Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1941 Session I | MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER...

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MINES STATEMENT.

CONTENTS.

PAGE MINES STATEMENT .. .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • ■ Assistance to Mining .. .. ■ ■ • • ■ ■ • • • • • • 20 Government Prospecting Drills .. .. ■ • • • ■ • • • Roads and Tracks .. .. ■ • • - • • • ■ • • • • 20 Schools of Mines .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • • • • 20 Subsidized Prospecting .. .. •. • • • • • • • ■ 20 Coal-mines Council .. • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • • j Coal-mining Legislation .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • * Carbonizing and Briquetting .. • • • • • • • • • • • Coal-mining .. .. • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • • 0 Coal-miners' Relief Fund.. .. ■ • • • • • • ■ • • • • Co-operative Mining, State Coal Reserve .. .. .. • • • • " 7 Geological Survey .. •• •• •• •• •• ..17,18 Goldfields Revenue and Gold Duty .. • • • • ■ • • ■ • • * Gold and Silver Mining .. .. .. • • ■ • • • • • • • Laboratory Investigations .. .. •• •• •• " Minerals other than Gold .. • ■ • • • • • • • • • • Aluminium.. .. •• •• •• ■■ •• •* jj? Antimony .. .. • • • • • • • • ■ • • • • • Asbestos .. .. • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • • Bentonite .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • ■ ■ * Copper j? Magnesite .. .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • j Manganese ■ • ■ • • • • ■ • • • • • • • • . Mercury .. 1 Oil Shale lb >" Scheelite .. . ■ • • • • • • ■ ■ '" . '' '' ! r Serpentine .. .. • • • • • ■ • • • • ■ • • • Mineral Resources Committee .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • ■ Miners' Benefits .. . • • • ■ • • • • • • • ' • ' Mining Control .. . • • • • • • • ■ • • • • • ' • Mining Legislation Mining Privileges .. ■ • • • • ■ ■ • ■ • • • •' New Avenues of Coal-utilization .. .. • • • • ■ • • • • ■ Petroleum Oil .. • • • • • • • • ■ • • • •' " ' Rescue Stations .. •• • • •• •• •• " Schools of Mines . • • • • • • ■ • • ■ * " in Social Amenities in Mining Townships .. .. • • • • • • • • State Coal-mines .. • • • • • • 1 • • • • • " j. Housing .. • • • • • • ■ • ■ • • ■ • • "' Items from Balance-sheet .. ■ ■ • • • • • • • ■ • • Output and Sales .. .. ■ • ■ • • ■ • • • • • • '>° Statistics — _ Coal-mining Gold and Silver Mining Mineral Production . . .. • • • • • • • • . • ■ ■ • Mining and Quarry Accidents.. _ .. .. .. •• •• •• Persons employed in or about Mines and Stone-quarries .. .. ~. •• t- 1 Subsidy on Coal produced • • • • ■ • • • " »» "

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PAGE Tables to accompany Mines Statement .. .. .. .. .. .. 21-26 No. 1. Export of Minerals and Coal-output.. .. .. .. .. .. 21 No. 2. Gold--Quantity and Value exported from Districts and Counties or Boroughs .. 22 No. 3. Table showing Quantity of Gold exported Annually from 1857 .. .. .. 23 No. 4. Coal—Output from different Fields .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 No. 5. Coal—Output of different Classes .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 No. 6. Coal and Oil-shale—Annual Production and Coal imported since 1878 .. .. 24 No. 7. Coal— Imports .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 25 Exports : Bunkers .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 25 Exports : Cargo .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ .. 25 No. 8. Table showing Quantity of Coal exported Annually from 1900 .. .. .. 25 No. 9. Number of Persons employed in Mining .. ~ . .. ... 26 Appendices to the Mines Statement .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 27-77 Appendix A. —Eeports relating to Metalliferous Mines and Stone-quarries .. ~ 27-49 Report by Inspecting Engineer .. .. .. .. ~ .. 27-34 I. Minerals: Exported.. .. .. .. .. .. 27 Produced.. .. . .. .. ~ ~ 28 11. Persons employed .. .. .. .. .. ~ ~ 28 111. Accidents .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ t . 28 IV. Gold-mining : Bullion-production ; Dividends declared ; Persons employed, Number of Mines and Dredges .. .. .. .. 29-31 (1) Quartz-mining .. .. .. .. .. 29 30 (2) Dredge Mining .. .. .. .. ~ .. 30 (3) Alluvial Mining ~ .. .. .. ~ . g 32 (4) Prosecutions .. .. .. .. . .. 31 V. Minerals other than Gold .. .. .. .. .. ..31,32 VI. Stone-quarries .. .. .. .. .. ..32,33 VII. State Aid to Mining .. .. .. ~ ~ .. 33,34 (1) Subsidized Prospecting .. .. .. .. , _ 33 (2) Government Prospecting Drills .. .. .. ~ 34 (3) Subsidized Roads to Mining Areas .. .. .. .. 34 (4) Legislation affecting Metalliferous Mines .. ... .. 34. Annexure A —Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. .. 35-45 Northern Inspection District .. .. ~ .. .. .. 35 36 Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast District .. .. .. .. 37141 Southern Inspection District .. ~ .. .. ~ _, 41-45 Annexure B—Report on Stone-quarries .. .. .. ~ , „ 43 Annexure C —Mining Statistics— (1) Quantity of Quartz crushed and Gold obtained .. ~ .. ~ 47-49 Appendix B—Reports relating to the Inspection of Coal-mines .. .. 50-72 Report by Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector .. .. ~ .. 50-56 Section I. Coal Output and Imports : Production from Principal Collieries .. 50-52 Section 11. Persons employed : Coal raised : Lives lost by Accidents .. 53 Section HI. Accidents .. .. .. .. ~ _ _ 54 Section IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act .. .. .. , _ 54-56 (a) Permitted Explosives .. .. .. .. 54 (b) List of Mines required by Law to use Permitted Explosives .. ~ 55 (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safety Lamps .. .. .. 55 56 (d) Dangerous Occurrences .. .. .. ~ _ _ '5q (e) Electricity at Collieries .. .. .. ~ ~ 55 (/) Prosecutions .. .. .. .. .. _ gg Section V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining .. ~ ~ 5g Annexure A—Summary of Reports by Inspectors of Mines .. .. 57-68 Northern District .. .. .. .. .. _ _ 57-60 West Coast District .. .. .. .. ~ _ 63-68 Southern District .. .. .. ~ , _ " go-63 Annexure B—Colliery Statistics .. .. ~ ~ _ _ 69-72 Appendix C—-Report of Coal Survey Committee ... .. , . , _ 73 74 Appendix D—Report of Boards of Examiners—Certificates issued ~ .. ~ 75-77 - Note,--The values shown 111 the Statement are expressed in New Zealand currency.

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1941. NEW ZEALAND.

MINES STATEMENT BY THE HON. P. C. WEBB, MINISTER OF MINES.

Me. Speaker,— I have the honour to present to Parliament the annual statement on the mining industry of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1940. 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 1940 and 1939 :—

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 £4,619,791, as compared with £4,132,476 during 1939. The total value of such minerals exported to the end of 1940 amounted to £212,300,274. GOLD AND SILVER MINING. During the year 600,995 oz. of bullion, valued at £1,945,707, was produced, an increase in quantity of 31,698 oz. and in value of £378,730 as compared with the previous year.

. 1940. I 1939. Mineral. ; Quantity. Value. | Quantity. Value. £ £ Gold and silver* .. .. 600,995 oz. 1,945,707 569,297 oz. 1,566,977 Platinum .. .. .. .. .. .. „ 104 Iron-ore .. .. .. .. tons 2,888 1,586 tons 3,018 Stone .. .. .. .. .. 540,820 .. 545,533 Pumice .. .. .. .. 3,166 „ 10,341 3,680-,% „ 11,172 Coal .. 2,516,099 „ 2,516,099 2,342,639" „ 2,342,639 Tungsten-ore .. . .. 74 „ 16,006 41 ,, 8,240 Manganese-ore .. .. .. 3,266 486 „ l',944 Silica sand .. .. .. .. l,354ig„ 1,569 2,335 „ 2,227 Fuller's earth. ■ .. .. .. 71 „ 248 73£§ „ 233 Diatomaceous earth .. .. .. .. .. .." 332 Mica .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Antimony .. .. .. .. 2 „ 55 Bentonite .. .. .. .. 205 „ 820 Totals .. £5,037,819 .. £4,482,431 * The gold-silver bullion is generally exported unseparated. Note.—The values shown in the above and subsequent tables are expressed in New Zealand currency.

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The gold content of the bullion is estimated at 185,665 oz., valued at £1,891,447. The estimated gold-production for the past eleven years has been as follows : — Year. Oz. Year. Oz. 1930 .. .. 120,931 1936 .. .. 164,575 1931 .. .. 129,861 1937 .. .. 168,487 1932 .. .. 166,354 1938 .. .. 152,050 1933 .. .. 161,755 1939 .. .. 178,955 1934 .. .. 160,248 1940 .. .. 185,665 1935 .. .. 165,277 The importance of maintaining and, if possible, of increasing gold-production is fully recognized by the Government. It is of especial importance at the present time in relation to the provision of overseas funds and the war effort, and the Government is determined to do all in its power to assist all genuine and legitimate gold-mining operations. It is satisfactory, therefore, to record a further increase of 6,710 oz. in the production of gold compared with the previous year, the output for the period under review being the highest for any one year since 1920. Gold-production from alluvial mines (18,051 oz.) shows a decrease of 461 oz., dredges (88,495 oz.), an increase of 11,457 oz., and quartz-mines (79,119 oz.), a decrease of 4,286 oz. The Round Hill Mine in the Wallace County, which recovered 2,373 oz. of gold, was the chief alluvial producer during the year. Weather conditions were favourable for alluvial mining in the Southern Inspection District, where there was an increase in production of 747 oz. compared with the previous year. On the West Coast of the South Island production from alluvial minefe decreased by 1,208 oz. The quartz-mines show a slight drop in production, due to the lower tonnage of ore treated, average values of ore treated being approximately 10s. per ton higher than in 1939. The Martha and Blackwater Mines were again the outstanding and principal producers, the only new mine of any promise being the Una Hill, at Thames. It will be seen that the higher production of gold is wholly due to the increased output from dredging claims, which were responsible for 48 per cent, of the total production. Twenty-four dredges operated during the year, eighteen on the West Coast and six in Southland and Otago. Three large new dredges were launched' and seven ceased operations. On the West Coast five dredges are in various stages of construction and preparations are under way for the erection of dredges on two other tested areas. The Government has given careful consideration to the subject of dredgemining, and whilst many statements that wholesale destruction of valuable farm lands is being permitted are totally inaccurate and to be strongly deprecated, it is nevertheless true that modern expensive plants capable of dredging relatively deep ground do leave in their wake an unsightly pile of stone. All the world over there is a conflict of opinion between the farming and mining interests on this very question, but I have a full knowledge of the actual position and do not rely upon my imagination for the facts, and I. can state that full consideration is given to all aspects of the case before a dredging-claim license receives my consent as Minister of Mines. In mining districts the areas of good agricultural land are very limited in extent, and when small portions are affected by gold-dredging the loss to the district is very noticeable. Actually the lands dredged for gold were mostly of very poor pastoral quality before dredging, and the aggregate effect of dredging on the agricultural and pastoral production from the national viewpoint is very small indeed.

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A survey of the position was carried out during the year by a Committee of officers of the Lands, Forestry, and Mines Departments, and its conclusions may be summarized as follows :— Firstly, only from 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, of the total area of land being dredged, or likely to be dredged, is in any way suitable for agricultural or pastoral purposes. Secondly, the productive value for farming purposes of this small proportion of the total area affected is roughly £2 per acre, whereas the productive value from the gold-content viewpoint is from £800 to £1,200 per acre. Thirdly, in the great majority of cases, the stacker type of dredge lias to be used, and this, coupled with the fact that in its original state the land has only a very thin layer of soil, makes levelling and resoiling of the tailings uneconomical and impracticable. In these circumstances the Government considers that the national interests are best served by permitting the land to be dredged for its gold content. It is evident, from a recent study, that a policy of wholesale afforestation of dredged areas, irrespective of their suitability, is not satisfactory. For thrifty tree-growth, soil with some humus content is essential, but dredges using stackers bury what little soil there is in many feet of washed granite gravel. For this reason alone successful afforestation on stacker tailings is impossible. It appears that the tree-planting of the tailings_ at Rimu has been generally accepted as an example, but the State Forest Service does not regard that area as successful. The matter was considered at length by Cabinet, and the following definite policy laid down in regard to future dredging operations (a) Dredging of land suitable for agricultural or pastoral purposes not to be permitted except with the prior approval of the Hon. the Minister of Lands : (b) Where, in the opinion of the Forestry Department, tree-planting could be practised with reasonable prospects of success, tree-planting conditions to be insisted upon : (c) Where levelling, resoiling, and grassing is possible—i.e., with some of the sluice-box types of dredges—appropriate conditions in this respect to be inserted in the license : (d) In other cases where resoiling and tree-planting is impracticable a levy of £7 10s. per acre of land dredged to be imposed on the holders of the dredging claims (other than those operating in river-beds), such moneys to be applied in improving other land in the vicinity of the claims. An area of acres held under eleven dredging-claim licenses reveals that the value of the land for farming purposes, on the highest possible basis of valuation, amounts to £16,800, whereas the value of gold recoverable by dredging is £16,750,000. Notwithstanding this, the Government is actively interesting itself in research work to see what improvements in dredging technique are possible to minimize the damage to land, and it also intends investigating the possibilities of reclaiming the dredged areas. 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 1940 and 1939 :—

_ . Dividends Number of ProducIroduction of Bullion. paid by Registered tive Claims and Class of Gold-mining. Companies. Dredges. " ■ ■. j - L _ 1<Ji0 - 1939. 1940. 1939. 1940. 1939. Oz. £ Oz. £ £ £ Quartz .. .. 492,926 859,202 472,309 717,219 86,987 86,987 48 62 Alluvial.. .. 18,051 161,914 18,512 150,169 19,920 15,809 682 774 Dredging .. 90,018 j 924,591 78,476 699,589 163,774 90,254 24 23 Totals .. 600,995 1,945,707 569,297 1,566,977 270,681 .193,050 754 ~859~

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MINING AND COAL-MINING LEGISLATION. up The only mining legislation enacted during the year was contained in the Statutes Amendment Act, 1940. Section 6 of this Act altered the provisions of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in regard to certificated winding-engine men, while sections 32 to 38 amended the Mining Act, 1926, chiefly in connection with residence-site and business-site licenses and the protection of mining privileges held by persons called up for naval, military, or air service. There were no amendments to the Mining or Coal-mines Regulations. 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, 1941, was £16,722 6s. 6d., a decrease of £2,550 6s. compared with the previous year. The total of all duties on exported gold amounted to £269,497 75., as follows : Credited to the accounts of local bodies under section 12 of the Gold Duty Act, 1908, £4,858 9s. lOd. ; special export duty of 12s. 6d. per ounce credited to the Consolidated Fund, £108,915 4s. ; duty on scrap gold and jewellers' sweepings credited to Consolidated Fund, £1,835 Bs. 7d. ; duty credited to the War Expenses Account, £156,376 19s. 3d. 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 amountby which the New Zealand currency value of the London market price exceeds £9 ss. Bd. (New Zealand currency). It should be noted that the gold-export-duty figures are in respect of the financial years ended 31st March. The amount collected in respect of the calendar year ended 31st December, 1940, is actually higher than for the previous year, and in proportion to the increase in export of gold as set out in Table No. 1 accompanying this Statement. MINING PRIVILEGES. There was no abatement of interest in the mining industry, and several promising dredging areas which were taken up under ordinary prospecting licenses are now being tested by boring. A total of 425 licenses for mining privileges were granted under the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926, a decrease of 112 on the previous year. Of the titles granted in 1940, 78 were licenses entitling the holders to mine for gold, and included several large dredging claims. Altogether 384 mining privileges, including 39 claim licenses, were struck off the registers under the provisions of section 188 of the Mining Act, 1926. PETROLEUM OIL. The passing of the Petroleum Act in 1937 resulted in a search for petroleum on a scale and with a degree of efficiency never previously attained in this Dominion. Under that Act sixty-six prospecting-licenses covering an area of 11,558 square miles were quickly taken, up by strong financial companies, and at the present time fifty-eight licenses over 10,143 square miles are still subsisting. A staff of experts, at present numbering 178, were engaged on scientific work in an effort to locate sites considered suitable for drilling, and over £1,000,000 has already been expended in prospecting-work. Expensive equipment was brought into the country, and two wells are at the moment being drilled, one at Morere, now down to 5,722 ft., the other 'at Midhirst, down to over 7,900 ft. This latter well is the deepest which has ever been drilled in this country. A careful study of the operations in progress should convince any one of the genuineness of the search for oil and incite admiration for the high standard of efficiency which has been attained. There have been many new problems for the experts to surmount, but when all the scientific preliminary work has been completed it is the drill, and the drill alone, which will prove or disprove the theories which have been formulated. The whole economy of the Dominion would be affected by the discovery _ of petroleum oil in payable quantities, and it is to be hoped that the encouraging prospects so far reached will ultimately be crowned with, success.

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From the wells at Moturoa on Petroleum Prospecting License No. 7 held by New Zealand Petroleum Co., Ltd., 95,841 gallons of crude petroleum oil were obtained during 1940, while from the Kotuku field on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand Oil Concessions, Ltd., produced 80 gallons of petroleum oil under Petroleum Prospecting License No. 20. The Dominion's total production of crude petroleum oil to 31st December, 1940, is estimated at 3,084,002 gallons. COAL-MINING. There were 141 coal-mines operating in the Dominion in 1940. Sixty-two of these mines are situated on freehold property and produced 998,885 tons, or 40 per cent, of the total output. The remaining 79 mines are situated on Crown lands and produced 1,517,214 tons, or 60 per cent, of the total output of 2,516,099 tons. The annual production of coal since 1930 has been as follows : — Year. Tons. Year. Tons. 1930 .. .. 2,542,092 1936 .. .. 2,140,217 1931 .. .. 2,157,756 1937 .. .. 2,277,799 1932 .. .. 1,842,022 1938 .. .. 2,222,088 1933 .. .. 1,821,258 1939 .. .. 2,342,639 1934 .. .. 2,060,315 1940 .. .. 2,516,099 1935 .. .. 2,1.15,184 During 1940 the quantity of coal imported was 64,860 tons, or 46,687 tons less than in the year 1939, whereas exports (81,287 tons) were 37,297 tons higher. Thus on the normal balance of imports and exports there was 83,974 tons less coal available for local consumption. The production for the year under review of 2,516,099 tons represents an increase of 7-4 per cent., or 173,460 tons over the previous year, and the output per miner employed underground was 7 tons higher at 668 tons. Similarly, production for each man on the pay-roll in 1940 was 499 tons, an increase of 7 tons per man over the 1939 figure. The substantial increase in production is of itself evidence of the response of the coal-mining industry to my appeals for greater efforts to fulfil the needs of industries and domestic consumers. Early in the year serious slips and floods in the North Island and on the West Coast of the South. Island completely disorganized the coal-transport system and the pits were thrown idle for long periods on this account. At the same time production of coal was held up in Australia and it was found necessary to provide increased quantities of native coal to bunker vessels carrying food and produce to the Old Country. The winter months were faced with a serious depletion of stocks, and it is to the credit of the coal-miners that they worked an additional day each, fortnight at ordinary rates of pay to enable industries to function normally and to ensure sufficient coal for the householders without recourse to rationing. In 1935, when the present Government came into office, the output of coal was 2,115,184 tons, or 400,915 tons less than the quantity won in 1940. Thus in a period of five years coal-production lias risen by roughly 19 per cent, to keep pace with the increased demand which has been occasioned by the Government's policy of encouraging industrial development and of ensuring better living standards for the general community. Some idea of the heavy increases in industrial consumption of coal may be obtained when it is recognized that last year the railways used 145,434 tons more than in 1935, and other .industries show an increase of over .150,000 tons in. coal burnt. In 1939 only 16,000 tons was required for generating electricity. This rose to 45,000 tons in 1940, and the requirement for the current year is estimated at 200,000 tons. Domestic consumption of coal is variable, being greatly influenced by weather conditions. The indications are for a fairly substantial demand for coal for household use this year,

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During last summer I emphasized publicly on a number of occasions the advisability of householders taking in stocks of domestic coal to the limit of the storage available to them so that a continuity of production could be maintained at the collieries and to avoid any possibility of a winter shortage. In most places there was an excellent response by the public, with the result that the collieries have been able to maintain regular work and the problems associated with the winter rush of domestic business have been greatly reduced. I feel that it is now opportune for me to thank the citizens for their co-operation in this respect and to remind them that a similar course of action during the coming summer period will undoubtedly be essential. In a period of national emergency such as the present one it is only to be expected that special problems in respect of the supply of fuel for heat and power are likely to manifest themselves, and it is only sensible to plan ahead so as to be prepared for contingencies which may reasonably be predicted. An analysis of the position early last year indicated the need for improving the coal-supply position in the North Island, and steps were taken immediately by the Government to reopen the abandoned collieries at Tatu (near Ohura) and at Mangapehi (near Te Kuiti) as State coal-mines. After carrying out preliminary work at Tatu it was found necessary, for the ultimate economic development of the colliery, to open up in an entirely new place, necessitating the driving of two headings in stone to reach the coal-seam. At Mangapehi more rapid operations were possible, and production accelerated, until at present 200 tons daily is being won. A further reference to the operations of these collieries appears later in this Statement and in detail in the annual report of the State coal-mines. Suffice to state here that the operations of these two collieries have contributed in no small manner to the fulfilment of the fuel needs of the North Island by a production of 25,000 tons to the end of June, 1941, and will give added stability to the position next year. In Wellington and at Christchurch additional land has been acquired by the State coal-mines for storage of coal suitable for domestic use, and this has already proved to be of great benefit to the two cities. The steady increase in coal-production has been maintained during the present year, and a review of the general situation as at the end of June shows that there is no cause for concern in regard to coal-supplies. Stocks at the two main steam-generated electricity plants in the North Island are almost double what they were at the beginning of the year, and railway stocks, also have been placed on a safe basis. Adequate provision has been made, too, for butter and cheese factories and for freezing-works, and steady progress is being made with stocks for all other industrial units. Householders' requirements are also being met satisfactorily, and any suggestion of a shortage for the domestic trade need not be taken seriously. Some gasworks which require a proportion of Newcastle coal for efficient operation could do with greater stocks of the Newcastle coal, and every effort is being made to improve the position. On the whole, however, the position is good and there is no justification whatever for the absurd statements which have been published from, time to time regarding the " shortage of coal." There is no real shortage and no rationing has been necessary, nor is any such action even contemplated. Consumption is, of course, expanding rapidly, and this makes it imperative to maintain production at the highest possible level in order to supply the demand and at the same time progressively build up stocks of coal suitable for storing at strategic points throughout the Dominion. The Government has carefully considered its policy with regard to preventing the opening of new mines in the light of the present demand for coal. It will be recalled that in the depression, period the coal-owners and the miners were unanimously of opinion that no further mines should, be opened up because of the fact that the existing collieries could meet all requirements ; in fact, large quantities of slack were being wasted. _ . There is no wastage at present and the Government is satisfied that its policy should not be changed as there is evidence that the productive-capacity of the existing collieries is adequate to meet the increased consumption due to industrial development and war conditions.

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The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows

CO-OPERATIVE MINING, STATE COAL RESERVE. Nineteen co-operative parties working portions of the State Coal Keserve near Greymouth produced, during the year 1940, 95,553 tons, the number of men employed being 177. During the previous year nineteen parties produced 101,297 tons, there being a decrease this year of 15,744 tons. In the initial stages of co-operative mining the men were able to commence operations with a very small capital outlay, but much of the easily won coal has now been extracted and in many cases it is now necessary for the parties to carry out considerable development work before production is possible.. The Government's policy is to assist all genuine co-operative mining enterprises by making available technical advice, geological data, and, where necessary, financial aid for development and plant. Up to the end of 1940 co-operative parties have produced a grand total of 1,538,294 tons of coal, and have in the same period paid royalties to the State amounting to £72,846. STATE COAL-MINES. The output from the State coal-mines for the 1940-41 financial year was the highest recorded in the history of the Department, the quantity being 281,506 tons. Two new collieries in the North Island were acquired during the year, one at Mangapehi from the Mangapehi Coal-mining Co., Ltd., and the other near Ohura from the receiver for the first debenture-holder of Egmont Collieries, Ltd. The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1941, after making provision for interest and depreciation, amounted to £25,027, an increase of £10,187 compared with the previous year. A sum of £6,320 was transferred to the sinking fund, leaving a net surplus of £18,707 for the year. This amount is subject to income-tax, social security charge, and national security tax, and a reserve of £18,000 has been provided accordingly. An amount of £8,236 covering these taxes on the profit made for the year ended 31st March, 1940, was paid out during the financial year. The Liverpool Colliery worked 233 days during the year, an increase of twenty-four days compared with the previous year. At the James Colliery work was carried out on 246 days, an increase of 20 days compared with the previous year. The Strongman Colliery worked 247 days during the year, an increase of 22 days compared with the previous year. The Mangapehi Colliery, which commenced production on 27th May, 1940, worked 209 days during the year. Development work has been carried out steadily at the Tatu Colliery on all available days since the inception of operations. The decision of the Government, soon after coming into office, to develop and open up the Strongman Colliery at Greymouth, at present producing 400 tons of coal daily, has been amply justified by the strong and unsatisfied demand for this class of coal. The coal won from this colliery is excellent in certain types of gasworks owing to its non-swelling characteristics, it is a splendid steam and locomotive fuel, and householders demand it in preference to all other coals on the market.

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Output of Coal during 1940. Total Output Class of Coal. Northern West Coast Southern End ofmO. District District District Total. (North Island). (South Island). (SouthIsland). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub - bitu- 81,411 1,063,146 .. 1,144,557 53,973,586 minous Brown .. .. .. 788,559 56,118 388,133 1,232,810 35,683,966 Lignite .. 4,793 133,939 138,732 5,678,616 Totals for 1940 .. 869,970 1,124,057 522,072 2,516,099 95,336,168 Totals for 1939 802,705 1,033,342 506,592 2,342,639 92,820,069

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The Mangapehi Colliery has opened up very well, and a programme of boring has been commenced. Vigorous steps are being taken to provide accommodation and amenities for the employees, this being essential to the proper and successful operation of the mine. At the Tatu Colliery prospecting carried out in the initial stages established that it would be essential to open up the coalfield in an entirely new place, and the work carried out to date has therefore consisted of driving in stone to the coal-seam and making surface preparations to handle the output. All this work has now been completed, and output will steadily increase as places in coal are developed. A traffic road two miles and three-quarters in length was constructed to the mine-entrance. Both the Tatu and Mangapehi Collieries are of considerable importance because of their strategic position in relation to the southern portion of the North Island and the Taranaki Province not only in the economy of transport which will be effected, but also in ensuring adequate coal-supplies for these districts. A comparative statement for the last two financial 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, 4,440 tons of coal was purchased for resale. The disposals, inclusive of stock on hand at the beginning of the year, were as follows : —

The following table shows the total sales of State coal from the State mines as compared with the previous year, and the average f.o.r. price realized by each mine, exclusive of subsidy: —

The sales of coal, &c., through the medium of the depots totalled 194,619 tons, value £341,385, as against 150,657 tons, value £253,913, for the previous year.

Output in Tons, 1940-41. Output, in Tons, 1939-40. &>•" S>-9 » ■g s 5 -g So -a Mine. S $ ® 8 8 § O M O M Gross. Net. Gross. Net. o § g & § "§ PH M PH M jz; Liverpool 166,529 159,610 152,189 146,074 9-4 9-2 Strongman .. .. 78,262 76,330 43,836 42,247 78*5 80 • 5 James 22,936 22,045 24,755 23,709 7-9* -7-5* Mangapehi .. .. 13,213 12,065 Tatu .. .. .. 566 566 Totals .. .. 281,506 270,616 220,780 212,030 27-5 27-3 * Decrease.

Supplied to 1940-41. 1939-40. Tone. Tons. Depots 75,860 55,695 36-2 Railways 56,322 45,055 25-0 Other Government Departments .. .. .. 13,630 9,466 44-0 Shipping .. .. .. .. • • 9,132 5,822 56 • 8 Gasworks .. .. .. •• 102,627 84,595 21-3 Other consumers .. .. .. . ■ 10,278 9,724 5-7 Totals .. .. 267,849 210,357 27-3

M . Total Sales, Total Sales, Percentage Average Price f.o.r. '■ 1940-41. 1939-40. Increase. realized. Tons. Tons. s. d. Liverpool .. .. 157,706 147,138 7-2 18 0-45 Strongman .. .. 75,535 40,566 86-2 21 4-92 James .. .. .. 21,989 22,653 3-0* 19 3-36 Mangapehi .. .. 12,053 .. •• 19 0-30 Tatu .. .. .. 566 .. .. 19 5-20 Totals .. .. 267,849 210,357 27-3 * Decrease.

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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 .. .. .. .. 4,524 The cost of sea carriage of coal amounted to .. .. .. 82,102 The cost of railway haulage amounted to .. .. .. 44,577 The total wages paid for coal-winning were .. .. .. 183,453 The cost of management and office salaries (Head Office and mines) totalled .. .. .. .. •• 5,157 The gross capital expenditure on the whole undertaking to the 31st March, 1941 was . . .. .. .. .. 945,311 The total depreciation written off to 31st March, 1941 (equal to 61-65 per cent, of the gross capital expenditure) amounted to 583,825 The amount written off for depreciation for the year was .. 15,439 The present book value of permanent or fixed assets is . . 361,486 The loan capital as at 31st March, 1941, stood at .. .. 197,452 The net profits of the State Coal-mines Account from inception to 31st March, 1941, after charging the special depreciation of Colliery Development Accounts, after crediting interest on Sinking Fund investments, and after paying income and other taxes were .. .. .. •• •• 265,052 The net profit for the year ended 31st March, 1941, was . . 25,027 The Sinking Fund as at 31st March, 1941, was in credit . . 6,320 The amount taken out of the Sinking Fund during the year and applied in reduction of loan capital was .. . . 5,502 General Reserve as at 31st March, 1941, stood at . . . . 240,024 Taxation Reserve as at 31st March, 1941 was.. .. .. 18,000 The amount at credit of Profit and Loss as at 31st March, 1941, was . . . . • • • • • • • • 707 The cash in hand and in the Public Account as at 31st March, 1941, was (last year £18,775) .. .. .. • . 12,582 The total wages paid at all collieries during the year amounted to the sum of £204,339. These wages were distributed amongst 609 men and 39 youths, and represent an average income per employee of £315. For the previous year the average income per employee was £287, the total sum paid in wages for coal-winning being £152,797, and the number of employees being 499 men and 34 youths. HOUSING. Eighty-four loans, including twenty-two during the year under review, have been granted to miners and other workmen under the State Coal-mines Housing Scheme to enable them to erect and own their own homes. Up to the 30th June a further seven loans were granted, making the total at that date ninety-one. The loans, which range from £180 to £750, are repayable, together with interest, by fortnightly payments over a term of twenty years. Two residences were erected during the year at Runanga for staff purposes, one being for the Mine-manager and the other for the Colliery Engineer at Runanga. A residence has just been completed for the Mine-manager at the Tatu Colliery. At the end of June last eleven houses had been erected at the Mangapehi Colliery out of a tender to supply fifteen. Since then a tender has been accepted for a further five. The houses are rented to the workmen at reasonable fortnightly rentals. Provision has been made on the current year's estimates for £15,000 to cover advances to workmen to build their own homes, and a similar amount to provide for the erection of departmental dwellings and hutments. Tenders are being called for the erection of a boardinghouse at Mangapehi to accommodate ten single men.

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NEW AVENUES OE COAL-UTILIZATION. Field-work in connection with, the survey of the coal resources of the Grey mouth district was continued, and an extensive sampling programme undertaken of all the working mines in the Dominion. Further laboratory investigations were also made in the search for suitable fuels for producer gas. RESCUE-STATIONS. The erection of additional rescue-stations at Rotowaro and Ohai is proceeding satisfactorily, and the buildings will shortly be completed. Practically all the rescue equipment required is being imported, and, provided there is no undue delay as the result of war conditions, the stations should be in operation before the end of 1941. Courses of training continue to be carried on at the Dobson Rescue-station, and excellent progress has been made by the trainees. Arrangements are being made for the issue of certificates of proficiency in mine-rescue work to miners who qualify by examination. SOCIAL AMENITIES IN MINING TOWNSHIPS. During the year assistance was made available for the provision of new recreational facilities in mining townships, as well as for the improvement of some already in existence. It is pleasing to relate that these facilities are being fully availed of, and provide good healthy recreation for the miners and their families. CARBONIZING AND BRIQUETTING. The low - temperature coal - carbonizing and briquetting plant of Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., at Rotowaro, operated for ten months during 1940. The following figures show the production during that period : — Raw coal carbonized .. . . . . .. 45,225 tons. Carbonized coal produced .. .. .. 22,242 tons. Average percentage of carbonized coal to raw coal 49 per cent. Carbonettes manufactured .. .. .. 22,535 tons. Tar and oil treated . . . . . . . . 413,845 gals. Pitch produced . . . . . . .. 923 tons. Light and heavy oils produced .. .. 19,384 gals. Creosote produced .. .. .. .. 184,267 gals. " Char " sold for producer-gas plants . . . . 1,877 tons. " Char " sold for other purposes .. . . 432 tons. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1940, Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd., produced 5,543 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn. The production of tar was 33,375 gallons. SUBSIDY ON COAL PRODUCED. In May, 1940, the coal-owners' and miners' representatives conferred to discuss the terms of the new national agreement, and the outcome, after conferring with the Government, was to provide increases of 5 per cent, in the rates of contract workers and 7-| per cent, in the day-wages rates. This, with similar increases to colliery officials, was estimated to cost Is. Id. per ton on coal-production. Just prior to this the Price Investigation Tribunal had examined applications to increase selling-prices of coal on account of the higher prices of colliery stores and had advised the Government that costs had risen scl. per ton on this account. It was evident that an increase of Is. 6d. in the selling-price of coal would have resulted in higher charges for transport, which would have necessitated the ultimate consumer paying much more than Is. 6d. per ton. The Government therefore decided to subsidize coal-owners to the extent of Is. 6d. per ton to cover the cost of the increased wages and stores, and thus avoid an increase in the selling-prices of coal. In many cases, particularly open-cast pits, the subsidy actually paid is less than Is. 6d., the amount being calculated in such cases on the ascertained increase in costs.

