year, and the expenditure showed a decrease of £63 12s. 9d. Kumara Water-race. The cash received from sales of water from this race for power-development purposes amounted to £127 10s. Bd., and for royalty from timber out on the Reservoir Reserve £429 lis. 3d., making a total revenue of £557 Is. lid. The expenditure on maintenance and repairs amounted to £22 ss. 6d., thus showing a profit of £534 16s. sd. on the year's transactions. No miners were supplied with water from this race during the year, the whole of the revenue derived from sales of water being received from the Okuku Sawmill Company. This mill was formerly held by Larsen and McGrath, and this company should purchase from £120 to £150 worth of water annually for some years to come. The royalty on timber cut on the Reservoir Reserve should show an increase of at least £200 for the ensuing year. Kumara-Trans-Taramakan Water-race. The only party supplied with water from this race was the Payne's Gully Sluicing Company, who carried out sluicing operations intermittently during each month of the year. This company has to maintain the trans-Taramakau pipe-line at its own expense, and in consequence is being supplied with water at a reduced rate. The maintenance of this line has proved very costly to the company, and has been a very great drawback to the working of the property, particularly during the last four months of the year, when, owing to breaks taking place in the steel sections of piping, sluicing was only carried out on forty-two days. Notwithstanding the serious disabilities under which this company carried out operations, the gold returns for the year were highly satisfactory. Although the water supplied to this company is entered in this office as free water, and is not included in the sales shown on the attached tabulated statement, the water is being supplied in lieu of cash expended by the company in repairing the Government pipe-line ?ome years ago. The gold returns for the year from the Payne's Gully Claim were so satisfactory for the small quantity of material treated that there is every probability of the company issuing a. number of shares to raise sufficient funds to replace all the steel piping in the trans-Taramakau line with iron, and otherwise enlarge their mining operations generally. The average number of miners supplied with water was 3-66, and the approximate quantity of gold obtained was 213 oz., having a value of £836 os. (id.

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Wainihinihi Water-race. During the first eight or nine months of the year Caretaker Millson was able to keep the Wainihinihi and the Waimea Water-race additional supply races in fairly good order, but eventually some of the timber sets in different sections of the tunnels became so badly decayed that it was absolutely essential that they should be replaced with new timber. Waimea, Kumara, and Callaghan's Water-races. The following is a summary of the revenue and expenditure of the above water-races for the year ended 31st March, 1924 : Sales of water. £803 His. 4d. ; cash received, £1,188 4s. 3d. (including royalty on timber); expenditure, £1,31.4 19s. lid. ; approximate value of gold obtained, £3,705 4s. ; average number of miners employed, 10-91. The sales of water show a decrease of £240 3s. Id., and the cash received an increase of £497 10s. 10d., on the previous year. In addition to the above sales, authorized free water to the value of £96 was supplied to the Payne's Gully Sluicing Company. The total expenditure on the combined races amounted to £1,31.4 19s. lid., as against £1,411 6s. lOd. for the previous year, a decrease of £96 6s. lid. Comparing the cash received with the expenditure, the combined races show a loss of £126 15s. Bd., Tint from this should be deducted the sum of £96 for water supplied the Payne's Gully Sluicing Company in reduction of its account, which reduces the net loss to £30 15s. Bd. Mount Ida Water-race, Central Otago (Mr. J. 0. Buchanan, Manager). The total sales of water during the year amounted to £472 12s. 10d., a decrease on last year of £190 9s. 9dThe expenditure on maintenance for the same period amounted to £716 lis. Bd., an increase on last year of £43 2s. 7d. The total cash, received was £474 4s. KM. The total amount owing for water supplied at 31st March, 1924, was nil. Free water was supplied for washing up to the value of £32 os. l.od. The total value of water supplied from this race amounted to £504 13s. Bd., a decrease on last year of £217 3s. lid. The approximate quantity of gold obtained by parties using water from this race was 497 oz., valued at £1,913 95., an increase on last year of £161 14s. The average number of men employed was seven. The past year from a mining point of view was the worst experienced in this locality for many years. Owing to frost during the winter months the claims were closed down for six weeks. This long winter was followed by an exceptionally dry summer: from the 19th January to the end of year there was no water available for mining purposes. During the year very little damage befell the race, which at. present is in fairly good order. ANNEXURE C. STONE QUARRIES. Summary oe Report by Inspector OS Quarries for the North Island (Mr. James Newton). It has been my endeavour to visit the quarries as often as possible, and when it is remembered that the inspection district embraces almost the whole of the North Island, and for some months the Province of Canterbury in the South Island, it will readily be understood that, the number of visits would not bo many ; besides which I have found that the clerical work during the year has increased a good deal. However, I have been enabled to visit the most important quarries twice at least, and some have been visited • more; for instance, I have inspected the Auckland Harbour Board's Rangitoto quarry almost every four weeks, owing to the fact that a great variety of work was being carried out and a large number of hands have been employed throughout the whole of the year, at times as many as ninety. In a few cases quarries have been visited only once-those where the operations have extended over three or four weeks only. I cannot pass over this report without informing you of the very great help received from most public bodies, particularly the Councillors of County Councils, who have instructed their Engineer and his assistants to give me all the help possible in order to facilitate my inspections, and in a great many instances the Councils' officers have motored me long distances and at times over very rough country under disagreeable conditions. Not only has the courtesy shown been the saving of very much time, but it has also been a very considerable saving to the Department in the matter of travelling-expenses. I may add that each year it is becoming more difficult to hire horses and horse-vehicles. It is not necessary, I think, to enter into a statement regarding the actual conditions found at the quarries when visited (this may be found on reference to my monthly reports), with the exception that generally I have found operators quarrying in a reasonable and generally in a very satisfactory manner. I have increasingly found that inspection with a reasonable amount of exhortation has had the very desirable effect of winning quarry foremen to take more and more care in the handling and storing of explosives. A very large percentage of the road-metal is quarried under contract with the public bodies, and I have to report that were not frequent inquiries made from such bodies, a very large amount of quarry-work would be executed with no knowledge of the same on the part of the Inspector. There is undoubtedly a laxity in complying with section 8 of the Act dealing with notification of the intention to commence quarrying, and also of the discontinuance of same. When the contractor is informed that a broach of the law has taken place, he invariably pleads that he was under the impression that it was the duty of the person who let the contract to attend to the matter. I am indebted to public bodies for the return of yearly output, &c., required by section (i of the 1920 Amendment Act. Tf these returns were only available from the " occupier " or " manager," who in a very great many instances is the contractor, it would be almost an impossibility to collect them, owing to the fact that very many of the " occupiers " are only employed for a limited period, and are here to-day, as it were, and away to-morrow, and it would be a very tedious and expensive matter to locate them. Unfortunately, the period under review has not been free from distressing occurrences, and I am sorry to have to report that the following serious accidents have happened during the year: — 1. On the 10th February, Percy Ayden was fatally injured whilst employed in Stevenson and Son's sewerage contract, Sylvan Avenue, Mount Eden, Auckland. Whilst picking bottoms in the floor of the tunnel an explosion occurred which fatally injured him. Details of this occurrence may he found in my report .of the 2fith February to the Inspecting Engineer. (2.) On the 2nd May, John Fowler was fatally injured in the Mangatuna Quarry, Tolaga Bay, owned and operated by the Uawa County Council. Fowler was struck on the head by rock projected by a blast. Full details of this accident may be had on perusal of my report to the Inspecting Engineer, dated the 12th May. (3.) On the 27th October, Robert McLean, employed in Amners and Son's limestone quarry, Napier, was somewhat seriously injured by the premature explosion of a detonator, the cause being the wilful pricking of the interior of the detonator. (See my report thereon to the Inspecting Engineer and attached to my monthly report for November last.) (4.) On the 31st October, P. Eady, employed by the Auckland Harbour Board in the Rangitoto Quarry, received a broken leg, the result of being struck by a falling crane-jib. (Details of the occurrence may be had on referring to my report to the Inspecting Engineer, dated the 2nd November.)

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Paritu Granite Quarry, Coromandel Peninsula.—Report by Mr. M. Paul, Inspector oe Mines. In compliance with instructions contained in memorandum dated 21st April, 1924, I beg to submit the following report:— On the 9th of the month following, in company with Mr. J. W. Walker, Overseer of Buildings, I paid a visit of inspection to this quarry, which is situated on the western slope of the Moehau Range, about seven miles south of Cape Colville. The rook is a quartz diorite of a greyish colour. This rock possesses rather better rift and general workingqualities than are usually associated with members of the diorite family, and fairly large blocks have been quarried and dressed for monumental and decorative purposes with effects equal to tho best grey granite. The steep slopes of the Moehau Range, besides being, in general, covered with heavy layers of surface debris, are heavily bushed ; this renders it impossible to estimate the extent of suitable rock available. The quartz diorite is exposed in several of the creek-beds in this vicinity. The location, however, of the rock in fresh condition is not so easy, for considerable areas have been affected by hydrothcrmal action. The area held, comprised of 82 acres, is a Government quarry reserve with a frontage of about half a mile along the coast-line, and the diorite rock on this property consists mainly of loose boulders along the coast-line and the hillside. There is also an outcrop, 4 ft. above high-water mark, running under the hill, near the loading-jetty, and, although no attempt has been made to test its extent, there is evidence that a good quality of diorite of uniform colour exists at this point under the decomposed granite overlying it. There is also an outcrop of granite about half a mile up the creek from the coast-line for a length of about 1 chain and of an average height of 15 ft., but practically nothing has been done to prove its extent and quality, and being so far away from the jetty it would prove expensive to work. It would therefore be advisable, in order to prove the extent of suitable stone for building purposes over this area, to spend money on prospecting operations, which would probably reveal that the outcrop exposed near the jetty runs under the hill, and would enablo a large quantity of valuable building-stone to be opened up, which could be quarried at a low cost and cut up into blocks of any desired sizes or shapes. Orders for building-stone at present are being supplied by cutting up boulders lying on the beach and hillside, which is most unsatisfactory from a builder's point of view, on account of the difficulty of getting uniformity of colour. An engine to work the Blondin, an air-compressor, and pneumatic rock-drillslhavelbeen installed, and during my visit two saws for stone-cutting were in the course of erection. In conclusion, it is impossible to estimate the extent of building-stone available, and, although one could not say this is a mountain of granite, there is every indication that if the overburthen was removed from the outcrop near the loading-jetty it would probably prove that there exists a considerable amount of diorite of uniform colour available suitable for monumental and building purposes.

ANNEXURE D.

MINING STATISTICS. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Hauraki Mining District for the Year ended 31st December, 1923.

4—G. 2.

Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. Quartz crushed. Gold obtained. Value. Amalgamation. Cyanide. Tha [es County and Bo ;OUQH. Tararu Creek— New Sylvia Waiotahi Creek— Waiotahi Tairua— Golden Hills 10 5 2 10 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 1,420 0 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 39 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 2,597 15 0 £ s. d. 1,381 14 2 5 0 0 12 102 17 0 274 17 1 2 34 0 0 0 61 19 0 90 16 9 Totals 17 17 1,454 0 1 2 203 16 0 2,597 15 0 1,747 8 0 Waihi— Waihi Goldmining Company* .. Waihi Grand Junction* 582 381 582 381 Waihi Borough. 179,848 0 0 0 76,705 0 0 0 1523,535 4 11 82,111 7 14 322,830 0 6 104,792 5 9 Totals 963 963 256,553 0 0 0 605,646 12 1 427,622 6 3 Owharoa —• Rising Sun Goldmining Company Karangahake— Woodstock Talisman Imperial Shore and Inglis Sundries Prospectors 15 3 2 2 2 11 4 15 3 2 2 2 II 4 Ohinemuri Count' 46 0 0 0 93 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 10 0 0 73 7 20 8 2 16 29 0 11 31 0 19 2,097 0 0 10 17 8 54 4 8 92 1 0 244 9 0 129 12 9 ■ 15 3 8 58 11 6 39 4 8 3,389 7 4 11 1 2 1,000 0 0 0 Totals 39 39 1,140 0 0 0 2,249 9 2 146 5 8 3,887 10 1 Waikoromiko — Four-in-hand .. .. I 8 8 lOROMANDEL COUNT' 2 0 0 17 I 24 0 0 71 3 7 Te Puke— ; Muir's Gold Reefs .. •. I 136 Taubanqa County. 28,887 0 0 0 | | 24,579 0 0 75,213 5 10 * Waihi aud Waihi Grand Junction Mines: Gold won from these mines valued at £4 4b. per ounce; silver, 2s. per^ounce.

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Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained, etc. — continued.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the West Coast Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1923.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained in the Southern Mining District for the Year ended 31st December, 1923.

Summary of Inspection Districts.

Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. Quartz crushed. Gold obtai I Amalgamation. Gold obtained. dned. Cyanide. Value. SUMMARY. Thames County and Borough Waihi Borough Ohinemuri County Coromandel County Tauranga County Totals, 1923 Totals, 1922 17 963 39 8 186 1,163 1,025 Tons cwt. qr. lb. 1,454 0 1 2 256,553 0 0 0 1,140 0 0 0 2 0 0 17 28,887 0 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 203 16 0 2,249 9 2 24 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 2,597 15 0 605,046 12 1 146 5 8 £ s. d. 1,747 8 0 427.622 6 3 3,887 10 1 74 3 7 75,213 5 10 24,579 0 0 288,036 0 I 19 2,477 5 2 632,969 12 9 508,544 13 9 220,263 0 1 8 473 2 0 462,163 17 0 338,465 9 10

Locality and Name of Mine. Average j Hu Sen r0f Quartz crushed. - i employed. Gold obtained by Ama.gamat.on. | &gg&S£ Estimated Value Nelson. lukawai — New Millerton Mine .. Vaiuta — Blackwater Mines Hobo HillProgress Mines (Limited) 5ig River— New Big River Mine .. Jrushington— Wealth of Nations New Keep-it-Dark Tons cwt. qr. 285 0 0 Oz. dwt. gr. 89 13 0 Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. 365 1 6 7 141 39,730 0 0 15,930 17 0 3,364 19 0 75,438 0 6 4 477 16 0 1,422 0 11 39 4,324 0 0 3,717 14 0 86 10 0 15,609 7 10 30 16 984 0 0 2,549 0 0 291 0 0 1,032 13 0 25 6 0 274 4 0 1,240 12 1 5,068 3 4 Totals 237 47,872 0 0 21,002 3 0 4,228 15 0 99,143 6 2 felson SUMMAR' 47,872 0 0 21,062 3 0 4,228 15 0 237 99,143 6 2 Totals, 1923 Totals, 1922 237 226 47,872 0 0 48,184 0 0 21,062 3 0 20,756 10 0 4,228 15 0 4,723 16 0 99,143 6 2 100,082 5 4

Locality and Name of Mine. Average Number of Men employed. I Quartz crushed. Gold obtained by Amalgamation. Concentrates. Gold obtained by itimi Value. Vincent County. Old Man Rango— Advance •• L Tons. cwt. qr. 3 _ f 55 0 0 I _ i Oz. dwt. gr. 46 0 0 | Oz. dwt. gr. 53 0 0 \ £ s. d. J!36 18 0 Macrae's — Golden Point Waihemo County. 6 I 1,880 0 0 496 13 22 I 134 4 0 j 2,068 1111 SUMMARY. Vincent County.. Waihemo County 3 55 0 0 6 1,880 0 0 46 0 0 496 13 22 46 0 0 496 13 22 53 0 0 230 13 0 134 4 0 2,068 11 II 187 4 0 2,305 4 II 341 11 10 53 0 0 134 4 0 236 13 0 2,068 11 11 Totals, 1923 Totals, 1922 9 1,935 0 0 5 102 0 0 9 5 1,935 0 0 162 0 0 542 13 22 84 17 7 542 13 22 84 17 7 187 4 0 2,305 4 II 341 11 10

Inspection District. Average Number of Persons employed. Quartz crushed. Bullion obtained. Estimated Value. Northern (North Island) West Coast (of South Island) Southern (Otago and Southland) 1,163 237 9 Statute Tons. 288,038 47,872 1,935 Oz. dwt. gr. 635,446 17 II 25,290 IS 0 729 .17 22 £ s. d, 508,544 13 ( 99,143 6 i 2,305 4 1.1 £ s. d. 508,544 13 9 99,1.43 (i 2 2,305 4 11 Totals, 1923 Totals, 1.922 1,409* 1,256 337,813 268,609 601,467 13 9 488,202 2 7 609,993 4 10 439,489 7 0 * In addition, 111 persons were employed at unproductive qi lartz-mining.

