Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1933 Session I | MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. C. E. MACMILLAN,...

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MINES STATEMENT.

CONTENTS.

PAGE I—7l Mines Statement .. .. •• • ■ . ■ • • • ■ • • • • • a Coal-mining .. • • ■ • ■ • .• • .• • • ■ •'• " * Coal-miners' Relief Fund .. ■ • • • • • • • • ■ • • ';.' Co-operative Mining, State Coal Reserve .. .. ... •■ •• •• & Geological Survey .. .. ,• • • • ~ • ■ • • • • • • " Goldfields Revenue and Gold Duty .. .. .. • - • • * • * Gold-mining .. ■. ■ • ..... .. • • • • • • -JInvestigations, New Zealand coals .. . • • • • • • • • • ' Low-temperature carbonization Miners' Pensions—Pensions Act, 1926 .. .. • • • • • • • ■ ? Mining Privileges .. • • • ■ . • • . .. • • • • • • • ■ Prospecting for oil .. • ■ .• • • ■ .. • • • • • • • • Schools of Mines: Scholarships .. .. •• •• •• .. .. 7 Social Amenities at Mining Townships .. .. .... .• • , • • • ■ ■ State Aid to Mining .. .. ... .• • • • .. • • • • • ■ ° Government Prospecting Drills .. .. , • • . . • • • • • ■ ° Roads and Tracks .. .. • • • ■ .• • • • • • • • ' ' Schools of Mines .. . • ■ • ..... • • • • ■ • ° Subsidized Prospecting—Subsidies to Unemployed to Prospect for Gold .. .. 8, 9 State Coal-mines .. .. •• •• ■• .•• •• •• s'*j5'*j Housing . . .. .. .■ • • • ■ • • • • • • • Items from Balance-sheet .. .. • • • • • • • • ■■•'•. " Output and Sales .. .. • • • • [•Statistics — Coal-mining .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Gold and Silver Mining .. .. • • • • • • • • • • * Mineral Production .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • * Mining and Quarry Accidents .. .. • • ■ • • • • • j> Persons employed in or about Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. • • * Tables to accompany Mines Statement .. .. .. •• •• •• -*-°~]^ No. 1. Export of Mineralsand Coal-output .. .. ■• •• •• j^ No. 2. Gold—Quantity .and Value exported from Districts and Counties or Boroughs.. 1J No. 3. Diagram showing Total Value of Gold and other Minerals and Coal and Kauri-gum exported: Table showing Quantity of Gold exported Annually from 1857 12 No. 4. Coal—Output from different Fields .... . • • • • • • • 13 No. 5. Coal—Output of different Classes .. .. . • • • •»• • • J 3 No. 6. Coal and Oil-shale—Annual Production and Coal imported since 1878 .. 14 . No. 7. Coal—lmports .. .. •• ■• •■ •■ •< •• lj> Exports : Bunkers .. .. .. • • • • • • • • • • l^ Exports : Cargo .. .. ,• • • • • • • • - • j° No. 8. Number of Persons employed in Mining .. .. .- -• •• lb Appendices to the Mines Statement .. • ■ • • •• . • • •• ] }. Appendix A.—Reports relating to Metalliferous Mines and. Stone-quarries .. .. 17-38 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .... • • • • • • • • I. Minerals: Exported ~. ... •• •• •■ •• Y[ Produced ... . • • • • • • • ■ • 1' 11. Persons employed .. . . • • • ■ • ■ • • • • 1" 111. Accidents".. •• 18 IV. Gold-mining ; Bullion-production ; Dividends declared ; Persons employed ; Number of Mines and Dredges .. .. .. •• ' (1) Quartz-mining .. .. ~.. •• •■ •• ; (2) Dredge Mining .. .. ... • • • • • • 19 (3) Alluvial Mining .. .. • ■ • ■ ■ • • • 20 V. Minerals other than Gold .. .. . • • • • • • ■ 21 Iron '.. ..... ... , .•• ■• •• •• •■ 21 Petroleum .. ... .... .-.•• ~•■ •• •• * l Quicksilver .. .. • • . • • • • ■• > ■ ■ Sulpiinr ".. •• .•• •• f VI. Stone-quarries .. •• •■ ..-..-. ■ ... . " 'tt Quarry Accidents Quarrying Operations .. . . • ■ - ■ • ■ • • 22 VII. State Aid to Mining .. • • • • • ■ • • • • 22-25 (1) Subsidized Prospecting .. • ■ • • ■ • • • 22-24 (2) Government Prospecting Drills .. .. ■ ■ ■ • 25 (3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields . . .. • • • • 25

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Appendices to the Mines Statement— -continued. Appendix A — continued. page Annexure A —Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 26-38 Northern Inspection District .. .. .. ... .. .. 26-30 Accidents .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 29 Oil-wells .. .. . . .. .. ... .. .. 29 Prospecting .. .. .. ~ .. .. .. 30 Quartz-mining .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 26-29 Quicksilver-mining .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 29 Sulphur .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast District .. . . .. .. 30-32 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31, 32 Dredging .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 General Remarks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Iron .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 32 Petroleum .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 32 Prosecutions .. .. .. . . .. . . .. 32 Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30,31 • ■ Southern Inspection District .. .. .. .. .. .. 33-38 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Boring ■.. ■~ ... .. .. .. .. .. 38 Dredging .. .. .. .. .. ..' .. .. 37 General Remarks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Oil-wells .. .. .. .. .. .. .. '.. 37 Quartz and Alluvial Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. 33-37 Scheelite .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Subsidized Mining and Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. 38 Annexure B —Report on Stone-quarries .. .. .'. .. .. 39 Accidents .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .'-.' 39 Annexure C —Mining Statistics .. .. .. .. .. .. 39-43 (1) Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained .. .. ..39-41 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. .. 39, 40 Southern District .. .. .. .. .. .. 41 West Coast District .. . . .. .. .. .. 41 (2) Statements of Affairs of Mining Companies .. .. .. .. 42, 43 Appendix B—Reports relating to the Inspection of Coal-mines .. .. .. 44-69 Report by Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector .. .. .. .. 44-49 Section I. Coal Output and Imports : Production from Principal Collieries .. 44 5 45 Section 11. Persons employed : Coal raised : Lives lost by Accidents .. 45 ; 46 Section 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 46, 47 Section IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act .. .. .. . . 47-49 (a) Permitted Explosives .. .. .. .. .. .. 47 (b) List of Mines required by Law to use Permitted Explosives .. 47, 48 (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safety Lamps .. .. 48 (d) Dangerous Occurrences . . .. .. .. .. .. 48 (e) Electricity at Collieries .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 (•/) Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 Section V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining .. .. .. .. 49 Annexure A—Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 50-64 Northern District—Summary of Operations at each Colliery .. .. 50-53 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 Huntly School of Mines .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 Output, Treatment of Slack Coal ■.. .. .. .. .. 50 Waikato Carbonization Plant .. .. .. .. .. 50 West Coast District —Summary of Operations at each Colliery .. .. 53-59 Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 58 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 57 Output .. .. .. ■ .. .. .. .. .. 53 Prosecutions .. .. • •.. . . .. .. .. 58 Southern District—Summary of Operations at each Colliery .. .. 59-64 Accidents .. .. .. ■ .. .. .. .. .. 63 Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Output .. •.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Annexure B —Colliery Statistics .. .. -.. .. .. .. 65-69 Appendix C—Report of Boards of Examiners —Certificates issued .. .. 70, 71

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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. C. E. MACMILLAN, MINISTER OF MINES.

Me. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1932. GOLD-MINING. As forecasted by me in the statement for the preceding year, there has been a satisfactory increase in the quantity of bullion produced during the year 1932 when compared "with the previous twelve months. During the year 1932 729,146 oz., valued at £1,019,814, was produced, an increase in quantity of 164,275 oz., and in value of £362,625, as compared with the previous year. The quantity produced is the greatest recorded since 1918, and the value the greatest since 1917. The gold content of the bullion for 1932 is estimated at 166,354 oz., valued at £974,734, as compared with 129,861 oz., valued at £627,451, for 1931. MINERAL PRODUCTION. 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 1932 and 1931 :— _____ __ —- ' "—~ ' ~~~ ~~~ ' ~ I

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 £2,883,211, as compared with £2,913,798 during 1931. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1932 amounted to £181,939,560.

1932. 1931. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* 729,146 oz. 1,019,814 564,871 oz. 657,189 S inUm ■' " I! 3,ift-to 17,300 Stone "" •• ■■ 241,920 ... 316,366 Pumice .. 3,166 tons 11,812 2,321 tons 7,589 Coal " .. •• 1,842,022 „ 1,842,022 2,157,756 „ 2,157,756 Silica-sand •• " Quicksilver •• •• __I1_1_ _______ Totals .. •• •• £3,115,568 .. £3,163,519 * 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 1932 and 1931 : —

GOLDFIELDS REVENUE AND GOLD DUTY. The amount of goldfields revenue received and payable to local bodies during the year ended 31st March, 1933, was £15,823 ss. 6d., and the amount received and payable to Native and European owners and special endowments was £220 18s. 9d. During the same period the sum of £30,432 7s. was received by way of duty on gold exported, of which £22,225 16s. was credited to the Consolidated Fund, and the balance of £8,206 lls. was credited to the Local Bodies' Deposit Accoxmt for the benefit of the local bodies in whose districts the gold was won, so that during the year the total sum of £24,029 16s. 6d. was received on behalf of the local bodies from these sources. MINING PRIVILEGES. That increased interest is being maintained in the mining industry is shown by the fact that during the year ended 31st March, 1933, 1,982 licenses for mining privileges were granted under the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926, as compared with 1,276 for the previous year. Out of this number 383 were licenses for claims authorizing the holders to mine for gold. For the same period 154 mining privileges including twelve licenses for claims, were struck off the registers under the provisions of section 188 of the Act. The efficient handling of this greatly increased activity has added enormously to the work carried out by the officers of the Mines Department, including the Wardens and their respective staffs, and I think that it is not out of place here for me to express to all of them my personal appreciation of the cheerful and efficient manner in which they have performed their duties, often under severe pressure, and necessitating the working of long hours. A great mass of information relating to gold-mining areas has been disseminated by the Department during the past twelve months, and has been found helpful by many persons who are taking an interest in mining. PROSPECTING FOR OIL. During the year two companies (one in the North Island and one in the South Island) were engaged in boring for oil in the Dominion, the aggregate footage bored being 1,145 ft. 6 A production of 228,061 gallons of oil was obtained from the Moturoa No. 2 well at New Plymouth. The total production of crude petroleum oil to the 31st December, 1932, is estimated at 1,897,789 gallons. COAL-MINING. The production of coal during 1932 again fell away and was less than the 1931 figures by 315,734 tons, or approximately 700,000 tons less than the record output of 1930. It is almost as low as that of 1907 when 3,910 men were employed in the industry whereas 4,636 men were at work in or about the coal-mines in 1932. In 1931 there were 5,745 men so employed.

Dividends Number of ProducProduction of Bullion. paid by Registered tive Claims and Class of Gold-mining. Companies. Dredges. 19 32- 1931. 1932. 1931. 1932. 1931. Oz. £ Oz. £ £ £ Quartz .. .. 684,272 758,231 538,070 532,152 177,230 106,087 49 32 Alluvial.. .. 27,214 151,054 15,306 70,110 3,465 470 1907 726 Dredging .. 17,660 110,529 11,495 54,927 7,000 : . .. 4 5 Totals .. 729,146 1,019,814 564,871 657,189 187,695 106,557 763

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The increasing use of electricity and of fuel oil has greatly reduced the demand for coal for power and other purposes. The displacement of steam plants, used to generate power, by the Arapuni hydro-electric plant again being put into commission was chiefly responsible for the decrease in the output of brown coal in the Waikato district, and the decline in the requirements of railways and the reduced demand of shipping companies for bunker coal is reflected in the reduced production of bituminous coal on the West Coast. The requirements of coal for railways, shipping, and gasmaking constitute the greatest outlet for bituminous coal, and to illustrate the position the following statement shows the tonnages used by these services yearly from to 1931-32 inclusive, also the relative position based on the 1928-29 figures, using 100 as index figure for that year.

It will be seen from these figures that by comparing the consumption of 1931-32 with that of 1928-29 the use of coal on the Railways declined by about 10 per cent., bunkers declined by about 45 per cent., and gasworks by less than J per cent. As showing the decreasing market in New Zealand for coal, the following table, giving the consumption of coal, is illuminating : —

Decrease per head since 1914, 1-23 tons, or 49-2 per cent. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows : —

The quantity of coal imported during the year 1932 —namely, 103,531 tons— shows a reduction of 75,529 tons when compared with the quantity imported during the previous year, and it is the lowest quantity imported since 1899, when 99,655 tons were imported.

1928-29. 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. Tnns Illdex Tons IndeX Tons IndeX Tnno Index ±ons - Figure. ±onSl Figure. ions - Figure. ions - Figure. Railways .. 409,677 100 476,268 116-25 433,004 105-69 369,044 90-08 Shipping .. 319,204 100 315,672 98-89 246,239 77-14 176,811 55-39 Gasworks .. 220,825 100 227,521 103-03 239,788 108-58 220,101 99-67 Totals .. 949,706 100 1,019,461 107-34 919,031 96-77 765,956 80-65

Year. Tons consumed. Population. Consumption per Head. Tons. 1914 .. .. 2,853,684 1,140,172 2-50 1924 .. .. 2,757,690 1,352,618 2-04 1929 .. .. 2,751,520 1,472,925 1-86 1932 .. .. 1,945,497 1,526,115 1-27

Output of Coal during 1932. Total Output Glass of Coal. Northern West Coast Southern _, , to ?>* Distriot District District Total. - tjnd o£ 1932 - (North Island). (South Island). (South Island). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bitu- 118,127 810,107 .. 928,234 46,476,955 minous Brown .. .. .. 489,342 33,242 283,813 806,397 26,707,377 Lignite .. .. .. .. 661 106,730 107,391 4,656,237 Totals for 1932 .. 607,469 844,010 390,543 1,842,022 77,840,569 Totals for 1931 .. 834,899 890,494 432,363 2,157,756 75,998,547

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LOW-TEMPERATURE CARBONIZATION. The coal carbonizing and briquetting plant, having a total capacity of 150 tons throughput of raw coal per day of eight hours, established at Rotowaro in 1931 by the Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., at a cost of approximately £160,000 for the treatment of surplus slack coal has continued to make steady progress. During the year 1932 the raw coal treated amounted to 19,957 tons, from which 10,500 tons carbonettes were manufactured, 134,380 gallons of tar treated, and 204 tons of pitch and 87,950 gallons of oil made. The pitch was used by the company in the manufacture of the carbonettes, while some of the light oil was sold as fuel, and the balance, after further treatment, was disposed of as a weed-killer. It is the intention of the company to subject the oils to a further cleansing or refining process so as to produce a high-grade Diesel oil and other products. INVESTIGATIONS, NEW COALS. Owing to the termination of the activities of the Coal Research Association, caused by the present trade depression, the programme of investigations on New Zealand coals has necessarily been considerably curtailed. The briquetting investigation carried out with the aid of a semi-com-mercial experimental plant erected on the State Coal premises at Wellington has been completed. The results have been published in bulletin form (Bulletin No. 39, New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research) and embody experiments on the briquetting of a number of New Zealand coals and blends, and practical domestic-firing and steam-raising trials have demonstrated the suitability of briquettes for these purposes. The work has shown that in some localities there is a possibility of commercial success, and as a result it is probable that briquetting may be undertaken on a commercial scale in the near future. The Department has recognized the possible danger of accumulations of hydrogen sulphide gas in coal-mines, and work is at present being .carried out at the Dominion Laboratory -with a view to providing a convenient means for its detection and estimation. The protection of concrete stoppings in mines against the destructive action of acid mine-waters is also receiving attention, but the work has not yet been completed. Progress abroad in connection with the utilization of coal, particularly in regard to the production of oil from coal by the hydrogenation process, has been closely followed. Although great technical advances have been accomplished, it is unlikely, owing to the present low prices of petroleum and its products, that the conversion of coal into oil could be made a commercial success in New Zealand, at any rate not in the immediate future. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1932 and 1931 : —

Inspection District. Totals. ClaSSifiCatiOn - N«U» West Coast (of , ***** ~~ ,„, *"»"• (North Island). South Island). <«*£g** De »_ Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 893 1,164 1,579 3,636 1,870 Inc.l,766 Ironstone .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 Dec. 25 Cinnabar .. .. .• •• •• •• .. 58 ,, 58 Coal .. .. -. 1,339 2,313 984 4,636 5,745 „1,109 Stone-quarries under the Stone- 1,396 187 305 1,888 1,995 „ 107 quarries Act Oil .. 10 .. 6 16 56 „ 40 Silica-sand.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 ,, 1 Totals .. .. 3,638 3,664 2,874 10,176 9,750 Inc. 426

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MINING AND QUARKY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 3,636 men were ordinarily employed, two persons were killed and two persons seriously injured. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 1,888 men, there were no fatal accidents but two serious accidents. In coal-mines, where 4,636 persons were ordinarily employed, twelve persons were killed and eighteen persons seriously injured. CO-OPERATIVE MINING, STATE COAL RESERVE. Eighteen co - operative parties working v portions of the State Coal Reserve near Greymouth produced during the year 1932 98,925 tons, the number of men employed being 151. During the previous year seventeen parties produced 108,220 tons, there being a decrease this year of 9,295 tons. STATE COAL-MINES. Through the reduced consumption of coal caused by present economic conditions and the increasing use of fuel oil and electricity the outputs from the State collieries, in common with other collieries, showed a reduction as compared with the previous year, resulting in a consequent reduction in the number of days worked by the men. Notwithstanding the decreased business, the Department did not dismiss the excess number of men employed. Considering the very difficult trading year, the financial results . must be considered as satisfactory, the profit made for the year ended 31st March, 1933, after providing for interest and depreciation, being £11,763. Of this amount, the sum of £8,214 was transferred to the sinking fund, leaving a net surplus for the year of £3,549. The operations of the State coal-mines and State coal-depots for the year are briefly reviewed hereunder. Output and Sales. The operations of the State coal-mines and State coal-depots for the year ended 31st March, 1933, are briefly reviewed hereunder. Liverpool Colliery. —The gross output for the year was 99,290 tons, as compared with 120,561 tons for last year, a reduction of 21,271 tons. James Colliery.— -The gross output for the year was 29,981 tons, as compared with 38,018 tons for last year, a reduction of 8,037 tons. A comparative statement for the two years is shown hereunder: —

Note. —The difierenoe between the gross and the net output is the allowance for mine consumption and waste. In addition to the above, 3,157 tons of coal were purchased for resale, of which 2,636 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, 29,155 tons ; railways, 23,162 tons ; other Government Departments, 3,363 tons ; shipping, 6,836 tons; gasworks, 52,769 tons ; other consumers, 6,170 tons : total, 121,455 tons. The total sales of State coal from the Liverpool Mine for the year amounted to 94,031 tons, value £114,432,* as compared with 107,944 tons, value £135,505,* for last year —a decrease of 13,913 tons, with a decrease in value of £21,073.

* These values include sales made o. and f. and f.o.b. as well as f.o.r.

Output, in Tons, 1932-33. Output, in Tons, 1931-32. Mine. Gross. Net. Gross. Net. Liverpool .. .. 99,290 93,780 120,561 114,560 James .. .. 29,981 29,020 38,018 36,622

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The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £l 4s. 4-lcL, a decrease of 9-2 d. on last year's average. The total sales of State coal from the James Mine for the year (inclusive of coal purchased—69 tons) amounted to 27,424 tons, value £36,131,* as compared with 35,968 tons, value £43,785,* for last year —a decrease of 8,544 tons, with a decrease in value of £7,654. The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £l 6s. 4"2 d. per ton, an increase of 2s. on last year's average. The sales of coal, &c, through the medium of the depots totalled 89,482 tons, value £158,873, as against 106,083 tons, value £190,818, for last year. 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 of the position of Capital Account, reserve funds, and other accounts shown therein : — £ The payments for interest totalled .. .. .. .. 5,557 The cost of sea carriage of coal amounted to . . . . .. 32,280 The cost of railway haulage amounted to . . . . .. 30,818 The total wages paid for coal-winning were .. . . .. 68,428 The amount paid for management and office salaries (Head Office and mines) totalled .. . . . . . . .. 3,254 The gross capital expenditure on the whole undertaking to the 31st March, 1933, was .. .. .. .. .. .. 675,937 The total depreciation written off to date (equal to 74-4 per cent, of the gross capital expenditure) amounts to . . .. .. 502,923 The amount written off for depreciation for the year was .. 9,463 The present book value of permanent or fixed assets is .. .. 173,014 The loan capital stands at .. .. .. .. 133,733 The net profits of the State Coal-mines Account from inception to 31st March, 1933, after allowing for the special depreciation of Colliery Development Accounts, are .. .. .. 157,102 The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1933, was .. 11,763 The Sinking Fund is in credit .. .. .. .. 8,299 The amount taken out of the Sinking Fund during the year and applied in reduction of loan capital was .. .. . . 7,950 General Reserve stands at .. .. .. .. . . 145,254 The amount at credit of Profit and Loss is . . .. . . 3,549 The cash in hand and in the Public Account as at 31st March, 1933, was (last year £6,784) .. .. '.. .. ' .. 11,676 Housing. Thirty-five loans have been granted to miners and others, under the Department's housing scheme, to enable the workmen to erect and own their own houses. The loans, which range from £250 to £300, are repayable, together with interest, by fortnightly instalments over a term of twenty years. No new loans were granted during the year under review. SOCIAL AMENITIES AT MINING TOWNSHIPS. The amenities referred to in previous statements are being well maintained and continue to be patronized by miners and their families. Tennis and bowling tournaments have become a feature of the social life in mining townships. At G-ranity the work of constructing a bowling-green has been undertaken by the Returned Soldiers' Association, and unemployed ex-soldiers are engaged in the work. It is expected the green will be completed during the coming season. From the State Coal-mines Account grants were authorized to assist the Runanga Borough Council in maintaining streets and for street-lighting and towards the cost of painting the Seddon Memorial Institute.

* These values include sales made c. and f. and f.o.b. as well as f.o.r.

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GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. During the 1932-33 field season the Geological Survey continued work in the Eketahuna and Amuri Subdivisions and began the systematic mapping of the Naseby district. The Eketahuna district contains numerous gas springs and other manifestations of the presence of oil; several bores have been drilled, but without success. Limestone occurs in large amount in the Amuri district, and there are bands of phosphatic material that may have local value. The Naseby Subdivision includes several old alluvial goldfields in which interest has recently revived, as well as thick deposits of lignite so far used only locally. L In addition to the systematic exploration of the subdivisions named, an ofhcer has been in Otago throughout the summer and autumn. He has examined and mapped several gold-bearing areas, and has assisted in interpreting the data obtained by the geophysical observers working on the problems of detailed structure of particular deposits in the same region. A second officer visited the West Coast during April and May. He has examined most of the alluvial goldfields on or near the coast between Westport and Okarito, and has reported on areas suitable for testing by the magnetic method of geophysical survey. Soil mapping has been carried out in Taranaki and in Waipa County. Six weeks were spent in Taranaki in preparing for the Department of Agriculture a reconnaissance map covering 650 square miles and showing areas covered by soils derived from several showers of volcanic ash from Mount Egmont. The chief work for the year, however, was in Waipa County where the soils of an area of 50 square miles were mapped in considerable detail. SCHOOLS OF MINES. Nine candidates sat at the annual Schools of Mines examinations held in November, 1932, for the six scholarships offered annually by the Department to students attending the various Schools of Mines within the Dominion, and, of these candidates, six (one each from the Waihi and Westport Schools and two each from the Thames and Dunedin Schools) were successful in gaining scholarships, which are tenable for four years at the University of Otago. The expenditure on Schools of Mines for the year ended 31st March, 1933, was £3,094, as compared with £3,641 for the previous year. MINEES' PENSIONS. The Pensions Act, 1926, as amended, provides for payment of pensions to miners seriously and permanently incapacitated by miner's phthisis contracted while mining in New Zealand. The rate of pension for an unmarried miner is £l 2s. 6d. a week, with 9s a week added for his wife, if married, and a maximum of 9s. a week for each dependent child under fifteen, subject to a limit of £3 16s. 6d. a week for the family. " The widow of a miner who dies of miner's phthisis while entitled to pension is entitled to receive 15s. 9d. a week for the period of two years immediately following the husband's death. The scheme is administered by the Pensions Department, and the following summary of operations for the year ended 31st March, 1933, has been supphed by the Commissioner of Pensions : — Payments from Ist November, 1915, to 31st March, 1932 574,257 Payments 1932-33 . . •• •• ..62,564 £636,821 Number of new grants for year 1932-33 .. 100 Annual value of new grants . . . . • • £7,557 Is. Number of pensions in force at 31st March, 1933 743 Annual value of pensions in force at 31st March, 1933 £56,618 7s. Average pension per annum . . • ■ £76 4s. Id. Number of pensions granted to 31st March, 1933 2,057 Dissections of pensions in force at 31st March, 1933 : — Unmarried miners . . • ■ • • .. 182 Married miners . • ■ • • • • • Miners' widows . . • • • • .. 133

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COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND. The Miners' Sick and Accident Funds having been abolished as from the 1M April, 1926, and incorporated in the Coal-miners' Relief Fund, all accident relief'payments are now made from the latter fund, which is administered by the Public Trustee. The rate of interest allowed on the fund was decreased from 4| per cent, to 4 per cent, as from the Ist April, 1932. The interest earned for the twelve months ended 81st» March, 1933, was £920 Is. 4d., as against £1,188 15s. 6d. for the previous year, while for the same periods the receipts from the-§d. per ton contributions were £3,804 17s. Bd. and £4,404 17s. 10d. respectively. The total expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1933, amounted to £4,722 4s. 5d., as against £6,362 3s. 2d. for the previous year. The amount standing to the credit of the fund as at the 31st March, 1933, was £23,124 19s. 2d., as against £23,122 4s. 7d. at the 31st March, 1932. STATE AID TO MINING. As in previous years, considerable use was made of the Government prospecting drills. They were hired by twelve parties, and a total of 6,511 ft. was drilled. The sum of £6,000 was voted for expenditure by way of subsidies for prospecting. The balance of unexpended authorities at the 31st March, 1932, and those issued during the year, less cancellations, amounted to £7,665 19s. 7d. Of this amount the sum of £3,032 2s. sd. was expended by way of actual subsidies during the year, leaving a balance of £4,633 17s. 2d. authorized but not spent at the 31st March, 1933. In addition, the sum of £377 11s. 10d. was expended by the Department in connection with the Unemployment Board's prospecting schemes. The number of men given employment through the subsidies granted by the Mines Department was 216. In addition, approximately 2,500 men were assisted up to the 31st March, 1933, under the Unemployment Board's prospecting schemes, at an approximate cost of £82,000. Provision totalling £3,146, including £2,756 in the Public Works Fund, was made for expenditure by way of direct grants and subsidies for roads and tracks. The balance of the unexpended authorities at the 31st March, 1932, and those issued during the year amounted to £2,061 9s. 6d. Of this amount the sum of £1,181 16s. 2d. was expended. As usual, all applications for assistance in this direction were carefully investigated, and, having regard to the necessity for curtailing expenditure as far as possible, assistance was granted in those cases where the results of the investigations warranted it. The expenditure on Schools of Mines amounted to £3,094. SUBSIDIES TO UNEMPLOYED TO PROSPECT FOR GOLD. The figures quoted in the previous paragraph show that the assistance afforded through the Unemployment Board and the Mines Department is being availed of by increasing numbers of men. At the beginning of the year 1931 my predecessor in office viewed with anxiety the increasing number of men thrown out of employment and the great need for finding work for them which would be profitable to themselves as well as to the Dominion. As its own vote was exhausted he made representations to the Right Hon. Minister of Finance and the Unemployment Board to make available a sum out of the Unemployment Fund to subsidize married men to enable them to go prospecting for gold. As a result of these representations, the sum of £2,000 was made available and individual subsidies were authorized by the Minister of Mines, and the prospecting was supervised by the Inspectors of Mines.

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Later on, the scheme was extended to the Thames and Coromandel districts, but the subsidy was applied to men both married and single who were eligible for relief in accordance with the rules governing eligibility under the Unemployment Board's Scheme No. 5. These men worked under the control of supervisors whose salaries were paid until quite recently out of the Mines Department's vote ; the subsidies being paid out of the Unemployment Fund. The scheme was extended to other parts of New Zealand, and two qualified Mining Engineers were added to the staff of the Mines Department to examine and report on areas in order to ascertain which would be suitable for prospecting by subsidized men. An area was set aside at the Maggie and Maud Creeks in the Howard District, and a large number of men were placed on development work and afterwards upon claims. Many of these men, as well as many in other districts, are able to supplement their subsidies by the sale of gold, the men repaying to the Unemployment Board, under arrangement, 10 per cent, of the proceeds of gold won. As the number of subsidized men increased it became necessary to control them locally, and mining executive committees were established by the Unemployment Board in the several counties situated in mining districts. In necessitous cases equipment is supplied to the men and the cost thereof is recovered from the proceeds of gold won. ; In the event of men winning sufficient gold to provide for themselves and families their subsidies are discontinued. The advantages of assisting men to prospect for gold are that they are provided with occupations away from the towns, they are actually working for themselves, and in many cases they are able to augment their subsidy by the winning of gold or become independent of the subsidy altogether and thus preserve their self-respect. About fifteen hundred men were being subsidized by the Unemployment Board as at the end of December, 1932, and since then the number so assisted has been increased to about 3,700 men. The Mines Department's officials are co-operating closely with the Unemployment Board in its gold-mining activities. Much useful and profitable work has been carried out by Miners' Prospectors Associations in several parts of the Dominion from the proceeds of several art unions which have been held, and it is hoped that it will be possible to obtain more grants from this source for that purpose.

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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY MINES STATEMENT.

No. 1. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold and other Minerals and Allied Substances exported during the Years ended the 31st December, 1932 and 1931, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal-output is also included.

For Year ended the For Year ended the . , Total fr °?l* h( r ., 31st December, 1932. 31st December, 1931. 1st January, 1853 to the ' 31st December, 1932. Name of Metal or Mineral. I Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Precious metals— Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. £ Gold* .. .. .. 167.784 925,950 139,974 577,612 24,223,812 95,962,074 Silver .. .. .. 517,878 40,547 551,259 34,424 28,478,094 3,264,645 Total gold and silver .. 685,662 966,497 691,233 612,036 52,701,906 99,226,719 Mineral pioduce, including kauri- Tona. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ gum— Copper-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,504 19,390 Chrome-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. . 5,869 38,002 Antimony-ore .. .. .. .. 4 5 9 <y 36 55,081 Manganese-ore .. .. .. .. .. | .. 19,386ii 62,011 Hsematite-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 469 Tungsten-ore .. .. 1±% 710 320 312,239 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. 7,760 33|i 17,284 Sulphur (crude) .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,927 13,241 Mixed mineralsf •• •• 11,832 2,380ig 7,780 378,554 Coal (New Zealand) exported 35,866 56,321 48,334 83,393 6,475,683 7,211,446 Coke exported .... 2 13 3 15 17,742 28,112 Coal, output of mines in Do- 1,806,156 1,785,701 2,109,422 2,074,363 71,364,886 51,541,162 minion (less exports) Oil-shale .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,444 7,236 Kauri-gum .. .. 2,068 62,137 3,058 128,095 422,248 23,021,999 Pig iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,614 6,615 Total quantity and value of 1,916,714 2,163,222i§ 2,301,762 82,712,841 minerals Value of gold and silver, as above .. 966,497 .. 612,036 .. 99,226,719 Total value of minerals, including .. 2,883,211 .. 2,913,798 .. 181,939,560 gold and silver *In respect of gold, ounces of the fineness of 20 carats and upwards. f Including pumice-sand, 3,166 tons.

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No. 2. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold exported from New Zealand for the Years ended the 31st December, 1932 and 1931, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st december, 1932.

Year ended Year ended 31st December, 1932. 31st December, 1931. Total Quantity and Value District and County or Borough. from January, 1857, to 31at December, 1932. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland— Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. £ County of Ohinemuri .. 6,187 32,444 48 190 County of Coromandel .. 242 1,431 304 1,243 County of Thames .. .. 5 30 19 72 County of Piako .. .. 7 41 Borough of Waibi .. .. 77,162 438,241 81,999 343,724 Borough of Thames .. 439 2,685 884 3,610 84,042 474,872 83,254 348,839 7,800,264 30,559,126 Wellington .. .. .. . • ■ ■ • • I 88 706 Maklborough— County of Marlborough .. 1,974 10,282 1,591 6,431 County of Sounds .. .. 54 302 52 199 2,028 10,584 1,643 6,630 112,366 440,343 Nelson— County of Collingwood .. 467 2,915 195 724 County of Murchison .. 1,757 10,611 835 3,318 County of Waimea .. .. 43 233 ' 8 32 County of Takaka .. .. 6 32 1 2,273 13,791 1,038 4,075 1,746,073 6,927,693 West Coast — County of Grey .. .. 2,054 | 11,767 616 1 2,457 County of Buller .. .. 1,112 | 6,384 1,169 4,652 County of Inangahua .. 34,266 179,558 26,477 103,896 County of Westland .. 21,533 116,623 12,511 51,581 58,965 314,332 40,773 162,586 6,723,273 26,768,219 Canterbury— County of Ashburton .. 3 13 3 13 .. I .. 160 633 Otago— County of Taieri .. .. 19 I 101 County of Tuapeka .. 3,066 16,725 1,536 6,212 County of Vincent .. .. 2,262 12,397 1,180 5,100 County of Maniototo .. 3,707 21,543 3,157 13,914 County of Waitaki .. .. 502 2,532 226' 1,041 County of Lake .. .. 2,115 11,575 1,066 4,335 County of Wallace .. .. 673 3,574 587 2,308 County of Southland .. 6,951 37,642 4,158 16,889 County of Waihemo .. 1,107 5,953 318 1,406 County of Bruce .. .. 8 39 County of Clutha .. .. 6 30 20,416 112,111 12,228 51,205 7,828,575 31,213,397 Unknown .. ,. .. 57 247 1,038 4,277 12,913 51,957 Totals .. .. 167,784 925,950 139,974 577,612 24,223,812 95,962,074

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No. 3. Diagram showing Total Value of Gold, Silver, and other Minerals, Coal, and Kauri-gum, and also Value of Gold alone, exported Annually from New Zealand for the Years 1854 to 1932.

Table showing Quantity of Gold exported annually from New Zealand from 1857 to 1932.

Ypar Quantity. 1857 .. 10,437 1858 .. 13,534 1859 .. 7,336 1860 .. 4,538 1861 .. 194,031 1862 .. 410,862 1863 .. 628,450 1864 .. 480,171 1865 .. 574,574 1866 .. 735,376 1867 .. 686,905 1868 .. 637,474 1869 .. 614,281 1870 .. 544,880 1871 .. 730,029 1872 .. 445,370 1873 .. 505,337 1874 .. 376,388 1875 .. 355,322

Year. Quantity. Oz. 1876 .. 322,016 1877 .. 371,685 1878 .. 310,486 1879 .. 287,464 1880 .. 305,248 1881 .. 270,561 1882 .. 251,204 1883 .. 248,374 1884 .. 229,946 1885 .. 237,371 1886 .. 227,079 1887 .. 203,869 1888 .. 201,219 1889 • .. 203,211 1890 .. 193,193 1891 .. 251,996 1892 .. 238,079 1893 .. 226,811 1894 .. 221,615

Year. Quantity. 1895 .. 293,491 1896 .. 263,694 1897 .. 251,645 1898 .. 280,175 1899 .. 389,558 1900 .. 373,616 1901 .. 455,561 1902 .. 508,045 1903 .. 533,314 1904 .. 520,320 1905 .. 520,486 1906 .. 563,843 1907 .. 508,210 1908 .. 506,423 1909 .. 506,371 1910 .. 478,288 1911 .. 455,226 1912 .. 343,163 1913 .. 376,161

Year. Quantity. Oz. 1914 .. 227,954 1915 .. 422,825 1916 .. 292,620 1917 .. 218,624 1918 .. 11,987 1919 .. 320,210 1920 .. 212,973 1921 .. 149,595 1922 .. 131,848 1923 .. 169,512 1924 .. 133,631 1925 .. 114,696 1926 .. 125,777 1927 .. 130,171 1928 .. 118,722 1929 .. 116,848 1930 .. 133,749 1931 .. 139,974 1932 .. 167,784

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No. 4. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1932 and 1931, together with the Total Approximate Quantity of Coal produced since the Mines were opened.

No. 5. Table showing the Output of Different Classes of Coal.

Output. Approximate Total Output Name of Coalfield. Increase. Decrease. up to 1932. 1931. 31et mber> Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. North Auckland .. .. 118,127 129,725 .. ■ 11,598 5,486,577 Waikato (including Taranaki) .. 489,342 705,174 .. 215,832 12,742,440 Nelson .. .. .. 23,007 18,578 4,429 .. 529,747 Buller .. .. .. 331,662 380,629 .. 48,967 23,336", 778 Reefton .. .. .. 32,646 39,003 .. 6,357 789,899 Grey .. .. .. 456,695 452,284 4,411 .. 15,111,169 Canterbury .. .. .. 13,750 12,088 1,662 .. 998,910 Otago .. .. .. 190,550 178,420 12,130 .. 12,591,181 Southland .. ,. .. 186,243 241,855 .. 55,612 6,253,868 Totals .. .. 1,842,022* 2,157,756 .. .. 77,840,569 * Decrease, 315,734 tons.

Approximate Output. Total Output Class of Coal. Increase. Decrease. to the 31st December, 1932. 1931. 1932. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous .. 928,234 979,636 .. 51,402 46,476,955 Brown .. .. .. 806,397 1,069,749 .. 263,352 26,707,377 Lignite .. .. .. 107,391 108,371 .. 980 4,656,237 Totals ., .. 1,842,022 2,157,756 .. .. 77,840,569

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No. 6. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Oilshale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.

Coal and Shale raised in the Dominion. Coal imported. Year. m Yearly Increase or rp Increase over Decrease below Decrease. Preceding Year. Preceding Year. Prior to 1878 .. 709,931 1878 .. .. 162,218 .. 174,148 1879 .. .. 231,218 Inc. 69,000 158,076 .. 16,072 1880 .. .. 299,923 „ 68,705 123,298 .. 34,778 1881 .. .. 337,262 „ 37,339 129,962 6,664 1882 .. .. 378,272 „ 41,010 129,582 .. 380 1883 .. .. 421,764 „ 43,492 123,540 .. 6,042 1884 .. .. 480,831 „ 59,069 148,444 24,904 1885 .. .. 511,063 „ 30,232 130,202 .. 18,242 1886 .. .. 534,353 „ 23,290 119,873 .. 10,329 1887 .. .. 558,620 „ 24,267 107,230 .. 12,643 1888 .. .. 613,895 „ 55,275 101,341 .. 5,889 1889 .. .. 586,445 Dec. 27,450 128,063 26,722 1890 .. .. 637,397 Inc. 50,952 110,939 .. 17,124 1891 .. .. 668,794 „ 31,397 125,318 14,379 1892 .. .. 673,315 „ 4,521 125,453 135 1893 .. .. 691,548 „ 18,233 117,444 .. 8,009 1894 .. .. 719,546 „ 27.998 112,961 .. 4,483 1895 .. .. 726,654 „ 7,108 108,198 .. 4,763 1896 .. .. 792,851 „ 66,197 101,756 .. 6,442 1897 .. .. 840,713 „ 47,862 110,907 9.151 1898 .. .. 907,033 „ 66,320 115,427 4,520 1899 .. .. 975,234 „ 68,201 99,655 .. 15,772 1900 .. .. 1,093,990 „ 118,756 124,033 24,378 1901 .. .. 1,239,686 „ 145,696 149,764 25,731 1902 .. .. 1,365,040 „ 125,354 127,853 .. 21,911 1903 .. .. 1,420,229 „ 55,189 163,923 36,070 1904 .. .. 1,537,838 „ 117,609 147,196 .. 16,727 1905 .. .. 1,585,756 „ 47,918 169,046 21.850 1906 .. .. 1,729,536 „ 143,780 207,567 38,521 1907 .. .. 1,831,009 „ 101,473 220,749 13,182 1908 .. .. 1,860,975 „ 29,966 287,808 67,059 1909 .. .. 1,911,247 „ 50,272 258,185 .. 29,623 1910 .. .. 2,197,362 „ 286,115 232,378 .. 25,807 1911 .. .. 2,066,073 Dec. 131,289 188,068 .. 44,310 1912 .. .. 2,177,615 Inc. 111,542 364,359 176,291 1913 .. .. 1,888,005 Dec. 289,610 468,940 104,581 1914 .. .. 2,275,614 Inc. 387,609 518,070 49,130 1915 .. .. 2,208,624 Dec. 66,990 353,471 .. 164,599 1916 .. .. 2,257,135 Inc. 48,511 293,956 .. 59,515 1917 .. .. 2,068,419 Dec. 188,716 291,597 .. 2,359 1918 .. .. 2,034,250 „ 34,169 255,332 .. 36,265 1919 .. .. 1,847,848 „ 186,402 391,434 136,102 1920 .. .. 1,843,705 „ 4,143 476,343 84,909 1921 .. .. 1,809,095 „ 34,610 822,459 346,116 1922 .. .. 1,857,819 Inc. 48,724 501,478 .. 320,981 1923 .. .. 1,969,834 „ 112,015 445,792 .. 55,686 1924 .. .. 2,083,207 „ 113,373 674,483 228,691 1925 .. .. 2,114,995 „ 31,788 572,573 .. 101,910 1926 .. .. 2,239,999 „ 125.004 483,918 .. 88,655 1927 .. .. 2.366,740 „ 126,741 378,090 .. 105,828 1928 .. .. 2,436,753 „ 70,013 247,861 .. 130,229 1929 .. ... 2,535,864 „ 99,111 215,656 .. 32,205 1930 .. .. 2,542,092 „ 6,228 157,943 .. 57,713 1931 .. .. 2,157,756 Dec. 384,336 179,060 21,117 1932 .. .. 1,842,022 „ 315,734 103,531 .. 75,529

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No. 7. 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 1932. Imports.

The values shown are the current domestic values in countries of export plus 10 per cent.

Exports: Bunkers.

Exports: Cargo.

3—C. 2.

Country whence imported. Tons. Value. £ United Kingdom . . . . .. 500 750 Australia .. .. .. .. 103,031 110,627 Totals .. .. .. 103,531 111,377

Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to which exported. - 7 — Tons. Value. Tons. Value. £ £ United Kingdom ... .. 15,422 31,173 Australia .. .. .. 11,327 14,631 280 412 Fiji .. .. .. .. 800 1,670 Nauru Island ., .. .. 2,114 2,114 Canada .. . . .. 60 125 Tuamotu Archipelago . . .. j 1,658 1,658 Gilbert and Ellice Islands.. .. 2,158 2,158 .. .. Solomon Islands .. .. 306 680 .. ... Totals .. .. 33,845 54,209 280 412

Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to which exported. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. £ £ Fiji .. .. .. .. 12 51 Tutuila.. .. .. .. 2,008 2,059 Norfolk Island .. .. .. 1 2 Totals .. .. 2.021 2,112 I

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No. 8. Number of Persons ordinarily employed at or about Mines other than Coal-mines during the year ended 31st december, 1932.

Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand Mines during 1932 and 1931.