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COAL-MINES COUNCIL. In June a Coal-mines Council was set up under the Coal-mines Council Emergency Regulations 1940. The Council consists of three members—one representing the Government, one the owners, and the other a representative of the workers. The powers and functions of the Council are set out in detail in the regulations, the principal work being to examine the efficiency of equipment and mining methods and the settlement of industrial disputes in cases where the local machinery has failed to do so. The work the Council has carried out to date fully justifies the step taken to bring it into being. Those closely associated with the industry realize the valuable work it has achieved in preserving industrial harmony. MINING CONTROL. Although the functions and work of the Mining Controller, as set out in the Mining Emergency Regulations 1939, are under the jurisdiction of the Hon. the Minister of Siipply, I am actually concerned as Minister of Mines in the matter, and accordingly keep in close contact with all activities. The chief functions, and the ones in respect of which a great deal of work has been necessary, are to ensure an adequate supply of labour, equipment, and plant for the industry, and to control the distribution of the products of the mines in the most efficient manner and in the best interests of the public. The powers conferred upon him under these regulations have been exercised only on very few occasions by the Mining Controller, who has been able to secure the fullest co-operation from all sections of the industry, both miners and owners alike, and from the transport and distributive branches of the trade. Valuable assistance has been given by voluntary committees at different places and by the Coal-mines Council, with the result that, as far as coal is concerned, the general situation in the country at the present time is really good. Considerable attention has been given to the man-power question, which is of basic importance in the coal-mining industry in particular owing to the steady increase in consumption brought about by industrial expansion and war conditions. This problem will tend to become even more acute in the future as the replacement of the normal loss of man-power in the mines each year is certain to be difficult in view of the labour force which has been abstracted from the industry for military service. The supply of materials from overseas which are vital to continuity of production has been maintained, and reserve stocks have been ordered in respect of the most important items. By careful planning in advance, difficulties in maintaining and increasing production for want of requisite equipment have been avoided. The Mining Controller, in association with representatives of the owners and miners, is at present engaged in the examination of a further plan of bulk buying of standard lines for the industry so as to reduce costs to a minimum and to ensure adequate supplies of the requisite tools and equipment. 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. 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, 1941, was £735 13s. 7d., as against £814 ss. 9d. for the previous year, while for the same periods the receipts from the |d. per ton contributions were £5,268 7s. lid. and £4,644 3s. 2d. respectively. The total expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1941, amounted to £7,231 9s. 3d., as against £8,125 os. sd. for the previous year. The amount standing to the credit of the fund at the 31st March, 1941, was £20,939 12s. 6d., as against £22,167 os. 3d. at the 31st March, 1940.

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PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1940 and 1939 : —

There was a slight decrease in the number of persons employed in metalliferous mines, due in the main to the absorption of subsidized prospectors in other industries. The larger decrease in the number of men employed at stone-quarries may be attributed principally to the lessened demand for road-metal as the result of the reduction in road-construction work. It will be observed that work for an additional 284 men was found in the coal-mining industry. MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 2,802 men were ordinarily employed, two persons were killed and six persons seriously injured. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 1,952 men, ten persons were seriously injured. There were no fatal accidents. In coal-mines, where 5,046 persons were ordinarily employed, eight persons were killed and twenty-three persons seriously injured. I regret to record that, of the eight fatalities in coal-mines, five resulted from an explosion in Kaye and party's small mine in the Grey district as the result of ignition of an accumulation of fire-damp by a naked light. A Iloyal Commission was set up by the Government to inquire into the disaster. Unfortunately, it is true that in many cases where fatalities occur it is not a weakness in the law, but a failure to comply with the law that is the cause. 1 am satisfied that the law is effectively policed by the Inspectors of Mines, who are all able and highly qualified men, and that no good purpose would be achieved by merely adding to the number of the inspection staff. The great and urgent need is to inculcate into the hearts and minds of officials and workmen the importance of unceasing vigilance, which is the real price of safety. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. The investigation and exploitation of an ever-widening range of minerals has been proceeding steadily for some time in the effort to keep pace with the development of industry, and this effort has been greatly stimulated and increased by the exigencies of what is essentially a mechanized war. While the British Empire and the United States of America between them control 75 per cent, of the mineral wealth of the world, in some minerals they are not self-sufficient, and with the elimination of sources of supply in hostile or occupied countries attention has to be turned to domestic resources. Notably is this true of mercury, the production of which prior to the war was centred almost entirely in Spain and Italy. Again, the demand for some minerals has increased enormously, as, for. instance, ores of

Inspection District. Totals. Classification. _ T _ m , , i Southern Increase West Coast (of (re8t of South 1940 . 1939. I or (North Island). South Island). Island). i Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 723 1,364 651 2,738 2,794 Dec. 56 Coal .. .. ■■ 1,712 2,408 926 5,046 4,762 Inc. 284 Stone - quarries under the 1,304 78 570 1,952 2,083 Dec. 131 Stone-quarries Act Silica .. .. ■■ 1 •• ot 'io Cinnabar .. .. 20 .. .. 20 2 Inc. 18 Iron ore .. • • 6 15 • • .21 7 Inc. 14 Manganese .. .. 12 •• 12 13 Dec. 1 Pumice .. .. •• 1 •• • • in i Fullers earth .. • • • • • • • • • • 1 : ® c ' : Diatomaceous earth .. • • • • ■ • • • 1 ' ec - 1 Bentonite .. .. 3 .. .. 3 .. Inc. 3 Mica 2 .. 2 Inc. 2 Totals .. .. 3,782 3,867 2,151 9,800 9,669 Inc. 131

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tungsten. These ores are essential to the production of tool steel, and the fabrication of machine tools forms the very basis of expansion in munitions and armament industries. Shipping restrictions, transport difficulties, and the elimination of sources of supply of minerals and mineral products normally imported into New Zealand make essential the investigation of every New Zealand occurrence of each particular mineral. In view of these considerations it is of interest to note that production of mercury in New Zealand will be resumed at an early date, that the production of scheelite concentrates, a source of tungsten, has increased, and that the production of such minerals as asbestos, bentonite, and serpentine, not hitherto exploited in New Zealand, has already commenced. MINERAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE. A committee, representing the Departments of Scientific and Industrial Research and Mines, was set up during the year to promote and co-ordinate more intensive surveys of the Dominion's mineral resources, particularly those of special strategic and industrial importance during wartime, with a view to their greater exploitation. The Geological Survey has been responsible for the field-survey work, comprising the mapping of mineral deposits and estimates of quantity available, and for the associated mineralogical and petrographical work. Chemical analyses and laboratory experiments on the concentration of certain mineral deposits have been undertaken by the Dominion Laboratory. The Mines Department has collaborated in the field-survey and prospecting work, and has advised the Committee on the mining and general developmental aspects of its work. Much valuable work has been done by the Committee during the year in obtaining, assembling, and distributing information on the location, quality, and estimated quantities of a wide range of industrial minerals, including the following : Serpentine (for the manufacture of serpentine-superphosphate fertilizer), magnesite, sulphur, oil-shale, scheelite, manganese, mercury, copper, nickel, zircon, talc, quartz crystals (for radio use), boron (from thermal springs), and various industrial clays and sands : — Scheelite. The whole of the scheelite produced in New Zealand is now sold under contract to the Imperial Government, shipment being arranged through the Export Division of the Marketing Department. Advances are made by the Government to the producers against shipments, final payments being made some time later when the returns are received from Great Britain. The Mines Department arranges for each parcel to be assayed before shipment, it being necessary to guarantee the tungsten content of each shipment and its freedom from injurious amounts of arsenic and tin. Every effort has been made to increase and stimulate the production of scheelite. A mining enginer was especially seconded to make a survey of all scheelite occurrences in the Glenorchy and Macraes districts, while in the Wakamarina district prospecting operations are being carried out by the Mines Department on an occurrence at Mountain Camp Creek. Owing to the erratic distribution of scheelite in the various lodes and the mining of all easily available patches in past years, a considerable amount of development work is necessary before any increase in the production of scheelite can be obtained. The Mines Department has already given financial assistance for improving-roads and tracks, for the erection of bridges, for the purchase of plant, and for improvements to treatment units. Some little time must necessarily elapse before the full effect of such assistance can be appreciated, but already the production of scheelite concentrates has increased from a production of 41 tons in 1939 to one of 74 tons in 1940.

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Mercury. The main development in the production of mercury has been the operations of Mercury Explorations, Ltd., at Puhipuhi. Despite difficulties due to war conditions construction work has proceeded steadily, and the treatment plant, consisting of primary and secondary breakers, rotary furnace, automatic feeder, condensers, and cooling towers, is now nearing completion. In the meantime a shovel of f-yard capacity has been engaged in stripping the overburden from the deposit preparatory to mining ore. Actual production of mercury is expected at an early date. An investigation has also been proceeding on the recovery of mercury from the low-grade deposits at Ngawha, while small deposits in other districts will be examined in the near future. Asbestos. Considerable development and construction work has taken place at the asbestos deposits in the Upper Takaka Valley operated by the Hume Pipe Co., and marketable fibre is now being produced on a commercial scale. Access to the workings has been improved by the construction of a track, negotiable by a caterpillar tractor, from the Cobb River Power-house, and, in addition, the Public Works Department, in connection with the development of the Cobb River Power scheme, has widened the first two miles of the track sufficiently to allow of motor-lorry transport. Improved access has permitted the transport and erection of treatment and power plant, which, in dry weather, has a capacity per shift of 16 tons of rock, yielding 5 per cent, to 10 per cent, marketable fibre, and in wet weather 10 tons per shift. This capacity is to be increased by working double shift, and a duplicate treatment plant is on order to enable present market demands to be met. Indications are that the tonnage of rock containing asbestos of marketable grade in economic quantities is high, and that with improved access and treatment facilities appreciable production will be forthcoming. Manganese. Production at Mr. Miller's Cloudesley Mine at Moumoukai has continued. Of the ore produced, a proportion was shipped to the Broken Hill Proprietary Co/s steel works, while the balance was supplied to the Challenge Phosphate Co. s fertilizer works at Otahuhu. Further prospecting-work is being carried out on the deposit, and, if successful, should lead to increased production. The. production for the year amounted to 980 tons, of a value of £3,826. Bentonite. A deposit of this mineral at Porangahau, in the Hawke's Bay district, is now being exploited on a small scale by H. F. Stoddart and Sons. This mineral, because of its colloidal properties, has many and varied industrial uses, and in a highly industrialized country like the United States of America production has assumed considerable proportions. Operations in New Zealand so far have been only on a small scale, between 200 tons and 300 tons per year, the main use of the mineral locally being in the regeneration of moulding-sands. The deposit occurs on the coast-line, and access and transport are difficult. A much greater output in response to a much extended market would be required before capital expenditure to improve the transport would be justified. At present bentonite is only supplied in the crude form, but consideration is now being given to drying and grinding and generally processing it. It is anticipated that the market will gradually expand, especially in view of demands from overseas, and that the output will keep pace with the demand so that in time the mining and processing of bentonite may assume some importance.

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Antimony. The possibilities of producing antimony ore have been investigated, but New Zealand deposits are small and erratic, and deposits producing lump ore of commercial grade have generally been exhausted. Furthermore, tonnages of low-grade material requiring crushing and concentrating to produce a marketable product have not been developed sufficiently to justify provision of a treatment plant. Copper. Consideration has been given to copper-ore deposits, and as a result the two most promising occurrences —one at Great Barrier Island and another at Kawau Island —were examined in the field. The Great Barrier Island occurrence presented little or no possibility of producing any tonnage of copper ore, but the Kawau Island occurrence showed sufficient promise to authorize a geophysical survey. If the results of this survey are satisfactory further investigation by diamond drilling will be considered. Serpentine. At the instance of the Department of Agriculture an investigation of serpentine deposits, in particular those of the Kaukapakapa and Warkworth districts, has been carried out by officers of the Mines Department in conjunction with officers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Serpentine is required in a finely-powdered state for admixture with superphosphate to produce a special and enhanced type of fertilizer. Work has been concentrated upon the North Auckland deposits, which, though small, are accessible, require little work to open up, and are relatively close to fertilizer-works at Auckland. Extensions of outcrops below the overburden have been indicated by magnetic surveys, and later confirmed by drilling. Deposits have been mapped and sampled, and the tonnages available at each deposit estimated. Quarrying operations by private interests, are now taking place at two quarries, and serpentine is being supplied to the fertilizer companies. Large deposits of serpentine are known to exist at D'Urville Island, and, if the demand for serpentine by fertilizer companies should continue and increase, consideration will require to be given to the exploitation of these deposits. Magnesite. A detailed investigation has been made by officers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research of magnesite deposits located by them in the Cobb River district, and considerable tonnages have been indicated by them. The magnesite occurs in close association with talc and quartz and would require treatment before being marketable. Considerable research work will be required to solve this problem, but the deposits may assume some importance in supplying the requirements of the steel industry, when it is developed in New Zealand, for refractory of furnaces, while the increasing use of magnesium alloys in aeroplane-construction renders magnesite a valuable mineral as a source of magnesium. It could also be used as a fertilizer to compensate for magnesium deficiencies in soil, and experiments in this connection are being considered. The development of the Cobb River hydro-electric-power scheme by the Public Works Department allows of access to these deposits which otherwise would be inaccessible. Aluminium. In view of the increasing importance of aluminium and aluminium alloys, particularly in aeroplane-construction, it is to be regretted that New Zealand contains no deposit of bauxite, the usual ore of aluminium, while the existence of clays of high alumina content from which aluminium could be recovered economically is remote. Undoubtedly, New Zealand's capacity to develop hydro-electric power is enormous, and cheap electric power is essential to the production of aluminium, but the other requisite, ample supplies of aluminium bearing material amenable to treatment, is lacking.

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Oil-shale. The best-known deposits of oil-shale in New Zealand are those of Orepuki, Freshford, Cambrians, and Nevis. Samples of good-grade shale have been obtained from other deposits, but what is known of their size and mode of occurrence indicates that the amounts likely to be present are small. The Orepuki deposit is about 2 miles by flat road from Orepuki Township, which is on the railway-line and 43 miles west from Invercargill; access is good. The Freshford deposit is not far from Freshford Railway-station on the RiversdaleWaikaia railway-line, and about 28 miles from Gore ; access is very easy. The Cambrians deposit is in the Manuherikia Valley close to Cambrians Township, which is 16 miles from Oturehua, a station 101 miles from Dunedin on the Otago Central Railway; access is easy. The Nevis deposit is in the Lower Nevis Valley about 20 miles from Cromwell by an extremely steep road over Carrick Range (4,500 ft.) ; access is difficult. Of the other localities the Waitati deposit is at the head of the Leith Valley, close to Dunedin; the Coal Creek deposit is about 3 miles by good road from Roxburgh ; and the Idaburn deposit is in the Upper Valley, 7 miles by indifferent road from Oturehua. Orepuki Oil-shale. —At Orepuki the shale ranges up to 4| ft. thick and contains about 38 gallons of crude oil per ton. Recent geological and geophysical work show" that the probable minimum amount of shale in the ground is 1,750,000 tons, and the probable maximum 6,750,000 tons. A good deal of boring will be necessary to obtain more reliable figures, and the Mines Department is prepared to commence this as soon as a drill of sufficient capacity is released from the important drillingwork now in progress at the Liverpool State Colliery and Cobb River dam-site. Between 1899 and 1902 the New Zealand Coal and Oil Co. mined about 14,000 tons of shale, and, as judged from the available plans of the workings, the proportion of shale extracted ranged, according to assumptions made, from 26 per cent, to 47 per cent. This low extraction is attributable to the bad roof, the faulted ground, and the liability to fire. If one-third of the shale is extractable the amount available for retorting will be between a probable minimum of 580,000 tons and a probable maximum of 2,250,000 tons. Taking the most optimistic estimate of the quantity of extractive shale which may be available—namely, 2,250,000 tons —a conservative estimate of the capital outlay at £.1,000,000 and the minimum yearly throughput required for efficient operation at 300,000 tons, it will be seen that the capital would have to be recouped in seven years and a half, say, eight years. It must be pointed out that the losses in refining crude shale-oil are high ; 25 per cent, is usually taken, and the only available figure for Orepuki is 29 per cent. Orepuki crude oil contains a good deal of sulphur, which is objectionable for many uses and is difficult to eliminate. Freshford Oil-shale.—During the dredging boom, about 20,000 tons of oil-shale was mined open-cast near Freshford and used as fuel. The deposit dips under the gravels of the Whakaea Valley and the workings are now covered with tailings, so that nothing can be seen of the shale. About 1917 the Waikaia Oil-shale Development Co. bored their lease and proved the presence of about 750,000 tons of shale in 40 acres. The shale ranges from 6 ft. to 17 ft. thick and resembles the Orepuki shale. Samples contain from 30 gallons to 60 gallons of crude oil per ton and are rather high in sulphur, though not so high as Orepuki samples. The extent and thickness of the shale under the gravels laterally and to the dip can only be proved by boring. Cambrians Oil-shale. —Oil-shale from a few inches to 4 ft. thick underlies an area of about 6-| acres half a mile east of Cambrians Township. About 9,000 tons are probably present in this area. Shale may extend over a further 116 acres, and if it has a thickness of 3 ft. about 160,000 tons may be present, but boring is needed to establish the area and thickness of the shale. The shale is of good grade, four samples ranging from 27 gallons to 78 gallons per ton, and averaging 56 gallons per ton. The sulphur is also low.

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Nevis Oil-shale.—The oil-shale deposit of the Lower Nevis Valley is large, a preliminary estimate suggesting an amount of the order of 150,000,000 tons. Thirteen samples were taken from different parts of the deposit and volatile and ash determinations made, the range in volatile matter being from 7 per cent, to 21 per cent., the average being 15 per cent. The sample lowest in ash and containing 17 per cent, of volatiles, on low-temperature carbonization, yielded 14-3 gallons of crude oil per ton. Seven samples taken many years ago were mixed and distilled, the yield being 13-2 gallons of crude oil per ton of shale. Another sample, not taken by an officer of the Department, contained 20 gallons of crude oil per ton. The advantages of the Nevis deposit are its large size and the ease of working it open-cast and with no risk of flooding. The chief disadvantage is the low oil content, for the inaccessibility of the locality is not vital. In Scotland the oil-shale worked yields an average of 26 gallons, of crude oil per ton. At Fushun, Manchuria, a large deposit mined open-cast yields only 16 gallons per ton, but the shale is not loaded with any of the mining costs, these being borne by a thick seam of coal worked with it. Under present conditions there is no chance of the Nevis deposit being made to pay, but some further sampling may be worth while to ascertain if some parts are richer than others. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS. During the year the Dominion Laboratory again carried out a considerable amount of analytical and investigational work connected with the mining industry. Prospectors' samples examined for gold and silver were again few in number and disclosed no fresh discoveries of important deposits. The increased demand for tungsten as a result of the war caused a notable rise in the number of determinations made of this metal in samples of ores and concentrates. A considerable number of analyses of serpentines were made in connection with the proposal to incorporate a proportion of this mineral in superphosphate fertilizers. A survey of the sulphur deposits of the Dominion by the Geological Survey necessitated numerous analyses of samples of sulphur-ore from the thermal regions, and a process was also developed for the separation of sulphur from the associated pumice. The investigation of a recently discovered talc-magnesite ore in the Cobb River area required a number of analyses to be made, and laboratory experiments on the separation of the constituent minerals by flotation and other means were carried out. The systematic survey of the Onekaka iron-ore deposit was again responsible for a large number of determinations of iron being made. Other laboratory work included the examination of samples of mine airs and gases, mine-dusting materials, clays, limestones, antimony ores, tinstone, nickel ore, the estimation of zircon in beach sands, and tests on locally produced soda-lime for use in mine-rescue apparatus. The Coal Survey Laboratory, in addition to proceeding with the work of the systematic survey of coal resources, was engaged on a number of special investigations. The danger of a shortage of oil fuels arising as a result of the war necessitated the examination of possible substitutes. The search for fuels suitable for use in producer-gas-driven vehicles entailed much laboratory testing of locallyproduced materials. These included activated gasworks cokes, carbonized Waikato coals, anthracites, and wood charcoals. Shales from Orepuki and North Otago were examined for their oil content. The results obtained in the work of the coal survey during the year further emphasized the need for a comprehensive scheme of conservation of the resources of bituminous coal in the Dominion. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, detailed geological mapping was continued in the Dannevirke and Orepuki subdivisions, both areas of economic interest. The principal work, however, was the examination of deposits of useful minerals on which the time of several officers was devoted in whole or in part.

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There are indications of copper on Kawau, Great Barrier, and D'Urville islands, in the two last mentioned so widespread as to suggest the possibility of the presence of low-grade deposits. A geophysical examination is recommended for the first and some further geological work for the last. Scheelite deposits in Deep Creek, Macraes, and Glenorchy were visited. That iron-ore occurs in the Catlins district has long been known, and this year an officer examined a deposit that proved to be an ancient blacksand beachlead now cemented to hard rock. In composition the ore is similar to Taranaki blacksand, but the deposit is too inextensive to have present value. Large masses of rock containing disseminated sulphides are a possible source of sulphur, and preliminary samples were taken of belts of rock in D'Urville Island and in the Takaka basin. D'Urville Island also contains vast masses of serpentine close to deep sheltered water and high in magnesia. Samples were also taken from the large deposit in the Wakatipu Oreti district. The deposits in North Auckland, also examined during the year, are decidedly less uniform in composition and very much smaller in size. Talc deposits in the Takaka and Taupo basins were examined and extensive lenses of magnesite in the former district were carefully mapped and sampled. There is much inquiry for large clear crystals of quartz for use in radio apparatus, and very good prices are paid for suitable material. Unfortunately, crystals of commercial grade were not found in the many localities examined. Samples were obtained from several clay deposits now used, or likely to be used, in the expanding ceramic industry, and a rough idea was formed of the available reserves. The districts visited were Whangarei, Charleston, Kakahu, Benhar, and Mako. Clays with fulling properties were collected from beds near Waipahi, Alexandra, Hyde, and other localities in Otago Central. Oil-shales received a good deal of attention, deposits at Cambrians, Idaburn, Waitati, and Nevis, all in Otago, being visited and sampled. The first two are of good grade, but small. Waitati shale is thin, irregular, and of low grade. The large size and ease of open-cast working gives warrant for further investigation of the Nevis deposit, although the grade of the shale is poor. A survey showed that vast quantities of greensand are readily accessible in the South Island. Field tests are proceeding to ascertain if the potash, of the greensand is sufficiently available to plants as to make its use as a fertilizer practicable. The hot springs at Tokaanu contain an unusually high proportion of boric acid. Check samples were taken and an estimate made of the flow of the springs. The lignites of Germany have long supplied industry with vegetable wax of high melting-point. Samples show that Southland and Otago lignites contain a similar wax in similar proportion. A wax of lower melting-point occurs in the peats of the Chatham Islands, apparently in much greater amount. An officer spent a month on the islands mapping and sampling selected areas. The chemical examination of the samples is now in hand. The detailed mapping of the Grey Coalfield was continued, and the geologists now understand the sequence and structure of the coal-measures and are of considerable assistance to the miner in locating faulted portions of seams. Preliminary surveys were carried out at Tatu and Mangapehi, where the State have acquired coal-bearing areas. Geophysical examinations were restricted to areas on the Waikato River at which the Public Works Department are investigating the possibilities of erecting dams. Most work was done at Ohakuri, 5 miles up-stream from Atiamuri, and at Whakamaru, 10 miles down-stream from, the same place. A few additional seismic lines were rum at Karapiro, near Cambridge, where the preparations for erecting a dam are well advanced. SCHOOLS.OF MINES. Six scholarships are offered annually by the Department for competition by students attending the various Schools of Mines within the Dominion. Six candidates sat for the annual Scholarship Examinations held in November, 1940, 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. One candidate from the Thames School was awarded a partial pass.

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# The expenditure on Schools of Mines for the year ended 31st March, 1941, was £3,360, compared with £3,631 for the previous year. It is fitting to record the splendid work being carried out at the Otago University and at the various Schools of Mines. From these institutions have graduated some of the best mining engineers in the Empire to-day, and it is pleasing to know that the standard of work being carried out is being well maintained and kept right up to date with the latest technique in mining and treatment methods. The country and the mining industry must look to these institutions for its future leaders, and as a consequence my policy has been to encourage and assist their work in every way which is likely to make it more effective and practical. The rules under which scholarships may be won were recently revised, and it is my earnest hope that increasing numbers of students will come forward and prepare themselves for the opportunities which will soon exist for energetic young men equipped with training and experience for the responsible positions in the industry. MINERS' BENEFITS. The provision for payment of a miners' benefit is contained in the Social Security Act, which has been operative since the Ist April, 1939. The conditions of payment are similar to those previously obtaining, and this class of benefit may be authorized t5 miners who are seriously and permanently incapacitated by miners' phthisis or totally incapacitated by heart or other occupational disease associated with their mining service in New Zealand. The rate of benefit to the miner is 30s. a week, with an additional 10s. a week 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 reducible by all other income of the family in excess of £2 a week. The widow of a miner who dies while in receipt of a benefit may be granted a benefit of 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, 1941, has been supplied by that Department:— Payments from Ist November, 1915, to 3lst March, £ 1940 .. .. .. .. .. 1,171,484 Payments, 1940-41 .. .. .. .. 88,656 £1,260,140 Number of new grants for year 1940-41— Miners .. .. .. 33 Widows .. .. .. .. 7 — 40 Annual value of new grants .. .. .. .. £3,667 Number of benefits in force 31st March, 1941, including two emergency — Miners .. .. .. .. 798 Widows .. .. .. .. 137 935 Annual value of benefits in force 31st March, 1941 .. £86,277 Average benefit per annum . . .. .. £91 ss. 6d. Number of benefits granted to 31st March, 1941 .. 2,974 Dissection of benefits in force at 31st March, 1941— Single miners .. .. .. .. 219 Married miners .. .. .. 579 Miners' widows .. .. .. 137 935

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ASSISTANCE TO MINING. As in previous years, the Department lias continued its work of assisting the mining industry by subsidizing the work of School of Mines, by the loan of drillingequipment, by the provision of better access to claims in remote areas, and by financial aid to prospectors and companies engaged in the search for and production of minerals. In addition, prospecting-work under the supervision of qualified geologists and mining engineers was carried out by the Department itself in a number of localities throughout the Dominion. Special attention was paid to scheeliteprodueing areas where financial assistance has been made available for the purchase of equipment, for the erection of a treatment plant, for better road access, and for underground development work. For the financial year ended 31st March, 1941, the total expenditure by way of direct financial assistance to prospectors and companies amounted to £45,545, of which £31,544 was advanced by way of subsidies and loans to concerns engaged in major mining or prospecting work. A sum of £14,001 was expended on subsidies to individual prospectors working small areas under the subsidized gold-mining scheme. The average number of men engaged under this scheme during the year was 162. There was a falling off in numbers from 230 at the commencement to 148 at the end of the year. There was, however, a further distinct improvement in the individual gold winnings, the total gold won by subsidized men for the year being 1,886 oz.; valued at approximately £17,000. A few men were engaged on the production of scheelite and produced 10 tons of an approximate value of £2,000. In addition to the production of gold by men in receipt of subsidy, other men who had previously received assistance to develop their claims under the subsidized gold-prospecting scheme, won a further 1,200 oz. of gold. Exploratory work at the Perseverance and Golden Treasure Mines at Reefton was carried out during the year and is still proceeding. Altogether, a sum of £9,533 was expended on special survey, prospecting, and development work under the direct supervision of officers of: the Department £4,114 has been expended in the development of the Mountain Camp Scheelite Mine, £959 on the construction and maintenance of roads and tracks to mining areas, and £3,360 on Schools of Mines. The Department's prospecting-drills were hired by ten parties during the year, and a total of 5,627 ft. was drilled.

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TABLES TO ACCOMPANY MINES STATEMENT.

No. 1. Table showing the Quantity and Value of Gold and other Minerals and Allied Substances exported during the Years ended the 31st December, 1940 and 1939, and the Total Value since the 1st January, 1853. The Coal Output is also included.

_ „ , , Total from the For Year ended the For Year ended the lgt j anuar y ; 1853; to the 31st December, 1940. 31st December, 1930. ;j i st December, 1940. Name of Metal or Mineral. ■ ; — Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. T'ropinns tyi Oz £ Oz. £ Oz. £ Gold* . ' .. 187,343 1,931,807 175,667 1,623,072 25,566,038 107,525,174 Silver .. 448,089 57,005 315,236 35,132 31,684,424 3,636,552 Total gold and silver .. 635,432 1,988,812 490,903 1,658,204 57,250,462 111,161,726 Mineral produce, including kaurigum— Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Copper-ore •• •• •• 19,397 Chrome-ore ' . .. .. •• 5 > 869 38 ' 002 Antimony-ore .. .. 1& 44 .. .. 8,789* 55,145 CganeLore .. .. 558™ 1,605 5 25 20,020 M 63,801 Haematite-ore .. .. •• •• •• •• _ D1 . , 0 .. n Tungsten-ore .. .. 90 13,997 38 7,728 2,81.4* 369,890 Sulphur (crude) •• •• •• Ai'ltMixed minerals .. .. 3,27Hgf 11,738 3,681 11,187 116,397^ Coal (New Zealand) exported 81,287 146,337 43,990 li '1q !11 Coke exported .. 8 46 6 43 17,800 28,437 Coal output of mines in Do- 2,434,812 2,369,762 2,298,649 2,282,668 88,408,871 68,472,130 osr (1 " s eiportB) ».«* ?,» Kauri-gum " " 1,683 87,450 2,316 112,650 411,184 23,817,629 Pig iron •• •• jf; 614 fe ' 615 Quicksilver .. .. ■■ 19 ' 024 Total value of minerals .. •• 2,630,979 .. 2,474,272 .. 101,138,548 Value of gold and silver, as above .. 1,988,812 .. 1,658,204 .. 111,161,726 Total value of minerals, including .. 4,619,791 .. 4,132,476 .. 212,300,274 gold and silver * In respect of gold, ounoes of the fineness of 20 carats and upwards. f Includes pumice-sand and stone, 3,166 tons, value, £10,341. 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, 1940 and 1939, and the Total Quantity and Value from 1857 to the 31st December, 1940.

— ; —~~~ Year ended Year ended 31st December, 1940. 31st December, 1939. Total Quantity and Value District and County or Borough. from January, 1857, to 31st December, 1940. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Auckland — Oz. £ Oz. £ Oz. £ County of Ohinemuri .. 544 5,699 1,347 11,752 County of Coromandel .. 80 839 254 2,041 County of Thames .. .. 1,022 10,614 622 5,233 Borough of Waihi .. .. 50,062 524,635 48,617 463,751 Borough of Thames .. 605 6,371 274 2,255 52,313 548,158 51,114 485,032 8,319,864 35,067,795 Wellington .. .. .. ■ • ■ • • ■ 188 706 Marlborough— County of Marlborough .. 61 639 386 3,332 61 639 386 3,332 118,612 488,728 Nelson — County of Murchison .. 1,817 18,780 3,542 31,861 County of Waimea .. 151 1,557 106 987 1,968 20,337 3,648 32,848 1,791,345 7,295,937 West Coast — County of Grey .. .. 17,638 179,655 25,327 233,468 County of Buller .. .. 1,418 1.4,663 2,125 18,823 County of Inangahua .. 40,590 420,877 41,368 374,745 County of Westlancl .. 48,439 488,007 31,904 298,789 108,085 1,103,202 100,724 925,825 7,307,300 31,837,009 Canterbury .. ' .. . • •• • • ■ • 165 669 Otago— County of Taieri .. .. 4 42 County of Tuapeka 613 6,393 1,081 9,823 County of Vincent .. .. 13,985 146,238 9,133 80,253 County of Maniototo .. 1,658 16,964 1,333 11,878 County of Waitaki .. 229 2,389 224 2,048 County of Lake .. .. 1,069 10,996 1,112 9,709 County of Wallace .. .. 2,689 28,094 2,658 24,79/ County of Southland .. 3,194 33,163 2,840 24,968 County of Waihemo .. 1,291 13,259 1,391 12,357 County of Bruce .. .. 3 30 12 107 County of Clutha .. .. 3 35 11 95 24,738 257,603 19,795 176,035 8,014,998 32,776,791 Unknown .. .. .. 178 1,868 .. .. 13,566 57,539 Totals .. .. 187,343 1,931,807 175,667 1,623,072 25,566,038 107,525,174 Note.—The gold recorded in this table is the product of the mines of the Dominion and does not include jewellers' sweepings or old j ewellery.

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No. 3. Table showing Quantity of Gold exported annually from New Zealand from 1857 to 1940.

No. 4. Table showing the Output of Coal from the various Coalfields, and the Comparative Increase and Decrease, for the Years 1940 and 1939, 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.

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y paT Quantity. Y Quantity. y Quantity. Y Quantity. • Oz. Oz. v ear ' Oz. ' Oz. 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 1940 .. 187,343

Output. Approximate Total Output Name of Coalfield. | Increase. Decrease. up to inm I mon 31st December, | 1939. 194() ; I ;■ Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. North Auckland .. .. 81,411 71,029 10,382 .. 6,051,946 Waikato (including Taranaki) .. 788,559 731,676 56,883 .. 18,458,757 Nelson .. .. .. 16,166 17,011 .. 845 700,311 Buller .. .. .. 504,647 453,780 50,867 .. 26,441,795 Reefton .. .. .. 69,875 55,971 13,904 .. 1,183,514 Grey .. .. .. 533,369 506,580 26,789 .. 18,774,036 Canterbury .. .. .. 26,893 25,631 1,262 .. 1,171,706 Otago .. .. .. 188,508 192,642 .. 4,134 14,161,597 Southland .. .. .. 306,671 288,319 18,352 .. 8,392,506 Totals .. .. 2,516,099* 2,342,639 178,439 4,979 95,336,168 * Increase, 173,460 tons.

Approximate Output. TotaJ Output Class of Coal. Increase. Decrease. to the , 31st December, 1940. 1939. 1940. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous .. 1,144,557 1,044,609 99,948 .. 53,973,586 Brown .. .. .. 1,232,810 1,159,963 72,847 .. 35,683,966 Lignite .. .. .. 138,732 138,067 665 .. 5,678,616 Totals .. .. 2,516,099 2,342,639 173,460 .. 95,336,168

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

Coal and Shale raised in the Dominion. Coal imported. _ Yearly Increase or t p Increase over Decrease below ns- Decrease. orl8 ' 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 j 1906 .. .. 1,729,536 „ 143,780 207,567 38,521 j 1907 .. .. 1,831,009 „ 101,473 220,749 13,182 ! 1908 .. .. 1,860,975 ,, 29,966 287,808 67,059 i 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 .. i 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 2,331 1940 .. .. 2,516,099 Inc. 173,460 64,860 .. 46,677

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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 1940. Imports.

Exports: Bunkers.

Exports: Cargo.

No. 8. Table showing Quantity of Coal exported annually from New Zealand from 1900 to 1940.

Country whence imported. Tons. Value. £ Australia .. .. .. .. 64,860 71,275

Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. £ 75,933 140,837

Produce of New Zealand. Produce of other Countries. Country to which exported. ■" Tons. Value. Tons. Value. — — — j — - • ■ £ Australia .. •• 2,039 2,181 Western Samoa .. .. ■ • 2 6 New Caledonia .. .. 3,313 3,313 Totals .. .. 5,354 5,500 i

Yea, Yea, «-jg* Yea, *55* Prior to 1,120,168 1909 .. 201,685 1920 .. 80,088 1931 .. 48,334 1900 1910 .. 277,011 1921 .. 53,183 1932 .. 35,866 1900 .. 112,707 1911 .. 223,918 1922 .. 118,755 1933 .. 34,131 1901 .. 159,643 L912 .. 229,012 1923 .. 95,636 1934 .. 40,361 1902 .. 188,677 1913 .. 211,749 1924 .. 88,981 1935 .. 46,146 1903 .. 152,332 1914 .. 302,908 1925 .. 138,083 1936 .. 44,872 1904 .. 165,220 1915 .. 323,992 1926 .. 183,008 1937 ., 113,116 1905 .. 122,817 1916 .. 328,183 1927 .. 143,440 1938 .. 55,7.11 1906 .. 141,641 1917 .. 221,125 1928 .. .125,771 1939 .. 43,990 1907 .. 128,950 1918 .. 182,603 1929 ... 205,403 1940 .. 81,287 1908 .. 100,502 1919 .. 138,174 1930 .. 126,118

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No. 9. Number of Persons ordinarily employed at or about Mines other than Coal-mines during the Year ended 31st December, 1940.