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APPENDIX B. KEPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES. The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir,— Wellington, 24th July, 1924. 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, 1923, 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 :—

The output of coal for 1923 showed an increase of 112,015 tons over that for the previous year. The increase was wholly in the production of brown coal, which was 150,027 tons in excess of the production for 1922. Bituminous coal showed a reduction of 32,741 tons, due to the industrial trouble which stopped most of the West Coast mines for the last three months of the year, and lignite a reduction of 5,271 tons, due to a lessened demand for this class of coal. Ample supplies of coal were available for all purposes till the stoppage occurred on .the. West Coast.. The combined capacity of the mines is now ahead of the demands, particularly in regard to mines producing brown coal or lignite. At some of the latter short time was worked through inability to dispose of the output. Mining by co-operative parties continues to be carried on to a considerable extent, and in some cases has proved very profitable to the parties engaged therein.

Output of Coal during 1923. Total Output to the End of 1923. Class of Coal. Northern District (North Island). Tons. 126,118 507,747 West Coast District Southern District (South Island). (South Island). Tons. Tons. 809,579 38,710 313,903 740 173,037 Totals. Tons. 935,697 860,360 173,777 Tons. 35,853,667 18,151,010 3,516,464 Bituminous and semi-bituminous Brown Lignite Totals for 1.923 ■ 033,865 849,029 486,940 486,940 1,969,834 57,521,141 Totals for 1922 520,153 879,983 457,683 1,857,819 55,551,307

Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Total Quantity of Coal produced and imported. Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Total Quantity of Coal produced and imported. 1911 .. 1912 .. 1913 .. 1914 .. 1915 .. 1916 .. 1917 .. Tons. 2,066,073 2,177,615 1,888,005 2,275,593 2,208,624 2,257,135 2,068,419 Tons. 188,068 364,359 468,940 518,070 353,471 293,956 291,597 Tons. 2,254,141 2,541,974 2,356,945 2,793,663 2,562,095 2,551,091 2,360,016 1918 .. 1919. .. 1920 .. 1921 .. 1922 .. 1923 .. Tons. 2,034,250 1,847,848 1,843,705 1,809,095 1,857,819 1,969,834 Tons. 255,332 391,434 476,343 822,459 501,478 445,792 Tons. 2,289,582 2,239,282 2,320,048 2,031,554 2,359,297 2,415,020

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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 1923.

Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal. Output for 1928. Total Total Output to Number of 31st December, Persons 1923. ordinarily employed. Northern District. Hikurangi (2 collieries) Wilson's Colliery Taupiri Extended Rotowaro Pnkemiro Waipa West Coast District. Westport-Stockton Millerton Denniston Paparoa Blackball Liverpool (State) Southern District. Kaitangata and Castlohill (3 collieries) Taratu Linton Wairaki (2 collieries) 163 other collieries Hikurangi Huntly Semi-bituminous Brown Tons. 51,265 48,701 111,029 105,408 149,923 70,500 Tons. .1,440,288 155 122,890 138 3,096,310 322 470,8)9 195 882,062 235 672,285 121 », • • Ngakawau Millerton Denniston Roa Blackball Rewanui Bituminous 93,559 212,034 136,877 34,030 62,541 133,717 1,898,997 260 0,625,537 527 8,503,211 465 421,984 101 3,166,689 270 1,243,475 286 Kaitangata Brown Lignite Brown Various 112,929 33,965 39,617 31,200 541,939 4,149,623 369 537,102 67 126,728 63 99,095 55 24,064,076 1,371 Nightcaps All coalfields '. . Totals 1,969,834 1,969,834 57,521,141 5,000 57,521,141

Average Ni imber of Persons employed during 1923. Inspection District. Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. I Southern West Coast Northern 326 627 400 782 1,108 1,768 2,395 1,097 1,497 Totals, 1923 1,353 3,647 5,000 Totals, 1922 1,191 3,365 4,556

Year. Output, in Statute Tons. Persons ordinarily empl loyed. Total. Lives lost by Accidents in or Tons raised aboat Collieries. per each Per- p _ son employed Per Million .n h „ 11 „„ fl Number below Ground. Tons l p° U a 8 „° of Lives produced. lost. Above Ground. Below Ground. Prior to 1900 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 13,444,437 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 1,969,834 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 1,353 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 3,647 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 5,000 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 5,000 t t t 165 593 3-65 1-62 4 600 2-42 1-09 3 655 1-46 0-69 2 065 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 5 630 3-66 1-67 7 634 7-28 3-48 10 706 6-77 3-26 14 681 4-13 2-08 9 590 3-18 1-41 6 639 21-53 10-35 49* 711 4-07 2-16 9 752 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 1 574 552 2-28 10 552 3-23 1-31 6 540 2-53 1-00 5 Totals .. 57,521,141 369 * Y( ;ar of Ralph's (Huntly) explosion. t For returi is for previous yei irs see page 32, Mines State] lent, 1921.

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SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1923, with their causes : —■

The fatalities being in the proportion of 1-00 per thousand persons employed, and 2-53 per million tons produced. Of the fatal accidents the following is a short description : — George Cleveland, at Ohai, on the 16th January. The deceased was shifting an empty railwaywagon and got crushed between the wagon and one of the uprights supporting the coal-chute, with the result that he was so seriously injured that he died on the 4th February. This accident would have been avoided if there had been sufficient clearance. James Seddon, at Denniston, on 15th May. The deceased had fired a shot and was cutting the top coal when he was struck by a lump of coal which fell from the rib-side, and which in all probability had been loosened by the shot. Albert Ambrose Wells, at Burkes Creek, Reefton, on 24th May. In the process of extracting a pillar the deceased had removed some top coal when a further fall of tops took place and buried him. A. Baker, at the Liverpool Mine, on 19th July. The deceased was engaged, in dropping top coal when a fall of coal, due to a bump, swung a set and caught the deceased. Martin Tomic, at Millerton, on 15th August. The deceased was taking back top coal when a fall took place and caught deceased, who was so seriously injured that he died a few days later. 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 1923 : —

Sixty-seven per cent, of the coal produced in the Dominion during 1923 was broken down by permitted explosive, and the average production of coal per pound of explosive used was 5-6 tons, and per shot fired 44 tons. (b.) 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. Denniston Mine. —A heating, followed by a serious fire, occurred in November in the Wareata Extended section of the above mine. Eventually it was sealed off with brick and concrete stoppings, but resulted in the loss of a large amount of coal.

Fatal Ai scidents. Serious Non-fi tal Accidents. • Number of Separate Fatal Accidents. Number of Deaths. Number of Separate Nori-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons injured, including those injured by Accidents which proved Fatal to their Companions. Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust Calls of ground Explosives Elaulage .. .. ... Miscellaneous —Underground On surface 'I 4 7 5 4 15 1 7 5 4 16 I i i Totals .. 5 5 32 32

Quantil Uxplof ;y of Permitted lives used (lb.). Number of 1 lisflred Shots. -g-d -3 ° o-fo «S te 3 Inspection District. I ! ! i Number of Shots fired. a, oi > b oi Of- U2 Hn'in <U HS <W O -r- fl „- 01_O R« fl « cq m oi F> ■HJ O oi Total. giFfl OS M 04 278 64 352 7 40 135 670 iTorthern (i.e., North Island) Vest Coast (of South Island) .. Southern (i.e., Canterbury, Otago, and Southland) 83,363 82,395 44.933 26,919 192,677 44,933 95,201 105,864 38,330 78 130 53 235 33 Tons. 366,360 829,122 125,361 Totals 299,455 131 404 1.320,843

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Taupiri Extended Mine.-—On the 9th December a fire broke out in the West section, the result of a crushing that had been taking place through the pillars in the first working having been driven too small to carry the cover. The fire spread so rapidly that it could not be controlled otherwise than by sealing off the whole of the workings on the west side below No. 4 level. The loss of coal as a result of this fire was very serious. (c) Electricity at Collieries. (Regulation 160.) During 1923 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 . . .. .. .. 10 Number of alternating-current installations .. .. .. .. 9 Number of collieries electrically lighted .. .. .. . . 19 Number of collieries using electrical ventilating-machines .. .. 10 Number of collieries using electrical pumping plants . . . . .. 10 Number of collieries using electrical haulage plants .. . . .. 10 Number of collieries using electrical screening plants .. .. .. 4 Number of collieries using electrical miscellaneous plants.. .. .. 10 Number of collieries using electrical locomotives Total horse-power employed from motors on surface .. .. .. 2,972-| Total horse-power employed from motors below ground .. .. .. 1,484^ (<■/.) Prosecutions. In April a coal-miner employed in the Taupiri Extended Mine was prosecuted and lined for taking a non-permitted explosive into the mine. In April a coal-miner employed in the Huntly Coal-mine was prosecuted and fined for failing to set sprags in his working-place, and the manager of the mine was prosecuted for failing to provide a sufficient supply of timbers, but the latter information was dismissed. In May the manager of the Wilson's Colliery was prosecuted and fined for failing to provide adequate ventilation. In June the manager of the Reefton Coal Company was prosecuted and fined for failing to carry out the requirements of the Act as regards inspection of the mine before the shift started work, and a miner in the same mine was prosecuted and convicted for entering the mine before he had been informed that the mine had been examined. In August the manager and also the agent of the Pukemiro Mine were prosecuted and fined for failing to comply with the provisions of the Act referring to the weighing of coal and payment for same. In September a miner was prosecuted for having matches and tobacco while in the Millerton Mine, in which safety-lamps are required. SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. No important alterations were made during the year. On the Bth February additional regulations were gazetted respecting the transfer of moneys in a coal-miners' relief fund to a sick and accident fund ; on the 10th May a regulation was gazetted respecting the use of the explosive known as Samsonito No. 3 ; and on the 29th November a regulation was gazetted revoking paragraph (3) of clause 7 of the regulations of the Ist July, 1915. I have, &c, J. A. C. Bayne, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.

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ANNEXURE A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. Nortiihkn Inspection District (Mr. William Bajht.ay, inspector). During 1923 the production of coal from the mines in the Northern District increased hy 113,712 tons. The North Auckland District showed an increase of 36,543 tons, and the Waikato District an increase of 77,169 tons. The total output of both districts for the year is 033,865 tons. Hikurangi District. Hikurangi No. I Colliery. —The south dip reached the boundary during the year, and a commencement was made on the extraction of the available pillars. Owing to the inclination of the seam presenting difficulties in the way of systematic working and trucking of the coal it was decided to enter into a contract with a party of co-operative miners to win the available coal, truck it to the main haulage-road, support the roofs, attend to road-laying details and all other operations in connection with delivery of the output to a point agreed on, excepting only the management and statutory examinations of the mine. During the past six months I have made several inspections of the mine, and I can say that the Act and regulations were strictly observed by both parties, with special consideration to the timbering of the pillar places and the general safety of the men employed. Hikurangi No. 2 Colliery. —Towards the end of the year No. 2 shaft was holed into the connecting level from No. 1 shaft. This shaft is 12 ft. 6 in. in diameter, and is sunk to a depth of 352 ft. complete with a lining of 8 in. of concrete, buntons, and guides for the cages. The development of the mine has been continued during the year by the advance of headings from No. 1 shaft. These headings are moderately inclined, and a number of bords are broken away in anticipation of increasing the output when No. 2 shaft is available for winding coal. The ventilation of No. 1 shaft workings was slightly deficient, due to the contraction of the paturn-air compartment in the shaft, and only thirty-three men were allowed to be ordinarily employed in the ventilating district, in order that that number should receive the amount of air as is pretoribed by the regulations. Two Waddle fans have since been installed, but a larger and more modern fan is required for this colliery. Wilson's Collieries (Wa.ro Mine). —This colliery is under the control of the Wilson's Portland Cement Company (Limited), and the whole of the output of this sub-bituminous coal is utilized in the manufacture of cement at Portland and Warkworth. The abandoned No. 1 section was sealed off with substantial clay stoppings, and mining operations during the year were confined to Nos. 7 and 8 sections, which reached the boundary towards the end of the year, when the pillars were immediately and rapidly attacked in order to win a large proportion of the pillar coal. The district is subject to " creep," and the roadways are liable to become crushed to such an extent as to make the extraction of pillars difficult later on. A stone drive rising 1 in 3 from the fault at No. 6 level intersected a 10 ft. seam of coal at 2\ chains. An auxiliary fan has been installed in the return heading in order to provide ventilation to the development heading. The mine is difficult to ventilate owing to the humidity of the atmosphere acting on the friable roof fireclay, causing it to fall and fill up the return airways, and retarding, by increased friction, the quantity of air. Repair miners are daily employed in the return airways repairing and enlarging the roads. Electricity is used for power-transmission underground, and is conveyed by fully armoured three-core cables. Kerr and Co. (McLeod's Freehold). -This small colliery is worked in two sections. No. 1 section is confined to the extraction of the remaining coal pillars under a number of houses, due care being exercised by the management and owners in seeing that little damage results to the houses through subsidence. No. 2 section is being developed in the bottom seam, which has increased in thickness from 3 ft. to 5 ft., with a stronger roof. Preparations are being made to drain the water from the abandoned West Byron Colliery and open out a section beyond the fault. Silverdale Colliery (Foot and Doel's Crown Lease). —The coal-seam varies from 3 ft. to 6 ft. in thickness, and occurs at shallow depths. Sovoral drives with free outlet for water are driven to win the coal. kSets used systematically to support the roof, and ventilation made easy by short shafts to the surface where required. The output is conveyed by road-wagons to Hikurangi Railway-station. Northern Co-operative Mine (Cunningham's Crown Lease). —A small area of outcrop coal was mined occasionally as trade demanded. Small drives timbered, and regulations observed. Kerr and Wyalt's Mine (Crown, Lease). —The remaining coal pillars were successfully extracted during the first six months of the year. Water proving troublesome, the dip workings were abandoned. Prospecting to win an area of coal which can be obtained by water-free levels. Glen Nell Colliery (Crown Lease). —A party of miners to work on a co-operative basis purchased this Crown lease (part Section 8, Block XVI, Hukerenui Survey District) from. Doel Bros., and proceeded to open out a field of coal. Development consisted of laying 20 chains of tramway to the main road, and a drive several chains in a coal-seam which later proved unprofitable to work. Operations were subsequently suspended at the end of the year. Ferndale Colliery (Cherrie and Go's Crown Lealse). —Mining operations conducted by a party of co-operative miners were successful in winning out small pillars left by a former working. The coal on the outcrop was soft and unsaleable, and prospecting boreholes on the southern part of the lease did not disclose a marketable seam. Foot's Coal-mine (Crown Lease). —During the year Foot Bros, were granted a coal lease over a portion of Crown land formerly worked by the Northern Coal Company. Following the seams from the outcrop an area of unworked coal was discovered of average thickness of 6 ft. Small bords were driven in the seam, enabling a high percentage of pillar coal to be removed in the second working. Thirty chains of inclined tramway connect with the main road, and the output is conveyed by motor-lorry to the Hikurangi Railway-station. Christie's Colliery (Christie's Freehold). —A party of seven co-operative miners work this colliery, with a certificated mine-manager in charge of the operative details of the mine-workings. The headings from the dip have been advanced to the rise through a hard, clean coal area. Boreholes from the surface into the seams are kept in advance of the workings. Timber systematically set to support the roof, and the natural ventilation (by means of shafts) is adequate for present requirements. Rautangata Colliery, Kama. —This small colliery is the property of the Kamo Potteries Company (Limited). Early in the year a drain-level was driven at a low point and drained the water from the old Kamo Mine workings, and a number of standing pillars of coal were subsequently recovered by narrow roadways driven through the old workings. The coal is of a good quality, and the whole of the output is used on the property for briekmaking purposes. Waikato District. Taupiri Extended Colliery, Hvnlly. —During the past year mining operations were confined to Nos. 5 and 7 sections, north side, and Nos. 1 and 6 sections, west side. Tho fault at No. 5 north sectional boundary was pierced by a stone drive which intersected the coal-seam at a lower level. Owing to the creeping movement of the floor at No. 6 north necessitating heavy repairs to the roadways, it was deemed advisable at the end of the year to draw