Number of Persons ordinarily employed at Total. County or Borough. ~ Mines other ~ I G0 Min q e U s artZ *£« d «°i d es . thanGold l fl32 . ,931. Mines. ° and Coal. . Northern Inspection District. County of Whangarei .. ... .. .. . . .. .. 5 Piako .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 1 Thames .. 27 .. .. .. 27 12 Ohinemuri .. ..114 .. .. .. 114 33 „ Coromandel .. .. 58 .. .. .. 58 27 Borough of Thames .. .. 67 .. .. ... 67 30 Waihi.. .. ..625 .. .. .. 625 613 County of Taranaki .. .. ,. .. .. 10 10 30 Waikohu .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 „ Whangamomona .. .. .. . , .. .. 2 „ Bay of Islands .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 West Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough .. .. .. 45 .. .. 45 27 „ Waimea .. .. .. 12 .. .. 12 Takaka.. .. .. .. 11 .. .. 11 25 Collingwood .. .. .. 48 .. .. 48 20 Murchison .. .... 210 .. .. 210 46 Buller .. .. .. 5 74 .. .. 79 27 „ Inangahua .. ..300 66 .. .. 366 206 Grey .. .. .. .. 147 .. .. 147 41 Westland .. .. 6 176 64 .. 246 140 ■ ■ ' ■'■■ Southern Inspection District. County of Ashburton .. .. .. 10 .. .. 10 1 Selwyn .. .. .. 3 .. .. 3 Tuapeka .. .. .. 299 .. .. 299 84 Vincent .. 4 431 4 .. 439 124 Maniototo .. .. 20 146 .. .. 166 103 „ Waihemo .. .. 28 56 .. .. 84 35 Waitaki .. .. .. 62 .. .. 62 23 Lake .. .. .. 2 132 11 .. 145 77 Wallace .. .. .. 101 .. .. 101 73 Southland .. .. .. 266 .. 6 272 134 „ Waikouaiti .. .. .. 4 .. .. 4 Totals .. .. 1,258 2,299 79 16* 3,652 2,010 * Employed in oil-boring operations.

1Q<!9 1Q<?1 Increase or 1932. 1931. Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten mines .. 3,636 1,870 Inc. 1,766 Other metalliferous mines .. . . 16* 140 Deo. 124 Coal-mines .. ..." .. 4,636 5,745 „ 1,109 Totals .. .. 8,288 7,755 Inc. 533 I * Employed in oil-boring operations.

n o \J ■ At •

APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT.

APPENDIX A.

REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES.

The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Undek-Secretary of Mines. Sir, — Wellington, Ist September, 1933. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries, together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1932. 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, 1932, to the 31st March, 1933. The reports, &c, are divided into the following sections : I. Minerals produced and exported. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining—(l) Quartz-mining ; (2) Dredge Mining ; (3) Alluvial Mining. V. Minerals other than Gold. VI. Stone-quarry Inspection and Statistics. VII. State Aid to Mining—(l) Subsidized Prospecting ; (2) Government Prospecting-drills ; (3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. Annexures : (A) Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines. (B) Summary of Report by Inspector of Quarries. (C) Mining Statistics.

I. MINERALS PRODUCED AND EXPORTED. The following statement shows the quantity and value of the production of metal-mines and of the value of the production from stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act during 1932 and 1931 : —

The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals (other than coal and coke) and allied substances exported during 1932 and 1931, and since Ist January, 1853 : —

1932. 1931. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. dwt. £ Oz. dwt. £ Gold and silver (estimated) .. .. .. 729,146 0 1,019,814 564,871 0 657,189 Platinum .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 10 5 Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Pig-iron .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,460 0 17,300 Stone .. .. .. .. .. .. 241,920 .. 316,366 Pumice .. .. .. .. .. 3,166 0 11,812 2,321 0 7,589 Silica-sand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 11 18 Quicksilver.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 5 7,296 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,273,546 .. 1,005,763

Total from the 1st KM» vgii Tnr-rmaf. m Tlocrenste January, 1853, to li>32. 1931. increase or Decrease. the 31st December, 1932. £ £ £ £ Gold .. .- .. .. 925,950 577,612 Inc. 348,338 95,962,074 Silver .. .. .. .. 40,547 34,424 „ 6,123 3,264,645 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 710 320 „ 390 312,239 Antimony-ore .. .. .. .. 36 Deo. 36 S5.081 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 62,137 128,095 „ 65,958 23,021,999 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. 7,760 „7,760 17,284 Sand, lime, and building-stone .. 11,820 7,752 Inc. 4,068) . . sos sis Other minerals .. .. .. 12 28 Dec. 16) . 01» Totals .. .. 1,041,176 756,027 Inc. 285,149 123,158,840

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

111. ACCIDENTS. During 1932 two fatal and two serious but non-fatal accidents occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 3,636 persons were ordinarily employed.

An account of these accidents is contained in the District Inspectors' reports attached hereto.

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 : —

Inspection District. Classification. ; - Total, 1032. Northern. West Coast.. Southern. Gold, silver, and tungsten .. .. .. .. 893 1,164 1,579 3,636 Ironstone Cinnabar Totals for 1932 .. .. .. .. 893 1,164 1,379 3,636 Totals for 1931 .. .. .. .. 774 532 648 1,954 I • In addition, 16 persons were employed in oil-boring operations.

Patal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accident?. Cause - Number of w '. „, Number of : Number of Separate numoer 01 Separate Persons Accidents iJeatns. Accidents. injured. Falls of ground.. .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 1 1 Explosives Miscellaneous, on surface .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Miscellaneous, underground .. .. .. .. .. .. .. j Totals .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2

Production of Bullion, 1932.» (All Mines.) _ .. Number of Persons Number of Dividends paid, 1932. n ,Z>riv™Spfl Productive Quartz- — (By S St r, d v?r- a?P?oduct^'and d m '^' A " UV ' aI Quantity. I Va.ue. P-*» only.» Unproduotive Mine , Oz. £ £ Quartz-mining .. 684,272 758,231 177,230 1,258 49 Alluvial miningj .. 27,214 151,054 3,465 2,299 1,907 Dredge mining .. ]7,660 110,529 7,000 79 4 Totals, 1932 .. 729,146 1,019,814 187,695 3,636 1,960 | _ ' I Totals, 1931 .. 564,871 657,189 106,557 1,870 763 * In addition to the gold produced from the gold-mines, silver was obtained from them, hence the word "bullion" is used in preference to " gold." t The profits of privately-owned dredges and mines are unobtainable, which renders this statement incomplete. % The bullion-production is from 1,907 alluvial claims, but the dividends are only obtainable from those few that are the property of registered companies.

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The total value of the bullion produced in 1932 was greater by £362,625 than that produced in 1931. Bullion from quartz-mining increased by £226,079, from alluvial mining by £80,944, and from dredge mining by £55,602.

(1) Quartz-mining.

The average value per ton of ore treated during 1932 amounted to £2 16s. 3d., as compared with £2 2s. 4d. during 1931. At the Waihi Mine 184,254 long tons of quartz was mined, from which 70,784 oz. of gold was recovered, valued at £416,056. 485,257 oz. of silver, valued at £38,922, was obtained also. The dividends for the year amounted to £99,181, bringing the total dividends to date to £6,040,646. No new exploratory work was done in the lower levels, but branch lodes were followed in the No. 12 and higher levels. A considerable amount of low-grade ore was sent to the mill, and, with the help of the gold premium, it paid the cost of breaking, treatment, and its share of the general expenditure. The Waihi Grand Junction area (also worked by the Waihi Gold-mining Company) produced 22,746 long tons of ore, from which 9,912 oz. of gold, valued at £58,852, and 61,997 oz. of silver, valued at £4,973, were recovered. Intensive prospecting of the Republic, Dominion, and Martha lodes and 103 ft. reef above No. 7 level in the Grand Junction Area, and of the Dominion lode in No. 6 level, was continued during the year by the Waihi Gold-mining Company. At the Blackwater Mine 41,402 tons of ore was crushed, yielding 24,474 oz. of gold, valued at £145,091. The total yield of gold to date is 464,554 oz., valued at £1,905,419. At the Alexander Mine 5,527 tons of ore was crushed, for a yield of 6,680 oz. of gold, valued at £38,917. At the Mount Greenland Mine 625 tons of ore was crushed, and yielded 526 oz. of sold, valued at £2,106. At the Golden Progress Mine, Central Otago, 441 tons of quartz yielded 1,004 oz. of gold, valued at £6,263. (2) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity, production, and dividends declared of bucket gold-dredges during 1932. (Note.—The dividends declared by privately-owned dredges are not obtainable for publication.)

Statute Tons of Ore treated. Value of Bullion. Dividends paid (by Kegistered Companies only). Inspection District. 1932. 1931. 1932. 1931. 1932. 1931. £ £ £ £ Northern .. .. 216,563 200,033 555,994 401,623 106,188 106 087 West Coast .. .. 47,887 49,619 189,802 118,567 69,198 Southern .. .. 5,247 1,931 12,435 11,962 1,844 Totals .. .. 269,697 251,583 758,231 532,152 177,230 106,087 I

S5 I» 4 8 "Sβ gg> '«o u o'a - «i -a™ 3' c Dividends declared. si j* s| .ij is Same ol Dredge. Locality. I *o≤ "SB 1 ,; o I o>9 n S «» f|| III II £3£ II :|g Darin, _J I O i=i S »HW -al > : Otogro and Southland. Ft. £ £ £ Golden Terrace Extended.. Shotover Rirer .. 8 18 305 E 20 < 3,821 Wesi Coast. Rimu .. .. .. Rimu Flat .. 10 19 325 E 50 92,079 .. 24,622 Okarito Five-mile Beach .. Okarito .. .. 5 10 .. H 20 13,969 7,000 7,000 Awatuna .. .. Awatuna Beach .. 7 10 250 E 22 I 660 Totals, 1932 .. .. 110,529 7,000 Unknown Totals, 1931 .. .. 54,927 . Unknown

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The Upper Nevis dredge was worked for a few weeks only towards the end of the year, a new paddock being opened up. The Golden Terrace dredge worked 2,492 hours to the end of May. From then until the end of November it was idle. It subsequently was worked for 967 hours to the end of the year; 700 oz. of gold, valued at £3,821, was recovered. The Rimu dredge put through over 2| million cubic yards of material, from which 14,524 oz. of gold, valued at £92,079, was obtained. The Okarito dredge by the end of the year had won 2,329 oz. of gold, valued at £13,969. The Awatuna dredge return again showed a decrease, being only 106 oz. of gold, valued at £660. (3) Alluvial Mining. The following is a statement showing the value of production of, and dividends declared by, alluvial gold-mines during 1932 : —

Dividends declared. ■«•<•« <*•»«■ E t7d at pfod V utl. Ot — During 1932. Total to End of 1982 £ £ £ A. Hughes and party .. .. .. .. .. 344 King Solomon Deep Lead .. .. .. .. 17,485 Nokomai Sluicing Co. .. .. .. .. .. 3,186 Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co. .. .. .. .. 3,847 Tallabuni Sluicing Co. .. .. .. .. .. 442 Sailor's Gully Sluicing Co. .. .. .. .. 2,935 1,050 10,985 Industries Ltd. .. .. .. .. .. 332 Gabriels Gully Sluicing Co. .. .. .. .. 3,268 200 20,575 W. R. Smyth .. .. .. .. .. .. 499 A. J. and R. G. Brown .. .. .. .. .. 1,020 J. A. Roche and W. George .. .. .. .. 1,085 520 570 CarrBros. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,242 Kildare Gold-mining Co. .. .. .. .. 3,481 Jones and party .. .. .. .. .. 1,176 75 J. P.Bell(Bell-Kilgour).. .. .. .. .. 1,146 Moonlight Mining Syndicate .. .. .. .. 3,169 1,620 2,380 Big Beach Gold-mining Co. .. . . .. . . 845 A. E. Smith .. .. . . . . .. .. 5,295 P. T., T. P., and James Lynch . . . . .. .. 1,094 Macrae's Flat Gold-mining Co. .. .. .. .. 1,166 A. Mutch .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,808 Terrace Gold-mining Co. .. .. .. .. 2,992 Gordon Hope .. .. .. .. .. .. 690 V. I. Penning .. .. .. .. .. .. 806 Adams and Weir .. .. .. .. .. 1,480 Round Hill Mining Co. .. .. .. .. .. 1,908 Bell, Hooper, and Co. .. .. .. .. • • \ R.J. Bell / 887 E. J. Williams and party .. .. .. .. 339 Verdon Sluicing Co. .. .. .. .. .. 524 Murchison Bros. .. .. .. .. .. 353 B. Parker .. .. .. .. .. .. 414 .. " M. and J. D. H. Brown .. .. .. .. .. 395 T. C. Hore .. .. .. .. .. .. 513 '.'. ['. N. Nicholson .. .. .. .. .. .. 580 H. M. Quilter .. .. .. .. .. .. 365 J. A. Chisholm .. .. .. .. .. 494 A. and R. Brown .. .. .. .. .. 394 Chamberlain and Tudehope .. .. .. .. 452 Mutch Bros. .. .. .. .. .. . . 524 J. Robertson .. .. .. .. .. . . 1 490 Orepuki Mining Syndicate .. .. . . .. 338 W. Crowther .. .. .. .. .. 482 Hohonu Gold-sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. .. 1,144 Stubbs and Steel .. .. .. .. 911 [[ Callaghans Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 1' 845 Golden Gate, Ltd. .. .. .. .. . . '468 Bell Hill Gold-sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. .. 524 .'. Mount David Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. . . 1 448 G. B. Powell .. .. .. .. .. .. '455 " '/_ Powell and Dickson .. .. .. .. .. 357 W. Davis .. .. .. . . .. .. 375 D. Barcovsky .. .. .. 405 Heslop and McDowell .. .. .. 445 Mahakipawa Goldfields, Ltd. .. .. .. .. 10,822 All other claims .. .. .. .. .. 61,570 Totals .. .. .. 151,054 3,465 Unknown.

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Prospecting on the Scotland Point section of the Kawarau Eiver proved an old river channel to exist, underlying what is known as the Cromwell Flat. Drives put in by Bell and Kilgour and Bell and Hooper on this deep lead proved the wash in their claims to be highly auriferous. Up to the end of the year Bell and Kilgour had won 191 oz., valued at £1,146, and Bell and Hooper won 182 oz. of gold, valued at £887. From the King Solomon Mine 2,912J oz. of gold, valued at £17,485, was won, the total since work commenced being 4,411 oz., valued at £25,260. From the Kildare Claim at St. Bathans 573 oz. of gold, valued at £3,481, was recovered, and since the present party commenced operations 1,887 oz. have been won, valued at £8,811. Boring at Livingstone, in the Waitaki County, was rather disappointing, as, except for the 4| ft. of wash met at a depth of 20 ft., the tailings were practically valueless, and the wash averaged only 9d. per cubic yard. Twenty-one boreholes were put down at Macrae's Flat to an average depth of 53 ft., and, in the Vincent County, the flat at Bendigo Creek is being bored. By the end of the year nine holes varying from 62 ft. to 118 ft. in depth had been bored. The results so far are deemed to be satisfactory. Boring was also done on the bank of the Shotover River below the Skippers Bridge. Twenty holes, averaging 22 ft. in depth, were put down. Values stated to average 2s. per cubic yard were obtained in. eleven boreholes from 14 ft. to 30 ft. in depth, put down about a mile from the Freshford Railway-station. V. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. Iron. No pig-iron was produced at the Onakaka Ironworks during 1932, although operations are soon to be partially resumed. Sulphur. No sulphur deposits were worked during the past year. Quicksilver. No work was done by the Kaikohe Development, Ltd., at Ngawha Springs, nor was any quicksilver produced from any other New Zealand mine during the past year. Petroleum. Early in the year the Southland Oil, Ltd.'s, No. 2 bore at Centre Bush was deepened from 1,552 ft. to 1,635 ft., when the rods broke. Although much work was done in recovering the rods, drawing and replacing casing, and reaming the hole, it was not drilled any deeper. At the end of 1932 the Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd.'s, No. 3 well was down to 1,062 ft. It was continued to 2,260 ft., and only a small showing of oil, with strong gas, was met from 2,105 ft. to 2,160 ft. As the well failed to produce commercially, drilling ceased there in May, 1933, and the plant was removed to a site for the No. 4 well. The No. 2 well produced an average of 625 gallons of oil per day throughout 1932. A new company has been formed to prospect for oil at Kotuku in the West Coast district by drilling fresh holes to penetrate the measures below those bored by a former company. VI. STONE-QUARRY INSPECTION AND STATISTICS. By section 2 of the Stone-quarries Amendment Act, 1920, the application of the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, 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. The Act also applies to any tunnel in the construction of which explosives are used, but it does not apply to any Government operations, or any road or railway cutting, or excavations for buildings.

C.—2.

The following is a table showing the number of quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, also the number of persons ordinarily employed thereat, and the annual output and value of crude stone during 1932 :—

There were 107 fewer men employed than during the previous year, with a decrease in the value of the stone produced of £74,446. Quakry Accidents. The following is a summary of serious accidents during 1932 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act:—'

Accounts of the accidents are given in the District Inspectors' reports attached hereto.

VII. STATE AID TO MINING. (1) Subsidized Prospecting. Upon subsidized prospecting operations 216 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 : —

I U,§ §■§ Output of Stone. It 1| i i g 8| [J £■§ *'§ ° §2 . "" a ' & Bwa .1 »i °!j Sj S I? U *«i i I ill if: jb js ii l> m i> ! i Tons, j Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. £ Auckland .. James Newton, Mines 171 929 317,219 .. .. 63,003 92,322 .. 1,200 85,118 Dept., Auckland J. F. Downey, Mines 14 63 47,140 .. .. .. .. .. .. j 13,165 Dept., Waihi (Hauraki Mining District only) Hawke'sBay James Newton, Mines 31 128 34,426 .. .. 19,678 .. .. .. 10,892 Dept., Auckland Taranaki .. Ditto .. ..14 68 21,004 .. .. 4,002 .. .. .. 5,297 Wellington „ .. ..41 208 70,556 .. .. 8,930 .. .. j 1,012 17,141 Westland '.'. y E vJ-Seoble, Mines j 2Q lg7 54 881 15 88 g 50 6 628 25,465 .. ; 2,808 19,846 ,» ,, , I Dept.. Reefton ' ' ' ' Marlborougn J r Otago .. i T -McMillan, Mines 4J 3Q5 169 g06 70352 83 4 99494 33 313 .. .. 90,461 „ J, , , 1 Dept., Dunedm Southland .. J F Totals, 1932 .. 332 1,888 714,732 86,240 884 201,735151,100 .. 5,020241,920 Totals, 1931 .. 318 1,995 871,681120,492 12,132171,159 226,247 .. 4,578316,366

Number of Accidents. Number of Sufferers Cause. Fatal. Serious. Killed. Seriously . Haulage Machinery Explosives Falls of ground .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. ] .. 1 .. 1 Totals .. .. .. .. .. . . 2 . . 2 I

G.—2.

Number Amount of Amount of Distance Nntnrp nf Same of Prospecting Party. ol Pro- Locality of Operations. Subsidy Subsidy driven . claim Character of Operations. Remarks. spectors. granted.* expended. or sunk. Northern Inspection District, £ s. d. £ s. d. : Ft. C*. J. McNeil and Son .. .. .. 2 Long Trail Claim, Coromandel .. .. 17 5 0 5 5 0 10 Quartz .. Driving . . .. Driving on gold-bearing reef. • Talisman-Dubbo Co. .. .. .. 2 Talisman-Dubbo Claim, Karangahake .. 41 6 10 41 6 10 106 Quartz .. Driving .. .. j Driving to intersect reef. k/J. W.Evans and mate .. .. 2 Surprise (White Star) Claim, Colville .. 1114 0 1114 0 30 Quartz .. Driving .. .. Nothing of value found. • Secretary, School of Mines .. .. ■. Thames .. .. .. .. 70 0 0 45 0 0 ; .. Quartz .. ! Crushing .. .. Subsidy on crushings. S. C. James .. .. .. .. 2 Golden Lily Claim, Colville .. .. 94 10 0 30 14 3 65 Quartz .. Driving .. .. i Nothing of value yet found. Nil Desperandum Syndicate .. .. 2 Nil Desperandum Claim, Coromandel .. 188 11 1 17110 11 364 Quartz .. Driving, &e. .. Driving on reefs carrying a little gold. A. J. Toogood .. .. .. 2 Grace's Find, Neavesville .. 200 0 0 . . .. Quartz .. Trenching .. .. Work not yet started. Turner and Evans .. .. .. 2 Colville .. .. .. .. 52 10 0 . . • .. Quartz .. Driving .. .. Work not started. Golden Dawn Gold-mines, Ltd. .. 6 Golden Dawn Mine, Owharoa .. .. 210 0 0 57 15 0 110 [Quartz .. ■ Driving .. .. Driving on gold-bearing reef. West Coast Inspection District. Davis and Hedwig .. .. .. 2 Ross .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 12 0 0 24 Quartz .. Sinking .. .. No results. J. Eyre ...... .. .. 1 Parapara .. .. .. .. 1500 10 00 .. Alluvial .. Development, recon- Satisfactory. ditioning water-race, &c. Thomson and Wimpenny .. .. 2 German Gully, Grey . . .. .. 25 0 0 .. 100 Alluvial .. Driving .. .. Uncompleted. A. Wickes .. . .. .. .. 1 Wakamarina .. .. . . • ■ 40 0 0 .. 200 Alluvial .. Prospecting .. Satisfactory. Davies, Moore, and Connor .. .. 3 Maud Creek, Howard .. .. .. 22 10 0 22 10 0 .. Alluvial .. Prospecting . ■. Satisfactory. Bell Hill Gold-sluicing Co. .. .. 10 Ahaura .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 100 0 0 525 Alluvial .. Sinking, kc. .. Satisfactory. Big River Gold-mining Co. .. ... I 14 Reefton .. .. .. . . 1,500 0 0 594 11 4 460 Quartz .. j Driving Satisfactory. Blackwater Mines, Ltd. .. .. 12 Reefton .. .. .. .. 175 0 0 175 0 0 70 Quartz .. j Sinking .. .. Satisfactory. Borings Ltd. .. .. .. 4 Murchison .. .. .. .. 175 0 0 63 2 6 252J Alluvial . . j Boring .. .. ; Unsatisfactory. Mahakipawa Goldfields, Ltd. .. .. 20 Mahakipawa .. .. .. .. 2 10 0 2 10 0 5 Alluvial .. Driving .. .. Unsatisfactory. Waikakaho Victory Co. .. .. 3 Waikakaho, Marlborough .. .. 103 6 8 13 6 8 40 Alluvial .. Boring .. .. Unsatisfactory. Westland Gold Prospecting Syndicate .. 3 Omeroa and Waikupakupa .. .. 197 14 0 197 14 0 1,073 Alluvia! .. Boring .. .. Unsatisfactory. Westland Prospecting Syndicate .. 4 Awatuna .. .. .. .. 136 3 7 136 3 7 970 Alluvial .. Boring .. .. Unsatisfactory. Howard Miners'Association .. Howard .. .. . .. .. 400 4 0 0,. .. .. Subsidy on purchase of ambulance equip ment for prospectors. F. Morgan and party .. .. .. 4 " The Break,"- Block 12, Waimea Survey 52 10 0 52 10 0 67 Alluvial .. Driving .. .. Satisfactory. District E, G. Blake and Sons .. .. 3 Blocks 7, 11, and 15, Mataki Survey 12 10 0 12 10 0 .. Quartz .. Prospecting .. Results fair. District Cardinal and Hewitt .. .. .. 2 | Blocks 9 and 15, Cascade Survey District.. 24 '0 0 24 0 0 .. Quartz .. Prospecting .. No results. J. Guy and mate .. 2 j Block 3, Browning's Pass Survey District, 27 0 0 27 0 0 J .. Quartz .. Driving and prospect- Nothing important. Gold Creek ing A. C. Honey .. ' .. .. 2 Gladstone, Block 3, Waimea Survey Dis- 20 0 0 20 0 0 .. Alluvial .. Development .. Satisfactory. trict T. Kissane and party . ; . .. 4 | Hop-pole Creek, Block 13, Linkwater Sur- 69 0 0 46 16 0 100 Alluvial .. Driving .. .. Small values proved. vey District W. C. and W. P. Mayne .. .... .. 2 Rutherglen, Block. 4, Waimea Survey Dis- 35 0 0 35 0 0 .. Alluvial .. Development .. 'Satisfactory. trict Purcell and Engholt .. .. .. 2 Waikupakupa, Block 14, Waiho Survey 9 0 0 9 0 0 I .. Alluvial .. Prospecting .. Satisfactory. District T. and J. Roberts .. ... .. 2 Marsden, Block 4, Waimea Survey District 21 0 0 .. .. Alluvial .. Driving .. .. Not utilized. A. Sargison and party .. .. 4 Upper Snow's River, Blocks 11 and 12, 22 10 0 22 10 0 .. Alluvial .. Prospecting .. Nothing to report. Aorere Survey District Campbell and McDonald .. .. L.-.2 Kirwan's Hill area, Blocks 12 and 16, Reef- 12 0 0 12 0 0 .. Quartz .. Driving and prospect- Nothing to report. • ■■:_ ■■■-.-:■■>:'■ ■'■ ■ ■■■■■ .., ton Survey District - ' ' : ing ; * Includes authorizations in previous years. The total of the subsidies granted during the year ended 31st March, 1933, amounted to £5,083 10s. 10d.

C.—2,

Number Amount of Amount ol Distance „ t . Name of Prospecting Party. of Pro- Locality of Operations. Subsidy Subsidy driven ™ 0I Character of Operations Remarks spectors. granted.* expended. or sunk. - - - __ — West Const Inspection District —continued. £ s. d. £ s. d. Ft. Fitzgerald and Hollingsworth .. .. 2 Specimen Creek, Block 14, Linkwater Sur- 70 0 0 36 10 0 85 Quartz .. Driving .. .. Nothing to report. vey District Worsley and Ramsden .. .. 2 Oemeroa, Block 5, Waiho Survey District 12 0 0 12 0 0 .. Reef .. Prospecting Nothing to report A. Donnellan (Arnold Flat Syndicate) .. 3 Minchicoff Terrace, Block 14, Mawheranui 250 0 0j 65 18 4 .. Dredging.. Boring .. .. Small values proved. Survey District A. Donnellan .. .. .. 3 Nelson Creek, Block 7, Mawheranui Survey 100 0 0 100 0 0 .. Dredging.. Borino- .. Small values proved District Southern Inspection District. G. D. and A. G. Beale .. .. 2 Scanlon's Gully, Macetown .. .. 42 0 0 42 0 0 ] .. Alluvial .. Reconditioning water- Now sluicing. Ballarat Creek Syndicate .. .. 4 Head of Ballarat Creek, Skippers .. 4 10 0 4 10 0 60 Reef .. Driving .. No reef located Shotover Reefs Development Co. .. 2 Ballarat Creek and Sainsbury's Creek, 168 15 0 .. .. Reef ,. Driving '.'. ['. No report to hand. Skippers Haast Prospecting Syndicate .. .. 2 Ballarat Creek and Sainsbury's Creek, 23 8 0 23 8 0 .. Reef .. Prospecting .. Very satisfactory results. Lodes located „ „ „ . _, „ ,-, Skippers I in the Lower Ballarat Creek area. Crown Terrace Prospecting Co. 2 Crown Terrace, Arrowtown .. .. 20 0 0 14 18 0 148 Alluvial .. Boring .. .. Results unsatisfactory Ballmgall and Purton .. .. 2 Kennedy Flat, Kawarau Gorge .. .. 2 13 8 2 13 8 .. Alluvial.. Deep lead, buried river j Work in progress. course R. Harding and party .. .. 4 California Gully, Longwood Survey District 12 10 0 12 10 0 50 Alluvial.. Driving and sinking .. Results unsatisfactory Bendigo Deep Lead Syndicate .. .. 4 Bendigo, near Cromwell .. 250 0 0 .. 120 Alluvial .. Boring .. .. Work in progress J. Thompson and party .. .. 3 Rise and Shine, Head of Pomahaka River, 54 0 0 .. .. Alluvial .. Prospecting .. I Work in progress'. Roxburgh Forest and party .. .. .. 6 Highlay Creek, Highlay Survey District .. 186 5 0 11113 0 346 Deep lead, Prospecting .. Work in progress. alluvial Hamer and party .. .. .. 2 Waikaia .. .. .. .. 55 12 6 .. .. Alluvial .. Driving Hakapoua Prospecting Syndicate .. 3 Aan River, Hakapoua Survey District .. 75 0 0 .. .. Alluvial .. Prospecting'' '.'. No report to hand Wilson's River Prospecting Syndicate .. 4 Wilson's River, Preservation Inlet .. 72 0 0 72 0 0 .. Alluvial .. Prospecting .. Work not completed J. A. McNeil .. .. .. 4 West Coast Sounds, Hakapoua Survey Dis- 75 0 0 63 0 0 .. Alluvial .. Prospecting .. Results unsatisfactory. trict G. Hope and party .. .. .. 4 Moke and Shotover Creeks, Queenstown.. 9 13 6 9 13 6 .. Alluvial .. Rock-cutting and Work in progress. driving Tripp and Thompson .. .. .. 2 Sawyers Gully, Skippers Survey District 67 10 0 1617 6 50 Reef .. Driving .. .. Work in progress Otago Mining Development Co. .. 4 Symes Reef, Fruitlands, Alexandra .. 125 0 0 97 10 0 725 Reef .. Driving .. .. Results unsatisfactory Adams Flat Gold-mining Syndicate .. 2 Adams Flat, Tuapeka Survey District .. 46 15 0 16 15 4 144 Alluvial .. Sinking .. .. Work not completed" J. S. Harvey and mates .. .. 3 Longwood Range, Jacob's River Hundred 36 0 0 36 0 0 100 Alluvial and Prospecting, driving,: Work in progress. reef and sinking G. W. Sharpe and party .. .. 3 Invincible Spur, Rees Valley, Earnslaw Sur- 40 17 6 37 10 0 175 Reef .. Driving .. .. Work not completed. vey District F. R. Whitelock and party .. .. 2 Chapman's Gully, Alexandra .. .. 11 5 0 11 5 0 50 Reef .. Sinking .. .. Results unsatisfactory Industries Ltd. .. .. .. 10 Wetherstones, Lawrence .. .. 250 0 0 250 0 0 350 Cement .. ' Driving .. .. I Results satisfactory Rees Valley Syndicate .. .. 4 Two-ounce Outcrop, Rees Valley, Earns- 40 0 0 40 0 0 215 Reef .. I Driving .. .. Results unsatisfactory. law Survey District Wetherstones Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. Lawrence .. .. .. .. 1,666 13 4 .. .. .. Sinking .. j Work not completed I 216 .. 3,032 2 5 ♦ Includes authorizations in previous years. The total of the subsidies granted during the year ended 31st March, 1933, amounted to £5,083 10s. 10d.

C—2.

(2) GOVEBNMENT PROSPECTING DRILLS. The following table gives details of the drilling done and the results obtained for twelve months ended 31st December, 1932 :— Drill Superintendents : W. H. Warburton, E. Wilson, W. McLellan, D. Pettigrew, M. Murray, W. H. Gibson G. L. Nelson, and W. Campbell. Drills used : Diamond and Keystone drills. Percussion and Hand-placer drills.

(3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields. The expenditure in the form of subsidies and direct grants upon roads on goldfields amounted to £1,182, as compared with £2,872 during the previous year. I desire to acknowledge the efficient help and co-operation which I have received during the year from the District Inspectors of Mines. I have, &c, G. Duggan, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

ntVn\ll ll°n?h Diameter Mineral Character of Country T . , „ per Cost per <^\P« r tuied 8 infeet. ° f H ° te - dri.led through. To whom .ent. Footof_ <,„ Rofflarto. Ft. In. s. d. s. d. s. d. 3 1,839 3 & 2| Coal Shale, sandstone, State Coal-mines .. .. .. In progress. and conglomerate 323 2| & „ Shale and sand- Goldlight C o - 4 2 7 1 0 1 If stone operative Party 3 366 3 & 2| „ Grits, shale, and Cardifi Bridge Co- 8 10'5 7 0-1 0 0-94 sandstone operative Party 3 J 709 3 & 2| „ Shale, sandstone, Cardig Bridge Co- 7 0-75 1 11-06 2 4-2 gravel, marl, and operative Party conglomerate 12 604 6 Gold Gravel . .. A. Donellan ..90 20-5 3 320 6 ,, „ .. Arnold Flat .. .. .. In progress. Syndicate 2 39 3J- „ .. Maori Gully Creek Syndicate 6 86 3| „ Clay and gravel New Zealand Min- 16 9-25 1 3-25 ing Investments, Ltd. 8 146 3J „ Gravel .. Westland Pro- 5 0* specting Syndicate 22 442 3f „ „ .. J. Sunderland ..26* 37 678; 6 „ „ .. Mataki Gold 6 0 2 1;.. Dredging, Ltd. 723 i 6 ,, Schist and gravel Bendigo Deep .. .. .. In progress. Lead Syndicate 236 6 ,, Gravel .. Borings Ltd. .. .. .. .. In progress. 117 6,511 * Includes cost per foot of transport.

C.—2.

ANNEXURE A.

SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (J. F. Downey, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. Waihi Odd-mining Co., Ltd. (J. L. Gilmour, Manager).—The following is a brief summary of the work carried out, and its results: No. 15 level (I,BBoft. below collar of No. 4 shaft): No new exploration work was carried out! Shrinkage stoping of the low-grade Cod block was continued, the roof at the end of the year being 90 ft. up. Average value of the quartz drawn off was £1 Is. 7d. It was estimated 6,494 tons of broken ore remained in the stope, with a further 5,536 tons to be broken. No. 14 level (1,752 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft) : During year 7,130 short tons of ore was broken from northern end of Trout block on Edward lode. Average value of this ore was considerably higher than had been expected, being £1 14s. 9d. per ton. At end of year the stope contained 13,874 short tons of broken ore. No. 13 level (1,578 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft) : Shrinkage stoping of Williams block on Martha lode, north section, continued. The ore was of rather low grade, but in view of the premium received on gold the working of it was justified. No. 12 level (1,447 ft. below' collar of No. 4 shaft) : During the year continued investigation was carried out under No. 11 level, immediately east of Bath crosscut, on the Empire lode north section and Martha lode, with the result that crosscuts from a sub-level put down to 38 ft. from a point 87 ft. east of Bath crosscut to each of the reefs mentioned revealed good runs of payable ore. Crosscuts from a winze put down from the sub-level to a further depth of 51 ft. also revealed belts of payable ore. Efforts were then made at No. 12 level to locate downward continuation of this ore. Starting at a point on south wall of south section of Martha lode, 190 ft. north in Bath crosscut, a drive was put out eastward 353 ft. With the exception of a payable block between 299 ft. and 333 ft., the reef driven on was low-grade. As it was uncertain, however, which of the two big reefs the drive was on, a crosscut was put out south at 261 ft. east, and holed through to Coutts' old block at 45 ft. Belts of payable ore were met with in this crosscut. At 24 ft. south on this crosscut a drive was put out west to Cow crosscut and extended from latter westward for 88 ft. At 51 ft. west of Cow crosscut driving was done on what was thought to be the north section of the Empire lode. This drive disclosed payable ore from 43 ft. to 68 ft. west of Cow crosscut. Investigation is being continued here. On the Royal lode further investigation was made under No. 11 level eastward of No. 4 shaft, south crosscut. Lizard winze was sunk to 65 ft. at 250 ft. east of crosscut. For first 25 ft. average values were 16s. per ton, and from 25 ft. to 62 ft., £2 7s. At 62 ft. down a drive was put out eastward for 40 ft. to Adder rise on reef averaging £3 3s. lid. per ton. Investigation being continued. No. 11 level (70ft. sub-level): This sublevel was opened up at 70 ft. below No. 11 with a view to extracting a block of ore north and south of Cod winze. From the sub-level a crosscut met the Empire lode at 75 ft. Where intersected the lode carried promising values, but was small, being only 5 ft. wide. Further investigation to be made. No. 11 level (1,301 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft): Stoping of Mitchell block on Empire lode continued to 76ft. up, when a big fall of rock necessitated temporary stoppage of work. Starting from Power north crosscut at a point 55 ft. east of Bath crosscut a promising run of ore was opened up on centre section of Empire lode from 14 ft. west of Power south crosscut to 115 ft. east of it. Values in this run ranged from £2 19s. 3d. to £3 6s. 3d. per ton. At extreme western end of this run of ore, Mitchell winze intersected payable ore a few feet below No. 11, which persisted to 110 ft. down. A rise from No. 12 level on this ore revealed payable values for 56 ft. up. On the Edward lode, west section, breaking of ore in Seath block was completed in April. To test ground below No. 10 level a winze was sunk to 104 ft., and connected with rise from No. 11 level. For first 70 ft. in winze values averaged £3 12s. 9d. per ton, but reef was only about 3 ft. wide. At 70 ft. down an intermediate level was opened. 'In this for a length of 82 ft. a run of stone from 2| ft. to 5 ft. wide was driven on, which showed values averaging £2 Is. per ton; a stoping block, Berryman's, being opened on this. No. 10 level (52 ft. sub-level) : The Jarvis block on Empire lode was worked out, and broken ore was drawn off. From Rokker crosscut a drive westward on the same lode showed values ranging from 17s. 10d. to £2 ss. Id. per ton, but lode is small, varying from 2J ft. to 5 ft. in width. No. 9 level (63 ft. sub-level) : Investigation of Welcome lode was made from Richards winze, and payable ore was found to exist to 63 ft. down, at which point a sub-level was then opened. No. 9 level (I,oooft. below collar of No. 5 shaft): Breaking of ore in Rokker block in Empire lode immediately west of No. 4 shaft north crosscut was suspended at 100 ft. up owing to pressure showing in the roof. On the Martha lode, south section, the level westward from Brooks winze was widened to 88 ft., exposing a good make of sulphide ore. Camel block was opened up on this, and at end of year had been stoped to 102 ft. up. No. 8 level (48 ft. sub-level) : Shrinkage stoping of Hogan's block on Martha lode was continued to within 14 ft. of No. 8 level. Further investigation was made of ground westward from Hogan's south crosscut without revealing anything of value. On the Welcome lode, north section, the drive was continued to 203 ft. west. From 116 ft. to 147 ft. values were £2 per ton, and from 147 ft. to 191 ft., 18s. Daisy winze at 177 ft. west was then sunk to test ground underfoot. From 5 ft. down to 35 ft. ore averaging £2 17s. 3d. per ton was revealed. From 35 ft. to 50 ft. the ore was of much lower grade, but a crosscut at 55ft. down disclosed a width of lift, of ore averaging £2 12s. per ton. Another sub-level is being opened on this lode at )00 ft. down. No. 8 level (21 ft. sub-level) : Extraction on square sets of high-grade ore on Edward lode from arch under No. 8 level was continued. No. 8 level (855 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft) : The most important work was the extraction on square sets and by caving of arches on Martha lode under No. 7 level. From these workings 62,327 short wet tons of ore was mined during the year. No. 7 level (50 ft. sub-level) : During early part of year a good deal of high-grade ore was won from an old stope on the north section of Welcome lode. The ground underfoot was tested by a rise from No. 8 level. This showed the bottom of the payable ore to be at 42 ft. above No. 8 level, and a stoping block known as Brown's was opened at that horizon. No. 7 level (34 ft. sub-level) : A footwall gangway was driven on the Empire lode for 547 ft. westward from Ivy west winze for the purpose of extraction of arches under No. 7 level. The Princess lode was cut at 137 ft. west, but was very small, and of low grade. At 378 ft. west a reef 1 ft. in width was cut, which showed value at £3 12s. 3d. per ton. This is being further investigated. No. 7 level (705 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft) : Investigation was made of north, part of No 2 reef westward from Martha footwall gangway. The level was extended 172 -J ft. west of the gangway. The ore ranged from 2 ft. .to 5 ft. in width, and between the 37 ft. and 138 ft. marks assayed £2 10s. per ton. What is known as Red block was opened up on this run. No. 6 level (32 ft. sub-level) : Extraction of ore from the arch on Empire lode under No. 6 level east of Hicks dip was completed. No. 6 level (60 ft. sub-level) : Investigation was made of No. 2 reef near Whiteson Pass. In a crosscut northward from Martha main gangway the reef was cut at 32 ft., and proved to be 5 ft. wide, assaying £4 17s. 7d. per ton. Driven on eastward,

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it showed a width of from 2\ ft. to 7 ft., with good average values for 59 ft., while a drive westward showed widths of from 5 ft. to 1\ ft., but of somewhat lower grade. A block, to be known as White's, was opened on this reef for 155 ft. in length. No. 6 level (545 ft. below collar of No. 4 shaft): Stoping on H reef, Moralee block, and Olsen's reef was completed, and nearly all broken ore was drawn off. No. 5 level (24 ft. sub-level) : Ore was won from Martha lode east and west of Bull's south crosscut. No. 5 level (16ft. sub-level): The H branch reef, one of a group of small reefs lying mostly on the western side of No. 2 shaft, south-east crosscut, was tested for a length of 242 ft. The average value was £2 11s. 9d. per ton. A winze disclosed ore of similar value to 55 ft. down. The reef was tested at No. 6 level, but proved low-grade. No. 5 level (432 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft) : Stoping was completed on Taylor reef, on Gordon block on No. 2 reef, and Cornes' block on Martha lode, north branch. No. 4 level: A stoping block, known as McCluskie's, was opened on a block of ore on the Welcome lode near No. 2 shaft, and at end of year was up 43 ft. A drive westward on the Surprise lode from No. 2 shaft north-west crosscut for 281 ft. showed good values between the 90 ft. and 243 ft. marks, but the lode only ranged from 2£ ft. to 5 ft. in width. A stoping block known as Gordon's is being opened on this. No. 3 level (279 ft. below collar of No. 5 shaft) : An investigation westward of Martha lode from No. 2 shaft north-west deviation crosscut revealed nothing of importance. Investigation of the footwall country by a crosscut for 121 J ft. revealed 5} ft. of mixed quartz and country, averaging £2 9s. 3d. per ton. Driving was started east and west on this formation. Adit level and surface workings : Some 2,743 short wet tons of ore was won from ground at and above adit level. To test some ground on the Martha lode, in which several small reefs are known to exist, an adit, known as the School adit, was started on the western side of Martha Hill. To the end of the year this had been driven 115 ft. in surface formation. Exploration : Development work and driving in connection with extraction of ore from arches amounted to 12,543£ ft. Output: A total of 184,254 long tons of quartz was mined and treated, from which gold and silver to the value of £454,977 13s. 10d. was obtained. The recovery of gold amounted to 70,784 oz., valued at £416,056 2s. Id., and of silver to 485,257 oz., valued at £38,921 11s. 9d. The company paid dividends during the year to the amount of £99,181 35., bringing the total disbursements to £6,040,645 18s. 6d. The average number of men employed was 556. Total yield of bullion since beginning of operations, 25,198,9(50 oz. 3 cwt. 11 gr. ; value, £17,296,542 13s. 10d. Waihi Grand Junction Gold-mining Co. (J. L. Gilmour, Manager).—The Waihi Co. continued the working of this mine under arrangement. The following is a brief summary of the work done, and its results : Waihi Co.'s No. 13 level extension (about Junction No. 10) : The only work on this level was stoping the Fahey Block on Empire lode, which was carried up to 40 ft., where it was temporarily abandoned. Waihi Co.'s No. 11 level extension (below Junction No. 7) : Stoping of McNamara block on Dominion lode was completed at floor of No. 10 (57 ft. sub-level), and ore was drawn off. A rise put up on the lode from No. 11 level at 267 ft. east of boundary revealed some payable ore, on which Putan block was started. Breaking of ore in Anderson block on State reef was stopped at 107| ft. up owing to values falling. Mining of the arch on Empire lode under Grand Junction No. 7 level was continued. The greater part of the arch has now been broken. On the south part of State reef shrinkage stoping was carried out on Harvey block for a length of about 70ft. Waihi Co.'s No. 10 (30ft. sub-level): The Republic lode, which had been worked above No. 10 level, was cut at 101 ft. in No. 1 shaft south-east crosscut, and driven on eastward for 102 ft., where it narrowed to 1 ft. in width, and driving was stopped. To the 100 ft. mark, values ranged from 14s. to £2 2s. per ton over a width of from 3 ft. to 5 ft. In driving westward on the reef for 199 ft., the average assay value was £2 Is. 10d. per ton over widths varying from 1| ft. to a width greater than that of the drive. On what is known as the 103 ft. reef, the west drive was continued to 220 ft. on quartz varying from 1 ft. to 5 ft. in width, but values were erratic. A small stoping-block, known as Nelson block, was opened, and carried up to 58 ft. from the level, at which point values petered out. On the Dominion lode, several small blocks were opened east and west of Harvey winze, but these had almost been completely worked out at end of year. A small stoping-block (Anderson's) was also opened on the State reef. This block was worked out to No. 10 level. Waihi Co.'s No. 10 level extension (about Junction No. 6) : At about 66 ft. above this level an intermediate level was opened on the Martha lode, south section, east from Brook's block. This level was extended 200 ft. into Grand Junction ground from the boundary, on sulphide ore from 6 in. to 3 ft. wide. On the State reef, immediately east of the State block, a small block called the State east was opened, but after stoping had been carried up to 22 ft. values fell, and work there was stopped. A good deal of testing of the country along the north wall of the Empire lode was carried out without revealing anything of value. Junction No. 6 level: Breaking of ore in the shaft block on the Dominion lode was completed at 40 ft. up, where the reef split up in country. Investigation of the Martha lode, hanging-wall section, was made east of Junction shaft north-west crosscut, and a stoping block, Slevin's, was opened up. Waihi Co.'s No. 9 level: Stoping was carried out on Jamieson block on the extension of Martha lode, but at 66 ft. up the sulphide seam pinched out, and stoping was stopped. Breaking of ore on Dye block on the west part of same lode was stopped at 60 ft. up, while in the east part of the block stoping was stopped at 36 ft. up, in both cases also by reason of the pinching-out of the sulphide seam. Slevin winze, on the downward continuation of the ore stoped in Dye block, was sunk to 78J ft. in sulphide ore of good value, and wider than the width of the winze. Junction No. 5 level: A stoping block, extending from 15 ft. east to 100 ft. west of Dillimore south-east crosscut, was carried up on Dominion lode to 57 ft., where breaking was stopped owing to values falling. Dillimore winze from Dillimore south crosscut was sunk 50 ft. To 45 ft. down the grade of ore was good, but it then narrowed to a few inches, and sinking was stopped. Exploration : The development and deadwork footage driving in connection with removal of arches amounted to 3,205 ft., while a further 238 ft. of driving was done in connection with the standby shaft. Output: The ore won from the mine amounted to 22,746 long tons, which yielded gold and silver to the value of £63,824 13s. 6d. The gold amounted to 9,912 oz., valued at £58,852 10s., and the silver to 61,997 oz., valued at £4,972 13s. 6d. The average number of men employed was sixty-nine. Dividends amounting to £6,906 ss. 4d. were paid. Total value of bullion produced since commencing work, £2,493,880 3s. 6d. Golden Dawn Gold-mines, Ltd., Oioharoa (J. 11. Benney, Manager).—Work was carried out on this property during the year, an average of ninety-five men being employed. The development work consisted mainly in driving north on Nos. 1 and 3 reefs on No. 3 level, the respective distances driven on each being 76 ft. and 152 ft. A crosscut east on this level from No. 3 reef was also extended for 112 ft., cutting a few small gold-bearing leaders. No. 1 reef for the distance driven on averaged 12 in. in width, and No. 3 reef, 18 in. On No. 2 level a crosscut east from No. 1 reef was extended 21 ft. to a total of 80 ft. At 70 ft. in No. 3 reef was cut, and driven on for 9 ft. north and 10 ft. south. The reef was small. A connection was also made from No. 2 level to surface. The stoping operations comprised mainly work on five blocks on No. 1 reef at No. 3 level, totalling 650 ft. in length. The average width of the reef throughout was 2 ft. 6 in. On No. 3 reef stoping was carried out on three blocks, totalling 410 ft. in length on the same level, the average width of the reef being the same as that of No. 1 reef. Stoping was also done on No. 1 reef at No. 2 level for a length of 189 ft., quartz averaging 3 ft. in width. The new treatment plant was employed continuously, and 8,998 tons treated yielded 5,191 oz. 12 dwt. 12 gr. gold, valued at £31,482 15s. 7d., and 14,766 oz. 1 dwt. silver, valued at £1,147 11s. 9d., the total value of output being £32,630 7s. 4d. The plant also treated ore for prospecting parties and others to the amount of 109 tons, which produced gold and silver to the value of £784 15s. 3d. The total yield since beginning of operations has been 21,180 oz. 3 dwt. 15 gr. bullion, valued at £34,349 os. sd. Talisman-Dubbo Gold-mines, Ltd., Karangahalce. — For the year this company was mainly engaged in opening up a new level on the northern side of Karangahake Mountain, on the horizon of the old Talisman No. 1