In addition, the following Persons were employed in Oil-prospecting Operations. 1940. 1939, Geologists, geophysicists, &c. .. .. .. • • 53 55 Surveyors ..' • • • ■ • • • • • • ® ® Draughtsmen .. .. • ■ • • • • • • 6 4 Laboratory Assistants .. .. • ■ • • .. 10 5 Drillers, &c. .. • ■ • • • • • • 47 23 Others .. • • • • ■ • ■ • ... 54 36 Total 178 132

Summary of Persons ordinarily employed in or about New Zealand Mines during 1940 and 1939.

Number of Persons ordinarily employed at Total. County or Borough. Gold Mines other Gold-quartz AUuvia j bold- than Gold 1940. 1039. Mmoa " Mines. drofi « e8 - and Coal. Northern Inspection District. County of Thames .. .. 28 .. .. • • 28 45 „ Ohinemuri .. .. 29 .. .. .. 29 60 ,, Coromandel .. . • 20 .. .. .. 20 30 „ Piako .. .. ■ ■ 1 • • • • 1 2 „ Franklin .. • • • • • • • • 12 12 13 „ Whangarei ... .. •• •• •• 22 22 9 „ Bay of Islands .. .. .. •• •• 4 4 3 ,, Wanganui .. •• •• •• 1 1 4 ,, Whangaroa .. .. • • • • • • 1 1 „ Patangata . . .. • • • • • • 3 3 Borough of Thames .. .. 25 .. .. • • 25 25 ,, Waihi .. •• 620 ... .. .. 620 635 West Coast Inspection District. County of Marlborough .. ■ • • • 56 .. 9 65 53 ,, Waimea .. • • • • 7 .. .. 7 12 Takaka H • • ■ ■ 11 12 „ Collingwood .. •• •• 17 .. 15 32 19 „ Murchison .. • • • • 118 32 .. 150 155 „ Buller 49 .. 2 51 55 ,, Inangahua .. .. 282 47 55 .. 384 413 Grey 180 156 .. 336 317 ,, West land .. .. •• 176 169 .. 345 303 Southern Inspection District. County of Taieri .. .. •• •• 5 • • 5 9 „ Ashburton .. I 1 3 Tuapeka 52 .. .. 52 59 „ Vincent .. • • 3 109 79 .. 191 167 „ Maniototo .. .. 2 73 .. 3 78 78 „ Waihemo .. . ■ 14 19 .. 17 50 33 Waitaki .. . ■ • • 15 ■ • ■ • 15 18 " Lake 4 78 .. 41 123 147 Wallace 60 .. .. 60 63 Southland 69 9 .. 78 -80 „ Waikouaiti .. ■ • ■ • 1 „ Bruce .. .. • • ■ • 1 • • • • 1 1 Totals .. .. 1,028 1,143 500 131 2,802 2,824

— >«!• | iss8 - "cr Gold, silver, and tungsten mines .. 2,738 2,794 Dec. 56 Other metalliferous mines .. .. 64 30 Inc. 34 Coal-mines .. •• 5,046 4,762 Inc. 284 Totals .. •• 7,848 7,586 Inc. 262 In addition, 178 persons were employed in oil-prospecting operations.

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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. Sib, — Wellington, 6th May, 1941. I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and stone-quarries, together with statistical information, for the year ended 31st December, 1940. 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, 1940, to the 31st March, 1941. The reports, &c., are divided into the following sections : I. Minerals produced and exported. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Gold-mining—(l) Quartz-mining; (2) Dredge Mining ; (3) Alluvial Mining ; (4) Prosecutions. V. 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 1940 and 1939 : —

1940. 1930. Mineral. —: 1 Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Oz. dwt. £ Oz. dwt. £ Gold and silver (estimated) .. .. .. 000,995 0 1,945,707 569,297 0 1,566,977 Platinum .. .. .. .. .. ... • • 13 6 104 Tons ewt. Tons ewt. Iron-ore .. •• •• •• •• 1,188 14 2,888 1,586 0 3,018 Stone .. .. i • •• •• •• 540,820 .. 545,533 Pumice .. .. .. 3,166 0 10,341 3,680 2 11,172 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 74 0 16,006 41 0 8,240 Manganese-ore .. .. .. •• 980 4 3,266 486 0 1,944 Silica-sand .. .. .. .. 1,354 10 1,569 2,335 0 2,227 Puller's eartli .. . • •. • • 71 0 248 73 18 233 Biatomaceous earth . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 332 Mica .. .. . • ■ • ■ ■ • • .. 18 12 Antimony .. .. .. . • • • 2 0 55 .. .. Bentonite ... .. . .. .. 205 0 820 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 2,521,720 .. 2,139,792

0.—2.

The following statement shows the value of New Zealand minerals (other than coal and coke) and allied substances exported during 1940 and 1939, and since Ist January, 1853 : —

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-prospecting operations : — Geologists, geophysicists, &c. .. .. .. .. 53 Surveyors .. . ■ • • • • • • • • • • 8 Draughtsmen . . . . .. .. .. . 6 Laboratory assistants .. .. .. .. .. 10 Drillers, &c. .. .. • • • • • • • • 47 Others .. . ■ ■ • ■ • • • • • .. 54 Total .. . • • ■ • • ■ • ■ ■ 178 111. ACCIDENTS. During 1940 two fatal and six serious but non-fatal accidents occurred in or about metalliferous mines, at which 2,802 persons were ordinarily employed.

In 1940 two fatal accidents occurred in the Southern District mines. On 28th March the foreman of the dredge under construction at Lowburn was drowned through the upsetting of a boat in the dredge paddock, and on 9tli May a farmer who, with iiis brother, was fossicking for gold was killed by a fall of earth in Leeders Gully, Black-stone Hill. 'Che only fatality during the year in the Northern District occurred at the borehole being drilled at Morere for petroleum. While a rotary helper', along with others, was endeavouring to detach the drill tubes from the drill bit, which was jammed in the hole, the pawl slipped, and he was instantly killed through being struck by, the pair of tongs as they rotated backwards on the drill tubes. It is pleasing to record that there were no fatal accidents in the West Coast District during 1940. There were six serious but non-fatal accidents during the year, four in the West Coast District and two in the Southern District.

j Total from the 1st 1940. 1989. Increase or Decrease. | t^^beceraber, 1940. I ! £ £ £ £ Gold .. ■■ 1,931,807 1,623,072 Inc. 308,735 107,525,174 Silver .. .. .. 57,005 35,132 „ 21,873 3,636 552 Tungsten-ore .. .. .. 13,997 7,728 „ 6,269 369,890 Kauri-gum .. .. .. 87,450 112,650 Dec. 25,200 23,817,629 Sand, lime, and building-atone .. 10,341 11,172 \ lm 674,385 Other minerals .. .. .. 3,04b 40 / Totals .. . . 2,103,646 1,789,794 I no. 313,862 136,023,630

Inspection District. Classification. Total, 1040. Northern. West Coast. Southern. Grold, silver, and tungsten .. .. .. •• 723 1,364 651 2,738 Cinnabar .. • • • • • • • • • • 20 .. .. 20 Iron-ore .. .. • • • • • • • • ® • • 21 Manganese .. .. .. • • • • • • 12 .. .. 12 Silica .. •• •• • • • • • • j •• 4 ® Pumice .. • • • • • • • • • • * • • • • 1 Bentonite • • • • • • • • •• 3 .. .. 3 Mica .. • • • • • • • • • • • • " .. 2 Totals for 1940 766 1,381 655 2,802 Totals for 1939 .. .. .. »• 826 1,339 659 2,824

Fatal Accidents. Serious .Non-fatal Accidents. Cause. Number of w lim u a . n( Number of Number of Separate Separate Persons Accidents. Accidents. injured. Falls of ground.. .. • • • • • • • • * 1 1 1 Explosives .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ;> Miscellaneous, on surface •. ■ • ■ • • • 1 1 * Miscellaneous, underground Totals •• 2 _2 6 6

C.—2.

IV. GOLD-MINING. The following statement shows the value of the bullion-production, also the dividends declared, number of persons employed, and the number of gold mines and dredges : —

(1) Quartz-mining.

The average value per ton. of ore treated during 1940 amounted to £3 15s. 9d., as compared with £3 os. 6d. during 1939. At the Martha Mine 170,856 tons of quartz were mined and treated from which 50,014 oz. of gold and 412,433 oz. of silver were recovered. The dividends paid during the past year, £61,988 7s. 6d., were similar to those paid in 1939, and the total dividends paid to date from the Martha Mine are £6,685,325. At the Golden Dawn Mine the No. 1 winze was continued to 130 ft., where the large No. 5 reef, wider than the winze, is split into two portions, the one on the hanging wall being worth about 4 dwt. of gold per ton. Only one small tribute party is now working at the Talisman-Dubbo Mine. In 1940 they produced 105 oz. of bullion, valued at £254 . The up-to-date battery, erected in 1937, has been dismantled and sent to Fiji. From the Waiawa Mine, near Kar'angahake, 208 oz. of bullion, valued at £630, was produced. The Una Hill Mine, at Thames, was worked continuously in 1940. From the bottom of the lower inclined shaft, driving was continued to north and south, and bullion to the value of £1,202 was won from 252 tons of ore. In the Blackwater Mine, development continued during 1940 in Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14 north levels and in Nos. 13 and 14 south levels off the Prohibition shaft. The No. 13 south level, when 1,800 ft. in from the shaft, reached the limit of the ore-body being driven on. , No. 11 north level is now 300 ft. in. beyond the large fault, which has also been crossed in Nos. 12, 13, and 14 north levels. Stoping has been done over Nos. 13 and 14 south levels and Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14 north levels. Preparations are in hand for sinking the Prohibition shaft some 125 ft. below No. 14 level to No. 15 level. An auxiliary fan was installed during the year on the No. 11 level and has proved very beneficial to the ventilitation of the levels north of the Prohibition shaft. When the roasting-furnace at the new treatment plant was put into commission, it was found that owing to its proximity to the downcast shaft some of the fumes from the roaster were going into the mine. Several improvements in the arrangement to trap the gases and convey them a safe distance from the treatment plant and shaft were effected. A precipitation chamber to collect arsenic from the roaster was built also, and has greatly assisted in combating the nuisance and danger to health.

I Production of Bullion, 1940* (all Mines). ., , Number of Persons j Number ot Dividends paid, 1940. ordinarily employed Productive Quartz- .. (By Registered Com- at Productive and mines, Alluvial panies only.)t Unproductive Mines, Mines, and Quantity. Value. 1940. Dredges, 1940. Oz. £ £ Quartz-mining .. 492,920 859,202 86,987 1,028 48 Alluvial miningj .. 18,051 161,914 19,920 1,143 682 Dredge mining .. 90,018 924,591 163,774 500 24 Totals, 1940 .. 600,995 1,945,707 270,681 2,671 754 Totals, 1939 .. 569,297 1,566,977 193,050 2,754 859 * In addition to the gold produced from the gold-mines, silver was obtained from them, hence the word " bullion " is used In preference to " gold." t The profits of privately owned dredges and mines are unobtainable, which renders this statement incomplete. t The bullion-production is from 682 alluvial claims, but the dividends are only obtainable from those few that are the property of registered companies.

Statute Tons of Ore treated. Value of Bullion. paid P >y B ' I e^ s " tered Companies only). Inspection District. 1940. 1939. 1940. j 1939. 1940. ! 1939. . I I £ £ £ £ Northern .. .. 172,270 180,284 588,002 444,897 01,988 61,988 West Coast .. .. 52,970 54,523 264,118 265,351 24,999 24,999 Southern .. .. 1,803 2,133 7,081 6,971 .. Totals .. .. 227,043 236,940 859,201 717,219 86,987 86,987

C.—2.

During 1940, 49,020 tons of ore from the Blaokwater Mine was crushed and treated from which 23,963 oz. 12 dwt. of gold was recovered, and from a clean up of the old battery site 833 oz. 18 dwt. was obtained, making a total from the clean up and the mine ore of 24,7970z., valued at £241,635. At the Big River Mine the retimbering of the main shaft was continued down to No. 7 level, and from the crosscut in that level a block of good ore has been developed. An air connection is to be made by a rise from No. 7 level to a winze 74 ft. down from the No. 6 level. Prospecting by the Mines Department in the Golden Treasure and Perseverance Mines, near Reefton, is being continued. (2) Dredge Mining. The following is a statement showing the capacity and production of bucket gold dredges and dividends declared by dredging companies during 1940. (Note. —The dividends declared by privately owned dredges are not obtainable for publication) : —

Of the seventeen dredges which were working in the West Coast District during 1939, ten were operated throughout 1940. Two, the Mataki Junction and the Worksop, ceased operations and were dismantled during 1940; White's Electric is now being dismantled, and the New River dredge was beached ready for dismantling before the end of 1940. The Mataki dredge was operated until September and the Mossy Creek dredge until the end of November. Operations at both dredges were suspended through the ground becoming unpayable to work. The Nemona dredge sank early in the year, and it was decided to replace the wooden pontoons with steel ones. This work was completed, before the end of the year. The Snowy River dredge was completed near the end of 1940, and was run-in to commence dredging early in 1941. Five other dredges are in various stages of construction. They are the Marsden, Red Jacks, Atarau Nos. 1 and 2, and the Mawheraiti, while the pit for the Mikonui dredge is ready and some of the steel has arrived. A license lias been granted for a dredge to work an extensive area in the Teremakau River. Of the six dredges working in the Southern District in 1939, five continued to operate throughout 1940. The Nevis Crossing dredge was worked for a brief period during January and February. It has not operated since. The large dredge built at Lowburn commenced dredging operations in May, and up to the end of the year had already treated 1,648,000 cubic yards of wash.

sJ |V" is •a =j ,•*) R 2.2 • c5 S, Dividends declared. Q.2 W t§ ••-5 Quantity and _ «T> , , «,• Ss 2 ■3'ass 2-3 Value ot Bullion Maine of Dredge. Locality. o| o o | gg £ «« obtained during Tntal tn n* II § Is :S-«W || 1040. During §S|S lis fg, i I'll II II Ssg l940 - 1940, I O fc fc p®BM 5 Wesi Coast. Ft. Oz. £ £ £ Mataki .. .. Murchison .. 7 20 120 S 17 570 5,048 .. 8,435 Mataki Junction .. ,, .. 6 21 370 DE 20 72 718 .. 5,000 Worksop .. .. Antonios .. 4 12 140 I) 12 642 0,887 .. 20,800 Mossy Creek.. .. Hukarere .. 4 26 225 E 11 2,311 23,252 6,250 22,500 Grey River .. .. Ikamatua .. 16 28 1,266 E 25 13,516 142,955 42,750 49,875 Argo .. .. Blackball .. .. 4£ 18 210 E 20 1,522 15,085 2.000 39,200 Blackball Creek .. „ 5 20 383 E 33 1,860 18,630 1,800 7,200 New River .. .. Dunganville .. 4 15 140 D 14 702 7,701 .. 5,637 Nemona .. .. Marsden .. 4 J 23 255 E 9 177 1,890 .. 21,000 White's Electric .. Barrytown .. 4 10 226 E 16 1,423 14,132 Barrytown .. .. „ ..12 21 879 E 30 7,962 80,767 5,000 5,000 Arahura .. .. Arahura .. 18 21 1,500 E 83 16,242 167,577 30,000 30,000 Rimu .. ■■ Rimu .. .. 12 23 922 E 53 8,142 86,507 43,057 237,609 Kanieri .. .. Kanieri .. 18 21 1,487 E 42 13,062 134,548 30,000 45,000 Five Mile Beach .. Okarito .. 5 10 .. H 20 208 2,071 .. 42,000 Gillespies Beach .. Weheka .. 5 13 225 E 28 1,580 15,647 2,917 23,917 Ngaherc .. .. Ngahere .. 18 22 1,500 E 87 6,007 61,106 Maori Gold .. .. Callaghans .. 3£ 10 140 E 22 155 1,487 .. 6,000 Otago and Southland. Molyneux .. .. Cromwell .. 9 12 580 E 46 2,659 25,672 Nevis Crossing .. Nevis .. . . 3J 10 12 S 10 27 265 Rainbow .. .. Maitland .. 2| 12 38 D 7 267 2,700 .. 172 Aitkens .. .. „ .. 6 10 32 S 11 922 9,244 Clutha River .. Alexandra .. 12 12 570 E 62 4,660 46,249 .. 30,976 Austral New Zealand.. Lowburji .. 17 26 800 E 48 5,270 53,853 Totals, 1940 .. .. .. .. •• .. *90,018 924,591 163,774 Unknown. Totals, 1939 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 78,476 699,589 90,254 Unknown. * Includes 1,523 oz. of silver, valued at £148.

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(3) Alluvial Mining. The following is a statement showing the production of, and dividends declared by, alluvial gold-mines during 1940 : —

Eighty-one subsidized miners in the Howard field produced 823 oz. of gold, which realized £6,670. At the Addison's Flat claim 363,000 cubic yards were treated, yielding 671 oz. of gold ; and the Waitahu Gold-mining Co. produced 602 oz., valued at £6,073. At the Golden Sands sluicing claim, 482 oz. of gold, valued at £4,864, was recovered from 163,000 cubic yards ; and at the Moonlight Goldfields sluicing claim 114,960 cubic yards were treated, yielding 438 oz. of gold. At the Nokomai Gold-mining Co.'s claim the 12 in. gravel-pumps continued to operate satisfactorily, and 964- oz. of gold, valued at £9,197, was recovered. The two gravel-pumps owned by Macrae's Gold-mining Co. elevated 130,500 cubic yards of wash during 1940 for a return of 963 oz. of gold, valued at £8,938. At Waitahuna the Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co. recovered 347 oz. of gold, valued at £2,865 ; and in the gullies to the east the Sailors Gully Gold Sluicing Co. recovered 329 oz. of gold, valued at £3,213. At their claim at Round Hill, Southland, the Round Hill Gold-mining Co. won 2,373 oz. of gold, valued at £24,381. (4) Prosecutions. The only prosecution by an Inspector of Mines during 1940 was that of a West Coast mine-manager, who was fined 10s. and costs for failing to report to the Inspector, within seven days an accident in the mine. V. MINERALS OTHER THAN GOLD. Ikon. The State Iron and Steel Department continued the prospecting of the limonite deposit at Parapara and Onekaka, chiefly by drilling. Two hundred and fifty tons, valued at £150, were produced by the Mount Burnett Coal Sales, Ltd. Near Whangarci, 276 tons of limonite, valued at £900, was mined-in 1940, and at Okaihau, North Auckland, a further 663 tons of limonite, valued at £1,838, was won. Asbestos. Using a small pilot plant, 3 tons of asbestos was produced from an open cut at the Upper Takaka field during 1940.

5—C. 2,

Dividends declared. »t „ nf Estimated Quantity and Value Name of Owner. o| Gold pr0(it 5 0B(1 , Daring 1040. Total to End of 1940. West Coast. Oz. £ £ £ Glenroy Reconstructed, Ltd. .. .. 38 318 Addison's Flat Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 671 6,867 650 6,695 Totara Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 85 665 Waitahu Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 602 6,073 2,667 4,000 Golden Sands, Ltd. .. .. .. 482 4,864 233 8,567 Moonlight Goldftelds, Ltd. .. .. .. 438 4,595 .. 4,458 Stafford Sluicing, Ltd. .. .. .. 11 89 All other claims .. .. .. .. 4,140 33,015 Otago and Southland. Sandhills Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 30 245 .. 2,000 Golden Arrow Mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 256 2,518 550 2,750 Central Shotover Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 55 527 .. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Ltd, .. 364 3,669 1,950 3,200 Kildare Consolidated Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 234 2,211 .. 1,000 New Gabriels Gully Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 117 1,154 Tuapeka Mouth Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 124 1,149 150 2,250 Sailors Gully (Waitahuna) Gold-mining Co., Ltd. 329 3,213 420 14,555 Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. 347 2,865 700 4,903 Macraeburn Mining Co., Ltd., .. .. 22 222 Macrae's Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 963 8,938 .. 9,000 Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 2,373 24,381 12,600 43,529 Nokomai Gold-mining Co., Ltd. .. .. 964 9,197 Mining House Concessions Ltd. .. .. 86 852 All other claims .. .. .. .. 5,320 44,287 Totals, 1940 .. .. •• 18,051 161,914 19,920 Unknown. Totals, 1939 .. .. 18,512 150,169 15,809 Unknown.

c.—2.

Antimony. A 2 ton parcel of high-grade antimony-ore, realizing over £54, was shipped from Langdon Creek, near Stillwater, to Australia. Sulphur. No work was done on any sulphur deposit during the year. Manganese. At Moumoukai 980 tons of manganese ore, worth £3,2G6, was won from Cloudesley's Mine. This was the only deposit of manganese worked during 1940. Quicksilver. No mercury was produced in 1940, but at Puhipuhi, where a treatment plant is being erected, production should soon commence. Tungsten. Two parties, working some tailings at Wakamarina, recovered 22J cwt. of scheelite-ore, valued at £232. From the G-lenorchy and Macrae's districts of Otago, 73 tons of scheelite concentrates were produced, valued at £15,774. Silver. From the Northern District mines 413,807 oz. of silver, valued at £54,112, was recovered. One thousand four hundred and fifty-two ounces of silver, valued at £141, was recovered by dredges working West Coast alluvial deposits, and a Central Otago dredge recovered 71 oz. of silver, valued at £7. Platinum. Some concentrates were saved in a Southland sluicing claim, but none was treated or sold. Silica. From the Wanganui and North Auckland districts 314 tons of silica, valued at £645, was mined. From Hyde, Central Otago, and Mount Somers, Canterbury, 1,040 tons of silica sand was mined, valued at £924. Dolomite. From Mount Burnett, near Collingwood, 2,743 tons of dolomite (the carbonate of calcium and magnesium) was quarried and shipped for use at the basic-slag works at Huntly. Fuller's Earth and Diatomaceous Earth. At Kamo, near Whangarei, 71 tons of Fuller's earth and a small quantity of diatomaceous earth were produced. A little diatomite was also won at Ngongotaha. Bentonite. At Porangahau 205 tons of good-grade bentonite worth- £820 was mined. Petroleum. Except for a few samples taken for analytic purposes, nothing was done on the Kotuku area during 1940. The bore being drilled at Morere, about a mile north-west of Waikokopu, in the Wairoa County, reached a depth of 5,487 ft., when caving occurred and the rods became jammed. Endeavours to release the rods are still being made. At Midhirst, in the Taranaki District, a bore was commenced in 1940, and at the end of the year was down 5,155 ft. From the three producing wells owned by Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd., Nos. 1, 2, and 4, a total of 95,841 gallons of petroleum was obtained, all of which was treated by New Zealand Oil Refineries, Ltd. VI. STONE-QUARRY INSPECTION AND STATISTICS. By section 2 of the Stone-quarries Amendment Act, 1920, the application of the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, was extended to include every place, not being a mine, in which persons work in quarrying stone and any part of which has a face more than 15 ft. deep. The Act also applies to any tunnel in the construction of which explosives are used, but it does not apply to any Government operations, or any road or railway cutting, or excavations for buildings.

C. 2.

The following is a table showing the number of quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, also the number of persons ordinarily employed thereat, and the annual output and value of crude stone during 1940

Quarry Accidents. The following is a summary of serious accidents during 1940 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act: —

It is pleasing to record there were no fatal accidents in 1940 at any quarry to which the Stonequarries Act, 1910, applies. Of the nine serious but non-fatal accidents at quarries, three were in the North Island and six in the South Island. Prosecutions. A quarry occupier was convicted and fined 10s. and costs for failing to give notice to the Inspector of his intention to renew the working of a quarry. VII. STATE AID TO MINING. (1) Subsidized Prospecting. During the year ended 31st March, 1941, individual gold prospectors were assisted from the Mines Department vote to the extent of £14,001. This sum includes all payments made in respect of subsidies, wages, and equipment .connected with the Department's subsidized gold-mining scheme, but does not include salaries and allowances paid to mining engineers and supervisors. The average number of men employed under the scheme was 162. In addition, a total sum of £31,544 was advanced by way of subsidy, loan, or other form of financial assistance to companies and individuals engaged in prospecting and/or mining for gold, coal, and other minerals. The Department has also undertaken surveys, prospecting, mining, and development work in selected areas at a cost of £9,533.

a "6 Output of Stone. •23 § £ & S * ■§. £.? b g | o 8 g i I . Provincial Kamo and Address of § „ ® o| | 8 § ® g ® | £ g g g |,, t S Government Inspector of -g oS g °a go as g|S District. Stone-quarries. J r ggS «| g ® St! go S3 -2 -B «S 0-5 3 t -al is §| SU Sis' si 1 g §®*« IS IfiS f* 3 a •=« f" 1 I ■§ ;» ffl *3 h} t* Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. £ Auckland .. R. T. H. Dale, Mines 201 934 809,379 .. 752 137,581290,993 .. 21,207 250,723 Dept., Huntly E. J. Sooble, Mines 23 104 88,279 .. 1,710 34,544 Dept., Waihi (Hauraki Mining District only) Hawke's Bay R. T. H. Dale, Mines 26 65 29,763 .. .. 36,310 .. .. .. 11,631 Dept., Huntly Taranaki .. Ditto .. .. 25 75 30,839 .. .. 24,862 9,746 Wellington „ .. ..24 126 67,061 .. .. 18,783 .. .. 67,275 36,343 Nelson .. "1 Westland .. !g. W. Lowes, Mines 21 78 32,563 4,760 .. 21,671 57,621 .. .. 24,052 Buller . . f Dept., Greymouth Marlborough J Canterbury. . ■ Otago VT. McMillan, Mines 47 570 171,066101,800 8,153 354,788 53,772 .. .. 173,781 Southland .. J Dept., Dunedin Totals, 1940 .. 367 1,952 1,228,950106,560 10,615 593,995 404,386 .. 88,482 540,820 Totals, 1939 .. 420 2,083 1,491,411 57,749 13,093 391,069 398,559 .. 75,828 545,533

Number of Accidents. Number of Sufferersv Cause. * ; Fatal. i Serious. Killed. Injured^ Haulage .. .. .. • ■ . • • • • ■ • • 1 Machinery .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 1 Explosives .. •. .. ■ • • • • • • • 4 .. 5 Falls of ground .. .. .. .. .. • • • • 1 • • 1 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. . • • • 2 .. 2 Totals .. .. .. ■ ■ •. | •. | 9 .. 10

C.—2.

(2) Government Prospecting Drills. The following table gives details of the drilling done for twelve months ended 31st December, 1940 : —

Drills used: Diamond and Keystone drills. Percussion and Hand-placer drills.

(3) Subsidized Roads to Mining Areas. The expenditure in the form of subsidies and direct grants upon roads and tracks to mining areas amounted to £958 14s. 10d., as compared with £596 lis. Bd. during the previous year. (4) Legislation affecting Metalliferous Mines. There was no Mining Amendment Act passed during 1940, but the Statutes Amendment Act, . 1940, repealed sections 147 (d) and 149 (a) and amended sections 41 and 144 of the Mining Act, 1926. Also, it repealed section 15 of the Mining Amendment Act, 1934, and effected other alterations to the law regarding mining privileges. I desire again to acknowledge the efficient help and co-operation which I have received during the year from the district Inspectors of Mines. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

Holes Total Diameter Mineral Character of Countay To whom lent. Foot'" FooVtf Remarks, drilled. De Pth- of Hole, sought. drilled through. Drilling. Transport. Ft. In. s. d. s. d. s. d. 5 231 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. T. H. Lee 17 4 15 10 35 750 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. S 1 a b H u t 12 10 3 2 Syndicate 8 378 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. Austral Malay 12 3 8 4 Tin, Ltd. 7 646 6 Gold Gravels, &c. Rimu Gold- 18 10 4 3 dredging Co. 10 994 6 Gold Gravels, &c. Rimu Gold- 11 0 3 6 dredging Co. s. d. 1 123 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. Rimu Gold- 11 11 dredging Co. s. d. s. d. 18 357 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. Snowy River 4 5 10 Dredging Co. 18 354 6 Gold Gravels, &c. N e w R i v e r 19 5 4 9 Dredging Co. 7 207 6 Gold Gravels, &c. .. Mawheranui 8 1 3 3 Syndicate s. d. 1 93 1J Coal Claystone and State Coal-mines 9 5 0 10-9 Sandstone 1 180 1$ Coal Clay, sandstone, and State Coal-mines 14 1 0 3-5 mudstone s. d. s. d. 12 935 If Coal Sandstone, grits, &e. Charming Creek 8 9 1 6 0 10-1 Westport Coal Co. 2 198 1J Coal Sandstone .. Grey Valley 54 03 03-3 Collieries, Ltd. s. d. 1 55 1$ Coal Claystone and State Coal-mines 21 9 0 9*8 sandstone 1 66 3 Coal Sandstone .. State Coal-mines 26 3 0 4-8 127 5,627

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ANNEXURE A.

SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF MINES.

NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (E. J. Scoble, Inspector of Mines). Quartz-minim . Martha Gold-mining Co. (Waihi), Ltd.—Mining operations continued without interruption during the year. The ore treated was obtained from fifteen lodes situate on fourteen levels, the Martha, Royal, and Edward lodes being the greatest producers. Development footage amounted to 10,905 ft. comprising driving, crosscutting, winzing, and rising. No. 7 footwall pass was completed at 932J ft. from the surface, and the winding of ore in its upper section commenced before the end of the year. Early winding was undertaken with a small air-operated engine, but a change over to the No. 2 shaft (now idle) electric winder was carried out during the Christmas .holiday period with satisfactory results. The pumps raised 310,762,500 gallons of water to the surface. The average assay value (headings sample) of the ore treated amounted to : Gfold, 5 dwt. 12 gr. ; and silver, 2 oz. 18 dwt. 5 gr. The extraction was 92-9 per cent, of the gold and 77-3 per cent, of the silver contents of the ore, while the bullion produced comprised 50,014 oz. 5 dwt. of gold and 412,433 oz. 10 dwt. of silver. Dividends amounting to £61,988 7s. 6d. were paid for the year. Golden Dawn Gold-mines, Ltd., Owharoa. —Apart from general repairs, work at the mine was confined to the sinking of No. 1 winze (on No. 5 reef, No. 3 level), which was extended to 130 ft. The reef is wider than the winze and is split into two sections, one of which is on the hanging-wall and the other on the footwall. The latter is of little or no worth, but the former (33 in. wide) has an average value of 28s. 3d. with gold at 1425. per ounce. " Cleaning up " operations at the battery gave 496 oz. 2 dwt. of bullion, worth £1,845 Bs. 7d. Talisman-Dubbo Gold-mines, Ltd. (In Liquidation).—Mine closed down and battery sold for removal to Fiji, where it is now in operation. However, three subsidized prospectors were engaged, on tribute, at exploiting some narrow veins on the north and north-western extensions of the property with fair success. Waiawa Mine, Karangahake.—No new ore was proved and production fell to 1.70 tons, which yielded 208 oz. 9 dwt. of bullion, worth £630 ss. sd. New Maoriland and Extended Waitekauri (Contiguous) Claims, Waitekauri.—-No development worthy of note occurred, but the production of ore amounted to 50 tons, which, on treatment, yielded 274 oz. 5 dwt. of bullion, worth £1,405 17s. 2d. Golden Spur Co., Ltd., Maratoto. —Developmental work only was undertaken, and this consisted ot the advancing of No. 3 level to a total distance of 506 ft. from the portal, where a downward and expected extension of the payable ore met in No. 2 level (referred to in last year's report) was encountered. Rising between Nog. 3 and 2 levels was commenced on the completion of the above work. Golden Crown Gold-mining Co. (N.L.), Komata. —Operations connected with the restoring of No. 2 level were continued, but progress was slow owing to the ground having caved badly in places. It is unlikely that the objective (several partially stoped blocks of ore left behind by the old company) will be reached before the middle of the present year. A small amount of stoping was done on Nos. 1, 2, and 4 levels. Graceville Syndicate, Neavesville. —At No. 2 level, Remuera section, the drive on the footwall of the reef was advanced to 151 ft. from the main crosscut, but it will be necessary to continue for another 30 ft. in order to reach a point corresponding with some good ore exposed on the floor of the level above. It is reported that several crosscuts which were put out revealed good ore under favourable working conditions, also that the hanging-wall portion of the reef is hard and flinty, but on an. average is worth 7 dwt. of gold per ton. Considerable surface prospecting has been done, and it is thought that the western portion of the section should be further developed. In general, the ore is too hard for hand-steel, and the company proposed to erect rock-drilling plant without delay. A company is being formed to undertake the systematic development of the Remuera section, and a subsidiary concern intends to work the Golden Belt and Champion properties, where prospecting was carried out. Kernick's freehold, Tapu.—Driving and stoping were continued in the Gully level, but the reef, which contained intermittent runs of high value, was much broken and difficult to follow. No. 2 level was extended on reef for 80 ft. north with negative results, but rising- work, which was undertaken 50 ft. back from the face in the western wall, disclosed a parallel reef at 4 ft. in from the west wall. Rising was carried to 22 ft. where 30 ft. of stoping was done north and south on disturbed reef. Driving on the reef formation in No. 3 level was continued to .163 ft. in slate country with unsatisfactory results. Sylvia Gold, Silver, and Base-metal Mines (N.L.), Thames. —The sinking of this company's shaft (commenced during the latter part of 1939) was carried down to 143 ft., where work was suspended owing to an excess inflow of water" and the inadequacy of the existing Diesel oil-operated plant to cope with same. Later, electric power was brought in from the Thames Valley Power Board's lines and larger pumping and air-compressor units installed, but sinking had not been resumed by the end of the year. Una Hill Consolidated Gold-mines, Ltd. —Work followed the plan originally laid down. The lower incline shaft was completed and opened out after a further 32 ft. of sinking. A sump 6 ft. deep was then excavated. The bottom of the shaft is 203 ft. vertically below No. 4 adit level and 50 ft. above sea-level. Drives north and south were undertaken with crosscuts back towards the specimen reef (referred to in the last report) under the shaft. Stoping was done on what is known as No. 2 reef and on a branch connected therewith. A drive was made to connect the stopes with the specimen reef. The drive is situate 20 ft. above the main level—i.e., at a point corresponding with where the reef was intersected in the shaft —and this work was necessitated by reason of broken country having caused the displacement of the specimen reef at the lower horizon. Good ore exists south on what seems to be a branch of No. 2 reef. The latter itself is generally massive but, except where stringers or flinties come in, low in value. The overhead drive reached the specimen reef towards the end of the year, and good stone, similar to what was got in sinking, was obtained. The reef was followed and also approached by a rise south of the incline. Prospects here are considered good. Sinking, rising, driving, crosscutting, and stoping amounted to an equivalent of 470 ft. of driving, and costs, from basis, amounted to £6 14s. 7d. per foot. Partly from the small amount of stoping, but mainly in the course of development, bullion to the value of £1,201 18s. 9d. was won from a total of 252 tons of ore treated. This ore included good general dirt and picked stone, but more than half of it consisted of trial crushings from No. 2 reef, which gave a poor return. The ordinary run of ore from this source is under 4 dwt. per ton. Progress Mine, Waiotahi Creek, Thames.—Stoping has taken place on 100 ft. of Tony's leader. Winzing and rising have been undertaken for 20 ft. in each case, and the construction of a drive hillward was also put in hand. No. 2 reef was stoped, but the run of values here is limited, and production figures are small in consequence. Little Horse-shoe Claim, Thames. —Two men produced 77 tons of ore which gave a return of 98 oz. 2 dwt. of gold, valued at £551 13s. 4d. Thames Borough.—-The Hopeful and several other small holdings together employed ten men and produced 30 tons of ore, worth £202 17s. 2d.

C\—2.