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out the plant from No. 7 section north. No. 1 section headings continue to advance between the north and west barriers in a hard seam of coal. The crushing movement which commenced in 1922 and settled over Nos. 3, 4, and 5 sections; north side, and resulted in a fire which was sealed off during that year, continued during the past year to squeeze the stoppings and roadways, necessitating frequent repairs and reheightening of same. In this area on Sunday, 9th December, another serious unlocated fire broke out in the vicinity of No. 5 section, west side, and it was subsequently sealed off with brick stoppings below No. 4 section level, and the area below that level is now abandoned. A large W.T. boiler is being installed to supplant the boilers at No. 1 shaft, and tho machinery of a large modern air-compressor is being assembled to provide power underground. Rotowaro Colliery, Rolowaro. —There are two separate sections, known as No. 1 mine and No. 2 mine. The development of No. 1 during the past year consisted of two dips driven in a westerly direction and the advance of the main haulage-road south headings. In the jig section the pillars of the bords that have reached the specified distance are being worked off by a series of lifts and the roof coal dropped, also at No. 3 section the pillars are being extracted, beginning at the outcrop boundary of that section. At, No. 2 Mine the main, heading has been advanced to a fault and suspended pendirg the installation of electric power in this mine to operate pumps and winches. A Waddle fan has been erected on the surface, and means provided for the reversal of the air-current. An ondless-rope haulage has been installed from the screening plant to within a short distance of the working-faces. Additional accommodation, consisting of twenty approved cabinets and other suitable arrangements, has been added to the bathroom during the past year. Pukemiro Collieries (Limited). -A record output from the colliery was derived chiefly from the bords of the first working. In the north-east section the pillars near the outcrop are being withdrawn. The method of extraction has been modified from time to time in order to find a system that would allow for completeness of extraction, consistent with safety and production of coal in the best possible condition. Owing to the short jointy character of the fireclay roof presenting unfavourable conditions for winning the roof coal it has now been found desirable in this colliery to work the pillar off in successive order by strips 10 ft. wide and usually 12 ft. high, the coal roof being supported on timber until tho split is through ; the roof is then fallen within.the limits of the excavated space. The straight heading section in the north mine, where the first workings have been completed to a determined boundary, has been sealed up at the entrance of the section with brick stoppings. The north-east section working-places arc proceedings on easy grades to the rise boundary. In the east section the floor is undulating, necessitating dip haulage. In the east section of the south mine the seam is being followed to the rise in a thick coal area. On the west side the seam is being opened out through the fault. The ventilation of the working-faces was well maintained during the year. A feature of the haulage system in this colliery is the use made of subsidiary endless-rope haulage in the headings and dips leading to the faces. Waipa Colliery, Glen Massey. —The working-places in this mine are confined to the main extension section. Three sections —namely, Nos. I, 2, and 3—have been opened out in the coal-seam through the fault. The seam shows an average thickness of 10 ft., and 1 ft. of coal is left to support the roof, which is additionally supported by two and sometimes three rows of props systematically set. At the farthest inbye point an auxiliary fan was installed, causing the air-current to be more effectively circulated throughout the working-faces. This seam is moderately inclined, providing simple haulage to the main endless rope. A stone drive for free level outlet for water, ventilation purposes, and providing means of another escape for the men underground, has been commenced from the surface at a point 44 chains from the face of the main heading. This colliery shows a lower percentage of accidents, as compared with the output, than any other colliery in the Northern District, due to a great extent to the inclination of the seam. Waikato Extended Mine, Huntly. —During the past year this small mine, situated in close proximity to the west bank of the Waikato River, and two miles south from Huntly, continued to supply the river-boasts with coal cargo for Hamilton, Cambridge, and Mercer. Tho bords are taken to a height of 14 ft. The roof is carefully trimmed, and is sufficiently strong enough to remain up with the aid of a few props. Glen A /ton Collieries, Glen Afton. —In June of tho past year this colliery was connected to the railway by the completion of the Government railway from. Pukemiro Junction to Glen Afton. Sections A, B, and Cm the mine were developed, in view of the early railway connection, and supplied the commencing output. The main headings continue to advance northward in the coal-scam, which shows an increasing thickness at the face. An endless-rope haulage has been installed, and is in use in the main heading. A modern Sirocco ventilating-fan is installed, and connected with the return heading on the surface, and is capable of inducing 70,000 cubic feet of air per minute at 24 in. W.G. A bathhouse is in course of erection, and, according to specifications, it will contain twenty cabinets for shower-baths and nine hand-basins, also suitable lockers and pulley-chains for drying clothes. Fifty workmen's houses are completed on sites convenient to the colliery. Pukemiro Junction Colliery (Crown, Lease). —Tho seam has been followed eastward to the outcrop, and pillars are now being worked. In coming back the roof is strengthened by additional props in the bords and pillar spaces, and a high percentage of the remaining coal is being won. Stoppings are erected sealing the various openings immediately the pillars are finished, whether there has been trouble from cob fires or not. Preparations are being made to open out a section in the west portion of the lease where the coal outcrops, disclosing a 14 ft. seam of coal. Huntly Coal-mine, Huntly. —Shallow mining operations are continued on a lease granted by the Auckland University Council. The pillars have been extracted in the east section, and bords are being set away towards the west outcrop boundary. The output is conveyed by motor-lorry to Huntly Station, a distance of a mile and a half. Huntly Brick and, Fireclay Company (Limited), Huntly. —The opencast fireclay workings were inspected soveral times during the year, and I found Explosive and Mining Regulations properly observed by the workmen and management. Taupiri East Coal-mine, Kimihia, via Huntly. —During the year operations were confined to the extraction of the remaining pillars and boring. The latter proved the seam at the baso of the hill rising from the Kimihia Lake. Four miners working on a. co-operative basis have acquired an interest in this property and propose to vigorously develop same. Campbell Coal-mine, Whalawhata (Crown Lease). —Mr. Campbell Johnston secured a Crown lease of the coal on his leasehold property, and prospecting revealed a seam of brown coal of good quality. Upwards of 2,000 tons of coal was mined, and delivered to Hamilton by means of motor-lorries over the county roads. Later a registered company acquired the lease and laid down an iron-rail tramway to the road, and erected a loading-bank, also other facilities for increasing the output. The transport of this coal damaged the roads, and the Councils imposed a prohibitive road-tax, which was the means of causing a cessation of road cartage. The property is now being systematically prospected by boring. Graham Coal-mine, Glen Afton. —Operations conducted on O'Sullivan's freehold property adjacent to the Glen Afton Colliery. The outcrop was followed in the coal to a seam measuring 7 ft. in thickness. A tramway and jig connect tho mine with the county road, and the output is then carted to the Glen Afton railway-siding. Kimihia Coal-mine, Kimihia. —Two miners opened out a small mine on a portion of the Auckland University College endowment at Kimihia. They constructed about 2 chains of jig tramway, a loading-stage, and broke away several bords in the soam ; but, owing to the lease of the coal not being granted to them, operations were subsequently abandoned. A coal lease over this area had previously been granted to the Taupiri East Coal Company. Bombay Colliery, B mbay. —A party of miners working on. co-operative principles secured a lease of coal on freehold land at the foot of the Bombay Hill. Extensive prospecting operations by way of a number of small drives from the outcrop opened out a section of the coal, which, if the quality is good, should market easily in this closely settled district. The output is conveyed by road to Pukekohe. Opahelce Colliery, Opahelce. —A few tons were mined from an outcrop of coal in the Drury Hills. The venture proved unprofitable,' and was abandoned.

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Hunua Coal-mine, Hunua. —Mining operations were resumed in this small coal-mine during the year, and one mile of roadway was formed to permit motor-lorries being taken to the mine-mouth to take delivery of the output. Hauturu Coal-mine, Hauturu, via Kauihia. — I have been advised that a party of coal-miners during the year conducted prospecting operations on Native land at Hauturu. Owing to lack of capital necessary to build a wharf for steamers and scows on the Kawhia Harbour, work was suspended, and prospecting is being carried out on a Crown area recently acquired. Old Stockman Mine, Mohan. —The coal-seam of this mine averages 4 ft. in thickness, and the mine is worked intermittently to supply local requirements.—(Report per Mr. Paul.) Greencastle Coal-mine, Aria. —A small coal-mine worked to supply the demands of Aria and local farmers. Operations safely conducted, and regulations observed. Dangerous Occurrences (Regidation 81). Taupiri Extended Colliery. —On the 9th December, 1923, Manager Makinson reported an unlocated outbreak of fire in the west section of the mine. Prosecutions. On the 10th April, 1923, a coal-miner was convicted and fined £5 and costs for taking, for the purpose of use, gelignite, a non-permitted explosive, into his working-place in the Taupiri Extended Mine. On the same date, a coal-miner was convicted and fined £ 1 and costs for failing to set prop-sprags in his worki ngplace in the Huntly Coal-mine. The Mine-manager, acting as underviewer, was charged with failing to observe Special Rule 11. The information was dismissed. A remarkable feature of this prosecution was that the miners engaged in the mine tendered evidence hostile to the Department and the coal-miner who was convicted and fined for failing to set props. The miner admitted the charge because no props were available in his place or in the mine. The Department sought to prove that the manager was equally culpable in not supplying the necessary timber. On the 22nd May, 1923, a mine-manager was convicted and fined £2 and costs for failing to provide adequate ventilation in a northern colliery on the 20th February, 1923. On the 15th August, 1923, a deputy was charged with " being the deputy in charge of the withdrawal of props, he did unlawfully use a scantling to knock out a prop, contrary to the provisions of the Coal-mines Act." The case was treated as a first offence under tho Justices of the Peace Act, and accused was discharged on the payment of costs. On the same date, a mine-manager was convicted and fined £5 Is. and costs for failing to comply with the provisions of section 85 of the Coal-mines Act; and the owner-agent of a colliery was convicted and fined £5 Is. and costs for failing to afford reasonable facilities to the check - weighman for the purpose of taking an account of the weight of the mine-skips. Serious Non-fatal Accidents during 1923. Taupiri Extended Colliery.— sth February : Herbert Lancaster, trucker, whilst trucking, sustained a severe strain of the ligaments behind his left knee ; off work 294 days. 31st May: James Butler, trucker, slipped whilst trucking and fractured his right patella ; oil work seventy-two days. 3rd July : Fred Slater, trucker, sustained compound fracture and subsequent amputation of fourth finger left hand, the result of jamming his fingers in the skip-wheel while spragging : off work 100 days. 2fith July : Dan Fletcher, miner, sustained severe injury to his eye owing to a piece of coal from his piok-point embedding in it; off work ninety days. Pukemiro Collieries. —loth April: Walter Ward, shiftman, whilst engaged drilling, caught and injured his finger in his drill, incapacitating him for eighty days. 6th June: Francis Angus, miner, sustained partial loss of the sight of his right eye due to a flying piece of coal from his pick-point lodging therein ; off work fourty-six days. 7th June: James Greenwood, shiftman, sustained serious scalp-wounds owing to being struck by some timber whilst engaged drawing props; still off work. 10th September: E. 0, Rodgers, trucker, sustained a severe hernia through lifting a full skip on to the road ; off work eighty-one days. Hikurangi Collieries. —l9th January: James Pomfrett, miner, suffered the total loss of his right eye, due to being struck by a piece of flying coal from his pick-point; off work 1.12 days. sth January: JS. Lelghton, shiftman, sustained hernia owing to undue strain whilst drawing a prop ; off work sixty-two clays. 10th April: Thomas Wright, miner, whilst descending the mine, caught his fingers in the shaft-lining, causing severe laceration of same; off work ninety-three days. 13th April: Fred Dunn, shiftman, severely strained his back whilst setting a prop ; still off work. 11th October: John Pearson, shiftman, sustained ruptured muscle of calf whilst tipping a wheelbarrow ; still off work. Wilson's Collieries. —lsth August: R. Turlington, miner, sustained severely strained hip, due to undue strain whilst working ; still off work. 22nd December : James Bruce, shiftman, sustained compound fracture of right tibia, due to being struck by fall of stone whilst repairing return airway ; still off work. Waipa Colliery.—3rd January :J. Oliver suffered total loss of his right eye, due to being struck by a flying piece of coal; off work 134 days. 10th October : George Partis, shiftman, severely strained his right shoulder whilst carrying timber; off work seventy-seven days. Opahelce Colliery. —6th April: A. W. Rix, miner, sustained total loss of his right eye, due to it being struck by a flying piece of coal whilst at work ; off work sixty-four days. General Remarks. During the year notice was received of 583 accidents which occurred in and about the North Island coal-mines. Of theso none proved fatal, and eighteen are classed as serious accidents whereby the persons were incapacitated for more than forty days. The remaining accidents were reported to the Mines Office for purposes of payment of coalminers' relief. In the Waikato District there were ninety-five eye accidents, equal to 23 per cent, over all other accidents. A large number of these accidents resulted in either the total loss or impairment of vision of one eye. The bulk of these accidents are caused by flying fragments of coal from the pick-point, and. it would appear that the only protection against such accidents would be some suitable form of face-protector. There is a widespread reluctence on the part of the workmen to wear goggles or face-gauzes even where they are provided free of cost. It is alleged that they are uncomfortable to wear, injure the vision, aggravate the deficiency of light, and increase the risk of other accidents. Recently the Hon. Minister of Mines offered to employ the services of an expert optician for the purpose of recommending a face-protector—one that would not decrease the miner's working visibility. Ambulance-rooms on the surface fitted with cots and appliances for the exclusive use of first-aid treatment to injured miners have been erected at the Taupiri Extended, Rotowaro, Pukemiro, and Glen Afton Collieries. Inspections on behalf of workmen : In all the principal coal-mines in the northern district advantage was taken by the workmen of the facilities afforded by the provisions of the Act, and the reports have been useful in furnishing the workmen's inspectors' opinions regarding the general safety of the mines, and indirectly in exercising a supervision of the firemen and deputies employed in the mines. West Coast Inspection District (Mr. C. J. Strongman, Acting-Inspector). Coal-output. The output of coal for the year, 849,029 tons, shows a decrease of 30,954 tons on that of 1922. This is attributable to the labour trouble which caused the stoppage of the Paparoa, Blackball, Stockton, Denniston, and Millerton mines from the 14th September till the end of the year. State Coal-mines. Liverpool Colliery, No. 1 Section. —The output from the upper seam workings in this section for the past year was solely dependent on pillar-extraction. Owing to the presence of small creeks over the workings it was necessary to split and rob some of the pillars.

