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MINES STATEMENT.
CONTENTS.
PAGE Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 1-67 Coal-mining Legislation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Carbonizing and Briquetting .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Coal-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..3,4 Coal-miners' Relief Fund.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..9,10 Co-operative Mining, State Coal Reserve . . .. . . .. .. .. 4 Geological Survey . . . . .. . . .. .. .. .. 8 Goldfields Revenue and Gold Duty .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,3 Gold and Silver Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,2 Laboratory Investigations . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Miners' Benefits .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Mining Legislation .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Mining Privileges . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 3 New Avenues of Coal-utilization .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Petroleum Oil .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Rescue Stations .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 6 Schools of Mines . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Social Amenities in Mining Townships .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 State Aid to Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Government Prospecting Drills .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Roads and Tracks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Schools of Mines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Subsidized Prospecting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 State Coal-mines .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 4-6 Housing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Items from Balance-sheet .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Output and Sales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,5 Statistics — Coal-mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Gold and Silver Mining .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Mineral Production .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Mining and Quarry Accidents.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Persons employed in or about Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. 7 Wastage of Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Tables to accompany Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. 11-16 No. 1. Export of Minerals and Coal-output. . .. .. .. .. .. 11 No. 2. Gold —Quantity and Value exported from Districts and Counties or Boroughs .. 12 No. 3. Table showing Quantity of Gold exported Annually from 1857 .. .. .. 13 No. 4. Coal—Output from different Fields .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 No. 5. Coal—Output of different Classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 No. 6. Coal and Oil-shale —Annual Production and Coal imported since 1878 .. .. 14 No. 7. CoalImports .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Exports: Bunkers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Exports: Cargo .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 No. 8. Number of Persons employed in Mining .. .. .. .. .. 16
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page Appendices to the Mines Statement .. • ■ • • • • • ■ .. 17 67 Appendix A.—Reports relating to Metalliferous Mines and Stone-quarries .. • ■ 17-40 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. • ■ • • • • ■ • 17-21 I. Minerals: Exported.. •• <■ •• •• •• Produced. . .. ■ • ■ • • • • • • ' 11. Persons employed .. . • • • • • • ■ • • • • ' 111. Accidents .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • ■ • • -*- 8 IV. Gold-mining : Bullion-production ; Dividends declared ; Persons employed, Number of Mines and Dredges .. • • • • • • 18-21 (1) Quartz-mining . ■ •• •• .. 19, 20 (2) Dredge Mining ■ • • • • • • ■ • • 20 (3) Alluvial Mining • • • • • ■ • • 21 (4) Prosecutions . • • ■ • • • • • ■ • • 21 V. Minerals other than Gold VI. Stone-quarries VII. State Aid to Mining . . • ■ • • • • • ■ • • 24 (1) Subsidized Prospecting .. • • • • • • • • 24 (2) Government Prospecting Drills (3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields .. • ■ ■ • • • 24 (4) Legislation affecting Metalliferous Mines .. .. • • 24 Annexure A—Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. • • 25-36 Northern Inspection District .. • • • • • • • • ■ • 25-27 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast District .. .. • • ■ • 27-32 Southern Inspection District .. . • ■ ■ ■ • 33-36 Annexure B—Report on Stone-quarries .. • • • • - • • 37 Annexure C —Mining Statistics —■ (1) Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained .. . . - • • • 38-40 Appendix B—Reports relating to the Inspection of Goal-mines .. 41-65 Report by Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector .. .. ■ • ■ • 41-47 Section I. Coal Output and Imports : Production from Principal Collieries . . 41-43 Section 11. Persons employed : Coal raised : Lives lost by Accidents .. 44 Section 111. Accidents .. • • • • • • • • • ■ - • 45 Section IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act .. .. ■ • ■ ■ 45-47 (a) Permitted Explosives .. .. .. .. • . 45 (b) List of Mines required by Law to use Permitted Explosives . . .. 46 (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safety Lamps .. - . .. 46 (d) Dangerous Occurrences .. .. • • ■ • • • • 4-7 (e) Electricity at Collieries .. . ■ • ■ • • • • • • 47 (/) Prosecutions .. .. • • • • • • • • - • 47 Section V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining .. . • • • • • 47 Annexure A—Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. ■ • 48-60 Northern District .. • ■ • ■ ■ • • • ■ • • West Coast District .. . ■ • • • • • ■ ■ ■ • • 52-o7 Southern District .. .. ■ ■ • • • • • • • • Annexure B —Colliery Statistics .. .. • • • ■ ■ • • • 61-65 Appendix C—Report of Boards of Examiners—Certificates issued .. .. • • 66-67
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1940. NEW ZEALAND.
MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES.
Mr. 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, 1939. 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 1939 and 1938 :—
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 £4,132,476, as compared with £3,672,075 during 1938. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1939 amounted to £207,680,483. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. During the year 569,297 oz. of bullion, valued at £1,566,977, was produced, an increase in quantity of 59,538 oz., and-in value of £352,923, as compared with the previous year. The gold content of the bullion is estimated at 178,955 oz., valued at £1,530,857. The estimated gold-production for the past ten years has been as follows : — Year. Oz. Year. Oz. 1930 .. .. 120,931 1935 .. .. 165,277 1931 .. .. 129,861 1936 .. .. 164,575 1932 .. .. 166,354 1937 .. .. 168,487 1933 .. .. 161,755 1938 .. .. 152,050 1934 .. .. 160,248 f 1939 .. .. 178,955
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1939. : 1938. Mineral. > ; Quantity. Value. L Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* .. .. .. 569,297 oz. 1,566,977 509,759 oz. 1,214,054 Platinum 104 1/b „ 7 Iron-ore .. .. .. .. 1,586 tons 3,018 1,218 tons 3,666 Stone .. .. .. .. ... 545,533 .. 555,295 Pumice .. .. .. .. 3,680 5 2 B ,, 11,172 3,046 „ 8,811 Coal .. .. .. .. 2,342,639 „ 2,342,639 2,222,088 „ 2,222,088 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 41 „ 8,240 45J§ „ 8,604 Manganese-ore .. . . .. 486 „ 1,944 90~ „ 450 Silica sand .. .. .. .. 2,335 „ . 2,227 1,459 „ 1,126 Quicksilver .. .. .. .. „ .. 760 lbs. 190 Fuller's earth .. .. .. 73£g- „ 233 56 tons. 154 Diatomaceous earth .. .. .. .. 332 .. 70 Mica .. .. .. „ 12 Totals .. .. .. .. £4,482,431 .. £4,014,515 * The gold-silver bullion ia generally exported unseparated.
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It is pleasing to record an increase of 26,905 oz. in the production of gold compared with the previous year ; in fact, the production for the year under review has not been exceeded during the past nineteen years. Production from alluvial mines (18,512 oz.) shows a decrease of 1,417 oz., dredges (77,038 oz.) an increase of 24,316 oz., and quartz-mines (83,045 oz.) an increase of 4,606 oz. compared with the previous year. ... . It is apparent that the scope for alluvial mining must diminish progressively. A large number of the areas now being worked in this way are located in places where the maintenance of an adequate water-supply is the major problem in the way of efficient and continuous operation. . The increased yield from quartz-mines is entirely due to greater production from the existing mines, no new areas of any great moment having been opened up during the year. ... . , ■ , The major proportion of the increased yield is from the dredging claims, trom which over 43 per cent, of the total production of gold was secured during the year. The development of the dredging industry was accelerated and made possible by the decision of the Government a few years ago to link up the West Coast with the main hydro-electric system of the South Island, thereby ensuring for the industry an adequate supply of cheap power. Twenty-three dredges operated during the year, seventeen on the West Coast and six in' Otago and Southland. Two relatively small dredges ceased to operate during the year, and towards the latter part of the year the large Arahura Dredge went into commission. During next year it is expected that three new substantial dredges will commence producing—viz., the Ngahere, Snowy River, and Lowburn dredges. In addition, plans are well under way for the construction of seven more dredges to operate on areas tested by boring. The total number of men employed at gold-mines was 2,794, a decrease ot 204 compared with the previous year. 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 1939 and 1938 : —
MINING AND COAL-MINING LEGISLATION. The provisions of the Mining Act, 1926, and of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in regard to assistance towards mining were repealed and entirely new provisions were enacted in the Statutes Amendment Act, 1939. By section 3 of the Finance Act, .1939, the law m regard to the State Coalmines Sinking Fund was repealed and new provisions enacted. There were no alterations to the Mining Regulations. The Coal-mines Regulations were revised and consolidated, and the new regulations were gazetted on the 19th July, 1939. GOLDFIELDS REVENUE AND GOLD DUTY. The amount of goldfields revenue received and credited to the accounts of local bodies during the year ended 31st March, 1940, was £19,272 12s. 6d., an increase of £1 046 os. sd. compared with the previous year. The total of all duties on exported gold amounted to £213,321 lis. 5d., as follows : Credited to the accounts of local bodies under section 12 of the Gold Duty Act, 1908, £5,744 10s. sd. , special
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Dividends Number of ProdueProduotion of Bullion. paid by Registered tive Claims and Companies. Dredges. Class of Gold-mining. 1939 . 1938. 1939. 1938. 1939. 1938. Oz. £ Oz. £ £ £ Quartz .. .. 472,309 717,219 435,706 622,336 86,987 105,041 62 59 Alluvial .. 18,512 1.50,169 19,929 149,586 15,809 13,819 774 1,088 Dredging .. 78,476 699,589 54,124 442,132 90,254 98,888 24^ Total r< .. 569,297 1,566,977 509,759 1,214,054 193,050 217,748 859 1,171
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export duty of 12s. 6d. per ounce credited to the Consolidated Fund, £116,888 17s. 7d. ; duty on scrap gold and jewellers' sweepings credited to Consolidated Fund, £2,123 17s. sd. ; duty credited to the War Expenses Account, £88,564 6s. The duty credited to the War Expenses Account imposed by the Customs Act Amendment, 1939, dated 29th September, 1939, represents 75 per cent, of the amount by which the New Zealand currency value of the London market price exceeds £9 ss. Bd. (New Zealand currency). MINING PRIVILEGES. Interest is still being maintained in the mining industry, although the number of licenses granted has decreased. During the year ended 31st March, 1940, 537 licenses for mining privileges were granted under the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926, as compared with 568 for the previous year. Out of this number 90 were licenses for claims authorizing the holders to mine for gold. For the same period 171 mining privileges, including 39 licenses for claims, were struck off the registers under the provisions of section 188 of the Act. PETROLEUM OIL. From the Nos. 1, 2, and 4 wells of Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd., at Moturoa, Taranaki, 103,631 gallons of crude petroleum oil was obtained. From the Kotuku field on the West Coast of the South Island 800 gallons was recovered. The Dominion's total production of crude petroleum oil to 31st December, 1939, is estimated at 2,988,081 gallons. Since the passing of the Petroleum Act in 1937 a thorough and intensive search for oil in the Dominion has been prosecuted. In contrast with previous attempts, the work now being undertaken is being carried out with the most modern equipment which is being operated by expert and scientifically trained staffs. Altogether 65 licenses to prospect for oil have been granted over an aggregate area of 11,500 square miles in the North Auckland, Oisborne, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, West Coast (South Island), and Otago districts. Two modern drilling-plants are at present in the Dominion, one capable of boring to 10,000 ft. and the other to a depth of 15,000 ft. One hole at Totangi, near Gisborne, was drilled to a depth of 5,700 ft., but because of unfavourable conditions had to be abandoned. The plant was then shifted to Morere, where the drilling of a second hole was commenced. Two holes were drilled in the North Auckland district, the depths being 837 ft. and 1,461 ft. respectively. Plans were well advanced towards the end of the year for drilling a hole at Midhirst, in the Taranaki district. Apart from drilling, intensive geophysical and geological investigations, topographical surveys, and palaeontological examinations have been made, and large areas have been geologically mapped by licensees. Altogether 132 persons were employed, consisting mainly of technical staff. COAL-MINING. There were 152 coal-mines operating in the Dominion in 1939. Sixty-nine of these mines are situated on freehold property and produced 1,026,095 tons or 44 per cent, of the total output. The remaining 83 mines are situated on Crown lands and produced 1,316,544 tons, or 56 per cent, of the total output of 2,342,639 tons. The annual production of coal since 1930 has been as follows :— Year. Tons. Year. Tons. 1930 .. .. 2,542,092 1935 .. .. 2,115,184 1931 .. .. 2,157,756 1936 .. .. 2,140,217 1932 .. .. 1,842,.022 1937 .. .. 2,277,799 1933 .. .. 1,821,258 1938 .. .. 2,222,088 1934 .. .. 2,060,315 1939 .. .. 2,342,639 The increase in output for 1939 is 5-15 per cent, above the figure for 1938. The quantity of coal imported into New Zealand in 1939 was 111,537 tons, as compared with 109,206 tons for the previous year, an increase of 2,331 tons.
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The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows : —
The increase in output is satisfactory in view of the need for greater production of native coal to fulfil the industrial, transport, and domestic needs of the Dominion, and at the same time to conserve overseas funds by restricting importations to the bare requirements of certain consuming units which cannot operate efficiently without a proportion of Australian coal. A survey of the coal-mines already developed shows that they are capable of expanding production sufficiently to meet the requirements of consumers. The policy of not granting new coal-mining rights over Crown lands, except in isolated places, has therefore been maintained. During 1940 it is estimated that an output of at least 2,500,000 tons will be required to fulfil the requirements of the Dominion. No difficulty should be experienced in producing this quantity of coal. CO-OPERATIVE MINING, STATE COAL RESERVE. Nineteen co-operative parties working portions of the State Goal Reserve near Greymouth produced, during the year 1939, 101,297 tons, the number of men employed being 174. During the previous year nineteen parties produced 108,214 tons, there being a decrease this year of 6,917 tons. During the year a number of the parties were carrying out development work. The achievements of the co-operative parties over the years and their record of production demonstrates very clearly the advantages of this system of mining wherever it can be applied. My policy is to foster all genuine co-operative mining enterprises by making available technical advice, geological information, and, where necessary, financial aid for development and plant. Up to the end of 1939 these parties have produced a grand total of 1,442,741 tons of coal, and have in the same period paid royalties to the State amounting to £67,973. STATE COAL-MINES. The State Coal-mines experienced a very satisfactory year, the output being 220,780 tons, which was the highest for many years. The new Strongman Colliery commenced production in February, 1939, and although development work is still proceeding the daily output is now approximately 350 tons. The coal is of high quality, finding a ready market for gas and steam purposes, and being exceptionally popular as a domestic fuel. The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1940, after making provision for interest and depreciation, amounted to £14,840, an increase of £1,527 compared with the previous year. A sum of £5,500 was transferred to the sinking fund, leaving a net surplus for the year of £9,340. The Liverpool Colliery worked 211 days during the year, an increase of 9 days compared with the previous year. At the James Colliery work was carried out on 227 days, an increase of nineteen days compared with the previous year. The Strongman Colliery, which commenced production in February, 1939, worked 225 days during the year. Output and Sales. Liverpool Colliery. —The gross output for the year was 152,189 tons, as compared with 137,533 tons for the previous year, an increase of 14,656 tons. James Colliery. —The gross output for the year was 24,755 tons, as compared with 42,649 tons for the previous year, a decrease of 17,894 tons.
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Output of Coal during 1939. Total Output Class of Coal. Northern West Coast Southern End°on939. District District District Total. (North Island). (South Island). (SouthIsland). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub - bitu- 71,029 973,580 .. 1,044,609 52,829,029 minous Brown . .. .. 731,678 58,411 369,876 1,159,963 34,451,156 Lignite .. .. .. .. 1,351 136,716 138,067 5,539,884 Totals for 1939 .. 802,705 1,033,342 506,592 2,342,639 92,820,069 Totals for 1938 .. 762,717 984,389 474,982 2,222,088 90,477,430
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Strongman Colliery.—The gross output for the year was 43,836 tons. A comparative statement for the two years is shown hereunder : —
Note.—The difference between the gross and the net output is the allowance for mine consumption and waste. In addition to the above, 1,399 tons of coal was purchased for resale, of which 897 tons was 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, 55,695 tons ; railways, 45,055 tons ; other Government Departments, 9,466 tons ; shipping, 5,822 tons ; gasworks, 84,595 tons ; other consumers, 9,724 tons : total, 210,357 tons. The total sales of State coal from the Liverpool Mine for the year amounted to 147,138 tons, value £187,940* as compared with 131,437 tons, value £165,243 for the previous year—an increase of 18,345 tons, with an increase in value of £22,697. The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £l ss. 6-5 d.,* an increase of 4-Bd. on the previous year's average. The total sales of State coal from the James Mine for the year amounted to 22,653 tons, value £32,382,* as compared with 35,554 tons, value £49,579,* for the previous year—a decrease of 12,901 tons, with a decrease in value of £17,197. The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £1 Bs. 7-ld.* per ton, an increase of 8-sd. on the previous year's average. The total sales of State coal from the Strongman Mine for the year amounted to 40,566 tons, value £60,172.* The average price realized by the mine on the total sales for the year was £1 9s. 7-9 d. The sales of coal, &c., through the medium of the depots totalled 150,657 tons, value £253,913,* as against 122,335 tons, value £209,267,* for the previous year. ITEMS FROM ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND BALANCE-SHEET. The following details extracted from the audited accounts will enable honourable members to appraise the financial position of the Department's trading venture : — £ The payments for interest totalled . . .. .. 5,280 The cost of sea carriage of coal amounted to .. .. 58,453 The cost of railway haulage amounted to . . .. .. 32,706 The total wages paid for coal-winning were.. .. .. 129,031 The cost of management and office salaries (Head Office and mines) totalled .. .. .. .. .. 3,618 The gross capital expenditure on the whole undertaking to the 31st March, 1940, was .. .. .. .. 888,632 The total depreciation written off to 31st March, 1940 (equal to 63-96 per cent, of the gross capital expenditure) amounted to 568,386 The amount written off for depreciation for the year was .. 9,987 The present book value of permanent or fixed assets is .. 320,246 The loan capital as at 31st March, 1940, stood at .. .. 167,953 The net profits of the State Coal-mines Account from inception to 31st March, 1940, after charging the special depreciation of Colliery Development Accounts and after crediting interest on Sinking Fund investments, were .. .. .. 248,261 The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1940, was .. 14,840 The Sinking Fund as at 31st March, 1940, was in credit .. 5,502 The amount taken out of the Sinking Fund during the year and applied in reduction of loan capital was .. .. 11,765 General Reserve as at 31st March, 1940, stood at .. .. 233,419 The amount at credit of Profit and Loss as at 31st March, 1940, was .. . . .. . . .. . . 9,340 The cash in hand and in the Public Account as at 31st March, 1940, was (last year £7,625) .. .. .. .. 18,775
* These values include sales made c.i.f. and f.o.b. as well as f.o.r.
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Output, in Tons, 1939-40. Output, in Tons, 1938-39. Mine. . . Gross. Not. Gross. Net. Liverpool .. .. 152,189 146,074 137,533 131,807 James .. .. 24,755 23.709 42,649 41,434 Strongman .. .. 43,836 42,247
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The total wages paid at all collieries during the year amounted to the sum of £152,797. These wages were distributed amongst 499 men and 34 youths, and represent an average income per employee of £287. For the previous year the average income per employee was £273, the total sum paid in wages for coalwinning being £112,072 and the number of employees being 385 men and 26 youths. WASTAGE OF COAL. The reduction in the size of screens in use, together with the increased consumption of slack coal in factories, has resulted in a substantial improvement being effected in respect of the wastage of slack coal, which was one of the major problems confronting the industry in previous years. NEW AVENUES OF COAL-UTILIZATION. The survey of our coal resources has continued during the year. Detailed investigations of the coals in the Grey and Buller districts have been made, but the work has not yet been completed. A start was also made with the sampling of Waikato and Southland coals, and some preliminary work carried out to determine suitable fuels for producer gas. 1 The question of producing increased quantities of benzol at the main gasworks is at present under consideration. RESCUE-STATIONS. A rescue-station was completed during the year at Dobson, near Greymouth, and equipped with modern apparatus. Courses of training were carried out, and at the end of the year there were seven fully-trained brigades and one partially trained brigade in the Grey district. . The importance of having up-to-date, properly-maintained mine-rescue apparatus is generally recognized. It is of equal importance that the selected rescue crews are comprised of relatively young men who have had proper mining experience and who possecs sound physical and mental qualities. The personnel of these rescue crews must be thoroughly trained so as to be competent to meet any emergency. A full appreciation of this fact by both employers and woikers is essential. Sites have been chosen for the erection of two additional rescue-stations —one in the Waikato district, the other in the Ohai field—and the erection and equipping of these stations will be pushed ahead as quickly as possible. SOCIAL AMENITIES IN MINING TOWNSHIPS. Substantial additions and improvements to the amenities in mining camps and townships have been provided during the year. In this work I have had the financial support of the owners of the mines, and the residents of the districts, too, have shown a commendable local effort. In 1939 a number of swimming-baths, tennis-courts, bowling-greens, croquetgreens, and other facilities for healthy recreation were made available in a number of townships. . . . , Small grants have been made to libraries m the townships tor the purchase ot suitable books. CARBONIZING AND BRIQUETTING. The low - temperature coal - carbonizing and briquetting plant of Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., at Rotowaro, operated for ten months during 1939. The following figures show the production during that period Raw coal carbonized. . . ■ • • • • 39,573 tons. Carbonized coal produced .. •• •• 19,365 tons. Average percentage of carbonized coal to raw coal 49 per cent. Carbonettes manufactured .. • • • • 22,089 tons. Tar and oil treated .. .. •• •• 321,204 gals. Pitch produced . . • • • • • • _ 638 tons. Light and heavy oils produced .. •• 163,922 gals. Creosote produced .. •• •• •• 47,766 gals. The briquetting plant of Briquettes Ltd., at Onehunga, produced 1,016 tons of briquettes during 1939. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1939, Smokeless I'uel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd., produced 6,312 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn.
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LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS. The Mines Department is concerned, directly or indirectly, with all the mineral work carried out in the Dominion Laboratory during the year, particularly with that relating to the Iron and Steel Department, and to the commercial development of such non-metallic minerals as clay, diatomaceous earth, and bentonite. Prospectors' samples for the year were again few in number, and of comparatively little value. Those sent in for assay for gold and silver were mostly from well-known mining localities, and were almost without exception of low grade. A sample of scheelite was received from Wakamarina, where its occurrence is well known, and specimens of osmiridium from Takaka and magnetic iron-ore from D'Urville Island. Antimony-ore of good quality was forwarded from Waikare Basin, near Russell, probably from the old workings which exist there. Definite interest continues to be shown in manganese, the best samples coming from Waikare Basin, where it was formerly worked, and from Otaua, in the Lower Waikato. The possibility of the development of deposits of non-metallic minerals is being more generally recognized. Bentonite occurrences in Hawke's Bay have been examined by the Geological Survey, and numerous analyses made. Feldspar, at present a waste product at the Charleston Mica-mine, was examined for its potash content, which was found to be 12-4 per cent. The possible use of serpentine as a desirable addition to superphosphate has been investigated. Numerous clays have been analysed, one from Kaka, near Glenhope, of low fusibility being particularly promising as a stoneware clay. The most outstanding work on the mineral side has been the regular analyses for the Iron and Steel Department of iron-ore, following the systematic exploration of the Onekaka deposit, and of iron-sands from the Patea deposits, which it is proposed to use in conjunction with the Onekaka ore. Iron was determined in 1,142 samples and fuller analyses made when required. Twenty-six samples of limestone adjacent to Onekaka were also analysed, and one sample of dolomite from Mount Burnett. The most important work of the coal survey during the year had relation to the proposed iron and steel industry, and indicated that to provide sufficient suitable coke from local sources, drastic conservation of the Dominion's low-sulphur coals would be necessary. Other analyses were carried out as required, especially with regard to the fuller use of local coals in the gas industry, and cases of complaint investigated. An analysis was made of water from the State Coal-mine to enable a suitable resistant metal to be selected for the mine-pump. Forty-six samples of mine-air from Glen Afton, Ironbridge, Kamo, and Linton Collieries were analysed. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1939 and 1938 : —
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Inspection District. Totals. Classification. I _ , ' Northern West Coast (of , < -o lnon , n „. Increase (North Island). South Island), j (res r t , of ®° uth 1939> 1938 - I or ' Island). j Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 797 1,338 659 2,794 2,998 Dee. 204 Coal .. .. .. 1,585 2,247 930 4,762 4,563 Inc. 199 Stone - quarries under the 1,583 102 398 2,083 2,667 Dec. 584 Stone-quarries Act Silica .. .. .. 5 .. .. 5 .. Inc. 5 Cinnabar .. .. 2 .. .. 2 2 Iron ore .... 6 1 . . 7 4 Inc. 3 Manganese .. .. 13 .. .. 13 8 Inc. 5 Pumice .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 .. Inc. 1 Fullers earth .. .. 1 . . . . 1 . . Inc. 1 Diatomaceous earth .. 1 .. .. 1 .. Inc. 1 Totals .. .. 3,994 3,688 1,987 9,669 10,242 Dec. 573
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The drop shown in the number of persons employed in metalliferous mines is due principally to the diversion to other occupations of a large number of subsidized prospectors. It will be noted that the coal-mining industry found work for an additional 199 men during the year. MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 2,824 men were ordinarily employed, three persons were killed and nine persons seriously injured. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 2,083 men, there were five fatal accidents and three serious accidents. In coal-mines, where 4,762 persons were ordinarily employed, seventeen persons were killed and twenty persons seriously injured. The year was marred by the regrettable disaster which occurred the Wen Afton Colliery and in which eleven men lost their lives. A Royal Commission was set up by the Government to inquire into the cause of the disaster. The report of the Commission has been published. It is clear that statutory rules and regulations, however desirable and necessary up to a certain point, will not of themselves provide for safety. There must be strict compliance with these rules, and also unceasing vigilance on the part of officials and workmen to ensure the avoidance of accidents from preventable causes. It is pleasing to record the greater measure of co-operation which now exists between owners and workmen in the adoption and use of the latest types of safetyequipment. Protective helmets, commonly known as "hard hats," are now fairly widely used in our coal-mines, and the value of this type of safety equipment wi 1 be appreciated when it is realized that, apart from a number of minor accidents at least seven fatalities have been avoided since September, 1936, by the use of protective helmets in New Zealand coal-mines. HOUSING. Sixty-two loans, including eight during the year under review, have been granted to miners and other workmen under the Department's housing scheme to enable them to erect and own their own houses. The loans, which range from £180 to £700, are repayable, together with interest, by fortnightly payments over a term of twenty years. lam pleased to state that a sum of £6,000 to enable further loans to be made is being provided on the current year's estimates of the State Coal-mines Account, together with a sum of £3,000 for the erection of two new staff cottages, and hutments. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the 1939-40 field season the Geological Survey carried out systematic mapping in three districts, the sampling and estimation of resources of mineral substances in three other districts, and geophysical work m four areas. Officers also examined deposits of possible economic value m several parts of New Zealand. Detailed mapping proceeded in the Dannevirke, Greymouth, and Orepuki districts The first area is part of the oil-bearing strip along the east coast of the North Island; the Greymouth district contains the most valuable coking and gas coals of the Dominion; and there are deposits of coal, oil shale, and alluvial gold in the Orepuki Subdivision. The sampling and estimation of the lower-valued mineral resources was at Rotokaua for sulphur, near Porangahau for bentonite, and near Kaka in Nelson for feldspathic clay. . The geophysical work at Onekaka was to determine the depth 01 non ore, near Cambridge and Atiamuri to ascertain the nature of dam-foundations, and at Orepuki to explore the structure of the shale deposit. Miscellaneous work included the examination of deposits of manganese-ore south-east of Auckland, of chromite at D'Urville Island and the Croixelles, and of barite near Baton Saddle. The parties prospecting for gold-quartz veins m the Lyell Reefton, and Big River - Waiuta districts were also visited. In addition to the annual report and several short papers, a memoir on a district in West Otago was published during the year.
8
C.—2.
SCHOOLS OF MINES. The control of the Schools of Mines is vested in district committees, which take a very active interest in the work. It is with pleasure that I place on record the increasing interest displayed in the work of these schools, which is of basic importance to the future of the mining industry. Six scholarships are offered annually by the Department for competition by students attending the various Schools of Mines within the Dominion. Five candidates sat for the annual Scholarship Examinations held in November, 1939, and of these candidates, two (one from the Dunedin School and one from the Waihi School) 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, 1940, was £3,631, as compared with £3,460 for the previous year. MINERS' BENEFITS. The provisions for the payment of the former miners' pensions are now contained in the Social Security Act, which became operative from the Ist April, 1939. The conditions of payment are similar to those previously obtaining, and this class of benefit may be authorized to miners who are seriously and permanently incapacitated by miners' phthisis or totally incapacitated by heart or other occupational disease associated with the mining service in New Zealand. The rate of benefit to a miner is 30s. a week, with an additional 10s. a week for his wife, if he is married. There is also provision for the payment of 10s. weekly for each dependent child under the age of sixteen years, subject to a maximum benefit of £4 10s. weekly, but the grant in respect of the children is reduced by all other income of the family in excess of £2 a week. A widow of a miner who died while in receipt of a benefit is entitled to receive 17s. 6d. a week during widowhood. This scheme, which originated in the Miners' Phthisis Act, 1915, is administered by the Social Security Department, and the following summary of the operations for the year ended 31st March, 1940, has been supplied by that Department— Payments made from Ist November, 1915, to 31st £ March, 1939 .. .. .. .. 1,078,719 Payments, 1939-40 .. .. .. .. 92,765 £1,171,484 Number of new grants for year 1939-40 — Miners .. .. .. «. 47 Widows .. .. .. .» 14 — 61 Annual value of new grants .. .. .. £5,314 Number of benefits in force at 31st March, 1940— Miners .. .. .. .. 838 Widows .. .. .. .. 152 — 990 Annual value of benefits in force at 31st March, 1940 .. £90,302 Annual benefit per annum .. .. .. £91 4s. 3d. Number of benefits granted to 31st March, 1940 .. 2,934 Dissection of benefits in force at 31st March, 1940 — Unmarried miners .. .. .. 236 Married miners . . .. .. 602 Miners' widows .. .. .. 152 990 COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND. The Coal-miners' Sick and Accident Funds having been abolished as from the Ist 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.
2—C. 2.
9
C.—2.
The rate of interest allowed on the fund was decreased from 4 per cent, to 3-| per cent, as from the Ist April, 1933. The interest earned for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1940, was £814 ss. 9d., as against £893 16s. Id. for the previous year, while for the same periods the receipts from the |-d. per ton contributions were £4,644 3s. 2d. and £4,635 16s. 6d. respectively. The total expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1940, amounted to £8,125 Os. 5d., as against £7,424 15s. Bd. for the previous year. The amount standing to the credit of the fund at the 31st March, 1940, was £22,167 os. 3d., as against £24,933 lis. 9d. at the 31st March, 1939. STATE AID TO MINING. From the Ist April, 1939, with the abolition of the Employment Promotion Fund, assistance to mining from that source ceased, and as from that date all assistance has been granted out of funds provided by Parliament in the Mines Department vote. The assistance given by the Department is of a varied nature, consisting of educative work in the Schools of Mines, provision of drilling-equipment on reasonable terms, making better access to claims in remote areas, and financial aid to prospectors and companies engaged in the search for and production of minerals. In addition, special prospecting-work has been carried out by the Department in certain selected areas under the supervision of qualified geologists and mining experts. For the financial year ended 31st March, 1940, the total expenditure by way of direct financial assistance amounted to £43,848, of which £19,229 was advanced by way of subsidies and loans to companies and individuals engaged in major mining or prospecting work. A sum of £15,596 was expended on subsidies to individual prospectors working small areas. The average number of men engaged on this work during the year was 290. During the year the number of men engaged on the subsidized gold-mining scheme, previously administered by the Department of Labour, decreased from 350 to 230, but the individual gold winnings showed a distinct improvement, indicating that the best practical miners only were retained. The total gold winnings by subsidized miners during the year amounted to 2,266 oz., valued at approximately £20,400. A few men were engaged on the production of scheelite, the output of this ore being 5 tons,.valued at £2,075. In addition to the production of gold by men in receipt of subsidy, other men previously receiving assistance whose claims have become self-supporting won a further 3,250 oz. of- gold. Prospecting work at the Perseverance and Golden Treasure Mines' at Reef ton was carried on a further stage, but operations have not yet advanced quite far enough to determine the value of the areas. At the lied Queen Mine, near Mokihinui, a fair quantity of payable ore lias been proved, and steps are now being taken to erect a small treatment plant to enable mining to be continued. As a result of indications provided by geologists, a number of other smaller areas were tested under competent supervisors, but the expenditure on this work was very small, and in all cases the results were of a negative character. Altogether, a sum of £7,566 was expended on special survey, prospecting, and development work under the direct supervision of the officers of the Department. Towards the end of the yea:' steps were taken to prospect a scheelite-mine at Wakamarina, where encouraging results are being obtained. A sum of £598 was expended on construction and maintenance of roads and tracks to mining areas, and £3,631 on Schools of Mines. The Government's prospecting drills were hired by eight parties during the year, and a total of 5,686 ft. was drilled.
10
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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY MINKS 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, 1939 and 1938, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal-output is also included.
11
For Year ended the For Year ended the , . T T ° tal fr^,o h ! 31st December, 1939. 31st December, 1938. 1st January, 1853, to the XT i TM i. I 1 31st December, 1939. Name of Metal or Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Precious metals— Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. £ Gold* .. .. .. 175,667 1,623,072 151,162 1,287,421 25,378,695 105,593,367 Silver .. .. .. 315,236 35,132 369,896 38,857 31,236,335 3,579,547 Total gold and silver .. 490,903 1,658,204 521,058 1,326,278 56,615,030 109,172,914 Mineral produce, including kaurigum— Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Copper-ore .. .. .. .. ■$, 7 19,397 Chrome-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,869 38,002 Antimony-ore .. .. .. .. 2|~J- 20 3,788 55,101 Manganese-ore .... 5 25 75 150 19,467$$ 62,196 Hsematite-ore .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 469 Tungsten-ore .. .. 38 7,728 48$$ 10,804 355,893 Sulphur (crude) .. .. . .. .. .. 4,927 13,241 Mixed minerals .. .. 3,681f 11,187 3,049$$ 8,895 113,125$$ 439,717 Coal (New Zealand) exported 43,990 59,971 55,711 73,477 6,854,010 7,629,740 Coke exported .... 6 43 9 56 17,792 28,391 Coal, output of mines in Do- 2,298,649 2,282,668 2,166,377 2,148,611 85,974,059 66,102,368 minion (less exports) Oil-shale .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,444 7,236 Kauri-gum .. .. 2,316 112,650 2,304 103,777 442,501 23,730,179 Pigiron.. .. .. .. .. .. .. v 1,614 6,615 lb. Quicksilver .. .. .. .. .. .. 87,993 19,024 Total value of minerals .. .. 2,474,272 .. 2,345,797 .. 98,507,569 Value of gold and silver, as above .. 1,658,204 .. 1,326,278 .. 109,172,914 Total value of minerals, including .. 4,132,476 .. 3,672,075 .. 207,680,483 gold and diver •In respeot of gold, ounoes of the fineness of 20 carats and upwards. | Includes pumice-sand and atone, 3,680 tons, value, £11,172. Note.—The gold and silver recorded in this table are the products of the mines of the Dominion and do not include jewellers' sweepings or old jewellery.
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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, 1939 and 1938, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st December, 1939.
12
Year ended Year ended 31st December, 1939. 31st December, 1938. Total Quantity and Value Distriot and County or Borough. from January, 1857, to 31st December, 1939. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. f ; (' 1 , i \ •' ■ ' ,• i . . t .■ • •- ■ ' i. ' Auckland — Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. £ County of Ohinemuri .. 1,347 1.1,752 2,326 17,339 County of Coromandel .. 254- 2,041 428 3,185 County of Thames .. .. 622 5,233 1,756 11,313 Borough of Waihi .. .. 48,617 463,751 52,017 464,373 Borough of Thames .. 274 2,255 216 1,596 51,114 485.032 56,743 497,806 8,267,551 34,519,637 Wellington .. . . .. .. .. 188 706 Marlborough— County of Marlborough .. 386 3,332 164 1,368 386 3,332 164 1,368 118,551 488,089 Nelson — County of Murchison .. 3,542 31,861 5,979 47,348 County of Waimea .. 106 987 248 2,056 .< 3,648 32,848 6,227 49,404 1,789,377 7,275,600 ' I ■ ■.. 1 West Coast—t County of Grey .. .. 25,327 233,468 22,677 193,089 County of Buller .. .. 2,125 18,823 869 7,455 County of Inangahua .. 41,368 374,745 21,775 176,830 County of Westiand .. 31,904 298,789 20,793 180,327 100,724 925,825 66,114 557,701 7,199,215 30,733,807 Canterbury .. .. .. ■■ •• •• 165 669 Otago— County of Taieri .. .. .. .. 13 114 County of Tuapeka .. 1,081 9,823 1,190 9,866 County of Vincent .. .. 9,133 80,253 9,516 78,339 County of Maniototo .. 1,333 11,878 1,527 12,459 County of Waitaki.. . . 224 2,048 317 2,584 County of Lake 1,112 9,709 2,291 19,017 County of Wallace .. .. 2,658 24,797 2,165 18,412 County of Southland .. 2,840 24,968 2,716 22,333 County of Waihemo .. 1,391 12,357 2,149 17,770 County of Bruce .. 12 107 28 231 County of Clutha .. .. 11 95 2 17 19,795 176,035 21,914 181,142 7,990,260 32,519,188 Unknown .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,388 55,671 Totals .. .. 175,667 1,623,072 151,162 1,287,421 25,378,695 105,593,367 Note. —The gold recorded in this table is the product of the mines of the Dominion and does not inolude jewellers' sweepings or old jewellery.
C—2.
No. 3. Table showing Quantity of Gold exported annually from New Zealand from 1857 to 1939.
NO. 4. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1939 and 1938, 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.