Green Hill Gold-mines, Ltd.—The dewatering of this company's mine commenced on 26th March, but for various reasons development operations (the only work undertaken) were not started until tho first week in, August, though they were continuous thereafter. The operations consisted of 126 ft. of driving north and crosscutting the main reef, the construction west for 21 ft. of a crosscut which is to bo advanced 91 ft. with the object of intercepting a borehole sunk from the surface, and the sinking of a winze for 20 ft. Nothing of importance has been proved by the above, apart from a change to unoxidized from oxidized ore in winzing. Lone Hand Mine, Coromandel. —The drive on the footwall reef was advanced 30 ft., or to a total distance of 200 ft. from tho portal. At 165 ft. in, a crosscut 38 ft. in length was driven to the west. It intersected the hanging-wall reef at 25 ft., and was continued to 35 ft. with no further results. Heather Bell Claim, Boat Harbour, Whenuakite. —Prospecting was resumed on 17th February and continued until the early part of August, when work was again suspended. Operations consisted of 150 ft. of driving on reef in No. 2 level, and 135 ft. of crosscutting from the lowest available point on the surface. The latter work was undertaken for the purpose of testing the reef at its extreme easterly end, but driving and crosscutting were both disappointing as regards values. Coromandel County.—Operations consisted of work by nine prospectors, who treated 20 tons of ore and a quantity of tailings for 75 oz. 7 dwt. of gold, worth £437 2s. sd. Hardy's Mines, Waiorongomai.—No material change occurred, though the property was taken over by a company formed during the year. The Hero, or 1,400 ft. level, as ill the past, was the source of the ore produced. Values are difficult to determine as the stone is picked (selected), reduced to a size suitable for bagging, and shipped to the Electrolytic Smelting and Refining Co., Ltd., Port Kembla, New South Wales, for treatment. Boring Operations. Drilling Prospectors, Ltd., Thames. —The company contined to drill the foreshore portion of its quartz claim (tho Now Shotover), putting down four holes to depths of 105 ft. (tin.. 125 ft. 6 in., 127 ft. 6 in., and 108 ft. 8 in., respectively. Prospecting. Practically all prospecting was carried out under the Department's assisted scheme, but there was a further decline in the number of men so helped from thirty-seven to an average of seventeen. The gold recovered, 227 oz. 17 dwt., valued at £1,001 os. 6d., was won from the following areas : Coromandel, 24 oz. 10 dwt., valued at £118 ; Thames, 134 oz. 16 dwt., worth £710 os. 6d. ; and Karangahake, 68 oz. 11 dwt., valued at £173. Miscellaneous. Mercury.—None was produced, but development operations which are being conducted by Mercury Explorations, Ltd., at Puhipuhi were nearly completed at the end of the year, and there is every possibility that production will be at its peak in June of this year. It is intended to work the mine " opencast " at first, and a mechanical shovel was employed for a considerable time at preparatory excavation work for this purpose. A bulldozer has also been used for a part of the period. The treatment plant will consist of coarse and fine crushers, an automatic feeder, rotary furnace (retort), and tho condenser system. The rotary furnace is to be oil-fired, and should be an improvement on the coal- and wood-fired plants with their incomplete heat control, formerly in use at Puhipuhi and Ngawha. Manganese.—Cloudesleys Mine, Moumoukai: Mr. W. S. Miller, Khyber Pass, Auckland, owner, and ten men employed. The mine was fully equipped, and entered the productive stage in April. The ore sold amounted to 980 tons 4 cwt., which realized £3,266 4s. lid. No manganese was got from any other source, but Mirandite Products, Ltd., Otau, had an average of two men employed in constructing an access road to their property. Silica. —Gil herd's Mine, Aramolio, Wanganui, Mr. Sturzaker, manager, produced 190 A tons, valued at £200 os. 6d. Chemical and Colour Industries, Ltd., operating on an area at Totara North, North Auckland, won about 124 tons, valued at approximately £445. One man employed. _ . Pumice.—J. S. Harrison's Estate, Raorikia, Wanganui, Mr. Sturzaker, manager : The quantity won and sold amounted to 500 tons, worth £225. One man employed. , ■ Fuller's Earth. —Some 71 tons were got from tho estate of A. Crawford, deceased, Kamo, WJiangarei, and sold for the sum of £248 3s. 6d. Diatomaceous Earth.—A negligible amount was produced at both Kamo and Ngongotaha. Bentonite. —The quantity produced amounted to 205 tons, worth £820. The mineral is of good grade, and was obtained from the property of Mr. H. E. Stoddart, Porangahau, who also mined it. Three men employed. Sulphur.—The deposits were all idle. Limonite. —Okaihau Quarries, Ltd., Okaihau, mined 662 tons 14 cwt., and Reyburn s Lime Co., Ltd., Whangarei, 276 tons, which realized £1,837 16s. 6d. and £900, respectively. Petroleum. The Morere bore, situate near Gisborne, reached a d.epth of 5,487 ft., but not without trouble towards the end of the year, as caving of the hole then occurred. The Midhirst, Taranaki, bore was sunk to 5,155 ft., but with difficulty, as circulation was lost on one or two occasions. Geophysical and geological work was also done in some other districts. Moturoa Oilfields, Ltd., produced the following from its three active wells: No. 1, 2,360 gallons; No. 2, 70,612 gallons ; and No. 4, 22,869 gallons ; or a total of 95,841 gallons, the whole of which was treated by N.Z. Oil Refineries, Ltd. The fractions comprise : — Gallons. Petrol JMSO Distillate .. •• •• •• •• Power kerosene .. .. .. •• •• •• •• Cleaning kerosene .. .. .. •• •• I ' ~?. Diesel oil .. •• •• •• •• •• J^IO Residue oil .. •• •• •• •• •• Total .. •• •• •• •• •• Loss .. .. • • ■ • • • • • • • • • 5,255 Total crude in still .. .. • • • • ■ • • • .. 96, 080 Accidents. One fatal accident occurred, the victim being Mr. W. E. McAneney, who was employed by the N.Z. Petroleum Co Ltd at their Morere bore. He was engaged at the time (with a number of others) in endeavouring to detach the drilling-tripes from the bit, which had jammed in the hole. Considerable tension was on the drill-pipes, and when a safety device failed to act, they rotated backwards with great force, McAneney being struck by a set of tongs and thrown a distance of 20 ft. Death was instantaneous. At a Coronial inquiry held in Wairoa on the 18th February, 1941, the finding was accidental death. Prosecutions. There were no prosecutions during the year.

C.—2.

WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (G. W. Lowes and R, C. Rttffin, Inspectors of Mines). Quabtz-mining. Marlborough County. Mountain Camp Scheelite-mine.—During the year a winze from No. 1 level was Bunk to a depth of 80 ft., and after a survey of the two levels now in existence a crosscut was commenced to cut the lode near the outcrop. In order to expedite the work the track to the mine was widened and water was brought on to the claim prior to making preparations to install an air-compressor and rock-drills. For sampling purposes a small roek-breaker and set of rolls are to be erected, and the crushed product from this -plant treated by concentration on a Wilfley table. The number of men on development and construction work varied from two to ton, with an average of seven men. Small parcels of scheelite concentrates were obtained from the Wakamarina River adjacent to the old treatment plant, and the treatment of stacked tailings from the Dominion Consolidated Mining Co.'s battery is still proceeding. Scheelite won for the year amounted to 1 ton 2 cwt. 1 qr. 191b., valued at £232 3s. lOd. Buller County. Red Queen Mine.—Operations at the Red Queen Mine were confined to the preliminary work of surveying for a water-supply and power-house site prior to dismantling and removing the ten-stamp battery from Minerva Creek, Blackball, to Seddonville. The treatment plant is ready for transport up to the mine, a distance of eight miles, and inquiries are being made for a suitable electric-power unit, the necessary motors, and accessories, but difficulty is being experienced in obtaining the specified machinery; consequently, production from the mine may be unduly delayed unless these and other difficulties are overcome in the near future. Blackwater Mine.—This mine, employing 230 men, minod and treated. 49,020 tons of ore, which returned 18,633 oz. 17 dwt. by amalgamation and 5,327 oz. 15 dwt. from concentrates. In addition to the above, 833 oz. 18 dwt. were recovered during the clean-up of the old Blackwater battery, making the total realization £241,634 15s. 6d. for gold from sources indicated. The total footage advanced diiring the year 1940 amounted to 2,066 ft., and the results obtained were most gratifying. The extensions of the Nos. 11, 12, 13, and 14 lovels beyond the Prohibition fault were carried on very speedily, and excellent results were obtained, the reef being traced beyond the previously known northern limit. In this northern section of the mine 22,018 tons of ore were developed. The results obtained from the main development points were as follows: — No. 11 Level Drive North : This drive was advanced 231 ft., of which 121 ff. exposed reef averaging 8-46 dwt. over a width of 11 in. and 66 ft. exposed reef averaging 4-09 dwt. over a similar width. The total amount of reef exposed on this level, north of the Prohibition fault, by the end of the yoar was 364 ft. of which 298 ft. were on pay reef averaging 10-87 dwt. over a width of 18-2 in. No. 12 Level Drive North : This drive advanced 184 ft., all on pay reef averaging 1J -80 dwt. over a width of 18 in., making a total length of reef exposed north of the Prohibition fault of 283 ft., of an average value of 13-14 dwt. over 23 in. No. 13 Level Drive North: This drive advanced 303 ft. on reef, of which 282 ft. wero on pay reef averaging 16-21 dwt. over a width of 37 in., the remaining 19 ft. being on unpayable reef. The total length of pay reef exposed north of the Prohibition fault on this level was 317 ft., averaging 16-06 dwt. over a width of 37 in. No. 14 Level Drive North : A crosscut north from the end of the ma,in ore-body encountered the reef where it commenced to make on the northern side of the Prohibition fault, and driving north on the reef was carried out. For some distance from the main fault a series of small faults were met, and a certain amount of driving in country rock had to be done. The total advance in this drive was 139 ft., of which 80 ft. exposed reef averaging 15-42 dwt. over a width of 28 in. No. 14 Level Drive South: This drive was advanced 361 ft., of which 231 ft. exposed reef averaging 13-26 dwt. over a width of 25 in. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the reef oxposed north of the Prohibition fault is wider and of better value in the lower than in the upper levels. The total footage driven for the year amounted to 1,309 ft., of which 808 ft., or 68-6 per cent., disclosed pay reef averaging 14-17 dwt. over a width of 26 in. North of the Prohibition fault 948 ft. wero driven, of which 667 ft. exposed reef. The policy of re-equipping the mine has been delayed by the war, but a new compressor plant of 1,600 cubic feet per minute has been installed, and complete electrification of the mine will be effected when the gear arrives that will enable the Blackwater steam-winder to be converted into electric drive. • Inangahua County. Alexander Mine.—Despite intensive prospecting on No. 6 level during the past year, ore reserves were not noticeably increased. On No. 2 intermediate level, 24 ft.. above No. 6, a good block of ore was developed, and this section of the mine provided, a considerable tonnage of the ore milled. The stopes between No. 1 intermediate and the floor of No. 5 level are nearing exhaustion, and consideration will shortly have to be given to the development of ore-bodies under No. 6 level. Big River Mine.—The retimbering of the main shaft down to No. 7 level and restoration of chamber was completed during the year. The original crosscut to lode was found to be in good order, and 120 ft. of driving on the lode channel resulted in locating high-grade ore. This block was considered to be the downward continuation of the rich lode developed by a winze 74 ft. deep sunk from No. 6, and a connection by rising from No. 7 will be made with No. 6 and prior to commencing stoping between the levels. Prospecting was carried out on several of the upper levels without effective results, and by the end of the period only a small amount of ore was available for stoping, and the future output of the mine depends largely upon present development between Nos. 6 and 7 and the levels below. Neiv Welcome Gold-mining Co. —By the end of the# year a distance of 1,153 ft. had been driven and the lode channel of the Welcome west reef reached at a point close to the position indicated by the preliminary survey. When the ore-channel was encountered it was discovered that stoping had been carried out to a point 4 ft. above the floor of the drive. This state of affairs was unexpected and contrary to the information available re past workings on the west reef and details given on mine plans. Lankey's Creek. —Watts and party mined and crushed 217 tons of cemented gravels, which yielded 40 oz. of gold. Owing to difficulties in transport due to faulting of the bed on the north side of the claim a considerable amount of rehabilitation and development work was carried out on tho south end with the object of working the uplifted section of gold-bearing seam on a more economic basis. Murray Creek Mine.—This mine, after having been prepared for a shaft-sinking policy, was not operated during the year owing to lack of capital.

C. —2.

Golden Treasure Mine,. —Development and restoration of old drives, winzes, and rises has proceeded steadily during the year and the mine reopened from No. 3 shaft level to a surface adit. The completed work made it possible to gather reliable data relative to the stoped unworked ore-bodies and the possibilities of adding to the tonnages of ore exposed by the further development, especially on No. 2 intermediate level, where the chances of following the lodes underfoot are most favourable. On No. 3 shaft level the north drive in ore-channel and east and west crosscuts therefrom did not encounter the ore-bodies that were proved to exist m the upper levels; consequently attention was turned to the old workings and the penetration of levels and stopes enabled intensive sampling to be carried out the worked and unworked portions of each lense of ore to be surveyed and mapped. A total distance of 806 tt. was' driven in addition to 201 ft. of crosscutting, and 420 ft. of levels, rises, and winzes were repaired during the P 6 Mine—Owing to the displacement of the lode on No. 2 lovel by a diabase dyke and the difficulty experienced in locating it, an intermediate level was driven on ore prior to sinking a winze on the lode for the purpose of simplifying the problem of finding it on the main level. The winze was sunk to a depth of 37 ft. before driving was resumed on No. 2, but intensive faulting entailed much crosscutting before a block of ore_ was located much farther west of the lode developed in the intermediate level. The development completed during the period was 582 ft of driving and 37 ft. of winze sinking, 212 ft. of this distance being on reel. An average of fifteen men has been employed by the Mines Department on the surface and underground m the Perseverance and Ireasure Mines. Grey County. The onlv lode-mining and prospecting operations carried out in this county were confined to small-scale operations in the Taipo and Langdon's Greek areas. In the Taipo area some driving was done on lode formations, but nothing of importance was discovered. At Langdon's Creek surface prospecting disclosed some high-grade antimony-ore which assayed up to 2 oz. of gold per ton and 50 per cent, antimony, and driving to endeavour to pick up the lode at a lower level is now in hand. Westland County. Other than the recovery of 12 oz. 4 dwt. 13 gr. by cyanidation of tailings from the battery of the Greonland Gold-mining Co., there is no activity in lode-mining to record. Dkedge Mining. Matahi Dredqe, Murchison County.—This was the only steam-powered dredge working in .the district and it operated until September, digging 200,240 cubic yards with 7-cubic-feet buckets before closing down. Since the commencement of operations £8,435 10s. sd. was paid in dividends. The cessation of operations was attributed to loW ' g MlrZncZn Owing to the flooding of the pontoon this dredge sank in January after dredging with 6-cubid-fect buskets, 34,000 cubic yards. Up to the date of the cessation of operations shareholders received £4 974. The paddock was drained, and subsequent examination of the wooden pontoon revealed wnoiw defects in the structure and it was decided that the dredge should be dismantled and all the steel work and machinery stored The company operating this plant prospected several areas but did not find sufficient ground of the grade required to warrant the reconstruction of the plant, which was subsequently sold to the blab Hut Gold-dredging Co. Worlcsop Dredqe, Inangahuai County.—This Diesel-powered dredge worked up to August and dug with 4-cubic-fcet buckets 243 425 cubic yards, which yielded 641 oz. of gold, sold for the sum of £6,886 15s. .lOd. The timber pontoons after a comparatively short life, were nor considered serviceable enough for continuation of operations, and the aica remaining available for dredging being insufficient to justify the necessary expenditure for either steel or timber pontoons the dredge was dismantled. The company is testing areas by boring, in the hope of acquiring sufficient d*. supplied witl* electric ,he loc.l power b, ? d mider license befng proved unpayable. The dredge paid£22,soo in dividends during the time it was m operation Grey River Dredge, Inangahua County.—Employing a staff of thirty-two men and utilizing deofcne P°™ r oDerate a string of close-coupled 16-cubic-feet buckets, the dredgo dug 4,399,123 cubic yards and recovered 13,516 oz. of o-olrl which realized £142,955. The period over which the dredge operated was 6,306 hours 13 minutes, represent ] & 85 per'cTnt oFtho possible digging-time, and the average yardage reached the high figure of 698 cubic yards per digging luuir The gravels aveffged 7-Bd. per cubic yard, an increase of l-2d. on the previous year s value, fhe arerage overall diggings-cost, excluding all gold export taxes, was 3-12 d. per cubic yard, and 219-17 acres were dred | County.-Owing to delays in delivery of steel and machinery the construction of this dredge was not completed until near the end of the year and the running m and adjustment of the plant was effected in time to commence dredging full time by the beginning of 1941 „ roun d Argo Dredge, Grey County.—Supplied with electric power, this dredge, with, 5-cubic-feet, buckets m ft. ground, ViithllpH 560 000 cubic yards for a recovery of 1,522 oz. of gold, which realized £10,085 Bs. 10a. . , JhZe, Grey County.—Digging Up to a depth of 44 ft., this dredge, using electric power and 5-rn bio-feet buckets, recovered 1,860 oz. of gold worth £18,629 14s. 4d. _ # New liiver Dredge, Grey County.-Dredging operations on the company s claim terminated before the year el « The gold recovered totalled 762 oz. from 334,200 cubic yards, making a grand total of £4b,919 17s. worth of gold won from the area, and £5,639 Bs. 4d. distributed in dividends. The dredge was beached ready for dismantling, an , company are vigorouslV trying out areas likely to be suitable for the type of dredge they have. lying idle. Nemona Dredge, Grey'County.—This dredge had operated only for a short period m 1940 before it sank. When refloated examination of the timber pontoon revealed a defect too serious to be remedied, and it was decided to bui d a new steel pontoon and continue dredging on the claim. This decision was justified on account of prospecting having proved a considerable area of payable ground ahead of the dredge in Cockeye Creek. Reconstruction of the plant was accomplished by the end of the year and dredging resumed. Owing to the short period worked and tho depth of wash which was in places only 7 ft., only 69,700 cubic yards were dredged and 177 oz. 3 dwt of gold re ?^® red ; White's Electric Dredge, Grey County.—This 4-cubic-feet bucket electrically-operated dredg \& dug 36:2,595 clubio vards of auriferous blacksand averaging 12 ft. in depth for a recovery of 1,423 oz. of gold worth £14,131 19s. lOd. belore operarioM ceased due to the working-out of the'area held by the company. It is now being dismantled prior to removal and re-erection if a suitable area for exploitation can be located. pm nlovins fortv-seven Barrvtown Dredqe, Grey County. — Working ground of an average depth of 39 8 ft. and employing torty seven men to operate the 12-cubic-feet bucket electrically-operated dredge, 2,411,000 cubic yards were dug, and the> gold recovered therefrom amounted to 7,570 oz. 1 dwt. 14 gr which realized *80,767. In adAtaon to the gold won, 391 oz. 17 dwt of silver was recovered, valued at £38 15s. lOd. The total area dredged was 43,739 acres. Nqahere Dredqe, Grey County.—The electrically-driven dredge operated by this company, recovered 0,910 oz. of gold from an unstated yardage from gravels averaging 85 ft. in depth. Maori Gold Dredqe Westland County.—This plant was ready for operation early in the w on tne area at Callaghan s acquired the company after working out the Maori Gully claim. Owing to the tight nature of the gravels the spring steel buckets and lips failed to stand up to the strain imposed upon them, and after tiials with manemese steel lips it was found necessary to dispense with the original open connected 8-eubic-feet bucket-line and SstaTaTcubtfeet close connected manganese-steel line. Delays in delivery of material and other favors« eu for the small yardage dug in 1940. For the period under review 155 oz. 4 dwt. of gold was recovered fiom «,0 yards dredged.

C.—2.

Rimu Dredge, Westland County.—Operating in tight gravels up to 58 ft. deep, this electrically-powered dredge, utilizing 12-cubic-feet buckets and employing a staff of forty-four men, dug 2,235,789 cubic yards and recovered 8,142 oz. of gold. Kanieri Dredge, Westland County.—This electrically-operated dredge, fitted with 18-cubic-feet buckets, dug 3,235,220 cubic yards, which yielded 12,612 oz. 12 dwt. 10 gr. of gold and 449 oz. 8 dwt. of silver, which realized £134,547 17s. lid. Arahura Dredge, Westland County.—Employing fifty men and utilizing 18-cubic-feet buckets, this dredge dug 4,208,250 cubic yards for a recovery of 15,722 oz. 11 dwt. 14 gr. of gold and 519 oz. 15 dwt. of silver, valued at £167,576 15s. lOd. Okarito Five-mile Beach Dredge, Westland County.—This hydraulically-operated dredge treated 113,000 cubic yards of auriferous blacksand for a return of 208 oz., which realized £2,071. Gillespies' Beach Dredge, Westland County.—-The year's operations resulted in a recovery of 1,579 oz. from 709,677 cubic yards of blacksand. Bkedob-oonstbtjotion. The Snowy River Dredge was completed and put into service during the year. The refitting of the Maori Gold Dredge, which occupied the greater part of 1940, enabled the company to resume operations early in 1941. Associated Gold Dredges (N.Z.), Ltd., who tested and proved several payable areas of alluvial ground, have made the following progress in dredge-construction : — Marsden Dredge: This dredge was successfully floated in 1940 and its superstructure is now practically completed. The dredge was constructed on a shallow shelf and floated off into the main pit when it was flooded, thus obviating any pumping to keep the pit dry for launching. The housing will be erected shortly, then the machinery installed; Shortage of skilled workmen and the difficulty of getting steel from Australia have slowed the work of fabrication and erection. Red Jacks : This dredge was also floated off during the year. The superstructure is completed and the housing well advanced. Machinery is now being installed, and the dredge should be ready to commence digging about the end of May, 1941. Atarau No. 1, Afcarau No. 2, and Mawheraiti: The pontoon for Atarau No. lis completed and some superstructure already placed in position. It will be floated early in 1941. Atarau No. 2 and Mawheraiti dredges are being fabricated and the machinery for them is arriving steadily. In general it may be said that all the machinery for the three dredges, including wire ropes, electric cable, &c., is at the dredge-site, and no shortage of equipment exists to prevent their completion. Mikonui: The pit for this very large dredge is complete and also the railway siding on to the staoking-ground. Nearly 600 tons of steel has already arrived and been unloaded at the site, where it will be fabricated in a special workshop to be erected by the contractors. Teremakau River Dredge: Licenses have been granted over an extensive area in the Teremakau River and a dredge suitable for river conditions has been designed. Construction will commence when conditions are favourable. Alluvial Mining. Marlborough County. Wailcakaho Deep Lead Gold-mining Co.—After completing shaft-sinking and extending a crosscut from the shaftbottom for a distance of 260 ft., operations were suspended in March last and have not been resumed. The Alluvial gold won in this county amounts to 130 oz. 0 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £1,054 10s. 3d., and recovered chiefly by subsidized miners. No large-scale sluicing operations are now carried out in Marlborough, and the total number of men engaged in alluvial mining was forty-two. Collingwood County. Thirteen men produced 118 oz. 13 dwt. 4 gr. of gold, which realized £1,064 ss. 3d. This was mostly obtained from small claims by individual prospectors and miners. Takaka County. Alluvial mining in this county was confined to the small number of eight subsidized miners who produced 28 oz. of gold for the year under review. Waimea County. Alluvial-gold production in this county is now reduced to insignificant proportions, seven men producing only 12 oz. 19 dwt. 18 gr. for the year. Murchison County. Glenroy Gold, Ltd. —Tributors operated this claim for a short period and sluiced 15,856 cubic yards, which yielded 38 oz. 10 dwt. 1 gr. of gold. Liquidation of the company followed shortly after cessation of operations. Subsidized miners in the Howard Qoldfield produced most of the alluvial gold won from sluicing claims in the county, and the total production amounted to 861 oz. 15 dwt. 6 gr., which realized £6,988 6s. 7d. Eighty-one men were employed in this branch of the mining industry. Butter County. Addison's Flat Gold-mining Co.—Nine men were employed by the company and produced 670 oz. 15 dwt. of gold from 363,000 cubic yards by hydraulic elevating. Ground worked during the period was of lower grade than that of the previous year, but the increased output largely offset the reduction in yearly gold returns. Totara Flat Gold-mining Co.—This claim was worked periodically by four men during the year and produced 85 oz. 10 dwt. of gold from the blacksand treated on the sea-beach near Charleston. Forty-nine men were engaged in alluvial mining in this county for 1940 and produced 1,074 oz. 5 dwt. 5 gr., valued at £9,609 3s. lid. These figures include all alluvial gold won in the county during the year under review. Inangahua County. Wa,ita,hu Gold-mining Go.—Ten men were employed by the company, and by a combination of ground sluicing and hydraulic methods of mining produced 602 oz. 3 dwt. of gold, valued at £6,073. Mount David Sluicing Co. —Restoration of the water-race was commenced by the purchaser of the liquidated company's assets, and it is anticipated that sluicing operations will commence early in 1941. Two men were employed during the latter part of the year and recovered 4 oz. 18 dwt. of gold when clearing out tail-races and removing plant to an unworked face. Sixteen men were engaged in alluvial mining in the county and produced 783 oz. 0 dwt. 1 gr., which realized £7,658 13s. lOd. These figures include all gold won from alluvial workings. Grey County. Golden Sands Sluicing Claim, Barrytown.—During the year this company produced 481 oz. 14 dwt. of gold valued at £4,864 ss. lOd. from 163,000 cubic yards of material mined by hydraulic elevating. Moonlight Goldjields Sluicing Claim.—Despite serious damage to plant and pipe-line due to large-scale slips in the claim, 437 oz. 18 dwt, of gold were recovered from 114,960 cubic yards of ground sluiced.

6—C. 2,

C.—2.

Kumara Alluvials, Dillmanstown. —Operations on this claim were confined to the reopening of the long tunnel tail-race prior to commencing sluicing operations. The total number of men engaged in alluvial mining in the Grey County was 180, and the gold produced amounted to 1,747 oz. 2 dwt. 11 gr., valued at £15,188 Is. 9d. These figures include the yields from all mining claims in the county with the exception of dredges. Westland County. Stafford Sluicing Co.—Only a short period was worked on this claim, and the production amounted to 10 oz. 16 dwt. of gold, which realized £88 17s. 4d. Mcintosh, Hyndman, and Party.—Employing four men, this concern recovered 112 oz. 12 dwt. 0 gr. of gold, valued at £942 4s. 6d. The total number of men engaged in alluvial mining in the Westland County was 176 and the gold produced from sluicing operations amounted to 1,711 oz. 1 dwt. 3 gr., valued at £14,622 12s. 4d. 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., using a small pilot plant, produced 3 tons of asbestos. This product was the result of experimental work on serpentine rock produced from an open cut. Iron-are. —The State Iron and Steel Department continued prospecting the iron-ore deposit at Parapara and Ouekaka. Chiefly by drilling, 250 tons of ore, valued at £150, was produced by Mount Burnett Coal Sales, Ltd. Mica and Feldspar.—Production of these minerals at Mabelle Bay, Charleston, was on a limited scale owing to the lack of suitable plant to effectively separate the feldspar and mica from the quartz gangue during the attempt to gain a product in powdered form. Steatite. —Inquiries from Australia and the United States for this mineral have been made, and there is an assured market for the quantity available in the Wainihinihi area. No development of the deposit took place during the period under review, consequently orders were not filled. Petroleum.—-The Kotoku oil-seepages were only exploited to the extent of taking a few samples for analytical purposes. Silver. —1,451 oz. 17 dwt. of silver, valued at £140 14s. 4d., was recovered by dredging alluvial deposits in this district. Antimony.—A small 2 ton parcel of high-grade ore, realizing £54 16s. 2d., was shipped to Australia by a prospecting syndicato in Langdon's Creek. This ore could not be utilized locally on account of the difficulty in separating the gold and antimony, and the gold contents were too valuable to allow of the antimony being put to ordinary commercial use. The Mines Department despatched samples of this ore to the Imperial Chemical Research Laboratories in England with the object of seeking a solution to the problems attending the treatment of auriferous stibnite ores chiefly on account of ore of this class being present in the Golden Treasure Mine now being developed and sampled by the Mines Department. Tungsten.—Two parties of men treating tailings stacked at the Golden Bay Battery, Wakamarina, and recovering tailings containing scheelite from the Wakamarina River, obtained 1 ton 2-43 owt. of ore, valued at £232 3s. lOd. Prospecting. Apart from the operations of the Mines Department on the area mentioned previously, lode-prospecting as compared with previous years eased off considerably. Subsidized miners continue to operate on a much reduced scale on alluvial areas, but there is continuous investigation, by boring, of likely dredging claims and checking of bored ground by operating companies. Two hundred and eleven holes were bored in eighteen areas by the use of privately-owned and Mines Department plants, several of the latter being in almost continuous use in this district. Fatal Accidents. For the second year in succession it is pleasing to report that no fatal accidents occurred. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On the 19th March W. Mereweather, foreman employed at the Arahura Gold Dredge, had his left leg broken between the knee and ankle. The aocident ocourred at the cage crossing the Arahura River, where portion of a bridge had been washed away with the floods. On the 23rd September J. Anderson, a miner employed at the Big River Mine, had a portion of his left thumb blown off when preparing a charge at the face. It was stated that the detonator exploded prematurely. On the 13th November James Anderson, a miner employed at the Blackwater Mine, suffered injuries to his left hand and lost his thumb and index finger as the result of the explosion of a detonator. The injured man's lamp became extinguished and he fell and came into violent contact with the detonator on some hard substance. On the 19th November S. J. McGrath, a subsidized miner working in Ten-mile Creek, suffered severe injuries to his right arm and forearm, which resulted in his arm being amputated half-way up the forearm, and injuries to his left hand and both legs above the knee. The accident was caused by a premature explosion while he was using the plastering method to shift stones which he could not handle. General Remarks : Mining. Gold won from alluvial mining (other than dredging) amounted to 6,466 oz. 17 dwt. 6 gr., valued at £56,486, which represents a decrease of 1,207 oz. 14 dwt. 17 gr. over the preceding year's figures. The number of men in this branch of the mining industry decreased by 94. Gold won by dredges amounted to 74,761 oz. 4 dwt. 4 gr., valued at £786,608, an increase of 5,529 oz. 11 dwt. 9 gr., valued at £157,891, despite the fact that during the period six dredges ceased operations and two more were practically non-producers owing to structural alterations occupying the greater part of the year. The number of men engaged in active dredging operations was 412, being an increase of 30, despite the reduction in the number of dredges operating. Gold won from quartz-mines amounted to 27,223 oz. 1 dwt. 13 gr., valued at £264,118, a decrease from 1939 of 2,994 oz. 2 dwt. 11 gr. The total quantity of gold won from all branches of mining was 108,451 oz. 2 dwt. 23 gr., valued at £1,107,212, representing an increase over the figures for 1939 of 1,327 oz. 14 dwt. 17 gr. During the year the total number of men directly employed in the industry totalled 1,355, being 21 more than were employed the previous year. The amount of labour employed indirectly on dredge-construction, drilling, race-cutting, road and track making, &c., decreased owing to the slowing-down of expansion of the industry in all its branches, due chiefly to the abnormal economic conditions created by the war. Prosecutions. A mine-manager was prosecuted for committing a breach of section 297 of the Mining Act, 1926, and section 36 (1) of the Mining Amendment Act, 1937. The first charge was dismissed, and in the second case « fine of 10s. and costs was imposed.

C. —2.

Boring. „ A summary of boring activities carried out during the year by Government Departments, companies, and syndicates is eet out hereunder: — N.Z. Prospecting and Mining, Ltd. (1) Kawhaka Greek, Arahura Valley.—Situation: On area held by the company under ordinary prospecting licenses, Block 111, Kanieri Survey District. A Keystone drill, using 6 in. casing and 7f in. shoe, put down nine holes. Rimu Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. (1) Rimu Flat.—Drilling ahead of the company's dredge, operations were continued, and during tho year eighteen holes were put down. A Keystone drill was used with 0 in. casing and 7J in. shoe. (2) Wheel of Fortune Area.—Situation: Block XIV, Waimea Survey District. A Government drill, fitted with 6 in. casing and 7A in. shoe, was used to drill ten holes. _ (3) Butler's Freehold.—Situation: Blocks XI and XV, Mahinapua Survey District. A Government No. o alluvial drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe, was used to put down seven holes. Barrytown Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Barrytown. —Situation : On tho company's special dredging claim, Block V, Waiwhero Survey District. The company, using a Keystone drill with (5 in. casing and 7 i in. shoe, put down twenty-four holes. Burma Malay Tin, Ltd. (1) Mawheraiti. —Situation: Block XIV, Mawheraiti Survey District. The company, using its own drill equipped with 6 in. casing and 7i in. shoe, put down eleven holes. Austral Malay Tin, Ltd. (1) Shellback. —Situation: On areas held under ordinary prospecting licenses by, W. L. Hughes and D. T. Cochrane at Shellback, also Baxter's and Caledonian Creeks, Block XVI, Waiwhero Survey District. The company's No. I drill, using 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe, put down sixteen holes. _ (2) Dobson.—Situation: On area hold under ordinary prospecting license by T. Learmont adjoining the Grey River, the company's drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and 7|-in. shoe, was used to bore five holes. (3) Dobson-Orey River.—Situation: On area known as Jones' Flat, held under ordinary prospecting license by T Learmont, the company's drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and in. shoo, put down two holes. (4) Red Jacks. —Situation: Block VII, Mawheranui Survey District, on areas held under ordinary prospecting license by H. A. Taylor. The company's drill, equipped with 6 in. easing and 7| in. shoe, was used to put down live holes. Maori Gold, Ltd. (1) Gallaghan's.—Situation: On the Company's Special Claim No. 4005. Their own drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and 7£ in. shoe, was used to drill five holes. Mataki Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Murchison. —Situation : On area held by the company, Block I, Tutaki Survey District, thirteen holes were put down with a drill equipped with 6 in. easing and 71 in. shoe. Snowy River Gold-dredging, Ltd. (1) Situation: Section 107, Block XI, Mawheraiti Survey District. The company, using a Government No. 5 alluvial drill with 6 in. casing and 7| in. shoe, put down eighteen holes. New River Gold-dredging Co., Ltd. (1) Italian's Creek.—Situation: Blocks VI and VII, Reefton Survey District, on areas held under ordinary prospecting licenses in the name of W. T. Robin. A Government No. 5 drill, using 6 in. casing and 7£ m. shoe, drilled eighteen holes. Slab Hut Syndicate. (1) Slab Hut Creek Area.—Situation: Block IV, Waitahu Survey District. A Government No. 3 alluvial drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and in. shoe, was used to put down a further thiity-iive holes. Larry's Creek Prospecting Syndicate. (1) Larry's Creek, Reefton.—Situation: Block 11, Reefton Survey District. The syndicate, using a Government No. 2'alluvial drill equipped with 6 in. easing and 7J in. shoe, drilled three holes. Mawheranui Syndicate. (1) Blackball Creek.—Situation: Block VI, Mawheranui Survoy District. The syndicate using a Government No. 6 alluvial drill, equipped with 6 in. casing and 7| in. shoe, put down seven holes. Drilling by T. H. Lee, Reefton. (1) Henley's Gully.—Situation: Moonlight Creek, Blackball, in Block 111, Mawheranui Survey District. A Government No. 2 alluvial drill, under hire to Mr. Lee and equipped with (5 in. casing and 7J in. shoe, put down five holes Diamond Drilling. Nil. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (T. McMillan, Inspector of Mines). Quartz and Alluvial Mining. Waitaki County. Sluicing operations have been carried out in the Maerewhenua mining area by Mining House Concessions, Ltd., and by the tribute party in the Golden Gully mining area, Livingstone. Waihemo County. Macrae's Flat Gold and Scheelite Mining Co., Ltd., Golden Point Mine, Deep Dell, Macme's'.—Eight men have been employed at the mine and treatment, plant. Mining operations have been carried out m both the home and the dip reefs. A total of 055 tons of ore was treated, for a return of 361 oz. of gold, valued at £3,375; also 6 tons 17 cwt. 2 qr. of scheelite concentrates, valued at £1,021 14s.