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Morgan, Seam, No. 1 Mine. — Coal-winning in this section was confined to pillar-extraction. The low-level tunnel has passed through two seams of coal. The first seam, of lift., has proved dirty and unworkable, and has been abandoned; the second seam, 16ft. in thickness, appears to be good clean coal, and is at present being prospected. Oas-reports from this section have been fairly frequent during the year. Liverpool, No. 4 Section. —This is a small section of workings near the Morgan Low Level Tunnel. The main dip has been stopped owing to its faulted nature, and pillar-extraction commenced. Liverpool, No. 3 Section. —This section is rapidly approaching exhaustion. Only six pairs of colliers are at present engaged on pillar-extraction. Owing to the collapse ,oi the upcast shaft it was found necessary to remove the fan to another site near the stables. Liverpool, No. 3 Extended Mine. —This is a small section of workings near the railway at present being developed. Six pairs of colliers employed on development work.James Mine. —The main heading is still being pushed forward. The coal is of good quality and 6 ft. in thickness. A fault has been struck in a heading going north-west. The workings to the north-east continue to improve, The coal is of a very hard nature. . . Grey District. . . . Paparoa Colliery. —During the year all coal has been won from pillars in No. 1 and Wilson's sections. Roadways in No. 7 section have been retimbered, and the section is ready to commence pillar-extraction. Prospecting has been commenced in the vicinity of the western fault with the object of proving the continuity of the coal in this direction. Blackball Colliery. —At the commencement of the year a small area was worked on three shifts, six pairs of miners being employed on each shift extracting pillars. During April, 1923, the main stoppings, which were erected in November, 1922, to seal off all workings inbye of No. 3 heading on account of fire, were reopened, and the fire area was successfully confined to No. 4 heading (main level) ; this allowed access to workings inbye of No. 3 hoading, and a commencement was made to unwater the flooded workings of No. 3 dip section. During July work in No. 3 heading ceased, the night shift was dispensed with, and coal-production was recommenced in No. I level workings of No. 3 dip section ; there were then forty pairs of miners employed. During November a start was made to unwater No. 3 dip. On two occasions indications of heating in old workings were noticed. co-operative parties. Scott and Party, Blackball. —This party, having exhausted the coal to the rise, are at present driving to the dip, but owing to the lack of machinery they are experiencing considerable difficulty with water, haulage, and ventilation. Dixon and Party, Brunner.- —This party, having secured a portion of the old Brunner lease, are at present engaged extracting pillars that have been left in the previous workings, the coal being carted to the Brunner Railway-station in drays. Three men are employed. Hillside Mine, Dunollie. —This party having met with a fault in their main heading, a second dip heading was started to the right of the old dip in a south-westerly direction. The coal is of good quality, 5| ft. in thickness. Eight men are employed. Hunter and, Party, State Coal Reserve, Runanga. —The dip workings having met a fault, operations were continued to the rise, where the coal became badly split with stone bands, rendering it unworkable. The drives were continued in stone to reach an area of workable coal known to exist to the rise. During December a borehole was put down, proving 4 ft. of coal beneath the prospeeting-drives. It is the intention of the party to immediately commence a stone drive to intercept this seam. Eight men are employed. Mclvor and Party's Mine, Runanga. —The dip has been driven 5 chains and levels broken away. 5 ft. of clean coal is showing in the dip-face. Seven men employed. Baddeley and Party's Mine, Runanga. —This party have continued opening out to the rise, where the coal maintains an average thickness of 5 ft. Smith and, Party's Mine, Runanga. —This party having reached the outcrop to the rise, pillar-extraction was commenced. As no gas had been met with the party were granted permission to use naked lights in this mine. Manderson and Party's Mine, Runanga. —This party have continued their dip workings. The coal in the main level is badly split by stone bands, rendering it unsaleable, and has. been abandoned. Safety-lamps only are used in this mine. Boole and Party's Mine, Runanga. —The coal to the rise having proved dirty and unworkable, tho party commenced a stone dip to intersect a seam 124, ft. in thickness known to exist at a lower level. Armstrong and Party, Runanga. —This party have worked steadily all the year. The coal in the main level has thinned to 4 ft., and is split by a stone band 15 in. in thickness. Moody Creek Mine. —Commenced to produce coal, but their area appears to he much faulted. At present they are engaged opening up a top seam, 12 ft. in thickness, having temporarily abandoned the two lower seams owing to faults having been met with. Duggan and Party, Rewanui. —This party continued working throughout the year. The coal is clean and of good quality, 34, ft. in- thickness. Spark and Parly, Slate Coal Reserve, Rewanui. —This party continue to drive their main level, which shows 8 ft. of clean coal. During the year, gas having been reported, safety-lamps were installed and a fan was ordered but has not yet arrived. ■ . Butter District. : Weslport-Stocklon Colliery.- —During the year the bulk of this company's, output was produced from the new mine, E field. This new field (to the south of Fly Creek) was opened for coal-producing in the early part of the y ar. The main developing headings in this new E field have advanced a distance of 10 chains. The coal is of good quality, averaging 18 ft, in height. In the No. 1 section of E field seven pairs of men are engaged on pillar-extraction. The coal in this section ranges from 18 ft. to 30 ft. in thickness. In F dip six pairs are engaged in solid workings. In the old mine, C section, seven pairs of miners were engaged in pillar-extraction : thickness of coal, 16 ft. A new section in the old mine, called the D area, is being developed ; the main heading shows 10 ft. of coal. The coal from this area is being carried to the main haulage system by a wooden flume plated on the bottom, approximately 90 chains in length, and having a section Of 12 in. by lOf in. This flume has been in successful operation for several months. The grades vary between lin 25 and lin 15, with a small portion near the centre having a grade of lin 4. It is the intention of the management to erect a large main flume, 17 in. by 12 in., for the carrying of all the coal from their two mines direct to the bins at Ngakawau, thus doing away with the locomotive-traction haulage and endless-rope haulage between No. 3 loop near the new.mine and the Ngakawau bins. Millerton Mine. —The output from this mine was obtained from, the following sections : Mine Creek, Old Dip, Mangatina, and Mangatina West. The Mine Creek section includes the major portion of the workings, and embraces south pillar section, Evans section, Evans Daylight section, fourth west solid, and fourth west pillars, third west extension, No. 1 dip pillars, No. 1 dip solid, and north-east. The coal won from these sections is of a friable nature, and is classed as a steam-coal, with the exception of coal.from the north-east section, which is of a harder nature. The Mangatina and Mangatina West sections are producing good steaming-coal. The sections in the process of development are the fourth west, third west extended, and Mangatina west. Old dip section : About thirty pairs of miners are employed in this section, principally on pillar-extraction. West of this section an area remains to be developed. Prospecting : A boring plant has been obtained to further prospect the field. Owing to an ignition of gas on 15th December, 1923, whereby two men received personal injury, safety-lamps were installed throughout the mine, in conformity with section 8 of the Coahmines Act, 1914,

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Ironbridge Mine, Denniston. —Kiwi section"; Pillar-extraction has been continued, and a considerable area still remains to be extracted. No. 2 : Preparations are being made to reopen this section, where a fair area is standing on pillars. Deep Creek: The headings are opening out fairly well, and about sixteen pairs of miners are engaged winning coal in this section. Deep Creek haulage : The substitution of one brake for two has been accomplished, and a motor attached. Kruger's main section : Pillar-extraction continues in this section. No. 1 pillar section : Four to six pairs of miners are employod in this section on pillar-work. Coalbrookdale Mine, Waratea Extension. —The main drive in process of extension in the direction of Waratea is still in coal about 6ft. thick. The heading-face is now within 3 chains of Waratea. Tho difference in levels is 100 ft. A serious fire broke; out in this area during November, but was 'safely sealed off by brick-and-concerte stoppings. No. 8 Cascade : Seven pairs of men arc engaged in pillar-extraotion, The roof is bad, being overlain by a bod of fireclay. Waratea: This is all in solid workings. The headings show Bft. of clean coal. A distance of 25 chains lies between the heading-face and the escarpment. co-operative parties. Coal Creek Mine, Mokihinui. —Owing to a fire in the lower section workings of this mine the section was sealed off, and coal-winning was recommenced in• the upper section. As the area in this section is limited the party have commenced prospecting operations to the west of the present workings. O'Brien and Regan's Mine, Seddonville. —All the coal produced from this mine was from pillar-extraction. Dove's Mine (Old Cardiff). —A party of co-operative miners have successfully reopened this mine with the object of extracting pillars. The pillars have been robbed in a former working, but owing to the strong nature of the roof a considerable quantity of coal can still be won with safety. The fire area has boon sealed off with a concrete dam, and the temperature has been considerably reduced. Bennett's Mine, Mokihinui. —Three men are engaged producing coal from this mine, but owing to difficulties with water they have not met with a great amount of success. Marris and Murray's Mine, Seddonville. —The coal in this mine is very dirty, and intruding stone bands render it difficult to work. Mulholland and Party's Mine, Seddonville. —The major portion of the output still continues to be produced from the Bridge section, but owing to the primitivo machinery used the output is limited. Mokihinui-Westport Goal Syndicate's Mine, Seddonville. —The outcrops on this property show good clean coal, but the coal is split by stone bands a few chains from the entrance. During the year this party have erected somo Bor 10 chains of fluming to carry the coal from the upper section to their tram-line. This having proved successful, it is the intention of tho party to extend the fluming across Chasm Creek. Chester's Mine, Seddonville. —Three men are employed in this mine. The ccal is thin and dirty. St. Helens Mine, Seddonville. —The old mine has been abandoned, and. a stone drive put in higher up to strike the coal to the rise. McGuire and Quinn's Mine, Seddonville. —This is a new mine just opening at Upper Mokihinui. Three men are employed. Nelson District. Puponga Mine, Puponga. —Work continues between dip and rise sections. The coal is split by a stone band, which is gradually getting thicker and stronger. It is the intention of tho manager to reopen the old B section to extract pillars in that area. North Cape Mine, Puponga. —Owing to trouble with the boiler plant coal-winning was suspended in this mine from July until. Docomber. A start has been made to prospect a nearly vertical seam lying about one mile from the present workings. Tho coal showing in the shaft is 7 ft. 6 in. in thickness. Gladstone Mine, Motupipi (Golden Bay). —Coal from this mine finds a ready sale at Takaka. Coal is also shipped to Nelson. The coal is fairly clean, and 4 ft. in thickness. Stone's Mine, Takaka. —The ownor produced only 50 tons during the year, which was disposed of locally. Enner Glynn Mine, Nelson. —No coal was produced from this mine during the year. Inangahua District. Reefton Coal Company's Mine, Reefton. —The output has been considerably increased, mainly from the No. 2 seam, pillar workings. Two shifts are employed. During December a start was made to drive to the dip. This drive is at present in faulted ground. A start has been made to erect a fan, which work should bo shortly be completed. Morris and Learmont's Mine, Reefton. —No new development work has been done in this mine, the output being maintained from No. 2 seam. Victory Mine, Murray Greek. —This mine has changed ownership during the year and has been renamed the Calliope Mine. A start has been made to erect an aerial tramway, three and a half miles in length, estimated to oost £5,000. This tramway will deliver the coal to the Reefton Coal Company's railway at Burkes Creek. Phoenix and Venus Mines, Murray Creek. —Pour men are at present employed on solid work. The coal is being carted to Reefton in drays. Big River Mine, Big River. —Tho coal in this mine is nearly vertical, is of a very soft nature, and is used for power purposes at the Big River Gold-mine. Merrijigs Coal-mine, Merrijigs. —The main level continues in good coal, 6 ft. in thickness. The tramway to Taipoiti is nearly finished, when the coal will be delivered from the fluming to the station by a gasoline locomotive. Empire Mine, Burkes Creek, Reefton. —Coal continues to be won from the solid workings to the rise. Ferndale-Timaru Coal Company's Mine, Burkes Creek. —The coal to the rise in the area known as Lockington's lease being nearly exhausted, a new area, known as Lishman's lease, was opened up. Three pairs of miners are at present engaged producing coal from this lease. Woodlands Coal-mine, Burkes Creek. —During the year the dip has been extended, also the level to the west. Tho seam is 5 ft. 6 in. thick. The roof, being of fireclay, is very tender. Doran's Mine, Capleston. —This small mine at Capleston was the only one to produce coal in the Boatman's district during the year. Throe men are employed. Coal is carted to the railway, three and a half miles distant, in drays. Dangerous Occurrences requiring Notification (Regulation 81). Coal Creek Mine, Upper Mokihinui. —On the 3rd June, 1923, tho manager of Messrs. McGuire and party's cooperative mine on his arrival noticed large volumes of smoke issuing from the air-shaft of the bottom section of their mine. A stopping was immediately placed in the main intake, and later the air-shaft was filled up completely, sealing off the section, This section has not yet been reopened. On the 22nd Juno heating was discovered behind a fall in the pillar workings of the top section of the same mine. Stoppings were immediately erected, but are not completely effective, as the roof-breaks caused by the extraction of the pillars extend to the surface. Ferndale-Timaru Coal Company's Mine. —On the 26th July, 1923, during a visit of inspection I discovered heating in the above mine. As tho mine was about to be stopped I wired the company's representative at Timaru requesting immediate steps be taken to deal with the matter : this was given effect to. The mine has since been reopened, and the remaining pillars have been extracted. Blackball Colliery. —On Monday, sth November, 1923, there were indications of heating in the old workings to the rise of No. 4 bank, No. 8 section. Temporary stoppings were erected, with the result that on the afternoon of the 7th November all indications of heating had disappeared. Clay stoppings wore then erected to complete the sealing off of the area. On the 18th November smoke was found issuing from old workings of No. 5 heading, No. 1 section,