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adit, to come in under its Talisman-Dubbo adit at a depth of about 100 ft. It was at first intended to reopen the old Talisman adit, but it was found so completely collapsed that the driving of an entirely new parallel adit was found necessary. To the end of the year this had been carried in for 461 ft., at which point it should nearly have reached the random of the Dubbo adit. Some 65 tons 4 cwt. of quartz previously won from the Dubbo adit was treated at the Golden Dawn plant for a return of 79 oz. 12 dwt. gold and 338 oz. 2 dwt. 19 gr. silver, valued at £461 15s. lid. The output since beginning of operations has thus been 422 oz. 6 dwt. 19 gr. bullion, valued at £473 13s. 10d. New Talisman Claim, Karangahake (R. Schulzki, Owner). —A little prospecting was done in surface levels on Woodstock reef, and 10J tons of quartz was treated at the Golden Dawn plant. This yielded 13 oz. 13 dwt. 14 gr. gold and 24 oz. 18 dwt. 4 gr. silver, of a. total value of £78. This is also the total yield and value since commencing work. Imperial Prospecting Syndicate, Karangahake. —This syndicate during the year worked, under arrangement, the claims held by the Imperial Gold-mining Co.- Some good float stone was found on one of the claims, and a strong effort was made to locate the reef from which it came. About 100 shallow bores were put down, and two prospecting shafts were sunk from surface, one to 32 ft. and the other to 53 ft., and from the latter a crosscut being put out for 12 ft. An adit was also driven for 28 ft. So far the work has not succeeded in its purpose. Grown Claim, Karangahake (J. N. Cherry, Owner). —This claim has been prospected by the owner in a number of places without any satisfactory result. The owner also inadvisedly went to considerable outlay in erecting a battery of five head of stamps on the claim before sufficient ore had been proved to justify the expenditure. No quartz was treated at this plant, but 11 tons 1 cwt. 1 qr. 15 lb. won by a tributing party was treated at the Golden Dawn plant for a return of 17 oz. 3 dwt. 22 gr. gold and 76 oz. 11 dwt. 20 gr. silver, of total value of £103 17s. Id. This is the total yield and value since commencing work. Mount Cecil Claim, Maratoto (J. Nicol, Owner). —Little or no new development work was done, but a parcel of 18 tons 2 qr. 20 lb. of quartz mined, mainly from parts of the old Payrock reef, was treated at the Golden Dawn plant, Owharoa, for a return of 6 oz. 4 dwt. gold and 322 oz. silver, valued at £52 13s. 7d., which is also the total yield and value since commencing work. Parker's Prospecting License. —From this license, which was on part of the old Maoriland claim, the holder sent a parcel of 3 tons 17 cwt. of quartz to the Golden Dawn plant for treatment. It yielded 14 oz. 14 dwt. 15 gr. gold and 8 oz. 2 dwt. silver, valued at £88 Bs. Bd. This is the total yield and value since commencing work. ■ Komata Beefs and Te Ao-Marama (M. J. Houlihan, Owner). —Some surface prospecting was done on these claims, and it is reported that a promising reef was located to the east of the Te Ao-Marama workings. The Te Ao-Marama No. 1 adit was picked up and retimbered, and a start made to drive on a reef that is thought to be the one located at surface. A distance of 120 ft. has been driven on this reef. In December the claims were taken over by the Golden Crown Gold-mining Co. (N.L.). Maratoto Consolidated, Maratoto (J. Martin, Owner). —Some work was done on this property by a syndicate, mainly by way of putting the old No. 7 adit in working-order. Several small parcels of ore are said to have been sent away for testing, but no information is available as to the results. Remuera, Claim, Neavesville (M. Grace, Owner).—This claim, formerly held by the Hauraki-Alaska Goldmining Co., has had a little prospecting; and a trial crushing of 1 cwt. of quartz sent to Thames School of Mines battery for treatment yielded 15 oz. 11 dwt. gold, valued at £63 10s. 9d. This is the total yield since commencing work. Golden Belt Claim, Neavesville (M. Grace, Owner). —Practically no work was done on this claim beyond a little tributing by J. Grace, who from a clean-up on one of the old battery-sites recovered 26 oz. 9 dwt. bullion, valued at £98 17s. Huia Claim, Te Aroha (W. J. Gibbs, Owner). —The only work done consisted in surface prospecting of various reefs. The claim, together with other contiguous areas, was taken over towards the end of the year b3' the Te Aroha Gold Syndicate, which is endeavouring to form a large company to work them. New Waiotahi Mine, Thames (M. Boyle, Owner). —Practically the whole of the work done on this claim during the year was carried out by Preece and party, tributers, who from several small leaders in the upper parts of the mine won 40 tons of quartz, which on treatment yielded 96 oz. 7 dwt. gold, valued at £435 11s. 2d. Total yield since commencing work, 113 oz. 3 dwt. ; value, £489 19s. 2d. Golconda Gold-mining Co. (S. G. Baker, Manager).—The principal work at this mine consisted in the retimbering of the main east crosscut for about 500 ft., sinking the incline shaft from the main east crosscut to a further depth of 75 ft., and driving from it at the bottom. A chamber was cut, and a drive put out south for 70 ft. At 40 ft. a reef 3J ft. in width was cut, which was driven on for 30 ft. The quartz is said to have looked promising. A crosscut was then put in west from the chamber for 45 ft., when a break was intersected. The break was then followed northerly for 70 ft., at which point a crosscut was put in the western wall for 60 ft., where what was consdered to be the main reef was cut. The crosscut was carried through this, when it proved to be a formation about 25 ft. in width, composed of ribs and stringers of quartz in which a few colours of gold were seen. Lucky Shot Mine. —This mine, which covers the Lucky Shot and Evening Star claims, was entirely worked during the year by parties of tributers, numbering in all about sixteen men, who mined 90 tons of quartz, which on treatment yielded 265 oz. 11 dwt. gold, valued at £1,034 17s. 9d. The most successful party was Cropn and Sarich, who recovered gold to the value of approximately £443. Practically all the gold came from small droppers or loops on either side of the Golden Age reef. Towards the end of the year the claims were acquired by the Dawn of Hope Gold-mines (N.L.) from previous owner—Williamson. Total yield of bullion since claim taken over by this company, 60 oz. 2 dwt., value £271 6s. 9d. . Karaka Sluicing Co. —An attempt was made by this company to recover, from the bed of Karaka Creek, values supposed to have been lost from the many old batteries formerly operated on the creek. An hydraulic elevating-plant was installed and, later, a Day's pattern gravel-pump, and a considerable amount of work was done, but as no success attended the venture the plant was dismantled and the company went into liquidation. Mount Campbell Gold-mining Go. — This company holds the Puru and Emden claims at Puru Creek. During the year some energetic prospecting was done, an adit being driven in the footwall of the Puru big reef for a distance of upwards of 400 ft. Ajax Claim, Thames. —Two men were employed on this claim at Waiotahi Creek. They drove a surface adit for 200 ft. in search of Foster's leader, and cleaned out the Gladstone level for some hundreds of feet with the same object in view. So far the work has not yielded any result of importance. Monowai Gold, Copper, and Lead Mines, Ltd., Waiomo (J. Caisley, Manager).—This company was registered in July for the purpose of acquiring the assets of the Waiomo Sulphide Corporation, Ltd. The new company only started active operations towards the end of the year, the work consisting mainly of putting the workings of the Zeehan and Monowai Mines in order.

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Mount Edward Mine, Thames (J. Ensor, Owner).—Two men were employed; 2£ tons of quartz was treated for a return of 7 oz. gold, valued at £32 Os. lid. This is the total yield and value since commencing operations. Gold Seal Claim, Thames (E. Keven, Owner). —Two men were employed. One ton of quartz was treated for a return of 5 oz. 17 dwt. gold, valued at £22 18s. Bd., which is also the total yield and value since commencing work. Tinakori Claim, Thames (L. H. Isaacs, Owner). —Two tons of quartz was mined, which yielded 1 oz. 8 dwt. gold, valued at £5 4s. Bd., which is the total yield and value since commencing work. Cambria Claim (A. F. Sawyer, Owner). —The only work done was some prospecting by tributing parties, who mined 8 tons of quartz, which yielded 6 oz. 13 dwt. gold, valued at £26 9s. Total yield of bullion since commencing work, 111 oz. 13 dwt. ; value, £386 7s. 7d. Anniversary Claim (Phillips and McLean, Owners). —From this claim, which was formerly part of the Alburnia Gold-mining Co.'s areas, some 35 tons of quartz, treated at Thames School of Mines battery, yielded 19 oz. gold, valued at £79 9s. 10d. This is the total yield and value since commencing work. Blue Jumbo Claim (H. Syms, Owner). —Five tons of quartz was treated for return of 13 oz. 13 dwt. gold, valued at £59 3s. 4d. This is the total yield and value since commencing work. North Star Gold-mining Co. —A small amount of prospecting was done, and about 20 tons of quartz was crushed for a yield of 4 oz. 16 dwt., valued at £21 16s. 3d. Total yield of bullion since commencing work 26 oz. 2 dwt. ; value, £92 16s. Id. Hauraki Mines Consolidated, Ltd., Coromandel. —This company did no actual work on its holdings during the year, but a few tribute parties worked surface portions of the claims. These parties mined 49 tons of quartz, which on treatment yielded 80 oz. 15 dwt. gold, valued at £304 ss. 4d. Total yield of bullion since commencing work, 549 oz. 9 dwt. ; value, £1,717 9s. sd. 6 Long Trail Gold-mining Co., Coromandel. —This company during the year took over the claims previously held by J. A. McNeil and Sons, and carried out a good deal of development work on the Long Trail reef without, however, evidently meeting with any great measure of success. A few tons of ore was crushed in a battery erected by the Te Toanui Research and Development Co. during the year, but the clean-up of this crushing had not been completed at the end of the year, and no details regarding it were available. Eleven men on an average were employed. Te Toanui Research and Development Co. —This company operated the Red Trail Mine. A lot of development work was carried out, but, as in the case of the Long Trail, no very satisfactory results seem to have been met with. During the year 39 tons of quartz for the latter was treated at the Hauraki Consolidated Co.'s battery for a return of 35 oz. 2 dwt. gold, valued at £148 15s. The company erected a small battery of its own which, it is understood, was to be taken over by the Long Trail Co. when completed, but it crushed no stone from its own mine in it. Golden Lily Claim. —This claim, together with the adjoining Austral claim, was worked by the owner S James. A low level was started to cut the McKenzie reef about 80 ft. below some old workings, and to the 'end of the year this had been driven about 70 ft. Four-in-Hand Mine. —Three men were employed on wages for the first six months, and for the last six months they worked the mine on tribute. About 326 ft. of rising, driving, and cross-cutting were done. The tributers crushed 11 tons from surface workings on the old Taimui section for a return of 9 oz. 3 dwt. gold and about 1801b. of selected stone from a surface block in the Cuirassier section for 33 oz. 11 dwt. gold, of total value of £193 3s. Bd. Total yield since beginning of operations, 191 oz. 17 dwt., valued at £785 10s. 4d'. Mount Tohatea Mineral Fertilizer Go. —During the year the big Tokatea Reef was crosscut from wall to wall proving about 130 ft. in width. Values throughout were found to be low. Some work was also done on a small gold-bearing leader in the slates on the footwall of the reef, from which 16 tons of quartz was crushed for a yield of 24 oz. bullion, valued at £100. Lone Hand Claim (W. J. Pearce, Owner). —This claim adjoins the Four-in-Hand. During the year two small reefs, 12 in and 6 in. in width respectively, were driven on for 70 ft. and 40 ft., from which some 2 tons of general dirt, together with 15 lb. of picked stone, yielded 19 oz. 10 dwt. gold, valued at £90 16s. Id. Bot Claim. —This claim adjoins the Golden Lily on the range north of the Long Trail Co.'s holdings. The owners, Messrs. McGregor and C. Wells, did a good deal of work on several small gold-bearing formations assays from which are said to have given good results. Towards the end of the year an option was given over the property to J. T. Kinvig, who purposes putting a small battery on it. No stone was crushed. Nil Desperandum Gold-mining Syndicate. —On this claim, near Coromandel Township, some quartz was located in surface prospect-holes, which showed good gold content on pounding and panning. Subsequently, several hundred feet of driving and crosscutting were carried out in two adits about 70 ft. to 80 ft. below where the gold was got at surface. In these quite a number of small reefs and one large formation were located and driven on, but beyond one small shoot near the southern end of the claim nothing approaching payable ore was found. From this shoot 8 tons was crushed for a return of 8 oz. 7 dwt. gold, valued at £22 10s. Id. Ada Claim (Boswell and Sewell, Owners). —On this claim, which is part of the oJd Conquering Hero, a low level was driven from Driving Creek for about 75 ft. to cut a reef which was worked years ago to some small extent in surface workings. Eight tons quartz from the old surface workings was crushed at the Hauraki Co 's battery for 2 oz. 14 dwt. gold, valued at £13 4s. Bd. More or less prospecting was done on other claims in the Colville area, amongst others the Surprise, Midget, Lost Trail, Colville View, Gladys, and Whitworth, but nothing of any special promise was located. Kapowai Amalgamated Gold-mines, Ltd. —Two men were employed, and a total distance of 211 ft. was driven with a view to intersecting the reef worked in O'Connor's level about 50 ft. above. Quicksilver and Sulphite Mines. No work was done in any of these in the district for the year. Oil-wells. Moturoa Oil Fields, Ltd. — This was the only company to carry on any active drilling operations during the year. The company's No. 2 well continued to produce steadily, the output for the year being 228 061 gallons of marketable oil, valued at £3,801 os. 4d., making the total production for this well 302,359 imperial gallons, valued at £4,993 16s. 4d. No. 3 well was started about 800 ft. east of No. 2, on the foreshore, and to the end of the year had been carried down to 1,062 ft. Accidents. Tt is satisfactory to have to report again that no fatal accidents occurred in any of the mines or quarries of the district, and that even no accidents were reported as serious.

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Prospecting. There has been great activity, particularly in the Thames and Coromandel districts, in the prosecution of prospecting effort under the Unemployment Board's scheme. In the former district an average of about 150 men were employed and in the latter about 100 men. At Thames the country explored stretched from Te Mata Creek in the north to Puriri Creek on the south, while at Coromandel the work has been pushed on in the Colville, Kennedy Bay, Omoho, Kaimarama, Mahakirau, Kuaotunu, and Manaia districts, as well as along the Coromandel Range from the Success Saddle northward to opposite Cabbage Bay. In the Thames district a number of tributers working under the scheme have won a good deal of gold, as have also a few at Coromandel; but there does not appear to have yet been any very promising new find as the result of the work. However, every effort is being made now to extend the work out into the more outlying portions of both districts, where it is hoped to make some valuable discoveries. WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (E. J. Sooble, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. Butter District (Waimangaroa). Britannia Gold Beefs, Ltd. (W. A. McLellan, Manager).—This is a new mine which is situate at Stony Creek, in the vicinity of the old Britannia Mine workings, and the crushing-plant, formerly used at same, is being operated by the present company in the treatment of its ore. Development operations have been confined to the advancing of two levels (No.s. 1 and 2). No. 1 level has been driven 116 ft. Stone was located at a distance of 23 ft. from the mouth of the drive. It was followed for 72 ft., where it faulted, and has not since been picked up, though driving work was continued for a length of 21 ft. beyond the troubled zone. No 2 level is being constructed with the object of proving the existence of the stone at a higher point. Driving operations are in progress. One hundred and sixty-seven tons of ore was produced for the period, and this yielded 185 oz. 10 dwt. of gold, worth £725 os. 6d. The average number of men employed for the year amounted to five. Beefton District. Blackwater Mine (R. A. Stewart, Manager).—Development work at this mine consists of the following : Driving—No. 8 level north was extended 181 ft., of which 127 ft. was on reef (Prohibition block), over a width of 2 ft., with values averaging 16-12 dwt. per ton. No. 9 level north was advanced 286J ft., of which 160 ft. exposed reef (Prohibition block), over a width of lft. 11 J in., with average values of 12-14 dwt. per ton. No. 10 level north progressed 184 ft., of which 85-|-ft. disclosed reef over a width of 4 ft. 1 in., with average values of 12-21 dwt. per ton. The last 45 ft. of driving was in country rock, and it seems, as similar conditions were met at a corresponding point on No. 9 level, but over an extended distance of 200 ft., that some 155 ft. of blank country must be penetrated before reef is again encountered. No. 10 level south was advanced 45 ft., where work was suspended, with nothing to report. No. 11 level north was extended for a distance of 301 ft., the full length being practically on reef having a width of 2 ft. 1 in., with values averaging 9-47 dwt. per ton. No. 12 north (started in June) has been advanced for a distance of 683 ft. The first 576 ft. of this work was in country rook and the balance on reef having a width of 4 ft. 4 in., with values averaging 3-7 dwt. per ton. Rising—The total rising done amounts to 309 ft., of which 194-|ft. exposed reef over a width of 2 ft. 2 in., with average values of 6-44 dwt. per ton. Winzing—The total winzing carried out amounts to 470Jft., of which 328Jft. was on reef over a width of 2 ft. 5 in., with average values of 14-62 dwt. per ton. Crosscutting — A total of 767 J ft. of this class of work was performed. Shaft-sinking —The main shaft was sunk for a distance of ft., making the total depth of same 1,840Jft., measured from the portal. Sinking is in progress. The total footage of development driving amounted to 1,678Jft., of which 739 ft. was on reef averaging 10-364 dwt. per ton over a width of 2 ft. 10-7 in. The greater part of the stoping work carried out during the year was at Nos. 10 and 11 levels, and all in a northerly direction. Prospecting south of Snowy River —Driving operations were carried in for a distance of 483 ft., measured from the mouth of the old adit mentioned in the last report. A crosscut, projected to the east at this point, located reef at 49 ft., and this line of reef was driven on to the south for 192 ft. The first 75 ft. of such work exposed bouldery stone averaging 13-24 dwt. per ton for a width of lft., and the remainder of the distance —117 ft. —was on a fault-line that carried quartz boulders throughout. Work has been suspended. Battery crosscut —This crosscut is situate near. the treatment plant, and is being constructed for the purpose of testing that portion of the company's area which lies to the south of the known ore-body. The crosscut was advanced for a distance of 398 ft. altogether. A reef track was encountered at 360 ft., and this is now being driven on to the north. Treatment plant—The battery crushed 41,402 tons of ore for a yield of 24,474 oz. 3 dwt. of gold, of which 19,384 oz. 2 dwt. were obtained by amalgamation, 3,266 oz. 6 dwt. by cyanidation, and 1,823 oz. 15 dwt. by the treatment of concentrates, the value of the whole recovery being £145,091 Is. 2d. These results show an increase in the tonnage treated, also in the value of the gold obtained therefrom (at standard rates), when compared with last year's operations, which may be described as highly satisfactory. The total yield of gold since the commencement of operations amounts to 464,554 oz. 3 dwt., valued at £1,905,419 4s. 9d. An average of 250 men were employed in and about the property for the year. Alexander Mine (J. Bolitho, Manager).—Operations during the year were confined mostly to the development and extraction of ore from the McVicar block. A reasonable amount of prospecting work was carried out to the north of the Mullocky Creek and McKay blocks to prove the extent and worth of these makes of stone. Several outcrops containing values were found in the vicinity also, but were disappointing and resulted in no continuous line of reef being opened up. No. 3 north drive, McVicar block — This was advanced 322 ft. from the main crosscut, and of this distance some 242 ft. was on stone, giving a value of £5 os. 9d. per ton over an average width of 4 ft. 5 in. A fault occurred at 360 ft. from the main crosscut, and beyond this point the lode has not yet been located. No. 3 north winze—This was started 226 ft. from the main crosscut and carried down to a depth of 51 ft. ; 25 ft. of this distance was on stone worth £6 17s. 4d. per ton over an average width of lft. 6in., the balance being on reef track and boulders of stone of varying widths. New No. 4 north crosscut —This is located on the south side of Bull Creek, 63 ft. below and 190 ft. north of No. 3 main crosscut. Work has progressed to a point 317 ft. from the surface. Three lines of reef were passed through in these operations, but they contained values of from 2s. 6d. to 16s. per ton only. The last track encountered (at 300 ft.), was driven on for 150 ft., but the work failed to disclose any stone of importance. No. 4 north rise—This was started at 46 ft. from the main crosscut and continued for a distance of 23 ft., where it connected with the winze put down from No. 3 level. The rise was carried up in country rock, with no reef of any description showing. Bull tram drive —48 ft. of driving was carried! out here, and the face is now 108 ft. south of the main crosscut. The drive followed lode material, but no quartz of a solid nature was met. Stoping—All operations of this description were confined to No. 3 level, where the McVicar block alone was worked, the total length of stone being 430 ft., with a width varying from 2 ft. to 10 f>. Surface— Improvements made to the treatment plant during the year consisted of the installing of a second Wilfley table and the laying-down of another run of copper plating. A canvas-covered table, for catching fine pyrites from the overflow of sizer, was also put in operation. The battery was kept running for three shifts daily over the whole period, and resulted in the treatment of 5,527 tons of ore for a yield of 6,680 oz. of gold, of which 5,156 oz. 1 dwt. was obtained by amalgamation and 1,523 oz. 19 dwt. by cyanidation, the value of the whole recovery being £38,916 14s. sd. The total yield of gold since the commencement of operations amounts to 18,352 oz. 2 dwt., valued at £85,620 Is. 4d. Forty-two men were employed on an average during the year.

0.—2.

Wealth of Nations Battery (A. P. Watson, Superintendent).—This treatment plant operated on residues only, and succeeded in winning therefrom 472 oz. 14 dwt. of gold, valued at £2,527 3s. 4d. The total quantity of gold produced by the company amounts to 370,703 oz. 17 dwt. 2gr., valued at £1,483,893 16s. 2d. Six men were employed, on an average, during the year. Big River Mine (J. V. Lake, Manager).—The reconditioning of this mine and plant was put in hand at the beginning of January, but several months elapsed before active prospecting operations could be undertaken, and were then confined to Nos. 2 and 3 levels only. All work was carried out at what was considered to be the most favourable points for the occurrence of new or hitherto undiscovered ore-bodies, but, with two exceptions, nothing of importance has been found. The two exceptions are what is known as Jones' reef, No. 2 level, and a new make of stone found at 197 ft. in the south drive off No. 3 main east level. In the first case a winze (previously sunk on lode matter), was extended from 13 ft. to 83 ft., and this work proved payable stone over an average thickness of 4 ft. 6 in. for the last 53 ft. of sinking. The intention is to connect with the winze by an uprise from No. 3 level. In the second instance an entirely new ore-body was met with and followed for a distance of 83 ft. The stone was small at first and somewhat disturbed by faulting, but all-round improvements occurred as work progressed. There was solid stone 3 ft. wide making strongly underfoot and in the roof at 75 ft., and gold could be seen in the same. Driving is being continued. Surface works —Steps are being taken to put the treatment plant in order, and it is expected that crushing will commence about the mid-period of 1933, there being some 300 tons of ore already broken for that purpose. Fourteen men were employed on an average during the year. Homer Mine (D. Absalom, Manager).—A total of 166 tons of ore was produced by this mine during the year, and gave a yield of 81 oz. 18 dwt. of gold, valued at £435 10s. Bd. The reef averaged 3 ft. in width, and the gold won (a cyanide plant not having been installed), was obtained by amalgamation alone. A considerable amount of surface prospecting has also taken place during the period, and the results obtained therefrom are considered to be highly satisfactory. The total quantity of gold won since the commencement of operations amounts to 140 oz. 17 dwt., valued at £667 10s. Bd. Two men were employed on an average during the year. Westland District (Boss). Mount Greenland Mine (W. O. Bierworth, Superintendent). —Development operations at this mine have been confined to No. 2 level, and consisted of rising and driving, all on the reef, with the total footages stated at 155 ft. and 250 ft. respectively, and the average width of stone at 4 ft. Stoping has been carried out over the full length of reef developed, and this work resulted in the production of 625 tons of stone, which gave a yield of 526 oz. 10 dwt. of gold, worth £2,106. The quantity of gold won since the commencement of operations amounts to 2,809 oz. 6 dwt. 5 gr., valued at £11,306 7s. 3d. An average of six men was employed in both mine and battery during the year. Dredging. Rimu Dredge (A. Archer, Dredgemaster).—The company's all-steel electrically-operated dredge worked for a total of 6,778-27 hours, or 91-1 per cent, of the possible digging period. During this time some 2,780,017 cubic yards of gravel was treated, the yield being 14,524 oz. of gold, worth £92,079, which represents an approximate winning of £13 12s. per digging-hour, or an average recovery of 7-95 d. per cubic yard of gravels treated. No additions or improvements were made to the dredge outside a few minor guards and reinforcements. Operations throughout the year were practically continuous, there being no long shutdowns for repairs or breakage. There is such a small margin between gravel values and working-costs that steps are being taken to quicken the bucket-line speed so as to increase the amount of ground treated, and it is hoped, by this means, to bring the volume of gravel treated during 1933 up to, or in excess of, 3,000,000 cubic yards. The total yield of gold since the commencement of operations amounts to 133,156 oz., valued at £566,943. The operation of the new dredge has satisfied expectations in every way. There were forty-five men employed on an average for the year. Okarito Five-mile Beach Dredging Co., Ltd. (D. Mitchell, Dredgemaster).—The company's hydraulicallyoperated dredge suffered no serious interruptions during the year, and succeeded in working a total of 6,780 hours, or 94-16 per cent, of the possible digging-time. 417,847 cubic yards of gravel was turned over for this period, and recoveries therefrom amounted to 2,329 oz. of gold, worth £13,969, which gives an average approximate value of Bd. per cubic yard. The installation of a new Pelton wheel during the year, together with alterations to the pressure pipe-line, gave satisfactory results, and it is considered that still further improvements can be made to the last-mentioned item of work. The dredging of a rib of somewhat heavy ground adjacent to high-water mark gave a fair amount of trouble during the mid-period of the year, and this was directly reflected in the matter of yardage treated. Recoveries, also, were affected by the impoverished nature of the ground referred to. The total yield of gold since the commencement of operations amounts to 4,462 oz. 3 dwt,, worth £24,816 6s. 3d. Eleven men were employed throughout the year. Awatuna Extended Dredging Go. (D. Pettigrew, Dredgemaster).—Operations at this company's dredge were carried out for a few weeks only, and the plant was then shut down owing to poor average values and the recoveries falling below paying point. 12,000 cubic yards of material was treated during this time, and the gold won amounted to 106 oz. 4 dwt., worth £660 3s. lid. The yield since the commencement of operations amounts to 276 oz. 19 dwt. of gold, worth £1,343 3s. lid. Eight men were employed on the dredge when it was working. Alluvial Minino. Mahakipawa Goldfields Ltd. (K. M. Barrance, Manager).—This company's mine worked continuously for the year, and produced 6,727 cubic yards of wash and bottom rock, which yielded 1,842 oz. of gold, worth £10,821 19s. 10d. Development work has been carried out to the north and to the south of the shaft crosscut, and consists in all of 710 ft. of driving and 520 ft. of crosscutting. Southwards, the pay-lead was followed for 420 ft., when a quick rise in the bottom rock occurred, and its further existence looked doubtful. Subsequent developments proved, however, that a continuation of the lead was more to the east than had been anticipated, and work progressed thereon accordingly. The lead was followed to the north by a 3 per cent, dip drive for a distance of 290 ft., with values satisfactory, and the average width of wash-dirt, 30 ft. A small centrifugal electric pump was installed for the purpose of handling inflows of water encountered in projecting the north drive. The total yield of gold since the commencement of operations amounts to 3,851 oz. 9 dwt., worth £20,248 Is. 10d. Twenty-four men were employed on an average for the year. Bell Hill Gold Sluicing Co., Ltd. (R. 0. Bell, Manager).—The yield from this company's claim amounted to 94 oz. 11 dwt. of gold, valued at £513 16s. 9d., and was obtained from the treatment of 60,000 cubic yards of gravel, valued at 2-09 d. per cubic yard. An average of nine men were employed throughout the year. Hohonu Gold Sluicing Claim (J. A. Peever, Manager).—Sluicing operations at this claim were practically continuous throughout the year, and resulted in 353,500 cubic yards of gravel being treated during a total working period of 1,450 hours, or 244 cubic yards of gravel being washed per hour. The gold won from this work amounted to 197 oz., valued at £1,144, which represents a yardage rate of 0-77 d.—a considerable decrease when compared with last year's values. An improvement was shown in this respect during the closing month of the year. Five men were employed for the period.

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Oallaghan's Gold Sluicing Co., Ltd. (S. Havill, Manager).—369 oz. of gold, worth £1,845 2s. 4d. was won from its claim by the company named. Sluicing was suspended from a variety of causes during the latter part of the year, and it was then decided to work the claim by underground methods. The last-mentioned work is in progress. On an average, ten men were employed for the period. Gollingwood (Rocky, Aorere, and Anatoki Rivers, Tdkaka County, &c). —Fifty-nine men were employed, winning 556 oz. 10 dwt. 22 gr. of gold, valued at £2,931 16s. 7d. Waimea and Marlborough (Wangapeka, Baton, Walcamarina, Onamalutu, and CullensvilU). —Fifty-seven men were employed, winning 2,057 oz. 1 dwt. 11 gr. of gold, valued at £11,931 12s. 9d. These figures are inclusive of those pertaining to the Mahakipawa Co.'s work. Murchison (Howard, Matakitaki, and Maruia). —Two hundred and ten men were employed winning 1 811 oz 7 dwt. Bgr. of gold, valued at £8,716 19s. lid. Buller (Charleston, Birchfield, Lyell, &c). —Seventy-four men were employed, winning 868 oz. 5 dwt 4gr of gold, valued at £4,635 13s. 6d. Reef ton (Merrijigs, Blackwater, and Ikamatua). —Sixty-six men were employed, winning 701 oz. 1 dwt Bgr of gold, valued at £3,824 2s. sd. Grey (Ahaura, Moonlight, and Barrytoum). —One hundred and forty-seven men were employed, winning 1,978 oz. 1 dwt. of gold, valued at £10,244 4s. 7d. These figures are inclusive of those pertaining to the Bell Hill Co.'s work. Westland (Kumara, C'allaghan's, Blue Spur, Rimu, and Kanieri). —One hundred and twenty-two men were employed, winning 1,612 oz. 9 dwt. 20 gr. of gold, valued at £8,484 10s. Id. These figures are inclusive of those dealing with operations conducted at the Hohonu and Callaghan's Co.'s claims. - South Westland (Ross, Okarito, Gillespies, and Bruce Bay.) — Fifty-four men were employed, winning 661 oz 14 dwt. 6 gr. of gold, valued at £3,316 9s. 2d. Minerals other than Gold. Onakaka Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (J. A. Heskett, Manager).—No pig-iron or material of any description was produced at the company's works during the period under review. This result was due to several causes, the largest, no doubt, being the general all-round slackness of trade. Indications are to the effect that the year 1933 will see a partial resumption of operations at least. Petroleum. —No great amount of activity has been shown in this class of work for the year. The Kotuku Oil and Goldfields Ltd. (a new company), however, has been formed with the object of testing an area at Kotuku, Hohonu Survey District, and certain preliminary operations have been undertaken thereon by the company. The same ground has been hitherto prospected (by another company), with a number of shafts and bores, but it is claimed that these were too shallow, and steps are now being taken to drill up to and beyond the ground so far penetrated with the object of testing new, and it may be more favourable strata. Prospecting. Operations pertaining to this class of work have been greatly increased for the year by an extended scheme of the Unemployment Board which has been responsible for alluvial work, in particular, having a widespreading growth. Results from this source have been fair in some instances, and good in others, and with prospective gains they should be considered satisfactory. The drilling of small areas situate at lower Maori Gully, Hohonu Survey District; Blackball Creek, Mawhcranui Survey District; and Butler's Freehold, Mahinapua Survey District, respectively, is stated to have been successful. Areas located in Antonios, Mawheraiti Survey District; at Minchicoff Terrace, Arnold Flat, Mawheranui Survey District; and on Brown's Terrace, Hohonu Survey District, similarly investigated, did not live up to expectations. This form of prospecting cannot be too highly commended where the testing of water-logged, and any but shallow, ground is concerned, for the work is speedy and effective, and gives accurate values when properly carried out. There is every indication that considerable impetus will be experienced by drill prospecting during 1933. No extensive and prolonged search for quartz reefs has been undertaken (the rewards for such work being few and seldom immediate), but such slackened conditions are unlikely to continue, as there is every reason to believe that revived and much-needed interest will be shown towards this important branch of mining during the ensuing period. \ Accidents. There were two fatal and two non-fatal accidents during the year. The first fatal accident, in which a man named Andrew Simpson was the victim, occurred at the Slate River Sluicing Coy's claim, Collingwood district, on the Bth April. The deceased was engaged in liberating gravels from the working-face (with a bar), when some overhanging ground came away quickly and buried him. The second fatel accident, in which a Thomas William Noble Douglas was the victim, occurred at the Rough and Tumble Mine, Mokihinui, on 11th October. This was brought about by the deceased trying to force a lath over a false set of timber, standing at the face of a drive, that was being advanced' through loose gravels. The roof caved in, and the deceased was caught and smothered by the fallen debris. Francis Bowey and William J. White were the victims of the non-fatal accidents. The first mentioned, employed at the Alexander Mine, was struck by a piece of rock that fell from the hanging-wall, McVicar reef. He sustained a broken left leg. The last named, working on the Mount David Sluicing Go's water-race, slipped when attempting to lift a heavy stone, and this resulted in a ruptured lower left bowel. General Remarks.—Mining. The gold obtained from alluvial work was considerably in advance of that won from the same source last year, the respective values being £54,085 95., and £25,700 15s. 6d., which increase is most satisfactory. Recoveries from metalliferous mines also show a gain as to the quantity of gold won and values received for the period, the comparative figures in this respect being 32,420 oz. 15 dwt., valued at £1.89,801 10s. Id., and 24,869 oz, 18 dwt., worth £118,567 6s. 2d. Dredging operations for the year have likewise resulted in enhanced returns, the amounts recovered and values received for the last and present periods being 10,435 oz. 18 dwt., worth £49,420 3s. 9d., and 16,960 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £106,708 3s. lid., respectively. The general increase in gold won is due to the very marked and all-round livening-up experienced by mining over the whole period; and it would appear that the contributary causes to such activities must have been the continued economic depression, together with favourable values received each in an equal degree. Three new dredges and two large sluicing claims should commence operations during the ensuring year, hence it seems as if the next returns are likely to eclipse the increased ones now recorded. Prosecutions. Eight informations were laid during the year. Two were withdrawn and the others were successful. A minemanager was fined £1 and ordered to pay costs, 175., for allowing rock-drills, other than axial water-feed drills, to be used. The same person was convicted and ordered to pay costs, 175., for being the manager of a mine where a quantity of detonators, not required for immediate use, was taken out of the covered box in the drive or chamber set apart for their storage. Two miners were each charged (1) with taking explosive substance for use into the workings of a mine in a case other than a securely covered case or canister; and (2) taking quantities of detonators, not required for immediate use, out of the covered box in the drive or chamber set apart for their storage. One was convicted and fined £1, with costs, 175., on the first charge, and ordered to pay costs, 175., on the other. The second was convicted and ordered to pay costs, 17s. on each charge.

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SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (T. McMILLAN, Inspector of Mines). Qtjaktz and Alluvial Mining. WaitaJd County. Livingstone and Maerewhenua. —The Mining House (N.Z.), Ltd., acquired the rights of Messrs. Holloway and Smith Bros, and rebored part of the Golden Gully, Livingstone. They also prospected an area in the Maerewhenua district by channel-sampling and shaft-sinking. The results were considered by them to be satisfactory, and the Maerewhenua Goldfields Development Co., Ltd., was formed. Water-race reconstruction and water-conservation is being carried out by this company. Sixty-two men were employed in the Livingstone, Maerewhenua, Kurow, Dansey's Pass, Hampden, and Oamaru areas fossicking, prospecting, driving, and sluicing. The gold won amounted to 569 oz. 14 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £3,211 17s. sd. The chief producers were: Adams and Weir, Maerewhenua, with 251 oz. 10 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £1,479 16s. 2d., and V. I. Fenning, Maerewhenua, with 141 oz. 9 dwt., valued at £805 17s. 6d. All the auriferous areas in this county are being prospected. The auriferous deposit in Diggers Gully has not proved to be either rich or extensive. The water-supply is inadequate, and the construction of a water-race to command the whole of the Gully has proved to be more difficult than was anticipated. Waihemo County. The Ounce Mine, in Block S, Dunback Survey District, Stoneburn. —A company named The Ounce, Ltd., took over this mine at the end of January, and a considerable amount of prospecting and repair work was done. Driving, crosscutting, and sinking operations have not proved any payable stone. Work is now discontinued. Golden Point Gold and SeheelUe Mining Co., Ltd., Deep Dell, Macraes (G. Holcombe, Superintendent; J. Williams, Manager).—Mining and treatment operations were continued until near the end of the year, when operations were closed down temporarily. Considerable driving, rising, and stoping operations were carried out during the working period. A ball mill was installed at the battery during the latter part of the year. Twenty-four men were employed in the mine and battery ; 4,349 tons of quartz was crushed and treated for a return of 980 oz. 6 dwt. 8 gr. of gold valued at £5,228 18s. 3d. P. 67. Gallery and Broadfoot, Round Hill (between Macreas Township and the Golden Point Mine). —This area of partially worked shallow reefs has been reopened by four working partners. Driving, rising, stoping, and opencast methods are used. Approximately 40 chains of road has been formed; loading bins have been erected. The quartz is transrjorted by road to the five-stamp battery in Deep Dell Creek. This battery was previously operated by H. Fraser (now deceased). It has been reconditioned and a 16 h.p. kerosene engine installed to drive the plant. Four men were employed and 427 tons of quartz has been crushed and treated for a return of 113 oz. 1 dwt. 15 gr. of gold valued at £845 17s. 6d. The Macrae's Flat Gold-mining Company (R. T. McKenzie, Manager).—This company is working the partially hand-worked ground on the Macrae's Flat opposite the township by electrically driven gravel-pump methods. The electric-power line was completed from Dunback to Macrae's, and power became available at the beginning of July. Dams were constructed for water-storage. The water is used again after being allowed to settle. Operations were carried on steadily until the water-supply was reduced in volume because of the very dry season. Six men were employed, 21,000 cubic vards of alluvial material was treated for a return of 203 oz. 11 dwt. 20 gr., valued at £1,166 ss. lid. Fifty men were engaged prospecting in the Hyde, Macrae's, Dunback, Shag River, Waikouaiti River, and Hillgrove areas. The gold won amounted to 124 oz. 13 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £577 ss. lOd. Maniototo County. .Golden Progress Quartz Mining Co., Oturehua (L. E. Autridge, Manager).—Mining and prospecting operations have been carried on during the year. As the eastern extension of the reef was cut off by a fault on the 150 ft. level a crosscut was driven to the south. Leaders were cut in this crosscut and at 153 ft. a reef formation was intersected. This reef is now being tested by rising and driving. Stoping operations were carried on above the 150 ft. level until the old workings were encountered. Considerable driving and stoping work has been done on the 80 ft. and 150 ft. levels in the western section of the mine. In order to test the continuity of the reef below the 150 ft. level, a winze is being sunk in the west section of this level. It is proposed to sink the main shaft a further 100 ft. and then open out again on the 250 ft. level. Another reef is being prospected by a surface level near the head of the battery gully. Twenty men were employed at the mine and battery. 441 tons of quartz yielded 1,003 oz. 11 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £6,262 19s. Kildare Consolidated Gold-mining Co., St. Balhan's (W. Johnsen, Manager).—During the early part of the year sluicing was carried on in the northern boundary of the claim and the block of quartz drift which previously carried the M. and E. pipe-line was taken out. Values in this locality were as follows : First half chain from schist rock, 3s. 6d. per cubic yard; remaining 2 chains Is. per cubic yard. With the abundance of water in the spring it was considered advisable to resume operations in the southern boundary of the claim in what is known as the "Coal-pit" area. Heavy clay and coal to a depth of 100 ft. had to be removed before the Kildare lead was exposed. The lead is from 10 ft. to 25 ft. in depth along the whole line of face exposed and it is believed carries good values. The result of work carried out has proved an area of payable ground in this locality. Nine men were employed. The gold won amounted to 572 oz. 15 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £3,481 ss. 2d. The total yield of gold since commencing work amounts to 1,887 oz. 4 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £8,810 19s. 2d. One hundred and thirty-seven men were employed prospecting, sluicing, and elevating in the St. Bathan's, Vinegar Hill, Cambrian, Blackstone Hill, Wedderburn, Naseby, Kyeburn, Patearoa, and Serpentine areas, winning 1,616 oz. 14dwt. 12 gr. of gold, valued at £8,905 10s. 3d., the chief producers being Carr Bros, and J. T. Wilson, Patearoa, with 210 oz. 19 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £1,241 13s. 3d.; Roche and George, Kyeburn Diggings, 177 oz. 13 dwt., valued at £1,085 os. Id.; A. and G. Brown, Naseby, 170 oz. 3 dwt., valued at £1,020; N. Nicholson, Vinegar Hill, 109 oz., valued at £580; T. C. Hore, Spec Gully,' Naseby, 99 oz. 3 dwt. 6gr., valued at £513 2s. 10d. Moses Brown and partner, Kyeburn Diggings, 71 oz. 16 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £395 3s. sd. ; and Mrs. B. Parker and Sons, Kyeburn, 68 oz. 19 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £414. Tuapeka, County. Gabriel's Gully Sluicing Co., Lawrence (J. Hore, Manager). — This company was sluicing and elevating old tailings on the line of the old tail-race in Gabriel's Gully during part of the year, the plant was then removed to the opposite side of the Gabriel's Gully-Blue Spur Road, where a partially worked area was opened up, also a small area of virgin ground adjoining, which could not be worked in the early days, being then a residenceside. Six men have been employed. The gold won amounted to 544 oz. 2 dwt., valued at £3,267 10s. sd, ; total yield of gold since commencing work being 21,489 oz. 9 dwt. 10 gr., valued at £85,861 Is. 9d.