C. —2.

Cattery Parly, Round Hill Mine, alongside the Macrae's - Golden Point Road.—Prospecting, development, and mining operations have been carried out. Four men liave been employed, and 7ti(i tons of ore have been treated at the Deep Dell treatment plant. Galii Gold-mining Co., now known a,s the Tipper ary 00-operatipe Mining Co., Macrae's.—The plant and other mining equipment has been removed and re-erected at the mouth of the low-level cross-cut. Driving operations are now in progress. Macrae's Gold-mining Co.—Eleven men have been employed during the year, and the two gravel-pumping plants have been operating on the lower and mid sections of the Macrae's Flat. The workable portion of the lower end was becoming exhausted at the end of the year, and the No. 2 plant is now being removed to the upper portion of the claim. There have been 130,500 cubic yards of auriferous gravels elevated for a return of 962 oz. 12 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £8,938. Macraeburn Mining Co.—Operations were held up during the early part of the year until a suitable transformer was installed. Elevating operations were then, commenced, but on account of the dry weather the water-supply was restricted and mining operations were hindered. There were 3,800 cubic yards of auriferous gravels elevated for a return of 21 oz. 14 dwt. of gold, valued at £222. Maniototo County. Earl and Brown, Ophir— Two men have been employed mining and treating ore from the mine. Kildare Consolidated Gold-mining Co., Ltd. —Sluicing operations have been carried out in Redmile Gully, near St. Bathans. The main pipe-lines have been moved to a convenient position for the efficient sluicing of the upper portion of the gully. The gold won amounted to 233 oz. 10 dwt. 12 gr., valued at £2,211. Vinegar Hill Hydraulic Sluicing Co., Ltd., Cambrians. —Four men have been employed sluicing and stripping a heavy alluvial deposit at Vinegar Hill, near Cambrians. The gold won amounted to 364 oz. 1 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £3,669. Patearoa Hydraulic Sluicing Syndicate, Patearoa.—Mining operations have been carried on whenever watersupplies have been available. The various privately-owned alluvial mines in the Naseby, Cambrians, Vinegar Hill, Kyeburn, and Patearoa districts have been operating steadily when sluicing-water has been available. Tuapeka County. New Gabriels Gully Sluicing Co., Ltd.—Six men have been employed sluicing and elevating the tailings near the blacksmith's shop in Gabriels Gully. On account of poor returns mining operations ceased early in December. The gold won amounted to 117 oz., valued at £1,154. R. S. Thompson, Wetherstones.—Three men were employed sluicing and elevating near the Golden Crescent section of the Wetherstones Flat, but values were low and operations have now been suspended. Paddy's Point Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Waitahuna.—Sluicing and elevating operations were carried on steadily during the year in the flats to the south-west of the Waitahuna Township. Six men were employed, and the gold won amounted to 347 oz., valued at £2,865. Sailors Gutty Sluicing Co., Ltd., Waitahuna.—Mining operations have been carried on in the gullies to the east of the main Waitahuna Gully. Six men have been employed, and the gold won amounted to 329 oz., valued at £3,213. Tuapeka Mouth Sluicing Co., Ltd.—The low-pressure turbine and " Rees-Roturbo " pump have been in operation when water has been available, to provide pressure water for sluicing and elevating. Two men have been employed, and the gold won amounted to 124 oz., valued at £1,149. Fifty-five Gold-mine, Tuapeka Mouth.—-Operations ceased during the year, and the plant and equipment have been sold. Foord's Mine, Pleasant Valley, above Coal Creek, Roxburgh.—Driving operations have been carried out in this area. Bruce County. Glenore Mining Syndicate, Glenorc.—This alluvial mine has not been in operation. Taieri County. Independent miners obtained 1 oz. 5 dwt. 6 gr. in this locality, valued at £9 17s. lOd. Southland County. Nokoma.i Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Nokomai, near Parauia.—Sluicing, elevating, and gravel-pumping operations have beon carried out, and twenty-five men have been employed at' the mine and on the extensive water-race system. The gravel-pumps continue to work satisfactorily. The gold won amounted to 963 oz., valued at £9,197. Winding Creek Syndicate.—Two men have operated on the King Solomon Mine tailings by sluicing methods. A. Mutch has carried out sluicing and elevating operations at the lower end of Happy Valley, Waikaia. Wallace County. Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Round Hill.—Active sluicing and elevating operations have been carried on, and approximately 10 acres of the fiat, with an average depth of 55 ft., has been worked. The water-supply generally lias been good, as the Longwood's watershed provides a fairly steady water-supply. The weather became dry towards the end of the year. The pipe-lines have been repaired by acetone-welding methods, and the water-supply has been used effectively. Seventeen men have been employed, and the gold won amounts to 2,373 oz., valued at £24,381. Orepuki Mining Syndicate, Old Township Workings, Orepuki.—Sluicing operations have been continued in the previously-driven ground in the old workings by the syndicate, and other sections of the old workings are also being reworked by prospectors. Small parties of men are operating in the old workings of the Round Hill mining field. Fiord County. No gold has been won in the Fiord County during 1940. Lake County. Glenorchy Scheelite-mining Co., Ltd., Mount Judah. —Active mining and development work has been carried out in this mine. The No. 1 heading has been extended, and levels have been driven to the east and west from tho jighead. The reef has varied from 5j ft. to 7J ft. wide in the western drive, and from 6 ft. to 12 ft. wide in the eastern drive. The main trucking level has also been heightened and widened, and prospecting work has been carried out in the pillar sections. The ore treated during the year yielded 17 tons 13 cwt. of concentrates. Heather Jock Syndicate, Mount Judah.—Active mining operations were carried out on the Bucklerburn or northern section of this mine. A development drive in the mid-section of the mine proved that the reef had been displaced by a large landslide. The available ore in the northern section became exhausted towards the end of the year, and a prospecting drive is now being driven in order to open up the reef ahead of the old workings. The tonnage of ore treated yielded 13 tons 2 cwt. of concentrates.

o.—

Elliot Bros, continued to mine by driving methods on the right-hand side of the Bonnie Jean Creek, Mount Judah, but, on account of the wet, slippery nature of the country, driving had to be discontinued, and sluicing methods for removing the overburden were adopted. Only a small supply of water was available. It, was then decided to construct a high-level water-race from the Upper Bonnie Jean. This race has been completed and a pipe-line has been installed. Sharpe Bros., Bonnie Jean Gorge.—Operations have been continued. Driving, stoping, and treatment has been carried out at the lower mine, and Messrs. Harris and Wetherston have joined forces with this party. The eastern outcrop section of the " Boozer " Mine has been prospected by openeuts and driving. Groves Mine, alongside the Bonnie Jean Track on the Left-hand Side of the Creek.—Sluicing operations have been carried out in the shallow sections of the old workings. A mechanically-operated jig has been erected for the speedy treatment of the ore. The previously developed section of this mine is now to be reopened, and a treatment plant is to be installed during 1941. Tungsten Minerals, Ltd.—During the early part of the year the main level was driven ahead for 100 ft. Nothing of importance was located. The portable compressor and other plant was then removed. Messrs. Valpy and Cruickshank continue to operate in the Bucklerburn Valley, upstream from the Bonnie Jean Junction. Ross Mine, on the Right-hand Terrace of the Bucklerburn, on the Lower Slope of Mount Mcintosh, near the Lower End of Long Gully.—Mining operations have been continued. Prospecting-work has been carried out and the crushing and screening plant has been erected and suitably housed. W. McLaren and Partners continued operations on the slopes of Mount Mcintosh during the season, and a prospect drive was driven for the purpose of opening up the dip section of the reef. M. Shaw and Partners took over the Precipice Creek Mine, on the slopes of Black Peak; after a thorough trial, operations were suspended, and the party commenced operations on the dark side of Black Peak, at an elevation of about 0,000 ft. Mining operations on Muddy Terrace, Bees Valley, have been suspended. Messrs. Harris and Wetherston are now engaged at the " Boozer " Mine, Bonnie Jean Basin. The■ Paulin Party was operating in the Glenorchy and Precipice Creek area during the early part of the year. They then took over the Paradise Scheelite-mine, and have reopened this mine, cleaned up a,nd retimbered the levels, and carried out prospecting-work on the outcrops and mining operations in the intermediate level. Prospecting operations were also carried out at the Twelve Mile, Broadleaf Gully, at the Pinhead Reef on the" southern slopes of Mount Mcintosh, and in the lower Bucklerburn Gorge. Sluicing operations were also carried out on the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu at the Five, Eight, and Twelve Mile. Moonlight Valley Gold (No Liability).—This company ceased to operate, and the area is now held by the Minerva Syndicate, which has reconditioned the water-race in the Dead Horse Creek section of the Moonlight Valley, where sluicing operations are to be resumed in 1941. The Star Beach Syndicate installed a plant for the purpose of sluicing and elevating the left-hand or eastern beach of the Shotover River, where it emerges from the gorge about one mile above the Arthur's Point Road Bridge. Operations were impeded on account of floods, and operations finallv ceased on account of the death of Mr. McMullan. Sandhills Gold-mining Go., Ltd., Upper Shotover.—Two men were employed in the bed of the Shotover River in the neighbourhood of Waterfall Creek. The gold won amounted to 30 oz., valued at £245. The company then ceased to operate, and the claim was worked on tribute by L. Smith, who continued sluicing and elevating operations on the right-hand or western side of the river. The heavy flood in late Ootober did considerable damage to this and the other Shotover River mines. Short and Party, Ltd.—Mining operations in the bed of the Shotover River were continued above and below ■ the Nugget Battery site. Skippers Ltd. (Maori Point Beach and Skippers Beach). —The work of drawing the sheet piling at the head of Maori Point Beach was continued, but river conditions were very difficult. The major portion of the remaining plant at Maori Point was sold for removal. The tributer continued to operate at the Skippers Beach section, a few chains upstream from the Skippers Suspension Road Bridge, but river conditions were difficult during the early part of the year and the paddock was repeatedly filled up with debris. When bottom was located results were unsatisfactory, and the heavy flood in late October severely damaged the upper section of the pipe-line in Skippers Creek. Mountain Terrace Sluicing Co., on the Right-hand or Southern Side of Skippers Creek.—Operations were resumed at this high-level alluvial mine. The high-level water-race was reconditioned, and sluicing operations were carried out during the working seasons. Skippers Sluicing Co. —Mining operations were carried on during the working season in this mine, situated on the western terrace of the Shotover River between Pleasant and Stony Creeks. Central Shotover Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Deep Creek, Shotover River.—Downstream mining operations were carried out in the bed of the Shotover River to the region of the Devil's Elbow. The plant was then removed to the upstream section of the claim above the Deep Creek junction. The main pipe-line was dismantled and relaid so that it would command the eastern side of the river-bed and yet be safe from flooding. The western side of the river had been previously mined. Several paddocks had been elevated on the eastern side, which proved to be low grade when compared with the results obtained from the western side. During the heavy flooding which took place in October, the main Deep Creek supply-pipe line was seriously damaged and the company decided to cease operations. The plant is now being sold for removal. Crystal Quartz-mine, Sawyers Gully, Skippers.-—Driving, sinking, and . stoping operations have been carried out on and below the low level, and 231 tons of ore have been transported by aerial ropeway to the treatment plant in Sawyers Gully. J. Douglas and Party have continued to operate in the bed of the Arrow River downstream from Scoles Bend, whenever river conditions were suitable and water was available from the Arrow River Irrigation pipe-line. The Golden Arrow Mining Co.—Mining operations have been continued in the bed and beaches of the Arrow River above the Bush Creek junction whenever river conditions have been suitable and water has been available from the irrigation pipe-line. Floods were frequent and operations were hindered in the Arrow River, and damage was sustained during the heavy flood in late October. Four men have been employed, and the gold won was 256 oz., valued at £2,518. Prospecting operations have been carried out on Currie's B.eef, in the Dynamo Flat section of Upper Skippers Creek, by the Mount Aurum Syndicate. Vincent County. J. Holm, Cornish Point, opposite Upper End of Cromwell Township, Kawarau River.—Blocking-out operations were continued, but prospect driving downstream failed to locate further payable gravels, and operations were discontinued when the blocking-out operations were completed. Thomas and Party, at the Bell Kilgour Section of Scotland Point.—Sluicing operations have been carried out by means of water purchased from the Cromwell Development Co. The deposit overlying the Bell Kilgour tunnel contains a large percentage of heavy boulders.

C.—2.

Scotlands Lead, Lid.—Sinking operations were carried out by this company at the Aotea-roa shaft, on Cromwell Flat, in order to locate the "Bell-Hooper" or Scotland Point lead ahead of the Bell Hooper Mine workings on the Bell Hooper freehold. Mining operations were commenced in June, and the shaft was extended to a depth of 145 ft., and about 100 ft. of driving from the foot of the shaft had been carried out by the 31st December. Driving operations are to be continued until the channel has been explored. ScoU and Wells, Bight-hand or Western Terrace, Kawarau Gorge.—Driving and sinking operations have been intermittently carried out for many yoars in an attempt to locate an elevated terrace deep lead. he eor s of this party were rewarded during the present year, when the lead was intersected after driving through the hard schist rim rock. Driving operations are being continued. Further upstream the Long Drive party is now driving a rock tunnel in an endeavour to locate this deep lead. _ _ , . . Prospecting operations have been carried out on the Cairnmuir and .Kawarau areas by sluicing and driving m6t «fc e Again Gold-mining Co., Ltd.-Work has been carried out below the 60 ft level by sinking a winze on the reef. The mine was closed down during the winter season on account ot the high elevation ol the mine. Sinking operations are being continued. Four men have been employed during the working season. Reward Gold-mining Syndicate.—Sluicing operations have been carried out °n this area between Gorge Greek and Fruitlands. Two men have been employed whenever water has been available. Mining operations have afso been carried out in the Devonshire, Matakanui, Galloway, and Blackman's districts and on the banks of the Clutha River to Doctors' Point. Nevis Mining-field. J Williamson, Stone Huts, Upper Nevis.—Sluicing and elevating operations have been carried out on the deep lead near the Stone Huts, and also in the shallow ground between the Hydro lower site and the btone HUtS jowes Nevis Sluicing Co., Ltd., Whitlons Greek, Upper Nevis.—This mine is now operated on a tribute basis. Sluicing and elevating operations were carried on until the end ot the sea-son, and the mam pipe-lines weie repaired and reconditioned when the mining season reopened in the spring-time. Active sluicing and elevating ° PeT McLean VZ, "workings, mid-Nevis.-The McLean Bros. Mine is being operated by sluicing and oontinues to o p era to by sluicing and elevating at the foot oi the right-hand terrace of ,S< Claims— J. Stephens has continued sluicing operations at this mine. The low-level section of the mine proved to be low grade, therefore the lead has been followed to the mid-section. Phis depos contains a large percentage of heavy boulders. Sluicing operations are also being carried out by J. Moriell in the shallow ground adjoining the old workings between Camerons Gully and the Deep Lead to the north of Schoolhouse Creek. Canterbury: Ashburlon County. A very small quantity of gold, 1 oz. 14 dwt., was been obtained from the Rakaia and Ashburton beaches. Waikouaiti County. No gold was obtained in this county during the year. Dredging. Goldfields Dredging Co.—The electrically-operated dredge of this has not yet been sold, and is situated on the Big Beach near Arthur's Point, Lake County. The power-station and plant at Wye Creek has been sold to the Otago Central Power Board. , , Nevis Crossing Dredge, Nevis, Vincent County.—This steam-driven dredge was only operated for a short period during January and February. The dredge was beached, and operations ceased. The gold won amounted to m °The Y Bmdigo GoldligM Dredge has not yet been sold, and is beached near the Bendigo Township The Austral New Zealand Mining, Ltd.'s. Dredge.—This large dredge was built at Low burn Xhe pontoons were launched in August, 1938, and the trial runs commenced on the 27th April, 1940. Dredging operations were commenced on the 20th May, 1940, and up to the 31st December the yardage treated amounted to 1 648,000 cubic yards, yielding 5,199 oz. of gold and 71 oz. of silver, valued at £53,853. Molyneux Gold-dredging Co., Ltd.—This dredge operated on the Molyneux River during the earty part of the year and dredged 80 chains of the river. When the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau lUms was reached the water-level was low, and dredging operations had to be suspended tor four months until The spring floods then allowed the dredge to pass over the shallow bar at the mouth oi the Kawaiau J™vei, and up to the 31st December 63 chains of the Kawarau River had been dredged. .The maximum depth in the Molyneux River was 60 ft., and of the Kawarau River 35 ft. The bottom m the Kawarau was hard schist for the first 38 chains, and then soft pug for the further 25 chains. The gold won amounted to 3,084 oz., va ued at £25,672. This dredge is electrically operated, and power is supplied by the Otago Power Board. A Diesel standby set is also provided for use in case of power failure. _ M , Clutha River Gold-dredging, Ltd.—Dredging operations have been carried out during the yeai on the Molyneux River between Alexandra and Earnscleugh on the Molyneux Co.'s claim. It was the intention of this company to reconstruct the dredge so that it can be used for dredging - the company s paddock claim at Earnsoleugh. On account of war conditions all the necessary materials required for this reconstruction are not yet to hand, and river-dredging operations are being continued until sucli times as reconstruction can be carried out without delay The fold won amounted to 4,487 oz., valued at £46,249. This dredge is electrically operated and power is supplied by the Otago Power Board. A Diesel standby set is also provided lor use in case ot V ° We Chatton District, Southland.—This privately-owned dredge is operating in the Chatton distriot in a shallow valley on the east river-flats of the Mataura River. The depth dredged varies from 7 ft. to 12 ft., and the tailings are discharged from a sluice-box. The dredge is steam driven and local lignite is used for fuel Seven men have been employed, and about 23 acres oi land have been dredged. . , 'Rainbow Dredging Co., Ltd., Maitland, Waikaka Valley, Southland.—Dredging operations have been continued on freehold land in Section 23, Block 1, Chatton Survey District, in the western side of the Maitland section ot the Waikaka Valley. The ground dredged varies from 5 ft. to 8 it., and about 7 acres have been dredged, yielding 267 oz. of gold, valued at £2,700. , , „ QnK There were eighty-eight men employed on the dredges during the year, and the gold won amounted to 13,805 oz., valued at £137,983. Minerals other than Gold. Platinum. —Some platinum concentrates have been saved by the Round Hill Gold-mining Co., Ltd., Southland, but none has been either treated or sold. Silver.—The Austral New Zealand Mining Co., Ltd., won 71 oz. of silver, valued at £7. Silica Sand.—A total of 1,040 tons of silica sand, valued at £924, has been mined. Tungsten. During the year 73. tons of scheelite concentrates, valued at £1.>,774, have been sampled, ihese concentrates have been produced on the Glenorehy and Macrae's mining-fields.

C.—2.

Accidents. I regret to report that there were two fatal accidents during the year:— William Campbell, dredge foreman for the Austral New Zealand Mining Co., met his death by drowning, through the upsetting of a boat in the dredge paddock at Lowburn, near Cromwell, during dredge trials on the 28th March, 1940. Frederick Gemmel McKnight, farmer, of Ida Valley, was killed by a fall of earth when he and his brother were fossicking for gold in Leeders Gully, Blackstone Hill, east of the Oturehua Township, on the 9tli May, 1940. I also have to report that there were two serious accidents L. Valpy, an alluvial miner employed in the bed of the Bucklerburn, above the Bonnie Jean junction, Glenorchy, was injured on the 17th January, 1940, through being caught by falling rocks when a wall of rock collapsed on account of a freshet in the river. He suffered injuries to his left hand and severe bruising to his body and head. J. Paul, dredge employee, Austral New Zealand Mining Co., sustained a fractured knee-cap through slipping when descending a steel stairway on the dredge at Lowburn on the morning of the 18th September, 1940. General Remarks. The gold won from quartz-mining amounted to 751 oz. 2 dwt. 4gr., valued at £7,080 17s. 10d., being a decrease of 158 oz. 11 dwt. 15 gr., and an increase in value of £110. The gold won from alluvial mining amounted to 11,583 oz. .19 dwt. 6gr. valued at £105,428, this being an increase of 747 oz. 5 dwt. 18 gr., valued at £17,583. The gold won by dredging amounted to 13,805 oz., valued at £137,983, this being an increase of 5,999 oz., valued at £67,251. This increase can be accounted for by the operations of the Austral New Zealand Dredge, which reached the production stage in May, 1940. ScHEELITE-MININO. The price of scheelite has remained fixed at £3 2s. 2d. per unit, and during the year mining, development, and prospecting work has been carried on in the Glenorchy and Macrae's districts. In the Glenorchy field the Paradise Mine is now being reopened, and prospecting has been carried out at the Twelve Mile, Precipice Creek, Black Peak, the Bonnie Jean Basin, and the Bucklerburn Basin, and active mining operations have been carried on at the working mines. In the Macrae's field prospecting work has been carried out at Round Hill and on the Innes freehold, and active mining operations have been carried on in the Golden Point Mine of the Macrae's Gold and Scheelite Mining Co. Several parties have been assisted by means of grants for the purchase of plant and equipment, so that the development of the respective mines can be speeded up. Grants have also been made for the improvement of roads and tracks to the respective mines. As a result, the main tracks in the Glenorchy field have been improved considerably. There has been a considerable increase in the annual production. This is partially due to the increased prospecting activity, and partially due to the fact that several of the producing mines have been on a good run of scheelite ore. The number of men employed has increased by twenty. An average of forty-three men has been employed on the subsidized mining scheme in the Vincent, Lake, Maniototo, Tuapeka, Waihemo, and Wallace Counties. The major portion of these men are prospecting for gold, but in the Glenorchy section of Lake County seven men are prospecting for scheelite. During the period under review 400 oz. of gold, valued at approximately £3,300, and 5 tons of scheelite, valued at £1,050, has been won by subsidized miners. Mr. A. Hughes acted as Mining Supervisor for the Vincent, Lake, Tuapeka, Maniototo, and Waihemo Counties until he resigned this position at the end of July. Mr. T. Wells, of Cromwell, was then appointed to the position, and carried out the duties of Supervisor until he was called up for military service with the overseas Forces early in January. Prospecting and mining is being carried out in the Cromwell-Kawarau Gorge, where considerable distances have been driven in rock and deep-lead gravels. Driving has also been carried out at the Lower Cairnmuir. Sluicing has been carried out at Nevis, Galloway, Doctor's Point and Matakanui, in Vincont County. Sluicing operations were also carried out at the Eight and Twelve Mile Creeks, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and driving at the Eight Mile near Macetown in Lake County. Sluicing operations have also been carried out at Naseby, Kyeburn, and Hyde, in Maniototo County. Driving operations have been carried out in the Waihemo County and sluicing operations in the Wallace County. The 1940 season was a good one for the major portion of the alluvial mines, as the water-supply was good until the month of December. The operations of the Shotover and Arrow River miners were interrupted by frequent floods in the early portion of the year, and much damage was caused to tho river claims by a heavy flood in tho latter part of' October. STONE-QUARRIES ACCIDENTS. I am pleased to report that there were no fatal accidents in the stone-quarries in this district during 1940. There were six serious accidents, whereby seven persons were injured. R. Carter, quarry foreman, North-east Valley Quarry, Dunedin, was preparing to chamber a drill hole on the morning of the Bth January, and had one plug of gelignite in the hole when it exploded prematurely. Fortunately, the tamping-rod was lifted only a short distance, and then became jammed in the hole. As a consequence only very small splinters and dust were blown out of the shothole, and Carter suffered only slight injuries and shock. The tamping-rod had a copper end, and this accident shows the necessity for the use of wooden tamping-rods. Owen Alexander Wylie, quarry worker, Taylor's Lime-works, Weston, Oamaru, on the Btli January suffered severe injuries to his head through being hit by a flying splinter of stone from a shot which blew out unexpectedly on account of an unseen " facing." This accident shows the necessity for all workmen taking secure, cover during shot-firing operations. William Glover, quarry foreman, Makareao Quarry, Dunback, suffered severe injuries to his head and face through being hit by pieces of rock on the 22nd February, 1940, when barring down the quarry face after firing a shot. Paterson Rome, a quarry faceman, Waikari Lime Co., suffered severe burns on the 23rd April through the premature explosion of blasting-powder when he was placing the final charge into a previously chambered shothole, This accident shows the necessity for ensuring that all chambered shotholes are thoroughly cool before any attempt is made to place tho final charge of explosive therein. D. Aitken, trucker, No. 2 diversion tunnel of the Waipori hydro electric scheme, suffered a fractured left tibia on the morning of the 20th September through being caught between the mechanical car-loader and an empty truck when shunting operations were in progress. Victor O'Brien, machineman, and Edward FitzGerald, chuckman, upper section of the No. 2 diversion tunnel of the Waipori hydro electric scheme, suffered injuries from shock, burns, and rock splinters on the afternoon of the 20th September through an explosion of gelignite which occurred when they were commencing to drill a shothole. A small quantity of gelignite may have been cut off when the previous shots were fired, or a piece of gelignite may have been forced into a quartz crevice during the loading of the previous round of holes, as the face of the tunnel was in hard schist rock, interlaced with quartz stringers, at the place where the explosion took place. This accident shows the need for extreme care in loading shotholes, and also for extreme care when cleaning down the face of a tunnel prior to the resumption of drilling operations.

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ANNEXURE B.

STONE QUARRIES.

SUMMARY OF REPORT BY INSPECTOR OF QUARRIES FOR THE NORTH ISLAND. (R. T. H. Dale.) The following is my report for the year ending 31st. December, 1940, for the stone-quarries and tunnels in the North Island District worked under the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, with a statement of the number of quarries worked, the number of workmen employed, and the output and value of the various classes of stone. Quareies. A total of 270 quarries employing 1,200 workmen was worked during the year ending 31st, December, 1940, a decrease of 45 quarries and 233 men as compared with the previous year. Output of Stone. The bulk of the output of stone in the North Island District is used for road construction and maintenance. Owing to " tapering off" in road construction, the quantity of stone quarried for. roading purposes has dropped from 1,169,050 tons in 1939 to 937,042 tons in 1940, a decrease of 232,008 tons. In the period ending 31st December, 1940, a total of 508,529 tons of limestone was quarried for manufacturing and agricultural purposes, 290,993 tons being used for cementmaking and 217,536 tons for the manufacture of agricultural lime, increases of 21,209 and 45,188 tons respectively over the tonnages quarried in 1939. The tonnage of stone used for miscellaneous purposes, which includes soft stone used in the manufacture of bricks and tiles, has increased from 75,063 tons in 1939 to 88,472 tons in 1940. The total tonnage of stone quarried during the year was 1,534,795 tons, valued at £308,443 in the quarries. The tonnage for 1939 was 1,694,862 tons, valued at £353,266 at the quarries. Tunnels. Wellington City Council Sewerage Tunnels. —At the end of the year the total distance driven was 10,440 ft., 8 500 ft. of which had been lined with permanent lining. In addition, 1,700 ft. of concrete pipe 4 ft. internal diameter had been forced by means of hydraulic jacks under the sections the cover over which is too shallow for normal tunnelling operations. _ The section between Drummond Street and Wellesley College is now completed, and the section from Weilesley College to Sydney Street has been driven and is being lined with permanent lining. The section north from Sydney Street has been driven for a distance of 350 ft. This portion is to be lined with permanent lining, following which, work is to bo suspended for the duration of the war. During the year ending 31st December, 1940, 2,940 ft. of tunnel was driven and 1,800 ft. completed with permanent lining. An average number of forty men was employed for the year. Birkenhead Borough Sewerage Tunnels.—Eight hundred and seventy-two feet of tunnels m clay formation were driven and lined during the period ending 31st December, 1940. This work is now completed. Four men working on two shifts were employed on this work. Accidents. The following accidents occurred in quarries during 1940 : — Serious Accidents. On 21st February at Winstone's Quarry, Mount Wellington, Auckland, George Gorrie, truck-driver, left his truck standing on a grade and went back to examine another truck immediately behind him which was stopped due to radiator trouble. While examining the radiator of this truck his own truck moved backwards, crushing him between the two trucks. He sustained a slight spinal fracture. On 14th March at Winstone's Quarry, Mount Wellington, Auckland, George Hobson, screen labourer, while assisting to put on a belt was caught in the belt, and sustained serious injuries to his left arm. On 23rd April, at the Mount Eden Borough Quarry, Auckland, Jas. Dunlop, quarry foreman, fell 20 ft. on to the quarry floor, sustaining serious head injuries. Prosecution under the Stone-quarries Act, 1910. One information was laid during the year and a conviction obtained. On 20th April a quarry occupier was fined 10s. with costs for failing to give notice in writing of the intention to renew the working of a quarry.

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ANNEXUHE 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, 1940.

7—C. 2.

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name ol Mine. °' Quartz crushed. i Value. employed. Amalgamation. Cyanldation. WAIHI BOROUGH. Waihi — Tons cwt. qr. 0z. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Martha 620 170,850 0 0 .. 462,447 IS 0 576,492 5 4 Union Hill .. . . .. .. 15 0 0 69 11 0 .. 207 0 4 620 170,871 0 0 69 11 0 462,447 15 0 576,699 5 8 Ohinemuri County. Karangahake— Talisman-Dubbo .. .. 3 44 7 0 .. 105 9 0 254 3 4 Comstock .. .. .. 1 700 .. 6110 27 19 2 Waiawa .. .. . . 5 170 0 0 .. 208 9 0 630 5 5 Waitawheta Extended .. 1 120 0 0 26 11 0 .. 139 2 8 Waitekauri— New Maoriland .. . . 1 50 0 0 80 7 0 .. 271 13 1 Frewin's .. .. . . . . .. 30 4 0 .. 120 6 10 Extended Waitekauri .. .. .. 193 18 0 .. 1 * 134 4 1 Owharoa —- Golden Dawn .. .. 5 .. .. 496 2 0 1,845 8 7 Maratoto — New Mount Cecil .. .. .. 1 15 0 .. 16 11 0 15 9 11 Komata — Te Ao Marama .. .. 9 231 0 0 .. 270 0 0 671 18 7 25 624 2 0 331 0 0 1,103 2 0 5,110 11 8 Thames County. Neavesville — Bemuera .. .. . • 3 22 0 0 22 3 0 .. 99 10 8 Tapu— Kernick's .. .. .. 4 208 0 0 401 12 0 .. 2,659 7 3 Shannon .. .. .. 2 0 0 1 9 13 0 .. 61 19 10 Tapu .. . . .. 1 5 0 0 5 13 0 .. 32 15 1 Karaka Creek—■ Little Willie .. .. 1 0 1 1 14 12 0 .. 22 5 7 t'liru — Golden Ridge .. .. .. .. 4 9 0 .. 25 2 1 Puhoi — Hector McDonald .. .. 2 20 0 0 15 16 0 .. 115 2 8 Mountain King .. .. 2 0 0 3 13 18 0 .. 75 3 8 Tairua — Western .. .. .. 1 62 0 0 12 11 0 .. 64 10 4 Prospectors .. .. .. 2 .. 2 10 0 .. 13 12 9 18 317 2 1 502 17 0 .. 3,169 9 11 Thames Borough. Thames — Una Hill . .. 8 252 0 0 162 12 0 .. 1,201 18 9 Progress .. .. .. 3 75 0 0 62 18 0 .. 351 13 6 Little Horseshoe .. .. 2 77 10 0 98 2 0 .. 551 13 4 Hopeful .. .. .. 2 5 0 0 6 10 0 .. 37 5 8 Moanataiari Battery .. .. 1 ■ • 14 7 0 .. 83 9 4 New Era .. ' .. .. 2 7 10 0 4 3 0 .. 25 8 6 Marvel 2 7 10 0 3 0 0 .. 17 13 9 Prospectors .. .. .. 3 10 0 0 8 0 0 .. 38 19 11 Collections .. .. .. .. • • 25 7 0 .. 92 6 6 23 434 10 0 384 19 0 .. 2,400 9 3

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Table I—continued. Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Northern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1940 —continued.

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. Nu $e™ ot crushed. i Value - employed. Amalgamation. J Cyanldatlon. COROMANDEI, COUNTY. Coromandel— Tons ewt. qr. Oz. dwt. gr. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Hauraki Battery .. .. 1 .. 32 6 0 .. 198 11 6 Belle View .. .. .. 1 17 0 0 3 8 0 .. 19 9 11 Tokatea— New Royal Oak .. .. 5 0 17 1 30 17 0 .. 165 18 8 W aikoromiko— Lone Hand .. .. .. 1 2 0 0 6 15 0 .. 40 18 1 Waikoromiko .. .. 1 .. 2 10 .. 12 4 3 9 19 17 1 75 7 0 .. 437 2 5 Piako County. W aiorongomai— Hardy's .. .. .. 1 3 6 0 .. 37 4 0 185 6 4 1 3 6 0 .. 37 4 0 185 6 4 696 172,269 17 2 1,363 14 0 463,588 1 0 472,873 5 11 Summary. Waihi Borough .. .. 620 170,871 0 0 69 11 0 462,447 15 0 576,699 5 8 Ohinemuri County .. .. 25 624 2 0 331 0 0 1,103 2 0 5,110 11 8 Thames County .. .. 18 317 2 1 502 17 0 .. 3,169 9 11 Thames Borough .. .. 23 434 10 0 384 19 0 .. 2,400 9 3 Coromandel County .. .. 9 19 17 1 75 7 0 .. 437 2 5 Piako County .. .. . . 1 3 6 0 .. 37 4 0 185 6 4 Totals, 1940 .. 696 172,269 17 2 1,363 14 0 463,588 1 0 588,002 5 3 Totals, 1939 .. .. 771 180,284 9 2 2,549 18 0 438,632 9 0 444,897 5 7

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, 1940.

Statement showing the Quantity of Quartz crushed and Bullion obtained in the Southern Inspection District for the Year ended 31st December, 1940.

Summary of Inspection Districts.