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Blackball Mine.. As the No. 4 workings and old workings of No. 5 heading are connected, it was found impracticable to effectively seal off the heading workings as the roof and sides were crushed. Two stoppings of clay were therefore erected in the main intake and return respectively. Three working-places were sealed off as the result of this heating. Wareatea Mine, Coalbrookdale. —On the 22nd November, 1923, a heating in the extended section of the Wareatea Mine developed into active fire, but was successfully sealed off with brick and concrete stoppings. Fatal Accidents. Four fatalities occurred in the West Coast inspection District during the year, all of which were due to falls of coal. On the 15th May a minor named .lames Seddon was killed in the Cascade Mine by a fall of side coal. Deceased and his mate were engaged splitting a pillar, and had fired a shot 4 ft. from tho bottom. Seddon was engaged cutting the top coal when a bump dislodged a lump of coal from the rib side ; the coal struck deceased on the back of tho head and broke his neck. On tho 24th May a man named Albert Ambrose Wells was killed by a fall of coal while dropping tops in the Reefton Coal Company's mine at Burkes Creek. Deceased and his mate had removed part of the tops when the remainder came away, suddenly striking Wells and breaking his neck. On the 19th July a miner named A. Baker was killed by a fall of top coal in tho Morgan seam, Liverpool Collieries. Deceased and his mate were engaged dropping tops when a bump occurred, dislodging coal from the rib side, which, striking a set, knocked it out ; the top coal then fell, striking Baker and breaking his neck. An accident that resulted in the death of a miner named Martin Tomic occurred in tho Millerton Mine on the 15th August. Deceased was engaged dropping top coal, and was standing on a pile of loose coal when a fall from the roof caught him, inflicting injuries which resulted in his death some days later. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On the 23rd May an accident occurred in the Old Mine, Stockton, whereby an underviewer named Sidney A. Fox' had his left hand badly shattered. Fox was straightening out the lead of an electric detonator when it exploded with the above result. On the 26th May, in tho Paparoa Mine, a miner named R. Manzoni was filling from tho bottom of a largo pile of loose coal when a lump rolled from the top and struck his leg, causing a simple fracture. Prosecutions. During the year the following informations were laid : — Mr. E. W. Tattley, manager, Reefton Coal Company, was proceeded against under section 10 of the Coal-mines Act, 1922, for failing to examine the Reefton Coal Company's mine at Burkes Creek within two hours of the commencement of the afternoon shift. In this case the manager was acting as fireman-deputy. He was convicted and fined £5 and costs. Mr. Tattley was also proceeded against under section 22 of the Second Schedule for failing to appoint a sufficient number of competent persons to act as deputies at the mine, and was convicted and ordered to pay costs. Information was also laid against him under section 23 of the Second Schedule for allowing workmen to proceed to work before the mine had been inspected, but this charge was withdrawn. Richard Currie, collier, Reefton Coal Company, was proceeded against under section 31 of the Second Schedule for entering the mino before it had been intimated to him by the fireman-deputy that the mine had been examined. On pleading guilty ho was ordered to pay costs, 7s. Information was also laid against Percy Stone, miner, of the Millerton Mine, that on the sth September, he did have in his possession matches and tobacco in a part of the Millerton Mine where safety-lamps were used. On pleading guilty he was fined £1 and ordered to pay costs. Southern Inspection District (Mr. George Duooan, Inspector). Mount Torlesse Collieries. —Two seams are now being worked at this mine. In the rise section the main seam pillars are almost exhausted, in the dip section places are being driven in the No. 2 seam, and a short stone drive is going to the west to intersect the main seam. This drive is ventilated by a 25 in. Sirocco fan connected to wooden boxes. In consequence of small quantities of inflammable gas having been found in the dip section safety-lamps are now in use there. The old dip—further to the westward —is still showing signs of fire, but the lower part of these workings is now flooded. Springfield Mine. —No coal has been produced since September, and the dip is now full of water. llomebush Colliery. —Two men are mining fireclay in the fireclay section, and two others are down a short steep dip on pillar-extraction. There is only one row of pillars remaining, and it is intended to drive another dip to get at some other pillars a good distance away. The seam is about 24, ft. in thickness. Bush Gully Mine. —Although most of the colliery plant has been removed, three miners are extracting some remaining pillars in the very steep seam, which is 3 J-ft. in thickness. As the old mine-entrance was not covered, the miners were instructed to erect a fence around it. St. Helens Mine. —A short steep dip was driven 35 yards until it cut the bottom seam, 6 ft. in thickness. A level has been driven about 3 chains in length alongside old workings. This level has been securely timbered throughout. An incline will be driven to the full rise (1 in 3) to the outcrop for ventilation, and will later be used for haulage purposes. Steventon. Mine. —The main dip is down 500 ft., the upper 400 ft. at the grade of 1 in 2 and tho remainder lin 3. The seam is SJ-ft. in thickness. A downthrow fault was met at 430 ft. from the surface, and, although the coal is fairly clean at the face of the main dip, the places to the south are becoming very stony. The places on the north side met dirty coal when 9 chains in, and they were stopped on that account. These pillars are now being split. Clear-view Mine. —The main level is now in about 17 chains from the surface. An incline has been driven 3 chains up from the level, and is expected to reach the outcrop in another chain. This will considerably improve the ventilation. The seam is about 10 ft. thick, but only about 6 ft. is being worked. The level places are being driven 7 ft. wide and the inclines 9 ft. wide. Very little blasting is required, and the mino is in very good order. Tripp's Mine. —This mine has been taken over by the Burnwell Coal Company, and is now worked in conjunction with the Burnwell Mine. Burnwell Mine. —Development has continued in the two upper seams of lignite, which arc both about 7 ft. in thickness. The bottom seam, which varies considerably, being sometimes 11 ft. thick, is not being worked owing to stone bands. All places are driven narrow, 6 ft. to 7 ft., and about 6 ft. in height. Ventilation good. Cavendish Mine. —A small output was produced from this mino during the latter half of the year. Albury Mine. —The output is now very small, as only a man and a boy are employed. The places going north have reached dirty coal containing many clay breaks, and these places have been stopped. The places going to the east are cleaner, but they cannot proceed far before reaching the line of the traffic-road. The old workings to the west are on fire, and, as there is not much cover, it cannot be sealed off to extinguish it. Allanholme Mine. —The small output was steadily maintained during the year to supply Waimate and the surrounding district. The surface equipment has been overhauled recently and the necessary repairs made. Meadowbank Mine. —Another small mine which supplies Waimate with lignite. Worked intermittently. Wharekuri Mine. —The workings in the upper section are nearly exhausted. A tunnel is being driven at a lower level, and the highly inclined seam is expected to be met at 180 yards. The drive is now in about 50 yards.

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Prince, Alfred Mine. —The pillars having been withdrawn near the bottom of the dip workings, and a good fall not having taken place, a creep has occurred, and the return airway is blocked sor 6 chains from the surface. Good timber supports are being used in the workings and on the dip haulage-road.. Ngapara Mine.- —The working-places are being driven about 9 ft. wide and 7 ft. high, and very little timber is required. The workings are dry, and the small amount of water which enters is let away by places being sunk into the underlying gravels. The ventilation is good, and the mine is in very good order. Shag Point Mine. —In the north level, off a short steep dip, the coal became sooty, and the level was stopped when, about 3 chains in. Tho coal is fairly clean in the south level, but it is inclined to be thin, being now about 3 ft. in thickness. Shag Point Coal-mining Company's Mine. —A short dip, about 24, chains in length, was driven from the inbye end of tho west level off tho main dip. A level is now in about 6 chains to the west from the bottom of this dip. The coal is fairly clean from this area, and most of the output is now obtained from there. In the places to the rise of the west level the coal becomes very stony and eventually unprofitable to work. The mine is well timbered and ventilated Kyeburn Diggings Mine. —No output for the year. Wedderburn (Shea's Mine). —A small seam of lignite overlain by about 4 ft. of gravel. Gimmerburn Mine. —A small opencast pit from which coal is mined for local sale. Botting's Mine. —No output for the year. Rough Ridge Mine. —Very little work was done at this opencast pit during the year. Idaburn Mine. —An oil-engine driving a small centrifugal pump has displaced a vertical steam boiler and pulsometcr. There is only about 6 ft. overburden on the thick seam. Oturehua Mine (Becker Bros.). —Another opencast pit where an oil-engine and small centrifugal pump a.re used.. Tho stripping is well ahead of the working-face. Lowis's Mine. —No coal was produced during the year from this small opencast pit. Dillon's Mine. —An opencast pit from, which a small output, for private use, was obtained. Wade's Mine. —This small seam of crushed lignite was not worked during the year. Armitage's Mine. —A small opencast pit worked for private use. St. Balkan's Mine. —A thick seam of lignite with only a few feet of overburden, which is carted away from the pit. Cambrian Mine. —The overburden —which is fairly heavy—is sluiced away, by water, under pressure of approximately 100 lb. per square inch. The working-face is in good order. Wheeler's Mine, St. Balkan's. —A small output was produced from this opencast pit. Lwuderlane Mine. —An opencast pit in which the seam is very steeply inclined and is in contact with the schist. This seam will need to be worked bord-and-pillar if it is further developed. Alexandra Mine. —Pillaring was continued during the year, two miners being employed. Owing to the heaving floor the return airway needs frequent repair. McPherson's Mine. —An opencast pit from which the overburden, up to 70 ft. in depth, is being sluiced away. The coal is conveyed to Roxburgh and Miller's Flat by motor-trucks. Cromwell Mine. —Owing to the soft clay floor the main dip drive, formerly 6 ft. in height, is now only 3 ft. A new dip has been started a few chains nearer the town, and, when completed, this will be used for haulage purposes instead of the present dip. The working-places are being driven narrow, and the faces are fairly well timbered. Shepherd's Creek Mine. —The pillars are now being worked about 500 ft. down from the mine-entrance, and they will last about'three years. The workings are in good order, and the ventilation, is fairly good. Cardrona Mine. —An opencast pit worked for local requirements. Nevis Mine. —The seam is almost vertical, and up to 60 ft. in thickness. As the supply available for opencast work is nearly exhausted, it will soon be necessary to sink on the seam to supply the local requirements. Nevis Grossing Mine. —At this mine also the available opencast work will soon be exhausted. Another pit further down the valley will shortly be opened, and the overburden will be sluiced away by the present water-supply. Fernhill Mine. —Owing to heating occurring on the main heading, about 5 chains from the entrance, six stoppings had to be put in, and the available area of pillars is in consequence very much reduced. The large deposit of buildingsand, which overlies the old mine, is being extensively worked. Freeman's Mine. —Three pillar places are still being worked. Ventilation is produced by an underground furnace built twenty years ago. Jubilee Mine. —The section of solid workings to the west of the main dip and north of the old Brighton Road has been proceeded with, and five of the working-places have reached the boundary. A block of pillars cast of the main haulage has been successfully extracted, and pillaring was also continued in the upper seam. Those on the east side of the heading have been extracted to within two chains of the main level. Saddle Hill A T o. 1 Mine (including Burnwell Mine). —The pillar section is nearing exhaustion. A new drive, going towards the Glenochicl old mine, is down 34, chains, the last chain being in rather dirty coal. Saddle Hill No. 2 Mine. —The mine was exhausted and the plant removed during March. Walton Park Mine. —The dip was extended to the permanent water-level, and a horse-road driven above waterlevel through pillars in the old Prince of Wales shaft workings (1870-71) and through several pillars left in the early Walton Park workings (1878). Tho bords were found standing well, and were cleaned up, and the fallen roof coal, which was inclined to heat, filled away. Manuka props erected during the first workings remained in position and were perfectly sound, as were also several wooden brattice stoppings put in about 1900. The old pillars aro Very narrow, being only two or three yards in width, but they are being withdrawn safely and successfully. Top coal is also being worked back. East Taieri Mine. —Tho flood which occurred in April caused a large landslide, which completely covered tho old mine-entrance. It was deemed inadvisable to remove this largo quantity of debris. The southern area has been worked bord-and-pillar up to the large fault, the throw of which has not been proved. Willowbank Mine. —The altitude of this mine is the highest in the district. It is situated near the saddle at the foot of the lesser Saddle Hill. The main level has been driven about 3 chains in, and a place on the south side has met troubled ground. Another place going north has struck a large " roll." The seam is a large one, being about 20 ft. in thickness. Brighton Mine. —This is another mine which was damaged by the floods early in the year. A considerable quantity of loose sand was carried into the mine, and another outlet had to be made for a return airway. The clay stoppings —put in about eighteen months ago —are standing well, and were successful in cooling off the area. Ruanui Mine. —This mine was closed down at the end of January. Waronui Mine. —As the coal at the face of the main dip drive thinned rapidly and became stony this drive was stopped in August. The stone is very irregular, and appears as intrusions rather than bands. From a point 200 ft. along the bottom west level another dip has been driven over 400 ft. Pillars have been extracted from another west level section. A few chains north-west of the mine-mouth a borehole was put down by hand. It was estimated to strike coal at 100 ft., but after drilling 200 ft. without success the hole was abandoned. Crichton Mine. —This mine was worked continuously until August. It was then shut down, and again reopened early in December. The mine is about half a mile from the traffic-road, and the lignite is hauled up to the road by a steam-winch. Lakeside Mine. —Closed down on the 3rd May. Taratu, Mine. —Shaft section : There was no development work at this section during the year, and all the output was produced from pillar-extraction from the eastern and northern districts. Barclay's section : Development to the east of the main drivo (in Section 20) proceeded apace in clean coal 30 ft. in thickness. In a small pillar section south of these solid workings the pillars are being extracted and the top coals worked back. Tuakitoto Mine. —Mining has been continued in a small way during the year. The natural ventilation is good. Kaituna Mine. —The old dip heading closed through the heaving floor, and side coal was taken off in an endeavour to make a water lodgment, but owing to " crush " the dip was eventually abandoned and a crosscut was driven on the

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eastern side, which is now down over 4 chains in good clean coal. The upper place going to the east off the crosscut met faulty ground when about 2 chains in. A place going west shows 0 ft. of coal. An explosives-magazine was erected about 3 chains from the mine-mouth. Wangaloa Mine. —A very small output was produced from this mine. Kaidale Mine. —Owing to the bad state of the traffic-road no coal was produced during the months of July and August. The main, dip is now down 100 ft. Kaibrook Mine. —A slip, caused by the heavy floods, occurred at the mine-entrance, and a good deal of retimbcring had to be done. The main dip is now down 280 ft., and a bord is being driven, to the south-east from the bottom of the dip. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —This mine has been coal-producing only during the winter months of the past year. Work was confined to the 18 ft. seam district, which proved to be much disturbed by irregular faults. The stone drive in this district was extended through the No. 6 fault to the 8 ft. seam, a distance of 330 ft. The seams on the south side have been proved to a point in line with the ventilating-shaft. The examining deputy reported inflammable gas on thirty-six occasions during tho year. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. — In the O-ft.-scam-workings the pillars are now worked back to near the dip haulage-road and the goaf has been scaled off by stoppings. A level tunnel in stone has been driven in a westerly direction from the bottom of tho dip haulage-road in the 6 ft. scam, and a fault was met when 200 ft. in. A heading was driven to the rise on the fault, and at a height of 20 ft. the main seam was met. A portion of this seam —to the north of the present workings—was worked forty years ago. Headings and levels have recently been driven to develop this seam, but owing to haulage difficulties work was stopped, and an inclined stone tunnel, dipping at a grade of 1 in 3, was driven from the surface. This tunnel connected with the workings at a distance of 450 ft., and the entrance is. 300 ft. from the entrance to the No. 2 mine, and is close to the main haulage-road, to which connection, will be made. Main-seam workings : In the main north level section an 8 ft. seam of good coal was struck in an inclined stone tunnel dipping to the east. This is stopped until a convenient roadway can bo made to connect with the seam from the main drive. Pillaring has been continued in the main seam, and the waste is sealed off as the various sections are exhausted. The main stone tunnel was extended a distance of 400 ft., when a seam of good coal, 15 ft. thick, was struck. Levels are being driven north and south. Screening plant : New screens have been installed at the Kaitangata mines. A revolving screen replaces the old shaker screen to deal with the large coal, and another of the same type screens the smalls. These screens are proving a decided success, as the coal is delivered in a very satisfactory state. Castle Hill Mine. —No output was produced until May, and the mine was again closed down in November for the summer months. A section of pillar coal was taken out. on the north side in the Jordan seam. In the main top seam section very steeply inclined headings have been driven to the east. The levels going south off these headings are in rather soft coal. No reports of inflammable gas have been recorded during the year. The ventilating plant has been removed from tho air-shaft to the top of the new inclined drive, which now becomes the main return airway. Men and horses may now travel through this drive to the surface. The large three-throw pump has been removed from its old site at the main seam to the bottom of the main inclined drive, and pumping is now direct to the surface in one lift. A new screening plant has been erected, and the coal is now sorted by a steam-driven revolving screen. Benhar Mine. —The main dip was extended 2 chains during the year, being now down 14 chains. The bottom level going north —-which was broken away alongside the 3 ft. upthrow fault —is now in 8 chains, and the level to the south about 4 chains. The pillars being formed on the north side are rather small, and the management was advised to increase the size in future. The ventilation is excellent owing to the stoppings between the intake and return airways having been erected of brick. Pulcerau Mine. —Production was steadily maintained during the year. The working-places are -driven about 15 ft. in width and from 6 ft. to 7 ft. in height. Rosedale Mine. —An opencast pit, from which a small output was obtained. Whiterig Mine. —The main dip drive is about 9 to 10 chains in length, and the timber in the upper portion needed attention towards the end of the year. Three miners were steadily employed. Green's Mine. —The pillars were formerly made 30 ft. square, and owing to increasing depth they are now being made 40 ft. square. The main dip has an average gradient of lin 8. The seam is 20 ft. thick, and the places are driven 12 ft. high. Fan ventilation good. Riverview Mine. —A small pit worked opencast for private use. Springfield Mine. —An opencast pit from which a small output was produced early in the year. Glenlee Mine. —Pillar-extraction was continued during the year. A new dip drive has been commenced. Ramsay's Mine. —Worked bord-and-pillar, the latter being 30 ft. square. Owing to very strong lignite very little timber is used. Two men employed underground. Landslip Mine. —Very little work done during the past year. Rossvale Mine. —The coal is almost exhausted from the present workings. Another stone tunnel has been commenced about 7 chains south to work pillars which are standing in that locality. Argyle Mine. —There does not appear to be much coal which can now be worked opencast, and as the seam is dipping into the hill it will soon be necessary to commence bord-and-pillar workings. Terrace Mine, Kingston Crossing. —A low level is being driven to get to the back of a large fall. The seam is 20 ft. in thickness, and about half of this is being worked. The area opened out is small, and the pillars already formed, are rather small. Princhesler Creek Mine. —An opencast pit, worked to supply settlers in the Mararoa district. Lynwood Mine. —An opencast pit. The small output was used for steaming purposes for the steamer plying on Lake Te Anau. Forest Hill Mine. —ll6 tons were produced prior to the 16th May, when the mine was closed down. Mataura Collieries Company's Mine. —An increased output was produoed, as compared with 1922, from this mine. The high and wide working-places are well ventilated. Boghead Mine. —No further underground mining done, and output produoed solely from opencast. Mataura Lignite-mine. — Bord-and-pillar workings are Well ventilated by an open-running fan driven by a single-phase 440-volt A.C. motor. Terrace Mine, Mataura. —170 tons were mined prior to 31st March, when the mine was abandoned. Heatherlea Mine. —A small output for local requirements was produced from this opencast pit. Ota Creek Mine. —During the year 588 tons were produced from opencast work. Clarke's Mine. —An opencast pit, from which 806 tons were mined for the year. Diamond Lignite-mine. —1,472 tons were produced from this opencast pit. Wattle Mine (formerly Nightcaps No. 1 Mine). —This mine, which was closed down during 1922, was sold to a small party of minors, and they reopened Knight's section during August last. A few pillars have since been extracted, and a hand-bore was put down underground to prove if a lower seam existed. On account of the hardness of the conglomerate the hole was stopped when only 8 ft. down. They are now sinking a small circular prospecting-shaft about 100 yards south-west of the mine-entrance. Black "Diamond Mine. —As the coal makes a good strong roof very little timber is needed in this mine. The places are usually driven 14 ft. wide and 8 ft. in height. The inbye place going to the east from off the main dip is in very stony coal and is being driven narrow. New Brighton Mine. —The main dip heading has been driven through the upthrow fault, which proved to be of only 12 ft. displacement. Beyond the fault the coal was proved to be at least 11 ft. in thickness, and it contains a band of stone 1. in. thick. Places were broken away, and at the end of the year five miners were working therein. Ventilation is very good throughout the mine. Owing to a " creep "in the pillar section some had to be abandoned. Wairio Mine.—No work was done on the Resin seam during tho year. The coal in the little dip below the former workings became very thin, and a large fault was met running north and south. Two hand-bores were put down on Questcd's area, near the Nightcaps-Ohai Road, but with disappointing rosults, as no coal was met in either hole.