13
Year. Quantity, j Yean Quantity. w Quantity. y eaj , Quantity. 1857 .. 10,437 ! 1878 .. 310,486 1899 .. 389,558 1920 .. 212,973 1858 .. 13,534 1879 .. 287,464 1900 .. 373,616 1921 .. 149,595 1859 .. 7,336 1880 .. 305,248 1901 .. 455,561 1922 .. 131,848 1860 .. 4,538 1881 .. 270,561 1902 .. 508,045 1923 .. 169,512 1861 .. 194,031 1882 .. 251,204 1903 .. 533,314 1924 .. 133,631 1862 .. 410,862 1883 .. 248,374 1904 .. 520,320 1925 .. 114,696 1863 .. 628,450 1884 .. 229,946 1905 .. 520,486 1926 .. 125,777 1864 .. 480,171 1885 .. 237,371 1906 .. 563,843 1927 .. 130,171 1865 .. 574,574 1886 .. 227,079 1907 .. 508,210 1928 .. 118,722 1866 .. 735,376 1887 .. 203,869 1908 .. 506,423 1929 .. 116,848 1867 .. 686,905 1888 .. 201,219 1909 .. 506,371 1930 .. 133,749 1868 .. 637,474 1889 .. 203,211 1910 .. 478,288 1931 .. 139,974 1869 .. 614,281 1890 .. 193,193 1911 .. 455,226 1932 .. 167,784 1870 .. 544,880 1891 .. 251,996 1912 .. 343,163 1933 .. 164,998 1871 .. 730,029 1892 .. 238,079 1913 .. 376,161 1934 .. 157,375 1872 .. 445,370 1893 .. 226,811 1914 .. 227,954 1935 .. 168,756 1873 .. 505,337 1894 .. 221,615 1915 .. 422,825 1936 .. 166,210 1874 .. 376,388 1895 .. 293,491 1916 .. 292,620 1937 .. 170,715 1875 .. 355,322 1896 .. 263,694 1917 .. 218,624 1938 .. 151,162 1876 .. 322,016 1897 .. 251,645 1918 .. 11,987 1939 .. 175,667 1877 .. 371,685 1898 .. 280,175 1919 .. 320,210
Output. Approximate Total Output Name of Coalfield. Increase. Decrease. up to 1939. 1938. 31st mber ' Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. North Auckland .. .. 7.1,029 44,838 26,191 .. 5,970,535 Waikato (including Taranaki) .. 731,676 717,879 13,797 .. 17,670,198 Nelson .. .. .. 17,011 16,574 437 .. 684,145 Buller .. .. .. 453,780 440,457 13,323 .. 25,937,148 Reefton .. .. .. 55,971 48,225 7,746 .. 1,113,639 Grey .. .. .. 506,580 479,133 27,447 .. 18,240,667 Canterbury .. .. .. 25,631 19,639 5,992 .. 1,144,813 Otago .. .. .. 192,642 188,389 4,253 .. 13,973,089 Southland .. .. .. 288,319 266,954 21,365 .. 8,085,835 Totals .. .. 2,342,639* 2,222,088 120,551 .. 92,820,069 * Increase, 120,551 tons.
Approximate Output. Total Output Class of Coal. Increase. Decrease. to the 31st December, 1939. | 1938. 1939. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous .. 1,044,609 977,850 66,759 .. 52,829,029 Brown .. .. .. 1,159,963 1,112,414 47,549 .. 34,451,156 Lignite .. .. .. 138,067 131,824 6,243 .. 5,539,884 Totals .. .. 2,342,639 2,222,088 | 120,551 .. 92,820,069
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No. 6. Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Oil shale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.
14
Coal and Shale raised in the Dominion. Coal imported. 0&r I „ Yearly Increase or T i Increase over ! Decrease below ns * Decrease. on8 ' 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 1933 .. .. 1,821,258 „ 20,764 99,272 .. 4,259 1934 .. .. 2,060,315 Inc. 239,057 100,715 1,443 1935 .. .. 2,115,184 „ 54,869 97,398 .. 3,317 1936 .. •• 2,140,217 „ 25,033 111,078 13,680 1937 .. .. 2,277,799 „ 137,582 116,499 5,421 1938 .. .. 2,222,088 Dec. 55,711 109,206 7,293 1939 .. .. 2,342,639 Inc. 120,551 111,537 j 2,331 „
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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 1939. Imports.
Exports: Bunkers.
Exports: Cargo.
15
Country whence imported. Tons. Value. £ United Kingdom .. .. .. 2,822 3,791 Australia .. .. .. 108,715 106,972 Totals .. .. .. 111,537 110,763
Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. ; » Tons. Value. Tons. | Value. £ 43,973 59,894
Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to whicli exported. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. £ Fiji .. .. .. .. 15 71 Western Samoa .. 2 6 Totals .. 17 77
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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, 1939.
In addition, the following Persons were Employed in Oil-boring Operations. Geologists, geophysicists, &c. .. • • • ■ • ■ Surveyors .. • • • • • • • ■ • • '' . j Draughtsmen . • • • • • • • • • ■ ■ Laboratory Assistants .. .. • • • • • • "90 Drillers, &c. .. . • • • • • • • • • " w Others .. • • • • • • •• •• " Total .. . • • • • • • • 132
Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand Mines during 1939 and 1938.
In addition, 132 persons were employed in oil-boring operations.
16
Number of Persons ordinarily employed at Total. County or Borough. Goltl I Mines other ; Gold-quartz AUuvial ! Gold- than Gold 1939. 1938. Mines ' Mines. dredgeB - and Coal. Northern Inspection District, j , r County of Thames .. •• 45 .. • ■ • •> Ohinemuri .. • • 60 .. 60 99 „ Coromandel .. • • 30 .. • • • • Piako .. .. 2 2 Manakau .. •• ■■ •• '' -jo 6 „ Franklin .. .. ™ ™ J „ Whangarei \ » % „ Bay of Islands .. .. • • ■ • • • County of Wanganui • • " 9 t 09 Borough of Thames . • • • 25 .. • • • • „ Waihi 635 635 607 West Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough .. .. • • •'' • • ~ ,' 0 9 o „ Waimea 2 .. .. 12 23 Takaka 12 •• f. Collingwood 18 •• Murchison 123 32 .. ?8 Buller .. .. • • ■ ■ • • m „ tag.ta. .. ..305 » M 3i7 365 ;; TZu»a :: :: .. « <« •• 303 273 Southern Inspection District. _ County of Taieri .. .. •• •• 9 • • '' „ g Ashburton .. .. • • 3 .. . • ■ Tuaneka •• 59 •• •• 59 77 " Vincent .. .. 3 122 42 .. 167 162 Maniototo 78 .. .. 78 85 Waihemo .. ..17 16 .. •• 33 30 Waitaki .. • • • • 1® • • * * " Lake •• 4 99 6 38 147 133 I! Wallace'' 63 .. 63 58 „ Southland .. • • • • 72 8 .. Waikouaiti .. . • • • 1 • • • • . „ I, Bruce 1 •• 1 ® „ Clutha .. . • • • • • ■ •• •• "' '' 1 Fiord •• _ Totals .. •• 1,126 ,190 438 70 2,824 3,012
i | Increase or 1 1939. 1938. Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten mines .. 2,794 2,998 Dec. 204 Other metalliferous mines .. ■■ 30 14 Inc. lb Coal-mines | 4,762 4,563 „ 199 Totals •• 7,586 7,575 Inc. 11
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APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT.
APPENDIX A.
REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES.
The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. Sir,- —- Wellington, 15th May, 1940. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1939. 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, 1939, to the 31st March, 1940. The reports, &c., are divided into the following sections : I. Minerals produced and exported. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining —(1) Quartz-mining; (2) Dredge Mining ; (3) Alluvial Mining; (4) Prosecutions. Y. Minerals other than Gold. VI. Stone-quarry Inspection and Statistics. VII. State Aid to Mining —(1) Subsidized Prospecting ; (2) Government Prospectingdrills ; (3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfields ; (4) Legislation affecting Metalliferous Mines. 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 from metal-mines and of the value of production from stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act during 1939 and 1938: —
The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals (other than coal and coke) and allied substances exported during 1939 and 1938, and since Ist January, 1853 :—■
3—C. 2.
17
1939. 1938. Mineral. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. dwt. £ Oz. dwt. £ Gold and silver (estimated) .. .. .. 569,297 0 1,566,977 509,759 0 1,214,054 Platinum .. .. .. .. .. 13 6 104 1 6 7 Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Iron-ore .. .. .. .. .. 1,586 0 3,018 1,218 10 3,666 Stono .. .. .. .. .. 545,533 .. 555,295 Pumice .. .. .. .. .. 3,680 2 11,172 3,046 6 8,811 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. •• 41 0 8,240 45 13 8,604 Manganese-ore .. .. .. • • 486 0 1,944 90 0 450 Silica-sand .. .. .. .. •• 2,335 0 2,227 1,459 0 1,126 Fuller's earth .. .. .. .. 73 18 233 56 0 154 Diatomaceous earth ,. .. .. .. .. 332 .. 70 Mica .. .. .. • • • • 18 12 .. lb. Quicksilver.. .. .... .. .. •• •• 760 190 Totals. .. .. .. .. 2,139,792 .. 1,792,427
Total from the 1st 1939. 1938. Increase or Decrease. t^'^DeSber, 1939. £ £ £ £ Gold .. .. .. 1,623,072 1,287,421 Inc. 335,651 105,593,367 Silver .. .. .. .. 35,132 38,857 Dec. 3,725 3,579,547 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 7,728 10,804 ,, 3,070 355,893 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 112,050 103,777 Inc. 8,873 23,730,179 . Sand, lime, and building-stone .. 11,172 8,811 \ 2 J4Q 660 998 Other minerals .. .. .. 40 261 / " ' Totals .. 1,789,794. 1,449,931 Inc. 339,863 133,919,984
C— 2*.
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:
in addition, the following persons were employed in oil-bormg operations Geologists, geophysicists, &c. .. .. • • • • • • Surveyors Draughtsmen Laboratory assistants .. ■ • • • • • • • "no Drillers, &c. .. .. • • • • • • • • "of Others .. • ■ • • • • • • ■ • " _ Total • ■ • • ■ ■ 132 111. ACCIDENTS..
During 1939 three fatal and nine serious but non-fatal accidents occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 2,824 persons were ordinarily employed.
±OT>aiB rr •• • • I 1 : The three fatalities which occurred in 1939 in metalliferous mines were all in the Southern District and were caused by fails- of earth or stone. One occurred underground in a " deep lead " working, one in a tail-race, aind the third at the 1 bottom of an elevatoi. A short statement concerning these fatalities appears in the report of the Inspector of Mines for the Southern District. . It is pleasing to records the absence of fatal accidents during 1939 m the Northern and West, Coast Inspection Districts. . There were eight serious non-fatal accidents m the West Coast District, three of them on dredges and of the others, three were caused by falling rock. There was one serious non-fatal accident in the' Southern District. No serious non-fatal accidents occurred in the Northern District during the year. IV. GOLD-MINING. The following statement showsv the val&e of the bullion-production, also the dividends declared 1 number of persons employed, and the number of gold mines and dredges
18
Inspection District. Total, 1939. Classification. Northern. West Coast. Southern. Gold, silver, and tungsten ?07 1.388 659 2,794 Cinnabar .. .. •• •• •• • • „ " j ' 7 Iron-ore .. .. •• •• •• ... " J3 Manganese .. .. , - • • • • • • ' '' " g Silica .. •• '• •- ■" " 1 Pumice Fuller's earth Diatomaceous earth .. ■ • • • • • ■ • "J_ Totals for 1939 .. .. • • • • 826 1 > 339 2,824 TotaJs far 1938 .. 8W; 1,488 653
Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Cause. Number of w„ m h», , lf ; Number of Number of Separate nliti, I Separate Persons Accidents. Deatlis. Accidents. injured. _ Falls of ground.. Explosives .. .. •• •• •• •• " Miscellaneous, on surface .. • • • * •' • • • • . MiseeHaneous, underground .. " • • •» • • Totals * 3 5 L_
tv / t> ,nu„ i Aon * / a 11 \f i«oa \ Number of PersonB I Number ot Production of Bullion, 1930. (All Mines.) Dlv | dendg pa | d) ordinarily employed Productive Quartz(By Registered Com- at Productive and mines, Alluvial 1 panics only.)t Unproductive Mines, Mines, and Quantity. | Value. j 1939. | Dredges. 1939. (>/.. £ £ Quartz-Kiiniii" » 472,309 717.210 86,987 1,126 62 Allwfef MiM> UW12 150,169 10,809 1,190 774 Dredge mining .. 78,476 699,589 90254 23 Totals, 1939 .. 569,297 1,566,977 193,050 2,754 859 Totals, 1938 .. 509,759 1,214,054 217,748 2,955 1,171 • In addition to the gold produced from the gold-mines, silver was obtained from them, hence the word " bullion" Is used In preference to g of privately owned dredges and mines are unobtainable, which renders this statement incomplete. I The bullion-production is from 774 alluvial claims, but the dividends are only obtainable from those few that are the property Of registered companies.
C,—2,
(1) Quartz-mining.
The average value per ton of ore treated during 1939 amounted to £3 Os. 6d., as compared with £2 lis. 9d. during 1938. At (the Martha Mine., Waihi, 175,665 tons of quartz was mined and treated, from which 49,.5*81 oz. of gold, valued ait £386,121, and 384,897 w. of silver, valued at £35,581, were recovered. The dividends paid during the past year, £61,988 Is., were £12,397 1,35. 6d. less than those paid in 1,938, The total dividends paid to date from the Martha Mine are £6,623,336 13s. Development work was done during 1939 oil the Nos. 2, 3, 5, and 8 levels, and stoping was continued in all levels from No. 3 level down to No. 14 level. In the Grand Junction section ©if the Martha Mine only maintenance work was done. At the .Crodden Dawn Mine a winze was sunk on the No. 5 reef and some driving was done from near the bottom of the winze, but the results waie .disappointing. The winze is to be extended another 100 ft. A crosscut off an intermediate level above No. 3 level was continued, but nothing payable was met. Only 44 tons of ore fraaaa the Golden Dawn Mine -was treated in 1939, yielding 8 oz. of .gold, waJiued at £78. At the Talisman-Dubbo Mine, near Kacangaha-ke, the No. 4 level was .cleaned up, driving was continued to the No. 2 •Cnwwn block, and rises were then put .up. Stoping was .continued in the No. 7 Bauraki lewel and in the ilM.btoo and Nos. 1 and, 2 Talisman levels. Two small sections .of the mimes were worked by tributes, and from all workings 2,013 tons of ore were treated at the new raiS, yielding 291 oz. of .go'ld, valued at £2,979, and 1,374 oz. of silver, valued at £136. From two other mines in the Kazramgahake .district 708 tons ,of quartz was mined, yielding 752 oz. of gold, vailued at £2,608, and 267 oz. .of silver, valued .at £27. Most of .this ore was (treated at -the Talisman-Bubbo battery. At Thames the Una Hill Mine was reopened early in 1939 and an incline sunk 140 ft. at a,steep angle below (the No,. 4 level. From the foot of this inclined shaft a3O ft. crosscut has been drivwa mod then another -steep incline put down. -In the upper incline a rich leader was cut, but it has not yet been followed. At 120 ft. down the lower incline a vertical leader, up to 12 in. in width and showing good gold, was cut. It is intended to continue sinking until the No. 2 reef is met and then dev.eJ.op the mine according to knowledge gained from the exploratory work. In the Blackwater Mine development was continued in Nos. 11, 12, and 14 levels to the north and in a branch drive west of the north end of No. 13 level north, also in Nos. 13 and 14 levels to the south. No. 11 level north was .extended for 209 ft. north-of the Prohibition Shaft, the 20 in. reef continuing to average over 11 dwt. In the No. 13 level south the values were a little higher, and those in Nos. 13 north and 14 north averaged 13-92 and 15-52 dwt. respectively, while in the No. 14 south the 29 in. reef averaged 17-60 dwt. Near the old battery, and using the water which drove it, an A.C. generator has been installed ; and the 1,000 cubic feet compressor, -which formerly was eteajn -driven, is now electrically driven. During 1939, 49,482 tons of ore from the Blackwater Mine was crushed and treated, from which 25,416 oz. 4 dwt. of gold was recovered. From a clean-up of the old mill, 1,026 oz. 4 dwt. were obtained, making a total, from the clean-up and the 'mine ore, of 26,442 oz. 8 dwt., -valued at £230,559. Dividends amounting to £18,749 Bs. were paid during 1939, making the total dividends -paid to date from the Blackwater Mine £399,986 6s. At the Alexander Mine the No. 5 intermediate and No. -6 levels were extended, but most of the ore was from the slopes above the No. 5 intermediate level. Much driving and crosscutting was done in the No. 6 level before the lode was located, and it is evident the country thereabouts is very much faulted. During 1939 the tonnage treated was 50 per cent, more than that of the previous year, being 3,259 tons, which yielded 2,192 oz. of gold, valued at £1'9,«21. At -the Big River Mine the shaft was sunk 74 ft, below the No. '6 level, and below the No. 5 level a winze was sunk 39 ft. on a narrow ore-body which cut out at the bottom of the winze. The No. 6 level was continued, but only a small lens of good ore was met. "Some crosscutting off this level .shows that the lode has been displaced between the No. 5 and the No. 6 levels. Below the No. '6 level a winze was sunk 74 ft. on rich stone which increased in width from 12 in. at the top of the winze to -60 .in. at the bottom. Then it was decided to sink the shaft to the No. 7 level. Most of the 1,522 tons which was treated in 1939, and from which 1,449 oz. of gold was recovered, valued at £14,080, was from the slopes above No. 5 level.
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Statute Tous.oI CUe treated. Value of Bullion. Inspection District. ; — 1930. J t»88. -lOS'.l. | .1988. 1989. 1 198fi. " i " " i £ £ £ | f Northern .. .. 180,284 189,334 444,897 426.,.580 -61,988 81,292 West Coast .. ... 54,523 48,646 | 265,351 188,941 24,999 28,749 Southern 2,133 2,163 | 6,971 6,815 Totals .. .. 236,940 240,143 ! 7-17,219 622,336 «6,-987 (M».«41 I 1 | .
e.—2.
The Mines Department continued its prospecting operations in the Perseverance and Golden Treasure Mines, near Reefton. After the No. 1 crosscut in the Perseverance Mine had been restored, a winze was sunk some 74 it., mostly in the reef. In the No. 2 level, over 700 ft. of driving and crosscutting has been done but no reef was met. A rise was then put up to connect with the winze from No. 1 level. From this rise an intermediate level was driven 205 ft. on the reef. The crosscut in the Perseverance Mine was extended another 1,800 ft. until it connected with the bottom of the old Golden Treasure shaft. The Golden Treasure No. 3 level was then retimbered and extended. About 400 ft. of driving and crosscutting was done in the north end of the mine, and by rising up from No. 3 level and sinking from an old intermediate level a connection was made and the old upper workings examined, If values warrant it, a fairly large tonnage can be worked above No. 3 level.
(2) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity and production of bucket gold dredges and dividends declared by dredging companies during 1939. (Note. —The dividends declared by privately owned dredges are not obtainable for publication.)
Of the eighteen dredges which were working in the West Coast district during 1938, one, the Stafford, which sank in March, 1938, did not resume operations, and the company went into voluntary liquidation. The former Maori Gully Gold Dredging Co., now called " Maori Gold, Ltd.," purchased the Nevis Diesel dredge, transported it from Central Otago to the West Coast, and re-erected it on their new dredging-area at Callaghans. The Arahura all-steel dredge, weighing 650 tons, was completed, and commenccd dredging in August, 1939, while the all-steel Ngahcre dredge, weighing 600 tons, was completed and given a trial run at the end of the year. The Snowy River dredge is under construction and will be operating during the present year. Preparations are in hand for the construction of seven more dredges for the West Coast district. Of the six dredges working in the Southern district in 1938, four, the Nevis Crossing, Molyneux, Clutha, and Rainbow dredges, continued to operate during 1939. The Aitkens dredge was removed from the Maitland area and reconstructed in the Chatton district. The Goldfields (Big Beach) dredge was worked early in 1939, but later on closed down, and the company went into liquidation. The construction of the large all-steel dredge at Lowburn, Central Otago, was hampered by the outbreak of war, but this dredge should soon be operating.
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cn u i trj u_, • ■as 2.S -d °» Dividends declared. »o o OED a a js £f OS K h ••11 »£ Quantity and t « J S& S ~aSS Value of Bullion Name of Dredge. Locality. =« ogj o » g jf, obtained during Total to m ||i u 5- s « 11 i93a - » §,,§£ |IS la » II II II S* l939 ' 1939. £ fe .& fl»sW 5 West Coast. Ft. Oz. £ £ £ Mataki .. .. Murchison .. 7 20 120 S 17 1,077 9,111 .. 8,435 Mataki Junction .. „ .. 0 21 370 D.E. 20 1,863 10,913 .. 5,000 Worksop .. .. Antonios .. 4 12 140 13 12 1,180 11,168 .. 20,800 Mossy Creek .. .. Hukarere .. 4 26 225 E 11 1,335 12,150 1,250 16,250 Grey River .. .. Ikamatua .. 16 28 1,266 E 25 13,219 125,223 7,125 7,125 Arao Blackball .. 4£ 18 210 E 20 2,264 21,076 10,000 41,200 Blackball Creek .. „ 5 20 383 E 33 2,209 22,213 5,400 5,400 New River .. .. Dunganville .. 4 15 140 1> 14 1,498 12,356 4,228 5,637 Nemona .. .. Marsden .. 4 J 23 255 E 9 1,199 11,009 .. 21,000 Bundi .. .. Camerons .. 10 18 500 S 24 1,663 12,224 White's Electric .. Barrytown .. 4 10 226 E 16 1,459 11,646 Barrytown .. „ ..12 21 879 E 30 8,928 75,032 Arahura .. .. Arahura .. 18 21 1,500 E 83 5,554 49,124 Rimu Rimu .. .. 12 23 922 E 53 9,956 94,185 37,501 194,552 Kanieri " Kanieri .. 18 21 1,487 E 42 14.700 124,279 15,000 1.5,000 Five Mile Beach .. Okarito .. 5 10 .. H 20 1,244 10,096 3,500 42,000 Gillespies Beach .. Weheka .. 5 13 225 E 28 1,174 11,036 .. 21,000 Otano and Southland. Molyneux .. .. Molyneux River.. 9 12 580 E 30 1,725 12,727 Nevis Crossing .. Nevis .. .. 10 12 S 10 183 1,413 Rainbow .. .. Maitland .. '2.\ 12 38 D 7 303 2,869 .. 172 Aitkens .. .. ,, 6 10 32 S 14 177 1,397 Goldlields .. .. Big Beach .. 8 18 305 E 23 64 500 Clutha River .. Clutha River ..12 12 570 E 65 5,502 51,842 6,250 25,000 Totals, 1939 .. .. •• •• •• •• •• *78,476 699,589 90,254 Unknown. Totals, 1938 .. .. .. •• •• -• 54,124 442,132 98,888 Unknown. * Includes 1,438 oz. of silver, valued at £139.
C.—2.
(3) Alluvial Mining. The following is a statement showing the production of, and dividends declared by, alluvial gold-mines during 1939 :—
In the West Coast and Southern Inspection Districts 1,190 men were employed at alluvial mining in J 939, as compared with 1,374 men in the previous year. In the West Coast district a further decrease from 858 men to 649 men was shown, but in the Southern district there was an increase from 516 men to 541 men. The 193 men in the Grey district alluvial mines produced 2,968 oz. of gold in 1939 ; in the Murchison district 123 men produced 883 oz. ; in the Buller district 55 men produced 1,185 oz. ; and in the Westland district 135 men produced 1,141 oz. At Waikakaho the work was confined to the driving of a crosscut from the bottom of the shaft. The test of the drag-line plant at Maud Creek proved the cost of operating it was not economical through frequent removals and resetting. At Addison's Flat 147,000 cubic yards were treated, yielding 703 oz of gold, valued at £5,765, and at the Waitahu claim 251,500 cubic yards were elevated and sluiced, yielding 635 oz. of gold, valued at £5,271. At the Golden Sands sluicing claim, 1,076 oz. of gold, worth £4,961, was recovered from 154,000 cubic yards, and at the Moonlight Goldfield sluicing claim 243,730 cubic yards were treated, from which 1,076 oz. was recovered, valued at £10,388. The two 12 in. gravel-pumps at the Nokomai Gold-mining Co.'s claim continued to operate very satisfactorily in 1939, and 1,536 oz. of gold was recovered, valued at £12,127. The two gravel-pumps owned by Macrae's Gold-mining Co. elevated 121,200 cubic yards of wash during 1939 for a return of 872 oz. of gold, valued at £6,871. The Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co. recovered at Waitahuna 465 oz. of gold, worth £3,721, and in a valley east of Waitahuna Gully the Sailors Gully Sluicing Co. recovered 355 oz. of gold, valued at £2,991. The Round Hill Gold-mining Co. at their claim at Round Hill, in Southland, recovered 2,321 oz. of gold, valued at £19,671. An area has been taken up covering the main drives in the Bell-Kilgour and Bell-Hooper Mines, and it is intended to sluice ofi the deep overburden before sluicing the pillars of the deep lead which were not extracted by underground operation. (4) Prosecutions. There were two prosecutions by the Inspectors in 1939, one in the Northern district and one in the West Coast district. A Northern district battery superintendent was charged with failing to permit a workmen's inspector to inspect a refinery, but the information was dismissed. A West Coast dredgemaster was convicted and fined for employing labour on a Sunday without first having obtained authority to do so from the Inspector.
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Dividends declared. „ „ . „ Estimated Quantity and Value Name of Owner. | of pro(i^ oed . During 1939. Total to End of 1939 West Coast. Oz. £ £ £ Glenroy Gold, Ltd. .. .. .. 40 319 Addison's Flat Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 703 5,765 1,300 6,045 Totara Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 209 1,685 Newton Flat Gold-sluicing Co., Ltd. .. 9 76 Waitahu Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 635 5,271 .. 1,333 Auckland Alluvials, Ltd. .. .. .. 69 620 Golden Sands, Ltd. .. .. •• 527 4,961 1,167 8,333 Golden Valley Syndicate .. . . .. 33 250 Kumara Goldfields Syndicate .. .. 51 387 Moonlight Goldfields, Ltd. .. .. 1,076 10,388 1,981 4,458 Stafford Sluicing, Ltd. .. .. .. 11 94 All other claims .. .. .. •• 4,312 32,507 Otago and Southland. Enterprise Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. . . 20 135 Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 465 3,721 1,401 4,203 Macrae's Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 872 6,871 .. 9,000 New Gabriels Gully Gold-mining Co., Ltd. . . 104 761 Jones Nevis Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. .. 58 463 .. 813 Central Shotover Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 179 1,380 Sandhills Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. . . 94 724 .. 2,000 Short and Party, Ltd. .. .. . . 55 384 Nokomai Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 1,536 12,124 Kildare Consolidated Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 277 2,192 .. 1,000 Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Ltd. .. 257 2,046 450 1,650 Mining House Concessions, Ltd. . . .. 66 625 Sailors Gully (Waitahuna) Gold-mining Co., Ltd. 335 2,991 210 14,135 Golden Arrow Mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 86 658 .. 1,660 Nevis Sluicing Claims, Ltd. .. . . 44 351 .. . . Hound Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 2,321 19,671 9,000 30,929 Tuapeka Mouth Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 188 1,594 300 2,100 All other claims .. .. .. •• 3,880 31,155 Totals, 1939 .. .. .. 18,512 150,169 15,809 Unknown. Totals, 1938 .. .. .. 19,929 149,586 13,819 Unknown.
C.—2.
V. MINERAL'S OTHER THAN GOLD. Iron. At the large limonite deposit at Onekaka prospecting operations were continued in 1939 'by the State Iron and Steel Department. Approximately 319 tons of limonite, valued at £100, was quarried and ground by the Onekaka Iron ,and Steel Co., Ltd., for sale for gas-purification purposes Near Kamo, North Auckland, 830 tons of limonite, valued at £1,584, was mined in 1939, and at Okaihau, North Auckland, a further 437 tons of limonite, valued at £1,334, was won. Asbestos. Some further prospecting was done at Upper Takaka, and a road is under construction for the conveyance of machinery to the field, but no asbestos was produced for commercial purposes duung 1939. Mica and Felspar. At Mabel Bay, near Charleston, a small quantity of rock was crushed for the purpose of ascertaining its mica and felspar content. Sulphur. No work was done on any sulphur deposit during the year. Manganese. Near Bombay 486 tons of manganese-ore was mined from a freehold property, and .preparations are rander way to work a deposit near Hunua. Quicksilver. No mercury was produced in 1939, but at Puhipuhi an excavator is being used for stripping the cinmabar-are. Tungsten. From the Glenorchy and Macrae's districts of Otago 40 tons of scheelitc concentrates was (produced in 1939, valued at approximately £8,000 A ton of scheelite, valued at £240, was recovered from the retreatment of tailings m the Wakamarina district. Silver. From the bullion recovered by five West Coast dredges 1,290 oz. ol silver was obtained, valued at £123. The Clutha River dredge recovered 148 oz. ol silver, valued at £I' 6. Platinum. Together with the gold recovered from two sluicing claims at Round Hill and Orepuki, in Southland, 13 oz. 6 dwt. of platinum, valued at £104, was saved. Silica. From the Wanganui and North Auckland districts 321 tons of silica was mined, valued at £693. From Hyde, Central Otago, and Mount Somers, Canterbury, 2,014 tons of silica sand, valued at £1,534, was produced in 1939. Fuller's Earth and Diatomaceous Earth. At Kamo, near Whangarei, 74 tons of Fuller's earth and 221 cubic yards of diatomaceous earth were produced during 1939. Petroleum. The bore being drilled at Totangi, near Gisborne, reached .a depth of 5,700 ft., but in November the hole caved up to the bottom of the lowest casing at 4,824 ft. On drilling being resumed the drill failed to follow the old hole. Little progress was made, and after several attempts to carry the hole to greater depth it was abandoned on 24th November, 1939. The site of another hole was then selected at Morere, about a mile north-west of Waikokopu, in the Wairoa County, and boring commenced in February, 1940. Northern Oilfields, Ltd., put down two bores near Dargaville in 1939, the first bore reached a depth of 837 ft., but had to be abandoned owing to difficulties with the drilling plant. The second hole reached a depth of 1,461 ft. on 3rd February, 1940, when boring operations ceased. No drilling was done on the Kotuku fields in 1939, but from seepages 800 gallons, valued at £23, were obtained. Neither was there any drilling done on the Moturoa fields. From the three producing wells owned by Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd., Nos. 1, 2, and 4, a total of 103,631 gallons of petroleum was obtained, all of which was treated by New .Zealand Refineries, Ltd.
22
c.—2.
VI. STONE-QUAREY 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. 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 1939
Quarry Accidents. The following is a summary of serious accidents during 1939 at quarries under the- Stone-quarries Act:—
There were three fatal accidents in North Island quarries in 1939, and two men were killed by a large fall in a Soutfi Island quarry. Two of the North Island fatalities occurred to men shovelling on quarry floors. At a Takapuna quarry a man was killed instantly by a large block of sandstone crushing him against the motor-lorry he was loading, and at the Mamaku Quarry a man was struck by a fall of earth and stone dislodged by stripping operations. At Ruatangata a quarryman had his right leg severely injured by a premature explosion of a detonator and a small charge of explosive. He died from the injury the following day. The South Island fatalities occurred at the Cave limestone quarry, near Timaru. Three men were scraping down loose clay-rock on the 100 ft. high face of the quarry and another man was loading a 20 ft. vertical" bulled" hole with explosives when a very large fall occurred at the quarry face, completely burying one of the men and killing him instantly. Another of the three was thrown some distance from the fallen debris, but he suffered internal injuries from which he died eight weeks later. The shot-loader felt the movement and called out. He grasped a rope hanging down the quarry face, but was struck by some of the falling rock and slid down the face of the quarry and was buried up to his waist. He received a dislocated shoulder. The fourth man heard the warning cry of the shot-loader and managed to get clear of the fall without sustaining any injury.
23
gjjj 2-d Output of Stone. Is s| gj? a s S 8g S Provincial Name ami Address of § § 51 h Sg ® M ® £ « § District Government Inspector of -g oj* g g| go c« § g 0 vmnci. Stone-quarries. 8 =2 3 ™ . ©" ,a£ § o8B 83 °j| =3 «1 -S P| 5 % a at If g*rn 2 o §s at a is ° a S S § G" So o o g o I s J! • .2 "3 ot m W iJ tJ »• »' |» Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. £ Auckland .. R. T. H. Date, Mines 237 1,144 988,453 1,400 704 122,044289,724 .. 60,063 295,10® Dept., Huntly E.J.SboMe, Mines 25 150 122,315 .. 1,514 42,107 Dept., Waihi(Hauraki Mining District only) Hawke's Bay R. T. H. Dale, Mines 25 51 26>,405 .. .. 32,148 .. .. .. 81,945 Dept., Huntly Taranaki .. Ditto .. .. 28 72 35,976 .. .. .. .. .. ... 91,573 Wellington „ .. ..31 166 118,216 6,573 .. 18,156 .. .. 25,000 391,643 Nelson .. ~| Westland .. I G. W. Lowes, Mines 24 102 44,407 20,765 .. 14,694 99,911 .. 7-65 28,244 Buller .. f Dept., Greymouth Marlborough J Canterbury.. j j McMillan, Mines 50 398 155,639 29,011 10,875 204,027 28,924 .. .. 121,926 Southland :: J Dept., Dunedin Totals, 1939 .. 420 2,083 1,491,411 57,749 13,093 391,069 398,559 .. 75,828 545,533 Totals, 1938 _ .. 429 2,667 1,443,525 55,173 25,339 .. 180,263 555,295
Number ol Accidents. Number of Sufferers. Cause. : — —- Fatal. Serious. Killed. Haulage Machinery Explosives .. .. .. .. .. 1 ] I 1 Falls of ground .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 4 2 Miscellaneous Totals .. ... .. .. .. 4 3 5 3
C—2.
VII. STATE AID TO MINING. (1) Subsidized Prospecting. During the year ended 31st March, 1940, individual gold prospectors were assisted from the Mines Department vote to the extent of £18,503. This sum includes all payments made in respect of subsidies wages, and equipment connected with the Department s subsidized gold-mmmg scheme, but does not include salaries and allowances paid to mining engineers and supervisors. The average number of men employed, under the scheme was 293. In addition, a total sum of £19,229 was advanced by way of subsidy loan, or other : form of financia assistance to companies and individuals engaged m prospecting and/or mining for gold, coal, and 0tl ' ( The "Department has also undertaken surveys, prospecting, mining, and development work in selected areas at a cost of £8,120. (2) Government Prospecting Drills. The following table gives details of the drilling done for twelve months ended 31st December, 1939
Drills used: Diamond and Keystone drills. Percussion and Hand-placer drills.
(3) Subsidized Roads on Goldfjelds. The expenditure in the form of subsidies and direct grants upon roads on goldfields amounted to £597 Us. Bd., as compared with £5,220 12s. 3d. during the previous year. (4) Legislation affecting Metalliferous Mines. Bv the Statutes Amendment Act, 1939, sections 384 to 392, 419, 422, 426, and paragraph (c) of section 425 of the Mining Act, 1926, were repealed and, instead, entirely new provisions were enacted setting out the manner in which moneys appropriated by Parliament to assist the mmmg to be made to the rcgu i at i o ns under the Mining Act during 1939 It is with extreme regret that I have to record the death of Mr. Arthur W. Turner on 28th September 1939. lie was a very able mining engineer, and for three years had been one of the two Inspectors of Mm< During illness just prior to his death and until the end of March 1940 when his successor, Mr. R. C. Ruffin, took up his duties, Mr. G. W. Lowes carried on alone as Inspector for the district acknow i e a ge again his efficient help and co-operation, as well as that of the other Inspectors of Mines, which I have received during the year. George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.
24
— i i " ~ i I „ , . Cost per I Cost per Cost per Foot of t> t Number T tal Diameter Mineral Character of Country , To whom lent< Fo ot of Foot of carbons' itemarKs of Holes JJ Dth of Hole, sought. drilled through. Drilling. Transport. w drilled. r Ft In s " S " o 3<>7 4 Gold Gravels, &e. .. Labour Depart- 9 4-5 inent (Employment Division) s. d. I s. d. 2 212 6 Gold Gravels, &e. .. R i m u G o 1 d 10 7 2 5 Dredging Co., Ltd. qo i 00 7 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. Eimu Gold 4 11'9 2 1 ' Dredging Co., Ltd. 2 300 41 and Gold Sand and gravels Mines Depart0 ment 217 2,262 4 and * Sand .. .. State Iron and ' ' 45 Steel Department ,o 497 6 Gold Gravels, &c. . . Slab Hut Syndi- .. • • • • In progress. cate 5 462 6 Gold Gravels, &c. ..T.H.Lee .. 9 2 4 2 to 390 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. T.H.Lee ..11 5 10 1 85 1J Coal Claystone and State Coalmines sandstone l 114 Coal Sandstone, grits, United Brunner & 0 . Collieries, Ltd. 321 5,686 » Testing depth of ironsand.
C.—2.
ANNEXURE A.
SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (E. J. Scoble, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-mining. Martha Oold-mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd. —Active mining operations continued with little interruption. The ore was obtained from thirteen lodes and branch veins, the most productive being the Martha, Royal, and Edward lodes in that order. Supplies were drawn from thirteen levels, ranging from No. 2 level down to No. 14, but the greater part of the tonnage was obtained from Nos. 6, 7, and 8 levels and intermediates connected with same. The quantity of water lifted to the surface throughout the year was 324,651,000 gallons. The footage for the year amounted to 8,836, made up of driving and crosscutting, winzing, and rising. The sinking of No. 7 footwall pass was continued, and at the end of 1939 a depth of 650 ft. had been reached. The average number of men employed was 635. Output: 175,665 long tons of quartz were mined and treated for a recovery of 49,980 oz. 12 dwt. of gold and 384,896 oz. 18 dwt. of silver, valued at £386,121 and £35,581 respectively. Dividends were paid during the year to the amount of £61,988 7s. 6d. The total yield of bullion (gold and silver) since the beginning of operations, including that won by the Waihi Gold-mining Co., Ltd., is 28,209,068 oz. 18 dwt. 11 gr., worth £20,195,185 6s. 3d. Golden Dawn Qold-mines, Ltd., Owharoa.—No. 3 level: No. 1 winze south on No. 5 reef was sunk to a depth of 56 ft., where work was suspended. The reef here averaged 4f ft. in width and carried low values down to 25 ft., but was payable from this point to 42 ft., where values practically gave out. Driving north and south along the line of reef at 42 ft. was carried out for a total distance of 81 ft., with unsatisfactory results, the average of forty samples taken from the reef (sft. wide) giving a return of £1 9s. 6d. per ton only. It is now proposed to resume sinking and carry the winze down to 156 ft. with the object of proving more lasting and profitable values at the lower horizon referred to. The crosscut west off the intermediate (70 ft. above No. 3 level) was extended to 301 ft., with nothing to report. Other contributary or related work was also undertaken here, with negative results. Talisman-Dubbo Qold-mines, Ltd.—Stoping operations were undertaken mainly on the No. 7 Hauraki level and on the Dubbo and Nos. 1 and 2 Talisman levels. Most of the ore sent to the mill was mined from stopes at 60 ft. south in the first-named level, where the reef averaged 9 ft. in width but proved to be fairly low grade. Development work was chiefly confined to opening up and cleaning out No. 4 level for the purpose of exploiting the No. 2 Crown block of ore, which is situate at a distance of 840 ft. south of the main, crosscut, or approximately 1,000 ft. from its portal. The block is now exposed on the hanging-wall side of the level from the Talisman (old mine) stoping system north to Cogan's crosscut in the south, a distance of 240 ft. It varies from a few inches up to 2 ft. in width, and four short rises were put up on same. The first rise, constructed at 100 ft. north of Cogan's crosscut, was carried to a height of 40 ft. on stone with fair values and an average width of 18 in. The second, third, and fourth rises were constructed at 24 ft., 30 ft., and 40 ft. south of Cogan's crosscut and were carried to 20 ft., 40 ft., and 20 ft. respectively. The first of these is on stone 2 ft. wide with values of about £2 per ton, the second is located in what appears to be an old watercourse, and the third on stone that progressively decreases from 2 ft. (with payable values) to a few inches in width where it becomes valueless. Tributers worked on two small sections of the company's property. Waiawa Mine, Karangahake.—A limited amount of development work was undertaken in this mine, with indefinite results where the proving of additional blocks of stone are concerned. The ore won therefrom amounted to 457 tons, portions of which were treated in the owner's mill and portions by the TalismanDubbo plant. Talisman Extended, Karangalialce.—Work consisted of winning ore that had run from an old stope in the mine. New Maoriland Mine, Waitekauri.—Surface and underground operations resulted in the production of 108 tons of ore, which yielded 282 oz. 4 dwt. of bullion, worth £902 3s. Golden Spur Co., Ltd., Maratoto. —This company owns the Golden Loop and Golden Spur claims, but work was confined to the latter only and consists of the following : No. 2 level was advanced for .a distance of 225 ft., but operations were suspended at this point as the last 25 ft. of driving disclosed nothing of value. A rise was then put up at 27 ft. back from the face, and this holed through to No. 1 level, at a distance of 40 ft., with satisfactory results where ventilation is concerned. Back from the rise and for a length of 80 ft. a stoping block has been prepared. Goodgrade ore was met with underfoot at 190 ft. in No. 2 level, but this could not be explored at depth owing to the presence of water, and a low level, known as No. 3, was therefore constructed, with the result that No. 2 level is now free of water. No. 3 level must be advanced a distance of 200 ft. before it reaches the random of the high-grade stone met with on the level above. Golden Grown Gold-mining Go. (N.L.), Komata. —Work at the company's mine has been confined to the developing of a small block of ore on No. 1 level, and the restoring of the old No. 2 level, Te Ao Marama section, which is in a state of total collapse. The level has been restored to the Komata shaft, with excellent results where ventilation is concerned, and nothing now remains to be done but to connect with the main filling pass (distant 120 ft. from the shaft), and afterwards drive on for an additional 130 ft., when the first block of stone should be encountered. Graceville Syndicate, Neavesville. —Remuera section: It is stated that surface trenching and open-cut work has revealed evidence of a large tonnage of low-grade ore in this place, but the absence of machinery to operate a rockdrilling plant greatly handicaps the development of the area. The intermediate level (40 ft. below the surface level) has been extended southwards for 132 ft. At this point promising ore can bo seen, and it is hoped that stone can be opened up for regular stoping. Prospecting was undertaken in the Golden Belt and Champion sections also, and is to be continued, with particular attention being given to surface work on the former. Wealth of Nations Mining Syndicate, Tairua. —No work of importance was done on this syndicate's property, and the concern is practically defunct. Kernick's Freehold, Tapu.—No work was done on No. 1 level, but prospecting operations in the Gully level led to the discovery of a narrow leader which, when followed up, proved to be a dropper from the main reef. The leader was cut at 14 ft. south-west of the crosscut, and the latter was therefore advanced for an additional 13 ft., with the result that the main body of stone was intersected as described. Two stopes were carried on east and west of the main crosscut, and these produced quartz with high values. No. 2 level: The reef was driven on south from the crosscut for approximately 50 ft., and stoped for 25 ft., with poor returns. Values disappeared altogether at 50 ft. No. 3 level (27 ft. below No. 2 level): Further stoping from the level proved unsatisfactory, and driving was then undertaken in a north-west direction for about 100 ft., with the face in unaltered country rock, or slate, when work ceased. No. 4 level south was continued until the reef was cut at 150 ft., but values were poor and driving was suspended. Three new drives were constructed with the object of testing the property at greater length, but one onlv of these is promising. The 2£ ton ball mill, completed at the end of last year, commenced operations in March, but was then held up over considerable periods for want of water, a difficulty that was later overcome by returning the already used water to the plant after settlement.
4—C. 2.
25
C.—2.
Shannon Claim, Blatk Swan Creek, Tapu.-About 100 ft. of driving and 4ft of winze-sinking was done or this claim for the year. Winze work was discontimr d on account of the presence of water, and it is hoped that this trouble will be overcome by the driving of a low level, which is in course of construction. Mountain Kinq Claim, Pulwi.—k limited amount of development work only was carried out. Ilector McDonald Claim, Practically nothing apart from stoping on a narrow reef was undertaken. Golden Ridge Claim, Puru.—'The ore won from this property amounted to 25 tons. . Virginia Claim, Thames.—Operations have been suspended, and it is doubtful if they will be resumed. Advance Claim, Hape Creek, Thames.—On tribute to a party of three men for a part of the year, and these produced 5 tons of ore, worth £30 9s. 9d. Sylvia Gold, Silver, and Base-metal Mines (N.L.).—This company was formed to reopen the old Sylvia Mine, Thames, and develop a line of reef of the same name. The reef carries gold, silver, lead copper and zinc and averages about 5 ft. in width. It has been extensively stoped from the lowest level (No. 5) to the surface for a length of about 500 ft., and from No. 4 level to No. 3 level of from 200 ft. to 300 ft. It stands nearly vertical, and alternately increases and decreases in width in some of the workings, but at Nos 4 and 5 levels is rarely under 5 ft. wide, and occasionally exceeds 10 ft, with intrusions of country rock Development work now in hand consists of sinking a shaft in the firm rock away from the propylitized country of the reef system at 1,600 ft. from the portal of No. 4 level. The shaft will be sunk to a d, 3 pth of 200 ft so as to make available an unstoped block above No. 5 level and provide an additional block of 80 ft. from below that point. It is also proposed to crosscut at 190 ft. m order to intersect the reef below No. 5 level, and simultaneously crosscut to No. 5 level itself, and then possibly sink to 470 ft. or 10 ft below sea-leveh The shaft measures 12 ft. by 4 ft. 6 in. Sinking is in progress, and had been carried to a depth ot 39 It. at the end of the year. Una mil Consolidated Gold-mines, Ltd.—The reopening of this mine (closed for several years) was undertaken on 4th January, and operations were conducted without interruption for the year. Development consisted in the sinking of two inclines (Bft. by 6 ft. each) with a connecting intermediate crosscut 30 ft in length The first incline has a length of 140 ft. for a vertical gain of 103 ft. The second had been sunk to 120 ft at. the end of the year for a vertical gain of 85 ft. The object of the work is to locate the junction of the Occidental and the No 2 reefs at 200 ft. below the old No. 4 adit, at which depth they should also converge on a fault line known as No. 1 flinty, where good values should be got. Water was encountered at 85 ft. m the upper incline and this necessitated the cutting of a 6 ft. sump in continuation of the incline for pumping purposes. Water was again encountered at 85 ft. in the lower incline, and two pumps were therefore installed and are now in operation, with satisfactory results. A leader, cut at 45 ft. in the upper incline, showed gold freely in the stone, and its position has been marked for future development, but no work was done to open up the leader In the lower incline the flinty break was met at 85 ft. and went out at 10.) ft. Orood reehngcountry was found on its hanging-wall side, and at 120 ft. a vertical leader of specimen type was cut. It is probable that this is a "dropper" from No. 2 reef, which should be met with a little farther on. The leader varies in width from a mere line to a mixture of stringers and country rock over a width ot 12 m., and some very good specimens have been recovered therefrom. The gold is generally very coarse or in thick lea,!, but is found in the stone itself in many samples. In other cases it is superficial and loose, particularly in the vughs, but the development is promising. It is proposed to continue the incline so as to intersect JNo. I reef and then plan developments in relation to the fixed position of all the known features. Commissioner Claim, Thames.—Work here has consisted of testing several narrow veins of quartz, which were intersected (within a narrow compass) at about 500 ft. from the portal of the main crosscut, with by no means satisfactory results, and operations were given up in consequence. Ventilatmg-pipes and all plant are to be removed from the property. Lap Claim, Thames.—Sixty cubic yards of old tailings were buddled. Hopeful Claim, Una Hill, Thames—A small amount of driving and sinking, practically all on reet some 2 inches in width, was done. a (nl „i, Waitanqi Mine, Thames—Nos. 3 and 4 levels were reconditioned and connected with one another. A trucK road was laid down in each, and the sampling of some 2,000 ft. of exposed reef was undertaken in 5 tt. sections therein. Work was suspended at about the middle of the year. „ ProarenK Mine, Waiotahi Creek.—The main reef formation drive has been extended for a distanoe ot 30 tt., and No 2 leader has been driven on seaward and billward for 72 ft. and 35 ft. respectively. A block of stone in No 2 winze has been stoped from the intermediate up to the main level (approximately 20 ft.) and over a distance of 85 ft. A section of stone, 100 ft. in length, on No 2 leader has been timbered and is ready f ° r S SmMatid Claim, Tokatea, Coromandel — Some rising and sinking and a large amount of driving has been done on this claim, with fair results, though output figures are low. The claim is several miles from the State mil in this area, and is difficult of access, and the owners therefore decided to purchase and erect a treatment plant consisting of a 2\ ton ball mill, &c. t , , flAf , Speedmint Claim, Coromandel—Operations were carried out on the top level exclusively, and comprised 60 tt. of driving, 17 ft. of winze-sinking, and 40 ft. of stoping. . Pukewhau Claim. Tiki Hill, Coromandel..—Stoping lias been carried out on the main leader inside the rise, but the ore generally was not so good as that worked in the past year, though blotches and colours of gold were met from time to time. A rise was put up to a height of 10ft. on a small leader in the hanging-wall, and from this a little gold was obtained. Subsequent investigation revealed that the leader referred to was only a fragment and that the greater portion had been extracted many years ago. Some surface prospecting was undertaken, but this proved disappointing. Hauraki Mine» Consolidated., Ltd., Coromandel.-^Tributers got 1 ton of ore which gave a return ot 1 oz. 16 dwt. of bullion, valued at £11 os. 3d. Opitonui Consolidated Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Opitonui.—No great amount of work was done tor the last six months of the year at the company's mine or battery, but 350 tons of ore which was won and treated over previous months yielded 91 oz. of gold and 39 oz. 10 dwt. of silver, valued at £685 16s. Bd. All work ceased on the property during the latter part of the year, and has not since been resumed. . . New Royal Oak 'Claim, Coromandel.—A total of 250 ft. of driving, 100 ft. of rising and 50 ft. of stoping was done in the main and other levels. The ore won was 1 ton 2£ cwt. only, and from this was obtained 23 oz. 6 dwt. of bullion, worth £130 10s. od. Lone Hand Claim, Coromandel.—The intermediate level was advanced for 25 ft. on a reef 1 ft. wide showing small prospects of gold. A small quantity of ore (1J tons) was produced, and this gave a return of 7 oz. 6 dwt. of bullion, worth £42 13s. sd. 1 ~ Heather Bell Claim, Boat Harbour, WhenuakiU.—Operations suspended, but preparations tor a resumption thereof were put in hand towards the end of the year. Coromandel (now Green Hill) Gold-mines, Ltd., Coromandel—'Vhis mine was idle almost up to the end ot the year, but the boiler was then retubed and the shaft top and surface cleaned up and restored with a view to starting work in the early part of the present year. . , , Hardv's Mines, Waiorongomai.—Thv Hero or 1,400 ft. level was the only place worked during the year, and from this was obtained 104 tons of ore which, on treatment, gave a return of 71 oz. 1 dwt. of gold, worth £663 16s. 3d., and 64 oz. 15 dwt. of silver, valued at £4 17s. 6d.
26
C.—2.
Boring Operations. Drilling Prospectors, Ltd., Thames.—This company continued its operations on the foreshore portion of the New Shotover Special Quartz Claim, and during the year put down four holes to depths of 353 ft., 147 ft., 357 ft., and 254 ft. respectively. Drilling is still in progress. Prospecting. Practically all prospecting work carried out in the district was done under the Department's assisted scheme. The average number of men so helped declined from fifty-seven in the previous year to thirty-seven in 1939, and recoveries suffered a similar fall. The subsidized men produced a total of 984 oz. 17 dwt. of bullion, valued at £4,314 6s. Bd., which is made up as follows from the respective areas: Thames, 341 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £2,978 15s. 3d.; Coromandel, 98 oz. 13 dwt., valued at £648 17s. 4d.; Karangahake, 545 oz., valued at £686 14s. Id. Miscellaneous. Mercury.—None has been obtained for the year, though there seems every possibility of a syndicate, now operating on the area formerly held by Mercury Mines (N.Z.), Ltd., at Puhipuhi, being producers in the near future. The deposit was previously exploited by underground methods, but an excavator is now in use and has already bared a considerable portion of same on the surface. Excavating work is in progress. Manganese.—Mr. W. S. Miller, of Khyber Pass, Auckland, is engaged at developing a deposit at Moumoukai, near Hunua, and at the end of the year was awaiting the arrival of equipment from England so as to enable work to proceed. The equipment arrived in January, and the production stage should be reached by April, 1940. A total of 486 tons of the ore was produced from Mrs. G. H. Longshaw's freehold property near Bombay. The ore was mined from the period January to March, both months inclusive, and was sold for £4 per ton. No work was carried out during the remainder of the year. Silica.—Gilberd's Mine, Wanganui district, produced 167 tons, valued at £259. Brunett's and the Makirikiri (McConochie and Clarke) Mines had an output of about 50 tons, worth £75. Silica Deposits, Ltd., North Auckland, produced 104 tons, valued at £359. Pumice. —Approximately 395 cubic yards of this mineral were obtained from Roarikia, Wanganui, and disposed of to the local freezing-works for insulation purposes. Fuller's Earth. —Seventy-three tons eighteen hundredweight were got from the estate of the late A. Crawford, Kamo, Whangarei. The value, f.o.b. Whangarei, was £3 2s. lid. a ton, or £233 3s. 6d. in the aggregate. Diatomaceous Earth.—Two hundred and twenty-one cubic yards, worth £1 10s. per cubic yard f.0.r., or a total of £332 2s. 4d., were produced from Mr. S. C. Crawford's property near Kamo. Sulphur.—None of the deposits were operated on. Limonite. —Reyburn's Lime Co., Ltd., Whangarei, produced 830 tons, and Okaihau Quarries, Ltd., 437 tons, from areas at Kamo and Okaihau, which realized (in the aggregate) £1,583 17s. 6d. and £1,334 12s. lid. respectively. The ore was crushed to various sizes. Accidents. It is pleasing to be able to record that the district was free from fatal or serious accidents. Prosecutions. On the 22nd August, 1939, an information was laid under section 289 (4) of the Mining Act, 1'926, against a battery superintendent (being a mine-manager) for not giving the workmen's inspector full and free facilities for the inspection of a smelthouse and refinery. The information was dismissed. WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (G. W. Lowes, Inspector or Mines). Quartz-mining. Marlborough County. Owing to the outbreak of war and the demand for scheelite, a survey was made of the Mountain Camp Mine workings, Deep Creek, with the object of reopening this mine and ascertaining the true value of a well-defined lode showing in No. 1 level and a winze sunk 30 ft. below it. Expenditure was authorized, and the work will commence early in 1940. The only lode product being won in Marlborough is scheelite, obtained by treatment of tailings stacked during the milling operations of the Dominion Consolidated Mining Co. Butter County. Mokihinui District. —Bed Queen Mine: Crosscutting, on the low level at 513 ft., encountered the Red Queen lode at 35 ft. west and the Swastika at 136 ft. west, the former being 7 in. wide and carrying high values with free gold showing, the latter being 48 in. wide between walls which enclosed a mixture of quartz and reef track which assayed 4 dwt. per ton. At 159 ft. from the portal, a crosscut 54 ft. in length intercepted the Bed Queen lode, which was 8 in. wide and of high grade. This lode was driven on for 18 ft. south of the crosscut, width and value being maintained, and the two crosscuts on this level have established the fact that the lode channel is approximately 400 ft. in length. Surface trenching at a lower level disclosed the ore channel at a point farther north than the development work in the upper levels. Lyell District. —Alpine Mine : Two hundred and throe feet of crosscutting was carried out on No. 7 level through intensely hard rock, but nothing of economic importance was discovered ; consequently, it was decided to abandon the mine and withdraw all rails and pipes at the end of the year. Inanfiah.ua County. Blaclcwater Mine. —The total development footage amounted to 3,286 ft., as per the following summary : Driving,, 2,272 ft.; rising, 407 ft.; winzing, 502 ft. ; crosscutting, 105 ft. Results from the main development points were as follows : — No. 11 Level Drive North : This drive was continued on the reef north of the Prohibition fault for a distance of 209 ft., of which 200 ft. were on reef averaging 11-15 dwt. over a width of 20 in. No. 12 Level Drive North: This drive was restarted, and continued along the Prohibition fault until the reef was encountered. Further driving exposed 99 ft. of reef averaging 14-56 dwt. over a width of 32 in. No. 13 Level Drive South : This drive was advanced 374 ft., of which 360 ft. exposed reef averaging 11-52 dwt. over a width of 32 in. No. 13 Level Drive North : A branch drive was put out to the west of the north end of the main drive in order to locate the reef north of the Prohibition fault on this level. The reef was intersected after driving 71 ft. in country rock and through the fault, and by the end of the year 35 ft. of reef averaging 31-91 dwt. over a width of 38 in. had been exposed. No. 14 Level Drive South : This drive was advanced 725 ft., of which 580 ft. exposed reef averaging 17-60 dwt. over a width of 29 in.
27
e.—2.
No. 14 Level Drive North: This drive advanced 432 ft., of which 366 ft exposed reef averaging 15-52 dwt. over a width of 27 in., and reached the northern limit of the main ore body at the 1 rohibition fault. The reef in the bottom of the mine continues to show up well. , , ~ No shaft-sinking was carried out during the year, but a considerable amount of work was done on the Nos. 11. 12, and 13 levels north to locate and drive on the reef north of the mam Prohibition fault, and results "'"IS SSvTyear .howrf „ tofl of 102,349 ton., b.mg m— of 10,702 ton. ovor to drive the old battery, and was put into commission during the month of May. The 1,000 cubic feet st,3am driven compressor at the north shaft was completely electrified, and has been in service since the early part ° f 1 Alexander Mine.-Nd. 5 intermediate level, 80 ft. above No. 6, was extended the full length of the ore body, which maintained its average width, value, and length of 260 ft. The stopes above this yielded most of the ore milled during the year, and the tonnage treated was 1,096 tons in excess ol that mme m the previous vear On No. 6 level the country was found to be much disturbed, and considerable difficulty was experienced in iocating the reef. A considerable footage of driving in the lode channel and crosscutting into the foot and hanging walls was carried out before the first block was discovered. This block, although carrying high values! was g shlt and narrow, with a flat dip. A vise from No. 6 was put up on the ore chute and at a point half-way between the main and intermediate levels the lode was faulted. A sub-level was d "ve on the fault-line and several disconnected lenses of ore located, but it is evident from the amount of developm carried out on and above No. 6 level that the present horizon of the mine is in country that has been subject to strong faulting. , . , , Big River ilfirae.—The following stoping and development operations were carried out . , , No 5 Level: A winze was sunk to a depth of 39 ft. on a narrow ore-body which cut out at the depth stated No. 6 Level: A considerable distance was driven on the lode channel but only one small lens of very rich ore was discovered Crossuctting in the walls of the ore channel disclosed that this level had been affected by which had displaced the lode between Nos. 5 and 6 levels. Bevelopmen to,.thisi horizon « the earlier period of this mine's history had the same result as the present woik and proved that this zone unproductive On the small rich chute discovered in No. 6, a rise was put up to connect with a winze sunk from No 5 but the ore cut out a short distance above the level and the rise will be continued through country rock until the connection is established that will provide an air-course and travelling-way A winzeJ .started on 12 in of rich ore exposed in the floor of No. 6 and eventually reached a depth of 74 ft. Ihe width ot ore gradually increased until a maximum of 60 in. was disclosed with values maintained. In order to expedite the development of the ore-body proved by the winze, it was dccided to retimber the main shaft down to Wo. 7 level, and, despite the shortage of skilled labour and inability to work more than a angle shift, a depth of 74 ft. had !Veu> l Wctlm!' y Gold-mining party of five men have driven on hand _ steel the low-level tunnel a distance of 801 ft. from the portal through hard greywacke. At 450 ft. a lode 60 in. wide was met, but prove to be barren when sampled and assayed. This drive should reach its objective during the coming year name y, the YlSfs tS-^traVd na p n arty e who operate this mine produced 260 tons of cemented gravels yielding 52 oz 14 dwt. of gold which realized &88 19s. P 2 d. A considerable part of their time was spent on work which became necessary owing to an upthrow fault being encountered, and this increased the difficulties mining and transport to such an extent that wash worth £1 per ton became unpayable. Creek Mine.-During the year an overhaul of the winding plan was °om = d two-stage compound steam-driven air-compressor installed, and a new head-gear erected No underground work was carried out other than draining the mine and preparing the mam shaft for the sinkingof anotherloOft, State-controlled Prospecting Operations, Globe-Progress Area-Perseverance Mine. After the ot Nc>. 1 crosscut was completed and the lode in the floor of the main leve sampled, a winze was sunk to a depth of 74 ft., of which 60 ft. was on solid reef and the remainder on track with veins of quartz On No 2 towla total distance of 719 ft. was driven and crosscut without encountering the lode In order tofaeibtatethe search, a rise was put up through country rock to connect with the winze sunk from No 1 an^/ 2 ° 0J . d " ve intermediate level 70 ft, above No. 2. The intermediate level was driven on reef for a distance ot 205 It., and at the north end of the block a winze will be sunk on the lode to No. 2 level and the mam level continued until it holes into the winze and then along the reef to its extreme north end. ~ m Golden Treasure Mine: The Perseverance crosscut was extended I,Booft. and holed into the Treasure shaft, which was proved to be 308 ft. deep from collar to floor of chamber at No 3 level. The cleaning-out and retimbering of 650 ft. of No. 3 level was completed, also some crosscuts of old workings were made accessible for the purpose of gaining information concerning the structure of the country. J our hundred and six feet driving and crosscutting were carried out in the north end of the mine on the lode channel and east and west walls and entry was effected to some of the upper workings by repairing a rise put up from No. 3 and a winze sunk from an intermediate level situated below No 2. It was ascertained after the. mine above No. 3 that the ore-body of considerable width and unknown length had not been^worked to.any J™ No. 2 level; consequently, when this ore-body is developed on No. 3 level a. considerable tonnage of available for treatment if values justify it being mined. The development work was carried out by contiactors using modern rock-drills. Qrey County. On the cessation of State subsidized prospecting operations in the Paparoa Ranges and the Moonlight and Langdon's Creek districts at the end of 1938, lode mining came to a standstill in the county, and no activity in this direction has ensued during 1939. Westland County. Lode prospecting was carried out at Totara Valley, near Ross, for a short period during the year, and no discoveries of economic importance were recorded. At the Seven-mile and in the Taipo Valley a party of men *" S3now — •»«»«' rVHn a small tonnage extracted from stopes that were accessible when the claim was taken over No development work was undertaken during the company's period of activity, and the mine closed down in August and has not resumed operations. Dredge Mining. Mataki Dredge, Murchison County.-This dredge, using 7-cubic-feet buckets, is one of the two dredges out of a fleet of seventeen operating in this district. Dredgmg operations continued upstream in ground &Vem Junction Dredge, Murchison County.—This Diesel-electric dredge working in ground of an average depth of 20 ft. dredged 681,000 cubic yards using 6-cubic-feet buckets.
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Worksop Dredge, lnangah.ua County.—This small Diesel-powered dredge dug the satisfactory figure of 421,500 cubic yards from which was recovered 1,180 oz. 5 dwt., which realized £11,167 lis. Id. Mossy Creek Dredge, Inangahua County.—During the year this electrically-operated dredge, fitted with 4-cubic-feet buckets, treated 416,000 cubic yards from ground which averaged 11 ft. in depth. Orey River Dredge, Inangahua County.—This electrically-driven dredge during its first year's operation dug 4,500,518 cubic yards, from which was recovered 13,218 oz. 12 dwt., which realized £125,223. An average output of 87,500 cubic yards per week has been maintained by a crew of thirty-five men operating the dredge in ground of an average depth of 25 ft. The dredge is fitted with 16-cubic-feet buckets. The maximum digging rate has been 744 cubic yards per hour, and the all-in cost came to 3-49 d. per cubic yard, expended to recover gravel of an average value of 6'6Bd. per cubic yard. The operations for the months of January and February were confined to digging a narrow cut along the eastern boundary of the area from the construction-site to a point south of the county road where the dredge was turned in a westerly direction and the cut opened out to about approximately 500 ft. in width. Three cuts were taken from east to west across a portion of the valley, when the transverse system of digging was altered to longitudinal digging, and a 550-ft.-wide cut was started towards the southern end of the property. The close of the year found the dredge digging about 1,600 ft. from the south boundary of the property. Except for some minor changes to machinery and gold-saving equipment which would tend to improve the mechanical and metallurgical efficiency of the dredge, no major alterations were made in the original design. Argo Dredge, Grey County.—During the year this electrically-operated dredge, fitted with 4J-cubic-feet buckets and digging ground of an average depth of 20 ft. and employing thirteen men, recovered 2,263 oz. 13 dwt., valued at £21,075 10s. 4d., from 605,800 cubic yards. Blackball Creek Dredge, Orey County.—This dredge, operating on ground averaging 33 ft. in depth and employing twelve men, treated 580,000 cubic yards, from which 2,209 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £22,212 10s. 7d., were recovered. The dredge is electrically operated and fitted with 5-cubic-feet buckets. New River, Orey County.—This Diesel-powered dredge, fitted with 4-cubie-feet buckets, dug 308,045 cubic yards in the New River, which yielded 1,498 oz. 4 dwt. of gold, valued at £12,356 os. lid. Nemona Dredge, Orey County.—Operating in Cockeye Creek, this electrically-operated dredge, fitted with feet buckets, dug 400,300 cubic yards, which yielded 1,199 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, worth £11,008 lis. 6d. Bundi Dredge, Orey County.—This dredge operated on two shifts, employing fifteen men for part of the year, and dug 279,516 cubic yards for a return of 1,663 oz. 8 dwt. 23 gr., to the value of £12,224 4s. 9d. Operations ceased on 31st August, and offers were invited for the purchase of the company's plant and dredging claim soon after this date. White's Electric Dredge, Grey County. -Equipped with gold-saving apparatus suitable for the recovery of gold from the black-sand deposits at Barrytown, this electrically-operated dredge, using 4-cubic-feet buckets in 16 ft. ground, dug 335,420 cubic yards and recovered 1,458 oz. 9 dwt. of gold, which realized £11,645 12s. Barrytown Dredge, Grey County.—The yardage treated by this dredge was 3,018,000, from which 8,928 oz. 4 dwt. 19 gr. of gold was obtained, the value being £75,032 os. Bd. The average depth of ground worked during the period was 30 ft., using 12-cubic-feet buckets, and difficulties were experienced on part of the area dredged due to encountering buried timber. Experiments with a pilot flotation plant were carried out with the object of increasing the gold recovery, exhaustive tests being taken, but the savings effected were not commensurate with the expense incurred in treatment; consequently, the idea of utilizing the flotation process was abandoned. Ngahere Dredge, Grey County.—A now dredge erected by the Railways Department's engineering staff for the Ngahere Gold Dredging, Ltd., was completed and had a trial run by the last month of this year. An area containing a large proved yardage of payable ground situated north of the Grey River and opposite Ngahere will give many years of dredging. The following details of the dredge were kindly supplied by the company's manager:— Construction : All steel. Electrically operated. The pontoon dimensions are ; Length, 170 ft.; width, 72 ft.; depth, 12 ft. ; and there are twenty-eight water-tight compartmonts ; total weight of hull, 600 tons. The diggingladder is 142 ft. 4 in. long between centres and weighs 187| tons, the weight with rollers and bottom tumbler being 241 tons. The normal digging depth is 70 ft. at 45 degrees, and the maximum is 75 ft. at 48 degrees. These depths are below water-level. The dredge will dig to 104 ft. when carrying a bank of 29 ft. The buckets are 18-eubic-feet capacity, and there are ninety-fivo on tho band, discharging at the rate of twenty-two per minute. The buckets pins are 8 in. diameter, and the working weight of the band is 215 tons. Tho screen is 9 ft. diameter and 52 ft. 6 in. in length over all, and makes 5-92 revolutions per minute. Perforations : Five bands xV in. to m., 1 band $ in. to £ in., one band J in. to 1 in. Tho stacker ladder is 203 ft. betwen centres, and the conveyor belt 44 in. in width. The dredge is spud operated with two spuds each weighing 53 tons. Gold saving is effected by short riffle tables discharging into Bendelari jigs, of which there are twelve four-hutch primaries. Concentrates from primary jigs is pumped to two secondary jigs, the first two hutches of which discharge to amalgamating plates, the remaining two hutches in each being in closed circuit. The total water-pumping capacity provided is 14,650 gallons per minute. The total motor horse-power provided is 1,573. The principal units are —Main Drive : Two 250 horse-power, one each side, driving through Vulcan hydraulic couplings and Richardson gear-boxes. Ladder Hoist: One 250 horse-power, driving through Richardson reduction gear-box. Mooring-winch : One 80 horse-power, driving through Richardson reduction gear-box. Screen: One 100 horse-power, driving through Richardson reduction gear-box. High-pressure Pump : One hundred and seventy horse-power direct coupled. Low-pressure Pump : One hundred horse-power direct coupled. Hopper Pumps : Sixty horse-power direct coupled. Jigs : Two 40 horse-power and two V-belt drives. Smaller motors operate cranes, footbridge, concentrate, and saveall pumps. The complete total weight of the dredge is estimated at 2,855 tons. Maori Gold Dredge, Westland County.—Maori Gold, Ltd., formerly Maori Gully (Kokiri) Gold Dredging Co., Ltd., acquired and tested an area at Callaghan's, south of Kumara, and re-erected the Nevis Diesel-electric dredge, which was purchased, dismantled, and transported from the Nevis Valley, Otago, to its present site. The re-erection was practically completed by the end of 1939. Rimu Dredge, Westland County.—Operating in ground of an average depth of 53 ft., this electrically-driven dredge, fitted with 12-cubic-feet buckets, handled a total of 2,334,721 cubic yards for a return of 9,955 oz. 16 dwt. of gold, which realized £94,185. Kanieri Dredge, Westland County.—Despite breaks in dredging-time due to encountering old workings, with a subsequent lowering of water-level and renewals of plant, 4,776,000 cubic yards were dredged and 14,700 oz. 2 dwt. 14 gr. of gold were recovered, which roalized £124,279 9s. lid. Arahura Dredge, Westland County.—Dredge-construction was completed by the New Zealand Railways Department's engineering staff by the end of July, and on Ist August digging commenced. By the end of the year 1,600,000 cubic yards had been dug and treated for a recovery of 5,553 oz. 10 dwt. of gold, valued at £49,124 os. sd. Okarito Five-mile Beach Dredge, Westland County.—A volume of 310,638 cubic yards of black sand were dredged for a return of 1,244 oz., which realized £10,096. Gillespie's Beach Dredge, Westland County.—A broken working year due to the general overhaul of the dredge and attaching of auxiliary pontoons resulted in smaller yardage and decreased returns. Altogether, 546,636 cubic yards of material were treated for a return of 1,174 oz. 4 dwt., which realized £11,036 7s. Bd. Dredge-construction. The Arahura, Ngahere, and Maori Gold Dredges were completed during the year, and the first mentioned added to the total gold-production for 1939. The Snowy River Dredge is well advanced and will be in operation during 1940.
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Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd., have preparations in hand for the construction of five dredges—two at Atarau, .one at Rediacks, one at Marsden, and a fifth at Mawheraiti. Financial arrangements are completed for the erection of a large dredge on the Feremakau River, and a similar plant on the Mikonui River, near Ross, by two companies who have prospected the areas and proved them worthy of exploitation with gold at its present value. Alluvial Mining. Marlborough County. Waikakaho Deep Lead Gold-mining Co.—Operations in this mine have been confined to driving from the bottom of shaft a crosscut through schist rock which will terminate at a distance of about 250 ft. from the shaft chamber and under the deepest part of the gutter proved by boring. ~ , lU Sparke and Party, Mahakipawa.—This party struck a very rich patch of gold in their workings south of the old King Solomon Mine, but drainage difficulties and heavy ground forced them to abandon the claim before the remaining profitable wash could be worked out. . , .. „ . The rest of the alluvial gold produced in the county was won m the Wakamanna and Deep Creek areas chiefly by subsidized miners. Fifty-one men were employed in alluvial mining in this county and won 489 oz. 1 dwt. 8 gr., valued at £3,758 lis. 9d. Collingwood County. Production of gold in this county was confined to the efforts of eighteen subsidized miners, who produced 108 oz. 11 dwt. 12 gr., worth £875 19s. Takaka County. Olover's Flat Syndicate—Manoy Bros, claim : A small yardage was treated by two men and a working manager with the use of mechanical appliances for the handling of heavy boulders and elevating the wash to surface sluiceboxes. A total of twelve subsidized and other alluvial miners won 16 oz. 11 dwt. 8 gr., which realized £124 9s. Waimea County. Twelve subsidized men employed on claims situated on the Baton and Wangapeka Rivers produced 26 oz. of gold, valued at £201 14s. 2d. Murchison County. Olenroy Gold, Ltd.—This claim was worked for a short period after completing the new tunnel tail-race and produced 39 oz. 10 dwt. 23 gr., to the value of £319 9s. 2d., before closing down. Newton Flat Gold-mining Co.—This ground-sluicing proposition was worked lor a few months, only a small yardage being handled. The company's finance has been expended chiefly on the installation of a stoning plant, which did not operate successfully. . The Maud, Maggie, Louis, and New Creek areas continue to produce the bulk of alluvial gold won in the county. b inning of the year thc r e.erection of Tait's drag-line plant in the Maud Creek had been completed bv the provision of a Government subsidy, and an exhaustive test was made of the machine's capabilities. It was proved that the cost of operating the plant was too high, chiefly on account of the necessity for frequent removals and re-setting-up, which was brought about owing to the difficulty of disposing of tailings ; consequently, work was discontinued, and the owner offered his plant for sale as it stands on the ground at Maud Creek. During the year 123 men were employed in the county at alluvial mining and produced 882 oz. lb dwt. 3 gr. of gold, realizing £6,869 12s. 2d. These figures exclude returns from dredges, but include gold won from all other alluvial-mining operations. Buller County. Addison's Flat Gold-mining Co.—The company employed ten men on hydraulic sluicing and elevating operations on their claim and worked 10 acres of ground, which averaged a depth of 12ft. Renewal of plant and adjustment of pipe-line during the period were effected and reduced the working-time on production by three months and a half; also, one month was lost owing to shortage of water m the autumn. A total of 147 000 cubic yards of material were treated for a return of 703 oz. 8 dwt. 12 gr., which realized £5,765 os. 7d. ' Totara Gold-mining Co.—The company operated intermittently on black-sand deposits near Charleston. Fifty-five men were engaged at alluvial mining in this county and produced 1,184 oz. 13 dwt. 2 gr., valued at £9,629 Bs. 2d. ; these figures include all alluvial gold won in the county during the year under review. Inangahua County. Waitahu Gold-mining Co.—Nine men were employed on this claim, and by hydraulic elevating and g rou nd sluicing put 251,500 cubic yards through the sluice-boxes for a recovery of 634 oz. 14 dwt., worth £0,-71 ss. 7d. Mount David Sluicing Co.—No mining was carried out on the claim during the year, but arrangements were made between the receivers and a tribute party to recondition the main water-race and work the claim. The party of four men carried on until all available funds were exhausted, and then ceased operations. During the period under review fifty men were employed in alluvial mining in the county, and the total production was 858 oz. 1 dwt. 3 gr., valued at £6,984 lis. (id. These figures include all gold won from alluvial workings. Grey County. Golden Valley Sluicing Claim.—This claim was worked until March and employed four men, who recovered 33 oz. 9 dwt., valued at £250 9s. 3d. The pipe-line and plant on the claim were partially dismantled on cessation of operations. . . , , , .. , . Golden Sands Sluicing Claim, Barry town.—The company carried on continuous sluicing and hydraulic elevating during the year and treated 154,000 cubic yards for a return of 527 oz. 5 dwt., valued at £4,961 2s. sd. Moonlight Goldjields Sluicing Claim.—Sixteen men were employed by the company in recovering; byground sluicing 1 076 oz 9 dwt. from 243,720 cubic yards of wash and overburden. This return realized £10,388. The 30 in. pipe-line, one and a half miles in length, has been overhauled and relaid, an improvement that will tend to reduce working-costs and lessen the risk of breakdowns and subsequent loss of sluicing-time due to Sh ° Tt WeUhmarts l Claim, Marsden.—Part of the area comprising this claim was worked by Auckland Alluvials, Ltd., successors to Addison's Exploration, Ltd., which went into liquidation. The new company substituted a two-stage 10 in. Thompson pump driven by a 160 horse-power electric motor for the mechanical shovel and wheel transport used by their predecessors, and ground sluiced 6-6 acres. The company ceased operations at the end of the year. Hohonu Sluicing Claim, Greenstone—This claim is now privately owned, and the holder employed four men in ground-sluicing operations on a face up to 200 ft. in height. , Kumara Goldfields Syndicate, Payne's Gully.—Tributers worked this claim for part of the year and won 51 oz„ ValU< Thettotal number of men engaged in alluvial mining in the Grey County was 193, and the gold-production was 2,968 oz. 3 dwt. 22 gr., valued at £25,371 14s. 3d. These figures include the yields from all mming claims in the county with the exception of dredges.