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. ! NU M»n r °' Qnarti crushed. —— — Value, . j Oyanldatlon and employed. Amalgamation. concentration. Inangahua County. Alexander River— Tona. owt. qr. Oz. dwt. qr. Oz. dwt. qr. £ b. d. AWnnrlm- .. .. .. 20 2,744 0 0 926 19 0 524 2 0 13,308 18 6 Bl |igRivOT 18 989 0 0 747 19 0 175 17 0 8,629 7 4 Crushington— , Lankey's Creek (Watts and party) 3 217 0 0 40 0 0 .. 495 J 1 W Blaekwater .. .. •• 230 49,020 0 0 18,633 17 0 6,161 13 0 241,634 15 6 Mount Greenland— n Greenland Gold .. .. • ■ • • • • 1- 14 13 4.) I / 9 Totals, 1940 .. .. 280 52,970 0 0 20,348 15 0 6,874 6 13 264,118 8 2 Totals, 1939 .. •• 300 54,523 0 0 20,776 8 0 9,440 16 0 265,350 13 3

Average Bullion obtained by Locality and Name of Mine. NU Men ° £ Quartz crushed. r — Value. employed. Amalgamation. Concentration. Lake County. Skippers— I i Tons cwt. qr. I Oz. dwt. gr.| Oz. dwt. gr.l £ s. d. J R. Tripp .. .. •• [ 4 ! 231 0 0 | 200 0 0 | .. I 1,903 15 0 Waihemo Couhty. Macrae's Flat Gold and Scheelite 8 655 0 0 276 11 9 84 8 19 3,374 18 6 Mining Co., Ltd. Callery and Bradbrook .. 4 766 0 0 153 9 12 .. 1,500 8 Mamotoio County. Earl and Brown .. .. 2 151 0 0 36 12 12 .. 301 15 9 Total, 1940 .. .. 18 1,803 0 0 666 13 9 84 8 19 7,080 17 10 Totals, 1939 .. 24 2,13? 0 0 676 14 16 232 19 3 6,791 0 4

Inspection District. A, g emptoyed. 0 ' Q " arU cru9hcd - Bullion olltoined - | Value> Statute Tone. Oz. dwt. gr. £ s. d. Northern (North Island) .. .. 690 172,270 a o West Coast (South Island) .. .. 280 52,970 27,-23 1 13 8 - Southern (Otago and Southland) .. 18 1,803 7ol - 4 /,080 Totals, 1940 .. 994 227,043 492,925 18 17 859,201 II 3 Totals, 1939 .. •• 1,095 236,940 472,309 4 19 717,218 19 2 In addition, 34 persons were employed at unproductive quartz-mining.

C—2.

APPENDIX B.

REPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES.

The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. SiR> — Wellington, 6th May, 1941. 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, 1940, in accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. The report is divided into the following sections : — I. Output. 11. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. Working of the Coal-mines Act—(a) Permitted Explosives; (6) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives are used ; (c) List of Mines required by Law to use Safetylamps ; (d) Dangerous Occurrences; (e) Electricity at Collieries; (/) Prosecutions. V. Legislation affecting Coal-mining. Annexures— A. Summary of Annual Reports by Inspectors of Coal-mines. JB. 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:—

Output of Coal during 1940. Class of Coal. ~~~ TOt tothe PUt Northern District West Coast District Southern District m *. « End of 1940 (North Island). (South Island). (South Island). Totals - I " " ' Tons. Tons. j Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bituminous 81,411 1.063,146 1 .. 1,144,557 53 973 586 B rown .. .. .. 788,559 56,118 388,133 1, 35'683[966 Lignite .. .. .. .. 4,793 133,939 138,732 5,678,616 Totals for 1940 .. 869,970 1,124,057 522,072 2,516,099 95,336,168 Totals for 1939 .. 802,705 1,033,342 506,592 2,342,639 92,820,069 ~

! Total Quantity of ' I Total QuanMtv nf Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Coal produced and Year. Coal produced. Coal imported. Coal produced and imported. ! , imported. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 1912 .. 2,177,615 364,359 2,541,974 1927 .. 2,366,740 378,090 2 744 830 1913 .. 1,888,005 468,940 2,356,945 1928 .. 2,436,753 247,861 2.684*614 1914 .. 2,275,614» 518,070 2,793,684* 1929 .. 2,535,864 215,656 2,75l'520 1915 .. 2,208,624 353,471 2,562,095 1930 .. 2,542,092 157,943 2,700*035 1916 .. 2,257,135 293,956 2,551,091 1931 .. 2,157,756 179,060 2,336*816 1917 .. 2,068,419 291,597 2,360,016 1932 .. 1,842,022 103,531 1,945*553 1918 .. 2,034,250 255,332 2,289,582 1933 .. 1,821,258 99,272 1 920*530 1919 .. 1,847,848 391,434 2,239,282 1934 .. 2,060,315 100,715 2'l6l'o30 1920 .. 1,843,705 476,343 2,320,048 1935 .. 2,115,184 97,398 2 212*582 1921 .. 1,809,095 822,459 2,631,554 1936 .. 2,140,217 111,078 2*25l'295 1922 .. 1,857,819 501,478 2,359,297 1937 .. 2,277,799 116,499 2 394*298 1923 .. 1,969,834 445,792 2,415,626 1938 .. 2,222,088 109,206 2 33l'294 1924 .. 2,083,207 674,483 2,757.690 1939 .. 2,342,639 111,537 2 454*176 1925 .. 2,114,995 572,573 2,687,568 1940 .. 2,516,099 64,800 2 580'959 1926 .. 2,239,999 483,918 2,723,917 ' ' * Includes 21 tons shale.

C. —2.

The output for New Zealand collieries for 1940, 2,516,099 tons, was 173,460 tons more than the 1939 output. From the Northern District coal-mines there was an increase of 67,265 tons, from the West Coast mines an increase of 90,715 tons, and from Southern District mines an increase of 15,480 tons. In the Southern. District mines four less men were employed than in 1939, and the output per man, 563-8 tons, is 19-2 tons per man higher than for 1939. In the Northern District 127 more men were employed, and the output per man, 508-1 tons, is 1-7 tons higher than during 1939. In the West Coast District mines 161 more men were employed, and the output per man, 466-8 tons, is 6-9 tons higher than during 1939. At the Kamo Mines most of the output came from the No. 3 mine. The main dip headings, when 34| chains in, met thin coal, and thin coal was reached also in the No. 1 north-east section when about 11 chains in from the main dip. Near the end of the year an ignition occurred in the No. 2 north-east section, and that section is temporarily stopped until a supply of electric safety-lamps can be obtained. Headings to the south-east have been driven for 20 chains, and two panels have already been formed, with a third one being developed. The new electrically-heated bathhouse near the No. 3 mine entrance is now in use. In the Hikurangi (Waro) Mine the main dip is now down over half a mile from the surface. A slant dip, going north-west off the main dip, is also being driven in coal about 6 ft. in thickness. Between the main dip and the east dip, which has been stopped for some time, is a 12 ft. fault, which apparently is increasing in throw as the workings extend to the south-east. Development to the east is difficult as the coal is thin and hard and many small faults and rolls are met. In the Rotowaro Mine development is proceeding in Callaghan's dip section of the No. 1 mine, and a little in the Nos. 3 and 4 mines, while pillar-extraction continues in sections of the Nos. 1, 3, and 4 mines. An explosion, fortunately without loss of life, occurred in a sealed-off portion of Hill 60 section in August, so another line of stoppings were built outbye the original ones. ( The new mine, opened up in 1939 west of the Rotowaro Township, has been named the Alison Colliery. An endless-rope system is in use and a propellor-type fan installed. A large bathhouse and reservoir have been constructed, and screening-plant has been ordered from a noted English maker. At the Renown Mine a pair of tunnels are being driven from the surface to the south of the present workings. They will command a large area of unworked coal. At the Wilton Mine an unworked area to the south of the present mine is being opened up. It has been connected to the No. 1 mine haulage system by another surface endless rope haulage 65 chains in length. At the Glen Af'ton. Mine, to overcome the difficulties caused by the underground fire in the main return airway during 1939, a stone drive, 4 chains long, and two air crossings have been made to deviate the air-current from the K and L sections. Ihe Rotowaro Carbonization Works recommenced operations on 14th February, a week earlier than in 1939, and continued to operate until 6th December, 1940. During that period 45,225 tons of coal were carbonized, or 5,652 tons more than in 1939. From the raw coal 22,535 tons of carbonettes were produced, 19,384 gallons of oil, together with 184,267 gallons of creosote and 923 tons of pitch. oc^: ' 3Urn output of briquettes, 5,543 tons, was 769 tons less than the output for During the year two mines were reopened by the Mines Department, one at Tatu, near Ohura, and the other at Mangapehi, where production had ceased two months earlier. To resume operations at the Tatu Mine it was found necessary to drive a pair of dip headings in stone from the surface, for the old drives were practically closed. At the Mangapehi Mine a small output was maintained from May until the end of the year. To find if workable coal exists some distance west of the present workings boreholes are to be put down, and the first of them is now being drilled. The installation of the large B. and W. two-drum boiler at the Denniston power-house was completed early in 1940, and it is now supplying current to Westport, Granity, and Millerton, as well as the local needs. Near the power-station a fine concerte bathhouse for the miners' use has been built. The output from the Denniston Collieries was chiefly from pillar-extraction, but development was continued in the Waterloo dip and Forsyth's sections of the Coalbrookdale Mine. Some boring was done in 1940 north of Forsyth's section, and proved an extensive area to contain coal averaging 19 ft. in thickness. All the output from the Millerton Mine was from pillars and top coal, and work in the Mangatini and Old Dip sections was resumed. An area to the east and south of the present Charming Creek Mine workings was bored during the year, and proved 15 acres, beyond the present workings, to contain workable coal. In the Westport Stockton Colliery the main south fault was driven through, and an area of good coal proven beyond the fault. In the west workings, also, an area of thick coal was proven north of McCabe's dip area. In the Liverpool Colliery development was continued in the levels west of the No 3 Morgan west bank and m the crosscut headings to the north, also to the rise of the Kimbell west dip. A pair of dips are being driven with the use of compressed-air-driven coal-cutters below the Morgan east level, and a panel is now being formed west of these dips. Heating in the Anderson dip section caused that area to be sealed off.

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Four sections are being worked in the Strongman Colliery, and several large faults Lave been met, one having a displacement of 123 ft. Fortunately, this is about the distance between the two thick seams being worked at this mine, so entry from the upper seam to the lower was facilitated by this fault. Thin coal and bad roof stopped development to the south. The air-conditioned concrete bathhouse built near the mine-entrance, and sufficient to serve a hundred men, has been added to by an extension which duplicates the original building. At the Blackball new mine the main dip headings were driven 6 chains in thin coal, but afterwards reached soft coal of an average height of 10 ft. The coal-cutter and mechanical loader are not being used, but the conveyor system is in operation to the working-faces. At the Wallsend Mine the slant dip has been dewatered to the lower levels in which work has been resumed. In the Rope Road extension area the seam is now split by a thick stone band, and recent work has been in the upper portion, 5| ft. thick, of the seam. The main endless-rope system has been extended into the Rope Road extension area. In the Dobson Colliery development is proceeding steadily to the dip and in areas to east and west. The No. 3 west level reached the large downthrow fault, and two bores were put down with negative results. Of the twenty producing co-operative mines in the Grey district the output from six of them was solely from the extraction of pillars. The production from six others was from development work only, and from the remaining eight mines partly from solid work and partly from pillar-extraction. Again there was little of importance to record concerning the year's work in the Canterbury, North Otago, and Central Otago coal-mines. At the Kaitangata Colliery development has continued to the south and west in the Samson, seam, and pillar-extraction has commenced in one section of the Samson seam workings. A. new dip is being driven from the surface in. stone and is now down 900 ft. It will be used to develop an unworked area south of the present Samson seam workings. In the Ohai District the Mossbank Coal Co., has reopened the dip drives put down in 1939 half a mile south of their old No. 1 mine. They are now driving to coal proven in boreholes to the south. The Wairaki Coal Co. is also working a new area into which two stone dips 480 ft. long have been driven. In their No. 1 mine the stone-dip area in No. 3 east is being extended, also an area to the north of the traffic road. Pillar-extraction has continued in the Nos. 3 east and 3 west sections. In the Linton Colliery development in Nos. 7 and 8 sections is continuing and that in No. 8 section is almost completed. In No. 6 section and in Adam and Eves section pillars are being extracted. A new mine has been opened from the surface east of the No. 1 mine. A dip heading is being driven in coal 6 ft. to 8 ft. thick, and a small panel is being formed to the rise on the_ east side. The production from and the number of persons employed at the collieries of the Dominion are shown in the following table : —

Total f „_ Total Output to Number ol Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal. irun 31st December, PfisonB J i ww. 1940. ordinarily employed. Northern District. Tons. Tons. Waro .. .. .. Hikurangi .. Sub-bituminous 24,081 83,376 78 NewKamo .. .. .. Kamo .. „ 51,351 195,009 110 Rotowaro .. .. .. Rotowaro .. Brown .. 184,995 2,982,708 355 Pukemiro .. .. Pukemiro .. „ .. 127,849 2,943,602 233 Wilton .. .. .. Glen Massey .. „ .. 97,885 837,451 161 Glen Afton .. .. .. Glen Afton .. „ .. 66,531 1,990,512 166 MacDonald .. .. Waikokowai .. „ .. 142,153 1,284,367 260 Renown „ ■ ■ „ .. 144,646 1,246,329 254 West Coast District. Westport-Stockton .. Ngakawau .. Bituminous .. 155,087 4,001,753 -69 Charming Creek .. .. .. „ •• » •• 33,928 217,298 52 Millerton .. .. Millerton .. „ •• 94,340 8,709,807 15o Denniston .. .. .. Denniston .. „• .. 182,652 11,354,455 396 Cascade .. .. .. Cascade Creek „ .. 18,724 226,700 21 Burke's Creek .. .. .. Reefton .. Brown .. 25,889 361,184 66 Paparoa.. .. . • Roa .. Semi-bituminous 36,624 966,341 72 Hydro .. .. .. Seddonville .. Bituminous .. 12,198 42,977 17 Liverpool (State) .. .. Rewanui .. „ .. 156,240 3,402,845 381 James (State) .. .. .. Rapahoe .. Sub-bituminous 20,235 596,343 45 Strongman (State) .. .. Nine-mile .. „ .. 71,847 101,633 184 Dobson .. .. .. .. Dobson .. Bituminous .. 76,508 1,037,053 181 Wallsend .. .. .. Brunnerton .. „ .. 45,954 819,956 141 Southern District. Jubilee.. .. .. Saddle Hill .. Lignite .. 10,774 654,782 20 Klondyke .. .. .. Bush Gully .. „ .. 10,340 65,620 16 Kaitangata .. .. . • Kaitangata .. Brown .. 133,334 5,962,955 .300 Linton (2 collieries) .. .. Ohai .. „ •• 109,477 1,648,934 182 Wairaki.. .. .. .. .. „ •• 44,631 616,395 83 Star . .. „ •• 26,012 100,284 40 Birchwood „ •• 36,053 288,655 69 Black Lion .. .. .. .. „ 15,299 228,146 20 Black Diamond .. .. .. Nightcaps .. ,, .. 14,880 307,352 16 Paper Mills .. .. .. Mataura .. Lignite .. 20,917 32,258 3 109 other collieries .. .. All coalfields .. Various .. 324,665 11,207,688 '00 Collieries abandoned or suspended, &c. Various .. „ .. .. 30,821,400 Totals .. .. .. •• 2,516,099 95,336,168 5,046

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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 1940 :—

Average Number of Persons employed during 1940. Inspection District. —— . Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Southern .. .. .. .. 234 672 926 West Coast 634 1>774 2 408 Northern .. .. .. .. 389 1,323 1,712 Totals, 1940 .. .. 1,277 3,769 5,046 Totals, 1939 .. .. 1,220 3,542 4,762""

D ,, , Lives lost by Accidents in or Persons ordinarily employed. rJ?on8 ra . gea about Collieries. Scar. a?»E? U ai' n — per each Per- ~ .. Statute Jons. , a 0 „ omp i oyed p er Million q , h Number Above around. Below Ground. | Total. below ar °™d. Tons x ™™no 0 j Lives | produced, lost. Prior to 1900 13,444,437 * * I * * * * I ififi 1900 .. 1,093,990 617 1,843 2,460 593 3-65 1-62 4 1901 •• 1,239,686 688 2,066 2,754 600 2-42 1-09 3 1902 .. 1,365,040 803 2,082 2,885 055 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 J® 07 •• 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 l-?8 5 } 9 ? 9 1,911,247 1,159 3,032 4,191 630 3-66 1-67 7 191° ■■ 2,197,362 1,136 3,463 4,599 634 7-28 3-48 16 1911 2,066,073 1,365 2,925 4,290 706 6-77 3-26 14 1912 .. 2,177,615 1,130 3,198 4,328 681 4-13 2-08 9 1913 .. 1,888,005 1,053 3,197 4,250 590 3-18 1-41 r, 1914 .. 2,275,614 1,176 3,558 4,734 639 21 53 10-35 49+ 1915 .. 2,208,624 1,050 3,106 4J56 711 4-07 2-16 9 J;' 16 •• 2,257,135 988 3,000 3,988 752 2-65 1-50 6 1917 .. 2,068,419 1,090 2,893 3,983 715 1-93 1-00 4 1918 .. 2,034,250 1,102 2,892 3,994 703 2-95 1-50 6 1919 .. 1,847,848 1,095 2,849 3,944 648 5-41 2-53 10 1920 .. 1,843,705 1,152 2,926 4 078 630 0-54 0-24 1 1921 .. 1,809,095 1,218 3,149 4.367 574 5'52 2-28 10 1922 .. 1,857,819 1,191 3,365 4,556 552 3-23 1-31 a 1923 . . 1,969,834 1,353 3,647 5,000 540 2 - 53 1-00 •"> 1924 • 2,083,207 1,364 3,505 4,869 594 4'80 2-05 10 1925 .. 2,114,995 1,288 3,489 4,777 606 3-78 1-67 8 1926 .. 2,239,999 1,336 3!823 5 ;i59 586 6-69 2-90 15 J92' ■■ 2,366,740 1,386 3,988 5,374 593 4-23 1-86 10 ' "■ 2,436,753 1,366 4,010 5,376 608 3-69 1-67 9 929 .. 2,535,864 1,370 4,127 5,497 614 4-73 2-18 V> 1930 2,542,092 1,437 4,4-30 5,867 574 5 50 238 14 1931 .. 2,157,756 1,414 4,331 498 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 8 935 .. 2,115,184 1,127 3,104 681 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 1940 .. 2,516,099 1,277 3,769 5,046 668 3-18 1-58 8 Totals .. 95,336,168 .. .. ■ 5 ~"~ • For returns for previous years see page 32, Mines Statement, 1921. t Year of Ralph's (Huntly) '

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SECTION lII.—ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1940, with their causes .—

Eight fatalities occurred in New Zealand coal-mines during 1940. Of these, five were caused by an explosion of fire-damp on the sth November m Kaye and party s small mine in the Grey District. The explosion occurred at about 9.15 a.m., and of the six men in the mine only two came out alive, while a young man was blown from a winch-house at the mine-entrance many yards against trees growing in a gully. He was so severely injured that he died soon after. Of the four deaths in the mine, two were from shock and severe burns, and two from carbon-monoxide poisoning. A Royal Commission of five was appointed to inquire into the cause of the explosion. Conclusive evidence was given that although the mine was a safety-lamp mine, smoking had been prevalent therein The Commission agreed that the explosion originated in a place going to the rise where an accumulation of fi re-damp had been ignited by a naked light. Several amendments to the Coal-mines Act and the regulations thereunder were suggested by tli6 Hoyal Commission. < . , _ T . Of the other three fatalities, one occurred in each of the inspection districts. Ihat m the Northern District happened in the Renown Colliery on 3rd July when Thos. McEwen, a miner, received severe head injuries by a fall of about 10 tons of top coal in his 6-ft.-high pillar-place. He was taken to the Ham On° 6th Da vies, a miner employed in the Millerton Colliery, was killed by a fall of about half a ton of coal in a 28-ft.-high place. He had been wearing a hard hat, but he was probably in a stooping-position when the fall, which fractured his skull, occurred, for his hat was found 1)71 coal in the Millerton Mine are more liable to injury than others working in lower places. In an endeavour to reduce the risk of accident to the men engaged in this work the inspection staff has advocated the use of scraper loaders. This suggestion for loading coal m high workings undoubtedly presents some difficulties, but up to the present no determined effort has been mnrlp bv the management to prove whether or not these difficulties can be overcome. The fatality in the Southern District occurred in the Kaitangata Colliery on 9th September. It was also in a high-pillar place and the deceased miner, Mr. R. Carson, must also have been stooping when the fall of roof stone occurred, and his hard hat fell off, for he sustained a fracture at the base of the skull and his hat was afterwards found undamaged. . Twenty-one serious non-fatal accidents were reported to the_ District Inspectors during 1940. Fourteen of them occurred in the West Coast District, four in the Southern District, and three in the Northern District. Six of the accidents in the West Coast District and two m the Southern District were caused by falls of coal or stone. Three men were burned and bruised at a stopping they were building in a Northern mine when an explosion occurred in the area they were .sealmg offminer was burned by an ignition of a small quantity of fire-damp at a borehole he was drilling in another N ° lt A by a runaway truck from a jig above the one he was running. 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 1940

Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons „ . , injured, including Number of Number of a t i5 ° . , . those injured by Separate Fatal Deaths. Accidents which Accidents. Accidents. proved Fatal to their Companions. Carbon-monoxide poisoning .. • ■ • • • • 4 Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust .. g FaUs of ground 1 Explosives .. ■ • • • • • " " g 6 Haulage .. ■ • ■ • • • " '' j X Miscellaneous —Underground .... • • • • 3 On surface . - • • • • Totals I « "

mZA&U Number oi Misfired Shots. |. used (Id.). g g — g 3 <D tt) © Number > _ > > j. S Z Inspection District. | , Shotted. || || f J || ° a ®f. "2 S."% ? SZ, § ° I a° 5 | >> H >> a >f* ® 4" S3 1 w w « o * Tons. T7i i <4.1 200 750 45 6 51 771,101 Northern (i.e., North Island) .. 171,141 •• 3 7g ' 759 '93 177 88 .. 358 1,117,013 West Coast (of South Island) .. 287,200 20,819 37o,759 9d 5V 364)0 7 6 Southern (i.e., Canterbury, Otago, 75,129 28,501 and Southland) Tota]s 533,470 49,320 726,940 100 250 116 .. 466 2,252,190

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(b) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives are used. The following is a list of mines as at tlie 31st December, 1940, 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. New Kamo, Kamo —No. 3 Mine. Whatawhata Campbell, Whatawhata. West Coast Inspection District. Wynndale, Murchison. Bellbird, Ten Mile. Puponga, Puponga. Hunter's, Ten Mile. Owen, Owen River. Briandale, Ten Mile. Brighton, Brighton. Cliflside (Moore's), Nine Mile. Mitchell's, Charleston. Bellvue, Rapahoe. Charming Creek, Ngakawau. Cain's, Rapahoe. Cascade, Burnett's Face. Jubilee, Rapahoe. Coal Creek, Seddonville. Baddeley's, Dunollie. Hydro, Secldonville. Braehead, Dunollie. Glencrag, Buller Gorge. Castlepoint, Dunollie. Westport Coal Co.'s Denniston mines. Hunter's, Rewanui. Westport Coal Co.'s Millerton mines. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Ironbridge, Denniston New Point Elizabeth, Dunollie. Cardiff, Mokihinui. Fiery Cross, Dunollie. Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau. Smith's, Dunollie. Archer's, Capleston. Old Runanga, Rewanui. Clele, Merrijigs. Spark's, Rewanui. Coghlan's Capleston. State Collieries (Liverpool, James, and Morrisvale, Reefton. Strongman). Defiance, Reefton. Goldlight, Rewanui. Burke's Creek, Reefton. Blackball, Blackball. Waitahu Colliery, Reefton. Blackball Creek, Blackball. Burnwell (Honey's), (Times Street), Reefton. Paparoa, Roa. White Rose, Merrijigs. Dobson, Dobson. Terrace, Reefton. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Schultz Creek, Twelve Mile. Westhaven, Mangarakau. Hilltop, Ten Mile. McCaffrey's, Reefton. Kaye's, Ten Mile. 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 of Mines required by Law to use Safety-lamps. The following is a list of the mines as at the 31st December, 1940, 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. New Kamo, Kamo—No. 3 Mine. West Coast Inspection District. Dobson, Dobson. Millerton (Old Dip Section), Millerton. Spark's, Rewanui. Owen, Owen River. State Mine (Liverpool No. 2), Rewanui. Strongman, Nine Mile. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Wynndale, Murchison. Old Runanga (Nos. 1 and 2 Sections), Rewanui. Hunter's, Rewanui. Kaye's, Ten Mile. Bellbird, Ten Mile. Paparoa, Roa. Braehead, Dunollie. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Schultz Creek, Twelve Mile.

B—C, 2.

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Southern Inspection District. Kaitangata, Kaitangata. Black Diamond, Nightcaps. Wairaki, Ohai. Black Lion, Ohai. Birchwood, Ohai. Star, Ohai. Linton, Ohai. Mossbank, Ohai. (d) Dangerous Occurrences reported. Of the twenty-one dangerous occurrences reported in 1940 to the District Inspectors of Coal-mines, sixteen were of actual fires or of heating in underground workings. Four of these were in the Linton Nos. 1 and 2 Mines (two in each) and two in the Liverpool Mine. An explosion occurred in the Rotowaro No. 1 Mine behind a brick stopping, and three men were injured. An explosion in the Wairaki Mine blew out concrete stoppings around a heated area, but fortunately there was no one in the mine when the explosion occurred. There were three reports of accumulations of fire-damp and two reports of ignition of fire-damp, one in the Braehead Mine, near Greymouth, and the other in a split being driven through a pillar in the Ironbridge Mine, Denniston. (e) Electricity at Collieries. (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 .. .. 04 Number of continuous-current installations .. .. .. .. 10 Number of alternating-current installations .. .. .. .. 54 Number of collieries electrically lighted .. .. .. .. 22 Number of collieries using electrical ventilating-machines .. .. 53 Number of collieries using electrical pumping plants .. .. .. 42 Number of collieries using electrical haulage plants .. ~ .. 50 Number of collieries using electrical screening plants .. .. .. 35 Number of collieries using electrical coal-cutting machines .. .. 2 Number of collieries using electrical miscellaneous plants .. .. 31 Number of collieries using electrical locomotives Total horse-power employed from motors on surface .. .. .. 10,727 Total horse-power employed from motors below ground.. .. .. 5,976-5 (/) Prosecutions. Thirteen informations were laid during 1940 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 mine-manager was prosecuted for failing to start the ventilating-fan and run it for two hours before the men entered the mine ; another for being absent from the mine for more than three days and not appointing an approved person in his stead ; and another for failing to supply a return of output. Two underviewers were prosecuted for failing to remain underground while men were in the mine. A deputy was prosecuted for failing to see to the security of the roof and sides of a working-place, another for failing to make a report of his morning inspection, and a third for failing to make such a morning inspection. Two miners were prosecuted for entering a mine before it was properly inspected; another for failing to set timber in his working-place according to the timbering rules, and a fourth for having in his possession in the mine more than 1 lb. of calcium carbide. A trucker was convicted and fined for defacing a notice in the mine. SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. There was no amendment to the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in 1940, but section 6 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1940, made provision for exemption for limited periods from the requirements of section 64 of the Coal-mines Act of engines used for conveying persons along inclined planes or levels provided the drivers of the engines are holders of certificates under section 49 of the Inspection of Machinery Act, 1928. At the end of the year Mr. William Parsonage, who had been an Inspector of Coal-mines for the West Coast District for nearly four and a half years, resigned to take charge of a group of collieries in the Waikato District. During his term of office Mr. Parsonage proved to be a very efficient Inspector, and our congratulations on. his new appointment were mingled with regret at the loss to the Department of such a capable officer. Mr. J. McArthur was promoted to the Senior Inspector's position for the West Coast District early in 1941, and Mr. Charles Hunter was appointed to the vacancy and took up his duties in February, 1941. I desire to acknowledge the efficient help and co-operation which all the District Inspectors continued to give me throughout the year. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector pf Coal-mines,

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ANNEXUBEJA.

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 vear ended 31st December, 1940 :— Summary of Operations of each Colliery for the Year 1940. North Auckland District. Kama Colliery.—No. 4 Mine : An area of some 3} acres of good-quality coal has been opened up to the north of Station Road, the access being from the No. 4 drive by twin roads retimbered through old workings. Difficulties with regard to ventilation were overcome by connecting the south end of these workings with the No. 2 drive workings by retimbering an old road under Station Road, thus considerably shortening the return airway. No. 2 Mine : The line of stoppings against old workings to the west of the Railway Reserve boundary was rebuilt in concrete during the year. No. ,3 Mine : The main drive and return were extended to a point 34f chains from the surface, at which point the coal thinned to 3 ft. and became poor in quality, the headings being stopped. In the No. I north-east section, extension of the development headings has been stopped at a point II chains from the main drive, the coal at this point being thin and of poor quality. The drives had been set away between two faults passed through on the main drive, the one to the north-east being the 50 ft. downthrow, while a smallei; downthrow fault bounded the section on the south-west. These faults seem, to converge to tho north, and would apparently meet at a point a short distance ahead of the present face. No. 2 north-east headings wore driven some 9 chains from a point I chain back from the face of the main drive. Owing to a slight ignition of CH 4 which occurred on Bth November at tho heading face in this section, a miner being slightly burnt, the manager was required to continue development of the section with safety-lamps and to use permitted explosives only in the No. 3 Mine. Due to difficulty in obtaining lamps, and proper arrangements having to be made for charging them, work in this section had not been resumed by the end of the year. A pair of development headings for another section north of the main drive have been started 7 chains from the face of the drive. The No. 1 south-west section has been extended to a distance of 20 chains from the main drive. A small panel was formed to the north of the Railway Reserve and. another to the south, while a third is now being developed. The coal in this area is of very good quality and thickness. In No. 2 south-west section only a few pillars have been blocked out, as this panel is limited by the 50 ft. downthrow met in tho main drive on the north side and by tho Railway Reserve to the south. The colliery now maintains a steady output, and improvements to the haulage and ventilation will be possible with the widening of the main drive from the surface, which has now been undertaken. A new bathhouse, electrically heated, has been completed, and considerable attention is being given to the installation of good plant for future development. Waro Colliery.—The No. 1 main drive has been extended considerably during the year and has reached a point 40 chains from the mine mouth, crossing on tho way several small faults'. The coal-seam on the line of this drive has averaged nearly (i ft. thick, but for a considerable distance was hard and stony and of poor quality. A subsidiary dip heading driven slightly north of west off the main dip and starting at a point 32 chains from the mine mouth has also passed through coal av~aging 6 ft. thick and improving latterly slightly in quality. This dip, a back heading to which also is being driven, has 10J chains to go before reaching the line of a 4 chain barrier which it has been decided to leave against the old shaft workings. It seems likely, however, that before reaching this distance the steep rise and pinch out of the seam met in previous levels to tho west will be again encountered. The face of the No. 1 main dip is now some 5 chains ahead of the east dip, which has been stopped on a large upthrow fault at 11J chains from No. 12 level, and workings driven in this direction havo shown the fault to have a throw of 12 ft., apparently increasing rapidly to the south-east, as tho same fault at a distance of 2 chains to the north-west appears to have a 6 ft. throw. The country at this fault is broken, and a considerable feeder of water has been flowing at the face of the east dip for several months. Several headings are being developed to the oast and south-east from the east dip. The coal averages 4 ft. thick, and is very hard and much interrupted by small faults and rolls. On and Party (Tauranga Block).—Three men are still employed in extracting pillars left unworked in the bottom seam by the Northern Coal Co., the greater part of the output being sold to the Railways. Silverdale Fireclay-mine.—This fireclay opencast is still being worked by four men for a steady output, the clay being used locally for briekmaking. Ruatangata Colliery.—With the extension of the main dip the seam has improved somewhat in thickness, the quality of the coal remaining good. Workings to the right of the main dip also show this improvement ill thickness of seam. Whareora Colliery.—A dip drive commenced in the early part of the year was lost during the Easter holidays owing to light cover and a slip caused by very heavy rain. Work is now proceeding on a new level drive in what "is thought to be a small area of solid coal. The drive is in 50 ft. and is water free. Avoca Opencast Coal-mine.—No further development of underground workings has recently been attempted, work being confined to stripping and opcncasting pillars left at the old mine entrance. The coal is sold mostly at Dargaville. Ngunguru Fireclay Opencast.—Working of this deposit, which is 30 ft. thick, by opencast methods was continued as the material was required. The fireclay is shipped to Auckland. Waikato District. Rotowaro Colleries.—No. 1 Mine (Top Seam) : In the northern portion of the New Haulage section pillaring was continued throughout the year, while in the western part development of solid coal left when the mine was first opened out was proceeded with to the limit of the coal, pillaring also being started here towards the end of the year. Pillaring was recommenced in the No. 4 east section, roadside pillars on both sides of the No. 4 Haulage being withdrawn towards the main haulage, and the remaining pillars in the Hogg's Jig section were extracted. In the Hill 60 section pillar-extraction was continued until the end of August, when, owing to a heating which had been sealed off causing an explosion behind the stoppings, the whole section was temporarily sealed by stoppings as a precaution.