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Mossbank Mine. —The development work during the year proved rathicr disappointing, as the coal in the little dip gradually became thinner, and the level going east off the main dip is also in very thin coal. The pillars are now being extracted both east and west of the main dip. Wairaki No. 1 Mine. —Owing to the varying pitch of the seam the main dip has been deflected 40° and is now being driven about due south-west. In the bottom place going cast stony coal was met, but in the main dip and all the places on tho west side good clean coal is being mined. The ventilation is usually good throughout, but, owing to faulty bratticing, on the 27th September 30 cubic feet of inflammable gas was found in Smith's stonton. This was the only occasion on which gas was reported for the year. A new safety-lamp cabin was constructed towards the end of the year. Wairaki No. 2 Mine. —ln this mine, as in the No. 1 mine, timber is systematically used. Towards the close of the year a small shaft was sunk underground a distance of 21 ft., and boring was done from the bottom of this shaft to prove if a lower seam existed. The bore proved 74, ft. of coal 10 ft. below the shaft-bottom, or 31 ft. between the scams. Development was continued in the lower places going to the west, but no work was done in the dip. On the east side is the large downthrow fault. Arrangements for the reversal of the air-current have been completed in the No. 2 mine and are being proceeded with in the No. I mine. Linton, Mine. —The coal in the 30 ft. scam became stony going north, and the bottom level going in that direction met the downthrow fault. The places above having reached the ash area, pillaring has now commenced. A borehole was put down west of the opencast area and towards the boundary of the Ohai Coal Company. It is reported that 35 ft. of coal was struck at a depth of 138 ft., or 30 ft. below the level of the Morley Stream. A second borehole was put down 14 chains east of the first bore, and struck 20 ft. of coal with only 16 ft. of overburden. A stone drive is now being put in to work this area. Pillaring is almost completed in the eastern area of the thin seam. A small area of workings has been opened out in the 7 ft. seam between the pillar section and the 30 ft. seam section. Timbering rules have been drafted and posted up at the mine-entrance, Ohai, Coal Company's Mine. —This mine is west of the Linton Mine. A dip drive, going 1 in 5, proved coal at about 2 chains from the surface, but it went through troubled ground for about a chain. When 5 chains down the seam was proved to be 20 ft. in thickness. The bottom 7 ft. is now being worked. A small prospecting-shaft sunk 10 chains ahead of the mine-entrance proved the seam at a depth of 82 ft. The seam is very hard and fairly clean except for the clay " backs " which are met in several places. A ventilating-fan, purchased from the old Nightcaps Coal Company, has been" erected at the mine. The coal is at present conveyed by horse haulage, along a surface tramway, to the Linton Mine haulage-system. Birchwood Mine. —The main dip met faulted ground when about 2 chains from the surface. Driving was continued through this trouble, and good clean coal was met. The seam proved to be 74, ft. in thickness and rather a gaseous one. In consequence of an ignition during August, safety-lamps only are now used at this mine. Since their introduction, and prior to 31st December, there were twenty-six reports of inflammable gas having been found by the examining deputy. The main dip is now down 7 chains and continues in good clean coal. The main winningplaces going east are in about 8 chains. No places have been broken off going westward. The railway built by the Ohai Railway Board from Wairio to Ohai is Hearing completion. It is anticipated that the line will be open for traffic before the coming winter. Dangerous Occurrences notified under Regulation HI. Mount Torlesse Collieries. —23rd February : G. G. Littlewood, undcrviewer, was slightly burned by an ignition of gas in the rise section. Birchwood Mine. —25th August: J. Sheehan, miner, was burned on the face and arms by an ignition of inflammable gas which occurred at 8.30 a.m. in his working place in the 8 ft. seam section, dip workings. As a consequence naked lights were debarred from use in the mine. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —2sth September : At 12.30 p.m. an inburst of water occurred from a break in the side of Eatons level in No. 1 seam workings. Twelve men were safely withdrawn, and in half an hour the flow of water had slackened considerably. The mine-plan was in error regarding some of the old workings. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —27th November : Fallen coal in a stenton off the back level, north side, in No. 5 seam was heating, and two miners were employed to fill away the heated coal. Fatal Accident. Wairaki Mine. —loth January : George Cleveland, 40, shunter and tip attendant —fatally injured by being crushed between a railway-truck and the loading-chute at the Wairaki Company's railway-siding. He sustained a fractured pelvis, and he died on the 4th February of embolism of the heart and lungs, the result of the accident. Tho Coroner 's verdict was in accordance with the medical testimony. The Coroner's jury added a rider that the clearance between the trucks and the chute should be made larger, with which the Coroner agreed. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Black Diamond Mine. —10th February : George Dempster, 17, coal-screen attendant —fracture of the right thigh caused through his clothing being caught in the machinery. Stepping across a revolving shafting 18 in. above the door, the head of a key of the flange-coupling caught his trouser-leg and he was thrown to the floor. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —9th March : James Durrant, 40, miner—fractured left leg and fractured right forefinger caused by a fall of stone from the roof of his working-place, in the Oft. seam. The fall was owing to a slippy back which before the fall was concealed by a skin of coal 2or 3 in. thick. The place was timbered with props and oap-pieoes. Shag Point, Mine. —12th March : James Wilde, 37, miner—injury to face and serious injury to left eye. He was firing two shots. He lit one fuse, but ho thought the other did not spit and he decided to leave it. After the first charge exploded lie returned intending to light the second charge. This exploded when lie was a yard away, and he was struck by the flying coal. Springfield Mine, Waikaka Valley. —l7th March : William Bazley, 26, miner—laceration of lungs and fractured ribs caused by a fall of gravel and clay which he was stripping from above tho coal-seam. Wairaki Mine. —16th May : William Taylor, miner—injuries to chest and side caused by a large stone falling out from between two slippy facings. Birchwood Mine.— l9th May : James W. G. Baird, 48, miner—burns on the left hand caused by a spark from his naked lamp igniting a half cartridge of gunpowder which he was going to use for a shot. Mossbank Mine. —20th July : Alex. Kane, miner—loss of left eye by being struck by a piece of coal which burst from the side of the pillar. Waronui Mine. —26th July : Robert Robertson, 57, miner—corneal ulceration of the left eyeball through being hit by a piece of coal. Wairio Mine.— 30th July : John Duncan, 53, mine-manager—injury to spine and paralysis of both legs. Whilst examining a " pothole " about 10 yards back from a working-face he was struck and knocked down by a fall of stone and coal. The place was only 5 ft. in height, and was supported by props and cap-pieces. Linton Mine. —4th September : Robert McDowell, 5!), miner—burns to arms. Whilst carrying his powder-tin to the face he slipped on a bench of bottoms 18 in. high. His tin was projected forward and the lid burst open. The naked light ho was carrying fell amongst the powder. Mossbank Mine. —4th December : Charles Orr, 21, miner—fractured clavicle and abrasions, caused by being struck by a piece of coal from a shot which blew through from an inclined working-place into the level above. Christie's No. 1 Mine. —13th December : John Stratton, 39, miner—sustained a compound fracture of his right leg through a lump of " doughboy " falling from the roof where he was engaged putting up a set of timber, In jumping back his foot slipped into the hole sunk in the floor for the log of the set.

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COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1923.

ANNEXURE B.

Name of Mine and Locality. I Name of Minemanager. Xame and Address of Osvner. "5 J "3 J -£ Number of Persons •- t „, „ c m of °-= Total Total Output Total Output ordinarily employed. « g Classification « g Thickness of Thickness underground * 5 Output for to 31st *> 31st Means of Bm of Coal Bm Coal-seams. ; worked. workto" l-S 1923 December, December, 6 - Ventilation. I Nl I j j *_ j g g __ NORTHERN II North Auckland District. Hikurangi Colliery, Hikurangi .. A.H.Taylor .. Hikurangi Coal Co.. Ltd., Auckland 31 S u b - bitu- ! 1 ■*• minous Hikurangi New Colliery, Hikurangi E.Nelson .. Hikurangi Coal Co., Ltd., Auckland 1 Ditto .. 1 Kerr & Co. (McLeod's), Hikurangi , F. H. Kells .. Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi .. 3£ „ .. 1 Silverdale Colliery, Hikurangi .. , C. J. Doel .. Foot & Doel, Hikurangi .. 5 „ .. 1 Northern Co-operative. Hikurangi, E. A. Cunningham(P.) E. A. Cunningham & Co., Hikurangi 5 ,, ..1 Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi .. J. Hamilton (P.) .. Kerr & Wyatt, Hikurangi .. 8 „ .. 1 Christie's Co-operative, Hikurangi j H. Tipton .. Reyburn Lime Co., Whangarei .. 34 „ . . 1 Foot's Coal-mine, Hikurangi .. S. G. Foot (P.) .. Foot Bros., Hikurangi .. .. lj „ .. 1 Ferndale Colliery, Hikurangi .. I R. C. Cherrie .. Cherrie A party, Hikurangi .. 1£ „ .. 1 Wilson's Colliery. Hikurangi .. G. Davidson .. Wilson's Colls., Ltd., Auckland .. 6 ,, .. ] 1 Waro Colliery, Whangarei .. ' J. Cadman .. , N.Z. Coal & Cement Co., Whangarei 13 ,, .. 1 Rautangata Colliery, Kamo .. R. Dickson (P.) .. Kamo Potteries, Ltd., Kamo .. 3J „ .. I 1 Glen Nell Colliery. Hikurangi .. J. Mclntyre (P.) .. J. Mclntyre, Hikurangi .. | ,, .. ! 1 XSPECTION DISTRICT. 8' to 10' 8' to 10' Bord and pillar 10' 6" 8' Ditto .. 1 3' to 7' 3' to 7' 3' 6" 3' 6" „ .. .. 4' to 5' 4' to 5' " '.'. '.'. 5' to 8' 5' to 8' 5' to T 5' to 7' „ 6' to 7' 6' to 7' „ 8' 8' 5' to 9' 5' to 9' „ 9' 7' 4' to 5' 4' to 5' „ Tons. 31,116 20,149 7.312 3.160 26 749 6.852 1.305 2,244 48,701 3.492 908 104 Tons. 1,388,894 129 8.986 17.889 27,681 24.919 10.846 196 1,704 74,099 36,056 240 Tons. : 1,420,010| 12; 33 I 45 Waddle fan. 20,278 ! 40 70 ! 110 Fan. 16,298 ; 4 13 ! 17 Natural. 21,049 3 1 9 12 27,707 12 3,, 25,668 13 4,, 17.698 2 7 9 1,501 ,347,, 3,948 3 4 7,, 122,800 32 106 138 Sirocco fan. 39.548 4 8 12 | Fan. 1.148 .. 2 21 Natural. 104 1 3 4 „ Waikato District (including Slokau) Taupiri Extended Mine, Huntly J. Makinson .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 35 Brown .. 2 10' to 34' 20' Bord a n d I 2 pillar 6' to 19' 6' to 13' Ditto 5' to 18' 5' to 14' 8' to 10' 6' to 8' 16' 15' „ .... 8' to 17' 8' to 9' „ . . .. 2' to 25' 2' to 12' 14' 8' to 12' 12' 10' 12' 12' 12' 9' 5' 5' „ .. .. 4' 6" 4' , r i „ .. .. 3' to 4' 3 to 4' „ 13' 8' 6' 6' 111,029 105,408 149.923 70,500 7.869 42,220 11,440 5.181 552 2.117 308 202 300 163 98 49 341 47 2,985,281 365,471 732,139 601,785 28,719 6,082 11,016 4,789 1,446 1,728 1.616 894 ' 1,887 3,096,310 66 256 322 Sirocco fan. 470.879 | 45 150 195 882,062! 70 165 235 Fans (2) 672,285 31 90 121 Fan. 36,588 I 4 10 ! 14 Natural. 48,302 60 121 181 Sirocco fan. 22,456 j 6 9 ] 15 Natural. 9,970 3 7 ! 10 „ 1.998 1 2 j 3 3,845 ,257,, 1,924 .. 2 2 1.096 .. 1 1 300 1 3 4 163 1 4 5 „ 98 12 3 49 1 1 2 341 ! 1 3 4 „ 1,934 1 2 3 „ Roto waro Colliery, Rotowaro .. A. Penman .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland I 6 ,, .. 1 Pukemiro Colliery, Pukemiro .. A. Burt .. .. Pukemiro Colls., Ltd., Auckland 8 „ .. j 1 Waipa Colliery, Glen Massey .. T. Thomson .. Waipa Railway and Colls., Ltd., 10 „ 1 Wellington Waikato Extended Mine, Huntlv I D. Nicholson .. Roose Shipping Co., Mercer .. 74. „ .. 1 Glen Afton Colliery, Glen Afton".. P. Hunter .. N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., 34 1 Hamilton Pukemiro Junction Mine. Pukemiro C. V. Molony .. Clare & Partners, Pukemiro .. 3 ,, .. 1 Huntly Coal-mine, Huntly .. .J. Lamont .. Lamont & Starr, Huntly .. 24 ,, .. 1 Taupiri East Mine. Kimihia .. J. Holland (P.) .. J. Holland, Huntly .. .. 2" „ .. 1 Campbell Coal-mine, Whatawhata W. Wood .. I Campbell Coal Co., Hamilton .. 14, „ .. 1 Greencastle Mine, Aria.. A. Morgan (P.) .. A. Morgan, Aria . . .. 7 ,, .. 1 Old Stockman Mine, Mokau .. C. Wright (P.) .. Chambers Bros., Awakino .. 3' „ .. 1 Graham Colliery, Glen Alton .. J. Spence .. Spence & party, Pukemiro .. * ,, .. I 1 Bombay Coal-mine, Bombay .. W. Brown (P.) .. ' W. Brown, Bombay .. .. £ ,, .. 1 Hauturu Coal-mine, Hauturu .. J. Fisher {P.) .. Fisher & party, Hauturu .. 1 „ .. 1 Opaheke Colliery, Opaheke .. J. W. Brown .. J. W. Brown,*Opaheke.. .. 4 „ . . 1 Kimihia Coal-mine, Kimihia .. R. Johnson (P.) .. R. Johnson, Huntly .. .. 4 ,, .. 1 Hunua Coal-mine, Hunua .. W. L'. Davies .. Hunua & Opaheke Coal Co., Ltd., | 4 ,, .. 1 I Auckland Output of collieries included in previous statements at which operations are abandoned or suspended .. i .. I •.. I .J 4,788,946 1 4,788,946 I .. I .. I ..