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Golden Crescent Sluicing Co., Wetherstones. —An option had been granted to Industries Ltd. (Mr. G. W. Thomson, Superintendent), and active operations were carried on during the first six months of the year in' mining and treating cement for test purposes. The tunnel driven by the Golden Crescent Mining Co., with the aid of financial assistance from the Mines Department, was enlarged and securely timbered where necessary ; the tunnel track was relaid with heavier rails, the surface tramway track was relaid, strengthened, and extended to provide for a dump. An experimental crushing-plant, gold-saving tables and boxes, electrically-driven compressor haulage winch and Sirocco fan were erected, together with the necessary buildings for housing this plant. Air, water, and ventilation pipes were installed in the dip. A main tunnel was driven to the south for a distance of 130 ft., and from this tunnel uprises were driven to the west. This development work uncovered an area of 410 square yards of bottom, and yielded about 66 oz. of gold, giving a value of 3-2 dwt. per square yard. The results being considered satisfactory, a company, known as the Wetherstones Gold-mining Co., Ltd., has been formed to work this and the Golden Rise areas.by modern mining methods. During the latter part of the year a borehole was being drilled on the Wetherstones Flat to ascertain the depth of the schist-conglomerate contact m order to obtain data for the driving of the main inclined shaft and a knowledge of the values of the upper layers of cement. This borehole was completed during February, 1933, and was drilled to a depth of 412 ft., the schist bedrock being reached at a depth of 405 ft. The values for the upper layers of cement were low' being under 2d. per cubic yard, while the bottom 2 ft. averaged 3s. Bd. per cubic yard. The bottom few feet of the hole was in very crumbly rock; this, combined with the pebbles liberated from the cement, made it very difficult to clean up the bottom efficiently as the pebbles jammed in the Valve of the pump. On this account it is possible that the full value of the bottom 2 ft. was not recovered. The Golden Rise Claim, Wetherstones.—Work has been carried on during the year. The block of ground alongside the Lawrenoe-Waipori Road was worked out, and the plant was then dismantled and re-erected on the opposite side of the valley. The main pipe-line was extended and sluicing operations are now in progress The yield of gold amounted to 97 oz. 17 dwt., valued at £499 ss. 10d. Four men have been employed. Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Forsyth (R. Webb, Manager).—Work has been carried on continuously during the year. The mining reserve section, which had previously been worked, was finished and the sluicing and elevating operations are now being carried on in the freehold land alongside the Waitahuna-Lawrence Main Road Eight men have been employed. The yield of gold amounted to 633 oz., valued at £3,847. Total yield of gold since commencing work, 1,426 oz., valued at £7,378. The Sailor's Gully Sluicing Co., Waitahuna (A. W. Eaton, Manager).—Sluicing and elevating operations have been continued during the year in the cement deposit in the Waitahuna Gully. Seven men were employed The yield of gold amounted to 484 oz. 13 dwt., valued at £2,934 11s. Id. Total yield of gold since commencing work amounted to 13,624 oz. 15 dwt. 23 gr., valued at £55,197 Is. Bd. Tallaburn Sluicing Co., Horse Shoe Bend, above Beaumont (W. Meyer, Manager).—Sluicing and elevating operations have been carried on during the year for a yield of 85 oz. 6 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £441 11s. 4d. Tuapeka (including Lawrence, Waitahuna, Waipori, Tuapeka Mouth, Beaumont, Roxburgh, Table Hill and Tokomairoro, and Pomahaka and Kaka Point) .—Two hundred and sixty miners and prospectors won' gold amounting to 1,060 oz. 10 dwt. 8 gr., valued at £5,893 11s. 4d. The largest producers were J. A. Chisholm (Section 8, Block 8, Teviot Survey District), with 84 oz. 16 dwt. 2 gr., valued at £494 • H M Quilter (SAC 263, Waitahuna), with 59 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £364 16s. sd. ; and A. and R. Brown (Tuapeka Mouth) with 67 oz. 5 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £393 17s. 2d. Lake County. Glenorchy Gold and Scheelite Mining Co., Ltd., Mount Judah, Glenorchy. —On account of the prevailing low price of scheelite no productive work has been carried out at this mine. Big Beach Gold-mining Co., Shotover River, below Arthur's Point, Queenstown (J. M.cMullan. Manager)— Sluicing operations have been carried on with a reduced staff, five men being employed. The gold won amounted to 146 oz 4 dwt., valued at £845 Bs. 4d. The total yield of gold since starting operations is 2,814 oz. 13 dwt valued at £11,479 7s. Id. , Moonlight Mining Syndicate, Moonlight Creek, Queenstown (— Soper, Manager),—Sluicing operations have been carried on vigorously. The gold won amounted to 584 oz. 17 dwt. 4gr., valued at £3 168 18s 3d The total yield of gold since commencing work is 1,697 oz. 5 dwt. 16 gr., valued at £7,671 14s. Bd. The New Skippers Sluicing Co., Skippers (E. Sainsbury, Manager).—Sluicing operations have been carried on in an area which was driven out in the early days. The gold won amounted to 42 oz. 18 dwt., valued at £247 Bs. Id. A. E. Smith and Party, Maori Point, Skippers.— Vigorous sluicing and elevating operations were carried on during the year on the beaches of the Shotover River at Maori Point. The low-river period, coupled with the mild winter season, assisted the operations of this party. The gold won amounted to 823 oz. 0 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £5,294 14s. 10d. Hope, Oxenbridge, and Party (operating in the Shotover River below its junction with the Moke Creek) —Work has been carried on whenever river conditions were suitable by wing dam and elevating. Attempts have also been made to work the lead by sinking and driving. The low river period during the winter months assisted this partv The gold won amounted to 122 oz. 19 dwt. 19 gr., valued at £690 2s. Bd. Alley Bros.— Mining operations have been carried on in the special river claim, Shotover River, about two miles above the junction of the Shotover and Moke Creek. The gold won amounted to 31 oz. 18 dwt 17 gr valued at £196 11s. 9d. B '' P. T. Lynch and Party (P. T. Lynch, Manager).—Mining operations have been carried on in the Upper Shotover above the Sandhills. The gold won amounted to 193 oz. 4 dwt. 15 gr., valued at £1,094 6s. Bd. James E. Smith and Partners.— This party has been working in the old bed of the Arrow River at the bend near Scales Tunnel. The gold won amounted to 51 oz. 1 dwt. ] gr., valued at £318 12s. Id. J A Wilson, J Thornton, and Partner (Buckleburn Creek, Glenorchy).—Sluicing operations have been carried on steadily. The gold won amounted to 62 oz. 16 dwt. 11 gr., valued at £365 13s. 7d. Macetown, Shotover, Glenorchy, Skippers, Arrow River, and Rees Biver.— One hundred and two men have been employed prospecting, cradling, sluicing, and elevating for a return of 292 oz. 12 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £1 462 18s 5d The largest producer was John Walsh, McChesney Creek, Arthur's Point, with 49 oz. 2 dwt., valued at £250 9s. 3d! frystal Mine, at Head of Sawyer's Gully, Skippers (J. R. Tripp, Manager).—Work has been continued and the 1 nil o 1 n S P ros P eoted b y benching and driving. Thirty tons of quartz yielded a return of 15 oz. 6 dwt. 1 gr., valued Bit xy7 OS. od. Considerable prospecting work has been done by the Shotover Reefs Development Co., Ltd., at Ballarat Creek and bainsbury Creek m the Skippers district. Several hundred feet of driving and crosscutting has been carried out on the reeling system in these areas. Work is being continued. Vincent County. Symes Reef, Old Man or Obelisk Range, Fruitlands, Alexandra (G. Carson, Manager).—The Otago Mining Development Co. took an option over this area and drove a low-level adit for a distance of 725 ft The country driven through was very broken and heavy, and the results obtained proved that payable stone does not live down to the horizon or this adit.

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Murchison Bros., Fourteen Mile Beach. — This claim is situated in the gorge of the Molyneux Biver, midway between Roxburgh and Alexandra. The deposit contains a very large percentage of heavy boulders. The gold won amounted to 60 oz. 7 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £352 13s. sd. This claim has been purchased by the Fourteen Mile Beach Gold-mining Co., which has installed an electric crane to replace the hydraulic crane. This will be used to haul away the heavy boulders, and will allow the water-supply (which has always been insufficient to work the area thoroughly) to be used for sluicing, elevating, and treatment purposes. The electric power is obtained from the Teviot Power Board, and a line has been extended from the Roxburgh-Alexandra Main Road to the claim. Central Mines, Ltd., near Victoria Bridge, Kawarau Gorge (J. Gordon, Manager).—Prospecting and sluicing operations were carried on for several months, but nothing of importance was located. Operations were suspended for some time, then another final effort was made to locate payable deposits under the management of G. Thomson. This effort failed, and operations have been definitely concluded. Cornish Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Cornish Point, Cromwell. —No work has been done during the year. Jones and Party, Whitlon's Greek, Upper Nevis (lately known as Graham and party), (F. Jones, Manager).—Active sluicing and elevating operations have been carried on during the year. The gold won amounted to 206 oz. 14 dwt., valued at £1,176 2s. 7d. Bell and Kilgour. —This party has been prospecting at Clay Point on the Scotland Point section of the Kawarau River, a short distance below the Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell. After driving in the neighbourhood of previous drives they decided to tunnel through the clay-sandstone formation at Clay Point and, after driving a considerable distance, alluvial material was intersected. Further driving located an old auriferous river-channel. Many previous attempts had been made, during recent years, to locate this lead. The gold won amounted to 191 oz., valued at £1,146. Bell and Hooper. —This party drove a tunnei through the same clay sandstone formation a short distance down river. They had to drive much further than Bell and Kilgour before intersecting the auriferous channel. The gold won amounted to 182 oz. 2 dwt. 23 grs., valued at £887 Bs. sd. A company, named the Bell-Hooper Cromwell Gold, Ltd., has been formed to work this area. Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Luggate, Clutha, Clyde, Waikerikeri, Blackman's, Gonroys, Matakanui, Drybread, Devonshire, Gardrona, Matatapu. and Lindis. —Four hundred and thirteen men were engaged fossicking, prospecting, sluicing, elevating, driving, and sinking. The gold won amounted to 1,670 oz. 1 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £8,783 16s. 4d., the chief producers being E. J. Williams and party, Lower Nevis, with 89 oz. 11 dwt. 21 gr., valued at £524 os. Bd. ; D. Adie, Mid Nevis, with 46 oz. 12 dwt. 22 gr., valued at £230 Is. 7d. ; Murray and party, Scotland Point, with 55 oz. 15 dwt. 13 gr., valued at £315 10s. 3d. ; Fountain and party, Clyde, with 39 oz. 15 dwt. 8 gr., valued at £232 25.; P. McElligott, Blackman's Gully, with 36 oz. 3 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £208 10s. 3d.; S. E. H. Johnsen, Molyneux, Alexandra, with 30 oz., valued at £171; Parker Bros., Fourteen Mile Beach, with 30 oz. 6 dwt. 21 gr., valued at £176 13s. 10d. ; Verdon Sluicing Co., Matakanui, with 55 oz. 17 dwt. 16 gr., valued at £339 ss. Bd. ; J. H. Harpur and party, Matakanui, with 51 oz. 18 dwt. 21 gr., valued at £293 Bs. Id.; and G. Glassford, Drybread, with 37 oz. 14 dwt., valued at £203 6s. Southland County. Nokomai Sluicing Company, Nokomai. —This company has been actively employed during the major portion of the year sluicing and elevating the alluvial gravels to a height of 90 ft. The gold won amounted to 573 oz. 19 dwt., valued at £3,186 7s. 2d. The new power-house machinery a.nd drag-line excavator, together with the necessary transport and treatment plant were also in course of erection. During the latter part of the year the extensive water-races were reconditioned and put in order. The following is a brief description of the V.S.C. excavator plant installed : (A) Power-house —The generating-plant, installed to supply electric power for the operation of the drag-line equipment, consists of a 700 B.h.p. Boving turbine of the Pelton-wheel type directly coupled to a British Thomson Houston alternator to supply 540 k.v.a. at 415 volts. An exciting generator of 110 volts D.C. is also coupled to the main shaft. The equipment includes the governor of the turbine and the switch-gear necessary to regulate and meter the power generated, and to protect the machinery against faults. The amount of water flowing is controlled by needle valve and seat in each inlet pipe. The speed of the turbine is controlled by an oil-pressure governor, which is extremely sensitive over the full range of the turbine's capacity. The governor opens and closes the two needle valves and also operates deflectors over each jet; these latter are operated very rapidly, giving fast and efficient control of the speed of the turbine, as the demand of power fluctuates. The needle valves, while opening up rapidly, are, however, arranged to close slowly, so that the water-pressure in the pipe-line will not be increased to dangerous values. The governor is assisted in its control of the machine by the fly-wheel, which has been designed to give the maximum possible stabilizing effect at rapid and large fluctuations of the load. The generator is connected to the switchboard where the control and measurement of the power take place. Here also are situated the main switch and the protective devices. The voltage of the generator is automatically and efficiently controlled by means of a Tirrill regulator. The whole plant is fully protected against such faults as overloading, short circuits, leakage of current, lightning, internal trouble in the generator, overheating of bearings, failure of belt, &o. These automatic protective devices are so arranged that any fault outside the power-station disconnects the supply at the main switch, but leaves the generator running, while any fault inside the power-station automatically shuts the water off as well. This arrangement enables the station to run efficiently and safely with no attention other than a daily inspection of a few minutes. A storage battery with charging apparatus is installed to supply the necessary power for the protective devices, also to light the power-house independently of the main power-supply. (B) Transformers —The current of 415 volts thus generated is augmented through the primary transformer to 6,600 volts, which permits an economical transportation of energy to the various consuming units. At these latter the current is again reduced to the original 415 volts by means of three secondary transformers —namely, one on the excavator, which travels with the structure, one stationary, at the conveyers, and one on the site, for lighting and sundry purposes. (C) Excavator : (1) Structure —The structure consists of powerfully constructed steel members, carefully designed to withstand the heavy stresses and shock loads they may be subjected to, with a liberal safety-factor allowance. The complete structure is portable. It reposes on four trolley carriages, each trolley possessing four wheels, running on a four-line rail track. The weights of the structure itself, as well as of the numerous heavy units installed therein, are judiciously distributed, so that the centre of gravity of the whole system is most advantageously situated, with a view to counteract the powerful overturning moment due to normal loads as well as any possible accidental loads, and again with a generous safety-factor. The overall height of the structure exceeds 60 ft. The traverse movement of the excavator can be effected by means of either a small hand winch with suitable reduction blocks, or by using the spare drum provided in the main winch. A powerful chain, anchored at both ends, is laid all along the rail track, and this chain in itself serves as an anchorage for the pulling ropes for moving the structure. (2) Motor—The motor is of 310 h.p., and is provided with a solenoid brake, which comes into immediate operation, as soon as the current is severed. The motor is connected by flexible coupling to the driving-shaft of the winch. (3) Winch— The sundry primary production gears are encased in a gear-box, where they operate in a permanent oil bath. All the bearings, with only one exception, are of the ball or roller type. The clutches are of the friction band type and are pneumatically operated. Both hauling and tensioning drums are machine grooved, to assure a uniform winding-on of the ropes, and are liberally dimensioned, so that all the required length of rope could be wound on in one layer. The hauling-sheave has also a traverse motion which coincides with the coiling or

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uncoiling of the rope, and thus obviates irregular winding. There is also a spare drum with independent control, for any other hauling or hoisting jobs that may be required. A heavy equalizing weight, fulcrumed to the structure, takes care of the even and smooth tensioning of the track rope, and neutralizes any shock loads. To obviate the precipitous downward movement of the weight, two formidable dashpots are installed, on which the weight reposes and lowers gently. (4) Hopper—The main hopper, into which the bucket discharges the dirt, is erected on the front of the structure, and is provided with grizzly bars, preventing any exceptionally large stones from entering the conveyer and washing systems. (5) Automatic feeder —An automatic agitating feeder with independent motor is installed at the throat of the hopper, which assures a regular and uniform feed of the spoil into the conveyer. (6) Compressor—An Ingersoll-Rand compressor with independent motor is installed in the winch-house, which generates the necessary supply of compressed air for the receiver, feeding the various cylinders of the pneumatic control system. (7) Bucket —The capacity of the bucket is 5 cubic yards. The bucket is suspended from the head carriage, which travels on the track-rope. Bridal ropes and chains are provided, and are so adjustable as to obtain the most advantageous angle of repose of the teeth to the ground, which angle varies with the contour of the surface and hardness of ground. The bucket performs a multitude of operations—viz., (a) Teeth biting in; (b) digging; (c) teeth emerging from ground ; (d) hauling in at increased speed ; (e) opening of bucket at tipping ; (/) releasing bucket; (g) running out; (h) lowering bucket; (i) closing bucket, &c. All these operations are easily and simply controlled from the driver's cabin. (8) Controls —Two hand-levers and one foot-pedal are the main controls, which, when correctly manipulated, enact all the numerous operations of the bucket. Besides these principal control units, there are a number of additional devices for special purposes: an arrangement with fly-wheel control for minute variations of the tension: a separate hand-lever and foot-pedal for independent control of the spare drum. All these controls are mounted together on one operating-table, every unit being within easy reach of the driver. The starting and stopping of the main motor are effected by means of two push buttons installed in the cabin, and two similar ones in the winch-house. (9) Indicators and safety devices —To prevent an excessive overtensioning of the track ropes beyond the permissible limits, double safety contrivances are introduced — mechanical and electrical. The former throws the tension clutch out of gear, and the latter cuts out the main motor. The second device operates in case of failure of the first one, and both are entirely automatic. Over and above these, there is the limit overload switch. Similar mechanical and electrical protective devices operate in the hauling-systems, which prevent any damage consequent upon inadvertent overhauling of the bucket. Further, an overturning safety-switch (electric) is fitted to the foot of the structure. There is also a " limit run-out" device, which will permit the run-out of the bucket only to a certain limited distance previously set, in accordance with the maximum length of span to be worked at the time. Two indicators (mechanical and electrical) show the extent of the tension in the track-rope. Another indicator gives the location of the bucket along the span at any moment of the operation. Two bell signals (of different tone) respectively warn the driver when the maximum tension is reached and when the bucket tips. Volt and ampere meters, as well as pressure-gauge, are fitted in the cabin for the guidance of the driver. (10) Trailing cable and drum —During the frequent travels of the excavator, the power-supply remains uninterrupted by means of a trailing cable, which is alternatively being wound on and off a large steel drum, in accordance with the movement of the structure to or from the permanent connecting-point. (D) Conveyers, washhouse, screens, and gold-tables—A cross-traverse conveyer of considerable length transports the spoil to the far end of the site, whence the material is picked up by an elevator-conveyer and dumped on to the roller screens. The conveyers are of substantial width, and run on troughing idlers and return idlers, all on ball bearings. Each conveyer is driven by separate motor, controlled from the main switchboard in the washhouse. A system of high-pressure-water pipes provides a constant spray over the screen rollers, so that the spoil is thoroughly washed during the process of screening. The oversize stones drop into a third conveyer, which carries them back to the completed excavation, while the smaller material is deposited into a "V " trough, and thence thrown into the gold-boxes. The latter are duly provided with carbon steel riffle-bars and matting. The tables are four in number, and of very considerable length. A separate motor operates the screen rollers. A special safety stop is fitted to the elevator-conveyer to prevent the running-back in ease of stoppage under full load. (E) Pipe-lino—The water is supplied to the site by two pipe-lines. The water used for power is of 348 ft. head, the capacity being fairly constant, at 20 cubic feet per second. The supply for the washhouse is of 560 head, with a varying capacity of 10 to 20 cubic feet per second. King Solomon Deep Lead, Ltd., Winding Greek, Waikaia (R. C. Ruffin, Manager). — Active operations have been continued during the year. The second outlet was completed in April, with a consequent improvement of the mine-ventilation. Considerable prospecting-work has been done in Radford's section. The wash in this section is low-grade. Trucking and ventilation levels have been driven and development drives were pushed ahead in the northern and eastern sections. In the former section a considerable amount of blocking-out has been done, and in the latter section a nice body of alluvial wash was opened up running in the direction of the Winding Creek Mine. Blocking-out has also been done in the mid-east section. The drives are timbered with sets close-lathed where necessary. Blocking-out sets and timber chocks are used when blocking-out. The floor of this deposit is irregular. Electrically driven auxiliary pumps are used when it is necessary to drive to the dip. A large amount of timber is used, the majority of which is obtained from the bush five miles up river from the mine. An average of forty-four men has been employed at the mine during the year. The gold won amounts to 2,912 oz. 10 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £17,484 13s. 7d. The total yield of gold since commencing work is 4,411 oz. 6 dwt. 21 gr., valued at £25,260 4s. 4d. A. Mutch, Happy Valley, Waikaia. —Five men have been actively employed sluicing a shallow mixed deposit in Happy Valley in the neighbourhood of the first Waikaia Township. The gold won amounted to 305 oz. 11 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £1,808 3s. Bd. Dome Greek Syndicate, Right-hand terrace, Dome Creek, in Mr. Sutton's Run, Waikaia. —Intermittent operations have been carried on during the year. The gold won amounted to 81 oz. 8 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £451 12s. Bd. The Terrace Gold-mining Company, Waimumu, Gore (J. Kubala, Manager).—This claim is situated on the left-hand terrace of the Waimumu Stream below the bridge on the Gore-Hedgehope Road. Five men have been employed sluicing an auriferous deposit by pumping methods. A 7 in. centrifugal pump, belt-driven by a 75 h.p. electric motor, is used as a nozzle pump. The electrical power is supplied by the Southland Power Board. The gold won amounted to 462 oz. 14 dwt. 3 gr., valued at £2,991 18s. 2d. The Band Mining Co., Ltd., Little Waikaka Valley, Southland (R. T. Stewart, Superintendent).—Five men have been employed prospecting, cutting water-races, constructing dams, and erecting plant preparatory to working a considerable area of auriferous ground—the flat land by gravel-pump methods and the terraces by sluicing methods. The water for sluicing purposes will be pumped into reservoirs. The power required will be generated by a Diesel engine. The original engine installed proved unsuitable and a new Ruston-Hornsby engine of 114 h.p., together with a new pump by the same makers, is being sent out from England. This plant is expected to arrive in May, 1933. Waikaia, Gore, Waikaka, Mataura River, Waimumu, Athol, Nokomai, Biversdale, Wyndham, Bush Siding, Haldane, Wallace, Otara, Waituna, and Te Wae Wae Beaches. — One hundred and seventy-nine men were fossicking, prospecting, sluicing, and elevating for a return of 937 oz. 9 dwt. 23 gr., valued at £4,947 14s. Id. The chief producers were Mutch Bros., with 88 oz., valued at £524 3s. 10d. ; J. Robertson and party, Te Wae Wae, with 89 oz. 7 dwt. 20 gr., valued at £489 15s. Id.; and Crowther and party, Lees Creek, Otara, with 84 oz. 5 dwt. 1 gr., valued at £482 os. 2d.

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Wallace County. Bound Hill. —The seven tributers have worked steadily sluicing and elevating island blocks barrier pillars left in the old workings. The gold won amounted to 304 oz. 8 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £1,908 9s. lid. The Round Hill Mining Co. bored an area between the Riverton-Orepuki Main Road and railroad; the results being satisfactory, it was decided to recondition the dams and water-races, also to disconnect the old pipe-line, provide a direct track, together with a satisfactory pipe-line to the area to be opened out. This work was commenced in September. Orepulci, Round Hill, Longwoods, Riverton, Tuatapere, Waiau, Te Oneroa, West Coast Sounds, and Stewart Island. —Ninety men have been employed fossicking, prospecting, driving, sluicing, and elevating the alluvial and sea-beach deposits. The gold won amounted to 567 oz. 16 dwt. 4 gr., valued at £2,980 9s. 3d. The largest producers were J. H. Sorenson and party, with 59 oz. 6 dwt. 15 gr., valued at £337 11s. 10d. Preservation Inlet and West Coast Sounds. —Several parties have been prospecting during the year, but no discoveries of importance have been made. Canterbury and Various. Canterbury. —Some prospecting and beach-mining were done on the Ashburton, Rakaia, and Taumutu beaches during the year. Large-scale operations were tried out on tiro Taumutu-Rakaia Beach, but the results were unsatisfactory, and operations were suspended. Seventeen men won 26 oz. 8 dwt. 12 gr. of gold, valued at £138 6s. Id. Dredging. Upper Nevis Gold-dredging Co., Upper Nevis, Vincent County. —This company's electrically-equipped dredge was standing for the greater part of the year. During this period some of the water-races were reconditioned and the plant overhauled. Operations were resumed in November, working a single shift daily. A new paddock was opened up. The pontoons of the dredge are 138 ft. long, 35 ft. wide at the bow, and 25 ft. at the stern. They are built of jarrah and ironbark. The ladder is 105 ft. between centres, and is equipped with fifty-seven buckets of 7 cubic feet capacity, which discharge at the rate of ten per minute into a sluicebox 96 ft. long by 6 ft. wide, lined with ripples and perforated plates for saving the gold. Electric power for working the dredge is generated by water from the company's race. A 100 h.p. motor is installed for driving the buckets ; one, of 30 h.p., for the winches ; and two, of 50 h.p. and 25 h.p., for the pumps. The dredge is capable of dredging to a depth of 60 ft. Golden Terrace Extended, Gold-dredging Co., Ltd., Lower Shotover, Queenstown, Lake County. Dredging operations were carried on by the abovenamed company until the end of May. During this period the dredging-time was 2,492 hours, and 548,000 cubic yards of material was dredged and treated for a return of 441 oz., valued at £2,684 3s. 3d. The dredge was idle from the 30th May to the 7th November. Operations were then resumed by Joseph Sparrow and Sons, Ltd. From the 7th November to the 31st December the dredging-time was 967 hours, and 232,560 cubic yards of material was dredged and treated for a return of 259 oz. 0 dwt. 1 gr., valued at £1,137 os. lid. The pontoons of this dredge are 107 ft. long, 40 ft. wide, and 9 ft. deep. They are made of {;■ in. steel plating, braced and stayed with steel sections, and fitted with a series of bulkheads, making each compartment watertight. The tumbler-framing and gantry are manufactured of steel. The gantry is of the hinged type, secured to the deck at four points, the deck at these points having been reinforced with heavy steel plating, 1 in. thick. The whole of the framing from the stern to the bow is thoroughly tied and braced with rolled-steel channels and joists, thus ensuring rigidity. The diggingladder is 73 ft. long between centres, and is fitted with semicircular and sloping well-plate bulkheads, riveted to the web-platcs, making it secure against side bending ; when in position it will have an overhang of 15 ft. to enable the dredge to thoroughly dig out the corners of the paddock. The top tumbler is of chrome steel six-sided, and fitted with steel wearing-plates. The lower tumbler is circular, with hollow shaft and renewable rim. The chain of buckets is manufactured from manganese steel, and the buckets are of the close-connected type. There are seventy-two buckets, each of 8 cubic feet capacity, .which will discharge at the rate of eighteen per minute. The bucket-pins are 5J in. diameter, each pin having a special-shaped head sunk into a rceess in the bucket so as to avoid' excessive wear of the tumbler-cheeks and to prevent the pins from turning. The sluice-box is 90 ft. long by 8 ft. wide. The water-supply for the sluice-box and tables is obtained from two 12-in.-diameter Rees centrifugal pumps. The main winch has six drums of cast steel for operating the head and side lines, and a separate ladder-hoisting winch is also provided. A pilot-house is situated at the bow of the dredge, 20 ft. above the deck, and in it all the operating-levers for working the dredge are situated, in control of a man who will have a full view of the dredge and claim during operations. All the machinery on the dredge is electrically driven, each part having a separate motor. The power is developed at Wye Creek, ten miles from the claim, and transmitted across the Kawarau River to the dredge. A total of 500 h.p. will be developed. Freshford Dredging Co., Ltd. (Part of Block I, Wendonside Survey District, Freshford, Waikaia, Southland). A company has been formed to dredge this area. They purchased the No. 1 dredge from McGeorge Bros., of Waikaka. This steam-driven dredge has been dismantled and transported to the dredging-aroa, where it is being rebuilt. The pontoons are 80-Jft. overall length by 29 ft. wide. The main engine is a 16 h.p. Marshall compound, fitted with condenser, feed-water heater, and other auxiliaries. The boiler is a 20 h.p. marins internally-fired, return-tube type. The winches arc driven by two 5 h.p. Marshall engines. A new bueket-line equipped with thirty-one buckets of 6 cubic feet capacity has been fitted. The sluice-box is 79 ft. in length. The dredge will be completed and operating in March, 1933. Minerals other than Gold. Tungsten. —No seheelite was produced during the year, on account of the continued low values. Oil Wells, Southland Oil Ltd. —Boring operations were continued at the No. 2 bore situated on Section 737, Block 59, Hokonui Survey District, near Centre Bush. Between the 12th and 22nd February the bore was drilled from 1,552 ft. to 1,630 ft. The drilling - rods parted at 560 ft., leaving 1,070 ft. in the bore, and a protracted fishing job ensued, extending over a period of five months. A successful issue rewarded the combined tenacity and skill of the drilling staff. During the work the bore was widened to 5 in. for 1,000 ft., the 5 in. conductor (cemented) was raised, and a shaft of 93 ft. 6 in. deep and 3 ft. 6 in. diameter was sunk! In July 3 in. casing was run to a depth of 994 ft. Drilling, which had been carried on in a series of was carried to 1,635 ft. Slight gas shows were met with and oil was showing on the sumps during the period of drilling ; a marked oil show occurred at 1,560 ft. Operations were suspended on the 31st July. It is stated that boring operations will be resumed on the arrangement of a further contract. The stratum passed through from 1,552 ft. to 1,630 ft. was fossiliferous hard claystone. At about 1,630 ft. arenaceous claystone was met. Work at the Kauana bore is held over until the successful completion of boring at Centre Bush. Accidents. It is pleasing to be able to record that no fatal or serious accidents occiirred in any of the mines and quarries in the district.

C.—2.

General Remaeks. Great activity still prevails in this district and all the old mining fields are being prospected ; island blocks and barrier pillars are being sluiced, and areas which were considered to be too poor dviring previous workings driven out in many old fields. The sea-beaches are being reworked from the Taieri Mouth to the Waiau, also the Ashburton and Rakaia beaches in Canterbury. The various reefing areas are being prospected, but no discoveries of any importance have been disclosed. The increase in the quantity of gold won by alluvial mining amounted to 7,647 oz. 18 dwt. 11 gr., with an increase in value of £53,351 16s. The number of men increased by 935. Several causes have helped to increase the production of gold in this district. The rise in the price of gold has stimulated ordinary producers, and the continued state of depression has caused many unemployed to take on fossicking and prospecting. The season has been satisfactory from a sluicing point of view in all the alluvial districts. The winter was mild and the Shotover, Kawarau, Clutha, and Molyneux Rivers were flowing at a very low level. The Kawarau Bam gates were closed from 3rd July to 20th August, and had the effect of lowering the Kawarau and Molyneux Rivers still further, thus enabling many men to work on the banks by cradling and crevicing methods. The King Solomon Deep Lead Mine, at Waikaia', has been a steady producer during the whole year. Subsidized fossicking and prospecting have also largely increased the number of men, and thus helped to increase the production of gold. The decrease in the quantity of gold won by quartz-mining amounted to 196 oz. 16 dwt. 3 gr., with an increase in value of £473 Bs. 2d. The number of men employed increased by one. The quantity of gold won by dredging decreased by 525 oz. 13 dwt. 17 gr., with a decrease in value of £2,479 6s. 4d. This drop can be accounted for by the IoV values obtained and the intermittent working of the Golden Terrace dredge, and to the non-operation of the Upper Nevis dredge until November. The number of men employed decreased by four. Subsidized Mining and Prospecting. During the early part of the year schemes were launched to enable unemployed men to undertake prospecting work in this district with the aid of money provided by the Unemployment Board. In the North Otago, South Otago, and Southland areas the 8a Scheme is administered by Advisory Committees—one in Dunedin and one in Inverc'argill acting in conjunction with the Labour Department in each centre. The prospecting parties consist of two or more members, one of whom must be an experienced miner or prospector. Married men receive £1 10s. per week, single men 15s. per week, and they pay back 10 per cent, of any gold won. They are prospecting in the auriferous areas of the Waitaki, Waihemo, Taieri, Table Hill, and Southland and Wallace Counties. In the Vincent, Lake, Maniototo, and Tuapeka Counties the County 5a Scheme is administered by the four County Council Mining Executives, acting in conjunction with Mr. George Burrows, Postmaster, of Cromwell, who has been appointed Certifying and Investigation Officer by the Unemployment Board. Mr. George Lowes, Mining Engineer, has also been appointed to investigate suitable areas and to advise the Unemployment Board and Mining Executives. Camps have been established at Cardrona, Devonshire, Matakanui, Matatapu, Luggate, Quartz Reef Point, No vis, Lindis, and many other areas are being prospected by individual parties. On account of the inexperience of many of the men working under the County scheme, practical supervisors have been appointed to control and advise the prospectors. The work is healthy and interesting and the men are generally enthusiastic. Returns are being won, and records are being obtained from the many areas now being prospected and tested, but only one discovery of importance has been located—viz., at Scotland's Point, near the mouth of the Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell Flatwhere two parties of subsidized men (Bell and Kilgour, and Bell and Hooper) drove through a clay-sandstone formation until they intersected an old buried auriferous river-channel. On the 31st December, 1932, 788 men were employed under the County mining scheme m Vincent, Lake, Maniototo and Tuapeka Counties. The gold won amounted to 956 oz. On the 31st March, 1933, the number of men had increased to 1,188, and the total amount of gold won to 1,281 oz. On the 31st March, 1933, 63 men were employed under the 8a Scheme in the Waitaki, Waihemo, Taieri, and Table Hill Counties. The gold won since the commencement amounted to 91 oz. In the Southland and Wallace Counties 60 men were employed under the 8a Scheme, and the gold won since the commencement amounted to 55 oz. Boring. The following boring operations have been carried out in the various alluvial areas during the year : — In the Waitaki County, Livingstone, the Mining House (N.Z.), Ltd., of Christchurch, bored seventeen holes in the lower section of the Golden Gully through an average depth of 25 ft. of tailings overlying an average depth of 4-5 ft of virgin alluvials. The tailings bored through were practically valueless, therefore the average values here given—9d. per cubic yard—represent the values for the average depth of the 4| ft. of virgin alluvials only. A 6in Kevstone-type power boring-machine was used, D. Murray acting as drill superintendent. In the" Waihemo County the Macrae's Flat Gold - prospecting Co., Ltd., drilled six holes in Sections 41 and 49 Block I, and fifteen holes in part Sections 71 and 74, Block I, Sections 1 to 16, Block 111, and Block IV, Town of Macraes. Twenty-one holes, with a total footage of 1,113 ft. were bored, with an average depth of 'S3 ft. in the deep section of the Macrae's Flat alluvial deposits. An oil-driven Keystone-type drillingmachine, using 6 in. casing, was used. G. E. D. Seale, drill superintendent. In the Vincent County the Goldlight Mining Co. sunk a prospecting-shaft to a depth ot 72 ft. on the Hat near the Bendigo Creek about 7 chains below the mouth of the Bendigo Creek Gorge. The results obtained being satisfactory the Government No. 2 Keystone drilling-machine was rented and a series of holes are being bored Nine holes had been bored to depths varying from 62 ft. to 118 ft, up to the 31st December in order to test the values and locate the course of the lead. Drill superintendents, G. Nelson and W. Campbell. The results obtained were reported to be satisfactory, and boring operations are being continued. In the Lake County Messrs. Murray and Robertson, on a special river claim in the Shotover River, immediately above and below the Skippers traffic-bridge, bored a stretch of the river with a 6 in. boring-plant, during a low-river period. Twenty holes were put down, averaging 22 ft. in depth. Drill superintendent, J. 0 Brien In the Southland County William McKinnon and a Christchurch syndicate bored an area on part of Section 14, Block I, Wendonside Survey District, about one mile from the Freshford Railway-station. Eleven holes were bored to depths varying from 14 ft. to 30 ft. by hand-boring methods, using 2-| in. casing. The average values are stated to be 2s. per cubic yard. . In the Wallace County the Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd., bored an area on Claim No. 1539 in Block 7, Longwood Survey District, Round Hill, between the Riverton-Orepuki Main Road and railroad. Eight holes were bored with a power-driven boring-machine, using 4 in. casing, to depths varying from 36 ft. to 53 ft., with an average depth of 48 ft. The results were reported to be satisfactory, and preparations are being made to bring the water on to this area for sluicing and elevating purposes. J. J. Hall, drill superintendent.

<I—2

ANNEXURE B.

STONE QUARRIES. SUMMARY OF REPORT BY INSPECTOR OF QUARRIES FOR THE NORTH ISLAND. (James Newton.) The total output of stone in the Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Auckland Provinces shows a decrease of 185,512 tons, as compared with the previous year, the only class of stone showing an increased output being that won for agricultural purposes. ..... j ■ The number of working quarries increased by twelve, whilst nineteen more men were intermittently employed. The quarries for the most part operated for short periods only. There have been no very serious accidents during the year under review, those requiring notification under section 4 of the Stone Quarries Amendment Act, 1922, being as follow : On the 23rd March, J. Greig, quarry manager of the Wellington City Council's Karori Quarry received a severe bruising, the result of being struck by a runaway truck on the incline between the quarry and metal-bins. On the 26th July, P. Yakich, employed in the Te Kuiti Agricultural Limestone Quarry, received a slight fracture of his shoulder. Yakich was at the time clearing away a clay "vug" situated approximately half-way up the quarry face, when a piece of stone rolled off the upper portion of the quarry breast and, in stepping aside to allow the stone to pass, he slipped on the clay and feu, the stone striking him on the shoulder.

ANNEXURE C.

MINING STATISTICS. Table 1. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Northern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1932.

6—C. 2.

Average Bullion obtained.. Locality and Same of Mine. ° f Quartz crushed. Value." <■ >' employed. ». Amalgamation. Cyanidation. Waihi Bobough. Waihi —. Tons cwt. qr. lb. Oz. dwt.gr. Oz.dwt.gr. £ g. d Waihi Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 556 184,254 0 0 0 .. 556,041 0 0 454,977 13 10 Waihi Grand Junction Gold Co. 69 22,746 0 0 0 .. 71,909 0 0 63,824 13 6 625 207,000 0 0 0 .. 627,950 0 0 518,802 7 4 Ohinemuei County. •• " . , Karangahake— ; TaUsittan-Dubbo •--.-. .. 2 65 4 0 0 .." 417 14 19 46115 11 New Talisman .. .. 2 10 10 0 0 .. 38 11 18 78 0 0 Crown .. 3 11 1 1 15 .. 93 15 18 103 17 1 Maratoto — Mount Cecil.. .. ■• 1 18 0 2 20 .. 328 4 0 52 13 7 Owharoa —■ Golden Dawn .. 95 8,998 0 0 0 380 12 0 19,577 112 32,630 7 4 Waitekauri — > OldMaoriland .. 1 3 17 1 0 .. 22 16 15 88 8 8 Prospectors .. .. .. 2 10 0 0 0 23 8 0 .. 59 8 2 106 9,116 13 1 7 404 0 0 20,478 4 10 33,474 10 9 Thames Borqtoh. Thames — Anniversary .. ., .. 3 35 0 0 0 19 0 0 .. :59 Ô 10 Evening Star .. \ 16 90 0 0 0 265 11 0 '',. : : 1,034 17.9 Lucky Shot ....../ - . Cambria ' 2 8000 6 13 0 .. 26 9 0 Commissioner .. .. 2 13 12 0 15 40 13 0 .. . .: . 178 15 North Star 2 20 0 0 0 4 16 0 2116 3 Mount Edward ...... 2 2 10 0 8 7 0 0 .. 32 0 11 School of Mines Battery .. .. .. 0 10 .0 .. '" 3 4 7 Waiotahi .. .. .. 2 40 0 0 0 96 7 0 .. 435 11 2 Hopeful .. .. 2 22 10 0 0 41 2 0 .. V. l ..,:.': 173 13 11 Gold Seal 2 10 0 0 5 17 0 .. 22 18 8 Aitken's .. .. .. 2 5 0 0 0 17 7 0 "'.. 7TT 2 Hit-or-Miss 2 2 10 0 0 2 8 0 .. 10 16 3 Blue Jumbo .. .. 1 5 0 0 0 13 13 0 .. 59 3 4 Tinakori 1 2000 180 .. 548 White's .. •• 10 0 0 0 1 10 0 .. 3 14 4 Prospectors .. .. .. 11 15 0 0 0 37 4 0 .. 142 18 6 Collections •• 21 10 0 .. 78 6 8 50 272 2 0 23 582 9 0 .. 2,384 12 5

C.—2.

Table 1—continued. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Northern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1932— continued.

Average Bullion obtained. Locality and Name of Mine. ° f Quartz crushed. Value. employed. Amalgamation. Cyanidation. Thames County. Komata— Komata Reefs .. .. 4 .. 374 .. 82 5 Neavesville— Remuera .. .. .. 2 0 10 0 15 11 0 .. 63 10 9 Golden Belt 1 .. 26 9 0 .. 98 17 0 Tapu Creek — Hector McDonald .. .. 2 0310 250 .. 7 18 7 Prospectors .. .. .. 10 17 14 0 0 44 19 0 .. 200 10 5 19 17 18 1 0 92 11 4 .. 378 19 2 COKOMANDEL COUNTY. Coromandel— Tons cwt. qr. lb. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d • Hauraki .. .. .. 10 49 0 0 0 80 15 0 .. 304 5 4 Nil Desperandum .. .. 2 8000 870 .. 22 10 1 Four-in-Hand .. .. 3 11 1 2 12 42 14 0 .. 193 3 8 Aida .. .. .. 2 8000 2 14 0 .. 13 48 TikiIris .. ., ., .. .. 1 19 0 .. 8 19 0 Mahakirau — Day Dawn .. .. .. 1 3000 220 .. 9 18 10 Waikoromiko —■ Lone Hand .. .. .. 1 2 0 0 15 19 10 0 .. 90 16 1 Tokatea — Mount Tokatea .. .. 3 16 0 0 0 24 0 0 .. 100 0 0 Success .. .. .. 2 .. 2 11 0 .. 7 7 2 Colville— Red Trail .. .. .. 4 39 0 0 0 35 2 0 .-. 148 15 0 Renown .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 .. 4 13 11 Prospectors .. .. .. 8 14 5 0 25 6 13 0 .. 29 6 6 Collections .. .. .. .. .. 3 14 0 .. 16 17 7 36 150 6 3 24 231 10 .. 949 17 10 Piako County. Te Aroha— Huia .. .. .. 2 5 18 00 100 .. 400 SUMMARY. . Waihi Borough .. ... 625 207,000 0 0 0 .. 627,950 0 0 518,802 7 4 Ohinemuri County .. .. 106 9,116 13 17 404 0 0 20,478 4 10 33,474 10 9 Thames Borough .. .. 50 272 2 0 23 582 9 0 .. 2,384 12 5 Thames County .. .. 19 17 18 1 0 92 11 4 .. 378 19 2 . Coromandel County .. .. 36 150 6 3 24 231 1 0 .. 949 17 10 Piako County .. .. .. 2 5 18 00 100 .. 400 Totals, 1932 .. .. 838 216,562 18 2 26 1,311 1 4 648,428 4 10 555,994 7 6 Totals, 1931 .. .. 705 200,032 16 0 17 818 3 18 510,072 1112 401,622 19 0

C—2

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the West Coast Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1932.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Southern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1932.