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In the Callaghan's dip section (bottom seam) the main haulage rope was extended a further 7 chains to the dip, eliminating a direct-haulage winch. The main headings have been extended south-east a distance of 24 chains from the No. I Mine main haulage in. fairly good coal 23 ft. thick and have just reached the edge of the Maungakotukutuku Stream Valley. To the north-east of these main headings a panel is being developed, the leading headings having reached the far side of the stream valley in coal 7 ft. thick. A pair of headings has also been driven to the north-west from the main headings for development in this direction, the coal here being of fairly good quality, but containing occasional stony patches. No. 3 Mine (Bottom Seam): Extension of the main hoading, which had been standing since January in coal showing stony bands, was resumed in July, but 3 chains advance showed little change in the seam. A dip is being driven south-west to connect with boreholes showing seams of 12 ft. and 28 ft. of coal. Development of a panel to the north-east of the main headings was continued. In the Hoodie's Jig section extraction of pillars and barriers continued in coal of very good quality, whilo in Brown's section pillaring proceeded throughout the year, and with the exception of barriers being left to support a creek a high extraction was obtained. The Taylor's Jig section pillars are being split and top coal being won, stumps of sufficient size being left to support the surface, which is a swamp. Pillar-extraction in the Wilkie's dip section has now been stopped to allow of the development of a small area of solid coal to the north, while a small area of pillars to the west was opened up early in the year and is now being pillared, the coal being 18 ft. thick and of good quality. No. 4 Mine : Pillar-extraction was commenced early in the year in this area, which is 7 acres in extent with a seam 20 ft. thick and light cover. On the dip side of the area development proceeded in similar coal, a drive being driven to the rise from the lowest point to provide bettor haulage. Allison Colliery.—The main headings have been extended south 14 chains in hard coal of very good quality. No. 1 panel west has been partly developed to the rise, and No. 2 west has been commenced. A water drive has reached the surface to the east from the lowest part of the seam for drainage purposes. A pair of headings have been driven to the west close to the mine mouth to open up further sections to the rise. An endless-rope haulage is being extended into the main drive, and good ventilation has been provided by means of an aeroplane-propeller fan which, with the low water-gauge, produced on trial 45,000 c.f.m. at 375 revolutions, using 3f h.p. The fan has now been slowed to produce 25,000 c.f.m. as the velocity in the airways was too high. Another drive has been opened from the surface at a point !) chains north of the south section entrance, and has been driven 4 chains, being ventilated at present by fan and pipes. The haulage has been extended on the surface to this mine entrance. The electric power required for the Allison Mine is brought by a " medium pressure " transmission-line one mile and a quarter from the company's power plant at Rotowaro. A new bathhouse has been constructed at the mine and will shortly be in use, water being provided by a 52,000 gallon concrete reservoir recently constructed. It is expected that the present output of approximately 130 tons a day will rapidly be increased, as it is intended to develop by means of coal-cutting machines. The temporary screening plant now in use will be inadequate for a large increase and will be replaced by a new plant which has been ordered from England. Renown Colliery.—ln Tapp's area No. 3 south headings have been extended to 40 chains beyond No. 3 east, haulage road, and from the headings levels for panel development have been driven to open up the No. 5 east and west panel areas. The thickness and good quality of the seam have been maintained as far as this part of the field has been tested. The No. 4 east levels have been extended to 15 chains from the No. 3 south heading, while to the west some further development was carried out during the year in panel B off the No. 4 west levels. The main west level has been advanced to a point 70 chains from the mine entrance and a new panel area has been oponed up to the south. Here the quality of the coal is good and the average thickness 8 ft. 6 in. Pillarextraction has been completed in No. 1 panel west of No. 1 south level, but is being actively proceeded with in No. 2 oast panel off No. 3 south headings. The withdrawal of the remaining road and barrier pillars at the northern end of the old No. 3 south haulage road was completed in December, pillaring being stopped at a point 3J chains from the main haulage road of the mine. Pillaring is also proceeding in the No. 2 north section. Development of the companion headings driven west from No. 2 north haulage road was stopped late in the year at a point 21 chains west of No. 2 north. During the year good progress has been made with the opening up of a now mine entrance to the south of the present workings. Twin drives will bo driven south-west to shorten the haulage to a large area of thick coal proved by bores to lie in this direction. From a point on the surface haulage a short distance west of the viaduct formation for a new branch haulage has been completed by bulldozers and a considerable amount of track laid. A stream near the mine mouth has been crossed by a well-constructed bridge, recently completed, and at the haulage end the wineh-house and haulage engine are in place. The mine entrance has been constructed with concrete side walls and rail-girder roof supports, and it is the intention of the manager to continue this until the coal-seam is reached. Pukemiro Colliery. —North Mine : The output from this mino section was obtained largely from the extraction of pillars formed about 1918, and owing to falls and small pillars considerable difficulties were met with. Pillaring was proceeded with in the Straight Heading section, roadside pillars at the west curve leading to the old Brickyard area, and to the east and west of the top of the stone drive. To the east of tho stone drive a small area of solid coal 15 ft. thick close to the outcrop and bounded by a fault to the south was blocked out ready for pillaring, while to the west an attempt is being mado to prospect an area some 3 chains wide lying between faults and not previously worked. A bore from the surface between the faults shows 12 ft. 6 in. of coal. During the year a small block of solid coal lying to the south of the Straight Heading and adjacent to the fault on that side was developed, and is now ready for pillaring. South Mine : No. 1 west haulage, leading to a section of workings development of which was stopped in 1028, was cleaned up and retimbered for a distance of 24 chains from the Main Haulage and a haulage and pumping equipment installed. Some development in the solid was carried out off this haulage to the west of tho Magazine section, and also to the south in tho vicinity of the reservoir. In the Taupiri section development to the east was stopped by the splitting and poor quality of the seam at some 4 chains beyond the boundary. However, headings advanced to the north-east along the line of the road are still in good coal at 12 chains from the No. 1 east haulage, and when development is finished some 5 acres of coal will have boen opened up. Pillaring has been commenced at the south end of this section. The Now Panel section, north of No. 2 west, completed development and pillar-extraction started in July. The coal is 15 ft. thick and of good quality. Pillaring of the west side of the Mid section has been completed, and the east side is now being worked. Development of the north and south Rope End sections was completed, a strong barrier being left against old workings to the south of No. 1 west. Pillar-extractions was started in the south section early in the year and is now almost completed. During the year an extension to the bathhouse at the mine has been built and equipped, and a new fitting-shop erected. Wilton Colliery.—No. 1 Mine : Pillar-extraction has been pushed ahead rapidly in all sections of this mine during the year, and in order not to hamper this work in the near future it was decided to shift the fan to its former position adjacent to the mine mouth. This involved a good deal of work in the preparation of a new return airway and the shifting of the fan itself, but the change over was completed late in the year. Pillar-extraction has now proceeded clear of Katavich's area and to a point on the main roads some 34 chains from tho mine mouth. No. 3 Mine: Development of a new area to the south has been made necessary by the approaching xhaustion of the No. 1 Mine area, and a surface haulage 65 chains long has been constructed by the use

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of a bulldozer to reach the new No. 3 Mine mouth. Two large steel bridges have been constructed over gullies on this line, and all the track with the exception of 6 chains has been laid. Some 20,000 yards were excavated in the formation. This haulage joins the present No. 1 haulage at the north end of the tunnel, and considerable strengthening and extension of the tunnel timbering were carried out to carry the ramp for joining the two tracks. It is proposed to provide road access to a point 11 chains from the new mine mouth by an extension of Kemp's Road and by either the improvement of the existing length of Kemp's Road or the formation of a new stretch of road from the end of the Glen Massey Road, and surveys with this in view have already been made. The seam in the new coal area has been proved by boring to be 8 ft. to 9 ft. thick, and the mine entrance has already reached the seam. Rapid development should be possible as soon as the haulage is completed. No. 2 Mine : The main heading has been extended to 15} chains from the surface and the endless-rope haulage taken into the mine. Improvements have been made to the formation on the surface haulage from the screens, giving a better grade. No. 1 panel to the west of the main heading has been pillared, and No. 2 panel west has been extended to within a chain of the boundary. The seam averages 8 ft. thick. Glen Afton No. 1 Colliery.—As on reopening in January the heated section on the main return on both sides of the J shaft it was found after a short period impossible to control the heating by other means, a length of 4$ chains of the return was again sealed off with permanent stoppings, the .1 Hill section of the rope-road being used temporarily as a main return round the sealed oft area. As this was inconvenient in practice it was decided to connect up the travelling road by a stone drive 4 chains long through the J fault. This was completed in September and by the construction of two roomy air crossings at the top and bottom of J Hill proper conditions were restored for ventilation of K and L sections. Two chains of the main return on the outbye side of the sealed oif area have been retimbered. Pillaring of the south-west portion of K section was resumed in October, and towards the end of the year work was continued in retimbering the fallen stone drive proceeding north-west from the end of L section haulage. In E section pillar-extraction was commenced in El panel. Owing to poor-quality coal to the north and east, extension of this panel was stopped and some pillars were not withdrawn. Development of E2 panel was completed early in January of this year. E3 panel was also completed, and a commencement made to withdraw pillars from the fault which bounds it to the north-west. The E2 main headings have been extended some 8 chains across the State boundary, and preparations are being made to open up working sections to south-east and north-west. The travelling road to E workings has been reopened, and portion of the return from this section has been cleaned up and retimbered. Glen Afton No. 2 (Mac Donald) Colliery.—No. 4 Mine Section : During the year the B section rope was extended 25 chains to the face of the No. 4 Mine main heading. The No. 1 east panel has been developed to the outcrop, and the pillars are being withdrawn, careful attention to timbering being required owing to the thin cover and the broken nature of the coal tops. No. 1 west panel is still being developed, while at the face of the main heading pairs of development roads are being driven west and north-east to the corner cf the lease. 'this section has proved somewhat disappointing owing to faulting and the occurrence of splint bauds in the coal. Pillaring of 152 loft and El left panels is nearly completed, while in G section pillaring is proceeding in the northern half of the panel. The main headings in H section have been extended to 17} chains from the main haulage and a haulage provided. A panel is being formed to the west, and near the face of the headings a pair of development roads are being driven north-west towards the corner of the lease, a distance of 24 chains. During the year a considerable amount of work was done in this colliery in improvement and permanent support of laybyes, extension of haulages, and erection of permanent separation stoppings, of which twenty-five were required. Provision is being made to install a larger fan in the No. 4 Mine section. A 20 ft. extension to the bathroom has been completed and is in use, and its lighting has been improved. Graham Colliery.—Extraction of roadside pillars bordering the main haulage proceeded steadily during the year. A small unworked area of coal lying to the west of the main, drive near the entrance was tested by driving, with good results. Owing to clean extraction of the seam no heatings were experienced during the year. Taupiri East Colliery.—Work was continued throughout the year in extraction of pillars in the area to the east of the main drive. The seam here is about 20 ft. thick and of good quality, but the pillars were badly formed in the first working many years ago and require careful handling. A heating which occurred in July was successfully controlled by stoppings and has caused no further trouble. Glen " A " Potteries Opencast.—The small output of coal and fireclay obtained by opencast methods was used to supply the pottery-works run by the same company. Daily's Coal-mine.—Owing to difficulties of access and distribution in the district and the poor market, development of this mine was not proceeded with. HuniVy Brickworks. —Work was continued in quarrying the upper portion of the fireclay deposit from the level to which the endless-rope haulage was extended early in the year. The face here was 35 ft. high. A jig was constructed to open up another face to the south, the floor of this being the small coal-seam which occurs in this area. The clay output is used in the adjacent brickworks. Whatawhata. Campbell Colliery. —Two prospecting headings driven from the surface at a point 10 chains southwest of the old mine entrance have been extended some 7 chains in a south-easterly direction, traversing a small area of unworked coal 6 ft. to 10 ft. thick. A fault which limited the old Fox's workings in this direction has recently been tested and it is unlikely that further progress can be made in this direction. An extension of the surface haulage has been put in hand, and an attempt will be made to work an area of coal to the west by crossing the old workings at their narrowest part adjacent to the creek. Waikato Extended Colliery.—During the year work has been confined to the splitting and extraction of the remaining pillars in the Taupiri area, four men being constantly employed. The greater part of the output is used on river steamers operated by the company on the Waikato River. Tarana/ci District. Old Stockman Colliery, Molcau.—No work was done in No. 1 and No. 3 Mines sections, the output for the year being obtained from No. 2 Mine, where a pair of headings have been driven some chains from the outcrop. The seam is of good-quality hard coal 5 ft. thick with a blocky sandstone roof. The output is taken by launch to Mokau, some twenty-eight miles down the river, and distributed from that point. Tatu State Colliery.—Production at this colliery by the previous owners, Egmont Collieries, ceased in August, 1938. During April, 1940, work was recommenced under State control, and an attempt was made to dewater the mine and to continue a stone drive which had crossed the downthrow fault to the west of the Egmont Co.'s workings. This was finally abandoned owing to bad roof conditions and also bad floor conditions. During July and August a small output of coal was obtained from splitting some of the pillars formed by the company in the section west of the main drive, but owing to the necessity for leaving permanent support to the surface near the outcrop coal production from this source ceascd at the end of August. During this period repairs were'made to the aerial by which tho coal is conveyed to Mangaparo Station, four miles away, and prospeoting, boring, and geological survey of the coal area to the west of the old mine was carried out.

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It was decided to drive a pair of dip stone headings south-west from the surface at a point 6 chains west of the old mine entrance to reach the seam beyond the fault to the west of the old workings. One of those, intended later for a return airway, was commenced early in November, and reached the coal seam on 28th February, 1941. The scam is 6 ft. thick and appears to be lying practically level in the direction of the drive. Better access to the mine mouth was provided during the year by the construction of two miles and threequarters of road from the end of the existing Waro Road. Mangapeki Stale Colliery.—Goal-production by the previous owners, the Mangapehi Coal Co., ceased, and the plant was withdrawn from the mine in March. Work was recommenced as a State coal-mine on '20th May and continued throughout the year. A now fan drift and fan were installed and considerable improvements made to the plant and surface arrangements, including a new hopper bin and screening plant, improvements to the loading-bank at the railway, and improvement of road access to the mine. A geological survey was also made of the measures and outcrops in the locality with a view to prospecting the field by boring. Eight residences for married employees were built by the Mines Department m a suitable locality about one mile and a half from the mine, and a number of huts for single men were also erected. Huntly School of Mines. Classes were held by Mr. Gomersall, Director of the School, regularly throughout the year at Huntly, Glen Massey, and Glen Afton. Students continued to give enthusiastic support, more than forty regularly attending the classes. Fatal Accident. On 3rd July, 1940, Thomas McEwen was seriously injured by a fall of coal in the Renown Colliery, and died at Hamilton four days later. Shmods Non-fatal Accidents. On 22nd August, 1940, in the Roto waro No. 1 Colliery, three men engaged in erecting brick stoppings, Messrs. E. Bryant, J. Lancaster, and G. Peel, suffered serious burns and extensive bruises when the stopping they were building was blown out by an explosion. On Bth November William Piatt, miner, received slight burns to the right arm and face due to a small ignition at a borehole he was drilling in the main heading of the south-east section, Kamo Colliery. On 10th December J. Morwood, a surface foreman at the Wilton Colliery, received a fracture of the right forearm when his sleeve caught in the driving-belt of a creeper at the colliery screens. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 81 of the Coal-mines Regulations 1939). On 16th April a small fire was discovered in some rubbish at E haulage, Glen Afton No. 1 Colliery, probably started by a cigarette. The place was cleaned up and thoroughly watered. On 18th April a deputy discovered an accumulation of 100 cubic feet of 0H« in A section, main heading, Glen Afton No. 2 Colliery. The place was cleared and fenced off until the back heading was connected up. No further gas has since been reported. On 23rd August an explosion occurred behind brick stoppings which were being erected to seal oil an area m the Hll 60 section, Roto waro No. 1. Colliery. Three men were seriously injured by shock and burning when the stopping they had just completed was blown out. The brick stoppings were in front of temporary stoppings which had sealed the area following a heating in a pillar place reported on 3rd August. Following the explosion the whole section was sealed off by permanent stoppings. On 3rd August a small fire was discovered at a stopping in the Rope End section, Pukemiro South Colliery. This was sealed off by the erection of one stopping and has caused no further trouble. A similar small fire on Ist October in the same section was damped off with sand and a stopping built outside it, and has caused no further trouble. ■ On 19th November a small fire was discovered in the 0 (return) travelling road m the No. 2 Mine, Glen Afton. On examination a leg in one of the sets was found to be half burnt through for a length of 20 in. This fire was probably duo to a cigarette end. The fire was put out and the place carefully watched for some time in case of a recurrence.. . On 20th November in the Wilton No. 2 Mine a brattice door was discovered by a deputy to be smouldering. It was pulled down and extinguished with water. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. A trucker was prosecuted for wilfully injuring and defacing a notice, contrary to,section 196 of the Coal-mines Act. He wa3 convicted and fined 305., Court costs 10s., and cost of damaged notice 8s 6d. A miner was prosecuted for failing to comply with the provisions of a timbering notice displayed in the mine, pursuant to section 117 (3) of the Coal-mines Act. He was convicted, Court costs being 10s. A mine deputy was prosecuted for failing to see that the roof and sides of a working-place were properly secured by the persons working there. He was convicted, Court costs being 10s. Rotowaro Rescue-station. Towards the end of the year work was commenced on the erection of a mine rescue-station at Rotowaro Village. Progress has been fairly rapid and the station should be completed by June, 1941. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. (J. Hadcroet, Inspector oe Coal-mines.) 11l accordance with the Coal-mines Act, 1925, I have the honour to submit the following report on the mining activities for the year ended 31st December, 1940. Canterbury District. Bonanza Mine. —About the middle of the year this mine was taken over by the Klondyke Coal Co., and since worked by them. The whole of the output has been won from the pillars in the No. 3 and No. 4 west level sections, no development work having been done. Clearview Mine. —Development to the north-east was stopped after the levels had been driven 14 chains from the main dip. Pillar-extraction was then started on the south-west side of main dip. Luchnow Clay-mine.—This mine was worked out and closed down during the year. Klondyke Mine. —Development work has been carried on in the Nos. 4, 5, and 6 north-east levels. No. 6 level face is now 20 chains from the dip. The coal-seam here lias split and thinned. Development has also been carried on to the south-west in the Nos. 4, 5, and 6 levels. No. 0 level face is 12 chains from the dip, the coal having maintained its quality and thickness. The Malvern Power Board is now supplying the electricity used at this mine. The Diesel engine and generator previously used are being kept as a standby. A new 40 horse-power haulage winch has also been installed at the head of the main dip. Homebush Clay-mine. —The old pit was worked out and closed down. A new pit has been opened one mile and a half north-west of the brickworks. The tram-line has been taken up and replaced by a traffic road.

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Homebush Coal-mine.—No coal was produced during the year. Sheffield Clay-mine.—Development is being carried on by two places on the north side of dip. The places are being driven 6 ft. high and 6 ft. wide. Malvern Mine.—All the coal has been won from development work on the north-west side of the main dip, the main level having been driven 18 chains. Sandown Mine.—The mine operated last year was worked out and closed down. A company has been formed to open up the original mine, which was closed temporarily on account of the amount of water which had to be pumped. An 80 horse-power marine boiler lias been installed for haulage and pumping, and development work has been started in the crosscut dip. Steventon Mine.—The main dip has been extended a little, and development is being carried on in the three lower levels on the north side and in one on the south side. Sunnydale Clay-mine.—This mine was closed for the greater part of the year. Blackburn Mine.—Development is still being continued on the north-west side of the fault. The places are being worked to a parting in the coal-seam, which is about 7 ft. from the floor of the seam, and makes a good roof. The places are worked single and are being driven from 8 ft. to 10 ft. wide in good quality coal. Mount Somers Mine (Tripp's).—ln the old mine all the output is from pillar-extraction. A new stone drive has been started to pick up the same seam to the dip of old mine. The grade is lin 5, and a section of the coal seam is—top coal, 3 ft. ; fireclay, 6 in.; middle coal, 9 ft.; fireclay, 1 ft. 6 in. ; bottom coal, 15 ft. It is proposed to develop the lower seam. Brockley Anthracite Mine. —All the output has been from development work. Development to the north-east of the main drive was stopped after being continued 4 chains, owing to the coal-seam thinning. Development is being carried out to the south-west in good quality coal 2 ft. 10 in. thick. The seam is almost vertical. Acheron River Anthracite-mine.—This mine has been worked only a few months, and is opening up a fair quality of coal from the outcrop. The seam at the outcrop is 5 ft. thick, and dips at a grade of lin 4. Woodbanlc Mine (Albury).—For the first half of the year all the coal was won from pillar-extraction in the underground workings. The mine was closed by a fire when only a few pillars remained to be extracted. From that time the coal has been won from an opencast pit. North Otago District. Airedale Mine.—Pillar-extraction on the north side of the dip has been completed, the pillars having been extracted to the line of the old dip. A new dip is being driven in a south-westerly direction from near the top of the old dip. This dip will be clear of the old workings previously sealed on account of fire. St. Andrews Mine.—Most of the output has been won from splitting and extracting pillars in the dip section. A little development has been done in the rise section in coal of fair quality, 7 ft. thick. Ngapara Mine.—No development work has been done during the year, all the coal having been won from the pillars in the south-west section. Shag Point Mine (McLean's) .— The old mine was worked out and closed down. A level stone drive which was partly driven by the Shag Point Co. was continued to a distance of 660 ft. before the coal-seam was struck. The seam proved to be only 2 ft. 6 in. thick. After driving on the seam, for some distance it was abandoned, and mining operations ceased at the end of October. _ Shag Point Mine (McLaren's).- —All the coal has been won from development work on the south side of the main dip. The coal on this side is good quality, and the seam is 8 ft. thick. Willetts' Mine.—AH the coal has been won from splitting and extracting pillars. Rockvale Mine.—The pillars on the rise side of the main level have been extracted, and the bulk of the coal has been won from the developing of a small area to the south-east of the main drive. Central Otago District. Shepherds Creek Mine.—All the coal has been won from development work on the south side of the main dip. A considerable amount of trouble has been met during the year through the large quantity of water to be handlecl for the small output and a run of sand from the roof during September. Cairnmuir Mine.—The main dip, which is in a south-westerly direction, has been continued to a distance of 280 ft,., and the coal-scam at the face is 4 ft. thick. Trouble is being experienced through the water-logged sand in the vicinity of the coal-seam. Nevis Crossing Mine.—No coal was mined during the year. Nevis Opencast Pit.—This mine is now closed down. Oturehua. Mine. —This opencast pit has been worked intermittently; the coal being mined is 18ft. thick. Idaburn Pit.—Opencast mining is still being carried on; the coal being worked is 20 ft. thick. Coal Creek Pit.—This pit has been worked only intermittently during the year. The overburden is sluiced off the coal-seam. Parfit's Mine.—Very little work has been done at this mine. South Otaqo District. New Pernhill Mine. —Development work to the south-west was carried on until the working places struck old workings. The pillars are now being split and worked back, but only to a safe distance from the surface road-line. Jubilee Mine.—The main haulage dip was continued to a distance of 23 chains from the surface, and development carried out on both sides. The work on the north side is directly to the dip of the old No. 5 workings, which, although in a different seam, are full of water. A barrier 2 chains wide is being left between the two lots of workings. As there is a possibility of working the present seam from another direction development has been stopped in this mine and pillar-extraction started. Some prospecting by boring has been done during the year, with fairly satisfactory results. liodson's Mine.-—All the available coal was worked out and the mine closed down during April. Fairfield Mine.—There has been no development work at this mine, all the coal won being from pillarextraction. Willowbank Mine.—The whole of the output has been won by pillar splitting and extraction of the lower seam. Coal-stumps are being left in to support the top seam, which it is proposed to work in the future. East Taieri Mine.—All the coal has been won from development of the area to the dip of the original mine workings. Eslcvale Mine.—All the available coal was won from the few remaining pillars and the mine closed down during July. Elliotvale Mine.—The whole of the output has been won by pillar-extraction, there being no development work done during the year. liai Point Mine.—This mine was opened up by a level drive from the outcrop, and development is being carried out in a north-easterly direction. Benhar Mine.—All the output has been won from development work. The main dip has been extended and development on both sides of the dip has been carried on in the lower sections. Taratu Mine. —No mining operations have been carried on. During the year the mine plant and railway were dismantled and sold. * Lakeside Mine, —This mine is closed,

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Wangaloa Mine.—The greater part of the coal has been won from development in the lower dip section. A small amount of pillar coal was taken out on the south side, but, owing to the quality of the coal being rather poor, this work was stopped. ... . , , , Kaitangata Mine. Pillar-extraction in the east and west sections m the mam seam has been continued, and the percentage of coal won has been very satisfactory. Pillar-extraction has also been carried out in one section of the Samson seam. This seam is very steeply inclined and has an average grade of 1 in 2, which makes pillar - extraction difficult. The roof conditions have been good and the percentage of extraction very high. Liability to spontaneous combustion is a great drawback, and, with the thickness of the seam from 20 ft. to 25 ft., large barriers have to be left when sealing off an area. Development Work: A small amount of development work has been carried on to the south and west in the Samson seam, and, generally, the seam has maintained a good quality. The dip, driven to a distance of 300 ft. to the west of the present workings, opened up good coal, and levels have been driven to the north for a distance of 600 ft. This section is giving off approximately 8,000 gallons of water per hour. New Drive : A new drive has been started from the surface to be used as a haulage drive and to facilitate further development to the south. The drive has been carried on to a distance of 900 ft. Southland District. Waimumu Mine.—Opencast mining carried on. Coal, 30 ft. thick. Stripping, 12 ft. to J 5 ft. thick. Otikerama Mine.—The old mine has beon closed, all the available coal having been won. A new mine has been opened up to the north-east of the mine. Croydon Mine.-—Work in this opencast was stopped near the end of the year, as the workings were getting close to another old pit full of water. A new pit is being opened up. ... , Mataura Lignite Mine (Beattie Coster).—Opencast mining is still being carried on. The coal face is 14 it. tllK Greek's Mine. —The total output has been won by pillar-extraction. This mine closed down during the latter part of the year. Boghead Mine.—All the output has been won from the development of the lower south levels and cut throughs. Glenlee Mine— All the output has been won from the developing of the main level and west side section. The main level face is 23 chains from the mine-entrance. Mossbanlc New Mine.—Following boring operations when three additional bores were put down, making the total number of bores six, a new company was formed in June of this year. Repairs to the two original dip drives were proceeded with and completed in August. Two stone-dip drives have been commenced from near the bottom of the main drive in a south-easterly direction to pick up the coal-seam near No. 4 borehole. The surface tram-lines and railway sidings are near completion, and coal should be produced early next year. Wairaki Mine.—Pillar-extraction has been carried on in the No. 3 east and No. 3 west section. In the No. 3 west section the extraction of the pillars has been completed, and this area is now sealed with concrete stoppings. Development Work: The stone dip section, No. 3 east, is still being developed; also the area on the north side of the Ohai-Nightcaps Road barrier, which was proved beyond the upthrow fault. New Mine : Two stone drives have been driven into Mill's lease, a distance of 480 ft., and the coal has been struck in both of them. As the coal is dipping in the same direction as the drives a further 200 ft. will have to be driven before the floor of the lower seam is reached. The surface arrangement and plant to develop this new mine are well advanced. , , . , . , „ ~ , . ~ Linton Mine. —No. 1 Mine: Development has been carried on m the No. 7 and 8 sections, also m the area known as Adam and Eve. As a large portion of the development in the latter area lies underneath the No 2 mine old workings, only partial extraction of the pillars will be possible. Development is in progress by way of extending the main dip beyond the No. 8 section and through the fault. All other work in tho remaining portion of the mine has been pillar-extraction. No. 2 Mine: All the output from this mine has been won by pillar-extraction. All the available coal having been won, the mine was closed down on 24th December, 1940. . . , Beaumont Mine.—Owing to difficulties met with, mining operations were stopped m the first halt ot the year. Star Mine.—All the coal has beon won from development work in the main dip and east side section. The main dip face has been continued to a distance of 10 chains from the surface, and the main east level is 18 chains from tho dip. . . Birchwood Mine.—The greater portion of the output has been won from pillar-extraction m tho JNo. 3 east and No 3 west sections. Some development work has been carried out from two dips driven from the No. 3 west level. A stone drive is being driven through the fault in the No. 2 west section to pick up the coal-seam, which was proved by boring to be from 13 ft. to 15 ft. in thickness. Blaclc Diamond Mine.—No development work was done during the year, all the coal having been won from pillar-extraction in the bottom dip section. Blade Lion Mine—No development work was done during the year. All the coal has been won from pillar and head coal working. 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. Fatal Accidents. During the year there was one fatal accident. On the 9th September Thomas Randall Carson, a miner employed at the Kaitangata Mine, was filling coal in a " head coal" place when a piece of stony coal fell from the roof of the seam, a distance of 20 ft., and struck him on tho head, causing a fracture of the base of the skull. Mr. Carson died on 11th September. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. On the 29th March George Gilbert, manager of the Star Mine, received a fractured tibia and fibula of the left leg through being struck by a prop which fell oft a mine-truck. On the 31st May R. Brooks, a miner employed at the Wairaki Mine, received a fracture of the right leg just above the ankle through a piece of stone slipping out of the face of the stone drive and striking him On the 9th August James Jfalg, a miner employed at the Kaitangata Mine, received a fracture of the pelvis and two broken ribs by coal falling from a concealed "back" off the "lip" of his head-coal working-place. On the 21st August William Robertson, a trucker at the Kaitangata Mine, received a fractuic of the pelvis through being caught between a timber-troller, which he had been using to transport timber, and a prop on the side of the dip road, whilst the trolley was being pulled up the dip. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 81, Coal-mines Regulations 1939). Linton No. 2 Mine.—4th February: Minor heating occurred adjacent to old dip workings. Concrete stoppings were erected and the area effectively sealed. Linton No. 2 Mine.—22nd April: Reheating occurred round one of the lower old fire stoppings. New line of stoppings erected and the area again sealed.

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East Taieri Mine.—l4th May: Fire-stink was reported in return airway coming from an old bord which had fallen between the intake and return airways. A stopping was erected and the area sealed. AVbury Mine. —Bth June : Fire broke through from old workings. The amount of coal remaining to be worked was so small that the plant was withdrawn and the intake and return airways filled in. Linton No. 1 Mine. —sth July : Heating occurred in No. 0 section and the area was sealed off. Wairaki Mine. —6th July : A fire broke out in the No. 6 section and was temporarily sealed by two wooden stoppings. An explosion took place which blew these stoppings out. A further seal was made with concrete block stoppings, which were also blown out by an explosion. The area was then effectively sealed and, being to the dip, was flooded and made safe. Linton No. 1 Mine.—lsth July: Another outbreak of fire occurred in No. 6 section. The fire, which was in the lower area, was sealed off and the area allowed to flood. Birchwood Mine. —2nd August: Heating occurred in No. 3 east pillar section. The section was effectively sealed with eight stoppings. Birchwood Mine. —Btlx August: An accumulation of 2,800 cubic feet of fire-damp of at least a 4 per cent, mixture was reported in goaf near Smaill's Place, No. 3 east section. Although the quantity was gradually reduced it was not completely cleared until 27th August. Linton No. 1 Mine.—26th October : Heating again occurred in No. 0 section. The area was immediately sealed off and made safe. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. A manager (being fireman-deputy of a mine) charged with failure to make a full and accurate report of his examination of the mine before commeniiement of work, was convicted and fined £2, with costs. A manager (being underviewer of a mine) charged with failure to remain underground until the day's work was finished and all workmen were out of the mine, was convicted and fined £3, with costs. WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT (J. McArthttr and C. Hunter, Inspectors oe 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: — Greymoutii District. Liverpool Stale Colliery, Rewanui. —Morgan Seam : The major part of the operations in the Morgan seam consisted of pillar-extraction in Nos. 1 and 2 banks, Morgan west, and Nos. 2 and 4 banks, east. Development work was carried out in No. 3 west bank in levels driven in a westerly direction and crosscut headings in a northerly direction. The coal in each area is of good quality and yields a fairly high percentage of large coal in places advancing to the north. Development of the Morgan cast dip area has also been started, and two main dips have been driven a distance of 12 chains in a southerly direction. Two compressed-air-operated coal-cutting machines are working very successfully in this area, where advantage is being taken of an excellent stone roof in the main dips, but the workings already formed to the west are being driven on the floor. A small panel is already in the process of formation to the west of the dips, and barriers of adequate size being formed on both sides of the dips and on the low side of the Morgan east level. The average height of coal in this area is 30 ft. A considerable number of concrete stoppings have been constructed around the Morgan fire area, and other pillared areas have also been effectively sealed by "concrete stoppings. Kimbell and Anderson Seams : Development work to the rise of Kimbell west dip is still proceeding, but workings to the west have been stopped and a substantial barrier left against the old fire area in Kimbell west section. The gradient in this area is extremely irregular, but the coal is of a good, hard quality. Anderson Dip Section : Owing to the steep nature of the seam—about 1 in 1| —the Anderson main dip was stopped, and levels driven to east and west for the purpose of developing the area between converging faults at the inbye side of the dip. Indications of heating in a pillared area to the west of the main dip resulted in the area being sealed off with concrete stoppings. No. 8 Section : Development of this area was completed during the year, and pillar-extraction commenced in Nos. 6 and 7 banks, where the coal is fairly thick, but contains a stone band. Pillar-extraction in No. 1 bank, Kimbell west, was completed during the year. James State Colliery, Rapahoe.—Operations at this mine were confined to one area to the north of Cannel Creek, where the output was obtained from development work and pillar-extraction. All dip workings to the south have been completed and the plant withdrawn. Strongman State Colliery.—Operations during the past year consisted entirely of development work. No. i North Section : This area is confined between the " Armstrong " fault on the west and, on the east, by an upthrow fault with a displacement of 90 ft. At a point 8J chains from the main rope-road a fault with a displacement of 123 ft. was encountered which, on examination, proved to be equal to the distance between seams, and thereby enabled a direct entry to be made into the lower seam without resorting to stone drives. Two dip headings have been advanced 4 chains into the bottom seam in an easterly direction. Main South Level : The total distance advanced by both levels is approximately 15 chains. At a point about 7 chains from the main east rope-road an upthrow fault was crossed and the levels further extended some 8 chains. A heading has been started in an easterly direction to develop the area to the rise of the levels. Main South Dip : Development work to the south was stopped on account of thin coal and bad roof conditions. Two levels have been driven a distance of 3 chains in a south-easterly direction, but roof conditions are still very unsatisfactory. Main North Headings : The main headings were advanced a further 10 chains during the year, making a total distance of 16 chains. No. 1 north panel has been completed, and Nos. 2 and 3 panels are in process of formation. The number of miners employed at the Strongman Colliery has risen to fifty-two. Two seams of coal are being operated, the average height of each seam being about 18 ft. The coal is of excellent quality. Blackball Coal-mines Proprietary, Ltd., Blackball. —Operations at the Blackball Mine consisted of extending the main dip headings approximately 000 ft. from the bottom of the main stone drives- and developing a small area to tho south of the dip headings. After driving in coal for 200 ft., the coal in the dip headings thinned down to 2 ft. for a distance of 400 ft. and passed into an area of extremely heavy and friable stone roof. Scraper conveyors are being used in all face roads and feed the main system of belt conveyors which operate from the bins to the lower end of No. 1 stone drive. On account of thin coal and unfavourable roof conditions, the coal-cutting machine and mechanical loader have been withdrawn from the mine. Water also severely restricts operations, and appears to follow the working-faces and break through the roof at frequent intervals. The quantity of water now being dealt with exceeds 600 gallons per minute. The coal now being worked is of a soft, friable nature with an average height of 10 ft. Blackball Creek Coal Co., Ltd., Blackball.—As in the previous year, the output from this mine was won from pillar-extraction in Nos. 3 and 4 sections; No. 3 dip workings have advanced a further 3 chains into the old workings of the Blackball Mine top seam, thereby recovering two rows of small pillars of fairly hard coal. Pillar extraction and splitting is now proceeding in this area.

9—C. 2.

0.—2.