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Westland County. Stafford Sluicing Co.—Operations were conducted intermittently during the year after' the restoration of the pipe-line and water-races was completed. Mcintosh, Hyndman, and Party.—Five men were employed in ground sluicing at Back Creek, near Rimu. A mechanical stoning plant was in use, which enabled the party to work successfully the heavy ground encountered in a high terrace face. The total number of men engaged in alluvial mining in the Westland County was 135, and the gold-production was 1,140 oz. 13 dwt. 13 gr., valued at £8,507 Bs. lOd. These figures include the Stafford sluicing claim and Mcintosh, Hyndman, and party's claim and all the small alluvial claims, but not the dredges. Minerals other than Gold. Asbestos.—The Hume Pipe Co., holders of an extensive mineral license at Upper Takaka, drove 170 ft. at the lowest level prospected on the lease, and proved that the asbestos deposit is of sufficient magnitude to warrant the construction of a new road of sufficient width and suitable grade to enable machinery for treatment purposes to be transported to the field. Four men were employed on prospecting operations and a contract party on roadconstruction work. A small crusher was installed to reduce the asbestos rock and obtain samples of' fibre, but no production for commercial purposes was undertaken. Jron-ore.—The State Iron and Steel Department's prospecting campaign was continued on several blocks, and the estimation of tonnage has reached a stage where definite figures can be submitted. The Onekaka Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., quarried and ground approximately 319 tons of iron-ore for shipment for gas-purification purposes. Mica and Felspar.—A small quantity of selected rock was quarried at Mabel Bay, Charleston, and crushed to obtain powdered mica and felspar, which was despatched to Wellington to be used for experimental purposes. Petroleum.—Approximately 800 gallons were produced from the Kotoku field, valued at £23. No drilling was carried out on the areas held under license, which include the Kotoku seepages. Silver.—From the bullion recovered by five dredges in the West Coast district, the total of silver returned was 1,290 oz., valued at £123 Bs. 6d. Steatite.—The prospecting syndicate which holds a mineral license over an area at Wainihinihi, Taipo River, carried out further prospecting operations and organization of a company to exploit the steatite deposit. Tungsten.—Twenty hundredweight of scheelite, valued at approximately £240, were recovered by two men from the retreatment of tailings stacked at the Golden Bar battery, Wakamarina. Prospecting. The Mines and Labour Departments up to 31st March, 1939, jointly continued prospecting operations on the Reefton field, and on the Ist April the Mines Department took over all the mining responsibilities of the Labour Department. Subsidized mining has been discontinued in the Inangahua, Buller, Takaka, and Collingwood Counties, but operations in the Grey, Westland, Murchison, and Marlborough Counties are continuing on a reorganized basis. Alluvial drilling was continued both on new areas and ahead of operating dredges, a total of 198 holes being bored on eighteen areas. Fatal Accidents. It is pleasing to record that no fatal accidents occurred during the year under review. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On 10th January F. Thomson, an employee at the Alexander Mine, had the misfortune to cut his right foot severely with an axe, thereby losing a toe. On 15th March while employed at the Blackwater Mine on stoping operations, Joseph Devis was struck by a piece of rock which fell out of the back or side of the stope, and sustained a fracture of the vertex of the skull. On 3rd April William Hamilton, bush foreman employed by the Barrytown Gold-dredge, was struck by the headline while inspecting same and suffered a simple fracture between the calf and the ankle. On 29th May D. W. Gillies, employed in the shore gang working on the Kanieri Dredging Co.'s claim, was caught in the starboard bowline and sustained a compound fracture of the leg. On 22nd June, while employed on stoping operations at the Alexander Mine, Peter Davis received a severe injury to his eye, caused by a piece of quartz which flew from a rock he was breaking. The injured man's eye was later removed. In August G. Kilmartin, a subsidized prospector working at the Big Bend, in the Anatoki area, Takaka County, had his leg jammed by a boulder which fell from the face of the drive he was putting in. His injuries consisted of a' broken lower leg and bruises. On 22nd August Frederick Harwood, a miner employed at the Blackwater Mine, had his right leg fractured by a fall while timbering in the stope. On 10th December James Lamberton, a labourer employed on the Kanieri Dredge, slipped on the bucket ladder and broke his left leg. General Remarks : Mining. Gold won from alluvial mining (other than dredging) amounted to 7,674 oz. II dwt. 23 gr., valued at £62,323 Bs. 10d., which represents a decrease of 389 oz. 9 dwt. 4 gr., but owing to the increased price of gold the value is still greater by £1,335 13s. Bd. when compared with the preceding year's figures. The number of men in this branch of the industry decreased by 209 to 649. Gold won by dredges amounted to 69,23.1 oz. 12 dwt. 7 gr., valued at £628,717 ss. 9d., which represents an increase of 26,229 oz. 8 dwt., valued at £274,891 Is. over last year's production. Although three new dredges were added to the fleet, the Arahura Dredge operated for only four months of the period, and the Ngahere and Maori Gold (Callaghan's) were just completed at the end of the year and did not contribute towards the gold yield from dredging. The number of men engaged in active dredging operations was 382, an increase of 62 over the previous year. The average number of men engaged on dredge-construction showed a decline when compared with the previous year's figures, owing chiefly to the completion of contracts by the Railways Department's engineering Gold won from quartz-mines during the year amounted to 30,217 oz. 4 dwt., valued at £265,350 13s. 3d. These figures show an increase over the previous year's figures of 7,363 oz. 4 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £76,409 6s. lOd! the disparity between the number of ounces and the value being accounted for by the increased value realized on gold sales during 1939. The number of men employed in producing quartz-mines was 305, a decrease of 5 over the previous year. The total quantity won from all branches of mining was 107,123 oz. 8 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £956,391 7s IGd This represents an increase of 33,203 oz. 3 dwt. 8 gr„ valued at £352,636 Is. 6d. In these totals the disparity between the number of ounces and the value is accounted for by the increased value realized on gold sales during the year under review. During the year the total number of men engaged in actual gold-mining operations decreased by 152 to 1,336. A considerable amount of employment indirectly connected with the year's gold-production was given to lode and alluvial prospectors, dredge-construction crews, and gangs of men employed in road and water-race construction and the laying of pipe-lines.
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Prosecutions. A dredgemaster was prosecuted and fined 10s. and costs for committing a breach of section 260 of the Mining Act, 1926, this being the only prosecution during the year. Boring. A summary of boring activities carried out during the year by Government Departments, companies, and syndicates is set out hereunder : — ,N.Z. Prospecting and Mining, Ltd. m Kotuku —Situation: On ordinary prospecting licenses held by the company m Block 11, Brunner Survey District Operations were carried out with a Keystone machine using 6 in. casing and 7| in. shoe. Seven holes were put down on the area. Rimu Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. m Rimu flat Situation : Drilling on the Rimu Flat ahead of the company's dredge was continued during f h l m "ar S ix hota only being put down. A Keystone drill was used with 6 in. casing and 7J in. shoe. /o\ 'I'r.inm Vint. Situation: On ordinary prospecting licenses in Block XIII, Mawheraiti Survey District, held in the name of W. J. Radford. The Mines Department's No. 5 alluvial drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and 7J in. shoe, was used to put down a further two holes. Operations ceased in January. Kanieri Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Kanieri. —Situation : On company's special dredging claim No. K. 604 Block I Kanieri Survey District. Thirteen holes were bored with a Keystone drill equipped with 6 in. casing and 7J in. shoe. Grey River Dredging Co., Ltd. (1) Ikamatua. —Situation: On company's area held under special dredging claim license No. 8649. A Government No. 5 drill using 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe was used to put down thirty-eight holes. Barrytown Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Barn/feram.-Situation: On company's special dredging claim Block V, Wahvhero Survey District. The company using a Keystone drill equipped with 6 in. casing and 7J in. shoe, put down eight holes. Arahura Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Arahura. —Situation: On company's special dredging claim, Block II Kanieri Survey District. A Keystone drill equipped with 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe was used to put down three holes. Burma Malay Tin, Ltd. m Kamtea Area.—Situation: Block XII, Waimea Survey District, on ordinary prospecting licenses held bv Walter Rogers. The Company's own drill, using 6 in. casing and 7Jm. shoe, put down thirteen holes. VsTltoX -Situation: Blocks XI and XV, Mawheraiti Survey District on old title freehold land owned by J. O'Malley. The company's drill, equipped with 6in casing and 7£in. shoe, was used to put down eig h ° le % Camerons —Situation: New River areas, Block 111, Waimea Survey District on land held under ordinaiy prospecting licenses by Bundi Tin, Ltd. This company's drill, equipped with 6 in, casing and 7* m. shoe, was used to put down thirteen holes. Austral Malay Tin, Ltd. (1) Reefton.- Situation: On an area at Capleston held under ordinary prospecting licenses by W. L. Hughes. iJtSVV mi •*> <•>»- —«- "«■ >"»• iMih " 8 — in progress at the end of the year on this area. Hohonu Development Syndicate. (1) Teremakau Settlement-Situation: Block XIII, Hohonu Survey District. Five holes were put down with a Government No. 2 alluvial drill using 6 in. casing and 7jin. shoe. Department of Labour. (I) Wakamarina Valley.Situation: Block XIV, Wakamarina Survey District. A Government No. 5 percussion drill, equipped with 4 in. casing and sJin. shoe, was used to drill nme holes during the year. Mines Department. (1) Ross Aerodrome. —Situation : In Block IT, Totara Survey District. A Government. alluviall drill No 3 j i j„ wn 4- wn hoipq The drill used 44 m. and 6 in. casings with in. and 7$ in. snoes, work "befng completecMn February.' L hole was bortd in 1938, making a, total of three when the work was abandoned. Drilling by J. S. Langford. a 1 Reefton —Situation: At Italian and Raglan Creeks, on ordinary prospecting licenses held by J. S. Langford aid T. L. Blair in Blocks VI and VIII, Reefton Survey District. A Keystone machine, using 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe, was used to put down twenty-one holes. Drilling by McMahon and Lee. 11l Teremakau Situation : At Teremakau Beach, Block VII, Waimea Survey District. McMahon and Lee used 1 Government No. 2 alluvial drill to put down thirteen holes. The drill was equipped with (»in. casing and 7 J in. shoe. Drilling by Slab Hut Syndicate. m Ikamatua —Situation : Block IV, Waitahu Survey District. The Slab Hut Syndicate used a Government No. 3 alluvial drill to put down thirty-three holes. The drill was equipped with 6m. casing and 7J in. shoe. Diamond Drilling. This work was completed at the end of April.
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SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (T. McMillan, Inspector of Mines). Quabtz and Alluvial Mining. Waitalci County. Sluicing operations have been continued by the tribute party in tho Golden Gully areas held by the Maerewhenua Goldfields Developments, Ltd., whenever water has been available. Five men employed. Prospecting and sluicing operations have also been carried on in the Maerewhenua mining area by Mining H,ouse Concessions, Ltd. A total of eighteen men (inclusive of companies) has been employed in the Waitaki County during the year, winning 223 oz. 19 dwt. 8 gr., valued at £1,874 12s. 3d. Waihemo County. Macrae's Flat Gold and Scheelite Co., Ltd.,, Golden Point Mine, Deep Dell, Macrae's.—Eight men have been employed at the mine and treatment plant. Mining operations have been carried on in both the home reef and the dip reef above the low-level tunnel. Several tons of scheelite-bearing ore were recovered during the year. Gallery Party, previously known as Callery and Bradbroolc, Hound Hill Mine, alongside the 'Macrae's-Golden Point Road. Prospecting and mining operations have been actively carried on during the year. There have been 764 tons of ore treated at the treatment plant in Deep Dell. Galli Gold-mining Co., Macrae's. —Work was carried on at the 70 ft. level during the early part of the year. The inflow of water below the 70 ft. level was larger than the capacity of the pump, and sinking Operations were carried out on the surface for a short period. Operations were then suspended. Macrae's Gold-mining Co. —Tho two gravel-pumping plants have been operating steadily on the lower and mid sections of the Macrae's Flat, above and below the township. The depth of Operations has ranged from 10 ft. to 50 ft., and 121,200 yards of auriferous gravels have been elevated by the gravel-pump method. The Macraeburn Mining Co. has done further prospecting work on the upper end of the Macrae's Flat, and has installed some plant, but is held up at present until a suitable transformer is obtained., A total of sixteen men has been employed in the alluvial mines of the Waihemo County during the year, winning 892 oz. 4 dwt. 9 gr. of gold, valued at £7,027 15s. 2d. Mdniotoio County. Earl and Brown Mining Party, Ophir.—Two men have been employed at this mine during the year, and 170 .tons of ore were treated at the treatment plant during the year. Kildare Consolidated Gold Mining Co., Ltd.■— Sluicing operations have been carried out in Redmile Gully and neighbouring areas. Vinegar Hill Sluicing Co., Ltd., Vinegar Hill, Cambrians.—Active mining operations have been carried on at the Vinegar Hill alluvial mine. The available supply of water is utilized to the best advantage. Patearoa Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Patearoa.- —Mining operations have been carried on in the two mines by sluicing and elevating whenever water has been available. In order to further improve the water-supply, another largo storage dam has been constructed during the year. , The various privately owned alluvial mines in the Naseby, Cambrians, Vinegar Hill, Kyeburn, and Patearoa districts have been operated steadily whenever water has been available. A total of seventy-eight men (inclusive of companies) has been employed in the alluvial mines of the Maniototo County during the year, winning 1,469 oz. 19 dwt. 18 gr. of gold, valued at £11,451 4s. Tuapeka County. New Gabriels Gully Sluicing Co., Ltd., Blue Spur.—Sluicing operations were 1 carried on for some time in the remaining portion of the hard cement at the head of Gabriels Gully ; tlifen, on account of tho hardness and low values, the plant was removed to the tailings beyond tho original blacksmith's shop. These tailings are now being tested, and, if results are satisfactory, will be again sluiced and elevated. M. S. Thompson, Wethefstones. —Sluicing and elevating' ojierititins have' been carried on in the Wetherstones area during the year whenever water has been available. Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Waitahuna.—Sluicing and elevating oj&rat'itins have been carried on steadily in the south-west corner of the Waitahuna Township. Sailors Gully Sluicing Co., Ltd., Waitahuna Gully.—Sluicing and eleVatihg operations Were discontinued in the bed of the Waitahuna Valley on account of the hard, low-Value cement! Tfce gully tin tlie right-hand or eastern side of the valley was then sluiced ; when this was worked out, the plant Wis 1 shifted to the valley ea§t of Waitahuna Gully, where sluicing and elevating operations have' been continued during the year. Tuapeka.Mouth Sluicing Co., Ltd.—The low-pressure turbine " Rees-R'oturbO'" p'umpiiig plant has been in operation whenever the water-supply has been adequate. The Fifty-five Gold, Mine, Tuapelca Mouth.—Operations were continued at th 6 lower end' of the mine, but on account of heavy boulders progress was slow. The plant and pipe-lines wfere then removed to the mid-section of the mine, and opening-out operations were commenced in this section. Thiß mine was closed do'w'h temporarily during the latter part of the year. The Fruidburn Sluicing Co. closed down, and the plant has now befe'ft'removed. Pleasant Valley, Clutha River Gorge, above Coal Creek.—The electric-power line was extended from the RoxburghAlexandra Main Road to the mine in the gorge. A winch was also installed fOr' hauling large stones. The pump was installed on tho bank of the Clutha River. Operations were commenced' by Sluicing methods, and then the gravelpump had to be brought into commission in order to lodfite the deep lead or bui-ied riVer coui'ste. This operation proved to be very difficult on account of a mass of large boulders, which had' apparently slipped from the stefep side of the gorge and buried up the channel. Operations were suspended diiring the'litter part of the year. A total of fifty-nine men (inclusive of the companies) was employed dririhg the year, and the gold won amounted to 1,414 oz. 5 dwt. II gr., valued at £11,571 2s. 7d. Sruce 1 County. Glenore Mining Syndicate. —Gravel-pump operations were continued on the 'Tokomairiro River flats between Glcnoro and Mount Stuart for a short period. Operations were then suspended. Taieri County. A total of nine men was employed in the Taieri County during the year', Winning 12 oz. 3 dwt. 8 gr. of gold, valued at £87 9s. 7d. ' Waikouaiti County. One man has been employed in this county, winning 7 dwt. 10'gr, 8f gold, valued at £2'iss. 6d. Southland County. Nokomai Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Nokomai, near Parawa.—Sluicing, elevating, and gravel-pumping operations have been actively carried on during the year. The extreme weather conditions during the winter months caused a short cessation of work at this mine. The large-dimension gravel-pumps have operated successfully, and it is now the intention of the company to expedite operations and reduce Wear-and-tear of 1 pump liners and impellers by installing a drag-line to drag the major portion of the tailings as they emerge from the end of the sluiee-boxes. The gravel-pumps will thus handle less rough abrasive materials and the tailings will be deposited more directly into the worked ground, and thus cut out handling on the surface and prevent blockage of the creek.
5--C. 2.
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Winding Greek Syndicate. —Sluicing operations were continued on tho King Solomon tailings (lump. A. Mutch, Happy Valley, Waikaia,—Active sluicing and elevating operations have been carried on at the lower end of Happy Valley in shallow alluvial material. . . Freshford Mining Syndicate. —Prospecting operations were continued for some time, but, on account oi low values, operations were suspended and the plant was sold for removal. Stewart Gold Co., Little Waikalca. —Very little work has been done on this area during the year. A total of seventy-two men (inclusive of the companies) has been employed in the alluvial mines of the Southland County during tho year, winning gold to the amount of 2,017 oz. 15 dwt., valued at £16,658 19s. Wallace County. Round Hill Gold-mining Go., Ltd., Bound Hill.—Active sluicing and elevating operations have been carried out during the year, and approximately 10 acres, with an average depth of 50 ft., have been mined by means oi the plentiful water-supply from the Longwood Range. This water is used effectively. The large quantities of dnitwood contained in the overburden 1 - are handled by means of a main- and tail-rope haulage. _ # t Orepuki Mining Syndicate, Old Township Diggings, Orepuki —Operations have been continued m the previously driven ground by sluicing methods. J. Telfer is also sluicing in these old diggings. Other small parties and independent miners are employed in the old workings in the Orepuki, Bound Hill, and Pahia mining areas. . , ~ A total of sixty-throe lAen (inclusive of the companies) was employed in the Wallace County, and the gold won amounted to 2,685 oz. 9 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £22,569 9s. lid. Fiord County. No gold has been won in the Fiord County during the year. Lake County. Glcnorchy Scheelite Mining Co., Ltd.—Mining operations have boon carried on at this mine on the western slope of Mount Judah during tho major portion of the year. Stoping operations have been carried out mainly in the No. 1 and No. Ia levels. Prospecting work has been carried out in other portions of this mine, lwo hundred tons of ore have been sent to the plant, and this has yielded 9 tons 5 cwt. of scheelite concentrates. On account of tho outbreak of war and the necessity of ensuring that New Zealand ore would not reach enemy countries, the export of concentrates was prohibited, and only a small proportion of this output was sold during 193 J. lho approximate value is £1,850. , . ~ Heather Joek Syndicate.—This high-altitude mine has been in active operation during those portions ol the year when weather conditions were suitable. A considerable amount of prospecting and development was carried out in the southern end of the mine during the early part of the year, and the operations were transferred to the northern section of the mine. Five men were employed, and the picked scheelite ore amounted to tons. This yielded 9 tons of concentrates when treated at tho treatment plants. Tungsten Minerals,, Ltd.—This mine is south of the Glenorchy scheelite mine. Only a small amount oi work has been done at this mine during the year. , Sunshine Mine.—Only a small amount of work has been carried out at this mine during the year. Work has been carried out in other sections of the Bonnie Jean Basin during the major portion of the year. Sharpe Bros, have continued to operate their mine in tho Bonnie Jean Gorge, and have erected screening and jigging plant for the treatment of the ore obtained. . J R Tripp has continued to operate at Groves, alongside the Bonnio Jean Track, and has installed a screen and a jig, together with a small jaw crusher, operated by a pelton wheel. Driving, stoping, and prospecting work has been carried out in this area. i ~ . .. Messrs. Valpy and Cruickshamk have continued operations in the bod of the Bucklerburn above the junction, in order to obtain gold and scheelite. , E. W. Paulin and Partner have continued operations on the slopes of Mount Mcintosh and m the .Long l*uiiy ar< 1 a Ross has continued to operate his mine on the right-hand terraco of the Bucklerburn, near the foot of Long Gully. Prospecting, driving, and stoping have been carried out, and a small crusher, to be belt driven by a internal-combustion engine, is to be installed for the purpose of treating the low-grade ore. W. McLaren and Partners have continued operations on the slopes of Mount Mcintosh, and on Black Peak a considerable amount of prospecting and driving has been carried out during the working seasons of the year. In tho Precipice Creok area operations were continued in the creek-bed for gold and scheelite. Prospecting work has also been carried out at the Twelve-mile, and the Harris Party has continued its mining operations on the Muddy Terrace section on the left-hand slopes of the mid Rees River district, where scheelite ore is being won from slipped country. , , n,, Prospecting for scheelite has also been carried out in Campbelltown and other sections oi the Glenorchy held. Sluicing operations have been continued at the Five, Eight, and Twelve Mile sections, on the shores of Lake Moonlight Valley Gold (N.L) —Sluicing operations were commenced at the beginning of the year, and the No. 1 mine was opened up at the bottom end of Shipyard Terrace, on the north side of Butchers Creek. Forty thousand cubic yards of overburden were sluiced off the auriferous gravels, and 20,578 cubic yards of wash yielded 23 oz. 18 dwt. 7 gr. of gold. The main head-race from Moonlight Creek had to be repaired, as it passes through difficult country and, as a consequence, will need attention from time to time until it reaches full carrying-capacity. Work at the mine coased on tho. 17th June for the winter. Work was not resumed after the winter, as the head-race had suffered considerably from the very severe winter conditions, and extra finance was required. Oxenbridge Shotover Gold, Ltd.—A small amount of work was done in the gorge of tho Shotover River below the Moke Creek junction, but without much success. Operations were then suspended, and the company has gone into liquidation. The plant has been removed. . The Wheeler Party operated near the Star Beach, at the mouth of the Shotover Gorge, above Arthurs ioint, until Mr. D. Wheeler met with an accident which resulted in his death. Arthurs Point Sluicing Co., Ltd., Sugar Loaf Mine.—James McMullan continued to prospect this area. His efforts were not successful at the lower end of the claim, and he removed the plant to the upper end and endeavoured to reopen this section of the mine, but it had to be abandoned. A portion of the plant has been sold, and another portion is to be loaned to J. McMullan and partners, who have taken up the Star Beach area. This area will be worked by moans of the water formerly in use at the Sugar Loaf Mine. Sandhills Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Upper Shotover.—Sluicing and elevating operations were carried out in the bed of tho Upper Shotover River in the neighbourhood of Waterfall Creek during the working season. Short and Party, Ltd, Shotover River. —Sluicing and elevating operations have been carried out in tho bed of the Shotover River below Rogers Terrace and in the vicinity of the Nugget Battery. Skippers Ltd. (Maori Point and Skippers).—During the year the major portion of the steel fluming on the Maori Point Beach has been dismantled and removed, together with other plant not required by the tributers. The sheet piling has been sold to the Public Works Department. During the latter part of tho year the tributers reconditioned tho plant on tho river-bed below Skippers Township, and operations were resumed in the river-bed. River conditions, however, have been difficult on account of heavy rainfall, with a consequent rise of the river and a flooding of the paddock.
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Mountain Terrace Sluicing Co., Skippers Greek.—No work was done at this mine during the year. Skippers Sluicing Co., Skippers.—Sluicing operations havo been continued during the working seasons of the year on the western terrace of the Shotover River between Pleasant and Stony Creeks. Central Shotover Gold Mining Co., Ltd., Deep Creek, Shotover River. —Sluicing and elevating operations in the bed of the Shotover River, downstream from the Deep Creek junction, have been carried out whenever river conditions were suitable. Crystal Quartz-mine, Sawyers Gully, Skippers.—Driving, rising, sinking, and stoping operations have been carried out during the working seasons of the year. The rising operations proved that faulting had displaced the reef between the two levels. Stoping operations have been carried out below the low level, and 191 tons of ore have been sent to the treatment plant situated in Sawyers Gully. Beale and Son continued to sluice on the terrace above the Maeetown Township until the winter season set in. Operations were not resumed in the spring-time, and the plaut is to be sold. The Ilamer Anderson Party discontinued operations in the bed of the Arrow River, and they are now- driving in the high-level terraces on the right-hand bank of tho Arrow River at the Eight-mile. Driving operations were continued by the Paterson Party on the eastern bank of the Arrow River above and below the -Billy Creek junction, but nothing of importance was located. Work was discontinued at the end of the year, and the plant is being sold for removal. Douglas and Party.—This party has continued to operate in the bed of tho Arrow River below Scolcs Bend whenever conditions wero suitable and water was available from the Arrow Rivor irrigation pipe-line. The Golden Arrow Gold Mining Co., Ltd. —Mining operations have been carried on in the bed of the Arrow River above the Bush Creek junction whenever river conditions were suitable and water was available from the Arrow River irrigation pipe-line. Operations have been hampered, however, by flood conditions in tho river. Junction Reward Mining Co., Ltd., Bush Creek, near Arrowtown. —The tributers worked the bed of the creek to the Golden Arrow boundary. Operations were then suspended, and the plant was sold. A total of ninety-nine men (inclusive of the companies) has been employed in the alluvial mines of the Lake County, winning 838 oz. 7 dwt. 16 gr. of gold, valued at £6,476 3s. 3d. Vincent County. J. Holm, Right Bank of Kawarau River, Cornish Point, opposite the upper end of Cromwell Township.—Driving operations were continued during the year, and the auriferous area was opened up by development drives. Blockingout operations wero commenced when tho limits of the auriferous deposit had been located by the drives. Blocking operations were being continued at the end of the year, and a prospect drive was being extended to the down-river section of the mine. The Bates Party continued its prospecting operations upstream from the Holm Party. The main drive was connected to the shaft workings, and prospect drives were driven up and down stream, but nothing of importance was located, and operations were suspended during the latter part of the year. Thomas and Party have taken up an area covering the main drives of the Bell-Hooper and Bell-Kilgour Mines, and propose to sluice off the heavy overburden and then sluice the remaining stumps and pillars on the line of the deep lead. Water has been obtained from the main race of the Cromwell Development Co., and wator-races, dam, and penstock are being constructed. Small parties of prospectors are operating on the Cairnmuir and Kawarau areas. Nevis Mining-field : J. Williamson, Stone Huts, Upper Nevis.—Sluicing and elevating operations were continued in the deep-lead channel near the Stone Huts. The ground proved to be very tight and, as the water pressure was low, progress was slow, and the elevating paddock was closed down for the winter. When operations were resumed in the spring-time elevating was carried on in the deep lead, and a second pipe-line was installed to test an unworked shallow-ground deposit in Camerons Gully. Jones Nevis Sluicing Co., Ltd., Whittons Greelc, Nevis. —No work was done during the beginning of the year, but when the season opened at the end of the winter F. Jones took over tho mine on a tribute basis. The McLean Bros, continued to sluice and elevate in the old township workings, and D. Adie and A. Graham continued to operate on the right-hand terrace of Schoolhouse Creek. Nevis Sluicing Claims. —During the beginning of the year J. H. Johnston worked the mine on a tribute basis, but he discontinued operations at the end of the season. The mine was taken over by J. Stephens and a party at the ond of the winter season. The Stephens Party prospected tho bottom end of the mine by cutting a deep tail-race and sluicing into this tail-race. J. Morrell continued to work the shallow ground below the old workings to the north of the Nevis sluicing claims. Reward Gold-mining Co., Ltd.—Sluicing operations have been continued at this mine, which is situated between Gorge Creek and Fruitlands. The Devonshire Sluicing Syndicate operated for a short period in a previously driven area in the old Devonshire diggings. The pump was operated by a Diesel engine. Operations were discontinued before the end of the year. Shine Again Gold-mining Co., Ltd. —During the early part of the year operations on the opencast ore-body were suspended, and the mine was shut down until the latter part of the year. The mine plant was reconditioned, the water was pumped out, and preparations were carried out on the 60 ft. level for the sinking of a winze on the east and west ore-body. The chamber was completed at the end of the year, and sinking operations will be carried out during 1940 for the purpose of testing the lower levels of this reefing system. A total of 122 mon was employed in the alluvial mines of the Vincent County during the year, winning 1,250 oz. 3 dwt. 4 gr. of gold, valued at £9,894 os. 3d. Canterbury District: Ashburton County. Three men have been omployed during the year in the Rakaia Mouth and other beaches, winning gold amounting to 24 oz. 13 dwt. 10 gr., valued at £169 19s. Bd. Dredging. Goldfields Dredging Co., Ltd., Big Beach, Shotover River, near Arthurs Point, Luke County.—Dredging operations were carried out during the early part of the year, but the results did not come up to expectations, and the dredge was closed down. The company has now gone into liquidation. This dredge is electrically operated, and the company's power-station is situated at Wye Creek. Nevis Crossing Dredge, Lower Nevis, Vincent County. — Dredging operations were continued on the left-hand river-flat above the Schoolhouse Creek junction in shallow ground until tho winter season caused a cessation of operations. Mr. Fache, the owner, succumbed to a severe illness during the winter. Operations were resumed by the estate at the beginning of the spring season. This dredge is steam driven, and eoal from the local coalfield is used for steam-generation. The Bendigo Goldlight Dredge is still beached near the Bendigo Gorge. Molyneux Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. —Dredging operations were continued in the Clutha River from below Gibraltar Rock. Dredging operations were held up for four months in the winter months, as tho river was too low to negotiate the falls upstream from this rock. Afterwards the dredge was moved upstream for 260 chains, of which approximately 60 chains proved payable. The remaining 190 chains was prospected by dredging, but proved almost barren, and in many places bare bedrock with a few feet of drift. The bedrock is hard schist rock, and in the narrow
35
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sections it is bare of wash. The dredging depths were variable and reached 50 ft. in places. This dredge is electrically operated, and power is obtained from' the Otago Power Board. A Diesel generator is also provided on the dredge, for use in case of power failure or other contingencies. Clutha River Gold-dredging, Ltd. —Dredging operations were continued in the Clutha River, downstream from the Manuherikia River junction, until the winter low level. The dredge was then taken upstream, and safely negotiated the passage below the Alexandra-Roxburgh Suspension Bridge. The intention of the company was to recondition the dredge so that it would be suitable to dredge the Earnscleugh Flats. The outbreak of war, however, mado this reconditioning impossible, and the dredge is now operating in the Clutha River between Alexandra and Earnscleugh. The dredging depth reached 65 ft. This dredge is electrically operated, and power is obtained from the Otago Central Power Board. A Diesel generator is also provided on the dredge for use in case of power failure or other contingencies. Drilling operations in the Alexandra Flats were discontinued early in the year, and the drilling crews were paid off. Aitken's Dredge, Maitland, Waikaka Valley, Southland.—This privately-owned dredge exhausted the auriferous freehold ground at Maitland, and was then dismantled and removed to the Chatton district, on the east side of the Mataura River. The dredge was reconstructed, and had been running only a few weeks when it caught fire in the early hours of a Sunday morning, and was burnt and sank in the dredge paddock. This dredge was again reconstructed and* is now operating in shallow ground. It is steam-driven, and local lignite is used for fuel. Rainbow Dredging Co., Ltd., Maitland, Waikaka Valley, Southland.—Dredging operations have been continued m freehold land in Section 23, Block I, Chatton Survey District, in the Maitland area. The ground dredged has been shallow, averaging about 7 ft. There were fifty-six men employed on the working dredges during the year, and the gold won amounted to 7,806 oz., valued at £70,732. Dredge under Construction. The Austral New Zealand Mining,. Ltd,, Lowbum, near Cromwell.—Construction work has been continued during the year, and thirty men have been employed thereon. It is expected that this dredge will be ready for a trial by the end of April, 1940. Minerals other than Gold. Platinum.—The platinum won during the year was produced by the Round Hill Mining Co., Ltd., at their alluvial mine at Round Hill, and by the Orepuki Mining: Syndicate in the old township workings, Orepuki. There were 13 oz. 6 dwt. produced, with a value of £104. Silver. —The Clutha River Dredging Co., Ltd., won 148 oz., valued at £16. Silica Sand —A. total of 2,014 tons of silica sand was produced, valued at £1,534. The producers were the Blackburn Coal Co. at Mount Somers, and R. Christie, Hyde, Central Otago. Tungsten.— The total yield of scheelite concentrates from the Glenorehy and Macrae's districts during the year amounted to 40 tons, with an approximate value of £8,000. Boring Operations. Vincent County. Clutha River Gold-dredging, fyd,, continued an extensive drilling programme on the Alexandra Flat, sixty-one holes being drilled. No. 15 and No. 16 machines, belonging to the company, were used. One hole was drilled in the Earnscleugh area. The total footage of drilling was 5,026 ft. Accidents. There were three fatal accidents during the year, as follows :■ Daniel John Wheeler received very severe injuries through being caught by the fall of a large rock in his mine at Arthur's Point, Queenstown, on the sth April, 1939, his pelvis being completely fractured and the circulation of the lower limbs cut off. He succumbed to his injuries the same day. James Williamson was killed by a fall of stone while working at his alluvial mine, Upper Nevis, on the 20th May, 1939. Death was due to a broken neck and a badly fractured skull. Percy Brown, employed at the Round Hill Alluvial Mine, Coal-pit Gully, Kyeburn Diggings, suffered a fractured /pelvis, a compound comminuted fracture of the left leg, cuts on the right side of the face, and other injuries through being struck down into the tail-race by a fall of clayey gravel from the side of the race on the 14th November, 1939. . There was one serious accident during the year : John Scott, employed as a trucker at the Golden Point Mine, Macrao's, now operated by the Macrae's Flat Gold and Scheelite Mining Co., Ltd., received injuries to his ribs and back through falling into the 40 ft. main ore pass. General Remarks. Tho gold won from (quartz mining to 909 oz. 13 dwt. 19 gr., valued at £6,971, this being a decrease of 119 oz. 1 dwt. 3 gr, with an increase in value of £156. The number of men increased by two. The gold won from filluvial nijamg amounted! to 10,836 oz. 13 dwt. 16 gr., valued at £87,845 18s. 10d., this being a decrease of 1',028 oz'. 7 gr. in quantity and £752 7s. 2d. in value. The number of men employed increased by twenty-five. The decrease in the quantity can be accounted for by the growing difficulty of production and by the floods in the rivers adversely affecting the river claims in the Shotover and Arrow districts The amount gold TOMI by dretlging, amounted to 7,805 oz. 12 dwt. 20 gr., with a value of £70,731 12s. lOd. this being a decrease of' 2:;515 oz.' in' quantity and of £17,498 in value. The number of men employed decreased by sixteen. The decrease in the output can be accounted for by the decrease in the returns of the Clutha River, Nevis Crossing, and Aitken's dredges, and the cessation of dredging by the Goldfields Dredge. With regard to scheelite-mining, tho market was uncertain during tho early months of the year. Prices hardened later on, and when war broke out the private export of scheelite concentrates ceased. The New Zealand Government is now purchasing all scheelitc on behalf of the Imperial Government. The subsidized mining scheme was taken over from the Department of Labour (Employment Division) on the Ist April, 1939. Since the Ist April the supervision of the subsidized miners has been carried out by one supervisor. An average total of forty-one men has been employed on tho scheme in the Vincent, Lake, Maniototo, and Tuapeka Countries. , . , , ~ . c The majority of the men have been employed in prospecting for gold, and in the Glenorehy district ot Lake County they have been employed prospecting for scheelite. During the period under review 183 oz. of gold, valued at £1,372, and approximately 6 tons of scheelite, valued at £1,200, have been won. Mining work is being carried out in the Cromwell-Kawarau Gorge, Nevis, Galloway, Clutha River Gorge below Alexandra, Devonshire, and Matakanui in Vincent County, at the Five, Eight, and Twelve Mile Creeks, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Upper Shotover in Lake County, at Naseby, Hyde, and Kyeburn in Maniototo County, and at Wetlierst'ones itt Tuapeka County. Prospecting work under the subsidized mining scheme (8a) has also been carried out in the Upper Waikaia district in Southland.
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ANNEXURE B.
STONE QUARRIES.