Summary of Inspection Districts.

In addition, 59 pereons were employed at unproductive quartz-mining.

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. Number of Q Uartz cmahed. - Value. -ployed. Amalgamation. Inangahtta County. Snowy River— Tons. cwt. qr.| Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ 's. d. Homer .. .. .. 2 166 0 0 81 18 0 .. 435 10 8 Waiuta— Blackwater Mine .. .. 250 41,402 0 0 19,384 2 0 5,090 1 0 145,091 1 2 Cruahington— Wealth of Nations .... 6 .. .. 472 14 0 ! 2,527 3 4 Alexander River— Alexander .. .. .. 42 5,527 0 0 \ 5,156 1 0 1,523 19 0 38,916 14 5 Bullek County. Stoney Creek— Britannia .. .. .. 5 167 0 0 185 10 0 .. 725 0 6 Ross BoBOtroH. Ross— Mt. Greenland .. .. 6 625 0 0 526~10 0 .. 2,106 0 0 Totals, 1932 .. 311 47,887 0 0 25,334 1 0 7,086 14 0 189,80110 1 Totals, 1931 .. 199 49,619 0 0 19,625 5 0 5,244 13 0 118,567 6 2

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. Nu £ r oi ,££«*[ Value. employed. Amalgamation. Concentration. Lake County. Skippers—■ Tons owt. qr. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Crystal .. .. .. 2 30 0 0 15 6 1 ,< 97 8 6 Waihemo County. Macrae's Flat— I Golden Point .. .. 24 4,349 0 0 980 6 8 .. 5,228 18 3 P.G. Callery .. .. .. 4 427 0 0 113 1 15 .. 845 17 6 Maniototo County. Oturehua — Golden Progress .. .. 20 441 0 0 1,003 11 12 .. 6,262 19 0 Totals, 1932 .. 50 j 5,247 0 0 2,112 5 12 .. 12,435 3 3 Totals, 1931 .. 53 1,931 0 0 2,309 1 15 .. 11,961 15 1

Inspection District. 01 Q uartz crushed. Bullion obtained. Value. Statute Tons. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Northern (North Island) .. .. 838 216,563 649,739 5 14 555,994 7 6 West Coast (South Island) .. .. j 311 47,887 32,420 15 0 189,80110 1 Southern (Otago and Southland).. .. j 50 5,247 2,112 5 12 12,435 3 3 Totals, 1932 .. .. 1,199 269,697 684,272 6 2 758,231 0 10 Totals, 1931 .. .. 957 251,583 538,069 14 21 532,152 0 3

C<—2.

Table 2. Statement of Affairs of Mining Companies, as published in accordance with the Companies Act, 1908.

: . . j k ; . , ,■ . ' T " Amount Value ol Script : ¥mltar wnmho,- Quantity and Value of Ta»o1 Tntnl Amfnmt r Ui fr \:- \ Date of Subscribed of c CMtal given to ShaJe- Number Amount pald / Arrears ™e- Go '^ c f Amo°u£ of Ste Same of Company. Begistration. Capital. anally holders on of Shares per share. of Calls. holders Menem- since Kegistration. s , nce Dividends owing by ■ P a J? W ™ich no Gash allotted. t pres6n t. ployed. ■ Registration. paid. Company. in Cash. paid. » v ■ Quantity. | Value. ; . .' v -AUCKLAND DISTRICT. ■'-:" ' £ £ £ [ . I £ ■ I Oz. £ ■ ■ £ £ £ Gold Exploration Ltd. .... .. .. 18/11/32 2,750 462 2,500 5,250 5/- and 2/6 225 29 6 Nil Nil 267 ; Nil Nil Hauraki Mines Consolidated, Ltd... .. .. 28/11/25 87,355 55,809 28,750 349,419 Various Nil 1,101 Nil 353 1,548 ; 44,761 Nil 414 Golconda Mines Ltd. .. >. '■ ■ .. .. 12/5/32 7,167 2,526 2,867 200.691 Various 12 160 8 Nil Nil 2,435 Nil 131 Talisman-Dubbo Gold-mines, Ltd. .. .. 31/10/29 7,064 6,981 Nil 28,257 Various Nil 42 2 .. 473 7,324 Nil 20 Golden Dawn Gold-mines, Ltd. .. .. .. 20/11/29 20,000 15,962 1,406 80,000 5/-and 3/- Nil 273 95 .. 34,961, 50,268 Nil - 3,975 Boswell Gold-mining Co., Ltd .. 31/5/31 406 406 Nil 812 10/- Nil 13 3 149 629 933 99 ' 14 Mount. Campbell Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 5/5/31 6,710 2,210 Nil 6,710 '20/- Nil 25 4 Nil Nil ' - 1,791 Nil 34 Long Trail Gold-mining Co., Ltd... .. .. 30/6/32 2,737 2,502 I 5,250 79,876 Various 235 236 11 Nil Nil 1,487 Nil 95 \ NELSON DISTRICT (INCLUDING WEST COAST. GiUespie's Beach Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. .. .. 10/2/32 24,250 12,125 Nil 600,000 1/- and 6d. Nil 450 14 Nil Nil 6,803 Nil 150 Waitahu Gold-minino- Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 17/3/32 40,000 20,218 .. 160,000 3/- 217 342 64 Nil Nil 14,151 Nil Nil Mount David Sluicing Co, Ltd. .. .. .. 2/9/30 30,000 30,000 20.000 200,000 5/- Nil 237 14 240 1,499 40,393 Nil : 8,750 Okarito Five-mile Beach Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. .. 29/10/28 35,000 30,500 4,500 140,000 5/- Nil 431 11 4,820 26,67,6 46,395 6,997 459 Brian Boru Gold-dred"ing Co., Ltd. .. .. 29/9/31 18,000 16,026 9,000 27,000 20/- and 17/6 Nil 169 6 Nil Nil 15,751 Nil 2,445 New Taitapu Gold-prospecting Co., Ltd. .. .. 23/12/31 8,529 3,648 3,000 8,529 17/6 38 89 1 .. .. 3,284 Nil 290 Golden Sands, Ltd. .. .. .. .. 1/2/32 6,000 4,000 Nil 120,000 1/- Nil 96 5 3 15 4,492 Nil 542 Moonlight Extended Gold-sluicing Co., Ltd. .. 20/8/30 9,749 ' 5,585 j 3,000 97,490 3d., 1/3, and 84 62 8 Nil Nil 5,373 Nil 18 1/6 New Zealand Mining Investments, Ltd. .. .. 12/8/31 2,137 1,480 500 42,750 Various 156 75 3 Nil Nil 1,712 Nil 144 Snowy River Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 10/12/31 24,603 11,855 9,000 98,415 Various 3,748 248 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 777 Mahakipawa Goldfields Ltd .. .. 12/10/23 42,804: 33,362 15,603 856,089 Various 107 1,013 30 3,841 20,154 66,144 Nil 281 Mataki Gold-dredging, Ltd. .. .. 15/1/32 23,309 12,479 8,500 240,340 2/- ' 2,632 419 17 Nil Nil 13,684 Nil -, 762 Orion Gold Reefs Syndicate, Ltd. .. .. 9/11/31 2,700 1,502 700 270 Various 54 28 4 Nil Nil 1,470 Nil Nil Bell Hill Gold-sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 16/9/30 11,999 11,969 3,000 47,996 5/- ' 30 177 8 94 523 11,738 Nil 1,212 New River Alluvials, Ltd. .. .. .. 8/9/32 3,000 1,572 700 230 £10 90 48 Nil Nil Nil 1,390 Nil 40 New Big River Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 19/8/07 2,400 2,400 Nil 24,000 2/- Nil 69 Nil 93,687 396,173 296,708 112,800 2,487 Alexander Mines Ltd .. .. 9/3/26 75,000 31,507 29,000 75,000 13/6 Nil 302 44 17,702 86,920 . 90,247 21,500 4,074 Rimu Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 20/7/20 213,572 142,863 70,709 213.572 20/- Nil 35 45 133,243 567,308 384,574 24,622 Nil Big River Gold-mines, Ltd. .. .. .:. 29/9/31 18,855 16,000 2,855 377,100 1/- Nil 449 13 Nil Nil 5,726 NO 3,005 Gold Options, Ltd. .. .. .. .. 1/3/32 2,500 554 750 2,500 Various 58. 38 Nil Nil Nil. 352 Nil Nil Buller Diversion Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 13/3/28 10,634 6,343 Nil 49,910 Various 1,005 155 Nil Nil Nil 7,846 Nil 194 Moutapu Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 25/11/30 3,584 1,595 1,989 71,680 1/- 13 57 Nil Nil NU - 1,477 Nil Nil

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FOREIGN COMPANIES.

OTAGO DISTRICT. Golden Progress Quartz-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 26/10/28 14,755 110,805 1 3,950 1 147,550 2/- 1 173 17 2,993 16,394 25,683 1,844 38 Kildare Consolidated Gold-mining Co., Ltd. . .. 19/6/28 8,000 4,000 4,000 80,000 2/- Nil 173 II 1,887 8,810 11,042 Nil 7 Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 4/8/28 14,010 11,500 2,500 56,040 5/- Nil 224 8 1,426 7,378 19,002 Nil 30 Wairarapa Gold Claims, Ltd. .. ...'. .. 18/11/24 10,200 6,546 500 10,200 13/6 Nil 138 Nil Nil Nil 6,707 Nil 120 Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 3/10/32 31,128 2,325 .. 31,128 5/-, 10/-, £1 1,300 25 5 Nil Nil 1,688 Nil 1,500 King Solomon Deep Lead, Ltd. .. .. .. 14/11/29 13,000 10,237 2,762 260,000 1/- Nil 458 51 4,411 25,260 26,138 Nil 538 Shotover Reefs Development Co., Ltd. .. .. 20/5/32 2,500 2,320 I Nil 10,000 5/- 180 62. 2 Nil Nil 2,153 Nil 370 Golden Point Gold and Scheelite Co., Ltd. .. .. 6/8/30 32,000 12,000 20,000 640,000 1/- Nil 515 1 1,330 7,250 21,775 Nil 8,618 Macrae's Flat Gold-prospecting Co., Ltd. .. .. 28/9/31 1,100 497 Nil 1,100 | Various 52 37 Nil Nil Nil 440 Nil 59 Cornish Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd, .. .. 21/12/28 9,033 4,529 4,500 180,663! 3d. and 1/- 3 245 Nil 24 104 5,146 Nil 378 Nokomai Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 17/3/32 60,414 40,226 20,000 241,656 5/- Nil 539 50 573 3,186 28,004 Nil 260 Lady Ranfurly Gold-mining Co. (Kawarau), Ltd. .. 12/6/28 6,748 Nil 6,748 134,976 1/- Nil 47 1 Nil Nil 248 Nil Nil Deep Lead, Ltd. .. .. .. .. 9/3/32 3,000 2,600 400 30,000 2/- Nil 28 4 S 23 4,485 Nil 1,318 Tallaburn Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. 3/12/04 1,200 1,200 Nil 12 £100 Nil 9 2 I 3,583 12,982 15,014 1,380 Nil McGeorge Bros., Ltd. .. .. .. .. 27/3/12 11,400 11,400 Nil 11,400 £1 Nil 6 1 29,939 .. 80,048 48,419 Nil Upper Nevis Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. .. .. 20/9/26 38,968 35,373 ] 5,000 43.968 £1 and 16/6 150 148 4 to 6 2,535 10,444 52,237 Nil 5,196 Skipper's Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 20/11/11 3,450 345 3,105 3,450 £1 Nil 37 * 2,379 9,823 10,214 Nil 2,104 Gabriel's GuUy Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 2/5/07 600 600 Nil 600 £1 Nil 9 .. 21,489 85,861 75,353 20,575 60 Sailor's Gully (Waitahuna) Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 3/6/96 8,400 4,400 4,000 8,400 £1 Nil 24 7 13,624 55,197 45,149 10,985 116 Golden Crescent Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. 26/11/98 3,500 3,500 Nil 3,500 £1 Nil 19 Nil 13,761 55,027 49,218 14,175 2,898 St. Bathan's Channel Co. .. .. .. 4/1/82 4,590 4,590 Nil 81 £100, £40, £30 | Nil 3 Nil 1,507 5,817 11,154 Nil Nil Aotearoa Gold-prospecting Co., Ltd. .. .. 16/8/32 3,405 1,213 \ 1,500 68,100 Various 101 72 4 Nil Nil 392 Nil 25 Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. 23/9/00 6,000 6,000 Nil 6,000 £1 Nil 16 3 5,493 21,099 22,409 1,050 1,109 * Let on tribute.

Potion. ***"■ Beg.fr. Djgjo. JjBfS Begistratio». £ £ £ Oz. £ I £ £ £ Waihi Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 7/12/87 247,953 4,803 53,333 410,885 I 5/- Nil 1,837 625 24,936,310 17,587,109 10,621,670 1,340,230 51,776 Waihi Grand Junction Gold Co., Ltd. .. .. 22/12/97 41,437*1 40,494f 112,500 267,860 2/- Nil 970 | 2 .. 2,392,593 2,354,893 156,886 645 * Written down to 2s. per share. t On basis of £1 per share.

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APPENDIX B. EEPOKTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OP COAL-MINES. The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Undek-Seceetary op Mines. Sir,— Wellington, 20th June, 1933. 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, 1932, in accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. 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 ; (6) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives are used ; (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safetylamps ; (d) Dangerous Occurrences ; (e) Electricity at Collieries; (/) 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 oi coal imported since 1911 : —

The output of coal for 1932 (1,842,022 tons) was 315,734 tons less than that of the previous year. It was almost as low as the 1907 output, but then only 3,910 men were employed in the industry, whereas in 1932 there were 4,636 men at work in or about coal-mines, and in 1931 there were 5,745 men so employed. Over two-thirds of the decrease was in the Northern District, due chiefly to the Arapuni hydroelectric plant again being put into commission and displacing the steam plants used, to generate power while Arapuni was under repair. The Waikato output decreased by 211,592 tons, and, at several mines in that district, large sections (from which the output could have been doubled) were sealed, and they may not be reopened for years.

Output of Coal during 1932. ! Total Output Class of Coal. to the Northern District West Coast District Southern District v n t*i= End of 1932 - (North Island). (South Island). (South Island). lorais. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous 118,127 810,107 .. 928,234 46,476,955 Brown .. •• •• 489,342 33,242 283,813 806,397 26,707,377 Lignite .. •• 661 106,730 107,391 4,656,237 Totals for 1932 .. 607,469 844,010 390,543 1,842,022 77,840,569 Totals for 1931 .. 834,899 890,494 432,363 2,157,756 75,998,547

Total Quantity of Total Quantity of Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Coal produced and Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Coal produced and imported. imported. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1911 .. 2,066,073 188,068 2,234,141 1922 .. 1,857,819 501,478 2,359,297 1912 .. 2,177,615 364,359 2,541,974 1923 .. 1,969,834 445,792 2,415,626 1913 . 1,888,005 468,940 2,356,945 1924 .. 2,083,207 674,483 2,757,690 1914 .. 2,275,614* 518,070 2,793,684* 1925 .. 2,114,995 572,573 2,687,568 1915 .. 2,208,624 353,471 2,562,095 1926 .. 2,239,999 483,918 2,723,917 1916 . 2,257,135 293,956 2,551,091 1927 .. 2,366,740 378,090 2,744,830 1917 .. 2,068,419 291,597 2,360,016 1928 .. 2,436,753 247,861 2,684,614 1918 .. 2,034,250 255,332 2,289,582 1929 .. 2,535,864 215,656 2,751,520 1919 .. 1,847,848 391,434 2,239,282 1930 .. 2,542,092 157,943 2,700,035 1920 .. 1,843,705 476,343 2,320,048 1931 .. 2,157,756 179,060 2,336,816 1921 .. 1,809,095 822,459 2,631,554 1932 .. 1,842,022 103,531 1,945,553 I * Includes 21 tone Bhale.

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From the West Coast mines the output decreased by 46,484- tons, and, owing to lack of /trade, several of the small mines had to be closed. Slight increases were recorded in the Grey and Nelson districts ; that in the Grey district being due to more constant work at the Blackball Mines and that in the Nelson district to increased outputs from the Mount Burnett and Seymour Mines. In the Southern District the output decreased by 41,820 tons, despite the fact that there were forty-seven more men employed in the Southern mines than in 1931. Five of the principal mines in the Ohai-Nightcaps field were idle from August owing to a labour dispute, which continued until April, 1933. Other mines, chiefly those at Kaitangata, were able to supply all requirements—in fact, they could have produced much more than the demand even then. Places could not be found for half the former employees, at the mines involved in the dispute, when work was resumed there. Many farmers continue to cut down trees on their properties for fuel, and lignite mine-owners gained many customers who in former years used higher-grade fuels. The consumption per head of population in 1914 was 2-50 tons, but in 1932 it was only 1-27 tons, or a fall of 49-2 per cent. The decreasing use of coal by ocean-going vessels is very noticeable. Of those fitted up in Great Britain in 1931-32 a tonnage of only 57,120 used coal, but vessels of 858,144 tons were fitted to use oil. Ten years ago, of all existing vessels of 100 tons and upward 73-9 per cent, used coal to 26-1 per cent, using oil. Now only 55-9 per cent, use coal, and 44-1 per cent, are oil-driven. 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.

Total Ontnnt fnr Total Output to Number of Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal. U ™P™ ° 31st December, Persons ™ 6i " 1932. ordinarily employed. Northern District. Tons. Tons. Hikurangi .. .. .. Hikurangi .. Sub-bituminous 52,644 501,800 135 Wilson's .. .. .. „ .. „ 38,581 631,580 139 Rotowaro .. .. .. Huntly .. Brown .. 90,415 1,724,271 175 Pukemiro .. .. .. „ .. „ .. 65,904 2,062,681 164 Wilton .. .. .. .. Glen Massey .. ., .. 66,801 124,126 109 Glen Afton .. .. .. Glen Afton .. „ .. 65,102 1,430,677 131 MaoDonald .. .. .. Waikokowai .. ,, .. 99,722 191,627 175 Renown .. .. .. „ .. „ .. 52,762 323,391 105' Egmont.. .. .. .. Tangarakau .. ,, .. 21,409 64,263 42' West Coast District. ■ ■ Westport-Stockton .. .. Ngakawau .. Bituminous .. j 104,920 3,007,318 290 Millerton .. .. .. Millerton .. „ .. 63,947 8,207,260 170 Denniston .. .. .. Denniston .. ,, .. 106,440 10,213,316 427 Cardiff Bridge .. .. .. Seddonville .. ,, .. 21,395 232,299 20 Paparoa - .. Roa .. Semi-bituminous 30,570 710,173 38 Blackball .. .. .. Blackball .. Bituminous .. I 41,922 3,951,520 69 Blackball Creek .. .. .. „ .. „ ..I 21,010 25,103 40 Liverpool (State) .. .. Rewanui .. ,, .. 98,846 2,383,633 341 James (State) .. .. .. Rapahoe .. Sub-bituminous 30,793 338,997 79 Dobson .. .. .. Dobson .. Bituminous .. 63,737 575,707 183 Wallsend .. .. .. Brunnerton .. .,, .. 49,887 423,747 150 Southern District. Shag Point .. .. .. Shag Point .. Brown .. 12,867 314,502 60 Kaitangata (2 collieries) .. .. Kaitangata .. ,, .. 107,589 4,992,398 297 Linton (2 collieries) .. .. Ohai .. „ .. 52,303 874,368 100 Wairaki (2 collieries) .. .. .. „ .. 16,451 411,896 79 Mossbank (2 collieries) .. „ .. ,, .. | 28,626 388,790 78 Birchwood No. 2 .. .. „ .. „ .. ' 23,280 108,166 60 183 other collieries .. .. All coalfields .. Various .. j 414,099 8,428,693 , 980 Collieries abandoned or suspended, &c. Various .. ,, .. .. 25,198,267 ■•''.. Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,842,022 77,840,569 4,636

Average Number of Persons employed daring 1932. Inspection District. -- Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Southern .. ,. .. .. 255 729 ■ 984 West Coast .. .. .. .. 634 1,679 . 2,313 Northern .. .. .. .. 368 971 1,339 Totals, 1932 .. .. 1,257 3,379 4,636 Totals, 1931 .. .. ! 1,414 4,331 5,745 * ■ I

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The following statement shows the tons of coal raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about collieries, &c, to 1932 :—

SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines.during 1932, with their causes : —

The fatal accidents for the year under review were at the rate of 2-59 per thousand persons employed, and at the rate of 6-51 per million tons of coal produced. Accounts of the different accidents are given in the reports of the District Inspectors (Annexure A).

Lives lost by Accidents in or Persons ordinarily employed. Tons raised about Collieries. „ Output, in per each Per- p Year> Statute Tons. son employed Per Million Th " anrt Number Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. below Ground -j °™ Priortol900 13,444,437 * * * * * * 165 1900 .. 1,093,990 617 1,843 2,460 593 3-65 1-62 4 1901 .. 1,239,686 688 2,066 2,754 600 2-42 1-09 3 1902 .. 1,365,040 803 2,082 2,885 655 1-46 0-69 2 1903 1,420,229 717 2,135 2,852 665 2-81 1-40 4 1904 1,537,838 763 2,525 3,288 609 2-60 1-21 4 1905, .. 1,585,756 833 2,436 3,269 651 3-78 1-83 6 1906 .. 1,729,536 1,174 2,518 3,692 687 3-46 1-62 6 1907 .. 1,831,009 1,143 2,767 3,910 662 6-55 307 12 1908 .. 1,860,975 992 2,902 3,894 641 2-68 1-28 5 1909 .. 1,911,247 1,159 3,032 4,191 630 3-66 1-67 7 1910 .. 2,197,362 1,136 3,463 4,599 634 7-28 3-48 16 1911 .. 2,066,073 1,365 2,925 4,290 706 6-77 3-26 14 1912 .. 2,177,615 1,130 3,198 4,328 681 413 2-08 9 1913 .. 1,888,005 1,053 3,197 4,250 590 3-18 1-41 6 1914 .. 2,275,614 1,176 3,558 4,734 639 2153 10-35 49f 1915 .. 2,208,624 1,050 3,106 4,156 711 4-07 2-16 9 1916 .. 2,257,135 988 3,000 3,988 752 2'65 1-50 6 1917 .. 2,068,419 1,090 2,893 3,983 715 1-93 1-00 4 1918 .. 2,034,250 1,102 2,892 3,994 703 2-95 1-50 6 1919 .. 1,847,848 1,095 2,849 3,944 648 5-41 2-53 10 1920 .. 1,843,705 1,152 2,926 4,078 630 0-54 0-24 1 1921 .. 1,809,095 1,218 3,149 4,367 674 552 2 28 10 1922 .. 1,857,819 1,191 3,365 4,556 552 323 1-31 6 1923 .. 1,969,834 1,353 3,647 5,000 540 2-53 1-00 5 1924 .. 2,083,207 1,364 3,505 4,869 594 4'80 2-05 10 1925 .. 2,114,995 1,288 3,489 4,777 606 3-78 1-67 8 1926 .. 2,239,999 1,336 3,823 5,159 586 6-69 2-90 15 1927 .. 2,366,740 1,386 3,988 5,374 593 4-23 1-86 10 1928 .. 2,436,753 1,366 4,010 5,376 608 3-69 1-67 9 1929 .. 2,535,864 1,370 4,127 5,497 614 4-73 2-18 12 1930 .. 2,542,092 1,437 4,430 5,867 574 5-50 238 14 1931 .. 2,157,756 1,414 4,331 5,745 498 1'85 0"69 4 1932 .. 1,842,022 1,257 3,379 4,636 545 6-51 2-59 12 Totals .. 77,840,569 .. .. .. .. .. I 463 • For returns (or previous years see page 32, Mines Statement, 1921. t Year of Ralph's (Huntly) explosion.

Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Person* Accidents. Accidents. proved Fata , to their Companion». Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust Falls of ground ...... 6 7 7 7 Explosives .. .. .. ■ ■ • • • • 2 3 Haulage ........ 2 2 5 5 Miscellaneous —Underground .... 3 3 3 On surface Totals ...... 10 12 17 18

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SECTION lII—ACCIDENTS. The death-rate from accidents in coal-mines increased from 0-69 to 2-59 per thousand persons employed, and, of the twelve deaths, seven were due to falling coal or stone. One man was electrocuted by a defective relay " shorting " to a 400-volt circuit ; two died of hydrogen-sulphide poisoning ; one was killed by a runaway mine-tub, and one by stepping in front of a descending rake of mine-tubs. ■ At least two of the fatalities could have been avoided : The underviewer who went in front of the moving tubs was warned of their approach, and the putting-up of one or two props near the working-face would have saved the life of the miner working in that place. The most regrettable accident was on the 11th June, when the two managers of the Millert'on Mines, William Lowden and Joseph Pfeffer, were poisoned by sulphuretted hydrogen. Twelve yards behind a concrete fire-stopping another one, 25 ft. high, had been built; A hole 2 ft. square had been left at the top and two drain-holes near the floor. Lowden went through the top hole and down the inside of the 25 ft. stopping with the intention of blocking up the-drain-holes. He had lowered a safety-lamp previously, and all appeared safe. Immediately he reached the floor he was overcome by the deadly hydrogen-sulphide gas. While help was being sought in other directions Pfeffer arrived and got ropes. He sent out of the mine for a " Proto " apparatus and, in the meantime; he lowered a safety-lamp, and later a naked carbide pit-lamp. Lowden was seen lying on the floor and it appeared as if he was still breathing. Pfeffer, thinking that Lowden was only stunned, climbed through the hole to go down to Lowden. When Pfeffer reached the floor he called out to be drawn up. After being lifted about 6 ft. he fell away from the rope to which he had not been secured. The Denniston Mine manager, Mr. McArthur, who had been sent for, donned the " Proto " apparatus and went through and recovered the bodies. , . '"."'.' ...'.- Of the serious non-fatal accidents seven were caused by falls of •coal or stone, and four occurred on haulage-roads. A trucker's eyes were injured and his face was burnetl by an ignition of acetylene Bas8 as - . . i Greater care should be taken when tins of calcium carbide are being opened. No naked lights should be nearby. After the pit-lamps have been charged with fresh carbide the tins should be tightly closed to prevent the entrance of moisture. ■ ~ " . ...

SECTION IV,— WORKING OF THE COAL-MINES ACT. (a) Permitted Explosives. (Regulations 233 to 237 inclusive.)" , i ;■■.) The : following is a table showing the quantity of permitted explosives used and the number of shots fired at New Zealand Coal-mines during 1932 : — o-p. 1 .-;!

Approximately 76 per cent, of the coal produced in the Dominion during 1932 'was broken down by permitted explosive, and the average production of coal per pound of explosive used was 3-90 tons, and per shot fired 3-01 tons. (6) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives-abb used."--»- :f>- * The following is a list of mines as at the 31st December, 1932, at which permitted explosives are used: — ~. .. . , . _ . .. ~., ~ ' ;■'.,- ,:■ Northern Inspection District.- ~/>,. '. ■ ..'.. K . ~ Pukemiro, Pukemiro —Throughout South Mine. " " '"' »*'< Rotoward, Kotowaro—Throughout No. 1 and No. 3 Mines. ' ;•'-. ■•■'"■ Glen Afton, Glen Afton —All sections of the mine. '"' ;;• '; : ■• ■..:• ■'' *" '■** ■Waikato Extended Colliery, Huntly—All sections. i.'i. ■ "■";■" Renown, Waikokowai —All sections. ■• ■■.■.■>;■_.■.■.■; ■■■.•■».•!•;.<•.*

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WfcJeSS Somber of Mtaflred Shots. ; ., j^ Number >■ > • . > ; '■^α Inspection District _: of «raj Sh . , ■ p, 5 <d Shots, fired. w> «S J . •■.■• |- i i! i 4 4 ij p S3 3 ■ _ w s = a -<. q Tons. , Northern (i.e., North Island) .. 78,777 .. .. 86,168 j 3 29 22 54 330y9&5 West Coast (of South Island) .. 104,586) .. 125,312 286,742 10 172 90 272 842,584 Southern {i.e., Canterbury, Otago, 2,450 , .. 47,736 91,657 .. 17 16 33 225,605 and Southland) Totals .. .. 185,813 .. 173,048 464,567 13 218, 128 359, 1,399,184 ' . I ' ' j _^^_^

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West Coast Inspection District. Puponga, Puponga. Armstrong's, Dunollie. O'Rourke's, Murchison. Baddeley's, Runanga. Cardifl Bridge, Seddonville. Bellvue, Runanga. Charming Creek, Seddonville. Blackball Coal Co.'s, Blackball. Cascade, Seddonville. Brae Head, Dunollie. Westport-Stateville, Seddonville. Cain's, Rapahoe. Chester's, Seddonville. Castle Point, Runanga. Coal Creek, Seddonville. Cox's Creek, Rapahoe. Glasgow, Seddonville. Dobson, Brunnerton. Quinn and party's, Seddonville. Duggan's, Rewanui. Westportmain, Granity. Hunter's, Rewanui. Westport-Mokihinui, Seddonville. Briandale, Ten-mile. Westport Coal Co.'s Denniston mines. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Westport Coal Co.'s Millerton mines. Old Runanga, Rewanui. Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau. Schultz Creek, Twelve-mile. Rocklands, Berlin's. Smith's, Runanga. Whitecliffs, Berlin's. Spark's, Rewanui. Archer's, Capleston. State Coal-mines (Liverpool Collieries and James Clele, Merrijigs. Colliery). Coghlan's, Capleston. Paparoa, Roa. Collins, Murray Creek. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Morrisvale, Reefton (Perfection, Matchless, and Dennehy's, Barrytown Road. Surprise). New Point Elizabeth, Dunollie. Defiance, Reefton. Goldlight, Rewanui. Burke's Creek, Reefton. Fiery Cross, Dunollie. Waitahu Colliery, Reefton. Jubilee, Rapahoe. Honey's, Reefton. Bellbird, Ten-mile. White Rose, Merrijigs. Southern Inspection District. Kaitangata No. 1, Kaitangata. Linton, Ohai. Kaitangata No. 2, Kaitangata. Black Diamond, Ohai. Wairaki, Ohai. Black Lion, Ohai. Birchwood, Ohai. | Star, Ohai. (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safety-lamps. The following is a list of the mines as at the 31st December, 1932, required by law to use safety lamps : — Northern Inspection District. Pukemiro, Pukemiro —Throughout south mine section. Rotowaro, Rotowaro —Throughout No. 1 and No. 3 Mines. Glen Afton, Glen Afton —Main headings. Renown, Waikokowai—Main headings. West Coast Inspection District. Dobson, Brunnerton. Paparoa, Roa. Spark's, Rewanui. Wallsend, Brunnerton. State Mine (Liverpool No. 2). Southern Inspection District. Kaitangata No. 1, Kaitangata. Linton, Ohai. Kaitangata No. 2, Kaitangata Black Diamond, Ohai. Wairaki, Ohai. Black Lion, Ohai. Birchwood, Ohai. Star, Ohai. (d) Dangerous Occurrences reported. (Regulation 82.) A full account of these is given in the reports of the District Inspectors (Annexure A). The Millerton Mine fires are an ever-present source of anxiety. Some of the concrete stoppings, put in to seal off the fire areas can, by damming back bodies of water, become sources of danger also. After two days' heavy rain one of those stoppings held back the inflow of water to a height of 50 ft., and, on 10th January, it was forced out, and the water swept throughout the No. 2 section workings. At the time there was no one in the mine. Two sections of the Hikurangi Coal Co.'s mine had to be sealed off through underground fires, the first on Ist September, and the other on 23rd November. Through neglect to make a proper inspection before work commenced, a manager and a miner were seriously burned by an ignition of firedamp.

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(e) Electricity at Collieries. (Regulation 243.) The following is a summary of the annual returns, in accordance with Eegulation 243 (c), regarding electrical apparatus at collieries : — Number of collieries at which electrical apparatus is installed .. .. 52 Number of continuous-current installations .. .. .. • • 11 Number of alternating-current installations .. .. .. • • 44 Number of collieries electrically lighted .. .. .. . • 40 Number of collieries using electrical ventilating-machines .. .. 40 Number of collieries using electrical pumping plants .. .. .. 33 Number of collieries using electrical haulage plants .. .. .. 40 Number of collieries using electrical screening plants .. .. .. 24 Number of collieries using electrical coal-cutting machines .. .. 4 Number of collieries using electrical miscellaneous plants .. .. 24 Number of collieries using electrical locomotives .. .. . • 1 Total horse-power employed from motors on surface .. .. .. 7,696 Total horse-power employed from motors below ground .. .. 4,133 (/) Prosecutions. Twenty-nine informations were laid by the District Inspectors during the year for breaches of the Coal-mines Act and regulations ; one information was dismissed, two were withdrawn, and twenty-six convictions were obtained. Accounts of the individual prosecutions are given in the reports of the District Inspectors (Annexure A).

SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. There were no amendments to the Coal-mines Act or to the Regulations during the year.

I desire to acknowledge the ready assistance given by the District Inspectors of Coal-mines and their continued co-operation for better and safer mining methods. Results are not always apparent from such persistent efforts, but there is a steady trend towards safer and more economical coal-mining. I have, &c, G. Duggan, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.

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ANNEXUKE ; A. SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (William Barclay, Inspector of Mines). Output of Coal. The coal-mining industry in the Northern District experienced many difficulties during the year 1932. The production of brown coal front the mines in the Waikato district declined by 211,592 tons, due to the extended use of hydro-electric power, and to the fact that firewood, readily obtainable in town and country, could be purchased at prices well under the cost of coal. The number of unemployed miners increased rapidly during the summer months. With the view of reducing costs, many fully developed working-sections in the mines were temporarily abandoned, and intensive machine-mining in favoured areas has resulted in increasing the daily output per miner from 6 to 12 tons, in effect to an extent that only half of the coal-miners are now required in the mines where machines are employed. The six large producing coal-mines in the.Waikato district only worked half-time, and each of the mines could produce double the quantity of coal now being raised from the reduced areas. There is little likelihood of trade improving, and it would appear that the only salvation for some of the recently established companies lies in some'scheme, yet to be formulated, for the amalgamation of the mines with a central sales agency to control the markets. Many advantages are to be obtained from amalgamation, and if a scheme could be established in the Waikato district, it might lead to cheaper and a better demand for coal, and to the re-engagement of a number 'of-tfte idle miners. ■'•'-■' '; Waikato Carbonization Plant.—The coal carbonizing and briquetting plant situated at Rotowaro and established -for the treatment .of surplus, slack coal has continued to make steady progress, and the quality of the chief product, carbonettes, 'has been greatly improved as reflected in an increased demand as compared with the previous year. The carbonettes are being railed to all parts of the North Island in satisfaction of a demand for domestic and industrial use. The New Zealand Railways are using carbonettes on the locomotives running on the heavy spiral section of the Main Trunk line, and, with the economy obtained in operating the locomotives, it is confidently predicted that the Department will'make more extensive use of this fuel. The by-products recovered are pitch and light and heavy oils, the pitch being all used in the manufacture of the carbonettes, while the light oil is sold as fuel and, after further treatment, is commanding a ready sale as a weed-killer. It is the directors' intention, at a later date, to subject the oils to a further cleansing.or refining process to produce a high-grade Diesel oil and other products. The following figures show the totals of production during the year 1932 : Raw coal treated, 19,957 tone ; carbonettes manufactured, 10,500 tons; tar treated, 134,380 gallons; pitch made, 204-4 tons; oil made, 87,950 gallons. North Auckland District. Hikurangi Coal Company, Ltd. (Shaft Colliery). —Mining operations during the year were confined to the extraction of the pillars in No. 2 section and to the development of first workings in No. 4 east section, where numerous small faults have been encountered in opening out to the west and east of the haulage-road. During the month of May a strike occurred, due to the dismissal of fifty miners, whose services were not required owing to a reduced demand for steam coal. The strike lasted eight weeks, and it cost the company fully £2,000 for pumping ! during the enforced idleness. The mine-workings fell into disrepair, and, following a resumption of work, the output steadily fell to 200 tons per day. Two disastrous mine fires occurred during the latter end of the year, resulting in the sjiaft level and No. 4 sections being sealed off at the entrances, leaving only a small section to the east available 'for coal-pfoductibn. The mine is heavily watered, and at least 15 per cent, of the daily output is retained for generating electric power for the pumping-machinery. The water lodgment advised, and constructed under Government loan, has "been completed, and the excavated area holds 700,000 gallons of water. An area of coal to the north under the Hikurangi Swamp can be conveniently worked from the shaft-level, and mine-development in this direction is to be pushed ahead during the coming year. Several schemes have been advanced for the remodelling of the mine plant, but they have been held in abeyance pending the results of the development in the remaining areas. Wilson's Collieries Ltd. (Waro Colliery). —During the year the Waro Colliery was operated by the 180 workmen who had entered into a contract with the owners to mine the coal and supply Wilson's Portland Cement Works with 800 tons per week. Many difficulties were experienced by the co-operative party, and three separate floodings of the dip workings, due to inadequate pumps, severely strained the resources of the party. At the end of the contracted vear, the Cement Company intimated to the party that it could only take 300 tons of coal per week, and consequently the Waro Co-operative Party was forced into voluntary liquidation, but subsequent negotiations resulted in a smaller party of fifty miners taking over the mine to be again worked on a co-operative basis. Assistance was granted by the Unemployment Board for the purpose of lowering the water-level and repairing the mine-workings. The new party was able to operate the mine successfully, and an additional sixty miners were readmitted into the mine. Development of the dip section has been hindered by the inefficiency of the installed pumps, and it was only towards the end of the year that No. 7 section was restored for production. The pillars in No. 6 Section have been withdrawn to about 5 chains of the main haulage road. An area containing reduced pillars in No. 1 jig section has been re-roaded, but fires and falls have increased the cost of winning the remaining thin coal in this section. The presence of " sodawater '' springs, occurring in greater volume as more. floor is exposed to the dip, presents a problem which can only be faced by the installation of more adequate pumping machinery. The inflow of water has also been increased by the removal of the pillars in No. 6 section, where the resulting subsidences are occurring under surface creek-beds. Crown Leases. —The following small coal-mines situated in close proximity to the Marua Road were worked by small parties of miners. The working-seam averages 3 ft. in thickness. Narrow places 4 ft. to 6 ft. wide are driven in the shallow coal-seam, and the outputs are conveyed by motor-lorries to Hikurangi station, a distance of three miles : Silverdale Colliery (Foot's), Glen Nell Colliery (sublease from Mclntyre and party to S. Foot), Phoenix Colliery (McKinlay and party), Mclnness's Colliery (sublease to Reyburn and party), Northern Cooperative Colliery (E. A. Cunningham), Hick's Colliery (Hicks and Cook). Buatangata Coal-mine. —Operations are confined to the extraction of the pillars recovered from the old Kamo Mine workings. A new pump, electrically driven, has been installed in the dip, and the management is preparing to advance roadways through a dip area of old workings, with the view of reaching a solid area shown on the old mine plans. A proportion of the output is used at the mine for the purpose of manufacturing various shapes of fire-bricks. The Rocks Area (Owners: Hikurangi Coal Co., Ltd.). —Coutts and party, Fearnley and party (sublease to W. Reed), Wilson and party, and Ackers and party (prospecting only) conducted mining operations by following the bottom seam (3 ft. thick) from proved boreholes, under the pillared area of the top seam. Fearnley and party were successful in winning 2,449 tons of coal from a dip prospecting drive.

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New Kiripaka Colliery. —Brown and Webber continue to work out isolated blocks of coal left by the Northern Coal Co., Ltd., at Ngungaru. The output is carted to Whangarei (nine miles). Glenbervie Coal-mine.— Operations are confined to the extraction of the remaining pillars. The seam ia 4 ft. in thickness, and contains two bands of stone. A now motor-road and loading-bank, with screens for separating the house coal, were laid down and constructed during the year. Whareora Coal-mine. —The seam is 7 ft. in thickness, but contains two bands of stone 6 in. and 1 ft. 6 in. thick respectively. The intervening bands of stone are so placed that only 3 ft. of clean coal is available for mining. A new party has taken over the lease, and boreholes, drilled 50 ft. in depth, have proved the existence of a level seam which is to be served by a motor-road to be formed from the main road. Millbrooh Coal-mine. —This colliery is situated near Ruatangata to the west of the main road. Three parties of miners have failed to work a thin coal seam. The roof cover is composed of loose volcanic sand which forms a troublesome roof. "Soda-water" springs and carbon dioxide gas given off by the strata — common to the district —were factors also in preventing the seam being followed any distance from the outcrop. Avoca Coal-mine. —An output of 3,442 tons was got during the year from an isolated block of coal found near the outcrop, and passed over by a former working of the area. The seam varies in thickness from 6 ft. to 18 ft., and a portion is being worked opencast. Steps are being taken to dewater a dip driven during the year 1913, and abandoned before bords were turned away from the roadway. The output is being readily marketed in Tangowahine and Dargaville. Waikato District. Rotowaro Collieries (Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Owners).—No. 1 Mine section has been extended to the east and to the rise of the main haulage terminus. The average thickness of roof-cover is 100 ft., and roof-pressure, at this thickness of cover, is hardly perceptible on the formed weight-carrying pillars. All the sections of the first workings, with the exception of the pillaring sections, have been sealed off at the entrances in order to minimize the dust danger. Two coal-cutting machines are in use in the bords, and the average daily output per miner in the machine-cut places is 10 tons. " Oldham" electric safety-lamps are in use throughout the mine, and no inflammable gas has been detected during the year. The daily output from No. 1 section is maintained at 600 tons in one shift. No. 3 Mine section was resumed during, the winter months for an output of 150 tons per shift. The seam averages 18 ft. in thickness, and pillars 60 ft. by 60 ft. are formed in the first working. The coal roof in the bords is difficult to maintain, due to the splintering nature of the coal, which flakes off progressively as the places .are advanced. This physical condition has caused numerous falls in the bords, resulting in heating of the fallen coal to an extent that several sections have had to be prematurely sealed off. Pukemiro Collieries (Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., Owners). —In common with other established Waikato Collieries this company experienced a substantial reduction in the output. The bulk of the output was obtained from the North Mine, in which are provided three separate working districts. In the north-east section the seam is 14 ft. thick, and the pillars are being extracted back to the main haulage-road. In the west section a clean seam 8 ft. in thickness is being followed to a proved fault. The brickyard section of the North Mine and the East and South Mines have only been worked intermittently to supply the winter demand for coal. Heating in the goaf has followed the extraction of pillars, but temporary brick stoppings, erected ahead for sealing requirements, have always been in readiness to seal off the affected areas as soon as the first sign of "fire-stink" appeared in the mine atmosphere. The roof cover in the north pillaring section averages 70 ft. of jointed fireclay ; at this thickness the roof pressure, exerted by the removal of the coal, ceases at the pillar ends, and the recurring fractures closely fill up the excavated spaces in the goaf. A total output of 2,062,681 tons has been produced from the company's mines. Glen Afton No. 1 Colliery (Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., Owners). —A total output of 1,430,677 tons has been obtained almost entirely from the bords of the first workings. Complete pillaring operations have been conducted in A section only where at least 90 per cent, of the available seam has been extracted to the main road protective pillars. During the month of May both J section and the widely roaded districts in E section were temporarily sealed off by brick stoppings, as a result of a decreased demand for steam coal, and the cancellation of the company's contracts for slack coal supplied to the Auckland Power Board for generating electricity. The management is concentrating on K section, with three separate ventilating districts, to produce the disposable output. One-chain pillars have been formed between the bords in the first working, and, allowing that 20 per cent, of the seam has been worked from the bords, there is remaining in pillars a reserve of approximately 4,000,000 tons of coal. K section haulage-road was reballasted with fireclay debris obtained from a stone drive. When the clay is reduced to dust by the traffic over the road it should serve a double purpose by affording a treatment of incombustible dust to the roadway. The concrete and brick stoppings erected to seal off the crushed areas of D and G sections have been maintained in good order, and the movement appears to have reached a permanent settlement. Development during the year consisted of the driving of a stone dip through the fault at the end of the main haulage-road, and to the advancement of the headings set away to connect the company's Mac Donald Colliery to Glen Afton No. 1 Mine workings. Glen Afton No. 2 Colliery (Mac Donald State Coal-mine Reserve, under Lease to the Glen Afton Collieries Ltd.). An output of 99,722 tons was produced during the second year of working. No. 1 section was closed down' during the year as a result of the reduced demand for steam coal, and owing to the fact that No. 2 Mine section was better positioned to develop the large area of coal proved by boring conducted by the Mines Department. Preparations are being made to install the permanent single-inlet Sirocco fan at a site to the east of the main haulage-road. The sides of the main haulage-road, at a point where a prehistoric fire had disturbed and weakened the roof-cover, have been strengthened with walls of concrete, which have been erected high enough to carry the steel bars erected to support the heavily weighted roof. Development has been vigorously pushed ahead to open out three extensive mine sections, and three separate section headings are proceeding to the north, west, and south respectively. Two coal-cutting machines are in use in this mine. A Sullivan arc wall machine has been employed in the headings with satisfactory results, as regards reliability and freedom from repairs. A Korfmann coal cutting and shearing machine, electrically driven, has been recently introduced. It weighs 16cwt., and when in cutting position it is rigid, and extremely flexible in its operation. The cuttingfeed is manipulated by hand, and can be varied to suit soft or hard conditions of the coal. The average thickness of the coal-seam over the proved field is 18 ft. It lies apparently in a basin at a lower level than the workings of Glen Afton No. 1 Mine, and the drainage of the advanced sections of the older mine will naturally flow towards the developing headings in Mac Donald No. 2 Mine section. Generally this mine section has been developed and equipped to deal with an output of 600 tons per day on single shift. Graham Colliery (Party of miners, Owners). —An average daily output of 50 tons has been won from the pillars in the south section. The seam in this section is only 4 ft. in thickness. The roof is of soft structure, and an overlying seam of broken coal induced spontaneous combustion in the goaf. Early in the year twelve brick stoppings were erected to seal off a heating in the goaf of the east side. The fire worked round the stoppings, and eventually caused the mine to be sealed off for a period of two months. Fourteen additional stoppings' were erected in sealment of all the disused roadways leading to the waste ground, and mining operations were resumed on the remaining pillars. The mine is situated half a mile from Glen Afton Railway-station, and is connected to the railway by an extended siding.