C—2

6—C. 2.

41

Nelson District. Puponga Mine .. .. I A. .7. McHardy .. Puponga Coal Syn., Puponga 20 I S u b - b i tu-[ 2 | 7' 6* & 3' 6* minous 13 I Ditto .. I 2 4' 6" <t T 4 Lignite .. I 1 4' 6" 4 \ Brown .. 2 22" <t 19" 4 | . „ .. ' 1 2' 6" 15 I Bituminous 2 . 4' to 20' 32 „ 1 4' to 20" 32 „ 1 5' to 14' 32 „ 2 3' to 30' 43 „ 1 4' to 20' 3 j 1 20' 2 „ 1 20' 8 „ 1 20' 3 „ 1 8' to 20' 5 i 1 6' 3 16' to 8' 1 13' to 7 i '„' 'i 3' Brown .. 1 18' 1 Bituminous j 1 3' to 12' Full height Bord and pillar Ditto 6,016 2,155 728 50 48 230,237 I 236,253 I 5 11 16 Natural. North Gape Mine Golden Bay Mine Waikohatu Mine O'Rourke's Mine Robert Alison J. McDougaU (P.) .. R. Stone (P.) J. Burgess (P.) North Cape Coal Co., Puponga .. McDougaU & Cotter, Takaka Stone Bros., Takaka A. O'Rourke, Murchison 97,566 990 630 188 99,721 21 1,718 ' .. 680 .. 236 .. 12 I 33 St 3 i 2 ■ 2 ! Fan and natural Natural. Bttller District. Westport-Stockton Mine James Fletcher Westport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd., Westport Westport Coal Co., Westport Westport Coal Co., Westport Westport Coal Co., Westport Westport Coal Co., Westport J. T. Dove, SeddonviUe J. T. Dove, SeddonviUe McGuire & party, SeddonviUe .. Mulholland & party, SeddonviUe McAllister & party, SeddonviUe .. Westport - Mokihinui Coal-mines, Ltd., SeddonviUe T. L. Bennett, SeddonviUe Marris <t Murray, SeddonviUe . - Chester & party, SeddonviUe J. H. Burley, Berlin's Ngakawau Mining Syn., Stockton Mine F. T. MitcheU, Charleston John P. Burley, Berhn's Full height Bord and pillar Ditto 93,559 1,805,438 1,898,997 90 170 ! 260 Fans. Millerton Mine Millerton Mine Ironbridge Mine Coalbrookdale Mine Regan O'Brien's {Dove's 5367) .. Dove's 5657 Coal Creek Mine Cardiff Bridge Co-op. Mine McAllister & party's Mine Westport-Mokihinui Mine T. King .. W. Pearson G. Smith. . W. Hewitson G. Gilbert T. Murray W. McGuire M. Forsvth C. R. Martin W. O'Rourke 12' Full height 10' 8' 9' to 11' Full height 6' to 7' '.'.\ -I - \ 212,634 \ 136,877 15,356 10,459 13,111 11,810 3,485 5,848 } 6,412,903 8,366,334 32,872 48,788 8.704 15.243 1,914 "l,373 4,571 6,625,537 103 8,§03, 211 / ™ 58,687 / | 61.899 3 20,514 10 18.728 7,762 3 259 3,141 1 6,771 1 147 1.076 1 424 527 I 156 226 i 169 239 16 20 18 20 15 18 17 27 I 4 I 4 11 Natural. Zealandia Mine Marris & Murray's Mine Chester <fc party's Mine Whitecliris Mine Ngakawau Mine T. L. Bennett Charles Murray W. Jenkins . .. James H. Burley .. D. J. Rees Full height Full height 10' 3' to 8' 259 1,768 2,200 147 1,076 4 4 2 3 3 4 2 2 7 ! 8 Mitchell's Mine Rocklands Mine F. T. MitcheU John P. Burley 1 ; Lignite ..11 40' 21 | Brown .. | 1 27' 8' 8' Open cast Bord and pillar 12 358 "7,779 10,618 900 73,107 49,602 20.834 7,765 22,702 6,355 909 2.656 470 22,600 'l5, 481 387,954 12 1 8,137 10,720 1,421 1 90,883 20 51,555 2 21,654 1 9.087 25.744 7.687 2 .'224 1 4.669 2 1,806 28,505 5 60 16,091 1 421,984 30 •• 1 2 2 Opencast. Natural. Reefton District. Coghlan's Mine I C, D. Curtiss (P.) .. John Coghlan, Reefton 27 Brown .. j 1 12' to 40' 3 „ ..2 22 „ • • | 2 8' to 12' 32 „ . . | 2 40' & 80' 37 „ .. 2 6' 11 „ .. i 1 8'to 12' 11 „ . . 3 6' to 20' 5 „ ..1 12' 3 „ ..1 9' 3 ■ „ .. 2 7' & 20' 2 ■ „ .. 1 6'to 8' 21 „ -.38' to 20' 1 „ ■• 1 4' 10 „ .. 1 7' 8' Bord a n d pillar Ditto 102 2 2 2 Natural. "i Doran's Mine Reefton Coal Co's Mine Phcenix and Venus Mine Clele Big River Morris & Leannont's Mine Victory Mine Woodlands Mine Empire Mine BoUtho's Mine Ferndale-Timaru Mine Slab Hut Mine Golden Point Mine J. J. Doran (P.) .. E. W. Tattley W. Kearns (P.) Charles Skinner (P.) W. Kirwan (P.) .. J. Baxendale P. H. Wood (P.) .. A. Chad wick H. L. Morsan (P.).J. Bolitho (P.) W. Lowden A. J. Grigg (P.) .. A. Thompson J. J. Doran, Capleston Reefton Coal Co., Reefton ColUns A- Kearns, Reefton Alborn A Pascoe, Reefton New Big River G.M. Co., Reefton Morris & Leannont, Reefton Woods & party, Reefton McKenzie & party, Reefton D. Blackadder, R'eefton BoUtho Bros., Reefton Ferndale-Timaru Co., Reefton .. A. J. Grigg, Reefton T. S. Patterson, Reefton 7' & F.H. io' & r 6'. Full height 8' Full height 5' 7' 6' 8' to 10' 4' Full height ■■! 521 17,776 1,953 820 1,322 3.042 1,332 1,315 2,013 1.336 5,905 60 610 2 , 3 52 72 2 4 3 4 2 2 10 10 4 4 2 3 4 6 4 4 16 21 2 I 2 4 | 5 2 52 2 3 2 10 4 2 4 4 16 4 .. Greymouth District. Paparoa Mine A. O'Donnell Paparoa Coal Co., Roa 15 ! Bituminous 1 5' to 25' 8' to 25' Bord and pillar Ditto 34,030 71 101 Fan. 15 71 Blackball Mine Armstrong's Mine Baddeley's Mine Boote's Mine Dixon & party's Mine Duggan's Mine Hillside Mine Hunter's Mine Lateham Syndicate's Mine W. Parsonage V. Armstrong J. Rowse.. R. Gore G. R. Dixon W. Richmond J. Guv A. Hill W. J. Dennehy Blackball Coal Co., Blackball .. Armstrong & party, Runanga . . Baddeley & party, Runanga Boote & party, Runanga Dixon A party, Brunnerton Duggan & party, Runanga HiUside Co-op. party, Runanga .. Hunter it party, Runanga Lateham Coal Prospecting Syndicate, Runanga Manderson & party, Runanga .. Mclvor & party, Runanga 32 „ i 2 j 17' 2 „ 1 j 3' to 10' 3 Semi - bitu- 1 5' minous 2 Ditto ..1 5' 1 „ ..1 14' 2 .. ..1 3' 3 „ .. 1 T 3 ..1 4' 1 „ ..1 4' 2 „ . . 1 4' 6" 2 „ I 5' 32 2 3 2 1 2 3 3 1 15' Full height 62,541 7,564 4,434 1,909 1,250 4,426 4,946 989 243 3.104,148 1,477 5,096 2,590 "2,076 9,662 6,264 96 3,166.689 50 9.041 2 9,530 2 4,499 2 1.250 1 6,502 14.608 2 7,253 1 243 2 4,439 2 2,034 1 220 8 5 220 270 8 10 5 7 6 3 7 6 7 1 6 8 3 4 i 7 7 6 8 7 8 1 3 Natural. Fan. Natural. Fan! Water-blast. Manderson's Mine Mclvor's Mine P. Manderson J. Hadcroft 2 2 4,439 1,938 6 7 9 6 7 Natural. „

42

C.—2

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1923— continued.

Name of Mine and Locality. Name of Minemanager. Name and Address of Owner. -_ § |-£ Number of Persons ?~ °"S a , _ , i ?5 T . , Total Output Total Output ordinarily employed. °g Classification J I Thickness of Thickness ,-„;£, e 7n, ,ri I i „„*.,„, to 31st to 31st Means of |* of Coal |« Coal-seams. worked. L !d = = U '' ? f December, December, 6 , Ventilation. B g fag working. s| 192-i. 1922 l9s& g g _ f»| j J I 9 < M H Greymouth District —continued. Moody Creek Mine .. .. I W. Robertson .. Moody Creek Syndicate, Runanga Smith's Mine .. .. .. T. Halliday .. Smith & party, Runanga Spark's Mine .. .. .. W. Dutton .. Spark & party, Runanga Liverpool No. 1 Mine .. .. O. J. Davis .. N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. Liverpool No. 3 & Extended Mine O.J.Davis .. N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. ! Liverpool Nos. 4 & 4A Mine .. O. J. Davis .. N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. James Mine .. .. .. J. Armstrong .. N.Z. Government, Greymouth .. Output from mines shown in previous statements and which have been abandoned WE 1 3 1 11 1 2 2 WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT— conti. 1 Semi - bitu- 1 9' Full height. minous. 3 Ditto ..1 5' 1 „ ..1 7 11 „ ..24' to 16' 0 <ft „ . . 2 4' to 12' 1 2 „ . . 2 6' to 12' „ 2 „ .. 1 4' to 8' inued. Bord and pillar Ditto .. Tons. Tons. 3,551 5,881 6.600 3.422 87.220 j 30 < 0U 1,109,758 16,483 ) 17.686 ! 820 7,137,301 Tons. 3,551 2 5 7 12,481 3 5 8 3,422 i 3 5 8 | 64 131 195 1,243,475 \ 2S *° 63 I 5 23 28 18,506 14 57 71 7.137,301 8 8 196 63 Natural. Fan.' 28 71 Canterbury. Mount Torlesse, Avoca.. .. W. Leitch .. Mount Torlesse Coll., Christchurch Springfield, Springfield.. .. J. Taylor (D.) .. J. Taylor, Springfield .. Homebush, Glentunnel .. A. Smith (P.) .. Homebush Brick & Coal Co., Ltd., Glentunnel Bush Gully, Coalgate .. J. McQueen (P.) .. Ditto St. Bfelens, WhitecUffs .. .. J. Sutherland (P.) J. Sutherland, Glentunnel Steventon. Whitecliffs .. .. D.Kane.. .. Campbell & Leeming, Glentunnel Clearview, Gleuroy .. .. C. G. Marsh (!'.) .. Smith .ft Marsh, Glentunnel Tripp's, Mount Somers,. .. J. B. Harris (P.) .. Burnwell Coal Co., Mount Soiners Burnwell, Mount Somers .. T. Harris (D.) .. Burnwell Coal Co., Mount Somers Cavendish, Mount Somers .. G. Harris (P.) .. Mrs. F. J. M. Morgan, Mt. Somers Albury, Albury .. .. T. F. Slowey (P.) .. T. F. Slowev. Albury Woodbank, Albury .. .. i W.H. Hogue (P.) .. W. H. Hogue, Albury AUanholme, Waihao Forks .. J. Campbell (D.) .. Allanholme Coal Co., Waimate .. Meadowbank, Waihao Forks .. J. Craig (D.) .. A. E. Kirk, Waihao Forks SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. Steam, fan,and natural. N atural. North Otago. Wharekuri, Wharekuri.. .. P. Campbell .. j J. C. Si T. D. Shanks, Wharekuri St. Andrew's, Papakaio .. .. T. Barclay, jun. .. Papakaio Coal Co., Oamaru Prince Alfred, Papakaio .. A. Beardsmore (P.) Mrs. J. E. Willetts, Papakaio Ngapara, Ngapara .. .. W. Nimmo (P.) .. W. Ninnno, Ngapara Shag Point (old mine), Shag Point W. McLaren (P.) .. Waronui Coal Co., Dunedin Shag Point CM. Co., Ltd., Shag J.Hughes .. Shag Point CM. Co., Ltd., Dunedin Point Central Otago. Gimmerburn, Gimmerburn .. ' C. Dougherty (P.) .. C. Dougherty, Gimmerburn Wedderburn, Wedderbiu-n . . M. Shea (P.) .. M. Shea. Wedderburn Botting's, Idaburn .. .. G. Botting (P.) .. G. Sotting, Naseby Rough Ridge, Oturehua . . E. Beck (P.) .. Margaret Beck, Oturehua Idaburn, Oturehua .. ..I R. K. Deaker (P.).. R. K. Beaker, Oturehua Oturehua, Oturehua .. .. , J. R. Becker (P.) .. Becker Bros., Oturehua Lowis's. Blackstone Hill .. T. A. Lowis .. I T. A. Lowis, Blackstone Hill Dillon's, Blackstone Hill .. J. Dillon (P.) .1. Dillon, Blackstone Hill Wade's, Blackstone Hill .. W.J. Wade .. W. J. Wade, Blackstone Hill irmitage's. Blackstone Hill .. J. Armitage (P.) .. J. Armitage. Blackstone Hill St. Batllan's, Blackstone Hill . . J. Enright (P.) .. : J. Enright, St. Bathan's Wheeler's, St. Bathan's .. J. Wheeler (P.) .. .1. Wheeler, St. Bathan's Cambrian, Cambrian .. .. 0. Jones (P.) .. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic S. Co., St. Bathan's Lauder Lane, Cambrian .. M. Andrew (P.) .. F. Kippenberger, Beck's Alexandra, Alexandra .. D. Mathias (P.) .. Alexandra CM. Co., Alexandra .. 6 Brown .. 3 12' All 43 „ ..1 4' All 50 „ ..1 3' 6" All 6 ,, .. 1 5' 5' 42 „ ..1 6' 6' 4 „ . . 1 4' 6" All 4 „ ■■ 1 9' 6' 6" 57 „ ..1 20' 8' 1 ,. . . 1 6' 6' 4 „ .. 1 14' 8' to 6' 32 Lignite .. 1 15' 8' . . 1 • • 8 „ . . 1 16' 8' 6 „ . . 1 26' 8' 4 Lignite ..1 30' 6' 45 .... 1 9' 7 54 ., . . 1 12' to V 7 to 6' 45 ., .. 1 ■>:,' 10' to 8' 9 Brown . . 1 4' All 15 „ . . 1 4' All 67 Lignite ..1 12' All ..1 5' All 1 ., ..1 20' 12' 37 „ ..1 20- All 53 „ ..1 20' All 29 ., .. 1 17' 7' 4 „ ..1 10' All 26 „ ..1 12' All 1 „ ..1 6' All 43 „ ..1 16' All 26 „ ..1 30' All 1 „ .. 1 6' All 62 „ .. 1 18' All 19 „ ..1 12' 6' 42 „ ..1 9' 6' Bord and I pillar Ditto .. Bord and pillar Ditto Open Bord and pillar 7,481 55,115 145 92,565 1,755 339,402 206 37,579 580 31,242 4.369 4.542 1,813 2,249 1,828 77.!174 856 130 1,056 614 23,614 8 "•41 9,258 390 2,687 457 3,063 124 61,186 969 68.587 1.005 36,963 :'.::! 412,854 16,770 125,819 24 3.385 120 74 57 35,453 617 50.496 196 4.603 76 14 311 14 8 4,726 103 6,843 18 79 359 60,468 136 2,722 1,271 106,240 62,596 10 15 25 92,710 112 341,157 .. 4 4 37,785 12 3 31,822 12 3 8,911 3 7 10 4,062 1 4 5 79,802 1 .■! 4 856 2 3 5 1.186 .. 1 1 24,228 1 12 8 1.. 1 9,799 1 12 3,077 .. 2 2 3,520 .. 3 3 61,310 .. 1 1 69,556 1 2 3 37,968 12:! 413,227 .. 2 2 142,589 13 47 60 3,409 120 1 .. 1 74 35,508 51,113 3 .. 3 4.799 2 .. 2 76 325 14 4.734 6.946 1 .. 1 97 50,827 1 .. 1 2,858 1 1 107,511 13 4 Natural. Fan. Exhaust steam.