SUMMARY QP REPORT BY INSPECTOR OP QUARRIES POR THE NORTH ISLAND. (R. T. H. Dale.) The following is my report for the year ending 31st December, 1939, for stone quarries and tunnels worked under the Stone Quarries Act, 1910, in the North Island district. The statement attached gives details of the number of quarries worked, the number of men employed, and the output and valuo of the various classes of stone. Quarries. A total of 321 quarries was w.orked during 1939, a decrease of 2 as compared with tbo previous year. The number of men employed decreased from 1,954 in 1938 to 1,433 in 1939, a decrease of 521. This decrease in the number of workmen is due to the tapering-off of the work on city reserves, which involved quarrying, and also to the more efficient handling by means of machinery of the outputs of some of the large quarries. Tunnels, Wellington City Council's Sewerage Tunnels.—The tunnel has been driven north from Drummond Street to Everton Terrace, arid is now being continued towards Wellcsley College and from Wellesley College towards Sydney Street. At the last inspection the total distance driven was 7,500 ft., 6,700 ft. of which was lined and completed. The tunnel is being driven in sections . from shafts varying from 15 ft. to 50 ft. in depth. They are supported on timber, most of which is recovered when the tunnel is lined, which lining consists of precast concrete crowns and inverts set in flat concrete walls. The tunnel is semicircular top and bottom, and 6ftby 3 ft. in the clear. With the object of reducing the risk of surface damage due to tunnelling operations, 1,700 ft. of concrete pipe, 4 ft. internal diameter, has been forced, by means of hydraulic jacks, under the shallow sections. This work was done in,sections up to 128 ft. in length between jacking points. The jacking was done from each end of the section, and in every case an excellent connection was made. The tunnels are well ventilated, and electric lighting is installed throughout. The work throughout is of a very high standard. An average of forty-five men was employed for the year. Birkenhead Borough Council.•—The tunnels to provide the borough's sewerage scheme with an outfall at Brassey Road had, at the last inspection, been driven by the contractor for a total distance of 3,830 ft. in papa and clay formation. They are 6 ft. by 3 ft. 6 in. in the clear and are timbered where necessary. A total distance of 3,311 ft. has been laid with concrete sewerage pipes and sand stowed. Twenty men were employed in tunnelling and lining. Output of Stone. The bulk of the output of stone in the North Island district is being used for roading purposes, and during 1939 the output from quarries supplying material for this purpose has again increased. The output of stone for road use in 1939 was 1,169,050 tons, an increase of 58,972 tons on the 1938 total of 1,110,078 tons. A total of 172,348 tons of limestone were quarried during 1939 for the manufacture of agricultural lime and 269,724 tons for cementmaking. The tonnage of limestone used for agricultural purposes in 1939 was 172,348 tons, as compared to 181,008 tons, in 1939, a decrease of 8,660 tons. The tonnage used for cementmanufacture was 269,724 in 1939, an increase of 50,606. toi).s on the 1938 tonnage of 219,118 tons. The tonnage of stone used for miscellaneous , purposes, which includes soft stone for brick and tile manufacture, has decreased from 180,263 tons in 1938 to 75,063 in 1939. This decrease is due to the completion of various filling and reclamation works on, city reserves. The total tonnage of stone produced during the year was 1,694,862 tons, valued at £353,266 at the quarries. The tonnage for 1938 was 1,697,057 tons, valued at £325,952. Accidents. The following accidents occurred in quarries during 1939 : — Fatalities.,, On 21st March at Smale's quarry, Takapuna, Luka Yelarich, while filling a lorry at the floor of the quarry, was struck by a falling block of sandstone weighing about 2 tons and was crushed against the back of the lorry. On 15th May, at Going's lime quarry, Ruatangata, William Kaire, quarry foreman, aged forty-nine years, while preparing a charge, received fatal injuries from a premature explosion of gelignite. On 15th November, at the Rotorua County Council's quarry at Mamuku, Hector Wiringi, labourer, who was engaged cleaning up the quarry floor, received fatal injuries from a fall of earth and stone which was dislodged by stripping operations. Serious Accidents. On 13th June, at McCallum Bros.' quarry, Karamuramu Island, Edward Da vies, labourer, was assisting in the charging of a down hole with lythyte when a premature explosion occurred. He sustained injuries to his face, eyes, and hands. On 29th October, at Sinclair's quarry, Tomorata, James Scott, quarry foreman, was working alone, and was struck by a rolling stone, receiving injurios which necessitated the amputation of his right forearm.
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ANNEXURE C.
MINING STATISTICS.
Table I. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Northern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1939.
38
Average Bullion obtained by T „... i Number of nimrtz r~ Value. Locality and Name of Mine. Men quartz crusneu. employed. Amalgamation. Cyanldatlon. Waihi Borough. .... ... Tons cwt. qr. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. lV S h .S» «» '*>.«« » » 10 0 4!1 ' 7 g ,s S Silverton Battery-site • • • • • ___ SI 175 665 0 0 7 8 0 434,877 JO 0 421.,723 12 0 ' : | < Ohinemijri Cotjnty. Karangahakc— 1,664 15 0 2,933 12 6 Talisman-Dubbo .. •• 16 -,013 0 0 .. , # Q 0 g Talisman Extended .. •• 4 _ _ 78 15 0 257 2 5 New Talisman .. •• * ■ ■ 701 5 0 2,103 9 7 Waiawo f 0 l(;7 9 0 407 15 8 New Tarver .. • • • • m jy 0 500 18 i Talisman Battery-site .. 22 3 0 86 16 5 Comstock 4 0 0 .. 9 12 0 14 8 0 Rhoderick Dhu ■ • ■ • 1 Waitekauri— 108 0 0 282 4 0 .. 902 3 0 New Maoriland •• •• 29 14 0 .. 121 13 5 Frewin's Owharoa • , 44 0 0 • . 42 6 0 81 3 8 Golden Dawn •• '0 .. 741 2 0 .. 4,077 19 8 Maratoto— 7 0 0 37 8 0 17 19 9 Long Drive Komata— 144 0 0 .. 318 18 0 617 2 11 Te Ao Marama ■■ l - __ ; M 3,368 14 0 1,053 0 0 3,488 13 0 12,653 10 7 Thames County. Neavesville „ „ () 34 17 0 __ 16 5 16 4 Remuera Tapu 329 0 0 771 13 0 .. 5,129 7 3 ICernick s .. •• ' 3 0 0 25 17 0 .. 153 11 4 Shannon .. • • • • * 5 0 0 5 8 0 . . 30 13 1 Tapu Tararu- 3 0 0 4 1 0 .. 23 13 8 Eclipse Puru— i ok- o 0 24 5 0 .. 140 4 0 Golden Ridge .. 1 25 0 o Puhoi . 27 0 0 34 12 0 .. 253 9 8 Hector McDonald . . ■ ■ 2 32 8 0 .. 197 15 3 Mountain King • • • • 2 30 0 O Tairua— 102 |Q 0 36 11 0 .. 186 5 9 Western o 90 0 0 30 16 0 .. 144 15 1 Puketui o 700 760 .. 39 17 3 Prospectors .. • • • ■ 3(5" 673 10 0 1,007 14 0 .. 6,465 8 8 Thames Borough. Thames- 70 0 0 126 15 0 .. 702 17 8 Progress .. .„ „ 89 2 0 .. 512 10 6 Little Horseshoe .. 2 5 0 0 . 19 j 0 0 .. 110 9 4 Hopeful . ■ • • ■ ■ - 5 10 0 3 6 0 .. 20 3 1 Cambria .. • • ■ • - 9 9 0 . • 48 18 3 Bap _ _ • • ■ • '' „ " 210 0 2 18 0 .. 16 14 4 Commissioner .. • • £ 5 0 0 5 18 0 .. 30 9 9 Advance .. •• - 5 0 0 4 2 0 .. 24 4 4 New Bra .. .. •• 1 15 0 0 . 3 6 0 .. 18 10 2 Prospectors .. ■ • • ■ * 49 6 0 • • 243 14 5 Collections .. ■ ■ • • • ■ . ls ~ 145 10 0 313 12 0 .. 1,728 17 10
C,—2.
Table I—continued. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Northern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1939—continued.
39
Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. <* | j j Valu6 employed. | ; Amalgamation. Cyanidatlon. COROMANDEL COUNTY. Ooromandel— Tons owt. qr. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s d Hauraki .. .. .. 1 1 0 0 1 16 0 .. 11 0 3 Belle View .. .. .. 2 29 0 0 9 1 0 .. 51 15 0 Tokatea— New Royal Oak .. . . 6 1 2 2 23 6 0 . . 130 10 6 Gem .. .. .. 2 14 0 0 22 3 0 .. 130 11 3 Southland .. .. .. 2 17 0 0 10 9 0 69 2 2 Speedmint .. .. .. 2 2 0 0 110 0 67 7 3 Tiki— Pukewhau .. .. .. 2 2 9 0 10 8 0 .. 61 8 0 Progress Castle Rock .. .. 2 1 1 0 46 4 0 .. 253 5 4 Dredgers Ltd. .. .. 2 0 3 0 9 6 0 1! 55 14 5 Waikoromiko— Lone Hand .. .. .. 1 1 10 0 7 6 0 . 42 13 5 Colville— Bot .. .... .. 2 0 0 4 10 0 .. 27 14 6 Opitonui— Rexman .. .. .. 6 350 0 0 .. 130 10 0 685 16 8 Prospectors .. .. .. 2 .. 12 15 0 .. 70 4 0 30 421 5 2 168 4 0 130 10 0 1,657 2 9 Piako County. Waiorongomai— Hardy's .. .. .. | 2 10 10 0 .. 135 16 0 668 13 9 2 10 10 0 .. 135 16 0 668 13 9 771 180,284 9 2 2,549 18 0 438,632 9 0 444,897 5 7 Summary. Waihi Borough .. .. 635 175,665 0 0 7 8 0 434,877 10 0 421,723 12 0 Ohinemuri County .. .. 56 3,368 14 0 1,053 0 0 3,488 13 0 12,653 10 7 Thames County .. .. 30 673 10 0 1,007 14 0 .. 6 465 8 8 Thames Borough .. .. 18 145 10 0 313 12 0 .. 1*728 17 10 Coromandel County .. .. 30 421 5 2 168 4 0 130 10 0 l'o57 2 9 Piako County .. .. .. 2 10 10 0 .. 135 16 0 668 13 9 Totals, 1939 .. .. 771 180,284 9 2 2,549 18 0 438,632 9 0 444,897 5 7 Totals, 1938 .. .. 827 189,333 11 1 2,080 13 0 409,742 8 0 426,579 15 6
C —2.
Table I —continued. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the West Coast Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1939.
Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Southern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1939.
Summary of Inspection Districts.
40
| Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. | Na £^ r0 ' Quart, crushed. ■— - I Cyanldatlon and J employed. Amalgamation. | Concentration. Inangahua County. Tfivpr— Tons. owt. qr. Oz.dwt.gr. Oz.dwt.gr. £ s. d. Alexander 34 3,259 0 0 1,480 7 0 711 15 0 19,621 4 0 21 1,522 0 0 1,132 16 0 315 17 0 14,079 18 2 Creek (Watts and party) 3 260 0 0 52 14 0 .. 438 19 2 W Blackwater 240 49,482 0 0 IB, 110 11 0 8,331 17 0 230,559 8 11 Mount Greenland- 81 7 0 651 3 0 Greenland Gold .. • • * • • Totals, 1939 .. • • 300 54,523 0 0 20,776 8 0 9,440 16 0 265,350 13 3 Totals, 1938 .. .. 310 48,646 0 0 18,828 13 15 4,025 5 21 188,941 6 5
Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. Men °' Quartz crushed. T - Value - Employed. Amalgamation. | Concentration. Vincent County. „ Tons cwt. qr. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Bendigo t t 55 0 0 id 3 11 .. 66'10 6 Shme Again Gold-mmmg Co., Ltd. 2 55 0 o w „ lq 20 18 0 R. T. Synies.. • • • • 1 Sk J P R M Mpp .. •• 4 191 0 0 151 15 10 .. 1,207 3 9 M M r Gold and Scheelite 9 1,108 0 0 499 11 9 7 5 0 3,802 1 6 Mining Co., Ltd. 764 0 0 .. 225 14 3 1,775 4 2 L £ Galli ■' 1 15 0 0 12 14 15 .. 99 2 5 Total, 1939 •• •• ~~~24 2,133 0 0 676 14 16 232 19 3 6,791 0 4 Totals, 1938 .. •• 22~ 2,163 0 0 905 13 10 123 1 12 6,814 11 9
| Average Number of Quartz crushed. i Bullion obtained. Value. Inspection District. | Men employed. Statute Tons. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. , ... ,i T i ,, 771 180 284 441,182 7 0 444,897 5 7 Northern (North Island) .. •• 3(x) 54523 30,217 4 0 265,350 13 3 West Coast (South Island) .. • • qoq 1 't hi r 971 0 4 Southern (Otago and Southland) .. 24 2,U3 909 13 19 b,971 0 4 Totals, 1939 i,095 236,940 472,309 4 19 717,218 19 2 TotalS) 1988 T7l59 240,143 435,705 15 10 622,335 13 8 In addition, 31 persons wore employed at unproductive quartz-mining.
C. —2,
APPENDIX B.
REPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES.
The Inspecting Engineer and Chiep Inspector op Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary op Mines. g IR; Wellington, 15th May, 1940. 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, 1939, in accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. The report is divided into the following sections : — I. Output. IT. I 'ersons employed. 111. Accidcnts. IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act —(a) Permitted Explosives ; (b) 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 Coal-mines. B. Colliery Statistics.
SECTION I.—OUTPUT. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows : —
The following is a table showing the annual production of coal and the quantity of coal imported since 1912: —
The output of New Zealand collieries for 1939, 2,342,639 tons, was 120,551 tons more than the 1938 output and is the highest since 1930. From the Northern District coal-mines there was an increase of 39 988 tons from the West Coast mines an increase of 4-8,953 tons, and from the Southern District mines an increase of 31,610 tons, although in that district twenty-three less men were employed in the mines than in 1938. In the Northern District forty-four more men were employed, and the output per man, 5,064 tons, is 11-6 tons higher than the 1938 return.
6—C. 2.
41
Output o£ Coal during 1039. ; Total Output Class of Coal. to the Northern District West Coast District, Southern District End of 1939. (North Island). (South Island). (South Island). ■ Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous 71,029 973,580 .. 1,044,609 52,829,029 Brown .. 731,676 58,411 369,876 1,159,963 34,451,156 Lignite .. .. .. I. 351 136,716 138,067 5,539,884 Totals for 1939 .. 802,705 1,033,342 : 506,592 2,342,639 92,820,069 Totals for 1938 .. 762,717 984,389 j 474,982 2,222,088 90,477,430
Total Quantity of Total Quantity of Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Coal produced and Year. Coal produced, iCoal imported. Coal produced and imported. imported. I T~ \ i eSQc-)3 rwas? r~ Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1912 2,177,615 364,359 2,541,974 1926 .. 2,239,999 483,918 2,723,917 1913 1 888,005 468,940 2,356,945 1927 .. 2,366,740 378,090 2,744,830 1914 . ',275 614* 518,070 2,793,684* 1928 .. 2,436,753 247,861 2,684,614 1915 2 208,624 353,471 2,562,095 1929 .. 2,535,864 215,656 2,751,520 1916 2,257,135 293,956 2,551,091 1930 .. 2,542,092 157,943 2,700,035 1917 2 068,419 291,597 2,360,016 1931 .. 2,157,756 179,060 2,336,816 1918 2 034,250 255,332 2,289,582 1932 .. 1,842,022 103,531 1,945,553 1919 1,847,848 391.434 2,239,282 1933 .. 1,821,258 99,272 1,920,530 1920 1 843,705 476,343 2,320,048 1934 .. 2,060,315 100,715 2,161,030 1991 1809,095 822,459 2,631,554 1935 .. 2,115,184 97,398 2,212,582 1922 1,'857,819 501,478 2,359,297 1936 .. 2,140,217 111,078 2,251,295 j903 1969 834 445,792 2,415,626 1937 .. 2.277,799 116,499 2.394,298 1924 ' 2,083,207 674,483 2,757,690 1938 .. 2,222,088 109,206 2,331,294 1925 .. 2,114,995 572,573 | 2,687,568 1939 ■■ 2,342,639 111,537 2,454,176 * Includes 21 tons shale.
C. —2.
At the Kamo Colliery most of the miners are working in the No. 3 mine, where the main dip headings are now over 27 chains down from the surface. A5O ft. downthrow fault was met and driven through. Headings to east and west outbye this fault are being driven, and those oil the west side, are now in over 6 chains from the main dip. Pillaring from the east working of the No. 4 mine has been completed, and a pair of places are being driven to work an area north of the Kamo Railway-station. In the Hikurangi Mine the main or No. 1 stone drive reached the coal-seam at the No. 12 level in June, 1939, and before the end of the year it had been connected to the No. 14 west level off the No. 2a dip. All levels above the No. 9 west level had been stopped at faults when in only a few chains, but the No. 9 and the lowest west levels were driven farther in, and the No. 16 west level reached a distance of 7 chains from the line of the main drive before an inrush of water early in the year inundated all the west side workings. All places to the east are in troubled country, and the outlook for this mine appears to be a very gloomy one. From the Rotowaro Mine the 1939 output was chiefly from pillar-extraction. A new mine is being opened up west of the Rotowaro Township to work a seam of coal fully 15 ft. in thickness. A branch railway is being made from the Rotowaro Railway-station, and a new all-steel screening plant has been ordered from a reputable English maker. At the Renown Colliery, development to the north was observed after extensive repairs had been made to the haulage road to stop a widespread " creep." The main headings in this direction, however, are approaching an area of stony coal, so may not extend much farther. Development continues steadily to the south and east in good coal, and consideration is now being given to working an area farther to the east from a pair of new headings to be driven from the surface. At the Wilton No. 1 mine, pillar-extraction was continued, and the main heading in the No. 2 mine was advanced 15 chains in the 8 ft. seam. In the Glen Afton Colliery, development was chiefly in the " E " section headings and in three panels to the east off these headings. In the "L " section, a stone dip was started to cross a7O ft. downthrow fault, and in September, 1939, it was close to the 11 ft. seam which had been proved by a borehole ahead. Owing to the fire in the main return airway, no work has been done in "L " section since September, 1939, nor in the remaining pillars in " K " section. In the Mac Donald Colliery the No. 4 section has been extended nearly a quarter of a mile in good coal 23 ft. thick, and panels are being formed to the north-west and south-east. Headings are being driven to an area of unworked coal west of " A " section. At the Rotowaro carbonization works, 39,573 tons of coal were carbonized in 1939, or 161 tons more than in 1938. Prom the raw coal, 22,089 tons of carbonettes were produced, 163,922 gallons of light and heavy oils, together with 47,766 gallons of creosote and 638 tons of pitch. At the Sockburn plant the output of briquettes, 6,3J 2 tons, was 423 tons more than the output for 1938. From Messrs. Briquettes, Ltd.'s, plant at Onehunga, 1,016 tons of briquettes were produced in 1939. At Denniston a large steam plant is being installed to generate electric power for the Buller district. The older plant has been supplying Granity and the Millerton Colliery as well as the Denniston Collieries with electricity for some time, and now, to augment their hydro station supply, the Westport Borough is to purchase power from the Westport Coal Co. At the power-house on the Denniston plateau a large Babeock and Wilcox two-drum water-tube boiler is being installed. It is 18 ft. wide and 12 ft. high, and has a heating surface of 4,780 square feet. It is constructed for a final working pressure of 2501b. per square inch and a fuel temperature of 606° F. both measured at the superheater outlet. The boiler's automatic chain-grate stoker is 9 ft. wide and 12ft. long, and the superheater has 1,780 square feet of heating surfaceOwing to the much higher efficiency of such a boiler over the older plant, it is anticipated there will be a large saving in coal consumption at the power-house. The compressed-air-driven " Korfmann " coal-cutting machine purchased for use in the Strongman State Colliery was given a trial at that mine, but as the coal appeared to be of too hard a nature for such a light machine it was taken to the Morgan Dip section of the Liverpool State Colliery, where it has given satisfactory results. Beside the development in the Morgan dip area of the Liverpool Colliery, headings and levels have been driven during the year in the Kimbell west dip section, and the Anderson dip has been extended another 10 chains. The main drive of the Strongman Colliery intersected the upper seam early in 1939, and after the completion-of the return airway coal-production commenced in February, 1939. The two-mile long endless-rope system from the steel bins at Rapahoe to the engine some 30 chains underground was brought into use in September, and by the end of the year nearly 30,000 tons of coal had been produced from the new colliery. The dip of the upper seam varies considerably, and it is much faulted so development cannot, as yet, be carried out to a set plan. At the Blackball new mine the two dip drives in stone intersected the coal-seam, and a belt conveyor has been installed to carry the output up to the screens on the other side of Ford's Creek. Another conveyor from the coal face will feed the one already in place. The air-driven " Korfmann " coal-cutter is still at the Wallsend Colliery, but it has not had much use lately. The lower places in the No. 1 slant dip were flooded, and a new electrically-driven pump has been ordered to dewater this area. In the Rope Road extension section development has been continuous, and the main heading is now 38 chains down below the brow of No. 1 slant dip.
42
C.—2.
lii the Dobson Colliery development is steadily proceeding to the dip and in the Nos. 3 and 4 west level sections, but very little work has been done during the year in the No. 4 east level section. Although the compressed-air system already installed is sufficient for present needs, consideration is being given to the power requirements for future workings farther to the dip. Of the nineteen producing co-operative mines in the Grey district, the output from eight of tlicm was solely from the extraction of pillars. The production from four mines was from solid work only, and from the remaining seven mines partly from solid work and partly from pillar-extraction. A new mine was opened in the Nelson District at Westhaven during 1939, and the Mount Burnett Mine near Collingwood closed down. In the Buller district the Cardiff Mine near Seddonville, Penberth's mine in the Buller Gorge, and Price's freehold mine near Tirimoana were not worked, nor was the Phoenix and Venus Mine near Beefton, but the old Times Street mine near the town of Beefton was reopened under the name of the Terrace Mine. There was little of interest to record concerning the year's work in the Canterbury, North Otago, and Central Otago coal-mines. At the Kaitangata Colliery most of the year's development has been in the " Samson " seam dipping about 1 in 2. About a mile and a half south of the present Kaitangata Mine a prospect dip was driven in stone 1,250 ft. before it met an 8 ft. seam of coal. Another haulage road will have to be driven to work this area. In the Ohai district production by the Mossbank Coal Co. ceased when the No. 3 mine was flooded in June, 1939. Unfortunately, the dip drives put down about half a mile south of the old mine did not reach any coal, although the main dip was driven 949 ft. Production from the Star Mine ceased also, but a new south dip was driven in stone east of the old mine and reached the seam. Levels to the east of this dip have already been driven 10 chains. In the Linton Colliery development has been continued in the Nos. 7 and 8 sections, but the north headings in the No. 7 area have reached a fault and pillaring will soon be commenced. In the Wairaki Colliery development in the new area to the east is still in good coal. Boring by this company on Mills's area has also proved very successful, for workable coal was found in four out of the five bores put down. A new colliery will probably be opened up to work the area which has been bored. The production from and the number of persons employed at the colleries of the Dominion are shown in the following table: —
43
Total nut-nut fnr Total Output to Number of Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal. -T,,,,, 31st December. Persons la3a - 1939. ordinarily employed. Northern District. Tons. Tons. Waro .. .. .. .. Hikurangi .. Sub-bituminous 19,788 59,295 08 New Kamo .. .. .. Kamo .. ,, 44,738 143,658 93 Rotowaro .. .. .. Rotowaro .. Brown .. 176,020 2,797,713 304 Pultemiro .. .. .. Pukemiro .. „ .. 110,987 2,815,753 225 Wilton .. .. .. .. Glen Massey .. ,, .. 89,930 739,566 167 GlenAfton .. .. .. G!en Afton .. „ .. 72,388 1,923,981 164 MaoDonald .. .. .. Waikokowai .. „ .. 139,380 1,142,214 261 Renown .. .. .. „ .. „ .. 121,164 1,101,683 241 West Coast District. Westport-Stockton .. .. Ngakawau .. Bituminous .. 140,310 3,846,666 254 Charming Oreek .. .. .. „ .. ,, .. 30,316 183,370 53 Millerton .. .. .. Millerton .. „ .. 79,429 8,615,467 129 Dcnniston .. .. .. Lenniston .. „ .. 168,109 11,171,803 392 Cascade .. .. .. Cascade Greek „ .. 20,749 207,976 20 Burke's Creek .. .. .. Reefton .. Brown .. 22,418 335,295 40 Paparoa .. .. .. Roa .. Semi-bituminous 41,052 929,717 57 Blackball Creek .. .. .. Blackball .. Bituminous .. 12,507 132,850 28 Liverpool (State) .. .. Rewanui .. „ .. 157,372 3,246,605 343 James (State) .. .. .. Rapahoe .. Sub-bituminous 30,607 576,108 37 Strongman .. .. .. -Nine-mile .. ,, 29,786 29,786 155 New Point Elizabeth .. .. Dunollie .. ,, 9,152 105,611 14 Old Runanga .. .. .. Rewanui .. „ 9,046 83,964 16 Dobson .. .. .. Dobson .. Bituminous .. 71,677 960,545 184 Wallsend .. .. .. Brunnerton .. „ .. 53,999 774,002 137 Southern District. Klondyke .. .. .. Bush Gully .. Lignite .. 10,389 55,280 16 Kaitangata .. .. .. Kaitangata .. Brown .. 133,786 5,829,621 300 Linton (2 collieries) .. .. Ohai .. ,, .. 107,713 1,539,457 170 Wairaki .. .. „ .. 44,271 571,764 78 Star .. .. .. .. .. „ .. 13,327 74,272 33 Birchwood .. .. . . .. ,, .. 30,610 252,602 71 Black Lion .. .. .. .. „ .. 17,034 212,S47 20 Black Diamond .. .. .. Nightcaps .. „ .. 14,355 292,472 14 Paper Mills .. .. .. Mataura .. Lignite .. 11,341 11,341 4 119 other collieries .. .. All coalfields .. Various .. 308,889 13,012,375 674 Collieries abandoned or suspended, &c. Various .. ,, .. .. 29,044,410 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 2,342,639 92,820,069 4,762
C.—2.
SECTION II.—PERSONS EMPLOYED.
The following statement shows the tons of coal raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about collieries, &c., to 1939 :—
44
Average Number of Persons employed during 1939. Inspection District. Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Southern .. .. .. .. 265 665 930 West Coast .. .. .. .. 603 1,644 2,247 Northern .. .. .. .. 352 1,233 1,585 Totals, 1939 .. .. 1,220 3,542 4,762 Totals, 1938 .. .. 1,195 3,368 4,563
| Lives lost by Accidents in or Persons ordinarily employed. T , , about Collieries. Year. Output, in per each Per- r p^_ Statute Tons. son employed Per Million . J , Number Above Ground. Below Ground. I Total. below Ground. Tons Persons of Lives produced. cmploycd . lost. Prior to 1900 13,444,437 * * * * * * 165 1900 .. 1,093,990 017 1,843 2,460 593 3-65 1-62 i 1901 .. 1,239,686 68S 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 .. 2,06(3,073 1,365 2,925 4,290 706 6-77 3-26 14 1912 .. 2,177,615 1,130 3,198 4,328 681 4-13 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 21 53 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 3.9S3 715 1-93 1 00 4 1918 .. 2,034,250 1,102 2,892 3,994 703 2-95 1-50 6 1.819 .. 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 4,367 574 5-52 2'28 10 1922 .. 1,857,819 1,191 3,365 4,556 552 3-23 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 J -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 2'38 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 1933 .. 1,821,258 1,192 3,194 4,386 570 3-84 1-59 7 1934 .. 2,060,315 1,229 3,249 4,478 634 3-88 1-78 8 1935 .. 2,115,184 1,127 3,104 4,231 681 0-94 0-47 2 1936 .. 2,140,217 1,103 3,154 4,257 678 1-87 0-94 4 1937 .. 2,277,799 1,129 3,288 4,417 693 2-64 1-36 6 1938 .. 2,222,088 1,195 3,368 4,563 659 4-86 2-41 11 1939 .. 2,342,639 1,220 3,542 4,762 661 7-26 3-57 17 Totals .. 92,820,069 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5ijP * For returns for previous years see page 32, Mines Statement, 1921. t Year of Ralph's (Huntly) explosion.
C.—2.
SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1939, with their causes:—
Seventeen fatalities occurred in New Zealand coal-mines during 1939, and, of these, eleven resulted from carbon-monoxide poisoning in the Glen Afton Colliery on Sunday, 24th September, 1939. Owing to this tragedy the fatal accident rate reached the high average of 3-57 deaths per thousand persons employed, or at the rate of 7-26 per million tons of coal produced. A small fire was found in the main return airway of the Glen Afton Colliery during the morning of Saturday, 23rd September, when only the mine officials and some repair men were in the mine. It was thought to have been completely extinguished before work ceased at 2 p.m. Although no direct evidence could be got as to the actual cause of the fire, which generated a very large volume of deadly carbon-monoxide gas before men entered the mine to fix an electrical fault on the Sunday morning, the Commissioners who were appointed under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, to inquire into the cause of the loss of eleven lives arrived at the conclusion that the small fire of the Saturday morning had revived and it had caused an electrical " short." Of the other six fatalities, five occurred in the West Coast District, and one in the Wilton Colliery, in the Northern District, on 2nd June, when J. Cooper, a trucker, dislodged a carrying set of timber when he was pushing a trolley loaded with timber underneath it. A. bar resting on the carrying set in falling broke his neck. All of the fatal accidents in the West Coast District in 1939 were caused, directly or indirectly, through falls of coal or stone : one in the Ironbridge Mine ; another in the Liverpool Mine ; two by a fall of loose material through which the men were driving in the Millerton Mine ; and the fifth in the Strongman Mine, where a miner received injuries from which he subsequently died. The fatality in the Liverpool Mine was a very unusual one, for, in endeavouring to avoid a small fall of coal in his working-place, the miner struck his head violently against a prop, breaking liis neck. Nineteen serious non-fatal accidents were reported to the District Inspectors during 1939. Thirteen of them occurred in the West Coast District, four in the Southern District, and two in the Northern District. Seven of the accidents in the West Coast District and two in the Southern District were caused by falls of stone or coal. Four serious accidents were due to runaway tubs, and one man was seriously injured by being jammed between mine-tubs. Two men fell into a creek-bed when the high flume along which they were walking collapsed when struck by a falling boulder. SECTION IV.—WORKING OF THE COAL-MINES ACT. (a) Permitted Explosives. (Regulations 230 to 234 inclusive.) The following is a table showing the quantity of permitted explosives used and the number of shots fired in New Zealand coal-mines during 1939 : —
45
Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons Number of Number of Number of ' those^nlurafb'v Separate Fatal Deaths. Separate Non-fatal Accidents which Accidents. Accidents. proved Fatal to their Companions. Carbon-monoxide poisoning .... 1 11 Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust Falls of ground ...... 3 4 9 9 Explosives Haulage .. .. .. .. • ■ ■ • ® Miscellaneous—Underground .... 2 2 3 On surface .... .. • • 1 2 Totals ...... 6 17 18 19
Quantity of Per- . mitted Explosives Number of Misfired Shots. . used (lb.). ■§■§ g | Number > > ® o Inspection District. -J of 3 a! 3 g 3 $ -go. S 6 Shots flred. «.£ g-§ S 3 is 1 .2S 3 Total. IJ H S ID'S, "O ""O ° o° I § ps a a© (M | >P $ % <3 02 tt H PQ O ! Tons. Northern (i.e., North Island, ..139,053 666 182,021 .. 29 4 .. 33 709,869 West Coast (of South Island) .. 148,513 124,557 328,285 18 137 96 .. 251 1,012,027 Southern (i.e., Canterbury, Otago, .. 104,444 152,220 .. 16 20 36 381,955 and Southland) Totals .. .. 287,566 229,667 662,526 18 182 120 .. 320 2,103,851
C.—2.
(6) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives are used. The following is a list of mines as at the 31st December, 1939, at which permitted explosives are used :— Northern Inspection District. Pukemiro, Pukemiro—Throughout North and South Mines. Rotowaro, Rotowaro —Throughout No. 1 and No. 3 Mines. Glen Afton, Glen Afton —All sections of the mine. Mac Donald, Waikokowai —Throughout all sections of the mine. Waikato Extended Colliery, Huntly—All sections. Renown, Renown—All sections. Wilton, Glen Massey—All sections. West Coast Inspection District. Wynndale, Murchison. Briandale, Ten Mile. Puponga, Puponga. Cliffside (Moore's), Nine Mile. Owen, Owen River. Bellvue, Rapahoe. Brighton, Brighton. Cain's, Rapahoe. Charming Creek, Ngakawau. Jubilee, Rapahoe. Cascade, Burnett's Face. Baddeley's, Dunollie. Coal Creek, Seddonville. Braehead, Dunollie. Hydro, Seddonville. Castlepoint, Dunollie. Glencrag, Buller Gorge. Hunter's, Rewanui. Westport Coal Co.'s Denniston mines. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Westport Coal Co.'s Millerton mines. New Point Elizabeth, Dunollie. Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau. Fiery Cross, Dunollie. Archer's, Capleston. Smith's, Dunollie. Clele, Merrijigs. Old Runanga, Rewanui. Coghlan's, Capleston. Spark's, Rewanui. Morrisvale, Reefton. State Colleries (Liverpool), James, and StrongDefiance, Reefton. man). Burke's Creek, Reefton. Goldlight, Rewanui. Waitahu Colliery, Reefton. Blackball, Blackball. Burnwell (Honey's), (Times Street), Reefton. Blackball Creek, Blackball. Scliultz Creek, Twelve Mile. Paparoa, Roa. Hilltop, Ten Mile. Dobson, Dobson. Kaye's, Ten Mile. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Bellbird, Ten Mile. Westhaven, Mangarakau. Hunter's, Ten Mile. McCaffrey's, Reefton. Southern Inspection District. Kaitangata, Kaitangata. Black Diamond, Ohai. Wairaki, Ohai. Black Lion, Ohai. Birchwood, Ohai. Star, Ohai. Linton, Ohai. Fernhill, Abbotsford. Jubilee, Saddle Hill. Willowbank, East Taieri. East Taieri, East Taieri. (c) List or Mines required by Law to use Safety-lamps. The following is a list of the mines as at the 31st December, 1939, 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, Renown —Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 North Sections. West Coast Inspection District. Dobson, Dobson. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Spark's, Rewanui. Millerton (Old Dip Section), Millerton. State Mine (Liverpool No. 2), Rewanui. Owen, Owen River. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Strongman, Nine Mile. Old Runanga (Nos. 1 and 2 Sections), Rewanui. Wynndale, Murchison. Kaye's, Ten Mile. Hunter's, Rewanui. Paparoa, Roa. Bellbird, Ten Mile. Southern Inspection District. Kaitangata, Kaitangata. Black Diamond, Ohai. Wairaki, Ohai. Black Lion, Ohai. Birchwood, Ohai. Star, Ohai. Linton, Ohai.
46
C.—2.
(d) Dangerous Occurrences Reported. Of the twenty-one dangerous occurrences reported in 1939 to the District Inspectors of coal-mines, fifteen were of actual fires underground or of heating in underground workings. Five were in the Rotowaro No. 1 Mine, two in Rotowaro No. 3, and two in the Renown Mine. There were four reports of accumulations of firedamp, and one report of an ignition of gas detected by a mine-manager acting as fireman-deputy during an examination before the commencement of work. (e) Electricity at Colleries. (Regulation 241.) The following is a summary of the annual returns, in accordance with Regulation 241 (c), regarding electrical apparatus at collieries :•> — Number of collieries at which electrical apparatus is installed .. .. 61 Number of continuous-current installations .. .. .. ' .. 12 Number of alternating-current installations .. .. .. .. 51 Number of collieries electrically lighted .. .. .. .. 21 Number of collieries using electrical ventilating-machines .. .. 49 Number of collieries using electrical pumping plants .. .. .. 36 Number of collieries using electrical haulage plants .. .. .. 47 Number of collieries using electrical screening plants .. .. .. 35 Number of collieries using electrical coal-cutting machines .. .. 2 Number of collieries using electrical miscellaneous plants .. .. 28 Number of collieries using electrical locomotives .. .. .. 1 Total horse-power employed from motors on surface .. .. .. 8,136 Total horse-power employed from motors below ground .. .. .. 4,677 (/) Prosecutions. Seven informations were laid during 1939 by the Inspectors of Coal-mines for breaches of the Coal-mines Act and the regulations thereunder, and convictions were obtained in all cases. A miner and a trucker working in safety-lamp mines were charged: the miner with having smoking-material in his possession in the mine, and the trucker with having matches. A mine-manager was prosecuted for failing to start the ventilating-fan and run it continuously while workmen were in the mine, and another manager who_ was also the underviewer for the mine was convicted for not remaining underground until work had been finished for the day. A shot-firer was charged with failing to stonedust a place before firing a shot there, and a miner who did not hold a gas-testing certificate was convicted for firing a shot in his working-place. A colliery-owner was convicted for failing to forward a half-yearly return of output to the District Inspector. SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. There was no amendment to the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in 1939, but in the Statutes Amendment Act, 1939, a clause was inserted dealing with the application of moneys appropriated to assist the coalmining industry. The consolidation and revision of the regulations under the Coal-mines Act was completed early in the year, and the new regulations were gazetted on 19th July, 1939. Included therein are provisions for dealing with the operation and maintenance of mines rescue stations in coal-mining districts. The establishment of such stations is an innovation in coal-mining in New Zealand. It is with great regret that I have to record the death of Mr. William Barclay on 15th March, 1939. For nearly eighteen years Mr. Barclay had been Inspector of Coal-mines for the Northern District, and he was oil duty to within a fortnight of his death. The vacancy was filled by Mr. R. 11. Schoen who had previously been Inspector of Stone Quarries for the same district. I desire to acknowledge the efficient help and co-operation which I have received from all the District Inspectors. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.
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e.—2. «
ANNEXURE A.
SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF COAL-MINES. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (R. H. Schoen, Inspector of Coal-mines). The following is my report on the working of coal-mines in the Northern Inspection District for the year ended 31st December, 1939. Summary of Operations of each Colliery for the Year 1939. North Auckland District. Kamo Colliery.—No. 4 Mine : Pillaring of the developed area to the north of Station Road has proceeded steadily and is now complete to a line some 16 chains from the mine entrance. From a point 10 chains from the mine-mouth a pair of headings have been driven in a westerly direction through old workings with the object of opening up an area of unworked coal to the west of the Railway reserve. These drives are now 9 chains in from the main dip and appear to be just entering the solid coal. Old workings to the north are flooded, and those to the south of the drives have been sealed off to prevent heating. Serious heating occurred during the year in old workings lying to the west of the main return and adjacent to the Railway reserve, and in spite of a vigorous attempt to control it by means of numerous stoppings it was found necessary in November to flood the mine and seal it off, in the hope that it might be possible to re-enter it later. The mine has now been reopened, and prospecting to the west is being continued. No. 2 Section : Stoppings surrounding the workings in the top and bottom seam to the north of Kamo Station, an area stowed in 1938, have been maintained and renewed when necessary. No. 3 Mine : The stone drive reached the coal-seam in January and has been extended in the coal throughout the year, having now reached a point 27 chains from the surface. A large downthrow fault with a displacement of 50 ft. was passed through at 23 chains from the surface. Ventilation has been obtained by driving a stone drive a distance of 6 chains from the surface to the coal-seam at a grade of 1 in 1 and extending a back heading in the coal-seam parallel to the main dip. This has now been connected to within a short distance of the face of the drive, a short 1 in 1 stone drive being required to connect through tho 50 ft. downthrow fault. A modern fan has been erected. Pairs of development headings have been driven to east and west of the main drive with a view to opening up in these directions. The east roads have made contact with the large fault met with in tho main drive and are now being driven parallel with it in a north-east direction. Two pairs of headings have been set away west, the upper having now reached a distance of 6 chains from the main heading. Some trouble has been experienced in crossing a fault met as a small downthrow in the main dip but increasing its displacement to the west. Waro Colliery.—No. 1 Main Stone Drive : Extension of this drive was continued in hard limestone, and the drive reached the coal-seam at No. 12 level west of 2a coal dip in June, and has since been extended 1J chains in the coal-seam to connect with No. 14: level. Besides the improvement of ventilation, this extension of the main drive allowed of considerable improvement •of the mine haulage system, laybye accommodation being made in No. 12 level, and the coal being hauled to the surface by a new electrically-driven winch at the No. 1 drive. No. 2a Coal Dip : Pumping of this dip continued, but progress was slow owing to the inrush of water in November, 1938, having practically filled the lower part of the dip and workings with slurry. Great difficulty was experienced in extending the suction columns in this material, and a large amount had to be loaded and removed to the surface. The difficulty was finally overcome by means of a sand-pump and holding dams in adjacent levels. The pumps were advanced to No. 14 level and tho water held at that point, the dip being used as a sump. Development to the west continued, but Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 9 levels west encountered steep rises and faulty country, and though No. 9 was extended some 3 chains past a 20 foot fault which thinned the seam, work was finally abandoned owing to the poor and stony quality of the coal. In August two eoal dips were started at distances of 1 chain and 3 chains respectively west and east of the main dip and starting from No. 12 level. The west dip has been advanced 7} chains parallel to tho main dip. Levels 11 to 16 west were driven to distances varying from 5 to 7 chains west of the main dip in coal of varying quality up to 6 ft. thick, the levels passing through several small downthrows of 2 ft. and generally terminating on a sharp rise cutting out the seam. Extension of No. 17 level west caused an inrush of water in January, inundating the lower part of the west workings and temporarily stopping extension of the west dip. The'east dip was extended some 84 chains below No. 12 level east and parallel to the main dip. This drive went level in coal 7 ft. thick for 45 ft. when it met an upthrow of 2 ft., thinning the seam to 5 ft. This thickness persisted to 80 ft., tho coal dipping at this point. At 4 chains from No. 12 level a downthrow of . 4 ft. 6 in. crossing the dip pinched the coal to Ift. 6 in., which height persisted for 22 ft., when tho height of seam recovered to 6 ft. At 7 chains from No. 12 level a further downthrow of 2 ft. was crossed, again thinning the seam to 4 ft. 6 in. Faults, rolls in tho floor, and pinching out of the seam were encountered in all levels from No. 8 downwards driven to the oast of this dip. This was anticipated from tho occurrence of faulty ground met in levels to the east above No. 8, where two or three parallel lines of faulting were found. It would appear from information obtained from the lower levels that still other lines of faulting occur to the east of the dip, and it is unlikely in view of this that tho coal to tho east of this dip can be profitably worked. On 20th December, bore No. 2 was struck in No. 19 level east of the east dip, the coal here being approximately 6 ft. thick, as indicated when the boring was done. Fearnley's Coal-mine (Bocks Area). —Marketable coal was worked out early in tho year, and production ceased in March. Tipton and Party ( Tauranga Block). —Development of a small area of coal has been carried out by a party of fivo men, a small but regular output being maintained. The coal is 3 ft. thick and of good quality, and was left unworked in the bottom seam during former mining carried out by the Northern Coal Co. Silverdale Coal-mine. —The available coal was worked out, and operations ceased in January, 1939. Silverdale Fireclay-mine.—A party of four men is operating an opencast fireclay pit under permit on the lease formerly worked by the same party for coal. A steady output is maintained from a face 15 ft. high, the fireclay being sold to the Kamo Brickworks. Buatangata Coal-mine. —Development of tho main dip has been stopped in 4 ft. of coal some 1J chains from the Railway reserve, and three levels are being developed in a north-west direction in coal of good quality, 5 ft. thick. The mine employs eight men, the output being sold locally.
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Whare,ora Goal-mine. —Work wan resumed early in the year, and a small output has been maintained by two men from small pillars in a seam 4 ft. thick previously worked by Fox and Party. A start has been made to open up by a short dip drive what is thought to be a block of unworked coal 5 chains to the north of the present workings. Avoca Coal-mine. —Owing to haulage and pumping difficulties the drive into the new area has been stopped after reaching the coal-seam, and the small output has been obtained by stripping and openoastiiig pillars near tho outcrop of the previously worked section. The seam is blocky and highly inclined, but the coal is of good quality and commands a ready sale locally. Ngunguru Fireclay Opencast.—Opencast working of a fireclay deposit 30 ft. thick was carried out intermittently by two men on a Native lease near Kiripaka. The fireclay is shipped to Auckland, being loaded on the Ngunguru River a short distance from the opencast. Intermittent working is caused by the infrequent calls of the scows for loading. Waikato District. Rotoica.ro Collieries. —No. 3 Mine (Bottom Seam) : In this seam, which is separated from the upper seam by 40 ft. to 70 ft. of measures, development was continued in the Brown's Haulage section and is still being proceeded in the Green's Jig area in coal 9 ft. to 10 ft. thick, while in the Jones' Jig area pillar-extraction was commenced late in the year. Pillar-extraction and splitting of pillars was continued in Moody's Jig section, and the splitting of pillars in the eastern part of the section, which lies under a surface swamp, was completed, complete extraction being impossible here. Pillaring in Wilkie's dip section, north of C section haulage, continued, while in the Taylor's Jig section, to the south of this haulage, splitting of the pillars only was undertaken owing to the surface swamp. Pillaring was also carried out in the Main Jig section. Development of the stone-drive headings was continued, the main drives standing at 20 chains from the main haulage in December, while development drives to the east had advanced 14 chains. No. 1 Mine (Top Seam) : Pillar-extraction was continued in the New Haulage section. No. 4 east section, and Hogg's Jig section, north-east of the main haulage. In the Hill <50 section, south-west of the main haulage, where pillaring proceeded throughout the year, small heatings occurred in the waste, but were properly controlled by the erection of stoppings. Tn the Main Rope End section the second working of the seam proceeded, partly by pillar-extraction and partly by splitting pillars under the surface swamp and stream. A surface fire on the outcrop in this locality caused a good deal of trouble, owing to danger of its affecting a pillar in one of the working sections. By the erection of concrete dams underground, flooding, and packing with clay, the fire was eventually got under control and is now safe. Work in the Callaghan's dip section, which is being driven south-east in the bottom seam from the end of the Main Rope, was recommenced late in the year, hand methods being employed. In preparation for this a stone drive had been driven above the haulage drive originally driven in the coal-seam, in order to give a better grade. This drive is well timbered throughout with lianlwood legs and rail girders, and the material taken out has been used to stow the underdrive. An accident which occurred to a miner in the Ollis dip pillars in November illustrates the use of the hard hat preventing serious injury. Owing to a small fall from the lip, tho miner was knocked down and partially buried. He was sent to hospital, but was found to be suffering only from bruises and scratches on the neck and face, and was discharged three days later. His hard hat was damaged, and evidently saved at least a serious head injury. Development of the No. 4 mine section, north-east of the old No. 2 mine workings, has been rapidly pushed ahead. The seam worked is 20 ft. thick and of good quality. Daylight has now been reached to the north and the area is limited, but as the mine has been connected to the screens by an endless-rope jig and a haulago its coal forms a useful addition to the company's output. Allison Mine. —Preparations are being made to open up a fresh area of coal to the west of Rotowaro Village. The area should present no difficulties as regards drainage and haulage, as it lies to the rise of the two main inclines which have already been driven to the seam and are producing a small output. A switch line has been laid from Rotowaro Station to the site of the screens, the earthwork having been clone by mechanical excavator. It is intended to erect a modern set of screens by Norton Tividale, Ltd., which have already been ordered. Pulcemiro Colliery.—During the year an output of 500 tons was maintained, mostly from pillaring, though a fair amount of development of previously unworked sections was carried out in tho South Mine. In the North Mine, pillar-extraction was continued in the Straight Heading section. Conditions were somewhat difficult due to the old bords of the first working, which were driven many years ago, having fallen owing to their great width and height. Clean extraction of the remaining pillars, often only 30 ft. by 80 ft., was impossible ltiidfer the circumstances, and a small area here had to be sealed off in November owing to heating. Pillaring was also continued at the entrance to the worked-out West Drive or Brickyard area. Two dams wbre erected in the drive leading to this depillared section. Pillars were also extracted to the west of the stone drive, on No. 1 auxiliary haulage. About one-third of the output from the South Mine was obtained from pillar-extraction, which proceeded satisfactorily in the Mid section, where the seam had thinned to 7 ft., and tho Rope End section. In the latter section pillaring was commenced on the completion of panel development, while development proceeded in previously unworked blocks of coal north and south of the main haulage road, the panel to the north turning out particularly well in good-quality coal 14 ft. thick. Development of a small area held by the Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., and lying to the east was undertaken by arrangement. A strip of good-quality coal 14 ft. thick has been proved for a distance of 4 chains east of the boundary. Beyond this the coal-seam appears to be poorer in quality, and this will probably limit extension of workings to the east. The Oldham electric lamps formerly used in the South Mine have been replaced by Edison lamps of the latest type, and extensive improvements and repairs to the screens have been carried out. Glen Afton No. 7 Colliery.—Extraction of pillars in the northern half of KI panel was completed early in the year, and work on the southern half was commenced from the barrier separating the panel from K2. By September this portion of the panel was half worked out, and the men were withdrawn to other sections of tho mine following the fatalities on 24th September, tho panel being temporarily sealed off. E section headings were extended, and development of El, E2, arid E3 panels continued. A number of the iribn from K1 section were transferred to these sections. An additional outlet was made from this section by crossing the fault to the north by a stone drive cdnneCting with K section main haulage road near K3 section. This haulage road is in turn connected with tho Mac Donald Mine. This connection allows of tho use of some of the Mac Donald Mine air to ventilate one of the E panel sections. Development of L section was recommenced by driving a stone dip in a direction slightly north of east from a point 19 chains inbye from the K haulage. The drive crosses a7O ft. downthrow fault, and at a distance of 5 chains from the I. haulage is close to tho scam. Eleven feet of coal has been proved ahead of this drive by boring from the surface. Fatalities at Glen Afton Mine.—On Sunday, 24th September, the long immunity from serious accident which this colliery has enjoyed was broken by a disaster involving the death of eleven men, due to carbon-monoxide poisoning The deceased men were Christopher Blackburn, mine-manager ; William Brown, under-manager ; William Wilcox, underviewer; Richard Ireland, deputy; Walter Cole, deputy; Jack Marshall, acting-deputy; William Bell, electrician; Raymond Turley, electrician; William Peden, miner; George Hunter, shiftman; Jatties Clark, shiftman.
7—C. 2.
49
C.—2.
As every one in the mine was killed, and this included the mine-manager, both nnderviewers. and three deputies, besides both the mine electricians, direct evidence as to the happening was unobtainable. It appears that, following the report of an electrical fault in the mine which showed on the Huntly substation's instruments at approximately 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, 23rd September, and which had been traced by Waikato Central Power Board employees to the mine-mouth, it was decided by the management that the electricians, Messrs. Turley and Bell, would enter the mine to test for the " short "on the 24th at 8 a.m. They did so in the company of the examining deputies on duty, Messrs. R. Ireland and W. G. Cole, the mine fan not being started. Mr. Blackburn, the mine-manager, went into the mine about an hour later, probably to see how the testing was progressing, and by telephone message from inside the mine at about 9.30 a.m. asked for the engineer to start the fan. This was done at once. A message from Mr. W. G. Cole was also received with the same request, and a further request from Mr. Blackburn, who also asked that five experienced shiftmen be sent into the mine. Four of these, Messrs. Clark, Hunter, Marshall, and Peden entered the mine, and were followed by Messrs. W. Wilcox and W. Brown, who went in separately'. As no further message was received, Mr. Thomas, the engineer, became alarmed, entered the mine with a companion, and found the body of Mr. W. Brown in the travelling-way near J hill. Mr. Thomas and his companion had to return, as they were affected, but gave the alarm. Rescue parties worked all night and the following day in restoring ventilation and isolating a fire which was found in the main return, and the bodies of eight of the men were recovered. The bodies of R. Ireland, Turley, and Bell were found on Tuesday, 26th September, by a party who traversed the main return. A Royal Commission inquired into the cause of the fatalities, sittings being held at Huntly from 27th November to f>th December and on 22nd and 23rd January. Attempts were made on 28th to 30th December and on 19th January to reach the seat of the fire in tho main return, with partial success, and permanent stoppings were erected in the main return, 1J chains from the shaft through the J fault on the outbye side and near the J intake on the inbye side. It is thought that a fire which was shown to have occurred in the main return at the foot of this shaft during tho morning of Saturday, 23rd September, and which was not reported, was the cause of the carbon-monoxide gas which filled the workings. The fire was thought to have been extinguished at the time, but may have burnt up again later. The electrical fault indicated at Huntly on the Saturday could have been accounted for by evidence of a heavy " short" in the cable, which was enclosed in 3 in. water-pipe conduit, near E section, but it is possible that another' one occurred in the section of the main return now enclosed by stoppings. Glen Afton No. 2 Colliery.—No. 4 Section : The main headings have been extended 10 chains from the entrance in continuation of the line of B haulage. The seam is 23 ft. thick with a 6 in. parting of black clay at 16 ft., and a splint baud varying in thickness in the lower part of the seam has somewhat hindered progress. Machine-cut panels are being developed to the north-west and south-east of the main drive. A fault has been encountered in the north-west development drive at 7 chains from the main drive, and is probably a continuation of the fault bounding B3 left panel to the north-west. The north-east end of B haulage, which was narrow, has been widened to 10 ft. by 7 ft. in the clear and well timbered with square sets for a distance of 2£ chains, and preparations are being made to extend B endless-rope haulage to No. 4 section, cutting out two winches.) In A section a heading is being extended in a westerly direction to develop an area of unworked coal proved by bores to be 15 ft. thick. Pillaring in Bl right panel of B section was completed in July, and in B2 left was well advanced by the end of the year. E section headings were advanced to 35 chains from the main drive, and development is continuing in E2 left and E3 right panels, while pillaring is proceeding in El left. In E2 right the second working consists of splitting the pillars only, because of surface swamp. In El right panel, pillaring was completed in June. Pillaring in F section was completed during the year, while the seoond working of G section was commenced in July after completion of development. Graham Colliery.—Pillaring was continued throughout the year, the pillars worked being roadside pillars and the unworked coal lying between the main haulage road and the outcrop to the north. No difficulties occurred due to heating or other causes. Waikato Extended Colliery.—Work on the area adjacent to the old Waikato Mine workings ceased in June owing to tho long haulage. A sealed-off section of pillars left in the first working in Roose's area to the west of the main road was entered and reroaded, three stoppings being erected to prevent heating of fallen ground farther to the west. Pillaring proceeded here until early in November, no trouble being caused by heating, but a slight crush due to old roads in the lower seam then developed and the area had again to be sealed off. The seam was 20 ft. thick and of good quality, and close on 1,000 tons of coal was recovered from the area while being worked. Since November work has been confined to extraction of pillars from the outcrop in the Taupiri lease. Huntly Brickworks.—Five men were steadily employed working a deposit of fireclay, the material being used by the company for manufacture of fire and building bricks at Huntly. The height of face worked has been reduced from 50 ft. to 25 ft. by forming a new working-floor on top of a seam of inferior material which divides the deposit, and tho endless-rope haulage has been extended to the new face by forming a ramp. Taupiri East Coal-mine.—Workings driven to the south-west in tho Crown lease area under Lake Kimihia crossed a 5 ft. downthrow fault in September. The seam thinned considerably and the floor commenced to rise to the southwest, and workings in this direction were stopped owing to the danger of an inrush of water. The Crown lease was determined in December, and since then an area of pillars to the east of the main haulage road, and belonging to the Auckland University Council, has been worked. The seam is 20 ft. to 25 ft. thick and of excellent quality. Whatawhala Campbell Colliery.—Splitting of pillars was continued to the rise on the south side of the main dip, three miners being employed. As prospecting to the south and west had shown no coal of marketable quality, and as no further available pillars remained, work in this section ceased late in tho year. The surface haulage was extended 10 chains to the south-west from the old mine-mouth, and two prospecting headings are being driven to the rise in a southerly direction to test an unworked block of coal lying to the west of Fox's old workings. The seam so far is 6 ft. thick with light cover and rises at a grado of lin 5. A small 3 ft. upthrow has boon crossed near the face of the headings, which have been driven 80 ft. Glen Afton Potteries Opencast Mine.—Opencast faces were worked for coal and fireclay, the wholo output being used in the pottery-works adjoining tho pit. The coal-seam worked is 6 ft. thick and tho fireclay face 15 ft. Daily's Coal-mine.—A small amount of coal for local requirements has been produced from a prospecting drive in an outcrop to the south of the valley traversed by the Kihi Road, in the Hauturu district. The seam is (i ft. <> in. thick and of good clean quality for the district, and tho floor rises slightly in the direction of the drive, which is slightly east of south. The roof is sandstone and reasonably good. Benown Colliery.—Development to the east in Tapp's area has been continued, No. 3 south headings having been advanced to a point 31 chains beyond No. 3 east level. No. 4 west levels and No. 4 oast levels havo been driven 11J chains and 9J chains from No. 1 south respectively, and panels off these levels are being actively developed. The coal-seam in No. 3 south headings and No. 4 east levels has maintained its thickness of 15 ft., but in No. 4 cast levels has thinned to 10 ft. Development in No. 1 west level off No. 2 north headings is being rapidly pushed ahead, and is now greatly assisted by a new auxiliary haulage which has recently been installed. No. 1 west'level has been driven to a point 131 chains off No. 2 north. Pillar-extraction is being continued in No. 1 panel west of No. 1 south level, and also in No, 2 east panel off No. 3 south-heading, and the barrier pillars in this area are also being withdrawn.
50
0.—2.
The surface haulage to the screens has been improved by considerable attention to the road-bed and the haulage from the mine to the surface by the recent installation of a new motor to increase the rope speed from 1-8 miles to 2'4 miles per hour. The screening plant itself hafa been improved to deal with an output of 800 ton 3 per day, and is giving satisfactory results. Preparations are being made for a projected new mine entrance to the south of the present workings. Boring in this locality is giving very satisfactory results, an average thickness of 15 ft of coal being proved. Wilton Colliery.—The amount of workable coal remaining in pillars in Katavich's leasehold at the end of 1939 was some 5,000 tons, and extraction of these pillars is proceeding. An endless-rope haulage was extended to the mouth of the No. 2 mine, which has been developed in Holme's Estate. The main headings were advanced 15 chains in good-quality coal 8 ft. thick. During the year trial surveys were made for a haulage road to open up the proved coal area to the south-east of the No. 1 mine, and towards the end of the year a contract was let for the earth-works on the selected line, which will join the present rope-road 20 chains from the screens. The new extension will be 65 chains long, and construction of bridges on the line has been commenced. Taranaki District. Old Stockman Coal-mine.—The greater part of the small output produced has been, got from extension of the No. 1 drive workings. The main drive has not been advanced beyond 9 chains, its position in 1938, but headings have advanced 3-5 chains. No. 2 drive has been extended 2 chains during the year. The seam is brown coal 4 ft. 6 in. in average thickness, with a band of fireclay varying from 2 in. to 22 in. between coal and roof. The roof is hard sandstone with verticil backs, which tend to make it treacherous, and close attention to timbering is required. Four men are employed in addition to the manager, and the coal is taken by river launch to Mokau, a distance of twentyseven miles. Eqmont Tatu Colliery.—Since the cessation of production in August, 1938, no further work has been done at the mine with the exception of some attention to repairs and maintenance carried, out by two men. Some small falls have occurred in the main drive, and owing to the boiler being out of action the water has been kept down as far as possible by siphon. Mangapehi Coal-mine.—Extension of three headings was continued in a seam of clean coal 14 ft. to 16 ft. thick and dipping north at an average grade of 1 in 4. Following a flattening of the seam, troubled country was struck in May in the main dip at a distance of 2J chains from the freehold boundary. A definite fault was passed through practically at right angles to the dip, and the seam beyond this thinned to 4 ft. and was much disturbed. Driving was persisted in for 60 ft. in broken country, bores in the roof and floor at the face proving the existence of a 2 ft. and a 5 ft. seam respectively. A further bore was put down in the floor 115 ft. back from the face without result. The dip is at present standing, and the driving of the wayleave levels and headings to the east is being proceeded with, a small output being maintained from these eoal places. The eighteenth level east encounters a thinning of the seem 100 ft. east of the main dip, with a deterioration of the quality of the coal, and it appears likely that this is connected with the troubled country met in the main drive. Huntly School of Mines. A good deal of support was given during the year by students, some forty attending the classes held at Huntly, Glen Massey, and Pnkemiro Junction. It was evident from the good results obtained by the candidates from the School at the annual mining examinations that the teaching was of a high standard. Mr. J. R. Watson, Director of the School, resigned in November to take the position of manager of the Pukemiro Colliery, and his place will be taken for 1940 by Mr. Gomersall, who has had considerable teaching and other technical mining experience in England and Australia. Fatal Accidents. On 2nd June John Thomas Cooper, trucker employed at the Wilton Colliery, was killed when a bar became dislodged and fell on him while he was pushing a skip. Death was due to laceration of the brain and fracture of the spinal cord. On 24th September eleven men met their death in the Glen Afton Colliery, due to carbon-monoxide poisoning. Serious Non-eatal Accidents. On 3rd February a miner named John Joseph Speirs, who was employed at the Old Stockman Colliery, Mokau, suffered a fracture of the pelvis and a fracture of the right ankle due to a fall of roof. On 2nd October V. McNamara, a trucker employed at the Rotowaro Colliery, completely severed his left forefinger above the second joint while he was making a wooden sprag. On 27th November Robert Tukere, trucker employed at the Wilton Colliery, received two fractures of the ribs, injuries to the left shoulder, and severe cuts on the leg when the truck with which he was working ran into him. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 82 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925). On 13th February a slight smell of " firestink " was discovered coming from the pillar waste in Hill 60 section, Rotowaro No. I Mine. The part affected was isolated by stoppings. On 21st April signs of heating in the goaf near to places worked by Kinson and mate, New Haulage section, Rotowaro No. 1 Mine, were discovered. A. permanent stopping was erected. On 29th May the Sunday examining deputy discovered that a fire from the open waste was encroaching on to a small pillar in the 6 Box Jig section, Rotowaro No. 1 Mine. The area was flooded and the fire suppressed. On ,12th June " firestink " was observed to be coming from the pillar waste adjacent to Bell and Jones' place, Wilkie's dip, Rotowaro No. 3 Mine. Permanent stoppings were erected to seal off the area. On 18th July a slight trace of heating was discovered when the active workings in the pillar section between No. 2 and No. 3 south headings, Renown Colliery, pierced the old workings. The heating was effectively isolated by means of stoppings. On 13th September the back-shift deputy found that a small quantity of smoke was coming from a stopping which had been erected previously to seal off a part in the New Haulage section, Rotowaro No. I Mine. On investigation it was found that the 4J in. brick stopping had broken, due to crush on the adjoining stump. A brick stopping was erected to seal off the area. On 10th October the occurrence of a small quantity of firedamp was reported in the Renown Colliery when an old bord of the closed-off section between No. 2 and No. 3 was holed into during pillaring of the barrier to the south of No. 3 south headings. The men were immediately withdrawn from the section, the gas cleared, and electric safety-lamps installed. On 23rd October a strong smell of " firestink " was present in Taylor's Jig section, Rotowaro No. 3 Mine, due to a pillar fall. Permanent stoppings were erected and the area was sealed off. On 30th October a slight heating occurred in the Straight Heading section (pillar) of the Pukemiro North Mine. The place was sealed off, and the underviewer and deputy reported it to be safe.
51.
0.—2.
On 27th November smoke was found to be issuing from the old workings at the lower end of No. 4 section, Kamo Mine, immediately on the return side of the working-places. The section was sealed and flooded. On Ist December a fire was reported to be burning at an old shaft at the East Side section, Rotowaro No. 1 Mine. The fire was suppressed, and the shaft was filled with clay. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. A trucker was prosecuted on charges of smoking and having in his possession a cigarette, contrary to section 98 of the Coal-mines Act. He was convicted and fined £5, Court costs 10s., on one charge, and convicted on the other WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (W. Parsonage and J. McArthur, Inspectors of Coal-mines). In accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, we have the honour to submit our annual report on the operations of the coal-mines in the West Coast Inspection District: — Gbeymoutii District. Liverpool State Colliery, Rewanui.—Morgan Seam : The major portion of operations in the Morgan seam were confined to pillar-extraction in Nos. 1 and 2 banks west and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 banks oast. Development work was carried out by the extension of No. 3 bank west in a northerly direction and levels off the heading in a westerly direction, also by the driving of a pair of dip headings from the Main East Level; these have been driven a distance of 6 chains, and, together with cut-throughs, a total of 26 chains has been driven. A 15' horse-power compressed-air-operated " Korfmann " coal-cutter has been used in the development of the dip, with satisfactory results. A large number of concrete stoppings have been built during the year outside of the pillar areas in order to allow expeditious sealing should an outbreak of fire occur. Kimbell and Anderson Seams : Development work in the Kimbell west dip is still in progress. Eour headings are being driven to the rise in a westerly direction and four levels in a south-easterly direction. The seam varies in thickness from 8 ft. to 14 ft., while the gradient to the rise is approximately 1 in 2. In the Anderson dip development work is chiefly confined to the extension of No. 2 dip. This has been driven 10 chains. The seam is 18 ft. in thickness and the coal somewhat friable, while the gradient has varied from 1. in If to 1 in 2, but at the face the gradient is 1 in IJ. The main Anderson dip is being widened, and other alterations made preparatory to the installation of an endless-rope haulage system. Pillar-extraction is taking place in the Anderson west level, while no further development work has been done beyond the fault encountered in the Anderson east level. James State Colliery, Rapahoe.—Operations in this mine during the year consisted of both pillar-extraction and development work. Pillar-extraction has taken place in Cannel Creek section and what is known as the New Dip section, while development work was confined to the driving of headings in a north-westerly direction and levels south and north off the headings in the New Dip section. Development work in this section is confined to a small area between two known faults. Strongman State Colliery.■—-The stone tunnel under construction in 1938 at this colliery tapped the upper seam (the No. I) early in February, and, with the completion of the stone tunnel forming the return airway, coal-production -commenced. The coal won from development work was transported by means of an auxiliary haulago system to. the James Colliery main haulage, thence to the bins at Rapahoe. On the 3rd September the main endless-rope haulage system traversing from the mine through the James Mine to the bins at Rapahoe was installed. This haulage rope, is operated by an electrically-operated haulage machine situated in the main tunnel which tapped the seam. During the year a most modern screening plant and all-steel storage bins were erected at Rapahoe. To the end of the year development work has been confined to the No. 1 seam. The main headings coursing in an easterly direction have been advanced 9 chains, the first 5 chains being approximately level, while, due to a change in tho lay of the measures, the gradient of the last 4 chains is lins to the rise. Development work has also be?n done both in a northerly and a southerly direction. The headings to tho north are rising at a gradient of 1 in 5. No. 1 south heading is approximately level. These abrupt changes in the lay of the measures interfere somewhat with a definite plan of development work. The seam varies in thickness from 12 ft. to 23 ft., while the coal is of excellent quality. The coal roof necessitates the use of bars of good quality and strength. Blackball Coal-mines Proprietary, Ltd., Blackball.—Tho two stone tunnels, which were under construction during tho greater portion of 1938, from the surface to intersect the coal-seam left behind in the old mine adjacent to No. 2 dip workings tapped the seam during the year. Work in the seam has, as yet, been confined to the construction of a large sump near the foot of tho main stone tunnel. No. 1 rubber-belt conveyor has been installed, and is transporting the output from a bin near the mine portal to the screening plant. A commencement has been mado to instal rubber-belt conveyors in the main tunnel, and it is expected that all conveyors will be installed early in tho coming year. When the installation is complete, the coal will be transported by means of conveyors from the working-face to the screening plant. Blackball Creek Coal Co., Ltd., Blackball. —The output from this mine during the year has been won from the extraction of small pillars of top seam coal in Nos. 3 and 4 sections and a little development work in No. 5 section. During the year operations in the latter section ceased and the section was abandoned. This action was due to the soft nature of the coal, together with the loss of coal during transport by water flume. Briandale Collieries, Ltd., Ten-mile.—The output for the year from this mine was won from development work and pillar-extraction. The two main levels were advanced 6 chains and then encountered trouble, the seam thinning to 2 ft. 9 in. Headings driven to the rise of the main levels encountered a fault 3 chains to the rise of the levels. This fault was penetrated near tho mine entrance, but after driving 2 chains a further fault was discovered. Wallsend Colliery (Brunner Collieries, Ltd.). —The output from this mine has been won from development work in the Rope-road Extension section and to the east side of the slant dip and the splitting of pillars in Nos. 1 and 2 rise panels. The Rope-road Extension headings have been advanced to a point 38 chains beyond the head of the No. 1 slant dip, from which the " A " rise panel has been formed and a commencement made to open up the " B " rise panel. A commencement has also been made to drive No. 2 slant dip parallel with and 24 chains inbyc of No. 1 slant dip. Development work in No. 1 slant dip has been restricted, due to the flooding of twelve working-places when a breakdown to the main pump occurred. The coal in all sections is of good quality and of good thickness, but the development places in " B " rise panel have encountered a stone band in the seam. This stone band has increased in thickness to such an extent as to render its removal with the coal unprofitable; therefore, only the portion of the seam, 6 ft. to 0 ft., on top of tho stone band is now being worked. Dobson Colliery (Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd.). —All the output from this mine has been won from development work in the dip workings. No. 3 West Level: This level has been driven 30 chains and has reached the south-western boundary of the lease. Therefore, development work is confined to No. 2 panel to the dip of the main level. To improve tho haulago of coal from this panel, permission was given to the manager to construct an intermediate level to enable him to transport the coal by gravity in lieu of dip haulage. The level has been driven for some time, but it has not yet been taken advantage of.
52
C.—2.
No. 4 West Level: This level has been driven a distance of 21 chains measured from No. 1 dip ; it has been driven on a straight course regardless of tho contour of the seam. Consequently, dips and inclines of heavy gradient have resulted, which makes development to the rise of the No. 4 west somewhat difficult and interferes with the installation of an endless-rope haulage system. Development work to the rise ol the level is proceeding under difficulties, due to the contour of the level, and a number of dips have been driven with the object of developing panels of work. The coal at the dip of No. 4 west level can bo more profitably operated to the rise from No. 5 west level, and tho manager is now driving No. 5 west level on three shifts for this purpose. No. 4 East Level: Very little development work has been done in this level during tho year. The slant dip, off this level, which was advanced 7 chains in 1938 has been advanced a further 2£ chains. At the face a stone intrusion was encountered, and driving has been abandoned for some time. Dips : Nos. 1 and 2 main dips have been advanced to a point in line with No. 5 west level. The latter level was commenced off No. 3 dip, and at the end of the year a commencement had been made to construct a connection between No. 3 dip and No. 1 dip in line with No. 5 west level. The main endless-rope haulage in No. 1 dip traversing from the head to No. 4 west level has operated quite successfully. With a view to possible extension of the haulage system to No. 5 west level, a new 150 horse-power electrically-operated machine has been installed at the head of the dip. Paparoa Colliery (Paparoa Goal Co., Lid.), lioa.—At this mine two seams have been operated during the whole year —viz., No. I seam in the aerial section, and No. 2 seam in the west level section —while during the latter portion of the year No. 3 seam has been operated. The latter seam overlies a portion of No. 2 seam in the west level section, and it is essential that this should be operated before pillars are extracted from No. 2 soam immediately underneath No. 3 seam, otherwise No. 3 seam will be lost. Aerial Section : All the output from this section was won from development work. The main dip was advanced 7 chains during the year, making a total distance of 22 chains. No. 1 level, off the dip, was driven 10 chains, and a panel of work of 7 acres has been completed. Levels are now being driven off the dip below No. 1 level for the purpose of opening out other panels. The seam is 15 ft. in thickness and the coal of good quality. Safety-lamps were introduced in the section on the 27th September, 1938, due to the finding of a small quantity of OH 4 in a working-place, and are still in use. The introduction of safety-lamps was quite justified as CH 4 has been detected on numerous occasions during the past year. Flameproof motors and starters have been installed on the pumps to replace open-type ones. West Level Section : Seventy-five per cent, of the output was won from pillar-extraction and the remainder from a little development work. No development work has yet been done in the stone tunnel which ta,pped the seam on a lower level in this section in 1937. No. 3 Seam : Acting under instructions from the Inspector of Coal-mines, the manager has commenced to develop No. 3 seam in the west level section : access is gained by means of a surface tram-line and self-acting incline, and the coal is delivered to the main west level jig joining with the coal won from the No. 2 seam. The seam is 10 ft. in thickness with a 10 in. dirt band near the centre. Orated Brunner Mines, Ltd., Brunner.—No coal-mining operations have taken place on the coal lease held by this company. During the year one borehole was sunk near the head of the surface-inclined tramway. Difficulties were experienced during boring operations in that a number of cavities were encountered, which necessitated the use of cementation in order to proceed with the sinking. The hole was sunk to a depth of 114 ft., and, as the seam was not tapped, boring was then adandoned. No further boring or prospecting has since been done. Co-operative Mines in Grey District. Spark and Party's Mine, Rewanui.—The output was from development work. Three levels, together with cutthroughs, are being driven, from which panels of work will be developed. The coal-seam is 25 ft. in thickness and of good quality. Operations during the year have been somewhat restricted, due to difficulties with water. An eleotrically-operated pump has now been installed. Old Runanga Mine (O'Brien and Party).—Two seams are operated at this mine, Nos. 1 and 2, the former being the uppermost. The output for the year was won from both development work and pillar-extraction. No. 1 Seam : Operations during the year were confined to extraction of pillars from No. 1 panel and development work in No. 2 panel. The main level was also advanced a few chains, but work therein has now been abandoned owing to the presence of stone bands in the seam and the coal thinning to such an extent as to render profitable work impossible. No. 2 Seam : Pillar-extraction has taken place in No. 1 panel, and further prospecting in the main level has resulted in this being further advanced. As the seam has thickoned to 6 ft. and the coal is of good quality, there is a possibility of this level being advanced many chains beyond the 28 chains already driven. Electric safety-lamps are used in both seams. Goldlight Colliery (Williams and Party).—Operations in this mine have been confined to pillar-extraction. During the latter part of the year the mine was fully exhausted, and prospecting was resorted to with a view to locating the seam through the fault encountered south of the mine workings. This prospecting was still in progress at the end of the year. Moody Creek Mine (Simpson and Party).—The output from this mine was won from development work and a little pillar-extraction. Owing to the presence of a number of " rolls " and " faults "in the mine, development work has been somewhat difficult. However, the party has persevered, and development work is proceeding to the dip in good-quality coal. New Point Elizabeth Mine (Guy and Party), Dunollie. —Most of the output for the year was won from pillarextraction, all development work having been completed during the early part of the year. No further development can be done in the present area, but pillar-extraction will give the mine a few year's operation. Fiery Cross Mine (Currie and Party), Dunollie. —The output from the mine was won from pillar-extraction, and only a few pillars remain to be extracted. A little development work is being done in a barrier of coal 2 chains wide lying between Baddeley and Party's old mine and Currie and Party's prosent workings. To attack this, a level drive has been commenced from the outcrop. Roof and floor conditions in the mine are bad, and extra, care is required where pillars are being extracted. Bend Creek Mine (Baddeley and Party), Dunollie.—ln addition to operating the old mine, this party has operated on a new lease adjacent to the surface tram-line leading to the former mine. Old Mine : The output from this mine has been obtained from pillar-extraction. The mine is almost exhausted, and operations therein will ceaso early in the coming year. New Lease: During the first half of the year coal-production commenced on the new lease, but after driving short distances in several directions the scam thinned to an unworkable thickness and finally a fault was encountered. Operations on this leaso have been abandoned. Castlepoinl Mine, (Duggan and Party), Dunollie.—The output from this mine was won from pillar-extraction and a little development work to the rise of the main level 35 chains inbye of the mine entrance. Early in the coming year all development work will be completed. Pillar-extraction has ceased in the crosscut section at a point to the rise of tho main level giving ample support and protection to the main return airway. Hilltop Mine (Armstrong and Party), 'Pen-mile. —From the beginning of the year and until the 10th April pillar-extraction was taking place. On the morning of the lltli April an old fire in the inbye old workings revived and prevented further coal-production. There was very little coal to be extracted, so stoppings were erected at the mine entrances to seal off the fire. Operations were then commenced in another seam on the same area underlying the one previously worked. A dip is being developed in this seam which is 7 ft. in thickness and the coal is of good quality. A second outlet has been made, and a " Blackman " fan of the streamline type has been installed. Hunter and Party's Mine (late Brady's), Ten-mile.—The output from this mine was won from development work and a little pillar-extraction. The development work was confined to a small area east of the dip, adjacent to the fault which has prevented further development to the dip, and, in No. 3 level, is coursing in a south-westerly direction. Pillar-extraction was limited to five pillars adjacent to the dip face, and at the end of the year four of these pillars were extracted.
53
a—2.