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Pukemiro Junction Colliery (Party of miners, Owners). —Mining operations were discontinued during the year, due to the exhaustion of the narrow field. The plant was removed, and the Crown lease surrendered. Total output to 31st December, 1932, was 113,261 tons. Waikato Extended Colliery (Roose Shipping Co., Ltd., Owners). —Operations have been continued on the pillars remaining on the Old Waikato Mine section under lease from the Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd. The mine is situated on the west bank of the Waikato River, three miles south of Huntly. The output is conveyed by riversteamers to meet the requirements of river settlers, and for bunkering use in the company's steamers. Huntly Brickworks. —The fireclay quarry, opened to a height of 70 ft., being worked for the manufacture of firebricks, tiles, &c, has been maintained in good order. Taupiri East Colliery (Auckland University Council Endowment Lease). —Operations have been confined to the splitting of pillars recovered from the old Kimihia Mine. Two electrically driven pumps have been employed in lowering the water in the old mine-workings. A total of 17,194 tons has been won by the miner owners of the mine. Campbell Colliery (Crown lease, Whatawhata). —A new dip has been driven from an outcrop for a distance of 6 chains in the coal-seam. Six working-places have been turned off the dip. The seam is of good quality, and finds a ready market in Hamilton and surrounding districts. A total of 39,780 tons of coal has been won from the Crown lease, and the future prospects of the mine are quite satisfactory. Renown Colliery (Renown Collieries, Ltd., Owners). —Mining operations, following the general slackness of trade, have been confined to No. 2 south section, and to eight headings being advanced for the future development of the mine. With the exception of four headings, all the faces are machine mined, and a daily output of 400 tons is being got from twenty working-places on one shift. No inflammable gas has been reported from the mine over a period of two years, but safety-lamps are used in the main headings, as a precautionary measure against the danger of meeting isolated blowers of gas. Mine-developemnt, ventilation, and haulage have been maintained at a high standard of efficiency, and the daily output could be doubled within a few days to meet any improved demand for coal. Total output up to 31st December, 1932, 323,391 tons. Wilton Colliery (Wilton Collieries, Ltd., Owners). —This colliery produced 66,801 tons for the year 1932. Three separate sections have been connected to the mine-system of haulage and ventilation, and two are proceeding to the dip in a westerly direction towards the boundary. The rise section is being reduced in area by a converging outcrop which is narrowing the field in the direction of the main headings. The pillars in both No. 1 section and the east section are being extracted following the first working. The coal pillars are being recovered in good condition as they have not been affected by the progressive roof movement which tends to cause fretting and disintegration of the coal structure. The seam averages 5 ft. in thickness in the east section, and in the dip section it varies from 7 ft. to 9 ft. Two headings to the north, skirting the outcrop on both sides, are being advanced into Holmes's area, where the thin coal has been proved to exist at shallow depths along the spurs of the hills. During the year I have impressed upon the management the need for reducing the width of the working-places. The bords are usually driven 14 ft. wide, requiring three rows of props, or sets with covering, in support of the roof. The coal is easily mined, and, if the bords could be driven to a width of 11 ft., one row of props would be ample to support the roof, and the narrow places would afford safer roadways for the extraction of the pillars. A Keith Blackman ventilating-fan, 4 ft. 6 in. in diameter, chain-driven by a 30 h.p. electric motor, has been installed in the return drift near the entrance to the mine, The endless-rope haulage and electrical systems have been advanced to the faces and maintained in good order. Hunua Collieries. —Three small coal-mines, known as Cowan's, Gillespie's, and Opaheke Collieries, have been opened out on freehold land at Hunua, twelve miles to the east of Papakura. Operations have been chiefly confined to prospecting, and the likelihood of locating a workable seam is not promising. This area has been previously prospected and worked by miners and companies, and only a thin seam, interspersed with stone and slate bands, has been discovered by prospectors. King Colliery (Conditional Native Lease). —A small coal-mine was opened out at Rangitoto by a party of six miners. A drive 100 ft. in length provided four working-places in a seam 6 ft. thick. The output was carted to Te Kuiti a distance of eight miles. Rangitoto Coal-mine (Native Lease, Tahia). —Pour miners are engaged in following an outcrop of clean coal. Narrow places are driven in a level coal-seam. Output of 1,025 tons during the year was disposed of to settlers within a radius of ten miles of the mine. Taranaki District. Old Stockman Colliery, Mokau. —This mine is situated on the west bank of the Mokau River at a distance of twenty miles from the Mokau Heads. The seam is 4 ft. thick, and the output is shipped down the river in launches for the requirements of a dairy factory and local settlers. Mokau Colliery (Mokau Collieries, Ltd., Owners). —During the year the company mined and shipped 765 tons of coal from a Native lease (Block lα, Maunga-Awakino) situated thirteen miles up the Mokau River. A tramway three miles and a half in length has been laid down to connect the mine to the wharf. The company has purchased a small steamer for the purpose of shipping coal to Waitara and New Plymouth. Paparata Coal-mine (Crown Lease, Taranaki Coal-mining Company, Ltd., Owners). —The mine is situated eleven miles from the railway. The output is carted over clay roads, and operations are confined to the summer months. The seam is 3 ft. thick, and is got by holing out 2 ft. of the soft fireclay lying immediately above the seam. Egmonl Colliery (Crown Lease, Egmont Collieries Ltd., Owners). —The mine is situated on the banks of the Tangarakau Stream, seventy miles north of Stratford. The average daily output is 120 tons, and forty-six miners are employed in the mine. Twenty-four working-places are available for production by machine mining in a seam 3 ft. thick. The long-wall method of mining was employed in the pillar section, but it was discontinued, due to the fact that the weight of the superincumbent strata extended over the roadside pillars, and could not be confined to the goaf. The roof-cover and floor is massive sandstone, which does not yield until a large area of coal is extracted. The quality of coal is not improved by the numerous bands of stratified shale which divide the coal-seam, and present a problem for the clean marketing of the output. Gilberd's Colliery (Crown Lease, Tatu). —Two prospecting-tunnels were driven during the year, but owing to defective timbering they both collapsed. Another attempt is being made to follow the outcrop at a higher level. The seam is highly inclined, and the coal is soft and friable. The output is conveyed to Ohura, a distance of seven miles. Fatal Accidents. On the 4th February, 1932, George Scott, underviewer, Mac Donald Colliery, was fatally injured as a result of a haulage accident. From evidence tendered by the rope attendant, who actually witnessed the accident, it appeared that the deceased had entered the mine at mid-day and was struck down by a descending race of skips controlled by a jig wheel. The accident happened 2 chains in from the entrance, and the attendant had warned the underviewer repeatedly, until he himself had to take shelter, that the race was in motion.

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Another unusual accident occurred on the Bth November in the Waro Colliery, Hikurangi, when a miner, Harry Parr, lost his life, due to a fault in the signalling system installed in the mine. The bells in use were operated through a relay which was connected to a signalling-circuit energized to 15 volts by Leclanche cells, and a 400-volt bell-ringing circuit connected to the 400-volt main supply. The deceased was electrocuted whilst engaged handling the signallingwire, and a subsequent examination of the relay proved that the insulation between the circuits had broken down. The relays attached to the remaining bells were replaced by a maximum voltage of 20 throughout the circuits. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. William Ballard, Hikurangi Colliery, was off work from the 26th February to the 23rd May, due to receiving a wound to his right eye caused by sparking coal. On the 24th June, Thomas Holland, engaged as a winoh-driver in Taupiri East Coal-mine, sustained an amputation of one of his fingers, due to his hand being caught between the rope and drum. On the 15th July, Gavin Scurr, magazine-storekeeper, Rotowaro Colliery, sustained the loss of his right eye, due to an accident whilst engaged in winding detonators on a spool. The leads of the detonators touched an electrically charged radiator that was installed in the storeroom. On the 4th August, George Martin, aged sixteen years, employed by Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd., caught his leg between skips and a guard rail, resulting in injured left leg, knee, and hip-bone. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 82 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925). On the 14th March, 1932, a heating was discovered in the north section of the Pukemiro Colliery. Stoppings were erected close up to the goaf, and pillar falls occurring at frequent intervals were the means of checking the heating. On the 31st March and the 20th April, 1932, the mine-workings of the Waro Colliery were flooded, due to inrush of water from the surface, and to the inadequacy of the installed pumps to cope with abnormal flows of water. On the 16th August, 1932, "fire-stink" was discovered in the east side dip of Rotowaro No. 1 Mine. The section was sealed off. On the 31st August, 1932, a fire originating in the waste ground near the eastern outcrop of Graham's Colliery caused the mine to be sealed off for three months. Fourteen stoppings were subsequently erected, and the mine recovered. On the Ist September an outbreak of fire in the rise workings of the shaft-level section, Hikurangi Mine, resulted in the area being sealed off at the entrance to the section. On the 23rd November, 1932, a serious outbreak of fire occurred in the Hikurangi Shaft Colliery, with the result that the western section of the mine was sealed down at the end of the year. Huntly School ov Mines. The attendances at the various classes held at Pukemiro, Renown, and Huntly were not maintained as during previous years, due no doubt to the depressed condition of the coal trade, and to the fact that a number of students have been discouraged by loss of employment. Decreased donations, students' fees, and subsidies have forced the Council to economize in salaries and travelling-expenses, but in order that the ground covered by previous instruction should be sustained for the benefit of the improving students, it has been decided to resume continuation classes at Glen Afton and Glen Massey. WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (C. J. Strongman, Inspector of Mines). The output from the West Coast Inspection District for 1932 was 844,010 tons, as compared with 890,494 tons for 1931. The Buller and Reefton districts show decreases of 48,967 and 6,357 tons respectively, while the Greymouth and Nelson districts show increases of 4,411 tons and 4,429 tons respectively. The increase in the Grey district may be attributed to the more steady working of the Blackball Mines, which show decided increases over last year's figures. The larger output from the Seymour and Mount Burnett Mines is mainly the cause of the increase in the Nelson district. The output from the majority of the mines in the West Coast Inspection District has been seriously curtailed by the limited market available. The partial time worked has been a serious factor in the extraction of pillars in the older mines, more particularly those working thick seams. The question of pillar extraction in these mines is becoming one of paramount importance. The straight-line system of extraction still continues to give good results. Grey District. * Liverpool State Collieries. —No. 1 Mine: All the pillars having been extracted, coal-winning operations at this mine were abandoned during March, 1932. No. 2 Mine: Development work at this mine was confined to the extending of the Kimbell east level section, Anderson dip section, and the workings to the rise in the Morgan seam. The Kimbell east level having been driven a distance of 52 chains from the main haulage-road, was stopped in proximity to the Davy Creek fault. At this point the coal became thin and intersected with dirt bands. Nearing the fault the contour of the coal-seam changed until the main level was approximately following the same direction as the main incline. In the Anderson section the seam had been variable in gradient and thickness. The quality of the coal, which is excellent, remained uniform throughout. The winning-places to the rise in the Morgan seam are now in proximity to the barrier that is being left between the Nos. 1 and 2 Mines. Development work in this section is nearing completion. During the year pillar-extraction was commenced in the Morgan and Kimbell seams. Fairly good results were obtained in winning the maximum percentage of coal. The total output from commencement of operations up to the 31st December, 1932, is 2,383,633 tons. James State Colliery. —Operations at this mine were a continuation of those of the previous year —the extension of the development in the crosscut area and the extraction of pillars in the west section. In the crosscut area two sections have been worked, known as the dip and south level. In the former the seam has been uniform in gradient and thickness. The amount of coal to be won in this section is limited by the proximity of an upthrow fault which has a displacement of approximately 190 ft. Development in the south-level section has been retarded by intrusions of stone bands and rolls, also quantities of iron pyrites. The hard nature of the roof over the coal enables a complete extraction of all pillars to be made. Prospecting, accompanied by boring, has been continuously carried on throughout the year on a portion of the reserve between the Nine Mile and Ten Mile Creeks. Five diamond-drill holes were put down with satisfactory results, the total depth drilled being 2,829 ft. The work of prospecting has been hampered by the precipitous nature of the country, necessitating the erection of aerial ropeways for the transport of the boring-plant. The total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 338,997 tons. Blackball Coal-mines Proprietary, Ltd. —Development work in the Blackball Mine consisted mainly of cleaning up the old mam level, and good progress was made to No. 18 bank. No effort was made to work any of the abandoned portions along the road other than to drive a new return airway in the barrier pillar on the lower side. The work of cleaning up presented no great difficulty, as the debris from the upper workings had been carried to the level, packing it tight and supporting the roof. The endless-rope haulage has teen extended as far as No. 17 bank. Pillar-extraction was carried on below No, 1 level from No. 3 dip. On the surface.

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improvements have been effected, including new 11,000 volt metering and distribution panels, an underground cable to receive power from the Grey Electric-power Board, and also a new remote control to operate the main haulage from the weigh cabin. A borehole was put down at the head of No. 3 dip to carry power-cables underground. Improvements to the bathhouse and other sanitary conveniences have been completed. The total output from commencement of operations is 3,951,520 tons. Blackball Greek Mine. —Early in the year No. 1 section was closed down and a new section opened out farther up the creek. This was made possible by the completion of the flume, and coal was delivered from three mine-openings to the flume during the year. A coal-bin capable of storing 600 tons of coal was completed. The output from the mine was limited by unfavourable trade conditions. The total output up to 31st December 1932, is 25,103 tons. Briandale Collieries, Ltd. —During the year development work in Walker's section was continued by driving the main heading in a north-easterly direction. The coal in the main heading declined gradually in thickness and the heading was finally stopped 6 chains from the mine entrance in coal 1 ft. 4 in. to 1 ft. 6 in. in thickness. Going westerly the old workings in the No. 3 section were reached. In the Aerial section a fault running northeasterly was encountered, completely cutting off all development work to the north. A boring-plant has been procured, and the future development of the mine will depend upon the results obtained therefrom. The total output from commencement of operations is 63,731 tons. Wallsend Colliery. No. 1 Section : The quality of the coal in this section varied considerably, with stone intrusions and bad roof in places, this being no doubt due to the influence of the Buckley fault. Early in September, 1932, this section was abandoned, and the services of sixty-five workmen dispensed with. No. 2 Section : Development has been continued by two dip headings driven southerly to win a block of coal bounded on the south by the Dobson fault and on the west by the Taylorville fault. The most easterly of these dip headings encountered the fault after being driven a distance of 10 chains. The No. 2 dip extension was continued in good coal. No. 3 Section : During the year the work of driving the stone dip across the Taylorville fault was speeded up Three shifts with three men each with power rock-drills were employed and the seam was struck on the 10th November. The stone-drive lift. 6 in. by 7 ft. 6 in., and dipping at a grade of 1 in 3-3, is 8 chains in length. Haulage from the area is provided for by a Carron worm-driven electric winch of 75 h.p. The winch is housed in a chamber of reinforced concrete. The main return, adjacent to the shaft, has been enlarged for a distance of 3 chains to a point where the two airways joined. The debris from the stone tunnel was stowed in the old workings to strengthen the pillars. The total output from this colliery up to the 31st December, 1932, is 423,747 tons. Dobson Colliery. After a stoppage of four and a half months, due to an industrial dispute, operations were recommenced on the 15th February, 1932. Coal-winning operations had been chiefly carried out in four main sections viz., Nos. 1 and 2 east, and Nos. 1 and 2 west, whilst development levels in two additional sections were driven and are known as No. 3 east and No. 3 west. In No. 1 east district development is limited to a comparatively small area bounded on the north by the Dobson fault and on the east by the Mount Buckley fault. Only a small amount of solid work remains to be completed in this district. Pillar-extraction was commenced in the No. 2 east, work being carried on both to the rise and dip sides of the level, which is being advanced for further development. Work in No. 3 east district was of a purely developing nature, the levels having been advanced for a distance of 13 chains, whilst a dip, for the formation of panel workings, has been driven for 4J chains. Preparatory work for the installation of an endless-rope haulage system was also undertaken In No. 1 west district three pairs of miners were engaged during the major portion of the year. Considerable trouble was encountered and the work of forming a panel of workings to the dip was stopped, due to various unfavourable conditions, such as general thinning of coal, extremely friable roof, and prevalence of gas exuding from the seam known as the " Brunner Rider " immediately overlying the main Dobson seam. In the No. 2 "west section, two panels of workings were developed and work commenced on a third panel. Development work in No. 3 west was carried out by driving a pair of parallel levels. These were advanced a total distance of 14 chains and a dip started to open up a panel of workings in this area, being advanced a distance of 3 chains. Work generally was greatly hampered by trade conditions, the mine having worked only 127 days for the year. The total output of'coal up to the 31st December, 1932, is 575,707 tons. Tyneside Colliery. —Only a few tons of coal were produced from this mine during the early part of the year. The mine closed down early in May. Total output of coal by the present owner up to the 31st December, 1932, is 1,469 tons. Paparoa Colliery.—The work of coal-winning at this mine has been confined to two main sections —No. 1 section and the Aerial section. In the No. 1 section two main inclines are being driven 7 chains north-easterly towards the outcrop. The main levels have been driven 9 chains westerly, the coal maintaining its thickness and quality throughout. In the Aerial section dirty coal was reached in the main level at 21 chains from the mine-entrance. Pillar-extraction was commenced at this point. As the development work is well forward, parallel dips being driven south-westerly have been temporarily stopped. The erection of a new fan in the No. 1 section had materially improved the ventilation of the mine. The total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 710,173 tons. United Brunner Mine. —Work throughout the year consisted of cleaning up and timbering old roadways and the winning of a small amount of coal from pillars left in the old workings. Mining operations ceased at the end of the year. The total amount of coal won by the present owners up to the 31st December, 1932, is 886 tons. Co-operative Mines. Spark and Party, Bewanui. —The work of extracting pillars to the rise was continued during the year. Development work consisted of driving parallel headings on the strike of the seam in a north-easterly direction below and beyond the pillared ground. The main dip was extended a distance of 2 chains and a level broken away. The total output from this mine from commencement of operations is 37,970 tons. Duggan and Party. —The solid work having been completed, pillar-extraction has been commenced adjacent to the old No. 3 section of the Liverpool State Colliery. The coal is thin and of good quality. Only a limited number of pillars remain to be extracted. The total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 47,295 tons. Old Runanga Co-operative Parly (O'Brien and Party).—ln the Bluff section development work consists of driving parallel headings in a north-westerly direction in coal of good quality, averaging 6 ft. in height. To the rise, parallel headings are being driven towards the old No. 3a State Mine workings, where a synclinal fold was met with, the coal dipping slightly. The output from this mine from commencement of operations is 33,120 tons. Goldlight Colliery (Williams and Party).—The main east level, after being driven a distance of 10 chains, was stopped adjacent to a fault. A pair of parallel dip headings driven south-easterly for a distance of 3* chains met with a feeder of water and were abandoned. All work to the dip has thus ceased. To the rise all solid work has been completed and pillar-extraction commenced on the north-easterly boundary. Total output up to the 3lst December, 1932, is 35,581 tons,

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Moody Creek Mine. (Simpson and Party).—Faults and thinnings hampered development work at this mine throughout the year. Pillar-extraction has been commenced south-west of the main cross-cut dip. To the east, prospecting has been carried on between two parallel faults running approximately north and south. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 49,029 tons. New Point E. Mine (Guy and Party).—Pillar-extraction has been continued throughout the year to the rise east of the main haulage-level. Development work to the west having been completed in the barrier, pillarextraction was commenced and completed towards the end of the year. Total output from commencement of operations is 44,018 tons. Fiery Gross Co-operative Party (Currie and Party).—The main development work still continues to the rise in a north-westerly direction. The main level has been stopped on a fault. In the two main inclines going north-west the coal varies abruptly in thickness from 3 ft. to 4 ft., the roof being very uneven and the changes in thickness of the coal seam being numerous. Total output of coal up to the 31st December, 1932, is 17,071 tons. Baddeley and Party. —Pillar-extraction having been completed, the mine closed towards the end of the year, the party having secured a new lease on the State Coal Reserve. Preliminary operations for the development of the area are now well in hand. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 4-4,966 tons. Castlepoint Colliery. —During the year the major portion of the output was produced from pillar workings to the rise and adjacent to the fault. The main level in the crosscut headings was extended during the year. Total output from commencement of operations is 47,427 tons. Hilltop Mine (Armstrong and Party).—After being driven a distance of 5 chains in a southerly direction, the main dip was stopped in stony coal. From the bottom level a crosscut dip was started and driven a further distance of 3 chains in a south-easterly direction. The main level was driven 14 chains to the east of the main dip where a large upthrow fault was encountered, preventing the extension of workings in this direction. The quality of the coal is excellent, but stone intrusions rendered the cleaning of the coal difficult. The total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 19,140 tons. Brady and Party, Ten Mile. —This co-operative party commenced operations during the year on a block of coal situated at the Ten Mile Creek on the State Coal Reserve. Bins, tramways, &0., have been completed and Z3 tons of coal produced. Hunter and Party, Dunollie. —During the year the main level was advanced a further distance of 4 chains in a north-easterly direction. Development to the rise has been continued, the outcrop having been reached, in several places, 24 chains to the east of the main level. To the rise, pillar-extraction has commenced. Total output is 56,326 tons. Cox Creek Mine (Coates' Lease). —The presence of faults and the thinning of the coal to the south have retarded development work at this mine. To the rise, pillar-extraction was commenced. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 7,176 tons. Schulze Creek Mine, (Marshall and Party).—The main level was continued in a south-easterly direction in thin coal. Towards the end of the year a downthrow fault was encountered. A considerable amount of prospecting work has been done. The double-stall system of mining has been adopted with satisfactory results. Total output from commencement of operations is 23,586 tons. Dennehy's Mine. —Development work to the north has been continued in thin coal between two faults. Only a small area of coal remains to be developed. Total output of coal, 527 tons. Cain's Mine, Bapahoe. —To the north the workings are approaching those of the Bellvue Mine. The coal maintained its thickness. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 5,442 tons. Bellbird Mine (Fauth and Party). —The main dip, proceeding south-easterly, was stopped near the boundary of the lease. To the west a fault running parallel with the dip has prevented extensive development. Going easterly, the seam split and the coal thinned. A Keith-Blackman fan, capable of producing 17,000 cubic feet of air per minute, has been installed. Total output of coal up to the 31st December, 1932, is 15,243 tons. Bellvue Mine (Hadcroft and Party).—Development work has been completed and most of the output during the year was won from pillars. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 45,008 tons. Jubilee Mine, Bapahoe. —The output for the year was won partly from pillars and partly from solid work to the dip on the easterly portion of the lease. Prospecting operations revealed an outcrop to the north of the fault. A level was started and driven for a distance of 3 chains in a north-easterly direction when the coal thinned. Total output of coal from commencement of operations up to the 31st December, 1932, is 1.5,708 tons. Curtis and Party (Musselpoint Mine). —Numerous small step faults and thinnings retarded development work at this mine. A small compressor and rock-drills were installed during the year. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 2,384 tons. Smith and Party. —Development work has been carried out during the year to the north and south of the main dip. The main dip was extended a further distance of 1J chains. The influx of water has proved troublesome at this mine. Electrically driven pumps are used to cope with the difficulty. The total output from this mine is 62,500 tons. Braehead Mine (Boote and Party).—The main levels have been extended easterly to a point where the coal thinned to a thickness of 3 ft. Pillar-extraction was then commenced. The overlying roof of fireclay had commenced to break. Difficulty has been experienced from this cause. Total output, 65,262 tons. Stillwater Mine (Boustridge and Party).—Work during the year has been largely of a prospecting nature. A fault was encountered and the old mine abandoned, prospecting being resumed on a different portion of the lease. Total output from commencement of operations is 1,850 tons. Bernarks on Co-operative Mines in Grey District. —The small mines, in common with others, have suffered severely as the result of slackness in the coal-market, and development work, which in normal times would have been undertaken, has been neglected. A reduction in the number of men employed is also apparent. Reefton District. Archer's Mines. —Most of the coal won. from Archer's Mine was from pillar-extraction. No advance in mining methods has been made. Archer's Lease (Hopeful Mine). —To the east and west of the stone drive the coal-seam pinched, and pillarextraction was commenced. The roof, being of a friable nature, rendered the work of pillar-extraction on the heavy grade difficult and dangerous. Total output from Archer's Mines is 52,289 tons. Bone Mine (Coghlan's Leasehold). —The crosscut drive in stone to intercept the Nos. 1 and 2 seams was pushed forward during the year. Towards the end of the year a coal-seam was struck and 926 tons won. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 5,477 tons. Coghlan's Freehold Mine. —Towards the end of the year development work ceased, and pillar-extraction adjacent to the Eone Mine commenced. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 23,590 tons.

B—C. 2.

C—2.

Waitahu Mine. —A pair of levels wag continued. The mine worked intermittently during the year. Total output from this mine is 7,753 tons. Morrisvale Collieries. —Perfection Mine : The work of pillar-extraction was continued throughout the year. The fire continued to be troublesome, advancing towards the workings in a south-westerly direction. Flushing had been resorted to with beneficial results. Mining operations have been seriously hampered throughout the year due to lack of trade. Surprise Mine : The main dip has been advanced a total distance of 10 chains and a panel to the east opened out. The erection of concrete stoppings materially improved the natural ventilation throughout this mine. The total output from the Morrisvale Collieries up to the 31st December, 1932, is 110,300 tons. Burlce's Creek Colliery. —The main dip, driven on a bearing of 319°, has been extended during the year. To the east, No. 1 panel has been completed. The extraction of the pillars within the panel was found to be impracticable due to the overlying water-bearing gravels. To the west a panel of work was commenced. Development work has been seriously retarded by lack of trade. The coal, which fluctuates in quality, is overlain by a roof which breaks readily, heavy timbers 8 ft. long and 10 in. in diameter being broken. Two small tribute parties have been engaged in removing small blocks of coal left behind in the old workings in the right and left banks of Burke's Creek. The work is hampered by the lack of plans of the old abandoned mines. Total output from the Burke's Creek Colliery is 209,590 tons. Terrace Mine (Blackadder's). —The whole of the pillars being extracted, this mine is closed down. The tota, amount of coal won from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 6,684 tons. Times Street Mine (Honey's).—Only a few tons of coal were won from this mine during the year, the work being of a routine nature. No particular system of development has been followed. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 2,374 tons. Collins' Mine (Phcenix and Venus). —Numerous small drives have been put in for the purpose of extracting small pillars of coal that have escaped the effect of the fire which destroyed the old mine. Total output is 59,825 tons. Defiance Mine (McLaughlin's).—The cross-measure drive was completed and a small amount of coal won to the right and left of the drive. Total output from commencement of operations is 2,405 tons. Wealth of Nations Mine (Lankey's Creek). —A serious subsidence of the roof rendered the work of pillar-extraction dmgerous, and the mine was abandoned. Total output from this mine is 31,392 tons. Clele Mine (Alborn's). —Work in the old mine has ceased, prospecting operations having revealed numerous small outcrops from which the majority of the coal was won during the year. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932. is 50,689 tons. White Rose Mine (Osborn's). —Only a small amount of coal was won from this mine for local consumption. Total output is 365 tons. Remarks on Reefton Mines. —With few exceptions, coal-mining operations in the Reefton district continue to be carried on in a haphazard manner, lack of capital to provide machinery being the principal factor Only coal that can be cheaply mined is being won. Btjllbe District. Mitchell's Mine, Charleston. —Sixty-eight tons of coal were won by means of opencast workings during the year. Total output from commencement of operations is 433 tons. Brighton Mine (Hunter and Party).—This mine worked intermittently during the year. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 696 tons. Roc Hands Mine (J. P. Burley).— A small amount of coal was obtained from the rise workings from the splitting of pillars. Total output from commencement of operations is 10,607 tons. Whftecliffs Mine (J. H. Burley).—The main level was advanced a short distance and several places broken away to the rise of the seam. Total output from this mine is 3,436 tons. Coal Creek Mine, Seddonville. —This mine remained idle throughout the year. Total output of coal from commencement of operations is 97,913 tons. Quinn's Mine, Seddonville. —A small quantity of coal was won from pillar-extraction. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 8,647 tons. Glasgow Mine, Seddonville. —No development work was undertaken during the year, the whole of the output being obtained from pillar-extraction. Total output from commencement of operations is 35,495 tons. Cardiff Bridge Mine, Seddonville. —The number of men employed at this mine continued to be reduced as the available pillars were extracted. Prospecting operations on another portion of the lease proved disappointing, and were discontinued. Total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 232,299 tons. Chester's Mine, Seddonville. —This mine remained idle during the major portion of the year. Total output from commencement of operations is 21,382 tons. Westport-Stateville Mine. —There being no demand for coal, very little work was done at this mine. Total output is 13,173 tons. St. Helen's Mine (Rogers Bros.). —The two main headings, after being driven westerly for a distance of 4 chains, were stopped in coal 1 ft. in thickness. To the south, faulted country prevented development. The results obtained from development work were of a disappointing nature, and the mine remained idle for a considerable portion of the year. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 5,203 tons. Charming Creek Mine, Ngakawau. —Coal-winning operations throughout the year were confined to the No. 1 south-east panel. The coal in this panel to the rise thinned, and the quality became inferior. Pillar-extraction was then commenced and the pillars formed in the first workings were extracted. Towards the end of the year a stone-drive was commenced to cut the fault in the main east level. A total distance of 3| chains was driven when the seam was again encountered. The coal was of good quality, 20 ft. in thickness. Before development work can be undertaken it will be necessary to construct a return airway. Development to what is known as No. 5 Government shaft has been hampered by lack of a pumping-plant to deal with the water. Before the field can be properly developed the installation of electrical plant will be necessary. Ventilation : During August a 50 in. Sirocco fan, driven by a 17 h.p. Diesel engine, was installed at the top of No. 2 shaft. The total output from this mine from commencement of operations is 28,679 tons. Westportmain Mine, Oranity. —A total of twenty days only were worked at this mine during last year. Development work is practically completed. Falls have been removed and surface stripping resorted to in order to recover pillars that have been buried in the first workings. The bulk of the output was won from pillar workings during the year. The total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 176,690 tons. Westport-Cascade Mine. —Development work in Durkin's Creek has been continued with the object of reaching the outcrop and increasing the water-supply for fluming purposes. The area has proved to be faulted. The coal-measures on the south side have been denuded. Development work is proceeding generally in a

C.—2

direction towards Mill Creek, the gradient being undulating and more or less faulted. In No. 1 old workings driving has been carried out on the bottom of the seam with the object of extracting the pillars adjacent to the Mount William fault. The extraction of pillars has been rendered difficult, the overlying strata being of a gravelly nature. The wide places driven in the first workings have collapsed. Total output from this mine is 75,362 tons. Denniston Mines (Westport Coal Co., Ltd.).—Coalbrookdale Mine: Two main headings in the Waterloo section were driven in a south-westerly direction for a distance of 5 chains. From this point a panel was opened out to the right. A panel was also started to the dip from the main heading. The coal was hard, and from 12 ft. to 15 ft. in thickness. Eleven pairs of men were employed in this section. Wareatea Extended section : The solid workings in this section were confined to one pair of dip headings, which were driven in a north-westerly direction for the purpose of opening out a panel of coal. The headings are approaching an area of about 10 acres that has been proved by boring. Nineteen pairs of men were enagaged on pillar-extraction. Pillar workings, Openshaw's section : Eight pairs of hewers were employed in this section on pillar-extraction. Cascade section: Early in the year the fire area in Wallace's section was successfully reopened by the use of the Proto apparatus. Concrete stoppings were placed in strategic positions and pillar-extraction was commenced. A small subsidiary haulage was installed in the Waterloo section. Ironbridge Mine : Prospecting— Five boreholes were put down in the Ironbridge, Kruger's, and Kiwi sections. Several thin bands of unworkable coal were passed through. In No. 1 bottom seam 3| pairs of men were engaged in solid work and the splitting of pillars preparatory to their extraction. No. 2 section, Young's drive: The solid work in this section having been completed, the work has been stopped pending the extraction of the top seam pillars. Garing's dip, bottom seam : The main headings have been driven in a south-easterly direction for a distance of 5 chains and are left standing on a fault. In addition, two pairs of headings were driven at right angles to the main heading in a south-west and north-east direction respectively. The coal is of good quality, but intervening bands of stone were met with in the rise workings. The roof is heavy, and requires substantial timbering in the heading. As small quantities of CH 4 were met with in the main headings, electric safety-lamps were installed as a precaution. Deep Creek section : A short stone-drive connecting the workings to the north-east has been completed. Pillar-extraction: Two pairs of men were engaged extracting pillars in the Deep Creek section, also two pairs in the Bluff section. Early in the year fumes from the old Kruger's fire percolated through the pillar falls on to the Ironbridge rope-road, and a number of concrete block stoppings were erected to control the air circulation and keep back the fumes. The total output from the Denniston Mine from commencement of operations is 10,213,316 tons. Milhrton Mine (Westport Coal Co., Ltd.). —Trade conditions seriously handicapped mining operations at this mine throughout the year. This applied more particularly to those sections of thick coal in which pillarextraction was being carried out. In order to overcome the difficulty, 175 men were dismissed and the daily output of the mine reduced to approximately 500 tons. Work was then concentrated in those sections adjacent to the fire areas and five large sections of the mine—viz., Settlement Extended (Mangatina), Mangatina Nos. 1 and 2 West, North-east section, and No. 1 West section—were stopped, thus enabling a greater number of shifts per week to be worked in the other sections. It was hoped by these methods to minimize fire risks in pillarextraction. No development work was undertaken during the year. The total output from commencement of operations is 8,207,260 tons. Westport-Stockton Colliery. — Development work was mainly confined to the new east area. The main headings were extended a distance of 8 chains in coal of good quality and reasonable thickness. Two new drives were opened out, one to the right and one to the left of the main headings. The roof conditions in this area have improved, but the section still continues to be very wet. Early in the year, operations in the south-east dip area were discontinued owing to the heavy cost of pumping, due to intermittent work. No. 2 west dip encountered the Webb fault, and pillar-extraction was commenced. In the old east and west areas operations were confined solely to pillar-extraction. A considerable amount of repair work to outbuildings and the loco, track and power lines was carried out. The total output from this mine up to the 31st December, 1932, is 3,007,318 tons. Nelson District. Puponga Mine. —Mining operations were a continuation of those carried on during the previous year. Development-work to the dip has been seriously hampered through lack of convenient portable power to be used underground. Pillar-extraction above the main level was continued during the year. Two slant dips have been driven a distance of 2J chains towards the centre of the field. The coal continued to improve towards the centre of the basin. Specifications for electrical plant have been compiled and tenders invited for the plant. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 330,352 tons. Mount Burnett Mine, Collingwood. —All coal won during the year was produced from the No. 1 seam. Going north on the strike, the seam pinched to an unworkable thickness and pillar-extraction to the rise was commenced. Prospecting operations on the south side of the creek disclosed a fault. A slant dip was driven for a distance of 2 chains to the north-west, where the seam gradually increased to 18 ft. in thickness. Total output from this mine from commencement of operations is 5,926 tons. Broxbourne Mine, Takaka. —Only a small amount of coal was won. Operations were discontinued towards the end of the year. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 273 tons. Motupipi Mine (Winter's). —Stripping operations were continued throughout the year, and 101 tons were produced. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 919 tons. Irvine's Mine (Abbotsford). —This mine worked intermittently during the year. Mining methods employed are extremely primitive. It is the practice to start a small drive, and, after driving a distance of 10 to 15 yards, robbing operations are commenced near the outcrop. Seymour Mine, Owen River. — This mine is now worked on a modified double-stall system. The main level has been extended a total distance of 800 yards, the coal gradually thinning to 18 in. at the face. To the rise, No. 1 incline reached the outcrop after being driven a total distance of 90 yards in a north-easterly dire'etion, the coal being approximately 3 ft. 6 in. in thickness overlain by a dirt band 1 ft. 6 in. Total output up to the 31st December, 1932, is 7,256 tons. O'Rourke's Mine, Murehison. —During the year 113 tons of coal were produced from the new mine on the freehold property. The whole of the coal was won from the main level extension. The total output of coal from O'Rourke's workings up to the 31st December, 1932, is 1,606 tons. Dangerous Occurrences notified under Regulation 82 ot the Coal-mines Act, 1925. On Sunday, the 10th January, 1932, a fire stopping was forced out in the No. 2 dip section of the Millerton Mine by water-pressure. " The fire area, which was enclosed by concrete stoppings, had broken through to the surface. "On the Bth and 9th January the rainfall throughout the West Coast was excessively heavy, and the water collected behind the concrete stopping to an estimated height of 50 ft., with the result that one of the newly erected stoppings was forced out and the water swept with terrific force throughout the whole of the No. 2 dip section. Fortunately no persons were in the mine at the time. During January, 1932, incipient heating was noticed in the goaf in the first west area of the Millerton Mine. The heated material was partly filled out and partly quenched with water.

C— 2.

During February the top coal around a partially completed stopping in the No. 2 dip section of the Millerton Mine was found to be on fire. New sites were chosen for the stoppings, and the area successfully sealed off. On the 4th May, 1932, a shot-firer in the Wallsend Mine blew through into the old workings. Owing to the presence of black-damp, the men were withdrawn. Later, a stopping was erected to seal off the old workings. On the 13th May, 1932, fire fumes from Kruger's fire percolated through old workings into the Bluff section of the Ironbridge, Denniston Mine. The workmen were withdrawn and concrete stoppings were erected to control the fire fumes. This trouble was intermittently encountered at various times during the year. During May, 1932, a fire was discovered in the No. 4 seam on Crown lands near the Waitahu Mine, Reefton. A trench was cut and the fire controlled. Between the 10th and 12th December, 1932, an inrush of water through the waste in Coghlan's Colliery, at Capleston, occurred. About 40 tons of silt was deposited along the main roadways. No persons were Working in the mine at the time. On the 13th December, 1932, the men were withdrawn from the Bluff section in the Ironbridge Mine due to the prevalence of noxious gases. Fatal Accidents. Eight fatal accidents occurred during the year. On the 11th June, 1932, William Lowden, mine-manager, old dip section, Millerton Mine, and Joseph Pfeffer, mine-manager, Mine Creek section, Millerton Mine, lost their lives in the old dip section by gas poisoning. Lowden entered a dam in order to block two holes which had been left to drain off the water during the building of the dam. He was immediately overcome by hydrogen sulphide. Pfeffer went to his assistance, but was also overcome by the gas. On the 28th September, 1932, Carl August Svenson, mine-manager, Hopeful Mine, Reefton, was killed by a fall of stone and coal. On the 18th October, 1932, John Robert Meagher, miner, Dobson Mine, was killed by a fall of stone in the East Level section. On the 18th October, 1932, Charles Collins, miner, Millerton Mine, was killed by a fall of coal in No. 3 west middle section, Mine Creek. On the 4th November, 1932, William Partington, miner, Liverpool Colliery, was killed by a runaway truck. On the 11th November, 1932, Robert Sydney Gore, miner, Braehead Mine, was killed by a fall"of roof stone. On the 14th November, 1932, James Devlin, miner, Braehead Mine, died as a result of injuries received by a fall of roof stone on the 11th November. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Ten serious accidents were notified during the year. On the 9th February, 1932, Michael William "Rogers, miner, St. Helen's Mine, Seddonville, whilst working under the aerial rope-road, was struck by a truck and sustained severe crushing and bruising of the thighs. On the Bth March, 1932, Charles Johnston, miner, Cardiff Bridge Mine, Seddonville, lost his left "arm. He was filling a truck of coal and had his left arm over the edge of the truck when a fall of coal from the' roof occurred, completely severing his arm about 4 in. from the shoulder. On the 11th May, 1932, James Robertson, blacksmith, Wallsend Mine, sustained a fracture of the right forearm. Believing the drilling-machine to be out of gear, he firmly gripped the counter-shaft belt and pulled, with the result that the machine started suddenly and threw Robertson off his balance, his arm being broken over the upper shaft. On the 29th June, 1932, A. McKenzie, miner, Burke's Creek Colliery, Reefton, was engaged trimming down top coal when a lump of coal fell. In getting clear of the falling coal he slipped and fell, fracturing three ribs. On the 14th September, 1932, Thomas Morgan, carpenter, Wallsend Mine, was struck by a piece of falling stone and his left leg fractured above the ankle. On the 11th October, 1932, William Dutton, deputy, Liverpool Mine, was caught by a fall of coal and received injuries to his back and shoulders. On the 20th October, 1932, Campbell Miller, trucker, Stockton Mine, sustained a simple fracture of the left leg through being crushed between two trucks. On the 27th October, 1932, William Quate, horse-driver, Liverpool Mine, was knocked under a truck by a horse and sustained a broken leg. On the 2nd December, 1932, James May, miner, Millerton Mine, was struck by a fall of roof coal and sustained a fractured right arm. On the 15th December, 1932, M. O'Flaherty, miner, Blackball Mine, had his leg fractured by a fall of coal in the main level. Prosecutions. There were twenty-one informations laid during the year. Two were withdrawn, one was dismissed, and eighteen convictions recorded. For failing to keep detonators in a tin, as provided by Regulation 224 (5) (6) of the Coal-mines Act, a deputy was convicted and fined £1 and costs. A second charge for breach of Regulation 224 (1) was withdrawn. For failing to set a sufficient number of sprags, as provided for by section 117 (1) of the Coal-mines Act' two miners were each convicted and fined £1 and costs. Two coal-hewers were each convicted and fined £1 and costs for failing to set timber, as required bisection 118 of the Coal-mines Act. The manager of a mine was also convicted and fined £2 for failing to see that the provisions of the Coal-mines Act were carried out. A deputy of a coal-mine was fined £2 and costs for failure to enter in a report-book kept for the purpose the withdrawal of workmen, as provided by section 131 (3) of the Coal-mines Act. For failing to examine all accessible places with a locked safety-lamp before firing a shot, a shot-firer was fined £2 and costs. (Regulation 234 (a) (i) (ii) of Coal-mines Act.) For failure to inspect with a locked safety-lamp a working-place in which work was temporarily stopped in a ventilation district, as required by section 128 (1) of the Coal-mines Act, a deputy was convicted and fined £2 and costs. For failure to see that the provisions of the Coal-mines Act were carried out in conformity with section 198 (2) of the Coal-mines Act, a manager was convicted and fined £10 and costs. For failing to examine a safety-lamp before using same, a deputy of a mine, who also acted as minemanager, was fined £3 and costs. (Section 97 (a) of the Coal-mines Act.) For failure to install a mechanical ventilation appliance when same was deemed necessary by the Inspector in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 180, a mine-owner was convicted and fined £2 and costs. A similar charge laid against the mine-manager was withdrawn.