C.—2

43

McFherson's, Coal Creek Flat .. I j. Weatherall (P.) i N. Harliwich, .Roxburgh .. 53 Cromwell, Cromwell .. .. ! R. Thomson (P.) .. l A. Scott, Cromwell .. .. 9 Shepherd's Creek, Bannockburn.. J. Hodson, jun. .. Bannockburn CM. Co., Bannock- 46 burn Cardrona, Cardrona .. R. McDougaU (P.). . R. McDougaU, Cardrona .. 39 Nevis, Nevis .. .. .. E. J. Williams (P.) E. J. Williams, Nevis .. .. 23 Nevis Crossing, Nevis .. .. R. Ritchie (P) .. R. Ritchie, Nevis .. 20 South Otago. Fernhill, Abbotsford .. .. J. Dunlop (P.) .. Fernhill Coal & Sand Co., Dunedin 46 Freeman's, Abbotsford.. .. W. Evans (D.) .. Freeman's Coal Co., Green island 43 Jubilee, Saddle Hill .. .. 'T. Barclav .. Jubilee Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin .. 26 Saddle Hill No. 1, Saddle Hill .. E. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin . 51 Harris's Burnweil, Saddle Hill .. ! R. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin Saddle Hill No. 2, Saddle Hill .. i R. Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin.. 22 Walton Park, Fairfield.. . R.Hill .. .. Christie Bros., Mosgiel, Dunedin 3 East Taieri, Riccarton .. .. j E. Charles .. East Taieri Coal Co., Riccarton, 12 Mosgiel Willowbank, Riccarton .. j A. Manderson (P.).. G. Scurr, Riccarton, Mosgiel .. 3 Brighton, Brighton .. .. j R. C. Wright (P.) .. Smith & Wright, Brighton .. | 8 Ruanui, Brighton .. ..II. McColI (P.) .. ! D. L. McColl, jun., Brighton .. 3 Waronui, Milton .. .. J. Carruthers, jun .. ; Bruce Rly. & Coal Co., Dundin .. 19 Crichton, Crichton .. .. Geo. D. Cooper (P.) ! Crichton Coal Co., Reefton .. 4 Lakeside, Lakeside .. .. C. Penman (P.) .. ; C. Penman, Kaitangata .. 4 Taratu, Lovell's Flat .. J. Hadcroft .. Sargood & Cheeseman, Dunedin.. 22 Tuakitoto, Tuakitoto .. .. J. Throp (P.) .. J. Throp, Kaitangata .. .. 13 Kaituna, Kaitangata .. ... A. Cain .. .. Kaituna Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin 15 Wangaloa, Wangaloa . . .. T. Gage (P.) .. T. Gage, Kaitangata .. .. 4 Kaidale, Wangaloa .. .. V. Wilson (P.) . . Morrison Bros., Kaitangata .. 5 Kaibrook, Wangaloa .. .. T. Gage (P.) .. J. Gage, Kaitangata .. .. 4 Roseneath, Wangaloa .. .. T. Middleton .. T. Middleton, Wangaloa .. 4 Kaitangata No. 1, Kaitangata .. A. S. Gillanders .. ! N.Z. Coal * Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 47 Kaitangata J\ o. 2, Kaitangata .. F.Carson .. N.Z. Coal A Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 11 Castle Hill, Kaitangata .. J. Gillick.. .. N.Z. Coal * Oil Co., Ltd., Dunedin 30 Benhar, Stirling .. ;. J. Walls (D.) .. P. McSkimining & Son, Benhar .. 60 53 „ ..1 6' 9 „ ..1 12' 46 „ .. 1 12' to 6' 39 Brown .. 2 30" & 20" 23 „ ..1 10' 20 „ ..1 16' 46 Lignite .. 1 8' All ! Open ..; .., 2,141 V to 10' Bord and 787 pillar Ditto .. ..[ 2,322 All Open .... 108 6' Levels .... 91 6' Open .... 503 6' Bord and .. 821 pillar All Ditto .. .. 3,310 All 16,237 All 3.256 All „ .. .. 3,179 jUI „ .... 640 All „ .... 10,492 6' „ .... 2,334 5' 6" 218 6' „ .... - 423 6' , 22 6' „ .... 19,860 8' „ .... 555 7' „ .... 148 15' to 7' ,, .1 33,965 7' , 126 6' „ .... 4,447 T ., .... 38 6' 6" , 542 6' 6" „ . . .. 553 7' 142 All „ •• 1 1 All „ .. .. V 112,929 ' All ., .. 1 J 10' „ .. .'-. 9.377 81,749 10,173 108,738 26,590 7,235 15,403 176,759 587,827 420,377 280,765 76,970 316,468 3,044 37,093 223 7,732 246 264,200 2,000 1,826 503,137 3,750 18,641 796 7,510 1.535 3,123 4,036,694 j 220,0lsis 83,890 2 .. 2 10,960 1 2. 3 Exhaust steam.. 111,060 14 5 26,698 1 .. 1 7,326 1 .. 1 .Natural. 15,906 2 .. 2 177,580 13 4 Natural. 591,137 3 5 8 Furnace. 436,614 7 20 27 Ian. 284,021 3 5 8 80,149 3 1 4 317,108 112,, 13,536 6 15 21 39,427 2 5 7 Natural. 441 1 1 2 8,155 112,, 268 .. .. I .. Exhaust steam. 284,060 15 25 40 Fan. 2,555 .. 2 2 Natural. 1,974 .. - 2 2 I 537,102 19 48 - 67 Fan. 3,876 .. 1 1 Exhaust steam. 23.088 3 9 12 Fan. 834 1 1 Natural. 8,052 1 1 i 2 2,088 1 112 3,265 .. 1 1 4,149,623 86 283 369 Fan. 229,443 1 6 J 7 43 „ . . 1 14' to 10' 26 „ .. 1 11' to r 51 „ . . 1 20' . . 1 20' 22 „ ..1 20' 3 „ ..1 10' 12 „ ..1 T 3 „ . . 1 7' 8 „ ..1 7' 3 ., ..1 7' 19 „ ..1 7' 4 „ . . 1 30' 4 „ ..1 18' 22 „ .. 3 35' to 15' 13 „ . . 1 18' 15 „ . . 1 15' 4 „ ..1 11' 5 „ 1 14' to 10' 4 „ 1 11' 4 „ . . 1 16' 47 Brown .. 2 12' to 6' 11 „ .. 3 25' to 6' 30 „ . . 3 20' to 12' 60 Lignite ..3 14' .. . Southland. Pukerau, Pukerau .. .. W. Kyle (P.) .. Miller Bros., Pukerau .. .. 5 Rosedale, McNab .. .. A. Reinke (P.) .. E. H. Retake, McNab .. .. 4 Whiterig, East Gore .. ..JR. Craig (P.) .. R. Craig, East Gore .. . . 45 Green's, Gore .. .. J. Mason.. ..IT. Green & Co., Ltd., Gore .. I 35 Riverview, Gore .. .. j J. J. Nicol (P.) .. j J. J. Nicol, Gore .. .. 36 Springfield, Waikaka Valley .. E. L. Reid (P.) .. i R. L. Reid, Waikaka Valley .. I 27 Glenlee, Waikaka .. .. I A. H. Edge (P.) .. j A. A. Edge, Waikaka .. .. j 30 Ramsay's, North Chatton .. ! P. Ramsay (P.) .. P. Ramsay, North Chatton .. 20 Knapdale, Knapdale .. .. j W. Kyle (P.) .. j M. A. Duggan, Knapdale .. 1 Landslip, Waikaia .. .. T. Northcoat (P.) ..IT. Northcoat, Waikaia .. 24 Rossvale, Waikaia .. .. J. Henderson (P.) i J. Henderson. Waikaia. . .. 20 Argyle, Waikaia .. .. P. R, Parker (P.) .. j Mrs. M. C. Hutton, Waikaia .. 32 Terrace, Kingston Crossing .. G. Daley (P.) .. j E. Jones, Kingston Crossing .. 5 5 Lignite .. 1 11' 4 „ . . 1 12' 45 „ ..1 24' 1 35 ., . . 1 19' 36 ., .. 1 10' I 27 ., . . 1 10' 30 '., . . 1 14' 20 ., . . 1 20' 1 !, . . 1 15' 24 ., . . 1 5' 20 „ ..1 15' 32 „ . . 1 10' 5 ., ..1 24' 7' Bord and .. 738 pillar 8' Open .... 18 14' ; Bord and .. 3,585 pillar 12' Ditto .. .. 13,220 All Open .... 10 All 86 9' Bord and ... 1,179 pillar 15' Ditto .. .. 2,718 11' „ .... 100 All „ . .. 58 8' „ .7 .. 603 All Open .. .. 439 11' Bord and .. 1,254 pillar All Open .... 69 All „ .... 116 12' to 10' Bord and .. 8,441 pillar All Open .. .. 2,803 12' Bord and .. 11,397 pillar All Open .... 170 All , 63 All I . „ .... 588 All „ .... 806 17' „ .... 1,472 4,610 994 85,560 267,662 2,084 59,673 23,838 99,079 551 36,819 48,001 8,127 6,079 2,187 306 236,212 25,255 , 250,305 j 1,396 893 27.630 19.613 27,077 5,348 .. 1 ; 1 Natural. 1.012 .. .. j .. 89,145 1 2 I 3 Exhaust steam, 280,882 2 9 I 11 Fan. 2,094 .. .... 59,759 1 ... 1 25,017 .. 2 | 2 Natural. 101,797 1 -2 3 651 1 | 1 36.877 1 .. 1 48,604 112,, 8,566 2 .. 2 7,333 1 1 j 2 2.256 1 .. 1 422 1 .. 1 244,653 2 5 7 Fan. 28,058 4 .. 4 261,702 4 5 9 Fan. 1.566 1 .. 1 956 1 .. 1 28.218 1 ' ... 1 20.419 1 .. 1 28.549 2 2 — Princhester Creek, The Key .. J. A. Denton (P.) .. J. A. Denton, The Key .. 21 Forest Hill, Tussock Creek J. C. McDonald (P.) J. C. McDonald, Tussock Creek .'. 3 Mataura Collieries, Mataura .. R. Brown .. Mataura Colls. Co., Gore .. 27 Boghead, Mataura .. .. C. E. Rowe (P.) .. C. E. Rowe, Mataura .. .. 18 Mataura Lignite, Mataura .. T.Barclay .. Beattie, Coster, & Co., Ltd., 47 Terrace, Mataura .. .. A. E. Peck (P.) .. Peck Bros., Mataura ".. .. 4 Heatherlea, Waimumu.. .. P. H. Barber (P.) .. P. H. Barber, Waimumu .. 4 Ota Creek, Wyndham .. .. E. Todd (P.) .. E. Genge. Wyndhain .. .. 43 Clarke's, Wyndham .. .. : J. Bushbridge (P.) ; J. Bushbridsre. Wyndham .. 16 Diamond Lignite, Seaward Bush A. McMillan (P.) .. Is. McMillan, Invercargill .. 21 21 „ ..1 5' 3 „ ..1 10' 27 „ .. . 1 18' to 15' 18 „ .. 1 15' 47 „ . . 1 18' 4 „ ..1 12' 4 „ ..1 10' 43 „ . . I 1 8' 16 „ .. I 1 10' 21 I „ .. I 1 32'

C.—2

44

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1924.

Approximate Colt of Paper. — Preparation, not given: printing (725 copies), £95.

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1923— continued.

Price Is.']

Name of Mine and Locality. _L Name of Minemanager. Name and Address of Owner. ■- c *« ® Number of Persons Z*\ . veflirn „ f °2 T ... Total Output , Total Output ordinarily employed. g £l Classification «g Thickness of Thickness „SSS*n-L IS n„t,?,,t w to 31st to 31st . __ Means of f* of Coal |; Coal-seams. worked. °?*3E! Bd f * l0f December, December, 6 Z . Ventilation. 3 £. pc working. 3:3 uzs. 1922 1923< fe g - r<\ 1) ft <& — fii . (O I 0 SOUTHERN i: [ i l S T SP1 1CTION DISTRICT— eontii T 5' 8' AU IV*. Southland —continued. Nightcaps (No. 1), Nightcaps W. Morgan .. Nightcaps Coal Co..Ltd.,Invercargill W. Morgan .. Nightcaps Coal Co..Ltd.,Invercargill J. E. Lewis ' .. Wattle Coal Co., Nightcaps H. Talbot .. Coaldale Coll. Co., Ltd., Dunedin R. W. Duncan .. ; Black Diamond Coal Co., Ltd., Nightcaps W. Dixon .. Southland Coal Co., Invercargill J. T. Mosley .. Smith & Timpanv, Invercargill .. T. McMillan .. Mossbank Coal Co., Ltd., Invercargill A. W. Whittlestone Wairaki Coal Co., Ltd., Nightcaps A. W. Whittlestone Wairaki Coal Co., Ltd., Nightcaps G. S. Langt'ord .. Linton Coal Co., Ltd., Invercargill J. B. Ross •.. Birchwood Coal Co., Ohai, Nightcaps H. Talbot .. Ohai Coal Co., Ltd., Invercargill J. Porter (P.) .. | K. C. Govan, Te Anau previous statements at which operations have been abandon 42 Brown .. 1 Bord and pillar Ditto .. •.. Bord and pillar Ditto Tons. 1,392 266 417 197 28,342 Tons. \ 1,426,961 Tons. 1,428,619 J 417 1 12,484 2 81,604 j 9 104,299 7 139,799 ! 3 79,918 8 99,095 -| -J 126,728 21 35,541 17 1,048 1 3.150 2,999,017 I 6J 1 5 j 23 21 i\ 16 22 42 29 5 ' 7 Fan. 2 Exhaust steam, 6 5 32 Fan. 28 11 Exhaust steam. 30 Fan. 21 34 63 6 1 Nightcaps (No. 2), Nightcaps Knight 's(formerly Nightcaps No.l), Nightcaps Coaldale, Nightcaps 7 42 1 .. 6 1 7' All 12,287 Black Diamond, Nightcaps 8 1 25' 8' 10' 7' 8' 6' 9' to 8' 5' 6* 53,262 New Brighton, Nightcaps Wairio, Nightcaps Mossbank, Nightcaps 17 18 9 1 1 1 14,153 6.542 19,176 90,146 133,257 60,742 Wairaki (No. 1), Nightcaps Wairaki (No. 2), Nightcaps Linton, Nightcaps Birchwood, Ohai, Nightcaps 10 5 8 3 1 1 2 1 10' 7 16' 8' 25' to 7 AU 18' 8' 12,053 19.147 39.617 21,616 67,895 87,111 13,925 Ohai Coal Co., Nightcaps .. ! Lynwood, Te Anau .. .. | Output of mines included in 13 I Lignite .. led or suspended 1 1 20' 8' 8' to 6' ■ AU Open .. .. [ 1.048 138 "3,012 2,999,017 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 486,940 849.029 633,865 1,969.834 15,053,479 29,077,033 11,123,438 15.540,419 29,926,062 11,757,303 326 627 400 782 1,108 1.768 2.395 1,097 1,497 3,647 5,000 ,1,353 55.253,950 57.223,784 297,336 21 57,521,141 I i I