In No 3 level troubled country has been encountered, and unless continuous prospecting is carried out in this level at an early date with a view to locating the seam the present output will not be maintained. Some prospecting has beL done on an outcrop situated near the storage bins, but not sufficient to indicate whether or not a workable seam will be found. During the year the V.1.8. cables installed in pipes were replaced by armoured cables Km and Party's Mine, Ten-mile.—The output from this mine was won from development work. Ihe mam dip has been further advanced and levels driven off it both in easterly and westerly directions HuntTand Party's Mine, Dunollie.-The output from this mine was won from development work and pillarextraction in workings to the dip of the main level. The seam is thinning as places are advanced to the dip, and at the i)resent time the seam is 3 ft. 3 in. in thickness. Good roof conditions prevail and the coal is of good quality. SMtz Greek Mine (Marshall and Party), Twelve-mile. Most of the output from this mine has been won from nillar extraction on the outbyc side of the downthrow fault encountered in the main level. During the second pa tunnel was constructed and the seam, 3 ft. 9 in. in thickness was tapped on the downthrow side and a portion of the output was won from development work m this area. Unfortunately, after drivtag 2 incoal, an upthrow fault was encountered. The distance of the throw of this fault has not yet been W ° y< DinneWs Mine, Twelve-mile,-This mine did not operate during the year. u „f th.. mit.o Cain's Mine ttapahoe.- The output from this mine was won from pillar-extraction in the old portion of the mine and development' woTinthe new area. Two headings are being driven partly in stone and partly m reach area adjacent to the No. 1 west area of the James Mine, where workable coal is known to exist. A little devtlopn e woA has bfeeii done in an area west of the headings referred to and adjacent to the Bellvue Mine workings mine Sost exhausted, and a tram-line has been constructed to operate a small area adjacent to the old workings of the Jubilee Mine. Rapaho( ,^ ki the commencement of the year this party were extracting pillars iti ~11 area adjacent to the Bellvue Mine and from an old area adjacent to the bins and main highway./ JLh«»o areas &T SS SSSTiiSt >»« development work 1... h. m on. mil, ton sauhsisust saMTJ.-sas 7ts fftSiS 'nr = highway. Development work already done in the seam is not very encouraging The seam has thinned, and a 0 ouantitv of brushing in stone is required to get sufficient height for the transit of trucks. quanti y (Moore and Party), Nine-mile.—The output for the year was won from development work m No. 1 section The development work has been confined to the area on the upthrow side of the fault encountored m Je ™ I V,.l In 10*18 The difficulty of handling the coal from the developed area somewhat retards output, and much relults would bj obtained U the party Constructed a low-level stone tunnel to tap the seam near a borehole put down hv the Mines Department and which proved the existence of a good workable seam. No Smith and Party's Mine, Dunollie.—The output won during the year was obtained from pillar-extractio . output during the year was obtained from work to the dip of the main level. The main dip has been driven 14 chains m good-quality coal, and at the iace the of the seam is 7 ft. 6 in. Levels have also been driven cast and west off the dip. REEI?TON DISTRICT. Archer's Mines Cavleston —Top Mine : All pillars to the rise of the adit level have been extracted and development N °- Bim otStfonsTnlhis mine are confined to pillar-extraction, all de--36 ft. in length and tapped the No. 1 seam. Two levels and cut-throughs have been driven, and preparations ar -The No. 2 seam is worked at this mine, and the output won during the year has been ""BBSS <«». to th. ,m, o. Ccjg-J. MineA stone tunnel 300 ft. long has been constructed, and tapped No. 2 seam at a point approxima e y - Th ° afISSTb — Th. -m .. tie .... i. «... in «*_ -«» °° al Ve!Zre Mini (Old Birchwood Mine), Reefton.- The lease on which this mine was operated has been cancelled * ssksssjstjk „ rtl „ 0[ „„,pSxr,.^ life in the extraction ol previously owned by D. Hamill, but during the year a 'SJZia.?z™«. ,„d . p »ton, r .«.»p. X No 4 seam which is from 30 I't. to 40 ft. in thickness, is being worked and the coal is ot lair qu y. S: the year on 3979, has to conSf/a cross-measure drive from the seam for the purpose of tapping No 3 seam. Phoenix and Venus (N. Collins), Murray Creek.—These mines have not operated during the year.
54
C.—2.
Defiance Mine (MeClatchie and, Co., Ltd., Christchurch), Murray Creek. —The output won during the year was obtained from development work north of the old mine workings and from pillar-extraction in the Waterfall section. The seam in the development area is at present 6 ft. in thickness, but the coal is of poor quality. It is, however, the intention of the manager to continue the development work. Clele Mine (Alborn and Party), Merrijigs.—The output won during the year was obtained from development work and pillar-extraction in No. 2 mine. Difficulties have continued in development work, due to the faulted nature of the country. White Rose Mine (PL. and S. Origgs, late W. Osbom), Merrijigs. —A little development work has been done at this mine, and 105 tons of coal were produced. Bttller District. Mitchell's Mine, Charleston.—Operations at this mine recommenced during the year. The mine is worked opencast, but owing to aooees not being obtainable from the lowest point the full thickness of the seam cannot bo worked unless expensive pumping operations arc resorted to. Arrangements are being made to allow access to this lease at a much lower level. Bowater and Bryan's Mine, Charleston. —This mine is worked by the opencast method, but here again only the top portion of a3O ft. seam is worked. Arrangements are in hand to construct a road which will give access to a much lower point and thus allow almost the maximum thickness of the seam to be worked. Warne's Mine, Charleston. —This mine is operated by the opencast method. The mine works very intermittently, and only 7 tons of coal were produced during the year. Powell's Mine, Charleston.—This mine is worked opencast, but only on a small scale. No definite method has been adopted to work the full thickness of the seam, although there is a tunnel tail-race between 30 ft. and 40 ft. down from the surface near the lease which may be used for drainage. No further production will take place until the tail-race referred to is put to use. Price's Freehold, Brighton.—This mine was closed during the whole of the year. Brighton Coal-mines, Ltd., Brighton.—During the year 443 tons of coal were' won and disposed of locally. Repairs have been effected to the flume from the mine to the bins on Seal Island, and although coal has been delivered to the bins no shipment of coal has taken place during the year. Roclclands Mine (J. P. Burley), Buller Gorge.—The total output of coal won from this mine was obtained from pillar-extraction. No further development work is possible in the present mine, but some prospecting has been done on another portion of the lease south-west of the present workings, but sufficient has not been done to enable a decision to be made regarding the opening of the area. Glencrag Mine (Forsyth and Bateson), Buller Gorge.—The output for the year was won from development work. No pillars have yet been extracted from this mine. The road from the main highway to the mine entrance has been completed, and new bins and hand screening plant erected near the mine entrance. Goal Creek Mine (McGuire and Party), Seddonville. —The output from this mine during the year was obtained from filling loose and fallen coal in the main level, which has not been used for a few years, and from development to the riso of the main level. Glasgow Mine (Steele and Party), Seddonville.—This mine remained closed, and the coal lease was surrendered during the year. Cardiff Coal Co., Ltd., Mokihinui. —This mine remained closed during the year. Hydro Coal-mines, Ltd., Seddonville. —The output won during the year was obtained from pillar-extraction in the inside area and development work in an area east of the main drive 20 chains inbye of the mine entrance. Two headings to the rise have been driven in this area ; from these headings places have been driven east and west, and at present have proved an area at least 8 chains in width. The cave area, which was tapped by a stone tunnel 3 chains in length and coursing westerly from the main drive, has been found to be of very little use. The whole area was affected with blackdamp, and the small pillars therein were so much crushed and roof-broken as to render operations unsafe. The workmen were withdrawn, and the manager instructed to seal off the area to prevent blackdamp entering the intake airway leading to the section now operating. Charming Creek (Westport Coal Co., Ltd.), Ngakawau.—'Practically all the output won during the year was obtained from development work. The main north headings were advanced a further 8 chains ; at this point the measures tilted to the east and west of the heading, making it impossible to win coal in these directions in the absence of power for haulage and pumping. Consequently, operations in the main headings were suspended for a time. Development work in No. 2 west panel also reached a point where similar conditions prevailed, and operations in this panel also ceased. Development work was then commenced in No. 2 panel east, which is 12 chains outbye of No. 2 west pane' ; the seam in this panel is 20 ft. in thickness and the coal of good quality. Westport Main Mine ( Westport-Granity Coal-mines, Ltd.), Granity.—This company has ceased operations and the coal lease held by them cancelled by re-entry. Westport-Cascade Mine, Cascade Creek.—At this mine four separate sections of the coal have been operated during the year, and the output won was obtained from both development work and pillar-extraction. O'Brien's Section : During the second half of the year this section was totally exhausted. Moynihan's Section : All development work in this section is completed, and operations are confined to pillarextraction. Top Mine: Operations are now confined to pillar-extraction. Durkin's South Section : Development work still continues in this section, and no pillars have yet been extracted. The section is adjacent to the Westport Coal Co.'s boundary, and by agreement between the companies the Cascade Company is allowed to operate a portion of the first-named company's lease. Westport Coal Co., Ltd., Denniston Mines.—lronbridge Mine : Ten pairs of miners are employed in this mine, where six small sections are operated. All coal won during the year was obtained from pillar-extraction. Coalbrookdale Mine : This mine consists of two main sections—namely, Whareatca and Whareatea Extended. Almost all coal won was obtained from pillar-extraction, very little development work having been done during the year. In the Waterloo section of the Whareatea portion of the mine preparations are being made to drive four main headings in coal to tap the new lease known as the Plateau area. Towards the end of 1938 a commencement was made to re-open Forsyth's section in the Whareatea Extended portion of the mine, but as yet no development work has been done, operations having been confined to pillar-extraction in No. 1 panel. However, boring operations are now in progress with a view to ascertaining the possibilities of the area beyond the main headings in Forsyth's section. Cascade Mine : Operations in this mine are confined to pillar-extraction. During the year a commencement was made to construct a now change and bath house near the power-house at Denniston for the convenience of persons employed at the Coalbrookdale Mine. This will be completed early in 1940. A large Babcock and Wilcox boiler is being installed. The boiler has a heating surface of 4,780 square feet, is capable of evaporating 20,0001b. of water per hour, while the steam pressure is 250 lb. per square inch, and is fitted with automatic feed, chain-grate stokers, Green's modern economizer, and superheaters. Westport Coal Co., Ltd., Millerton Mine.—Two areas have been operated during the year at this mine. Mine Creek Area: The output from this area was won from the partial extraction of pillars in the third and fifth west sections and the driving of places in bottom coal 12 ft. in thickness and of good quality left behind in the first workings and underlying an area of pillars about 3 acrcs in extent. Mangatina Area: Operations in this area are confined to working small areas of coal on the eastern side of the haulage road and the bottom coal left behind in the first workings. Old Dip Area : During the year a commencement was made to repair the main haulage road in this area, preparatory to the extraction of pillars in the Settlement section. Westport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd., Ngakawau.—The major portion of the output was won from development work in the new east section, and the remainder from pillar-extraction in No. 2 west dip section, McCabe's dip section, and "J " dip. In the new east dip some places were driven to the outcrop and disclosed that a lower seam was being worked, separated from the main seam by 24 ft. of shale and sandstone, Arrangements were then made to operate
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the upper or main seam, which contains a better-quality coal. Pillar-extraction has been completed in .T dip and McOabe's dip to a point to allow support to the haulage roads. With a view to prospecting an 8 acre block to the north of McOabe's dip, another dip is being driven in good-quality coal. During the year one and a half miles of the locomotive-track was relaid with new 60 lb.-to-the-yard rails, and Mumm s Bridge over the Mangatma RlVl 'watson's Mine, Karamea. —This small mine produced 53 tons of coal during the year, which was used for domestic purposes and lime-burning in the Karamea district. Nelson District. Puvonqa Mine, Puponga.-Coal-production from this mine during the year was confined to pillar-extraction The area at present being operated has a probable further life of from twelve to eighteen months, but during the latter half of the period the output will be restricted. Therefore, if this company is to function successfully after a further nine months operations, it is necessary that another area should be developed or the old ml ne dewatered. With a view to proving the existence of the seam on the north-east side of the downthrow fault encountered in the present workings, together with its accessibility, boring has been resorted to from the surface, but present results are not encouraging] Data so far obtained indicates that a dip stone tunnel of a gradient unsuitable for oXi^.-This h mi ? ne dosed at the end of 1938 and was not reopened during the year. North Gape Syndicate, Onekaka.—Operations at this mine recommenced during the year on freohold property. The coal won was principally from small outcrop pillars left behind by the old North Cape Coal Co. some years a&o. Near the end of the year operations ceased, but the syndicate has intentions of prospecting a thm seam ot oonl on the property which has not yet been worked. Motuvim Mine (Winter's), Takaka.—This is a small opencast mine situated on the sea-beach (mud-fla,t) at Motupipi The seam is overlaid with 3 ft. of sand and mud and the coal is of good quality. The area is almost worked out and will in all probability close during the coming year. _ Abbotsford Mine (Irvine's), Takaka.—This mine did not operate during the year. Owen Colliery, Owen River, Murchison.—'This mine is operated under the double-stall method. Operations (luring the year were confined to the driving of Nos. 2 and 3 stalls east and No. 4 stall west off No. I dip, also Nob. 1, 2, and .. J al | s west off No. 2 dip. The coal in the west stalls is of good quality, but in the east stalls it is fairly soft. Although the coal is good to the west, prospects do not look very bright as the stone in the seam is thickening and the coal thinning in the same proportion. A section of the seam is as follows: Top coal, 6 in. ; the year this m ; ne was reopened by a party of miners. After operating a few months and producing 250 tons of coal the party ceased work on account of financial loss. . ~ , ' Wmndale Mine, Murchison—Early in the year the No. 1 level was advanced 1 chain and encountered troubled country • this completed all development work, and pillar-extraction commenced. All pillars have been extracted from No's. 3 and 4 levels, and pillar-extraction now continues in Nos. 1 and 2 levels. The seam is almost vertical aHCI Clarke Mi^(SJHartshorne), Baton—Daring the major portion of the year operations were confined to development work to the dip. However, troubled country was encountered and further development work could not be economically nnrripH nn . therefore, pillar-extraction commenced. _ .. Broxburn Mine (Broxburn Goal Co.), Baton.—This mine remained closed during the year and has been finally Mine. —This mine commenced operations on freehold property during the year. Schools op Mines. During the year interest in the Schools of Mines in the West Coast District was maintained. Classes under the iurisdiotion of the Director of the Reefton School were held at Reefton, Waiuta, Blackball, and Brunner, and under the Director of the Westport School at Westport, Granity, Stockton, and Denmston, while the classes at the lUmanga wete conducted by advanced local students and Mr. W. Wicks, B.Sc., a Runanga resident who is on the staff of the Greymouth Technical High School. Rescue-station. Farlv in the year the rescue-station at Dobson was completed and equipped with modern Proto self-contained breaS-apparatus, other equipment necessary for the training of persons in mine rescue work, and a rescue-van for the transport of trained brigades. Mr. F. Duffy was appointed superintendent of the station and commenced dutv on the "'oth March, 1939. After unpacking and checking all equipment and assembling same, Mr. Duffy eauipped the smoke-clianiber with all material required to make a representation of underground conditions. On the 17th May, 1939, the first trainees, a brigade of five from the Dobson Mine, commenced a 00 ™se of training in rescue work. This brigade was followed by others from the various mines in the district, and at the end of le year there were seven fully trained brigades and one partially trained brigade in the Grey district. On the 31st October the rescue-station was officially opened by the Hon. Minister ot Mines. Fatal Accidents. „ 4*.i4->i| accidents occurred at the mines during the year, as follows : — On 13th June, 1939, Michael Leonard Daily, miner, Ironbridgc Mine, Denniston Colliery, received a fractured snine and fractured leg when struck by a fall of roof stone. On the 13th July Daily succumbed to his injuries. On the Kith August, 1939, William Patrick Kennedy, miner, Liverpool Colliery, was killed. - ! h er e were no witnesses to the accident and it is surmised that, in attempting to avoid a small fall of coal, he swung his head in an ar °' «S b deputy, Millerton Colliery, was caught by a fall of debris in Old Dip Mine, and killed instantly. With a party of three others, Hopkihson was engaged m driving through loose ground to Robert Brownlie, shiftman, Millerton Colliery, was caught in the same fall as Hopkinson and killed mine r, Strongman State Mine, was struck by roof stone and coal and received impound fracture of the right kg. The leg was amputated the following day. On the 17th December Pavan died at the Grey Hospital as the result of injuries received. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Thirteen serious non-fatal accidents occurred (luring the year, as follows:— , On 29th January, 1939, Joseph W. Smith, mine-manager, Old Runanga Co-operative Mine, received a, fractured left tibk below the knee, fractures of all ribs on the left side, and bruises to left arm and body. While examining the roof in a roadway which had not been used for some time he struck the coal at the corner of a pillar without knowing +W flip poal was loose, and it fell, causing the injuries mentioned. On 17th January, 1939, Charles Taylor, miner, Owen Colliery, received a fractured leg when struck by a derailed knJwti, down m roof a I«,o Itino foil W. In »■ "tempt to m, ...y, U .hfp.d «. 0. ssr S"4«o| art*—fractfire of skull when struck by a fall of top coal,
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On Ist June, 1939, Javin Nicholls, miner, Coalbrookdale Mine, Denniston Colliery, received fractured spine in Wiseman's dip section. Nicholls was filling coal from underneath a loose slab of stone supported on sprags ; the stone slid, striking Nicholls. On 3rd July, 1939, George Geddes and Joseph Mason, flume supervisors, Cascade Creek Mine, were injured, when inspecting the flume. Where the flume crosses a subsidiary creek, boulders broke away from the creek wall and crashed into the flume understructure just as Geddes and Mason were walking across. Both men were precipitated to the bed of the creek. Geddes suffered a simple fracture of the left thigh bone and bruises to head, body, and left leg. Mason received an impacted fracture of right heel bone and bruises to face, body, and lower part of legs. On Bth August, 1939, George Keown, shot-firer, Strongman Mine, sustained a fractured bone in the left forearm when he fell from a heap of mine props on which he was standing. On 24th August, 1939, J. McLaren, miner, Liverpool Mine, received a slight fracture of the spine. When working on a canch he slipped, rolled off the canch, receiving the injury mentioned. On 12th September, 1939, W. J. Weston, trucker, Liverpool Mine, received fractured ribs when struck by a truck. Weston was lifting a derailed empty truck on a self-acting incline ; due to the brake not being properly applied, the truck moved, striking Weston. On 29th September, 1939, H. Fitzsimmons, miner, Stockton Mine, was struck by a fall of coal and received four fractured left ribs and a simple fracture of the pelvis, left side. On 4th December, 1939, A. Coutts, miner, Dobson Mine, suffered a dislocation of the shoulder blade (left). Several pieces of stone fell from the roof and, striking Coutts, knocked him against the coal rib. Dangerous Occurrences in Coal-mines (Regulation 82, Coal-mines Act, 1925). Bellbird Mine (Fauth and Party).—On 31st May, 1939, at about 9a.m., the mine-manager received moderately severe burns to the hands, arms, face, and chest caused by an ignition of gas while working at the coal-face. From statements taken by workmen who were present at the time of the ignition it was ascertained that the ignition occurred after the manager had returned to the surface and made his written report; also, that the lan had been started at approximately 7.45 a.m. As this constituted a breach of Regulation 181 (2) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in that the fan had not been started two hours previous to men entering the mine, legal proceedings were taken against the manager some months later. According to a workman's statement, the type of lamp used by the manager was a carbide lamp. Written instructions were given that only locked safety-lamps must be used in future, and this instruction has been carried out. Naked lights had been used at this mine since operations commenced approximately eleven years ago, and gas had never been reported prior to the ignition. Wallsend Mine.—On fith June, 1939, a fall of top coal in the rise air-course of No. 1 panel caused a blockage adjacent to the place where gas feeders gave trouble some months previously. As repairs could not be affected and the gas cleared before 8 a.m., the mine was idled for the day. Dobson Mine.—On 12th July, 1939, the mine-manager reported an accumulation of approximately 800 cubic feet of CH 4 in Muir's Rise old workings. A number of heavy falls of roof had occurred in this section. It was suggested to the manager that he carry air on brattice a distance of approximately 5 chains from his return airway, thence down the incline to the accumulation. The manager later advised that he had erected the brattice as suggested and the accumulation was reduced to 600 cubic feet, and on the next day he further advised that all the gas had been removed. In the manager's report of the 12th July, 1939, he also referred to a second accumulation of gas in Muir's level of approximately 800 cubic, feet. This accumulation was cleared by allowing air through the door, it having collected behind a stopping provided witli a door. Liverpool State Mine.—The mine-manager reported on 2nd August, 1939, that an accumulation of 50,000 cubic feet of CH 4 had occurred in the Kimbell west dip section. The examining-deputy, who detected the accumulation, found that the air current was short-circuited as a result of a ventilation door being left open. Another door was constructed, and the manager advised that by the construction of an overcast in the near future the doors would be eliminated. Millerton Mine. —On sth October, 1939, the mine-manager reported, through spontaneous combustion, an outbreak of fire in panel 1, fifth west section, Mine Creek Mine. The heated material was filled into trucks and the area sealed off. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. Three informations were laid during the year and convictions recorded in all cases. On 23rd August, 1939, a miner was convicted with costs for having matches in his possession while in the mine, being a breach of section 98 (1) of the Coal mines Act, 1925. On 13th November, 1939, for a breach of Regulation 181 (2) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, a mine-manager was convicted, with costs lis., for failure to start and run the fan continuously in the mine for at least two hours before workmen entered the mine. On 13th November, 1939, a shot-firer was convicted and fined ss. for failure to render harmless the coal-dust in a working place by storiedusting or watering previous to firing a shot in the working-place as required by Regulation 226 (g) (ii) of the Coal-mines Regulations 1939. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. (J. Hadcroft, Inspector of Coal-mines.) In accordance with the Coal-mines Act, 1925, I have the honour to submit the following report on the mining activities in the Southern Inspection District for the year ended 31st December, 1939:—Canterbury Mines. Bonanza Mine. —The total output from this mine has been won from pillar-extraction in the No. 3 and No. 5 south-west levels. Glearview Mine.—Development work has been continued in the main levels from the bottom of the dip. The working-places are being driven 6 ft. high and 6 ft. wide. The coal-seam is 10 ft. 6 in. thick. Lucknow Clay-mine.—This mine has been worked only intermittently by two miners who are working back and splitting the pillars. Klondyke Mine.—The main dip has been driven in the coal to a distance of 14 chains in an easterly direction. The grade will average lin 2J. Development has been carried on in the three north-east levels and the two south-west levels. The north-east levels have been advanced to a distance of 13 chains from the dip, and the south-west levels 6 chains from the dip. During the year a two-stage electric pump has been installed which is driven by a2O horsepower motor, the electric power being generated at the mine. Yukon Mine.—Some development work was done in a 2 ft. 9 in. seam of coal, and the few pillars made have been worked out. The mine is now closed. Homebush Clay-mine.—Clay has been produced intermittently from this opencast during the year. Homebush Coal-mine. —No coal produced during 1939. Sheffield Clay-mine.—Two places are being worked, one on each side of the dip, the places being 6 ft. high and 6 ft. wide.
—C. 2.
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Malvern Mine.-Development has been carried on in a north-easterly direction the bottom level 12 chains from the main dip. A section of the coal-seam is as follows : Top coal, 3 ft., fireclay, - ~ sft ' Sand^Mim^-'TheVld stopped temporarily owing to the main levels sinking and a new^rn: me started in what appears to be the same seam, about half a mile to the north of the old mine. the coal-seam, which proved to be 8 ft. thick and dipping 60 . , . TWelnnment is being Steventon Mine. —The crosscut dip was continued a distance of 11 chains from the surface. De eop carried on in a northerly direction. The bottom level has been driven 7 chains from the crosscut dip. Sunnydale Clay-mine.—Only a small amount of clay has been won from this mine. o , rr i o d out Blackburn Mine.—Pillar-extraction was stopped early m the year, and development work b< ;eii a i in the area on the north-west side of the fault. The main level in the new area has been driven a distance of 5 chains The greater part of the output has been won from pillar-extraction. A prospecting dip was started 600 ft. from the mine entrance, with the object of proving the possibility of picking up the coal-seam wi a d %roZLy T<^thmcite-mine.— This is an almost vertical seam 3 ft. thick, the strike The seam is being worked from a level stone drive 1J chains in length. The north-east level has been driven 4 chains and drive in a south-easterly direction and at a grade of 1 in 3 cut the coal-seam at a distance of 1 chain. The seam is 20 ft. in thickness and all work is development. North Otago Mines. Airedale Mine.—The greater portion of the output was won from pillar-extraction. Some prospecting is being don T^yrTL has been carried out in the dip section, and some development work has during the year, the output having been won from Pilla sJ (McLean's).-All the available coal in the old mine was taken out and the mine closed down A stone drive has been started in a south-westerly direction which is expected to intercept the seam at a distance 540 MinT( McLaren's/—The main dip has been driven to the lease boundary, and levels to the north and south have been driven. The coal is 7 ft. thick and of good quality. Willetts' Mine. —All the coal has been won from splitting and robbing the pillars. BMe Mine.-There has been no development at this mine, all the output having been won from pillarextraction. Central Otago Mines. Shepherds Creek Mine.—Pillar-work on the north side of the main dip was completed about the middle of the year. Since that time a little development work has been done on the south side oi mam clip. Cairnmuir Mine. —This mine was closed down and the plant withdrawn. Nevis Crossing Mine. —No coal mined during the year. . , ,t • ™Wh is steam Nevis Opencast Mine—This opencast pit has been worked chiefly to supply the Nevis Dredge, which dnVC Oturehua Pit.—This pit is worked opencast; the thickness of coal being worked is from 16 ft. to 18 ft., and the stripping from 4 ft. to 5 ft. Blackstone Hill Pit. —No coal has been mined during the year. and the Idaburn Pit.—This pit has worked reasonably well during the year. The coal is 20 ft. m thickness and the stripping Mine _^ ork haa been continued in this opencast mine. The stripping is sluiced off the coal and kept well back from the workings. Parfit's Mine. —Only a small amount of coal mined in the first half-year. South Otago District. New FernhiU Mine.—The coal from this mine has all been won from developing-places. The main level to.the north-cast has been continued to a distance of 11 chains from the main dip, and the development to the south-west is in an area of coal which was left between the present mine and the old iernhill Mine. Jubilee Mine —The crosscut dip has been driven to a distance of 23 chains from the mine entrance, and developing'plaices "are being driven on both sides of the dip. With the exception of a little piUar-extraction at the beginning of the year, all the coal has been won from solid places which are worked single and being driven h ° m Hodsol ? s mL W -All the coal has been won from pillar-extraction. There are only a few pillars remaining, and oil available coal will be taken out in a few months' time. McColl's Mine.—All the available coal has been extracted, and the mine was closed down during November. Fairfield Mine— There has been no development at this mine, all the coal having been won from splitting an eXtra SXm arS ki»e--The development of the south crosscut dip section was completed early in the year Since that time alTthe soal produced has been from the extraction of pillars. A new fan has been installed, which has &t ]ias™Taieri Jfiwe.—Development is being carried on in the area of coal to the dip of the old mine workings. Ihe coal is of good quality and 14 ft. thick. Further development looks promising. Burnwell Mine.—A little prospecting has been done by driving on this area, with very poor results. Kskvale Mine.—A little development was done at the beginning of the year. The area proved being very small, nillar-extraction was started, and the greater portion of the output was won from pillar-extraction. lilliotvale Mine. —Development in the east side of the main dip was carried on to a distance of 4 chains when the seam which was split by a fireclay band 18 in. thick, became inferior m quality. Development was stopped anc. Pill 7f£nC-"ili amount of development has been done from the outcrop 20 chains to the west of old min %ZttMZ C -The SiS Undeveloped in an easterly direction. The total length is nearly 1,400 ft. Tievels are being worked to the north and south. , . , Taratu Mine—No mining operations have been carried on during the year, the only work being done <s to keep the mine in order and free of water. The mine has now been abandoned. The plant was withdrawn <lU ''ATine. 9 TPhe coal from this mine was won from pillar-extraction. The company closed down after Auaust and the mine was worked for a short time since on a co-operative basis. .It is again closecl. w'angaloa Mine.—All the coal has been won from development. This development has been on the south-west side of the main dip, the workings extending into freehold property in this direction.
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Kaitangata Mine. —The greater part of the output has been won from pillar-extraction in the east and west sections of the main seam. The seam generally has been about 20 ft. in thickness, and in one place proved to be 30 it. thick. The percentage of extraction has been very high. The main development work has been carried out in the Samson seam to the north of the main seam. The coal-seam in this area is on a grade of .1 in 2, and is being worked from a crosscut dip in a south-west direction at a grade of lin 3. This development has proved that a large area of coal lies directly under the main haulage tunnel. A prospecting drive has been driven at a point one mile and a half to the south of the present mine. After being driven 1,250 ft. at a grade of 1 in 2, the drive struck a seam of coal 8 ft. thick. This drive may be used as a return air-course in future development. Southland Mines. Hakatere Mine. —This mine closed down on 31st March, 1939. Waimumu Mine. —Opencast operations are still being carried on. Otikerama Mine. —The total output has been won from pillar-extraction. All pillars on the south-west side of the dip have been worked out, and there are only a few pillars left on the north-east side. Croydon Pit.—This pit is still being worked opencast. The coal being worked is 20 ft. thick, and the stripping 7 ft. thick. Matavra Lignite. Mine (Beattie Coster). —The old pit was worked out in the first half of the year and a new one started. In the new pit the coal-seam and the overburden are of about equal thickness. Green's Mine.—Pillar-extraction in the dip section was stopped early in the year, and since then some development has been done to the south-west, approximately 12 chains from the main dip. Boghead Mine. —The main dip was driven in a westerly direction, and all the eoal has been won from the development of the north and south levels. Qlenlee Mine. —All the output has been won from developing the main level and companion level. The main level face is now in 20 chains from the mine entrance. Ota Creek Pit.—A small amount of coal has been won from this opencast. Raby Pit. —This pit is opencast, the coal being 30 ft. thick and the stripping 7 ft. thick. Coster's Pit. —Opencast workings are still being carried on. Kea Pit. —These workings are opencast. The coal is 12 ft. thick and the stripping 8 ft. Mataura Paper-mills.—This pit was started early in the year and the stripping was done by a Ruston-Bueyrus digger. Coal-production started in May and a good output has been maintained. The digger is now used for mining and filling the coal. Argyle Pit. —A small amount of eoal has been won from this opencast. Diamond Lignite Pit. —This opencast pit is being worked to the south-west. The coal is 30 ft. thick and the stripping from 10 ft. to 12 ft. Waimeamea Pit.—A small amount of opencast is still being carried on. Princhester Creek Mine. —Most of the year has been spent on prospecting without satisfactory results. Lynwood Pit.—A small amount of coal has been won from this opencast pit. Star Mine. —The old mine was worked out and closed down, and a new mine started in the area to the east of the old mine workings. A dip drive in a southerly direction picked up the coal-seam, which is of good quality, and development has been carried out to 10 chains from the dip in an easterly direction. Birchwood Mine.- The output is being won partly from pillars and partly development. Pillar-extraction is being carried out in the No. 3 east section, and development in the No. 4 east and No. 3 west sections. Some prospecting is being done on the fault in the No. 3 west rise section, and the results look fairly promising. Black Diamond Mine.—The whole of the output from this mine is from pillar-extraction from the No. 5 north side level section. Black Lion Aline. —The greater portion of the output has been won from pillar-extraction in the north-east section. In the area to the west of the main heading some developing work has been done. The prospects in this section appear to warrant further work being done. Mossbank Mine. —Development was being carried out in an area of coal to the east of the old No. 3 Mine ; at the beginning of June one of the places connected with the old Mossbank opencast and the mine became flooded. No coal has been produced since then. New Drives, Mossbank Coal Co. : These two drives, which were to open up a new mine, did not strike the coal as anticipated, and were stopped after being driven : Main drive, 949 ft.; return drive, 756 ft. Further prospecting by boring is being done in this area. Wairaki Mine. —The development work in the No. 3 east dip was completed, and this area is now being pillared with the exception of a small block where the pillars are only being split. Stone Dip Section : An area off No. 3 east level is being developed in good-quality coal. In No. 2 east section pillaring was completed to the barrier line on the south side of the Ohai-Nightcaps Road- Prospecting : Five boreholes have been put down on Mill's lease, and good results were obtained in four of these bores. This area will in all probability be developed by a new mine. Linton No. 1 Mine. —Development work is being carried out in the No. 7 section of the mine and on the inbye side of No. 8 section. In the No. 7 section the dip headings proceeding north have reached the fault-line, and preparations are being made for the extraction of pillars. A small area of coal (Adam and Eve's dip) which was worked some time ago and stopped has been reopened. Some prospecting has been done in this area with encouraging results. Linton No. 2 Mine: Only a very limited quantity of coal remains to be extracted, and this mine should be worked out during the current year. Prospecting and Development: Some prospecting has been done by boring in the area lying to the east of No. 1 Mine, the results being fairly satisfactory. A new stone drive was started to open up the area which had been bored, and it was found that in some workings intercepted by the drive a fault had been met. The continuation of the main drive has been suspended meantime, pending the further proving of this fault line. Beaumont Syndicate.—A dip drive at a grade of 1 in 3 in a south-west direction picked up the coal-seam at 1 chain from the surface. The coal is of good quality, 20 ft. in thickness, but split by fireclay varying in thickness from 9 in. to 3 ft. A bore 3 chains west of the drive proved top coal 9 ft., clay I ft., bottom coal 12 ft. The workings will be in the lower seam. Titapua Pit.—This opencast was worked for the first part of the year, and then closed down. The coal was 12 ft. thick and the stripping 7 ft. thick. Hedgehops Pit. —This opencast pit was worked only the first half of the year and then closed. School of Mines. The mining classes at the Ohai School have been carried on during the year, although there was a serious reduction in the number of pupils during the latter half of the year. Fatal Accidents, I have to report that there were no fatal accidents during the year ended 31st December, 1939.
59
C.—2.
Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On the 30th January M. McKinney, Kaitangata, sustained a fracture of a small bone in his leg through being Ht,mob bv a rake of empty boxes while crossing the Dip Road. . On the 20th March R. Lunn, Kaitangata, suffered a fractured pelvis and internal injuries. While Lunn, standing with his back to the pillar side, was fixing the cap piece, a slab of coal weighing approximately 5 cwt. fell from e pillar side off a greasy back which could not be seen, struck him, and knocked him down over the rails on the roadway. On the 23rd March A. Smith, Glentunnel, sustained a broken right leg below the knee. He was employed mmi g fireclay from an opencut about 15 ft. wide when a piece of clay weighing approximately 2 cwt. rolled off the side, staking Inm om pi oye d as a trucker in the Black Lion Mine, sustained a fracture of the hip bone and a fractured rib' Ho turned a full box from a side road on to the jig head without having put in the stop-block Then a second full box knocked the first box over the brow. While trying to hold the first box from running away, he was caught between the two boxes. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 82, Coal-mines Act, 1925). Elliotvale Mine.—9th March, 1939 : A fire burnt around a brick stopping in a sealed area 20 ft. west of the main drive Al2 ft. sand stopping was erected against the brick stopping, and the area sealed off and made safe. Airedale Mine —On the sth May an underground fire was discovered (probably started in dry dust by a match or cigarette). A stopping was built at the mine entrance, and was broken on 6th June. Subsequently a portion of the mine had to be again sealed through heating. ~ __ r at,, -i Linton Mine.—The No. 1 section had to be sealed off on the 26th August through heating in the L portion oi No. 1 panel The next day a violent explosion occurred in the sealed-off area, blowing out the stoppings. The section was 'main'sealed with concrete stoppings. With the exception of the No. 1 panel, the No. 1 section has since been reopened. B Uenhar Mine.—lBth December, 1939 :On this day signs of heating were detected m old workings where pillars had been stripped. Immediate steps were taken to erect brick and concrete stoppings and the area effectively sealed off. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. A mine-manager (being the underviewer of the mine) was charged with failure to remain underground until the dav's work was finished and all workmen were out of the mine. He was convicted and fined £- 10s. and costs. On the 31st May a miner was charged with firing two shots in the mine without authority or qualification, contrary to Regulation 226 (a) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. The defendant was convicted and fined £1 and costs. A company charged with failure to furnish a half-yearly coal output return, as required by section 81 of the Coalmines Act, .1925, was convicted and fined £1 and costs.
60
C.-2.
STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1939.
ANNEXUEB B.
9 —C. 2.
61
5 Lj! Depth of Shaft dumber of Persons Title held Name of Mine- ** J= . . 5-g Thickness System of = J or Total Total Total ordinarily employed. Name of Mine and locality. (Crown Lease or manager and Class Name and Address of Owner. of Thickness Under- = £ Lengthof Stone Output for to to : Means of otherwise). of Certificate. 2? of Coal g g Coal-seams worked, ground E.S Drive (if any) , jggg 31st Decern- 31st Decern- „• i . , Ventilation. = £ = 2 Working. 5"2 to reach ber, 1938. ber, 1939. > £ « | Coal-seam. J I o od ;q H NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT Waikato District. Tons. Tons. Tons. Rotowaro, Rotowaro .. .. C r o w n lease , J. Smith (1st C.) .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland; 22 Brown .. 2 7' to 15' All .. Bord and I .. D. 1,600' .. 176,020 2,621,693 2.797,713 66 238 i 304 Fans (3) and freehold ! pillar ~ Pukemiro, Pukemiro .. .. Freehold .. J. R. Watson (1st C.) Pukemiro Collieries, Ltd, Auckland 24 „ ..1 4'to 18' 4'to 14' .. Ditto .. .. .. 110,987 2,704,766 2,815,753 49 176 225 Fans f2"> Wilton, Glen Massey .. .. „ .. T. Andrews (1st C.) Wilton Collieries, Ltd., Auckland 9 ,, .. 1 7' to 12' 5'to 9' .. ,, .. .. .. 89,930 649,636 739,566 36 131 167 Waikato Extended, Huntly West „ .. J. Honey (U.) .. Roose Shipping Co., Mercer ..23 „ .. 1 16' ..14' .. ■ .. 2,299 113.318 115,617 1 3 4 Natural -Glen Afton No. 1, Glen Afton .. Crown lease F. Lockington (1st C.) Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., Auck- 19 „ .. 1 4'to 16' 9' .. •• 72,388 1,851,593 1,923 981 30 134 164 Fan fl) and freehold land ' w ' MacDonald, Waikokowai .. Crown lease.. „ Ditto .. .. .. 9 „ .. 1 6'to 20' 9'to 14' .. „ .. .. .. 139,380 1.002.834 1.142 214 55 206 261 Taupiri East, Kimihia .. .. .. P. T. Peattie (2nd C.) Holland and party, Huntly ..18 „ .. 1 10' to 15' 12' .. „ .. .. .. 3,355 33.335 36,690 2 4 6 Natural Whatawhata Campbell, Whata- „ .. A. Penman (1st C.) Whatawhata Campbell Coal Co., 18 „ .. 1 12' ..8' .. .. 4.512 73,739 78 251 5 3 8 whata Ltd., Hamilton ' " Renown, Renown .. .. Freehold .. T. Geddes (1st C.) .. Renown Collieries, Ltd., Auckland 12 „ .. 2 15' 7' to 9' .. „ ,. 121,164 980,519 1.101 683 49 192 241 Fan m Graham, Glen Afton .. .. „ .. i J. Tweedie (2nd C.) Graham Coal Co., Glen Afton ..16 „ .. 1 3'to 6' 4' .. ,,.... .. 3,878 138'308 142 186 1 6 " 7 Glen" A" Potteries, Glen Afton ,, .. J. Howie (P.) .. Taranaki Brick and Land Co., 3£ „ .. 1 5'to 12' All .. Opencast .. .. 250 1,176 1 1 Natural Ltd., New Plymouth Daily's, Oparau .. .. Crown lease .. I J. N. Robson .. C. Y. Dally, Oparau, Te Awamutu 2£ ,, 1 6' 6" .. 5' .. ,, .. .. 22 77 99 1 1 2 Taranaki District. Old Stockman, Mokau .. .. Freehold .. H. Jones (D.) .. Chambers Bros., Havelock .. 19 Brown .. 1 4'6" .. All .. Bord and .. .. 1,012 9,469 10,481 1 2 3 Natural. Mangapehi, Mangapehi.. .. Crown lease.. J. Gillick (1st C.) .. Mangapehi Coal-mining Co., Ltd., 5i „ .. 1 14' ..7' .. Ditto^.. .. .. 6,479 22,360 28,839 3 8 11 Fan (1) Mangapehi ' v '' Hikurangi District. Waro, Hikurangi .. .. Freehold .. C. Hunter (1st C.) .. Waro Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 5 Sub - bitu- 1 4'to 8' All .. Bord and .. D. 1,000' .. 19,788 39,507 59.295 21 47 68 Fan (1) minous pillar ' Ruatangata, Kamo .. .. „ .. G. Cross (2nd C.) .. Kamo Potteries, Ltd., Whangarei 19 Ditto .. 2 6' 5' 6" .. Ditto .. .. .. 3,112 52,503 55.615 1 7 8 Natural Fearnley's, Waro .. .. „ .. J. Speirs (D.) .. Speirs and party, Hikurangi ..10 ,, .. 1 1'to 4' All .. .. .. .. 191 18 .022 18 213 2 2 New Kamo, Kamo .. .. Crown lease J. Makinson (1st C.) Kamo Collieries, Ltd., Whangarei 5£ ,, 1 18' .. 7' .. ,,.... D. 450' .. 44,738 143.658 27 66 93 FansV 9 ) and freehold ! ■ • ' '' Tauranga Block, Hikurangi .. Freehold .. H. Tipton (2nd C.).. J. Jones, Hikurangi .. 5$ 1 2' 6* .. All .. 2.328 5 108 7 * * xr Q+11TQ , WhareOra, Hikurangi .. .. „ .. J. Pollock (D.) .. Glen Nell Coal Co-operative Party, 9 ,, .. 15' ..5' .. ,,.... .. 316 5'943 6!259 2 Hikurangi ' '' I *" " Avoca, Tangowahine .. .. „ .. S. G. Foot (U.) .. S. G. Foot, Hikurangi .. .. lOi „ .. 18' .. All .. Opencast .... 556 9 298 9 854 3 3 Outputs of collieries, included in previous statements, at which operations have been abandoned or suspended .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,405,924 12 405'924 " "
C.—2.
STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1939—continued.
62
«* . i| Depth of Shaft Number of Persons c ® i o m System of c 2 or ! t t 1 Total Total ordinarily employed. Name of Mine and Locality. < C ™££J« r ma«a™ r Ifcto Name and Address ol Owner. 1 1 Coal .°i ama . ft 3 HfS" "tajfe" g % \j VentUatIon - of Certificate. g g s Coal-seam. « S 5 >1 ! CC : | _J I J " ' WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT. ToJia ;; ! Crown lease ;; J; £*& W % B&ous I % and V T !! ffi' " " ™ j >!% j .. 2 "« « O'Rourk?? Murchison.. .. Crown lease O. J. Gilroy (P.) .. A. O'Rourke, Murchison .. 19 Lignite .. 1 11 •• » •• Ditto j .. —>0 and freehold _ _ i fi' 1 I 1 ch .. 2,797 16,188 18,985 2 4 6 Fan. Wynndale, Mnrchison .. .. Crownlease.. A. Mclntoch (D.) .. G. and A. H. Wynn, Murchison 7 Sub-bitu- 16..,, ....... l en. i , m- vo» 1 oh 1 090 1,090 .. 4 4 Natural. Westhaven, CoUingwood .. Freehold .. ; G. Wynn (D.) .. Geo. Wynn, Mangarakau .. 1 Ditto .. 1 10 oj .. „ . - ■ - , 397,681 405,504 3 8 11 Fan. Punonea Puponga .. .. Crownlease.. A. J. McHardy Puponga Coal-mmes, Ltd., Puponga 36 „ .15 to 6i Hull .. ion. .. , y e ' p I (2nd C.) , ,, 9 46 44 290 i .. 2 2 Natural. North Cape, Onekaka .. .. Freehold A. Thompson (1st C.) North Cape Coal Syndicate, One- 1, „ "i 1 ° > Owen Owen River .. .. Crown lease ! W. Hawthorn (D.) Owen Collieries, Ltd., Nelson ..10 „ .. 1 4' to 6' „ .. Double .. 4 ch. .. 4,224 ' I I 1 Allan's, .. Crown lease .. T. D. Allan .. T. D. Allan, Charleston 7 Lignite .. 1 42; ..10' .. j Opencast ..[ .. « 2)4 |? : 1 " l! °T" S"?4 B S?ver ,Ct " rIe3t0n . ;; :: ;IntowHu h " J X to i«' I 8' " : Bo* and .. 443 2,264 2,707 .. 4 4 Natural. Cascade, Cascade Creek .. „ .. W. Brown (1st C.).. , Cascade-Westport Coal Co., Ltd., 13 Bituminous 1 30' .. 8' .. Ditto.. .. .. 20,749 187,227 207,976: 11 9 20 Charming Creek, Ngakawau .. „ R. J. Wearn (1st C.) \ Coal Co., 12 „ 1 8'to 20' 10' 20 ch. .. 30,316 153,054 183,370 ; 20 33 53 Fan. Ojal Creek, Seddonville .. „ .. T. Qulnn (D.) CoalfteekMtaing Party, Seddon- 22 „ 1 16' .. 8' j " 3 ' 333 j 103 \ t ° Hydro, Seddonville .. .. „ R. Mulholland (D.) j HydroCoal-mines, Ltd L, Westport 4 ,, 1 lo; .. j •• i 23ch '.. " S '°10 lli',626 119, '636 .- 1 1 1 Natural. &K8SS.:: :: : :: a — f ■■\l ■■ *-* ■■ :: % 8 m I :: i T Pnwpll's Charleston . •• •• J.H.Powell .. J. H. Powell, Charleston ..11 ,, .. l oU .. • • . >> 1 SterSorgV :: ;; :: :: » ~ :: i 27- 0 .. 8 - :: M- 1 J ; HrtmL SS 6 -: :: ;; :: JS Bituminous ) ftoV U :: ln T :: :: :: im.SS n.mllos iis 27! m Fans. Adamson (1st C.) 4'to 40' 12' 1 „ .. 1 .. 78 ch. .. 79,429 8,536,038 8,615,467 36 93 129 Fan. Millerton, Granity .. .. •• O. J Dayis (ist C.) , , , |? " o |X. 10 - ' .. 140,310 3,706,356 3,846,666 ! 81 173 254 Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau .. „ .. T. McGhie (1st C.).. Westport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd., 31 „ 3 4 to 20 lu ....... Watson's, Karamea A.J.Watson .. A. J. and ILWatson, Karamea.. 3 Lignite .. 1 10' .. Full 53 111 164 2 .. 3 Natural. Archer's .. Crownlease F. W. Archer (2nd C.) F. W. Archer, Reefton .. 44 Brown .. 2 9'and 12' j 8-to 11' .. Bordand ..400'.. .. 5,140 83,832 88,972 Burke's Creek Burke's Creek .. Crown lease°! d C. D. Buist (1st C.) Burke's Creek Collieries, Ltd., Wei- 38 „ .. 1 8'to 12' 9' •• Ditto .. .. .. 22,418 312,8/. 335,295 11 29 40 Fan. ... , v 4(V .. 5,775 82,000 87,775 3 9 12 Natural, dele, Merrijigs .. •• .. ®'T,--£ lb0 ™ S 2nd C "> V- W. Alhora and party, Reefton 53 „ 1 5 tUl •• .> •• 2 ggi 86,833 39,724 1 1 6 7 Coghlan's, Capleston .. .. Crown lease | B. Cohen (IJ.) .. John Coghlan, Reefton ..42 „ Hi Defiance Murray Creek .. Crown lease°! d ! G. Turner (2nd C.) McClatchie and Co., Ltd., Christ- 11 „ .. 16' .. Full .. j .. 3,991 13,798 Morrisvale Reefton » I C. D. Curtis (2nd C.) W. J. Morris, Reefton .. .. 27 „ .. 1 Wtsl4' 10' .. „ 1 .. /,6o0 10 5'o66 16 6'892 1 ™ 1 8 Burnwell, Reefton .. .. „ D. HamiU (D.) Burnwell Coai Ltd Reefton 11 „ .. 1 ■ 30 9 ... „ .. .. i . •• 5 ; 6 4 1 i 17 ; 6 4 7 23;288 3 8 11 Fan. Waitahu, Reefton .. .. „ A.D. Wdlaims(lstC.) A. D^WiUjams .. 80 ., .. - 6andl- •• ■ 10 5 ; 1,171 1,276 j .. 2 2 Natural. :: :: :: M) :: Ee^ n ;; Wl- - 1 :: - 1 •• 7,337 7.871 1.. 4 4 i „
C.—2.
63
Baddeley's, Bend Creek .. . State reserve R. Barker (U.) .. Baddeley and party, Runanga .. 19 Sub-bitu- \ 17' .. j Full .. Bordand \ .. 6,758 13,082 /9,840 j 2 5 i t j Fan. minous i piuar BeUbird, Ten-mile .. .. „ F. Fauth (D.) .. Fauth and party, Greymouth .. 12 Ditto .. 1 JO' .. „ •• Dltto •• •• •• » 76'893 83'624 1 8 9 Bellvue, liapahoe .. .. ,, H. Hadcroft (U.) .. Bellvue Mines, Ltd., Greymouth 13 ,, .. 1 6 .. ,, •• »> •• 12 4 213 4 136 135 4 140 348 30 50 80 " Blackball, Blackball .. .. Freehold .. J. G. Quinn (1st C.) Blackball Coal-mines Pty., Ltd., 48 Bituminous 2 17' ..8' .. „ .. .. 12 ch. .. 4,^1 6 4,ldb,ldo 4,14u,d» du du su „ Blackball Creek, Blackball .. „ .. „ Blaclftalf Coal Co., Ltd., 8i „ 2 17' .. 15' .. „ .. 12,507 120,343 132,850 7 21 28 „ Blackball c <09 1 = qc- 91 44.7 9 7 q Hunter's, Ten-mile .. .. State reserve j J. M. Williams (2nd Hunter and party, Greymouth .. 7 Sub-bitu- 1 / . ■ Full .. „ Braehead. Dunollie .. .. „ G. H. GaskeU (2nd C.) Boote and party, Dunollie 19 Ditto" 118 .. 1 5; to 9' ,, .. „ IJich. .. 9,644 w'339 3 *6 *9 " Briandale, Ten-mile .. .. Crown lease.. T. Howard (1st C.) Briandale Collieries, Ltd., Christ- 13 „ .. 18' ..6' .. „ .. .. li ch. .. 84,41b si „ Wallsend, Brunnerton .. .. Crown lease G. Smith (1st C.) .. Ltd., Wellington 16 Bituminous 1 18' .. 8' to 10' .. „ .. 2 650'each .. 53,999 720,003 774,002 29 108 137 „ and freehold . _ „ i 19 QQ4. k iiq i q 4 Cain's, Eapahoe .. .. State reserve S. Hewison (2nd C.) E. Cain, Eapahoe .. .. 15 Sub-bitu- 15 ..Full .. -• j. Castlepoint, Dunollie .. .. „ J. Neilson (1st C.) .. Castlepoint Co-operative party, 13 Ditto .. 1 4i' .. „ .. „ •• ■■ -■ 7 051 86,263 93,314 1 12 13 Dobson, Dobson .. .. Crownlease.. H. Brady (1st C.) .. Grey Ltd., Christ- 17 Bituminous 1 9'to 16' 9' .. „ .. 18 ch. .. 71,677 888,868 960 : a45 29 155 184 Fiery Cross, Dunollie .. .. State reserve J. Sharp (XJ.) .. Currie and party, Greymouth .. 11 Sub-bitu- 16' Full .. .. j ■■ .. | 5,574 48,6/0 Goldlight, Eewanui .. .. ,, E. Ewen (U.) .. Williams and party, Eunanga .. 12 Ditto -.17 .. „ .. „ i 4 ch. .. | 3*410 65 382 14 5 Hilltop, Ten-mile .. .. ,, B.. J. Armstrong (D.) Armstrong and party, Eunanga 9 „ .1 6 .. ,, .. " •• •• ! 4 937 1116 9 16 09 ( t 2 5 7 Rave's Ten-mile .. .. ,, W. Hughes (D.) Kaye and party, Dunollie .. o „ .. 1 10 .. „ .. ,>•••• •• i 9fi QfiVna nv5>\vu i 78 Hunter's, Eewanui .. .. „ A.Hill(D.) .. Hunter and Par 19 „ .. 1 3i .. „ .. „ -- •• > 916 36 ;i 6 5 37!o81 2 6 8 Natural. Jubilee, Rapahoe .. •• J* Strang (L.) .. Jubilee Co-operative partj, 12 ,, ..id »» •• »» i Moody Creek, Dunollie .. „ J. J. Queen (2nd C.) Co-operative party, 17 „ .. 1 j 7'to 9' „ 6,111 79,717 85,828 3 10 13 Fan. CliFside, Nine-mile J. Gourlay (D.) .. Moore andWty, Greymouth ... 4* -• 1 f' - »' •• " 105'611 2 12 14 Fan™ 81 ' Ifew Point Elizabeth, Dunollie .. ,, J. Dymond (2nd C.) New Point Elizabeth Co-operative 13 ,, .. 1 10 to 20 Full .. > ' J party, Greymouth o ia qis qaj. a 19 if» Old Eunanga, Eewanui .. „ J. W. Smith (2nd C.) Old Eunanga Co-operative party, 13 „ .. 2 4and5i „ .. ; 9,u4t> »5,aoi 4 ! Eunanga Paparoa, Boa .. .. Crownlease.. ! A. O'Donnel (1st C.) ! Paparoa CoalCo., Ltd., WeUington 31 Semi-bitu- 2 „ .. „ "" j 15 c h / 41 .° 52 888,665 929,717 18 39 57 Fans. Schultz Creek, Twelve-mile .. „ .. D. Cameron (D.) .. Marshall and party, Twelve-mile 15 1 2i' .. .. „ .. •• 1 ' 147 38,616 39763 1 3 4 Natural. Smith's, Dunollie .. .. State reserve A. Ferguson (2nd C.) Smith and party, Eunanga .. 19 Ditto .. 1 *,. „/■ " •• ch " 3o'607 545'501 7 30 37 James, Rapahoe .. .. ,, P. M. Outhwaite New Zealand Government, Wei- 17 „ .. 1 4 to» „ .. „ xo on. .. ou,u ) 1 1 20' . 9' 29 ch. .. 29,786 .. 29,786 49 106 155 Strongman Nine-mile .. .. „ JMsSiithViit C \ " 27 Bituminous 3 8'to 34' FuU .. .. .. 36 ch. .. 157,372 3,089,233 3,246,605 ; 86 257 343; „ Liverpool, Eewanui .. .. „ A. Smith (1st C.) .. „ . . .. .. ' citununous o ° x 4g „ 47.953 49.385 2 3 5 ,, Spark's, Rewanui .. . . ,, J. linwin (D.) .. Spark and party, Runanga .. 17 „ - " a 191 5«i 8 1 9 4 581 Output of collieries, included in previous statements, at which operations have been abandoned or suspended .. .. .. •• •• •• •• •• •• ' ' SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. Clearview, Glemoy " ry ".. .. I Freehold .. P. Leeming (D.) .. Clearview Coal Co., Ltd., Glenroy 20 Lignite .. 1 101' .. 6' .. Bordand .. D. 90' .. 2,297 32,999 35,296 1 4 5 Natural. Klondyke, Bush Gully .. ..! „ .. M. Fowler (2nd C.) Klondyke Colleries Ltd., Coalgate 11 „ .. 1 20' to 30' 8' .. Ditto.. .. D. 75' .. 10,389 44.891 55,280 3 13 16 Fan. Bonank Sheffield .. ..1 .. Ed. Charles (2nd C. A. Charles, Coalgate .. .. 8i „ .. 1 1 All .. „ .. .. D. 1 ch. .. 1,746 11,763 13.&09 1 | a Tripp"; Mount Somers .. ..I » .. M. Menaglio (P.) .. Mount Somers Mines, Ltd., Christ- 73 „ .. 2 7 and 22 „ .. „ .... D. 150 .. 2,704 105, bou iU8,dU4 I o b Natural. Blackburn, Mount Somers ..-Crownlease.. E. E. Beckley (D.) Blacklrarn Coal Co., Ltd., Ash- 10 „ .. 2 island 8'and all D. 60' .. 3,129 22,156 25,285 1 4 5 ,, Woodbank Alburv .. .. I J. H. Smellie (D.) .. J. H. Smellie, Albury .. ..15 „ 1 27' IV . D. 4i ch. .. 346 J'22| 9k'??q I 1 I YSotc n oiite ecliffs :: :: Fre ? hold :: :: If :: 1 2-9- :: au° :: ;; :: :: D:3»ch. :: '171 "967 i;i 38 .. 2 2 Natural. Brockley Anthracite, Canterbury „ .. E. W. Broad (D.) .. Brockley Anthracite CoUieries, Ltd., 1 Altered 13' .. D. 1£ ch. .. 299 .. 299 1 2 3 Malvern Sheffield .. „ •• P. Hart (P.) .. A .Taylor,' Waddington, Sheffield 2 Lignite .. 16; .. „ .. „ D. 4| ch. .. 830 788 1,618 1 2 3 ,, :: .. .. D. McQueen (D.) .. D. McQueen, Sheffield .. ..3 „ ..16' .. o' .. D. 150- .. 369 1,446 1,815 1 2 3 ,, Airedale, Papakaio 0 .. Crownlease.. E. Roberts (U.) .. Airedale Coal Co., Ltd., Oamaru.. 13 Lignite .. 1 6'6' .. 6' .. •• D. 330' .. 2,711 41,864 44,575 1 5 6 Fan. St. Andrews, Papakaio .. Freehold .. J. H. Nimmo (D.) .. J. H. Nimmo, Peebles .. .. 60 1 5'6'to7' 6' .. Ditto .. .. D. 231' .. 1,488 t 84,841 86,329 1 2 3 ,,
C.—2.
STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1939—continued.
64
i .. ..... - 2 nr * r— * ' j ~~~ 5 : _• .1 S ~ ~ Depth of Shaft Number of Persons ... ,, . "-S LT, System of ?$\ or tw„i Total Total ordinarily employed. XT . . T ... Title held Name of Mine- nf ft™ - § Classification Thickness Thickness Under- ®<?l Length of Stone n ,, nilt . . Output to Output to : Means of Name of Mine and Locality. (Crown Lease or manager and Class Name and Address of Owner. - s of Coal. % J of worked. ground g? Drive (if any) 0u n t Po U „ tfor 31st Decern- 31st Decern- 3 I , _• Ventilation. otherwise). of Certificate. = | Coal-seams Working. to reach Coal- 1930 " ber, 1938. ber, 1939. g £ £ g| Seam - | j j 1 g SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT —continued. North Otago —continued. | I j Tons. ! Tons. { Tons. j ] Willetts Airedale .. .. Crown lease R. McVie (D.) .. G. H. Willetts, Airedale .. 7 Lignite .. 1 10' ..6' .. Bordand .. ; D. 40' .. 1,015 6.980 7.995 1 2 3 Natural and freehold pillar Ngapara, Ngapara .. .. Freehold .. A. Nimmo (2nd C.) W. Nimmo, Ngapara .. ..61 „ .. 1 25' .. 3'to 10' .. Ditto .. .. D. 50' .. 1,758 51,719 53,477 1 2 3 Fan. Shag Point (Old), Shag Point .. Crown lease .. W. McLaren (D.) .. W. McLaren, Shag Point .. 25 Brown .. 16' ..All .. „ .. .. D. 120' .. 2,152 438,070 440,222 3 4 7 Natural. Shag Point (New), Shag Point .. Freehold .. A. K. McLean (U.) A. K. McLean, Shag Point ..31 ,, .. 13' .. ,, .. D. 50' .. 846 340.841 341,687 1 2 3 Fan. Rockvale, Herbert .. .. „ .. D. R. Gaudion (D.) W. Marshall, Herbert .. .. 5 Lignite .. 18' ..6' .. ,,.... j D. 9 ch. .. 779 1,370 2,149 .. 2 2 Natural. Central Otago. Idaburn, Oturehua .. .. Freehold .. R. Barber (D.) .. R. Barber, Oturehua .. ..69 Lignite .. 1 35' .. 28' .. Opencast .. .. 844 62,373 63,21/ 2 .. 2 Oturehua, Oturehua .. .. Crown lease .. A. Brown (P.) .. J. R. and A. Becker, Oturehua.. 45 „ 1 12' .. All * ,, ..j .. 91 8,694 8,785 2 2 Parfit's, Upper Idaburn .. „ .. I. J. Parfit (P.) .. I. J. Parfit, Naseby .. ..12 „ 1 10' .. „ .. 10 1,370 1,380 1 1 McPherson's, Coal Creek Flat .. ,, .. N. J. Harliwich (P.) N. J. Harliwich, Coal Creek Flat.. 69 ,, ..1 14' „ .. ,, .. .. 1,115 113,680 114,795 2 2 Shepherd's Creek, Bannockburn .. „ .. J. Hodson (2nd C.) J. Hodson, Bannockburn ..62 „ .. 1 20' .. 10' to 12' Bordand .. D. 100' .. 2,056 141,201 143,257 1 3 4 Fan. pillar Fache's, Nevis .. .. „ .. R. Ritchie (P.) .. Trustees Estate of S. C. Fache, 6 „ .. 1 60' ..12' .. Opencast .. .. 389 2,092 2.481 2 2 State Forest Service, Ranfurly South Otago. . Jubilee, Saddle Hill .. .. Crown lease F. Barclay (2nd C.) Jubilee Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin .. 42 Lignite .. 1 6'to 9' 5'to 6 .. Bordand .. D. 200' .. ! 9,817 634,191 644,008 o lo 20 Fan. and freehold pillar New Fernhill, Abbotsford .. Freehold .. M. Hewitson (1st C.) New Fernhill Coal Co., Ltd., 7 „ ..1 6'to 14' 6' .. Ditto .. .. D. 300' .. 3,956 23,131 27,087 1 6 7 ,, Dunedin Fairfield. Fairfield .. .. ,, .. J. G. Barclay (U.) Fairfield Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin 7 ,, .. 17' ..6' .. ...... D. 650' .. 2,988 15,880 18,868 1 6 7 ,, Brighton, Brighton .. .. Crown lease N. McColl (P.) .. N. McColl, Brighton .. ..24 „ .. 15' ..All .. ,, .. .. D. 150' .. 108 12,717 12,825 .. 2 2 „ and freehold East Taieri, East Taieri .. Freehold .. W. Hewitson (1st C.) J. Dunery and A. Birley, East 20 „ .. 1 15' ..6' .. „ D. 9 chs. .. 758 49,252 50,010 2 4 6 „ Taieri j Willowbaiik, East Taieri .. ,, .. N. Smith (D.) .. G. Scurr and Co., Ltd., Mosgiel .. 19 „ ..2 8'and 8' 6'and 6' „ .. .. D. 200' .. i 6,328 80,278 86,606 2 6 8 i ,, Taratu, Lovell's Flat' .. .. ., .. W. Sneddon (D.) .. Sir P. R. Sargood, Dunedin ..38 ,, .. 1 8'to 25' 14' .. ,, .. .. D. 400' .. 149 792,804 792,953 2 j .. 2 „ Elliotvale, Milton . .. .. M. Welch (U.) Elliotvale Collieries, Ltd.. Dunedin 10 ,, .. 1 20' ..8' .. ,,.... D. 40' .. 3,630 34,389 38,019 2 7 9 „ Eskvale, Milton .. .. „ .. J.J. Cooper (D.) .. A. J. Birley, Waronui, Milton .. 9 „ .. 18' ..All .. „ .. .. .. 2,313 16,695 19,008 1 3 4 Natural. Benhar, Stirling .. Crown lease J. Walls (2nd C.) .. McSkimming and Son, Ltd., Benhar 76 ,, .. 3 14' ..10' .. ,,.... D. .. 6,538 340,953 347,491 1 6 7 Fan. and freehold Lakeside, Kaitangata ..- .. Freehold .. J. W. Fenton (U.).. Lakeside Collieries (Kaitangata), 29 ,, .. 1 20' .. 7' .. ,,.... D. 200' .. 517 20,638 21,155 1 2 3,, Ltd., Dunedin Kaitangata, Kaitangata .. Crown lease F. Carson (1st C.) .. Kaitangata. Coal Co., Ltd., Kai- 63 Brown ., 2 20'and 8' All :. .*. .. D. 858' .. 133,786 5,695,835 5,829,621 80 220 300 and freehold tangata Wangaloa, Kaitangata .. Ditto .. J. Prescott (D.) .. J. Prescott, Kaitangata .. 17 Lignite .. 1 16' .. 7' .. „ .. .. D. 5£ ch. .. 2,105 16,267 18,372 1 3 4 Natural. Kai Point, Kaitangata .. Freehold .. S. Newburn (2nd C.) S. Newburn, Kaitangata .. 12 Brown .. 1 25' .. 10' .. „ .. .. D. 30' .. 342 8,963 9,305 1 1 2 Hodson's, Fairfield .. .. Crown lease J. L. Baird (D.) .. Hodsons Coal Co., Green Island 8 Lignite .. 16' ..5' .. ,, .... D. 99' .. 4,053 31,339 35,392 2 6 8 Fan. and freehold Southland. „ Green's, Gore .. .. Freehold .. W. J. Barclay (D.) W. J. Barclay, Gore .. ..51 Lignite .. 1 20' ..10' .. Bordand .. D. 210' .. 2,885 407,326 410,211 1 2 3 Fan. pillar Croydon, Gore .. .. ,, .. C. McGregor (P.) .. C. McGregor, Gore .. ..24 „ .. 1 30' .. All .. Opencast .. .. 2,576 33,526 36,102 2 .. 2 .. Otikerama. Otikerama .. „ .. F. Kubala (P.) .. J. Hoffman, Gore .. ..50 „ .. 1 20' ..12' .. Bordand .. .. 3,401 64,322 67,723 1 3 4 Natural. pillar Waimumu, Waimumu .. .. „ .. J. S. Wilks (P.) .. Waimumu Coal Co., Ltd., Gore .. 11 „ .. 1 30' .. 25' .. Opencast .. .. 5,873 30,225 36,098 2 2 Glenlee, Waikaka .. .. „ .. J. G. Burgess (P.) F. W. Edge, Waikaka .. ..46 „ .. 1 14' 6" .. 9' .. Bordand .. .. 1,204 42,457 43,661 .. 1 1 Fan. pillar Argyle, Waikaia .. .. Crown lease .. T. Woodward (P.) T. Woodward, Waikaia ..48 „ .. 1 11' ..9' .. Opencast .. .. 229 13,867 14,096 1 1 Boghead, Mataura •• •• Freehold .. J. Dee (P.) .. C. E. Rowe, Mataura .. ..34 ,, .. 1 22' ..10' .. Bordand .. .. 4,855 127,207 132,062 1 3 4 Fan. pillar Mataura- Lignite, Mataura .. ,, 1 .. J. Pearson (D.) .. Beattie Coster and Co., Ltd., 63 ',, .. 1 15' .. All .. Opencast .. .. 3,727 411,212 414,939 4 4 Ota Creek, Wyndham .. .. ; Crown lease .. E. Genge (P.) .. E. Genge, Wyndham .. ..59 „ ..118' .. I ,, .. „ .. .. 340 34,381 34,721 1 1
C.—2.
65
g^& A^: ss,dtog . :: rg r •• ? r •• AU •• °~r-i ■• *.« ; - x .. Black Diamond, Nightcaps .. „ .. R. McDonald (2nd C.) Diamond Coal Co., Ltd., 24 BroW .. 1 25' !! " Bord'and !! !! 14,3 It 29 $$1 I ij Fan . ' Ohai " !! » " E."Maalm ( (2nd'c.) HtakLta C°oal Co' Ltd" S It " " 5 25 ' f> * " " " 5" WOO' .. 30,610 221,992 252,602 15 56 71 „ Mossbank, Ohai .. .. „ .. (1st Mossbank Coal Co.','Ltd'.', Inver- 25 " !! 2 8'and 15' 12' !! " !! ;; "''tit fH'Ml 1 *2 2 <S Sot'bhif.. :: :: ;; :: 2 ;; " 1 XI- AU •• , "- 271 627 -« 3 571 - 7W 16 62 *> " Ireehold .. 0i „ „ » ■■ B i „ •• 1 30' to 40' " ;; " " " } 107,713 1,431,744 1,539,457 40 130 170 btar, unai .. .. .. ,, .. G. Gilbert (1st C.) Star Coal Co., Ltd., Ohai 8 1 20' 8' ' in/v ** -to Waimeamea, Orepuki .. .. Crown lease .. J. L. Hennessey (P.) J L Hennessey Orenuki 34 TiiViite " 4 tr- " ?*' " r>" " " " 13,327 60,94o 74,272 10 23 33 Baby, Gore Freehold .. J. Miller (P.) .. J! E. Miller Gore " 6 " 1 25' " In " 0pencast - •• . W7 38,272 38,439 2 .. 2 .. Beaumont Coa 1 s yndicate, Night- „ .. J. B. Ford (D.) .. Beanmont Coal Syndicate, Night- iBro™ " 1 26" .'! £' " Bord'and " D li ch ' ?8 * 15 '«?S 1 I „ „ '; caps ri'iiQ-p '' 2 • • • LO • • 10 .. 06 JNaturai. :: » :: :: li Lig f e :: ! !r to10 ' Au •• •• •• j.™ « « i - :: :: | :: lSSE$j :: :: f ;; :: J E bJw :: ii 8 1 It 2 || ill f | Mataura Paper-mills, Mataura .. j „ .. A. V. Coster (P.) .. fcfttad Paper-mills, Ltd., 1 „ 2 4'and 25' 8'and 22' Opencast .. .. 11,341 .. nM l 4 4 Hedgehope, Mataura » • • P. W. Burton (P.) P. Larking, Mataura .. .. 1 . 1 20 7 411 i Output of collieries, included m previous statements, at which operations are abandoned or suspended .. .. " " "" " 1,8/5 a Q 4 "* j • • I .. .. o,oio ,900 o,olt> ,905 !! i! 1 033' 342 ll'Swf'wfi «nq 665 930 Totals, Northern District, North Island ;; " ;; ;; ;; ;; Il;gll;g2l gffSffg II Ijlt fjlgl Output of collieries prior to 1890, not included in above statement .. .. *" " " " " ** 2 ' 342 ' 639 90-180,756 92,523,395 1,220 3,542 4,762 Shale exported. 1914 .. . " "" •* •• .... .. 296,653 21 92,820,069
C.—2.
APPENDIX C.
REPORT OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS. Geological Survey Office, Sir, —• Wellington, 30th April, 1940. 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 1939. Coal-mines Act. —The annual examinations of candidates for mine-managers' certificates under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, were held at Huntly, Reefton, Westport, Greymouth, and Dunedin on the 17th October and two following days. In addition, two candidates were examined at Westport for mine-surveyors' certificates. Examinations for candidates who desired to obtain underviewers' and firemen-deputies' certificates were held at Dunedin on the 10th and 11th October ; at Huntly on the 7th, Bth, and 9th November; at Greymouth on the 22nd and 23rd November; and at Westport on the 28th and 29th November. Two special examinations were held at Greymouth during the year, one for a candidate who held a partial pass for underviewer's certificate, and the other for a candidate who held a partial pass for a fireman-deputy's certificate. The total number of candidates sitting the various examinations under the Coal-mines Act was eighty-seven, an increase of three as compared with the previous year. Sixty-seven, gas-testing certificates were issued to candidates during 1939, while twenty-eight candidates whose certificates were more than five years old were re-examined in gas-testing and their certificates endorsed to that effect. Pursuant to section 6 of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1937, five underviewers' and twentyfour firemen-deputies' certificates were endorsed by the Inspectors of Mines. One mine-surveyor's certificate without examination was, in accordance with the regulations under the Coal-mines Act, 1925, granted to an applicant who possessed the necessary qualifications. Mining Act.—Examinations for mine-managers' certificates under the Mining Act, 1926, were held at Waihi, Reefton, and Dunedin on the 17th October, 1939, and two following days. In addition, four candidates (two at Waihi and two at Reefton) were examined for battery superintendents' certificates, while an examination for dredgemasters' certificates was held at Greymouth on the 21st November. The total number of candidates sitting the several examinations was twenty-two, an increase of five as compared with the previous year. One dredgemaster's Class B certificate (by exchange) was granted to an applicant on production of an equivalent certificate issued after examination by a recognized authority outside of New Zealand. General.—Pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Act, 1937, four service permits were granted during the year. A number of certified copies of certificates lost or destroyed were, on application, granted by both Boards, which also dealt with a considerable number of matters arising out of applications for and issue of certificates, none of which calls for special mention. The following is a summary of the various examinations and the results obtained : —
66
Number of Candidates. Number of^rtifioatM Aot and Examination. g Examined. Passed. Partial Pass. „ ,. Recognized jx lain. Q re( jentials. 1. Coal-mines Act, 1925 — Mine-manager's certificate— (а) First class — Written examination . .1.6\ 2 4 2 Oral examination .. 5 f (б) Second class —■ Written examination .. 4\ 2 2 Oral examination .. 3 J Underviewer's certificate 28 8 5 8 Fireman-deputy's certificate .. 37 40* 9 40 Mine-surveyor's certificate — Written examination .. .. 2\ Oral examination .. .. • • f 2. Mining Act, 1926— Mine-manager's certificate — (a) First class — Written examination .. 6\ j 2 Oral examination .. if (b) Second classWritten examination .. .. \ Oral examination .. .. f Battery superintendent's certificate— Written examination .. .. 4\ 2 | 2 Oral examination J .. .. 3 f Dredgemaster's certificate — Class A .. .. ■. 2 Class B .. .. • • 10 7 .. 7 Class B (by exchange) .. . . _ 1 1 _ • • ■■ 1 * Includes thirteen candidates who last year were credited with partial passes pending the production of certain certificates. t B °th candidates had previously passed the written examination. } Includes one candidate who had previously passed the written examination.
C.—2.
A list of the certificates issued since my last report is appended. COAL-MINES ACT, 1925. First-class Mine-manager's Certificates. Issued after Examination. —Hill, William Edward, Kaitangata; Stirling, Hugh Macfarlane Huntly South. Second-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued after Examination.—Etheredge, James Eckley, Reefton; Glendenning, Thomas, Runanga, Mine-surveyor's Certificate. Issued without Examination.—Hutchinson, Henry, Greymouth. Underviewers' Certificates. Issued after Examination.—Eyeington, Stanley Robert, Runanga; Keown, George Joseph Kennedy, Runanga ; McCaig, William, Glen Massey; McClure, Arthur, Blackball; Millar, George Herbert, Reefton ; Shanks, William, Tatu, Ohura ; Taylor, Arnold, Waddington, Sheffield ;' Turton, John Dean, Huntly. Firemen-deputies' Certificates. Issued after Examination— Bateman, John Charles, Blackball; Bell, Donald, Runanga ; Bennett Alfred William Edward, Glen Massey; Bloxham, Nathaniel, Kaitangata ; Boyd, James, Huntly ■ Boyd, John, Seddonville ; Briggs, John, Rotowaro ; Campbell, David Cormie, Cobden, Greymouth ; Menzies, George Campbell, Huntly ; Chivers, Marshall, Huntly ; Cowan, John, Dobson ; Craig, George' Runanga; Currie, William, Pukemiro; Dingwall, William, Rotowaro; Dodds, Thomas Rodney,' Green Island ; Dunn, John Laurence, Rotowaro ; Dunn, Ronald Joseph, Renown ; Fleming, Williamj Waimangaroa ; Forrest, Thomas Davie, Ngaruawahia ; Gair, John George, Glen Massey; Glendenning, Adam, Dobson, Brunnerton ; Gorman, Thomas, Glen Massey; Gregory, James, Glen Massey; Harlock, Arthur Charles, Huntly ; Hart, Paul, Waddington, Sheffield ; Hodgson, William, Runanga ; Hunter, James, Huntly; McCallum, John Kirk, Rotowaro; McCulloch, Andrew, Stirling ;' Alexander, Murchison ; Mcintosh, Andrew, Brunnerton; Maughan, Percy, Greymouth; Millar, George Herbert, Reefton ; Morris, William George, Whatawhata ; Russell, Samuel, Kimihia, Huntly ; Seddon, Thomas, Pukemiro ; Smith, William Wilson, Huntly ; Turton, John Dean, Huntly ; Wilson,' Waikokowai; Wynn, George, Murchison. MINING ACT, 1926. First-class Mine-managers' Certificates. Issued after Examination.—Birchall, Kenneth Albert, Waihi; Craig, John Harold, Karangahake. Battery Superintendents' Certificates. Issued after Examination. —Acland, Thomas Saint Hill, Waikino ; Hogg, Alexander Bain, Waiuta. Dredgemasters' Class B Certificates. Issued after Examination. —Archer, Hector David, Hokitika; Christensen, William Saunders, Hokitika ; Garmonsway, Leo, Barrytown ; Hallinan, Mervyn, Greymouth ; Hartshorne, John Edward Summerfield, Blackball; Hawkins, William, Blackball; Webb, Brian William, Arahura. Issued on Production of Certificate from Recognized Authority outside of the Dominion.—Skellv George William, Blackball. PETROLEUM ACT, 1937. Service Permit. La Mar, Hobart Lora, Gisborne. Service Permits (by Exchange). Brown, Nathaniel Isaiah Wilhelm, Ngaruawahia ; Launder, Robert Henry, New Plymouth; Pedersen, Krysfeldt Einar, Gisborne. I have, &c., J. Henderson, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Chairman of Boards.
Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (835 copies), £120.
By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington—l94o.
Price. Is. 6d.]
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Bibliographic details
MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1940 Session I, C-02
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54,893MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1940 Session I, C-02
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