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A mine-manager was convicted and fined £2 and costs for failing to continuously produce by means of mechanical ventilation appliances an adequate amount of ventilation eight hours previous to the men entering the mine. (Regulation 181 (1) of the Coal-mines Act.) Proceedings were instituted against a fireman-deputy for failure to examine with a locked safety-lamp or other apparatus, all contiguous accessible places within a radius of 20 yards before firing a shot. The ease was dismissed. For acting as a mine-manager contrary to section 60 (1) (6) of the Coal-mines Act the acting mine-manager of a mine was convicted and fined £1 and costs 10s. For failing to see that all persons in the vicinity had taken proper shelter before firing a shot, as provided for by Regulation 228 (4), a deputy was fined £1 and costs 10s. Three colliers were each convicted and fined £1 and costs 10s. for failing to erect roof-supports as provided by section 117 (1) of the Coal-mines Act. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (Job Huohes, Inspector of Mines). Coal Output. The year's operations have shown a further decided decrease in total output. In the Canterbury, Central Otago, and South Otago districts increases of 1,662, 500, and 13,855 tons respectively are indicated, whereas North Otago and Southland show decreases of 2,225, and 55,612 tons respectively. The total decrease in output is 41,820 tons. Probably the chief contributing factor in the total decrease is the prolonged industrial dispute which commenced in several Southland mines during August. A rather remarkable fact is that the number of mines and coal-pits operating has increased by approximately 32 per cent, as compared with 1931, whilst the output has decreased approximately 10 per cent. It cannot be said that an increase in the number of mines operating (unless the demand for coal warrants the same) is in the best interests of the industry. Owing to the decreased demand for eoal, it has become more difficult for many of the mines to successfully operate. The earnings of the employees at these mines have also suffered as a result of short time worked, and any addition to the number of mines operating must accentuate the above conditions. Another factor against the indiscriminate opening of small mines is that work is commenced on the seam at the most accessible and cheapest point irrespective of the ultimate requirements of the field. The management usually is not so efficient as at the larger mines ; the inevitable result being that any coal which may be left behind these workings will be rendered difficult of access, the probability of underground fires commencing and being allowed to burn the deposit, and generally to make the deposit of less value and thereby waste what may some day be a valuable national asset. Canterbury District. Springfield Mine. —The development work at this mine has been transferred to the upper seam, which was proven to be approximately 4 ft. thick and of slightly better quality than the lower and thinner seam. A level was driven in the lower seam in a southerly direction until a small fault was encountered, and a connection to the higher seam made from this point. The general mining conditions are only fair, and work is carried out on very primitive lines. Victory Mine. —This is a new mine which is situated at Springfield. A cross measure dip was driven approximately 80 ft. in a southerly direction, at which point the coal-measures were intercepted. Further development was carried out on the coal-seam, the results being disappointing, the thickness of the measure being 3 ft. 6 in. and showing only 1 ft. 8 in. of coal in three thin bands. Konomy Mine. —A small amount of prospecting work was carried out at this mine, situated a few chains to the south of Springfield Mine. A level in stone was driven about 60 ft., but with disappointing results. Bonanza Mine. —This is a new mine situated between Sheffield and Bush Gully. A set of three levels have been driven a distance of approximately 6 chains in a southerly direction. The seam averages 8 ft. in thickness and is of good quality, but the thickness of the seam shows a slight tendency to decrease as the level advances. The gradient of the measure is about 1 in 2. Glearview Mine. —Pillar-extraction has continued during the year at this mine, this work having now retreated to a point about 10 chains from the mine-entrance along the main level, and a further 1J chains outby along the higher levels. Klondike Mine. —The main north-east level has been extended a total distance of 550 yards, and the thickness of the seam has been proved to be 30 ft. in places. The rock intrusion, which runs along the high side of the companion level, appears to be converging towards the main level. The seam is still very steeply inclined, and this, in conjunction with the thickness of the seam, will necessitate care and efficiency to provide the necessarv degree of safety during the period of pillar-extraction. Bush Gully Mine. —The new cross-measure drive intercepted a 3 ft. seam after driving 3 chains. A level was driven south-west in this seam for a distance of 1 chain and a connection made with the higher workings for ventilation. Pillar-extraction in the old higher-level workings is nearing completion. Homebush Mine. —Development work during the year failed to disclose anything worthy of note. In the old mine all the coal was extracted towards the end of the year. A cross-measure dip was driven to intercept the seam known as the Engine seam, but failed in its object, and present operations are simply exploratory. Very little work has been carried out in the two clay drives operated by this company. McClimont's Mine. —Operations have been commenced at the Old Mount Somers Co.'s Mine. In view of the fact that the bulk of this ground was worked several years ago, any future work carried out here will probably be confronted with various difficulties, and is not likely to become extensive. Sunnydale Mine. —Work at this mine has been of a preparatory nature. Several drives have been driven to intercept the seam at a lower level. There is evidence of a decent field of coal being opened up here, although the coal is steeply inclined and divided in places by a stone band. A bridge is to be constructed across the Ashburton River to provide access to the mine. Blackburn Coal Co. —The main development heading was temporarily stopped in friable coal after being driven approximately 5 chains. Two levels have been driven, east and west, for about 2 chains. It is proposed to continue the west level for ventilation purposes. The coal deposit in this area is impregnated with silica and is friable in places, having, it would appear, undergone considerable change. A well-designed plant was erected at this mine, but the results so far have been discouraging. Mount Somers Coal Co.'s Mine. —Pillar-extraction has continued during the year to the rise of the main level, this area now nearing completion. The inby dip heading has been stopped pending the continuation of the adit level, which has been driven to within 30 ft. of the seam at this point. Work has also been temporarily stopped in the main level. Albury Mine. —The main north heading has been driven a total distance of approximately 7 chains. A level was driven easterly, for a distance of 2 chains, from near the face of the main heading. All places are driven not more than 8 ft. wide, which makes all workings reasonably secure.

0.-4.

Awakino- Mine. —Work was temporarily suspended at this mine on the 6th October last, and it is doubtful if a resumption of work will be worth while in view of the unsatisfactory results obtained to date. Wilson and Butler's Mine, Kurow. —During the latter portion of the year a prospecting drive, situated about three miles from Kurow and a few chains to the west of Scott's old mine, intercepted a seam of coal 8 ft. thick and lying almost vertical. Very little coal has been won so far, and owing to the faulted nature of this country it is probable that difficulty will be experienced in profitably developing same to any extent. Airedale Mine. —The main crosscut dip heading has been driven approximately 6 chains. Three places have been driven in an easterly direction from main heading. All workings are to the dip and, without the use of power, the gradient controls the method of working. St. Andrew's Mine. —Pillar-extraction was continued during the year from the dip workings. The ground is very heavy in this mine and requires liberal timbering of roadways, &c. Preparation has been made to extend the development of the main level, this work being necessary for the efficient working of the area. Ngapara Mine. —Development work has been carried out in the west portion of the mine, and it is proposed to commence pillar-extraction in the near future. Oamaru stone has been used for the construction of permanent stoppings, a feature of this material being that it is capable of being easily cut into blocks, by means of a hand-saw to any desired dimension. Oakdene Mine, Maheno. —Work at this mine has continued to be almost totally exploratory. The quality of coal is only fair and so far no tangible results have been obtained. Diamond Hill Mine, Herbert. —The main level has been driven a total distance of 4 chains and a few pillars formed on the rise side of same. An old drive has been cleaned up to serve as a return airway. The coal here is a good quality lignite but, as the thickness does not exceed 4 ft. and the mine is difficult of access, mining operations cannot be expected to increase much in volume. Shag Point Mine (Old). —Very little development work has taken place during the year. Two lower levels have been driven south for a distance of approximately 150 ft. and a lower level driven north to the fault-line. It is intended to prove the fault in the north level, where the coal will probably be found again with a slight dislocation. Shag Point Coal-mining Go's Mine. —The main seam in the western area has been pillared back to within 6 chains of Perry's dip. Several places were connected to the Old Allandale workings and afterwards sealed off. The coal in this area to the rise became too thin for profitable working. The new, or lower seam, is being worked east and west from the winch heading. The method of work adopted is longwall. Places are driven narrow a distance of 60 ft. from the heading, before opening out the longwall faces. The gateways are approximately 35 ft. centres with the brushing carried out in the roof, and the whole of the goaf between the gateways is being stowed tightly. A further section of the lower seam has been developed by means of a pair of levels passing under the stone drive jig and to the west of the main fault. A barrier of coal will be left, between this section and the Old Allandale workings, when pillar-extraction will commence. In the main seam in the east section, a new airway is being driven inby of the old workings so as to enable more pillars to be extracted in this direction. Profitable mining is rendered a difficult problem at this mine owing to the thin nature of the seams, coal as low as 2 ft. 3 in. in thickness being mined. Double Hill Mine, Waitati. —During the year coal-mining operations were commenced on this property, situated two miles and a half to the north of Waitati Township and towards the top of the Waitati range of hills. Old workings were entered and a dip heading driven north-east a distance of 40 ft. on to a fault. A level, continued west, also encountered the fault. The quality of the coal is only fair and, owing to difficulty of access, the future prospects do not appear to be bright. Shepherd's Creek Mine, Bannockburn. —Pillar-extraction has continued during the year in the north end of the mine. Practically no development work has been carried out, and no serious attempt made to pick up the fallen ground in the dip heading. Nevis Crossing Mine. —A small amount of underground mining has been carried out, the north drive having been extended to a length of 150 ft. Opencast mining has also been done. Gibbston Mine. —During the year mining operations have been resumed. Two dip headings have been driven a distance of 2 chains at a gradient of 1 in 2 and bearing south-west. The main level of the old workings was intercepted. The coal in this area is friable, probably owing to earth-movement, and is steeply inclined. Owing to the existence of old workings, future operations will be found difficult. Oturehua Mine. —After driving the main dip heading a distance of 700 ft. and commencing a level in a southerly direction, a small inrush of water was encountered which resulted in flooding two-thirds of the underground workings. It is proposed to install a steam boiler and pump to cope with the water. A little; work was carried out in the south end of the opencast pit. Armitage's Mine,-Oturehua. —A small amount of opencast mining took place during the first half-year. Coal at north end of pit 10 ft. thick, overburden 3 ft. thick. Idaburn Mine. —A little opencast mining has taken place in the south-east portion of coal-pit, and two dip headings have been driven a distance of 115 ft. and 80 ft. respectively in a southerly direction. The headings have proved the deposit to be continuous and a fair-quality lignite. Sough Ridge Coal-pit. —Opencast operations have been conducted in a small way in the south-west portion of the coal-pit. Parfit's Coal-pit. —Coal production is obtained by means of sluicing away the overburden. The measures are almost vertical at this point and split by bands of stone of varying thickness. Cambrian Pit. —Coal has been won from the north and south ends of the pit which is about 6 chains in length. The thickness of overburden is increasing rapidly, and sluicing will require to be done to allow of coal being won profitably. Coal Creek Flat Pit. —Coal has continued to be mined at this pit by means of sluicing. Work was carried out in the lower portion of the seam, and the stripping to the north is now 100 ft. ahead of the coal-face. A. considerable quantity of coal is now stripped and ready for mining. Freeman's Mine. —Pillar-extraction has continued along the higher side of the horse road and adjacent to the outcrop. It is proposed to attempt to recover some of the pillars to the dip of the horse road, but the success of this work will be very doubtful owing to the small size of pillars left during the initial working. Jubilee Mine. —At the Jubilee Old Mine operations during the year have been confined to pillar-extraction to the south of the main dip haulage heading. Some difficulty was experienced with an inrush of water during the last quarter. This trouble occurs when subsidence takes place following pillar-extraction, and it is rather remarkable that the inrush of water should be repeated from time to time, and goes to prove the large quantity of water stored in the sand-measures which invariably overlie the coal-seam in this locality. No fresh area of workable coal having been found in this mine, present indications are that the life of the mine is very limited. Considerable trouble is also experienced by the abnormal heaving of the floor, this being an expensive item of repair and at the same time making efficient ventilation a difficult matter. Following prospecting by means of h»jjd-boring, a level drive was commenced, about 600 yards to the south of the old mine-entrance, for the purpose of gaining access to whatever coal had been left beyond and to the south of the old workings. This level has now been driven 790 ft. and has intercepted the coal-seams. At present, 2 ft. of the upper portion of

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the seam is showing at the level face. At the present time the question as to what coal will be recoverable in this direction is problematical, the seam showing a tendency to split in the places to the rise. The thickness of seam is about 8 ft. Hodson and Go's Mine. —This is a new mine situated about 10 chains to the south of Shiel's Brickworks and a similar distance from the Main South Road. A dip cross-measure drive, gradient 1 in 3, intercepted a seam of good lignite at approximately 100 ft. Development on the seam is now continuing to the south and west. McColVs Mine (Brighton). —This mine has been further developed in a westerly direction. All places have been restricted to 6 ft. in width, no explosives being used for mining the coal. A small ventilation fan was installed during the year. Fry's Mine (Brighton). —This is a new mine, commenced about 10 chains to the south of McColl's Mine, and presumably working the same coal seam. A dip cross-measure drive, gradient 1 in 6, intercepted the seam 4 ft. thick, at a distance of 100 ft. Bush's Mine (Brighton). —Work of a prospecting nature has been done during the year, but up to date no tangible results have been obtained. Saddle Hill Mine. —Pillar-extraction has been carried out during the year, and only a small area now remains to be recovered. Fairfield Collieries. —During the process of proving the area lying immediately to the south of Christie's old workings a cross-measure dip was driven approximately 360 ft., at which point the coal-seam was intercepted, the thickness being 8 ft. Further development work has proven disappointing so far, a continuation of the heading having disclosed an almost entire disappearance of the seam and development to the west resulted in the seam being split by a soft parting of fireclay 1 ft. to 1 ft. 6 in. thick. Development has since been confined to the top seam, which is about 4 ft. thick. This company also put down a cross-measure dip drive about 15 chains to the east of the Jubilee Mine. At the end of the year this drive had extended 430 ft. at a gradient of 1 in 3. No workable seam has been intercepted, and considerable trouble was experienced with the running sand which overlies the coal-measures in this locality. Willowbank Mine. —Pillar extraction is still proceeding in the area to the north of the main haulage heading. Considerable trouble is experienced with the heaving of the floor and the resultant displacement and breaking of timber supports. A plentiful supply of good mining timber is always on hand. East Taieri Mine. —Mining operations have been resumed on Mr. Dunery's property. Old workings have been connected to a short dip surface drive. A small amount of pillars will probably be found to be recoverable with a possibility of a small block of virgin coal being located. Harris's Mine (Old Burnweil). —A dip stone-drive going south, gradient 1 in 4, has been driven 120 ft. This work is being carried out on the fringe of old workings. Essbank (Milton). —Work at this mine consists of recovering coal which has been left in the vicinity of the old Mackay Mine and Morgan's Freehold. EUiotvale (Milton). —A small amount of development work has taken place along the east level and the parallel companion level, these levels having been extended a total distance of approximately 8 chains. Salisbury Mine. —Operations were suspended at this mine at the end of 1931. Orrvale (Milton). —A level crosscut was driven in a southerly direction approximate!}' 100 ft. and is well timbered. A seam of coal 6 ft. in thickness was intercepted and it is now being developed to the south and east. Riverside Mine. —A little development work has been carried out to the east of the main level. A commencement has also been made to extract pillars in this direction. No further work has been carried out to the west. Kαi Point Mine (Kaitangata). —Development work to the north and west has been stopped owing to the coal becoming inferior and unsaleable, although the thickness of the seam in this direction is about 30 ft. It is now proposed to extract the pillars and develop a fresh area to the east from the surface. Summerhill Mine. —Two different parties carried out a certain amount of work during the year. The result was that some robbing of the sides took place before each party ceased work, and consequently the future working of the mine becomes more dangerous. No new development work of any consequence has taken place during the year. Roper's Creek Mine. —Mining operations were suspended at the end of September. A 'short dip drive of about 30 ft. in length, gradient 1 in 3, and a short level going north-east along a 5 ft. seam are flooded. Wangaloa Mine. —The main dip heading was stopped after being driven 4J chains. A pair of levels were driven in an easterly direction for 2 chains. Top coal is being won from the edge of Gage's old workings. Kaituna Mine. —A start was made during the year to recommence mining operations at this mine. A dip heading was commenced 1 chain west of the old mine-entrance and driven a distance of 2 chains in the top portion of the seam, a connection being made to the old workings for ventilation. A level was also driven a short distance in a westerly direction. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —The bulk of the operations carried out at this mine has been comprised of pillarextraction from the No. 2 section of the No. 1 seam. Pillar-extraction was continued in Ma,tchett's dip section to within 3 chains of the dip haulage heading. The pillars in Kyle's dip section were also withdrawn to a similar line. The recoverable pillars in O'Fee's section have been completed to within a safe distance of the haulage heading, a start being made towards the end of the year to gain access to a few pillars, to the rise of O'Fee's section, which were sealed off. All preparatory work has been completed for concentrated pillar-extraction in Leishman's dip section. The above-mentioned operations will result in an early completion of the pillarextraction in this area. Prospecting work, per medium of a pair of headings driven north from near the foot of the main return drive, having proved satisfactory, a commencement was made to extend the main haulage heading to the No. 1 seam. The completion of this work will materially assist the more economical working of this mine as a result of the decrease in handling-charges. A seam known as the 8 ft., which was cut in the return drive has been worked only intermittently to meet any abnormal demand for coal. This seam, although of good quality, is split in the centre by a stone band 6 in. to 10 in. in thickness. Development of this seam has been carried out, per medium of levels, to the north-west for a distance of 700 ft. and a dip heading, to the east, for a distance of 300 ft. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —As a result of crush on the steel arches in the main drive, and indications of heating in the main return airway, it was deemed advisable to abandon this mine so far as the existing main roads were concerned. All plant was withdrawn and the roadways sealed up. The new dip stone drive, commenced in November, 1931, intercepted two seams of coal. The development of an 18 ft. seam was commenced from a point 900 ft. from the surface and measured along the drive. A return airway has been completed to the surface and a 72-in.-diameter single-inlet Sirocco fan installed, driven by a 20 h.p. induction motor. Levels

0.—2.

have been driven 400 ft. to the south, and headings for a distance of 300 ft. to the rise and to the east. The quality of the coal is excellent. The management proposes introducing coal-cutting machines in this mine. A level in stone has been driven from the screening-plant to the mouth of the new mine for haulage purposes. Electric head lamps are now almost solely used at these mines. Benhar Mine. —Towards the end of the year a start was made to extend the main dip heading, now 12 chains in from the surface. Development to the south proved -the coal to be, faulted and inferior. A barrier pillar has been left between present operations and the old workings. Burnwell (Lnvell's Flat). —This small mine was opened up to work an inferior lignite about two miles from Lovell's Flat and adjacent to the roadway leading to Kaitangata. Chutes were erected, a surface cutting made to the seam and a level driven to the west for 30 ft. The seam is 10 ft. thick. Burnbright Mines. —A small amount of prospecting was done on Mr. Hodge's property near Lovell's Flat in the first half of the year. Operations were abandoned after producing 42 tons. Taratu (Barclay's Mine). —Pillar-extraction was continued in the east to within a reasonable distance of the return airway when the goaf was sealed off by stoppings. A small area was worked on the west side until the quality of the coal became unsaleable, the mine being abandoned in August and stoppings placed in the intake and return airways. The development of the shaft seam is being pushed on : Two main south levels have been driven 10 chains and also a dip heading driven 528 ft. in an easterly direction. Headings have also been driven to the rise for a distance of 4 chains, all places having proved a good quality coal and free of trouble. An efficient return airway has been completed in stone. All pillars are 1 chain square and the future development of the area will be arranged on a panel system. Lakeside Mine. —Development work has been extended along the main level headings and a small amount of pillar coal extracted to the rise. Blue Ridge Mine. —This mine was closed after producing 14 tons. Conical Hill Mine. —This new mine was commenced adjacent to old workings. A level, proceeding west, has been driven 100 ft. Old workings were intercepted and drained off at about 90 ft. from the surface. Quality of lignite fair, and will serve only to supply immediate local requirements. Milne's Pit (Hakatea). —Opencast work was carried out in the north-west portion of the pit. Lignite 14 ft. thick and stripping similar thickness and increasing. Hamilton and, McKean. —Opencast work continued in the west portion of the pit. Lignite 20 ft. thick and operations carried out in a thorough manner. Kingdon's Pit. —A small amount of opencast work carried out in west portion of pit. Croydon Goal Go's Pit. —After being closed for some months this opencast pit was reopened in October. Thickness of lignite being 18 ft., stripping 8 ft. Whiterig Opencast Pit. —Opencast work being carried out around the greater part of the pit, the work being efficiently performed. Riverview Mine (A. E. Barnes). —A small amount of work was carried out until the 18th August when the mine was closed after driving a short south-west dip and producing 136 tons. Otikerama Mine. —The lower level to the north-east was driven about 2 chains, and the main dip extended a short distance to allow of another level being broken away. Rosedale Pit. —Mining operations were suspended at this pit early in the year. Mataura Mine. —Development work has been extended in the lower north and south levels. ■ A series of three levels have been driven north to within 2 chains of the boundary. A lower level has been driven in a south-west direction, but the proximity to the boundary will limit operations in that direction also. Development of the present area is fast nearing completion. Green's Mine. —Development work was carried out on the north-east side of the lower portion of the dip. A series of six bords wore extended during the year. A barrier of coal 3 chains wide is being left as a protection against old workings. Boghead Mine. —The main dip heading has been allowed to stand after being driven a total distance of 9 chains. Development work during the year has consisted of driving levels on the north side of the dip. A ventilation fan was installed during the year and concrete stoppings erected between intake and return airways. Riverview (Waddell's). —From a tunnel which was driven about 34 yards in a northerly direction two places were .broken away east and west. After proceeding a short distance the west level made a connection with an old surface drive. The place was allowed to fill with water, and closed on the 29th July. Hokonui Mine. —No new work has been carried out in the old mine. A limited amount of opencast mining having been done adjacent to and to the north-west of the old dip entrance. Princhester Creek Pit. —Towards the end of the year work was suspended in the main pit owing to the hill behind sliding into the pit. Prospecting is being carried out just below the homestead. Lynwood Mine. —This pit was reopened towards the end of the year, and 50 tons won from it. Ota Creek Pit. —Operations carried out at south end of pit. During the year the pit was flooded for a time following heavy rains. Terrace Pit. —About 8 chains to west of the old Butts Mine ; lignite 8 ft. thick, with 10 ft. surface covering. North Chatton Pit. —Work resumed early in the year. Lignite 12 ft. thick, with 5 ft. surface covering. Glenlee Mine. —Development work extended about 80 yards along the north-east level, and a new air-shaft driven from the face of the crosscut heading. Argyle Pit. —Work carried out in the south-east corner of the pit; surface cover is now about 20 ft. thick. The seam is dipping east with a tendency to pinch out towards the west. Lawrence's Pit. —Coal is being produced from the south end of the pit, overburden being sluiced away. Lignite 4 ft. thick and of good quality. Northcoat and Lahey's Pit. —The overburden at places is 40 ft. thick at this pit, and is removed by sluicing. Wendon Mine. —The output has been obtained from pillar-extraction, which is now nearing completion. Diamond Lignite-pit. —Opencast mining has been carried out in the west end of the pit. Lignite is about 40 ft. thick with about 10 ft. to 12 ft. of surface-cover. Mossbank Mines. —In the No. 1 Mine, pillar-extraction was continued from No. 4 and No. 5 sections in the south-east area. In the south-west a limited amount of development work was carried out, this being stopped as a result of minor disturbances, indicating faulting, being met. The usual trouble has been experienced with stone intrusions and clay " backs," of from 1 in. to 12 in. in thickness, which traverse the full thickness of the seam. No. 3

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Mine : Development work has been continued to the south-east, south-west, and south. A series of large rolls have been met with during the development of this mine, usually coming in from the roof and, at times, almost continuing to the floor of the seam. The mine has been idle since the middle of August as a result of an industrial dispute. Black Diamond Mine. —Following upon the sealing-ofi of the waste in the north-east corner of the lease, a commencement was made to extract the pillars immediately adjacent to the inby end of No. 5 level. During the year heating of coal in the waste took place, and it would appear that this coal will prove to be very liable to spontaneous combustion. A system of partially sealing off a small area before commencing pillar-extraction has been adopted. Arrangements have been made for the purchase of smoke helmets to mitigate the danger to life when dealing with underground fires. A re-survey of a portion of the mine was carried out during the year as a result of the original plan proving inaccurate. Industrial trouble caused operations to cease in August, but the proprietors have produced coal since then by their own efforts. Birchwood Mine.—ln the east section, to the rise of the bottom of the main stone-drive, development was continued until towards the end of the year,, when same was almost completed. A barrier pillar, 2 chains wide, was left between this area and the Linton workings, a portion of the area being cut off by a fault. Pillar-extraction was commenced and is still proceeding, the coal being inclined to be stony. Bottom coal was lifted in the places to the west of the main dip, this work being stopped about the end of the year. A crosscut dip heading to the north-east was commenced from the main level and was driven about 8 chains, and three levels broken away on either side of the dip. This development work has proved that operations at this mine will yield methane freely, and will require a high standard of ventilation in the interests of safety. Black Lion Mine. —During the year development work proved the area now being worked to be surrounded by faults or the Morley Stream. A barrier pillar, 2 chains wide, has been arranged to be left adjacent to the stream, and pillar-extraction has commenced. It was also arranged to leave a barrier pillar to protect the crosscut jig, and to extract the balance of the pillars to the rise. It appears essential to prospect to the north if the life of the mine is to be materially extended. Linton No. 1 Mine. —Development work was continued in Manderson's section and a connection was made between Nos. 1 and 2 panels. In the lower portion of No. 2 panel workings— i.e., to the dip of the main drive into Manderson's, development work was carried out in good-quality coal. In the section ahead of the north-east heading the double-story method of work was applied, the upper places being driven 6 ft. high, 8 ft. wide, with 3 ft. of coal left for a roof and coal 20 ft. thick being left between the lower and upper workings. Pillar-extraction was completed in the Junction section, and the area sealed off by concrete stoppings. Development work was completed in the small section between the north-west heading and the north levels, and in No. 3 panel and No. 2 east sections. A quantity of H. section steel arches were imported during the year for use, on main roadways, in lieu of timber supports. A new dip was commenced to run parallel with Manderson's dip and 1J chains distant from it. Linton No. 2 Mine. —Immediately preceding the cessation of work only eight men were working in this mine. Pillar-extraction was proceeding in No. 7 and No. 2 north sections, the latter section having been reopened a short time previously. A small amount of solid work was also carried out in No. 8 north section. This colliery was also involved in the industrial dispute which commenced in August and continued to the end of the year and interfered considerably with mining operations. Star Mine. —Development has continued along the main dip heading for a distance of 8J chains. After opening out the mine, and developing in the top seam, it was found that a further seam existed at a few feet lower level. The lower seam being 8 ft. in thickness and of good quality, all recent work has been carried out in this seam. Levels have been driven i chains to the west and 3 chains to the east. The mine is owned by a syndicate of local miners. Nightcaps Syndicate Mine. —A syndicate of Nightcaps miners commenced operations on Block 111, Morloy Village Survey District, a few acres of coal having been left here by the old Nightcaps Co. Industrial trouble at the larger mines gave birth to this concern. Smithvale Mine. —Operations were abandoned at this mine on 6th April, 1932. Lobbs Hill Mine. —A few pillars have been extracted to the rise of the main level. A lower level has also been commenced and an attempt will be made to prospect the small hill lying to the east of the present mine. Waihopai Downs Pit. —This is an opencast lignite pit adjacent to Rimu, and has probably come into existence as a result of the stoppage in the larger mines. Orepuki Mine. —A small amount of pillar-extraction has been completed in the old mine, and opencast work commenced in the bed of the creek at a point 20 chains to the north of the sawmill. Morley Vale Mine, (Old Mount Linton). —Opencast operations were recommenced at the old Linton Pit towards the end of the year, this probably as a result of the Southland stoppage. The coal is of very good quality and equal to the average of the district. Wairaki Mines. —The bulk of the year's output has been obtained from pillar-extraction, which has been continued in the No. 1 Mine. Miners have been engaged in pillars in the No. 2 east section, No. 3 west section, and No. 2 west. Work in No. 3 west is now nearing completion. A small amount of development work was carried out in the No. 2 east dip section, but the floor of the dip heading is still about 6 ft. lower than the floor of the seam. This brushing is being carried forward as it is expected to meet a large downthrow fault at any time. Methane is given off freely in this section, and requires a high standard of ventilation. Five months' work has been lost during the year as a result of industrial trouble. Fatal Accidents. Black Diamond Mine. —On the 13th April a double fatality occurred whereby Robert William Duncan, the mine-manager, and John Nutter, a miner, were killed by a fall of top coal. Duncan, in company with Nutter, was making an examination of the place prior to the commencement of work when the fall buried them. Pillar-extraction was taking place and the coal fell from the lip of the working-place and adjacent to a wooden chock. Sebiotjs Non-fatal Accidents. Star Mine. —On the 22nd April Thomas Todd, mine-manager, and Thomas McNeilage, miner, were severely burned by the ignition of a quantity of methane. The ignition took place prior to the commencement of work and the occurrence once more emphasizes the fact that the greatest care should be taken to ensure the efficient examination of all parts of the mine in which men are to work. Shag Point Goal-mining Go. —On the 29th August R. Corrigan, miner, sustained a simple fracture of the tibia. Corrigan and his mate were engaged in pillar-extraction when a piece of stone, a few pounds weight, fell from the roof and struck Corrigan on his outstretched leg, inflicting the above-mentioned injury. The workingplace was only 2 ft. 9 in. high.

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Saddle Hill —On the 31st October Ambrose O'Halloran, trucker, received severe burns of the face and eyes by an ignition of acetylene gas. O'Halloran was in the act of removing the lid of a tin underground containing carbide when the ignition took place. Water must have found its way into the tin. This accident proves that carbide should not be taken underground in quantities greater than is actually required for each individual miner's daily needs. Dangbrotjs Ocodrkbnces (Regulation 82 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925). Star Mine.—On the 22nd April, as reported under "Serious Non-fatal Accidents," an ignition of methane occurred whereby a mine-manager and a miner received severe burns. Hokonui Mine.~~On the 6th June the old mine was again flooded and the pumping-plant submerged. This was caused by the flooded river finding its way into the workings. Saddle Hill Mine.—On the 31st October a miner was severely burned by the ignition of acetylene gas underground, as reported in another portion of this statement. Peoseotjtions. Following upon breaches of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, and regulations thereto, the following were prosecuted during the year : — On the 13th May a mine-manager was fined £2 and costs for failing to run the ventilating-fan the required length of time before workmen entered the mine. _ _ A miner was also convicted and ordered to pay costs on the 13th May for entering a mine before it had been examined by the deputy. , „ An examining deputy was convicted on the 13th May for failing to record a report of his inspection. ■ On the 25th May a miner was fined £2 and costs for acting as manager of a mine without being qualified On the 18th November a part owner of a mine was fined £2 and costs for failing to employ a duly qualified manager. The same person was also convicted (with costs) for passing into the mine before it had been examined, as required by the Coal-mines Act. In November a manager of a mine was fined £1 and costs for failing to provide for the required inspection On the'l3th December a manager was fined £1 and costs for failing to store detonators as required by the Coal-mines Act.

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COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1932.

ANNEXURE B.

«■g «■§ £ Number of Persons Name o, Mine and Locality. —gg* *"— ~ j! -— * || XMJ- „ ■jg?' j| oJgV. .ffig* «ffgff. VeSX. otherwise). of Certificate. |S g | Coal-seams. Working. 3rS Len 8* n of iunnel. V)i£. ber, 1931. ber, 1932. "" | "3 ■ NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. North Auckland Distria. Tons. Tons. Tons. Hikniangi Shalt, Hikurangi .. Crown lease and J. Makinson (1st C.) Hiknrangi Coal Co., Ltd., Auckland 10 Sub - bitu- 1 7'to 10' All .. Bordand 2 S. 350', S. 340' 52,644 449,156 501,800 41 94 135 Blackman freehold minous pillar Ian. Silverdale, Hikurangi .. .. Crown lease .. S. G. Foot (TJ.) .. S. G. Foot, Hikurangi .. 14J Ditto .. 1 3'to 5' 3' .. Ditto .. .. T. 120' .. 3,122 38,057 41,179 14 5 Natural. Northern Co-operative, Hikurangi ,, .. B. A. Cunningham(P.) Cunningham and party, Hikuiangi 14 i .. 14' ..AH .. „ .... T. 60' .. 713 33,760 34,473 145,, Wilson's, Hikurangi .. .. Crown lease and E. W. Tattley (lstC.) McGlashan and party, Hikurangi 15 „ .. 1 6'to 10' 8' .. „ .. .. T. 3,900' .. 38,581 592,999 631,580 39 100 139 Sirocco fan. Ruatangata, Hikurangi .. Freehold •• G. Cross (2nd C.) .. Kamo Potteries, Ltd., Whangarei 12 „ .. 18' ..6' .. „ .. .. T. 400' .. 4,730 24,560 29,290 2 11 13 Fan. Phcenix, Hikurangi .. .. Crown lease .. W. McKinlay (D.).. McKinlay and party. Hikurangi.. 5i „ .. 1 3'to 10' 3'to 10' .. „ •• .. T. 66' .. 2,871 10,869 13,740 15 6 Natural. Coutt's, Hikurangi .. .. Freehold (sub- G. Coutts (P.) .. G. Coutts, Hikurangi .. .. 3£ „ .. 1 3'to 8' 7' .. „ .... T. 50' .. 1,164 6,107 7,271 .. 3 3 lease, Hikurangi Coal Co., Ltd.) Fearnley's, Waro .. .. Ditto .. W. Eeed (D.) .. Fearnley and party, Hikurangi .. 4 i „ .. 1 3^' to 4' 3i' .. „ .. .. T. 200' .. 2,449 4,163 6,612 .. 6 6,, Glen Nell, Hikurangi .. .. Crown lease .. R. Muir (P.) .. S. G. Foot, Hikurangi .. .. 8 „ .. 13' ..All .. , T. 70' .. 1,102 6,847 7,949 2 3 5 Mclnness's, Hikurangi .. „ .. H. Tipton (2nd 0.) J. R. Mclnness, Hikurangi .. 2J| „ •• 13' .. „ T. 198' .. 954 1,491 2,445 14 5,, Whareora, Hikurangi .. .. Freehold .. S. E. Foot (TJ.) .. Foot and Fox, Hikurangi .. 2 I „ .. 15' .. „ T. 200' .. 546 1,592 2,138 12 3,, Millbrook, Hikurangi .. .. „ .. T. Marsh (D.) .. Marsh and party, Hikurangi .. 2 „ .. 14' .. „ T. 100' .. 348 50 398 1 3 4 Fan. New Northern, Hikurangi .. „ .. J. Wilson (P.) .. Wilson and party, Hikurangi .. 1 „ ..13' „ .. „ .... T. 20' .. 842 .. 842 4 4 Natural. Hick's, Hikurangi . . .. Crown lease .. J. E. Cook (P.) .. Hicks and party, Hikurangi .. 1 „ .. 13' .. „ .. , T. 400' .. 459 .. 459 3 3 „ New Kiripaka, Kiripaka .. Freehold .. A. Brown (P.) .. A. Brown, Hikurangi .. .. H „ ■■ 15' .. „ .. „ .. .. T. 120' .. 529 707 1,236 1 3 4 Glenbervie, Kiripaka .. .. ,, .. C. J. Doel (2nd C.) C. J. Doel, Hikurangi .. .. 4 ,, .. 15' .. „ T. 200' .. 3,631 4,234 7,865 .. 5 5 Avoca, Tangowahine .. .. ,, .. A. Pollock (D.) .. Avoea Coal Co., Dargaville .. Sf „ .. 18' .. „ .. „ .. .. T. 130' .. 3,442 1,090 4,532 2 4 6,, Waikato District. Rotowaro Rotowaro .. .. Crown lease and A. Penman (1st C.) Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 15 Brown .. 1 7'to 15' All .. Bordand .. T. 4,000', T. 400', 90,415 1,633,856 1,724,271 49 126 175 3 fans. freehold pillar T. 1,600' Pukemiro Pukemiro .. .. Freehold .. A. Burt (1st C.) .. Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd.,Auckland 17 „ .. 1 4'to 18' 4'to 14' .. Ditto .. ..IT. 5,000', T. 2,200' 65,904 1,996,777 2,062,681 44 120 164 2 fans. Wilton, Glen Massey .. .. „ .. T. Geddes (1st C.) Wilton Collieries, Ltd., Auckland 2J „ .. 1 7'to 9' 5'to 7' .. „ .. •. [ T. 460' .. 66,801 57,325 124,126 35 74 109 Sirocco fan. Waikato Extended, Huntly .. „ .. J. Honey (D.) .. Roose Shipping Co., Ltd., Mercer 16 . „ ..1 16' .. 14' .. „ .. ..lT.4,800' .. 3,171 88,671 91,842 ..6 6 Fan. Glen Afton No. 1, Glen Afton .. Crown lease and P. Hunter (1st C.).. Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., Auck- 12 „ .. 1 4'to 16' 9' .. , T. 4,800' .. 65,102 1,365,575 1,430,677 33 98 131 Sirocco fan. freehold land Macdonald Waikokowai .. Crown lease .. J. W. Glendenning Ditto .. .. .. 2 „ .. 1 6'to 20' 10' T. 500', T. 300' 99,722 91,905 191,627 49 126 175 2 fans. (1st C.) Pukemiro Junction, Pukemiro .. „ .. W. Clare (D.) .. ! Clare and partners, Pukemiro Jn. 12 „ ..1 2'to 25' 2'to 14' .. , T. 100' .." 2,341 110,920 113,261 2 4 6 Natural. Taupiri East, Kimihia .. Auckland TJni- J. Holland (P.) .. ! Holland and party, Huntly ..11 „ .. 1 10' to 15' 12' I T. 300' .. 2,410 14,784 17,194 14 5,, versity lease Campbell, Whatawhata .. Crown lease .. T. Cowan (Ū.) .. ; Whatawhata Campbell Coal Co., 11 „ .. 1 12' ..9' .. , T. 300' .. 6,976 32,804 39,780 5 6 11 „ Ltd., Hamilton Renown, Renown .. .. Freehold .. T. L. Andrews (1st C): Renown Collieries, Ltd., Auckland 4| „ .. j 1 15' .. 7'to 9' .. | „ .. .. T. 3,400' .. 52,762 270,629 323,391 30 75 105 Fan. Graham, Glen Afton .. .. „ .. J. Tweedie (2nd C.) Graham Coal Co., Glen Afton .. 9 ,, .. 1 4'to 6J' 4'to 6' .. ! „ .. .. T. 1.900' ..' 8,556 88,663 97,219 3 14 17 Paerangi, Glen Afton .. .. „ .. W. McCaig (D.) .. McCaig and party, Glen Afton .. } „ ..116' ..All .. „ ... .. T. 50' .. 10 .. 10 .. 3| 3 Natural. Rangitoto, Te Kuiti .. .. Native lease.. J. Chevins (P.) .. A. Morgan, Te Kuiti .. .. 6 „ ..17' ..6' .. „■..:.. T. 600' .. 1,025 805 1,830 1 2 I 3 „ King Te Kuiti .. .. „ .. E. Johnson (U.) .. Rich-Greenson Coal Co., Te Kuiti i „ .. | 1 7' .. 5}' .." , T. 198' .. 456 .. 456 2 2 Okoko, Te Rauamoa .. .. Crown lease ..IT. Wall (P.) .. Wall and party, Te Awamutu . . 2i „ .. | 1 7' .. All .. T. 50' .. 29 25 54 2 2 Cowan's, Hunua .. .. Freehold .. J. Stirling (D.) .. Stirling and party, Papakura .. 1 „ .. ! 1 3' .. „ .. „ .... T. 60' .. 20 .. 20 2 2 Opaheke, Hunua .. .. „ .. I A. Greenhorn (D.) Opaheke Coal Co., Papakura .. i „ ■ ■ ! 1 3J' .. „ .. „ .... T. 66' .. 106 .. 106 2 5 7 „ Gillespie's, Hunua .. .. „ .. R. Christopher (2nd Christopher and party, Papakura i „ ..13' „ .. | T. 35' .. 21 .. 21 2 2 4 „ O.) Taranaki District. Paparata, Tatu .. .. Crown lease .. W. Ridsdale (P.) .. Taranaki Coal-mining Co., Ltd., 5 Brown .. 1 SJ' ..3' T. 70' .. 814 2,063 2,877 12 3 Natural. Stratford Egmont, Tangarakau .. .. „ .. A. Whittleston (1st Egmont Collieries, Ltd., Stratford 6 „ ..1 5' .. All .. „ .. .. T. 1,320' .. 21,409 42,854 64,263 12 30 42 Tan. Tatu Tatu .. .. .. „ .. E. Kerry (2nd C.) Cairns and party, Huntly .. 2 „ .. 1 6£' .. 5J' T. 100' .. 74 336 410 1 2 3 Natural. Old Stockman, Mokau .. Freehold .. 0. Wright (P.) .. Chambers Bros., Havelook ..12 „ .. 1 4}' ..All T. 400' .. 453 4,262 4,715 1 2 3 —„-- ■ Mokau, Mokau .. .. „ .. G. Littlewood (2nd Mokau Collieries, Ltd., New Ply- 1 „ .. 15' .. „ .. „ .. .. T. 100' .. 765 .. 765 4 6 10 „ ] C.) mouth Output of collieries included in previous statements at which operations are abandoned or suspended .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ' 10,643,632 I 10,643,632 .. i

C,—2.

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1932—continued.

„13 Number of Persons WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT. Abbotsford, TakakT " .. Freehold .. 1 G. Bartlett .. H. V. Irvine, Takaka .. .. 2 Lignite .. 113; .. All ..[Stripping • • •• |1 10 41 2 .. 2 Natural. Broxbourne Motupipi .. „ .. W. I. Jones (P.) .. T. H. Ellis, Motupipi .. .. 3J ,, .. Iβ' .. „ .. Bord and .. T. 30 yd. .. 22 251 273 2, Z v pillar Winter's, Motupipi .. .. Crown lease .. D. Winter (P) .. J. and D. Winter, Motupipi .. 5 „ 2 2' and 3' „ .. Opencast .. ,. 101 818 919 1 .> 1 O'llourke's Murchison .. Freehold .. A. O'Eourke .. A. O'Bourke, Murchison .. 13 Lignite .. 1 2' 8" .. .. Bord and .. T. 3 ch. .. 113 1,493 1,606 .. 1 1 pillar Mount Burnett, Collingwood .. Crown lease .. E. J. Wearn (1st C.) Onakaka Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., 3 Sub-bitu- 1 12' .. „ .. Ditto .. .. T. 2J ch. .. 5,215 711 5,926 8 11 19 Puponga, Puponga .. .. „ .. A. Thomson (1st C.) Puponga Coal-mine, Ltd., Puponga 29 Ditto .. 1 2'6" ; to „ .. „ .. .. T.27ch. •• 13,961 316,391 330,352 10 27 37 Seymour, Owen Biver ".. „ .. C. Blackburn (1st C.) Owen Collieries, Ltd., Nelson .. 3 ..1 2'to 4' „ .. Double .. T.4ch. .. 3,564 3,692 7,256 4 9 13 Fan. Bowater and Bryan! Charleston.. Crown lease .. L. Husband .. Bowater and Bryan, Westport .. 2| Lignite .. 1 40' .. 12' .. Opencast .. •■ 169 S77 546 1 . 1 Natural. Brighton, Charleston .. .. Freehold .. N". Forsyth (D.) .. Price Bros, (leased to Hunter and 4 „ .. 1 j 8' .. All .. Bord and .. T. 3 ch. .. 132 564 696 2 2 Cardiff Bridge, Seddonville .. Crown lease .. J. Dymond (2nd C.) Cardu/Eridge co-operative party, 12 Bituminous 1 8'to 20' 10' .. Ditto .... .. 21,395 210,904 232,299 5 15 20 Cascade, Burnett's Face .. „ .. H. McAvoy (1st C.) Cascade-Westport Coal Co., Ltd., 6 „ 1 20' .. 8' .. „ .. .. .. 14,866 60,496 75,362 11 11 22 Charming Creek, Ngakawau .. „ .. A. G. Marshall (1st C.) Charming Creek - Westport Coal 5 „ 1 I 1'to 20' 8' .. , j T. Hi ch. .. 10,237 18,442 28,679 6 17 23 Fan. Chester's, Seddonville J. Penberth (P.) .. PeSberthtncTcherter, Seddonville 13 „ 13' All .. , ■■ 321 21,061 21,382 . 2 2 Natural. Coal Creek, Seddonville .. , .. W. McGuire (2nd C.) McGuire and party, Seddonville.. 17 „ 1 6 to 20 7' .. , £. 30ch. .. 3 97,910 97,913 2 17 19 Fan Glasgow, Seddonville .. .. " .. D. Q. O'Brien (V.) Glasgow co-operative party, Sed- 8 „ 1 6'to 12' All T. 9 ch. .. 1,035 34,460 35,495 3 4 7 Natural. Mitchell's Charleston . .. .. F. T. Mitchell .. F. T. Mitchell, Charleston .. 9 Lignite .. 18' .. „ .. Opencast .. .. 68 365 433 1 1 Powell's, Charleston .. .. ,. .. J.H.Powell .. J. H. Powell, Charleston ..4 „ ..18' .. „ '■■ \ ,, .. ■■ 13 45 58 1 . 1 Quinn's Seddonville .. .. „ .. T. Quinn (D.) .. Quinn and party, Seddonville .. 9 Bituminous 15' .. „ .. ; Bord and .. .. 15 8,632 8, t>47 1 1 z pillar Bocklands, Buller Gorge .. „ .. J. P. Burley (P.) .. J. P. Burley, Berlins, Buller Gorge 30 Brown .. 1 27' .. 8' .. Ditto .... .. 265 10 >Hl ", o t St. Helen's, Seddonville .. „ .. J. Penberth (P.) .. Sogers Bros., St. Helen's .. 3 Bituminous Ii5 ..All ..... .. 2,115 3,088 5,20d 1 i a :: ;; :: j G :McSur ( istc.) Sβ Sf T it*, dua: I HS™™ £ IW :; :: :: .. ue.JS 10,«»,«?? m 303 Millerton,Millerton Ditto" 41 „ 1 j 4'to 40' 12' .. Ditto". . . T. 298 Ch. .. 63,947 8 143,313 8,207,260 40 130 170 Westportmain, Granity .. „ .- H. Brady (1st C.) .. Westport-Granity Coal-mines, Ltd., 8 „ 1 j 10' .. All • .. .. 4,692 172,098 176,690 n 16 43 Natural. Westport-Mokihinui, SeddonvUle „ .. P. Bird (P.) .. Wilhnan, Seddonville 12 „ 1 ; 4;; to 6' , T. 5 ch. .. 786 *2,369 «,155 .. 4 4 ,, Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau .. „ .. T. McGhie (1st C.) Westport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd., 24 „ 3 | 4'to 20' 10' .. 104,920 2,902,398 3,007,318 102 188, Fan. Whiteclifls, Buller Gorge J. H. Burley (P.) .. J. .. .. 10 Brown .. 1 18' .. 12' T. 14. ch. .. 331 3,105 3,436 .. 2] 2 Natural. Archer's, Ca e pleston" Wrf ' .. Crown lease and F. W. Archer (2nd C.) F. W. Archer, Capleston .. 37 Brown .. 3 9'to 18' 8' to 16' .. Bord and .. T. 10 ch. .. 5,822 46,467 52,289 2 9| U Natural. freehold pillar Burkes Creek, Burkes Creek ... Crown lease .. W. Parsonage (1st C.) Burkes Creek Collieries, Ltd., Wei- 31 „ ..1 10' to 12' 8' .. Ditto .. .. T. 10 ch. .. 8,697 200,893 209,590 9 28 37 Fan. Clele, Merrijigs E. Alborn (D.) .. and party, Eeefton 46 „ .. 3 6'to 6' All .. 3,477 47,212 50,689 2 3 5 Natural. Coghlan's, Capleston .. .. Freehold .. W. Patterson (2nd C.) John Coghlan, Eeefton ..35 „ .. 1 12' ..9' .. 1,921 21,669 23,590 .. 4 4 Eone, Capleston .. .. Crown lease .. A. Harris (D.) .. „ ..6 „ .. 1 12 .. 9 .. 1,144 4,333 5,477 ., 5 5 „ Collins', Eeefton .. .. „ •■ N. Collins (P.) .. ST. Collins, Eeefton .. ..40 1 10' .. f .. ....... 495 59,330 59,825 1 2 6 Defiance, Murray Creek D. McLaughlin (P.) D. McLaughlin, Murray Creek .. 4 „ ..1 8' .. All .. , T. 5 ch. .. 215 j 2,190 2 ,405 12 3,, Morrisvale Eeefton .. .. .. W. Wood (1st C.) .. W. J. Morris, Eeefton .. .. 20 „ .. 2 12' .. 8' .. , T. 14 ch. and 9,229 | 101,071 110,300 2 7 9,, ' 14 ch. Times Street, Eeefton .. ., .. H. A. Honey (P.) .. H. A. Honey, Eeefton .. .. 4 „ .. 1 35' .. 7' .. ....... 294 2,080 2,374 .. 2 2 Waitahu, Beefton .. .. „ .. A D.Williams (1st C.) A. D. WiUiams, Eeefton ..23 „ .. 1 5 6". All .. , T. 8 ch .. 726 7,027 7,753 12 3,, Wealth of Nations, Lankey's Creek „ .. J. Bolitho (P.) .. Wealth of Nations, Ltd., Eeefton 21 „ .. 1 1'to 10 „ T. li ch. .. 453 I 30,939 61 '% R i Ī ? White Eose, Merrijigs .. .. „ .. W. Osborn (P.) .. W. Osborn, Merrijigs .. ..9 „ ..14' .. .. „ .. i .. .. 173 I»i 3b& ., I , 1 „

C—2.

Baddeley's < Bend D CrSk' .. State Reserve J. Bowse (D.) .. Baddeley and party, Runanga .. 12 Sub-bitu- 19' .. T .. Bord and .. .. 1,967 42,999 44,966 2 5 7 Natural. ' minoiis pillar BellPird, Ten Mile .. .. „ F. Fauth (P.) .. Fauth and party, Greymouth .. 5 Ditto ■■ \ % ■■ % ■■ Ditto .. .. T. 10 ch. .. 3,708 11,585 15,243 1 4 6 Fan. Bellvue, Ten Mile .. .. „ J. Hadcroft (TJ.) .. Bellvue co-operative party, Grey- 6 „ .. 17' ..6' .. , .. 7,468 37,540 45,008 1 S y „ Blackball Blackball .. .. Freehold .. J. G. Quinn (1st C.) Blackball Coal-mines Pty., Ltd., 41 Bituminous 2 17' ..15' .. „ .... T. eel, .. 41,922 3,909,598 3,951,520 24 45 69 ,,i Blackball Creek, Blackball .. „ .. „ Creek Coal Co., Ltd., U „ 2 17' .. 15' .. „ .. .. T. 14 ch. .. 21,010 4,093 25,103 5 | 35 40 „ Brady's, Ten Mile .. .. State Reserve G. Brady (U.) .. Brady and party, Greymouth .. .. Sub-bitu- 15' ..All .. „ .. .. j T. 20 ft. .. 13 .. 13 1 2 3 Natural. Braehead, Dunollie .. .. „ W. Brown (1st C). . Boote and party, Dunollie . 12 Ditto"™ 8 .. 1 6' . „ .. , i T. 14 ch. .. 6,052 59,210 65,262 2 9 11 „ Briandale, Ten Mile .. .. Crown lease .. T. Howard (1st C.) Briandale Collieries, Ltd., Christ- 6 „ .. 1 4'to 7' „ .. , I •■ 11.481 52,240 bd,7dl 4 17 ZL „ Brunner, Wallsend .. .. Crown lease and G. Smith (1st C.) .. Collieries, Ltd., Welling- 9 Bituminous 1 18' .. 8'to 10' .. „ .. 2 T. 10 ch. .. 49,887 373,860 423,747 33 117 150 Fan. Cain's, Rapahoe .. StlteiServe B. Cain (P.) .. J.*and E. Cain, Rapahoe .. 8 1 4'to 7' All T. 8 ch. .. 950 4,492 5,442 1 3 4 Natural. Castlepoint, Dunollie .. .. „ S. Hewison (2nd C.) Castlepoint co-operative party, 6 Bituminous 1 5' 6" .. „ .. „ .. .. T. 26 ch. .. 8,016 39,411 47,427 1 11 12 Fan. Cox Creek, Ten Mile .. .. Clown lease .. C. Kaye (D.) .. T.E°ffta, Greymouth .. 6 Sub-bitu- 1 3'6" to 4' „ .. „ .. .. T. 5* ch. .. 2,921 4,255 7,176 1 5 6 Natural. Denny's, Ten Mile .. .. C.)!! M bEZus 1 $ to V* tt " Bordand " T. 18 ch! .. 63,111 * l4 Iβ! Fan" freehold church P lUa r and Duggau's, Rewanui .. .. State Reserve W. Richmond (D.) Duggan and party, Rewanui ..11 '.„ 1 4' 6" .. All ... BOTdand .. T. 10 ch. .. 5,387 41,908 47,295 8 Natural. Fiery Cross, Dunollie .. .. „ T. Currie (D.) .. Currie and party, Dunollie .. 4 Sub-bitu- 15' .. „ .. D P itto .. .. T. 14 ch. .. 5,562 11,509 17,071 1 8 9 Fan. Goldlight, DunoUie „ J. Kelly (2nd C.) . . Williams and party, Runanga .. 5 Ditto .. 1 V .. „ .. ....... .. 6,350 29,231 35,581 .. 9 9 „ Hillto?, Ten Mile .. .. „ V. Armstrong (1st C.) Armstrong and party, Runanga.. 2 „ .. 1 3'6" to 11' „ .. „ .. •• •• 11,778 7,362 19,140 1 11 12 „ Hunter's, Dunollie .. .. „ J. Neilson (1st C).. Hunter and party, Greymouth 12 „ .. 1 3 6 „ .. .. .. 8,310 48,016 56,32b 1 li i| Natural Jubilee, Rapahoe .. .. „ W. Wallwork (D.).. Jubilee co-operative party, Christ- 5 „ .. 1 4' 6" .. „ .. , .. 2,101 13,607 15,708 l jsanum. Moody Creek, Dunollie .. „ T. Heyes (2nd C.) .. Moody°Creek co-operative party, 10 „ ..1 to „ .. , ■• 4,936 44,093 49,029 2 7 9 Fan. Musselpoint, Nine Mile .. Crown lease .. C. Curtis (P.) .. CuSlnfparty, Greymouth 11 „ .. IB' .. „ .. „ .. .. T. 3 ch. .. 1,993 391 2,384 1 | 5 Natural. New Point Elizabeth, Dunollie .. State Reserve P. Manderson (U.).. New Point Elizabeth co-operative 6 „ .. 19' .. „ .. , T. 6 ch. .. 8,643 35,3(5 44,018 A a *an. Old Runanga. Rewanui .. „ E. W. Kennedy (TJ.) Old Biiianga co-operative party, 6 Bituminous 1 6'to 9' 6' 6" .. „ .. .. .. 6,191 26,929 33,120 3 8 11 Paparoa,Roa .. .. Crown lease .. A. O'Donnell (1st C.) Pa?aroaCoal Co., Ltd., Wellington 24 Semi-bitu- 2 5'to 25' 8'to 25' .. „ .. .. T. 48J ch. .. 30,570 679,603 710,173 28 10 38 „ Schulze Creek, Rapahoe .. „ .. M. Fowler (TJ.) .. Marshall and party, Rapahoe .. 8 StrtTrtu- 13' ..All .. „ .. .. T. 4| ch. .. | 3,267 20,319 23,586 1 8 „ Smith's, Dunollie .. .. State Reserve A. Ferguson (2nd C.) Smith and party, Dunollie .. 12 B^o™*. . 17/ .. „ ... T. 8 ch. .. 8,318 54,182 62,500 2 8 10 „ Spark's Rewanui .. .. „ J. TJnwin (D.) .. Spark and party, Rewanui . 11 Bituminous 17' , .. .. T. 1 ch .. 3,175 34,795 1 4 b James, Rapahoe .. .. „ J. Armstrong (1st C.) New Zealand Government, Wei- 10 Sub-bitu- 1 4'to 8' „ T. 15 ch. .. 30,793 66S,Mi)7 ±a ou i\> j „ Liverpool Rewanui : .. „ T. King (1st C.) .. Dittf™ 20 Bitamtoous 3 8'to 34' „ .. , T. 36 ch. .. 98,846 2,284,787 2,383,633 89 252 341 United Brunner WaUsend .. Crown lease .. W. Richardson (U.) United Brunner Coal-mines, Ltd., 1* „ 1 6'to 20' 9' .. „ .. .. T. 4 ch. .. 7o5 131 886 3 6 9 Natural. Christchurch ,.„ ___ . „ „ . Stillwater •• W. Whitfleld (P.) .. T. H. Boustridge, Greymouth ..5 „ 13' ..AH .. 100 1,750 1,850 i. £ 4 TySde! Brunner " .. „ ■■ J. Strang (D.) .. Tyneside Collieries, Ltd., Christ- 3 „ 1 12' .. 8' .. , T. 1 ch. .. 95 1,3.4 1,469 .. 2 2,, Output ot collieries included in previous statements at which operations are abandoned or suspended .... .. .. .. .. .. i •• ■• •• 7,43o,936 7,43o,936 SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. HomebuTraentunne 8 /™'- .. Freehold .. W. Leeming (P.) .. Brick and Tile Co., 59 Brown .. 1 | 2' 9" .. All .. Bordand .. T. 198' .. 1,597 358,548 360,145 2 2 4 Natural. Bush Gully Coalgate ". E. Charles (P.) .. J. DelSstate, Ooalgate .. 15 „ .. 114' .. „ .. Difio.. '.'. T. 462' '.. 1,5?8 42,979 44,577 . 4 4 Sview Glenrov •■ George Aitien (D. Clearview Coal Co., Glenroy ..13 „ .. 1 10*' ..91' .. „ .. .. .. 1,503 23,210 24,713 1 2 3 Klondyke', Bush Gully! '. .. I ■■ J. Campbell (D.) '. Klondyke Collieries, Ltd., White- 4 „ ..1 20' to 30' 10' .. , T. 1,650' .. 2,592 3,421 6,013 15 6,, Springfield „ .. J. Taylor (P.) .. J. Springfield .. .. 49 „ .. 3 J¥f « to V .. „ . V. T. 2W 176 93,033 ■■- «3,209 1 -1 2 „ VirtSrv Stirin»field .. Jas. Strang (F.D.). . Jas. Strang, Springfield .. | ..12' ..2' .. „ .... I. 330 .. 10 .. 10 1 1 Konoly, SpitagfleTd V. " .. P. MitchelwV) P. Mitchell' Springfield ". | " .. 1 22" .. 22» „ .. .. X. 60 |0 .. ? 20 1 1 Woodbank, Albury .. .. Crown lease J. H. Smillie (D.) .. Albury .. .. 8 Lignite .. 1 27' .. 7i' .. „ .. .. T. 561' .. 892 4,710 5,602 1 2 3 under Land Act

C—2.

COLLIERY STATISTICS, 1932— continued.

*£ jw ' "c jaj Number of Persons Title held Name o£ Mine- S g Cla , siflcation S S Thicknesfl Thickness S Und?r°'si Depth of Shaft Total ordinarily employed. Name of Mine and Locality. (C™A™ manager and Class | Name and Address o, Owner. 1 1 "-g"*» | > ™*»» "of ground 1 1 °™» »2tS££. "1 , T VenSio'n. otherwise). ot Certificate, gg gg Coal-seam. Working. Ī-3 Length OI lunnel. 19<jZ. ber, 1931. ber, 1932. | | . /3 SOUTHEEN INSPECTION" DISTEICT— continued. North Otago District. ! I Tons. Tons. Tons. St Andrews Papakaio .-. Freehold .. T. Nimmo, Jim. (U.) Duncan Cameron, Papakaio .. 53 Lignite .. 1 10' .. 6'to 7' .. Bordand .. T. 198' .. 2,566 69,163 71,729 13 4 Fan. pillar Airedale Papakaio . .. Crown lease .. A. Beardsmore, Jun. A. Beardsmore and Son, Papakaio 6 | „ .. 1 7' to 12' 7" .. Ditto .. .. .. 1,397 5,198 6.595 13 4 Natural. (D.) Ngapara, Ngapara .. .. Freehold .. William Nimmo (Ū.) William Nimmo, Ngapara .. 54 ,, .. 1 25' .. | 8'to 10' .. T. 50' .. 1,115 46,147 47,262 12 3 Fan. Shag Point (Old Mine), Shag Point Crown lease .. W. McLaren (P.) .. Bruce Bailway and Coal Co., 18 \ Brown .. 1 5'to .6' All .. „ .. .. T. 500' .. 1,672 421,019 422,691 13 4 Natural. Dunedin Shag Point Coal-mining Co., Shag Freehold .. A. S. Gillanders (1st Shag Point Coal-mining Co., Dun- 24 „ .. 1 3'to3f „ .. „ T. 500' .. 12,867! 301,635 314,502 10 50 60 Fan. Point C.) edin Diamond Hill, Herbert .. ,, .. T. Green (D.) . . G. Anderson, Herbert .. . . 5 ,, .. 1 | 3i' .. „ .. ,, .. .. T. 250' .. 388 263 651 112 Natural. Oakdene, Maheno .. .. ,, J. P. Watson (P.) .. J. P. Watson, Maheno .. 2 ,, .. 1 3' to 4' „ .. Opencast .. .. 90 122 212 1 .. 1 Open. Malmanche's, Awakino .. ,, .. W. Hollows (D.) .. J. Malmanche, Kurow .. .. 2 „ .. 1 10' .. 6' to 7' .. Bord and .. T. 120' .. 110 40 150 ! .. 1 1 Natural. pillar Double Hill .. .. .. „ .. William Hay (P.) .. Double Hill Coal Co., Waitatt .. i 1 Lignite .. 1 4}' .. All .. Ditto .. .. T. 264' .. 76 .. 76 2 2,, Central Otago District. Eough Eidge, Oturehua .. Crown lease .. E. Beck (P.) .. Margaret Beck, Oturehua .. 45 Lignite .. 1 20' ..All .. Opencast .. .. 21 35,701 35,722! 1 .. 1 Open. Idaburn, Oturehua .. .. Freehold .. C. L. Fisher (P.) .. C. L. Fisher, Oturehua .. 62 | „ .. ' 1 20' .. „ .. .. 656 56,015 56,671 j 2 2 „ Oturehua, Oturehua .. .. Crown lease .. A. Brown (P.) .. Becker Bros., Oturehua ..38 „ .. 1 20' .. T .. Bordand .. T. 700' .. 928 6,921 7,849 2 .. 2 Fan. pillar Cambrian, Cambrian .. .. „ .. D. Jones (P.) .. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing 71 ,, .. 1 25' .. All .. Opencast .. .. 530 52,851 53,381 1 .. 1 Open. Co., St. Bathans Coal Creek Flat, Coal Creek Flat .. N. Harliwich .. N. Harliwich, Coal Creek Flat .. | 62 „ .. 1 25' ..15' .. „ .. .. 2,610 100,319 102,929 2 .. 2 „ Bannockburn, Bannockburn .. .. J. Hodson, Jun. (2nd J. Hodson, Bannockburn ..55 „ .. 1 6'to 20' 9' .. Bordand .. .. 2,150 126,161 128,311 13 4 Natural. C.) pillar Nevis Crossing, Nevis .. .. „ .. R. Eitchie (P.) .. Eobert Bitchie, Nevis .. ..29 „ .. 1 60' ..AH .. Opencast .. .. 49 18,276 18,325 2 .. 2 Open. Parflt's, Upper Idaburn .. „ ..I Parflt (P) .. I. Parflt, Naseby .. ..7 ,, .. 1 30' .. 18' .. ,, .. .. 182 876 1,058 1 .. 1 „ Armitage's, Blackstone Hill .. „ .. E. Beck (P.) .. George Armitage, Blackstone Hill 44} .. 1 12' .. All .. „ .. .. 43 4,734 4,777 1 1 Gibbston, Arrowtown .. .. , .. D Lee (P) .. Eeed and Mclntyre, Arrowtown 36 „ .. 1 35' .. T .. Bordand .. T. 88' .. 119 29,261 29,380 112 Natural. pillar South Otago District. Freeman's, AbbotsJord .. Freehold .. W. Evans (U.) .. Freeman's Coal Co., Green Island 52 Lignite .. 1 8'to 12' All .. Bordand .. .. 3,870 623,077 626,947 2 4 6 Natural. pillar Jubilee, Fairfleld .. .. ,, J. Hadcroft (1st C.) Jubilee Coal Co., Dunedin 35 ,, .. 1 5' to 9' „ .. Ditto .. .. T. 1,518' .. \ ,, „„,. -„„ -„, _„„ „„_ a OQ on _ Jubilee (under roads), Fairfield .. Crown lease .. „ „ „ .. .. j , .. .. .. .. .. / J- 4^- 55 579,7<>4 59d,799 b M ZD Jian. Auchmeddon, Fairfleld .. I Freehold .. H. Orr (2nd C.) .. H. Orr, Fairfleld .. .. 7 „ .. 14' .. All .. Opencast .. .. 8 65 73 Open. Fairfleld, Fairfleld .. .. .. J. J. Cooper (D.) .. Fairfleld Collieries, Dunedin .. l| ,. .. 2 4'to 8'.. „ .. Bordand .. T. 350' .. 326 .. 326 1 2 3 Fan. pillar Hodson's, Fairfleld .. .. „ J. Hodson (2nd C.) J. Hodson, Dunedin .. .. 1 ,, .. 17' .. 5' .. Ditto .. .. T. 100' .. 67 .. 67 1 2 3 Natural. Burnweil, Saddle Hill .. .. „ .. G. F. Whittleston N. Laverty, Saddle Hill ..37 „ ..15' ..AH .. „ .. .. .. 44 81,866 81,910 112,, (2nd C.) Saddle Hill, Saddle Hill .. „ .. W. McLellan (P.) .. A. O'Halloran, Fairfleld .. 2 j „ .. 1 7'to 8' 6' .. „ .. .. T. 165' .. 965 1,032 1,997 12 3, Willowbank, Eiccarton .. „ .. W. Eobertson (IT.) George Seurr and Co., Ltd., 12 „ .. 1 20' ..6' .. „ .. .. T. 594' .. 6,922 40,040 46,962 2 8 10 Fan. ftlosgiel Junction Brighton, Brighton .. .. ,, .. N. McColl (P.) .. N. McColl, Brighton .. ..17 „ .. 16' ..5' .. „ .. .. T. 858' .. \ _,.. mono m „= o 9 Brighton (under roads) .. Crown lease .. „ .. „ „ „ .. .. .. .. j- 576 10,009 10,585 .. 2 2 „ Fry's, Brighton .. .. Freehold .. J. Kelly (P.) .. J. Fry and J. Kelly, Brighton .. ; 1 „ .. 14' .. 4' .. Bord and .. .. 15 .. 15 11 Natural. pillar Bush's, Brighton .. .. „ .. M. Tikey (P.) .. G. A. Bush, Mosgiel .. .. 1 „ .. 1 lj ; .. 1}' .. Ditto .... .. 24 .. 24 11,, Taratu, Lovell's Flat .. .. ,, .. A. Cain (2nd C.) .. Sargood and Cheeseman, Dunedin 31 „ .. | 2 14' to 40' 7'to 30' .. „ .. .. T. 205', 180', 10,523 732,464 742,987 7 16 23 Fans 924', 713' Elliotvale, Moneymore .. „ .. J. M. Eobertson (P.) W. Cockburn, Milton .. .. 3 „ .. 1 30' to 40' 6'to 7' .. „ .. .. T. 240' .. 1,752 2,572 4,324 1 2 3 Natural. Benhar, Benhar .. .. „ .. J. Walls (2nd C.) .. McSkimming and Son, Ltd., 69 „ .. 3 14' ..10' .. „ .. .. T. 860' .. 5,140 294,481 299,621 15 6 Fan. Benhar Essbank, Milton .. .. ,, .. R. Boyd (D.) .. Beardsmore Bros, and Adams, 2 „ .. 18' ..All .. „ .. .. .. 4,566 2,021 6,587 14 5 Natural. Milton Riverside (late Tres Bon) .. Crown lease .. J. Burleigh (2nd C.) E. H. G. Thorpe, Dunedin ..11 „ .. 1 12' .. ,, .. .. 1,419 33,075 34,494 12 3,, Orrvale, near Milton .. .. Freehold .. P. Harris (P.) .. A. Love, Port Chalmers .. 1 „ .. 18}' ..6}' .. „ .. .. T. 170' .. 40 .. 40 1 1 „ Lakeside ((Lake Tuakatito) .. „ .. J. Throp (P.) .. J. Throp, Kaitangata .. ..22 „ .. 1 10' .. 7'" .. „ .. .. T. 150' . .. 1,678 10,444 12,122 12 3 Fan. Kaibf ook 1 } Kaitangata ■• Crown lease .. I W. Barclay (D.) .. William Barclay, Kaitangata ..10 „ .. j 1 j 10' ..9' .. „ .... T. 99' .. 1,365 |'|°® \ 1 3 4 Natural.

C—2.

Kaitangata No. 1, Kaitangata .. Freehold .. 1 f 56 Brown .. 2 i 8' and 25'; AU .. ! „ .. .. T. 4,950', 1,188', "| Kaitangata No. 2, Kaitangata fF. Carson (1st C.) Kaitangata Coal Co., 20 __ .. x 2(y .. „ ... T.S&S' .. f 107 - 588 4 ' 884 ' 809 4 ' 992 ' 898 56 241 297 EanS - Kaitangata (under roads) .. Crown lease..! I •• J , Kaituna, Kaitangata .. .. Freehold .. J. W. Fenton (TJ.).. T. E. Steel, Dunedin .. ..23 Lignite .. 14' .. „ .. ,, .. .. T. 200' .. 422 26,1/2 26,594 112 Natural. Kai Point, Kaitangata .. „ .. S Newburn (2nd C.) S. Newburn, Kaitangata .. 5 „ .. 1 20' .. T ....... T. 264' .. 1,169 3,425 4,594 .. 3 3 „ Summerhill, Kaitangata .. „ .. A. Hill (D.) .. T. Gage, Kaitangata .. .. 7 „ .. 1 14' .. 6J' ....... T. 360' .. 256 958 1,214 1 1 2 „ Blue Ridge, Kaitangata .. „ .. B. S. Burgess (D.).. Peter Smith, Kaitangata .. 1 „ .. 15' ..All T. 60' .. 14 .. 14 .. .. .. „ Bnrnbright, Kaitangata .. „ .. B Penman (D.) .. B. Penman, Kaitangata .. 1 „ .. 1 20' to SO' 7' .. T. 130' .. 42 .. 42 11,, Eopers Creek, Wangaloa .. „ .. A. Hunter (D.) .. H. Lunn, Kaitangata . . .. 1 „ ..16' .. All .. „ .... T. 50' .. . ■ 77 1 1 ,, Conical Hill, Conical Hill .. Crown lease .. A. S. Lowrey (P.) .. A. S. Lowrey, Conical Hill .. 1 „ .. 1 20' ..9' .. „ .. .. T. 198' .. 77 .. 77 11 Shalt. Southland District. Green's, Gore .. .. Freehold .. F. Barclay (2nd C.) Executor estate late T. Green, 44 Lignite .. 1 19' ..12' .. Bord and .. T. 1,170' .. 6,282 3.1,004 37/,286 3 6 9 Fan. Gore pillar Whiterig, Gore .. .. „ .. J. S. Wilks (P.) .. G. B. Paterson, Gore .. .. 2 „ .. 1 4'to 10' AU .. Opencast .. .. 1,674 438 097 , ? ". 2 gP en - Boghead, Mataura .. .. „ .. Thomas Gaudion (P.) C. E. Bowe, Mataura .. ..27 „ .. 1 20' ..12' .. Bord and .. T. 594' .. 5,272 70,347 75,619 1 4 5 Fan. pillar Mataura Lignite, Mataura .. „ .. James Pearson (D.) Beattie, Coster, and Co., Mataura 56 „ .. 1 14' .. 10' .. Ditto .. .. T. 1,320' .. 12,289 370,555 382,844 3 5 8 „ Terrace, Mataura .. .. „ .. J. Buchols (D.) .. B. Haywood, Mataura .. 2 „ .. 18' .. AU .. Opencast .. .. 248 106 354 1 .. 1 Open. Waddell's, Biverview .. .. „ .. D. McAskill (P.) .. S. Waddell, Mataura .. .. 1 „ .. 1 11' ..7' .. Bord and .. .. 436 .. iib .. 11 JNalural. Croydon, Croydon .. .. „ .. C. McGregor .. C. McGregor, Gore .. ..17 „ .. 1 20' ..15' .. Opencast .. .. 326 24,430 24 > 75 ,6 \ " i Open# Nicol's, Biverview „ .. J. Buchols (D.) .. A. B. Barnes, Mataura ..39 10' .. AU .. „ .. .. 136 2,104 2,240 1 1 Kingdon's, Waimumu .. .. „ .. P. Larking (P.) .. P. Larking, Mataura .. ..2 „ 1 20' .. 10' .. ,, •• -• 1,590 308 t'2?,2 „ „ Hamilton and MeKean, Wahrmmu .. A. Maxwell (P.) .. Hamilton and McKean, Gore ..4 „ 1 18' .. All .. „ •• •■ 1,812 2,875 4,687 2 I Bosedale, McNab .. .. „ .. James McCord (P.) L. T. Voice, McNab .. ..7 „ ..16' .. .. „ .. .. 146 2,433 , „1, o79 1 -.. 1 North Chatton, North Chatton .. „ .. George Daly (P.) .. George Daly, Waikaka ..28 „ 1 18' .. „ .. „ .. .. 762 108,043 108,805 2 .. I Hokonui, Hokonui .. .. „ .. A. C. Dixon (D.) .. A. C. Dixon, Hedgehope .. 11 „ .. 1 9' -. „ .. Bordand .. .. 12 52,084 52,096 Princhester Creek, The Key .. Crown lease.. J. A. Denton (P.) .. J. A. Denton, Private Bag, Lums- 30 Brown .. 15' .. „ .. Opencast .. .. 179 3,905 4,084 1 .. 1 Open. Ota Creek, Wyndham .. .. „ .. E. Genge (P.) .. E. Genge, Wyndham .. ..52 Lignite ..18'..,, .. „ •■ •• 384 ij 1 ' 0 , 9 *? Si' 4 . 7 ,! i I Diamond Lignite, Ashers .. „ .. A. McMillan (P.) .. S. McMillan, Invercargill .. 30 „ .. 1 38' .. „ .. „ .. •• 1,209 36,725 ° 7 > 93 * 2 ■• „ „•! , Glenlee, Waikaka .. .. Freehold .. F. W. Edge (P.) .. A. A. Edge, Waikaka .. ..39 „ .. 1 14' .. 8£' .. Bordand .. .. 733 34,814 35,547 .. 2 I -Natural. pillar Landslip, Waikaia .. .. Crown lease .. T. Northcoat (P.) .. T. Northcoat and Lahey, Waikaia 33 „ .. 1 10' .. AU .. Opencast .. .. 222 37,758 37,980 2 .. 2 Open. Lawrence's (formerly Mclver's), „ .. B. Lawrence (P.) .. B. Lawrence, Freshford ..9 „ ..14' : „ .. „ .. •• 144 1,525 1,669 1 1 „ Argyle, Waikaia .. .. „ .. T. Woodward (P.) Thomas Woodward, Waikaia ..41 „ 1 12' .. „ ■■ •■ 237 12,163 12 ' 4 22 X "o I tst 'I ™i Wendon, Wendon .. .. „ .. B. Badford (P.) .. J. E. Eadford, Wendon .. 8 „ .. 1 18' ..12' .. Bordand .. T. 90' .. 403 1,820 2,223 .. 2 2 Natural. Mossbank Nos. 1 and 3, Ohai .. „ .. J. McLeUand (1st C.) Mossbank Coal Co., InvercargiU 18 Brown .. 2 6'to 24' 7' .. Ditto .. .. T. 462' .. 28,626 360,164 388,790 19 59 78 Fan. Wairaki No. 1, Ohai .. .. „ .. J. T. Mosley (1st C.) Wairaki Coal Co., Gore .. 19 „ .. 1 7' to 20' All T. 1,980' • • \ i e 451 395 445 411 896 16 63 79 Wairaki No. 2, Ohai .. .. Freehold .. „ „ „ .. 14 „ .. 1 7'to 20' T. 1,980' .. / 1D '* oi ' „' . on „ „„ ' Linton, Ohai .. .. Crown lease f George Gilbert (1st C.) Linton Coal Co., InvercargiU .. 17 „ .. 1 30'to40'l „ T. 1,980' .. 52,303 822,065 874,368 30 70 100 Fans. Black Lion, Ohai '.'. '.'. Crown lease .. Thomas Young (1st j Black Lion Coal Co., Invercargill 11 „ .. 1 10' ..7' T. 264' .. 15,994 68,026 84,020 6 21 27 Fan. Lobbs Hill, Ohai .. .. „ .. P. L. Magee (D.) .. P. L. Magee, Ohai .. .. 3 „ .. 14' .. AU .. „ .. .. T. 528' .. 613 1,083 1'fff * .f * Natural. Birchwood No. 2, Ohai .. „ .. James Lewis (1st C.) Birchwood Coal Co., Dunedin .. 9 „ .. 1 9'to 25' 6'to 8' .. „ .. -. T. 1,980' .. 23,280 84,886 108,166 15 45 60 ian. Star, Ohai .. .. .. Freehold .. Thomas Todd (2nd C.) Thomas Todd, Ohai .. .. 1 „ .. 19' ..6' ....... T. 594' .. 3,339 .. 3 > 339 e § It " Black Diamond, Nightcaps .. Crown lease .. A. Colligan (2nd C.) Black Diamond Coal Co., Inver- 17 „ .. 1 25' ..8' .. „ .. .. T. 1,320' .. 6,649 224,927 231,576 4 8 12 „ Smithvale, Nightcaps .. .. Freehold .. William Dyet (D.).. McSkimming and Son, Benhar .. 6 „ .. 1 2' 9" .. AU .. Opencast . .. 292 2,297 2>5 ?2 1 } 2 pen ' McSkimming and Son, Nightcaps Crown prospect- „ .. ,, „ 2 „ .. .. Bordand . .. 55 198 253 .. 1 1 Dan. ing license pillar .. _ Morley Vale, Ohai (Old Moun Freehold .. James Mason (2nd C.) Mason (2) and McKenzie, Ohai ..24 „ ..1 .. 8' .. Opencast .. .. 190 3,314 3,504 1 .. 1 Open. Nightcaps Syndicate .. .. „ .. J. Phair (D.) .. Nightcaps Syndicate, Nightcaps.. 1 „ ..16' ..5' .. Bordand .. T. 60' .. 112 .. 112 .. 2 2 Natural. piilar Orepuki, Orepuki .. .. Crown lease .. B. W. Botch (D.) .. J. L. Hennessey, Orepuki ..27 „ .... .. .. Opencast .. .. 156 36,457 36,613 1 .. 1 Open. Hakatea, Waimumu .. .. Freehold .. James Milne (P.) .. A. P. Cowie, Gore .. .. 4 Lignite 1 15' .. AU .. „ .. .. 1,330 2,329 _ 8 >£°2 2 .. 2 „ Otikerama, Otikerama.. .. „ .. Joseph Hoflman (P.) A. McDonald, Otikerama ..43 „ .. 1 20' ... 10' .. Bordand .. .. 2,034 48,953 50,987 1 2 3 Natural. Lynwood, Te Anau .. .. Crown lease .. E. C. Govan .. E. C. Govan, Te Anau .. 19 „ .. 1 8' .. 6' .. Opencast '.'. .. 50 3,770 3,820 1 1 Open. Waihopai, Woodlands .. Freehold .. A. C. Dixon (D.) .. I A. C. Dixon, Woodlands .. 1 „ .. 1 14' .. All .. „ .. .. 273 .. 273 1 1 „ Output of mines included in previous statements at which operations have been abandoned or suspended.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 6,822,025 6,822,025 .. •■ Totals, Southern District, South Island •■ 390,543 19,265,773 19,656,316 255 729 984 Totals West Coast District, South Island ■■ 844,010 38,814,532 39,658,542 634 1,679 2,313 Totals, Northern District, North Island .. 607,469 17,621,568 18,229,037 368 971 1,339 Grand totals .. 1,842,022 75,701,873 77,543,895 1,257 3,379 4,636 Output of collieries prior to 1890 not included in the above statement .. .. .. .. .. .. •• •• •■ 296,653 Shale exported, 1914 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ■ • • ■ 21 77,840,569

C.—2

APPENDIX C. KEPOKT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINEES. g IE Geological Survey Office, Wellington, 21st August, 1933. On behalf of the Boards of Examiners under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts, I have the honour to submit the following brief report on the work of the Boards during 1932 : — The annual examination of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, was held at Dunedin, Greymouth, Reefton, Westport, and Huntly on the 25th, 26th, and 27th October. In addition, candidates were examined at Dunedin, Westport, and Huntly for minesurveyors' certificates under the Coal-mines Act. Four examinations of candidates for certificates as underviewers and firemen-deputies were also held —one at Dunedin on the 30th and 31st August, one at Greymouth on the 23rd and 24th November, one at Westport on the 26th November, and one at Huntly on the 30th November. The total applicants for certificates was twelve less than for the previous year. The activity now being shown in the metal mining side of the industry has created a demand for qualified men to take charge of operations, in consequence of which more candidates offered themselves for examination for certificates under the Mining Act than for some years previously —sixteen applying for certificates, as against four the previous year. Examinations of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Mining Act were held at Dunedin and Reefton on the 25th, 26th, and 27th October, while on the same dates a candidate was examined at Reefton for a battery superintendent's certificate. Examinations of candidates for dredgemasters' certificates were also held at Dunedin and Greymouth on the 11th October. The following is a summary of the various examinations and the results obtained : —

Under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, fifty-six gas-testing certificates were also issued, as against seventy-nine the previous year. In addition, one duplicate fireman-deputy's certificate was issued. On the whole, the work of the candidates who sat for examination showed an improvement on previous years. A list of the certificates issued since my last report and which have been confirmed by the Boards is appended : — COAL-MINES ACT, 1925. First-class Mine-managebs' Certificates. Iseued after Examination.—Dale, Roger Thomas Hilton, Runanga ; Schoen, Reginald Hugo, Ohai. Second-class Mine-managek's Certificates. Issued after Examination.— -Banks, James Lewis, Reefton; Barlow, Eli John, Hikurangi; Curtis, Cecil Donald, Reef ton ; McLean, Roderick, Reefton ; Turner, George Thomas, Reefton.

Number of Candidates. Number^Certificates Act and Examination. β-hi t< B y Examined. Passed. Sγ F™minntinn Recognized Pass. Jixammation. Cre(lent j alSi 1. Coal-mines Act, 1925 — Mine-manager's certificate — ... (a) First class— Written examination .. .. 14 \ 2 2 S$ Oral examination .. . ■ : • • . 5 jf (6) Second class — Written examination .. .. 11 \ 5 4 g Oral examination .. • • ■ • 6/ Underviewer's certificate .. .. . ■ 20 13 4 13 Fireman-deputy's certificate .. .. • .. 35 24 6 24 .... Mine-surveyor's certificate— Written examination .. .. •• 5\ 4 2 2* Oral and practical examination .. .. 5/ 2. Mining Act, 1926— Battery superintendent's certificate — Written examination .. •• •• 1 \ j j Oral examination .. ■■ •• 1/ Mine-manager's certificate (first class) .. .. . . .. Written examination .. ■ • • • 4\ 2 1 2 Oral examination .. ■ • • ■ 2 / Dredgemaster's certificate — Class A .. • ■ • • • • 2 .. ■ • Class B .. 8 7 •• 7 * Sat for oral and practical examination only.

C.—2

MIM-SURVEYORS' CERTIFICATES. Issued without Examination. —Green, Eric Wallace, Wellington ; Shand, Norman McKenzie, Denniston. Issued after Examination.— Langford, James Newton, Ohai; Littlejohn, Herbert Clifford, Ngamawahia. Underviewers' Certificates. Issued after Examination— Banks, James Lewis, Reefton; Dyet, William, jun., Nightcaps ; Farnworth, William' Dunollie ; Lennox, Andrew Lightbody, Renown; Orr, Charles Mann, Ohai; Patterson, Ernest, Reefton ; Peterson, Nicholas, Blackball; Schoen, Reginald Hugo, Ohai; Scott, George Robert, Glen Afton. FIREMBN-DEPUTIES' CERTIFICATES. Issued after Examination.— Anderson, David Alexander, jun., Kaitangata; Baird, John, Green Island; Baird, John, Greymouth ; Balderstone, William, Blackball; Bennie, Boyd James, Kaitangata ; Cairns, James, Glen Afton ; Corden, Ernest, Burnett's Pace ; Cowan, Alexander, Dobson ; Davies, Sydney, Glen Massey ; Dayne, Robert Desmond, Runanga ; Donaldson, John Brown, Ohai; Ewen, Richard James, Runanga ; Gair, Robert, Glen Massey ; Graham, John, Puponga ; Hanley, Francis, Huntly ; Hargood, Horace James Samuel, Kaitangata ; Hassan, Hugh, Brunnerton ; Jones, Harold Wright, "Mangatoi, Mokau River; Lawson, David, Pukemiro ; Marshall, Robert, Dobson; Milburn, Thomas, Huntly West; Morrison, Francis, Burnett's Face; McCaig, William, Glen Afton; McLellan, William, Fairfield ; McNeilage, Thomas, Ohai; Newman, Robert Thompson, Denniston ; O'Flaherty, Morgan, Blackball; Oliver, Alfred, Rotowaro ; Purvis, Thomas, Kaitansata ; Rogers, Francis Edward, Kaitangata ; Scurr, William, Rotowaro ; Simon, George, Greymouth ; Simpson, James Stark, Seddonville; Thomas, Ernest, Glen Massey; Thomson, Andrew, Benhar ; Tinker, Harry, Mount Somers ; Todd, John Thomas, Glentunnel; Vigna, Adamo, Runanga ; Welsh, Mervyn Ernest Arnold, Shag Point; Wilson, John, Taylorville. MINING ACT, 1926. Fibst-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued after Examination.— Gordon, Hugh Thomas, Sawyer's Bay, Dunedin ; Rutherfurd, Robert Alexander, Waiuta. Issued on Production of Certificate from a Recognized Authority outside the Dominion. — Lake, John Valentine, Reefton. Battery Superintendent's Certificate. Issued after Examination. —Ellery, William Vincent, Waiuta. MINING AMENDMENT ACT, 1927. Dredgemasters' Class A Certificates. Issued after Examination. —Speed, Richard Oswell, Murchison; Williamson, Andrew, Cromwell. Dredgemasters' Class B Certificates. Issued after Examination. —Curnow, Nicholas, Nelson Creek; Fischer, Alfred, Ngahere; Griffin, James Philip, Hokitika; Hepburn, Wallace Bourke, Okarito ; Marslin, William, Dunedin; Samson, Arthur James, Hokitika ; Williamson, John, Mornington, Dunedin. I have, &c, J. Henderson, Chairman of Boards. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

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MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. C. E. MACMILLAN, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, C-02

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MINES STATEMENT, BY THE HON. C. E. MACMILLAN, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, C-02

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