Briandale Collieries, Ltd., Ten-mile Creek. —The output for the year was won from development work and pillar-extraction. A dip was driven for a distance of chains in a south-easterly direction, but was terminated by an upthrow fault and surface clay and gravel. Two levels driven, to the east were stopped on account of unworkable conditions of the seam, while a level driven to the west outcropped at the surface. Operations in the top seam aro now confined to pillar-extraction. Wallsend Colliery (Brunner Collieries, Ltd.). —The output from this mine was won from development work in the Rope-road Extension section and the slant dip area, and splitting of pillars in Nos. 1 and 2 rise panels and " A " panel. Splitting of pillars in No. 2 rise panel has been completed, and the panel sealed off with three concrete stoppings. A pair of dip headings, parallel to No. 1 slant dip, have advanced 6 chains from the Extension Rope-road and aro opening out an area of good coal with an average height of 9 ft. Development of " B " panel is proceeding in the upper portion of the seam, which has an average thickness of 5 ft. 6 in. with an exceptionally hard stone roof. The stone intrusion now serves as the floor throughout this panel, and has already been encountered in the Extension headings. In "A " panel, solid work completing the panel and forming a rise airway, together witli pillar-splitting, has been carried on with fairly satisfactory results, the seam to the north-west thinning to as low as 4 ft. Towards the end of the year the slant dip was dewatered sufficiently to allow work to be resumed in the lower dip and levels. In June an electrically-operated Lee-Howl turbo pump with a capacity of 27,600 gallons of water per hour was installed at the foot of the stone drive, and an electric cable 2,200 ft. in length installed in the stone drive. The main endless-rope system has also been extended a further half-mile into the Extended headings, and an electrically-operated Reavell air-compressor with a capacity of 600 cubic feet installed at the surface. Dobson Colliery (Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd.). —The output from this mine was won from development work in the main dips and areas to the east and west off the dips. No. 3 West Level: During the year the downthrow fault which constitutes the western boundary of the Dobson workings was struck in No. 3 level at a distance of 32 chains from No. 1 main dip. Two boreholes, each 100 ft. in length, were drilled ahead and into the lower measures, but did not reveal the presence of coal at a depth which could be operated from the present mine workings. Consequently, further prospecting of the fault was stopped and development, of the area on the outbye side of the fault was completed. No. 4 West Level: This level had previously been driven on a straight course, but owing to the varying contour and irregularity of the seam it was decided, for transport purposes, to drive on a level course and thereby render more simple and economical the working of rise coal. An endless-rope haulage system has been operating successfully for some time. Development work was also carried on in Nos. 3 and 4 west dips. No. 4 East Level: This level has been driven a total distance of 20 chains from No. 1 main dip and has gained access to an uncompleted panel to the rise of the level which has been standing for several years. A haulage road has been constructed through old workings and a main-and-tail rope haulage installed. Nos. 1 and 2 Main Dips : With a view to extending the main endless-rope haulage, these dips have been advanced a further 7 chains and have now reached a point 18 chains below the terminus of the present endlessrope system. The new No. 5 east and west levels will shortly bo commenced, and panels,of work formed to the rise of the levels. The coal throughout the mine is of good quality, with an average thickness of 1.0 ft. Paparoa Colliery (Pa/paroa Goal Go., Ltd.), Boa. —The output from this mine was obtained from development work in the Aerial section, where ten pairs of miners have been steadily employed. During the year the dip was advanced f> chains, making a total distance of 27 chains, where the main fault was encountered and terminated .further operations in that direction. Development of the western area was also stopped, and the eastern area concentrated upon with a view to connecting with the old working of No. 1 seam. A. slant dip, driven from the lower east level towards the old workings, Ijas advanced 3 chains and should complete the connection with a further 4 chains of driving. The seam still averages 15 ft. in thickness and, although very soft, is of good quality. West Level Section: Early in January, flood waters entered this section from the surface and completely ruined the main west jig and horse level. The section was therefore temporarily abandoned, but towards the end of the year preparations for reopening the section had commenced. United Brunner Mines, Ltd., Brunner.—No coal-mining operations have taken place on the lease held by this company during the year. Co-operative Mines in the Obey District. Spark and Party's Mine, Bewanui.—The output was obtained from development work. The main heading has been stopped, but two levels are being driven and a rise panel being formed on the eastern side of the main heading. The coal is of good quality, the seam 20 ft. in thickness, with a band of stone near the middle of the seam. Old Bunanga Mine (O'Brien and Party) .- --The output was won from development work and pillar-extraction in Nos. 1 and 2 seams. No. 1 Seam : Operations during the year consisted of extraction of pillars in Nos. 1 and 2 panels and the extraction of pillars in thin-coal area at the inbye side of the main level. No. 2 Seam : The main heading has been advanced 4 chains during the year, but the seam is now rapidly thinning, and thin stone intrusion's appearing in the coal. Pillar-extraction is still proceeding in No. 1 rise panel, and preparations for commencing extraction in No 2 pa,nel going forward. Goldlight Colliery (McKenzie and Party).—The output from.this mine was won from development work in an area located to the south-west of the main level. The fault which previously marked the southern boundary of the old mine was pierced at the inbye side of the bottom tunnel, and the displacement of the seam found to be only 5 ft. A main level has now advanced 4 chains on the inbye or western side of the fault, and a dip driven 5 chains in a northerly direction in 6£ft. of excellent coal. The latter place will eventually reach the surface and will provide an outlet for water and probably the main haulage road for the mine. Moody Creek Mine (Simpson and Party).—The output from this mine was won from development work in No. 2 main dip and the extraction of a few pillars to the rise of the main level. Considerable difficulty in maintaining regular connections between Nos. I- and. 2 dips is caused by the presence of rolls and faults which appear to lie parallel to the dips and, in almost every case, have to be penetrated by short stone drives. No. 1 dip has advanced a total of 14 chains and is still operating in 9 ft. of very good coal. ' New Point Elizabeth Colliery (Guy and Party), Dunollie.—The output for the year was won entirely from pillar-extraction. Development of the present area, which is contained between two faults, has been completed, but an area to the north of the present mine will probably be prospected in the near future and an entry to same made if workable coal is located. The coal is of good quality, with an average height of 9 ft. Fiery Cross Mine (Currie and Party), Dunollie. —The output was obtained from pillar-extraction in the old mine, which was completely exhausted and abandoned in November. A new lease, situated on the southern side of the Seven-mile Creek and about 8 chains east of Baddeley's old mine, has been acquired by this party, and coal-production is expected to commence early next year. The new bin has already been constructed, and a surface jig laid to an outcrop showing 4 ft. of clean coal. Bend Creek Mine (Baddeley and Party), Dunollie.— \ few pillars were extracted in the old mine adjacent to the outcrop, but owing to the dangerous condition of the roof extraction of outcrop pillars was prohibited, and the mine, in consequence, was abandoned. All material has been removed from the mine, and surface tram-lines and the bin dismantled,

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Castlepoint Mine (Duggan and Party), Dunollie.—The output from this mine waa won from pillar-extraction at the inbye side and to the rise of the main level. During the, year a borehole was drilled to a depth of 400 ft. at a point on the main level 8 chains from the surface. Although several thin seams were passed through, no coal of workable height was located when drilling was stopped at the depth stated above. The life of the mine at the present rate of extraction will not exceed one year. Hilltop Mine (Armstrong and Party), Ten-mile. -The output from this mine was won from development work in the bottom seam. A main level has been driven 4J chains in an easterly direction, but, so far, no work to the dip has been attempted. Development of the area situated between the main level and the outcrop, some 4 chains in width, is proceeding. A small endless-rope haulage has been installed in the main level and conveys the coal direct to the bin. The coal is of good quality with an average height of 6 ft. Hunter and Party's Mine, Ten-mile. —The output was obtained from development work in the vicinity of the western downthrow fault and a little pillar-extraction at the inbye side of the main dip. The fault encountered at the inbye side of the dip and lower west workings wa,s proved by a borehole which successfully located the coal-seam at a height of 28 ft. A stone drive has been started at the inbye side of the slant dip and is expected to strike the seam early next year. Kaye and Party's Mine, Ten-mile. —Operations at this mine, until the 6th November, consisted of development in the main dip and levels to the east and west in the area confined by the eastern and western faults. On Tuesday, 6th November, at 9.15 a.m., an explosion occurred, which resulted in the deaths of five workmen, including the mine-manager, A. Mcintosh. Two workmen, A. Boote and 'W. Burnett, who were employed on the eastern side of the dip succeeded in escaping from the mine, and have since fully recovered from the effects of the explosion. The names of the deceased are : A. Mcintosh, mine-manager; John Kaye, coal-miner; Lindo Colpo, coal-miner; G. Williams, coal-miner; and John Leighton Kaye, surface haulage driver. Trained rescue parties under the supervision of Mr. P. Duffy, Rescue-station Superintendent, speedily carried out rescue operations, and with the aid of the Proto rescue apparatus succeeded in removing the bodies of the victims of the explosion from the mine by 3.15 p.m. on the same day. On the following day, restoration of the ventilation was commenced, and an inspection of the workings was made during the afternoon. An accumulation of firedamp was discovered in a rise heading on the western side of the main dip, and subsequent inspections revealed the existence of silent feeders which were emitting gas at the rate of approximately 400 cubic feet per day. A large amount of contraband material was also found on the bodies of the victims and in various parts of the mine, including the heading containing the firedamp. A Royal Commission to inquire into the cause and circumstances of the explosion was appointed, and opened the inquiry at Greymouth early in January. Hunter and Party's Mine, Dunollie. —Pillar-extraction was carried out in this mine until the mine was exhausted and abandoned in November. A borehole put down on the southern bank of the creek proved the existence of the coal-seam at a depth of 133 ft., and a stone drive "to tap the seam at the level of the old mine entrance was immediately started, but had not located the seam at the end of the year. Schuttz Creek Mine (Marshall and Parly), Twelve-mile.—The output from "this mine was obtained from development, followed by pillar-extraction, in the area confined between two faults at the inbye side of the stone drive. The inbye fault was proved by a stone drive rising on the hade of the fault, but the seam located was only 2 ft. 6 in. in thickness and the drive was abandoned. The coal is of good quality, with excellent roof conditions. As a result of the finding of an accumulation of firedamp in the inbye stone drive, electric safetylamps were introduced into this mine on the Ist April. Dennehy's Mine, Twelve-mile. —This mine did not operato during the year. Cain's Mine, liapahoe.—Operations at this mine were confined to development of the area between Bellvue Mine old workings and No. 1 west section of the James Mine. Some development of the area to the south of the main jig was attempted, but thin coal stopped operations in this direction. Six feet of exceptionally hard coal with a hard stone roof is being worked. Bellbird Mine (Stuart and Party) Ten-mile. —The output from this mine was obtained from pillar-extraction in No. 4 east level and development of the main dip and No. 6 east level. The upthrow fault encountered in No. 5 east level was proved by a borehole, and 7 ft. 6 in. of clean coal was located at a height of 37 ft. above the present workings. Bellvue Mine (Hadcroft and Parly), Rapahoe.—The output from this mine was won from pillar-extraction in the old mine and development of a small area situated to the north of the old mine. The old mine was completely exhausted and abandoned in April. A further three months' work should be available in the area at present being operated. Jubilee Mine (Pinn and Party), Rapahoe.—During the first half of the year development of an area situated about one mile from the Greymouth-Wcstport Highway was carried out, but thin coal and bands of stone rendered the seam unworkable, and the area was abandoned. A new area half a mile farther to the north and ahead of the new dip workings of the James Mine was taken up, and a further 47 chains of undulating tramline was constructed to an outcrop showing 10 ft. of good coal. Transport of coal to the original mine entrance is effected by an endless-rope haulage operated by a 45 h.p. motor. Development of the new area was proceeding satisfactorily at the end of the year. Cliff side Mine (Moore and Party), Nine-mile.—-Early in the year, development of the area on the upthrow side of the fault encountered in the main level was completed, and pillar-extraction commenced and continued until the end of the year. The life of the area now being operated is six months. A stone drive to tap the seam at a lower level was started in October and has advanced 2J chains from the surface. The total distance to be driven is approximately 5 chains. Smith and Party's Mine, Dunollie. —The output for the year was won from pillar-extraction on the eastern side of the main dip. No development work was carried out during the year. Briiehead Mine (Boot and Party), Dunollie. —During the year the main dip was advanced 6 chains and encountered the main fault, which terminated further development. A slant dip was driven parallel to the fault in a westerly direction and levels advanced to the faults on the east and west sides of the main dip. Pillarextraction has not yet commenced at this mine. The coal is of good quality with an average thickness of 7 ft. 6 in. On 22nd November an ignition of CI-I 4 occurred at the face of the main dip. Safety-lamps were immediately introduced throughout the mine. Reefton District. Archer's Mine, Capleston.—Top Mine : Early in the year No. 1 seam was tapped by a stone drive from the main dip and four levels with crosscuts driven in a northerly direction for a distance of 31 chains, when a downthrow fault was struck. Development of the area to the east of the main level was then commenced, and was still continuing at the end of the year. Bottom Mine: The output from this mine was won from pillar-extraction in Nos. 1 and 2 rise levels. Extraction of the main level pillars has also been commenced at a point 8$ chains from the stone tunnel. Doran's Section : Operations at this mine consisted of pillar-extraction in the top level and development of the main dip and No. 2 south level. On the southern side of the mine a fault 4J chains from the main dip defines the boundary, which is being located before extraction of pillars in the 'south levels commences. Coglan's Mine, Capleston.—The major portion of the output from this mine was obtained from pillarextraction in No. 2 seam. Some development work was also carried out in No. 1 seam, but soft dirty coal caused operations to be abandoned after a level had been driven 2| chains from the stone drive.

C.—2.

Low-level Mine, Coghlan's Freehold, Capleston.—Only one man was employed at this mine, which ia operating No. 2 seam to the dip of Coghlan's Mine. A level has been driven 21 chains in good coal with a thickness of 9 ft. Waitahu Mine (A. I). Williams), Beefton. —Two parties are still operating two small mines known as the Top Mine and McKinlay's Mine on this property. In the Top Mine development of the main and back levels was continued and two rise headings commenced for the purpose of opening out a panel to the rise of the main level. The main level has been driven a total of 19 chains and the rise headings 5 chains. The seam being worked is as follows : Top coal, 3 ft.; stone, 3 ft.; bottom coal, sft. In McKinlay's Mine three men were employed on development in two levels and cut-throughs during the year. The main level has advanced. 11> chains from the surface, the seam averaging 0 ft. 6 in. in thickness and the coal of good quality. Ventilation at this mine is effected by a Blackman fan operated by a petrol-engine which was installed early in the year. Morrisvale Collieries, Beefton. —Perfection Mine and Surprise Mine : Both mines remained closed throughout the year. Pyramid Mine, Beefton. —The output was won from pillar-extraction in the top level and bottom level sections. The seam is 10 ft. in thickness, with an area of slightly more than 1 acre yet to be extracted. Prospecting of the seam at a lower level was being carried out towards the end of the year. Burke's Creek Collieries, Ltd., Beefton. —The major portion of the output was obtained from development and extraction of pillars in No. 3 panel. A little development work was carried out in the main dip, which is receiving increased attention and , will, in a short time, be the only source of output when extraction is completed in No. 3 panel. A new steam-engine to operate the eledtrical plant was installed during the year, and should provide the necessary additional power for further development of the main dip. No alteration in thickness or quality of the seam has been evident in the dip workings. Peerless Mine (Williams and Party) (Burlce's Creek Lease), Beefton. —The output was obtained from pillarextraction in the main level and pillars to the rise of the level. Barnwell Coal Co., Beefton. —The output from this mine was won from development of the main level and rise headings. A new return airway was- under construction towards the end' of the year, and, when completed, a panel of work will be formed to the rise of the main level. Terrace Mine, Beefton. —The output was obtained from development work in two main levels and cut-throughs in No. 4 seam. Three pairs of miners are now employed, and the coal generally is of fairly good quality. Phoenix Mine, Murray Creek, Beefton. —This mine did not work during the year. Venus Mine, Murray Creek, Beefton. —Two miners were employed at this mine for several months and recovered a few pillars left in the old workings and some outcrop coal by the opencast method. Defiance Mine (McClatchie and Co., Ltd., Christchurch), Murray Creek. —The output won during the year was obtained from pillar-extraction in the Waterfall section and development in the old mine, and a small block of coal to the north of the Waterfall section. For the purpose of improving the haulage arrangement a dip was driven a distance of 9J chains to the north of the olci mine, but operations were suspended on account of soft coal. A new self-acting incline to connect the head of the dip with the storage bins has been constructed. Clele Mine, Merrijigs.—The output was obtained chiefly from development work, but a small quantity of coal was won from pillar-extraction towards the end of the year. The coal is of good quality with an average height of 6 ft. White Bose Mine, Merrijigs.—A main level has been driven chains in fairly good coal, with a thickness of 7 ft. At the inbye side of the level a dip has also been started and is expected to connect with, a lower level which was driven in .1912. Bctllek District. Mitchell's Mine, Charleston.—Two men were employed at this mine intermittently during the year. Coal is still being won by opencast method, the upper 8 ft. of the seam and 3 ft. of subsoil being carried forward in one operation. Bowater and Bryan's Mine, Charleston.—Opencast operations wore continued during the year. Warne's Mine, Charleston. —Opencast work of a very intermittent nature was carried out at this mine. Powell's Mine, Charleston. —A small quantity of coal was produced at this mine by the opencast method of working. Price's Freehold, Brighton.—This mine remained closed during the whole year. Brighton Coal-mines, Ltd., Brighton.—Operations at this mine were again of a very intermittent nature during the year. In addition to a small quantity of coal disposed of locally, only one shipment of 140 tons was loaded from the storage bin on Seal Island. Bocklands Mine (J. F. Burley), Buller Gorge.—The output for the year was won from pillar-extraction in the old mine, which is now almost exhausted. A small area adjacent to the present mine is being prospected, but very little information as to the extent of the coal-seam has, so tar, been ascertained. Glencrag Mine (Forsyth and Bateson), Buller Gorge.—The output for the year was obtained from development work to the south of the main level. The south heading was extended 6 chains, but the 'coal has thinned from 20 ft. to 8 ft. at the face of the heading. A new storage bin has been erected, and a dam to provide water for the screening plant has been constructed. Coal Creek Mine (McGuire and Party), Seddonville.—The total output from this mine was obtained from development work in the crosscut section to the rise of the main level. This area is clear of all old workings and is opening out very satisfactorily. During the year the number of employees was doubled and the output increased to a still greater extent. Cardiff Coal Co., Ltd., Mokihinui. —Coal-production did not commence at this mine until December. Seventy-four tons of coal were produced during the year. Hydro Coal-mines, Ltd., Seddonville.—Operations throughout the year consisted of development of the solid block of coal to the east of the main drive and in the old west level on the outbye side of the cave area. An upthrow fault interrupted operations in the east section for some time, but coal was successfully located by a prospect drive and development extended beyond the fault. The number of men employed at this mine was doubled during the year, and the output increased in the same proportion. Charming Creek - Westport Goal Co., Ltd., Ngakawau.—The total output from this mine was obtained from development work in No. 2 south-east section, where ten pairs of miners were constantly employed. The coal is of good quality and still maintains an average height of 20 ft. Extensive boring operations wore carried out on the unproved areas located to the east and south of the present workings, which resulted in tho proving of an additional 15 acres of coal on the southern side of the property. Altogether, twelve boreholes were put down over a total area of 65 acres, but, apart from one hole which located 13 ft. 6 in. of coal to tho southwest of the old dip section and the area of 15 acres mentioned above, the ground to the west and north-east proved either barren or to contain only thin unworkable coal. Westport-Cascade Mine, Cascade Creek.—The output was obtained from four sections, as follows:— Durkin's South Section: Five miners were employed continuously on development for the whole year. Several minor faults and one large fault with a displacement exceeding 25 ft. were penetrated, but development is now proceeding in fairly uniform strata. Moynihan's Section: Three men were continuously employed on pillar-extraction in good-quality coal. Top Mine Section : All available pillars have been almost extracted, and the section will be abandoned at an early date. O'Brien's Section : Pillar-extraction has been completed in this section, but an opencast working 2 chains in width has been started adjacent to the pillared area. The coal won in all four areas is flumcd from tho Coal faces to the surface Hume boxes, which convey it a distance of seven miles to the storage bins.

C. —2.

Westport Coal Co., Ltd., Denniston Mines. —Ironbridge Mine : The whole of the output was won from pillarextraction in five small sections where eleven pairs of miners were steadily employed during the year. Coalbrookdale Mine: The output was obtained from pillar-extraction in Wliareatea section, Whareatea Extended section, and Cascade section, and a small amount of development work in Waterloo dip and Forsyth's sections. In Waterloo dip section the main headings were continued until the seam thinned to 3 ft., when one heading was advanced to the outcrop and a small auxiliary fan installed to assist in the ventilation of inbyo workings, which are extremely remote from the main fan. An endless rope haulage system has been installed in Forsyth's section, and development of the headings recommenced. Approximately 9 per cent, of the total output from this mine was obtained from development and 91 per cent, from pillar-extraction. Boring operations carried out during the year have proved the existence of large quantities of coal in the area situated between the fault to the north of Forsyth's section and the Whareatea River, the average thickness of the seam being 19 ft. The "erection at the power-station of a large Babcock and Wilcox boiler evaporating 20,0001b. of water per hour was completed. A new concrete bathhouse was also erected near the power-station for the use of miners employed at the mines. Westport Coal Co., Ltd., Millerton Mine. —Two areas were operated for the whole year, and one area for nine months. Mine Creek Area: The output from this area was again won from the partial extraction of pillars and top coal in the third, fifth, and sixth west sections. Work was affected to some extent by high temperature and humidity in the third west section, due to hot water from the fire areas issuing from escape-valves into the workings. Alterations to airways and the conveying of the hot water by means of earthenware pipes to abandoned areas overcame the difficulty. Mangatini Area : Operations consisted of pillar-extraction in the small section known as Old Mangatini. Old Dip Area: The main haulage road was repaired, and coal-production commenced on 26th March with three pairs of miners. Towards the end of the year six pairs of miners were employed for an output of 130 tons per day. Operations consist of pillar-extraction and arranging the working-area in panels by means of artificial barriers of concrete stoppings. Two new bridges on the surface endless-rope haulage replaced two old structures in process of decay. Weetport-Stockton Coal Co., Ltd., Ngakawau. —Operations during the past year were confined to development in the east, south, and west areas. East Dip Section : The workings in this area were advanced to the Mount William fault, when a retreating system of pillar-extraction was commenced. The main south fault was also penetrated at three points, one at Mann's jig, where three headings were developing an area of very good coal. About 5 chains farther to the east the continuity of the coal was again proved by a heading through the fault, while a third drive off the south dip was stopped on account of a large inflow of surface water. West Area: An area of thick coal was proved to the north of MeCabe's dip, and development was proceeding at the end of the year. During the year one mile of locomotive track was relaid with new 60 Ib.-to-the-yard rails. A new ambulance-room was completed and equipped at Ely Creek. Watson's Mine, Karamea.—Fifty-three tons of coal for local requirements was obtained from development work during the year. Nelson District. Puponga Mine, Puponga.—During the year three pairs of miners were steadily employed on pillar-extraction in the dip area, and the pillars left to support the main horse-road. Sufficient pillars to ensure a further year's work at present output still exist in the present mine. Mount Burnett Mine, Collingwood.—This mine remained closed throughout the year. North Cape Syndicate, Oneka'lca.—This mine did not operate during the year. Motupipi Mine (Winter's), Takaka. —All available coal was won from this mine, and operations ceased on the 31st August, 1940. Abbotsford Mine (Irvine's), Takaka.—This mine did not operate during the year. Owen Colliery, Owen River, Murchison. —Operations during the year consisted of the further driving of No. 2 main dip,' which has reached a point 8 chains from the main level. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 stalls west were constantly operated, and No. 2 stall east off the dip was also advanced towards No. 1 dip. The distance developed to the west of No. 2 dip during the year was 10 chains. The coal is of good quality and yields a high percentage of large coal suitable for household purposes. O'Rourke's Mine, Murchison. —This mino remained closed during the year. Wynndale Mine, Murchison. —All available coal was extracted, and the mino abandoned on the 7th August, 1940. Clark's Mine (S. Eartskorne), Baton. —This mine did not operate during the year. Westhaven Mine, Mangaralcau. —This mine is operating on a seam 6 ft. in thickness with an excellent roof composed of hard sandstone. The main dip has advanced a total distance of 3 chains from the surface, while levels to north and south have, so far, proved a width of 9 chains of good-quality coal. A boiler, winch, and pump have been installed at the mine. Schools of Mines. Advanced local students, with the technical support of Mr. H. Hutchinson, State Mines Department, and Mr. W. Wicks, B.Sc., again conducted classes at Runanga School of Mines during the year. Classes at Reefton, Waiuta, Blackball, and Brunner were continued by the Director of the Reefton School, and in Westport district the Director of the Westport School conducted well-attended classes at Westport, Granity, Stockton, and Denniston. Rescue-station. During the year fifty trainees from Greymouth and Reefton districts completed the course of training, and carried out additional practices at several local collieries in the course of brigade work. The number of fullytrained brigades at the end of the year was ten, with an additional brigade still undergoing preliminary training. All apparatus and other equipment was maintained in a highly-efficient condition, and the training-chamber further designed to represent actual underground conditions. The performance of several brigades in recovering the victims of the explosion at Kaye and Party's Mine, and subsequent work in connection with the recovery of the mine, was highly commendable, and demonstrated a standard of efficiency and organization of a high order. Fatal Accidents. Six fatalities occurred during the year, as follows : — On the sth Februay, 1940, Llewellyn Davis, coal-miner, Millerton Mine, was caught by a fall of top coal and fatally injured while engaged in loading a truck in the Third West section. Death was due to cerebral laceration following comminuted fracture of the skull. On the 6th November, 1940, five men met their deaths as a result of an explosion of firedamp in Kaye and Party's Co-operative Mine, Ten-mile Creek. The names of the deceased were J. Kaye, sen., J. Kaye, jun., L. Colpo, and F. Williams, miners, and A. Mcintosh, mine-manager.

C.—2.

Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Fourteen serious non-fatal accidents occurred as follows :— Stockton Colliery.—On the 2nd February, 1940, G. Stewart, miner, and his mate were shifting a boulder in their working-place. The boulder rolled in a direction not anticipated, and dislodged a prop, which struck Stewart and pinned him against a loaded truck. The injuries sustained were three fractured ribs on right side and severe bruises to chest and shoulders. Liverpool Colliery.—On the 13th March, 1940, H. Emior, miner, was engaged in bringing back top coal. When knocking a tie-lath of two legs, one of the legs was displaced causing about 8 tons of coal to fall. Ennor sustained a scalp wound and a fractured rib. James Colliery.—On the 19th March, 1940, a labourer, Edward Bennan, employed at Rapahoe Workshops, sustained a fractured collarbone through being struck by a dislodged saw-bench. A belt slipped off a line shaft pulley, wrapped round the shaft, and overturned the saw-bench. Stockton Mine. —On the 29th March, 1940, G. Hornsby, coal-miner, suffered a Compound fracture of the right log above the ankle and bruises to side of head through being jammed against a prop on the trucking-road by a fall of coal. Liverpool Colliery.—On the 29th March, 1940, E. Matbieson, trucker, sustained a fracture of the pelvis. Matbieson was standing on the fla/t-sheet of a jig-head while a higher jig was running. The empty trucks ascending the jig were derailed and collided with the descending full trucks, which resulted in the uncoupling of an empty truck. The runaway truck caught Mathieson on the flat-sheet and inflicted the injury described. Denniston Mine.—On the 3rd June, 1940, a rope-boy, J. Heslop, was struck by a truck which became disengaged from the rope-clip through the clip twisting, and sustained a fractured left fibula. Millerton Colliery.—On the 18th June, 1940, a coal-miner, F. LeCompte, was engaged in winning top and side coal when about 8 cwt. of coal fell. LcCompe sustained a fractured spine. Liverpool Colliery.—On the 12th July, 1940, whilst attempting to stop clear of a race of trucks approaching a lay-bye, William Griffiths, shiftman, struck his leg against some timber and fractured a small bone above the left ankle. Wallsend Colliery.—On the 12th July, 1940, J. Campbell, miner, was resting against a prop, when a block of coal fell from the corner of a pillar, caught Campbell's left leg against the prop, and completely severed it above the knee. Burke's Creek Colliery.—On the 10th August, 1940, R. Johnson, miner, received a fractured left thigh when boarding a race of trucks in the main dip while the race was in motion. Paparoa Mine.—On the 16th August, 1940, a rope-boy, J. McVicar, was assisting to adjust the rope coils on a haulage drum when the rope slipped off the drum, caught McVicar's leg in a coil and jammed it severely against a guide wheel situated 8 ft. from the drum. He received a comminuted fracture of the left ankle, and the foot was later amputated. Paparoa Mine.—On the 30th August, 1940, a miner, L. Hodgson, was helping to place a full truck on the road when it slipped off a sprag, crushing him against a prop and inflicting a fractured collar-bone. Dobson Colliery.—On the 2nd September, 1940, W. Clark, a miner, sustained severe head injuries when caught by a shot fired in his own working-place. Liverpool Mine. —On the 10th December, 1940, C. O'Neill, miner, was preparing to remove some timber prior to firing a shot, when a set of timber swung and released, the covering timber. Seven tons of coal fell, inflicting back injuries and a fractured ankle. Dangerous Occurrences in Coal-mines (Regulation 81, Coal-mines Regulations, 1939). Liverpool State Mine, Bewanui.—On the 13th February, 1940, the mine-manager reported an outbreak of fire at No. 10 temporary stopping in the Morgan east section. The fire was undoubtedly an extension of a fire which had been sealed off during 1939, but which had been kept alive by leakage of air through crushed pillars. A temporary stoppingwas built on the outbye side of the fire, and a permanent barrier later constructed below the fire area. Liverpool State Mine, Bewanui. —Whilst carrying out an inspection of No. 3 bank, Morgan west section, on the 7th March, 1940, an examining deputy inadvertently entered a large accumulation of firedamp, and was rescued two hours later in an unconscious condition. The accumulation, 35,000 ft., was cleared the following day by increasing the quantity of air circulating in the section. Liverpool State Mine, Bewanui. —On the 6th June, 1940, indications of "heating" in the goaf of the Anderson east section were detected. The workmen were withdrawn and the section sealed off. Braehead Mine (Boote and Party), Dunollie.—On the 22nd October, .1940, an ignition of gas occurred at the face of the main dip, which resulted in H. Boote, miner, receiving burns to the face. Naked lights were used in the mine, and gas had never been reported prior to the ignition. Electric safety-lamps were introduced into the mine. Ironbridge Mine, Denniston.—On the 11th December, 1940, a small quantity of gas was ignited in a split which was being driven through a pillar. The pillar had been standing for many years, and. gas had never previously been found in the section. Safety-lamps were introduced immediately. Prosecutions under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. Seven informations were laid during the year, and convictions obtained in all cases. On the 16th April a miner was charged with having in his possession a canister containing more than 1 lb. of calcium carbide, being a breach of Regulation 262. He was convicted, with costs 12s. On the Kith April a mine-manager was charged with failure to furnish a return of output within the time specified in section 81 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. He was fined £1, with costs 10s. On the 30th July a fireman-deputy was charged with a breach of section 128 (1) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in that he failed to inspect the mine within two hours immediately before the commencement of work in a shift. He was fined £3, with costs £1 12s. On the 30th July an underviewer was charged with failure to remain underground until the day's work was completed, as required by Regulation 91 under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. He was convicted, with costs 10s. On the 11th November a mine-manager was convicted and fined £3, with costs 10s., for failing to see that the fan was started and run for at least two hours before the workmen entered the mine, as specified by Regulation 179 (2) under the Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 19th November a mine-manager was charged with a breach of section 59 (5) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, he being absent from the mine for more than threo days, and did not appoint an approved person to take his place, lie was fined £2, with costs 10s. On the 19th November two miners were charged with a breach of section 127 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, in that they entered the mine, knowing that same had not been inspected by a qualified person as required by section 128 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. Both men were convicted, with costs 10s.

C.—2.

STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1940.

ANNEXURE B.

I oS oS Depth of Shaft •, Number of Persons „ 1T Title held Name of Mine- . m g u % System of J: or Tntni Total Total i ordinarily employed. Name or Mine and Locality. (Crown Lease or manager and Class Name and Address of Owner. ® g nf Thickness Under- : Length of Stone Output to Output to Means of otherwise). of Certificate. S £ of Coal S ® Coal-seams worked. ground \S£ Drive (if any) 31st Decern- 31st Decern- j _• i . ; . Ventilation. j gS »S * Working. |jg-g| to reach JJ4U - ber, 1939. ber, 1940. j > j g a I tn ' S i fe I Coal-seam. 5 j *s o ' 1 - LJ° L_ : ! < H Waikato District. NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. Rotowaro. Rotowaro .. .. J. Smith (1st C.) .. Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 23 Brown .. j 2 j 7', 9_', and j 7' to 15' .. i Bordand .. 55' S. : 1 87 268 355 Fans. S»h :: u w : i :: ktttW 5 ;; :: i I j I'l P' W*' ~ W 5 2 -M ••gj-jg I? S£ Eans< ® Waikato Extended, Huntly West ., J Honey CU Shir*r>incr Pn Mptpm 91 1 I -<«/ 1S >' " "" " « i 2 14 lo1 »» Glen Afton Ko. 1, Glen Afton Cr<,„Jme F. Lockingto'n(lst *C.) Glen Afton Collieries, Ltd., Auck- 20 !! !! 1 4'tolf 9* !! ° D \ " ellSI! lilllSI | j 82 184 let fa" cr " e ::!w.s™ .. v. 3 ;; ; i y° 20 ' - •• "scd' "I-Jg 1 * i S*So I 1,2 m'tS 1 19 1 26 g wir> Whatawhata Campbell, Whata- „ .. A. Penman (1st C.) Whatawhata Campbell Coal Co., 19 ..18' 8' " " *' " 2Uh D " 4 313 78 251 11 41 \ J i 2 Natural, whata | Ltd., Hamilton " „ • • •cn. u. ..| .,dl 6 /8,Zol j 82,564: o 3,8 Renown, Renown .. .. Freehold .. j T. Geddes (1st C.) .. Renown Collieries, Ltd., Auckland 13 ,, .. j 1 15' .. 7' 6" to 9' 144 646 1 101 683 1 ?46 329 ' 49 1 9*4. p,„/r Graham Gieu Afton „ .. J. Tweedie (2nd C.) Graham Coal Co., Glen Afton .. 17 1 3'to4'6" 3' to 4' 6" " " " 7 ch d" 3 334 141'lll lI'Po 1 ? ?! 6 (1) ' A Potteries, Glen Afton ,. .. | J. Howie (P.) .. Taranaki Brick and Land Co., Ltd., 4* ..18' ..8' Opencast !! ' „ " '565 lit \ J .* ? Katurai _ , . New Plymouth 1 i - ' i 1 aranaki District. Old Stockman, Mokau .. .. Freehold .. H..Jones (D.) .. j Chambers Bros., Havelock .. 20 Brown .. 1 4' 6" .. 4' 6" .. Bordand .. /No. 1, 9 ch. \j I ! i Mangapehi, Mangapehi .. Crown lease .. j J. Lamont .. j Mangapehi Coal-mining Co., Ltd., 6} „ .. 1 16' .. 1 7' .. Ditto"!. ! .. 810 : 1 " " * Mangapehi, Mangapehi (State) .. „ .. A. E. McMillan j Wellington .. .. „ .. 1 16' .. 8' ..I ..!.. .. 7.995 1 28 ' 839 87 > 6M 11 15 26 r a n CDTata, Olrara (State) .. .. „ .. J. ( Cunningham ! „ 4 17' 7' ■ i ,- n „„ „ v • r (2nd C.) •*„..*-< < .. oo0 66,B66 66,9i6 8 12 20 Mechanical. Aria, Aria .. .. .. Freehold .. J. Gilliek (1st C.) .. A. B. Eeighley, Aria .. 1 „ .. 1 12' ... 8' I .. .J .. 311 311 % | a % HiJcurangi District. W aro, Hxkurangi .. .. Freehold .. A. Burt (1st C.) .. Waro Coal-mines, Ltd., Auckland 6 Sub-bitu- 1 4'to 7' All .. Bordand .. 1,452' D. .. 24.081 59.295 83,376 16 62 78 Fan(l> -i, , , tt- minous nillar Kamo .. .. „ .. G. Cross (2nd C.) .. Kamo Potteries, Ltd., Whangarei 20 Ditto .. 15' ..5' Ditto 70' S • tun 280' 3 229 55 615 58 844 1 7 9 Aiw-haniP*' New Eamo, Kamo .. .. J. Makinson (1st C.) Kamo Collieries, Ltd., Whanfarei « „ .. 1 6'to 12' 8' !! „ !! " «0' S. S' itljsl iSjOM 28 8? 110 Fans(g Tauranga Block, Hikurangi .. Freehold ..! H. Tipton (2nd C.) J. Jones, Hxkurangi .. .. 6J- ,. .. 1 8' 6" to 4' 4' 1,100' D. j Aroca, Tangowahme .. .. „ .. j S. G. Foot (TJ.) .. S. G. Foot, Hikurangi .. .. 11} ; .. 1 8 ' All " Opencast " " 'ill fi'S! 10 338 "l I 4 I,atuIa1 ' Whareora, Hxkurangi .. .. ,. .. j J. Pollock (D.) ..; Glen Co-operative party, 10 " ..14' . . f V. Bordfnd " !! P« Hit j ?,'iol .. 3 3 Outputs of collieries, included in previous statements, at which operations have been abandoned or suspended ■ .. .... .. ; P^ ar | : |g-- j j:

C.—2.

STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1940—continued.

; : u* ® Depth of Sliaft j Number of Persons i °-g ! 2 m System of \° J or Total Total Total ordinarily employed. Title held Name of Mine- j ® 2 Classification !§ § Thickness Thickness Under- |® % Length of Stone ; n JJrJ 1 - Output to ; Output to Means of Name of Mine and Locality. (Crown Lease or manager and Class Name and Address of Owner. -g > of Coal. a® of worked. ground Drive (if any) i 31st Decern- 31st Decern- £ c „• Ventilation. ! otherwise). of Certificate. I § g = S Coal-seams Working. jg-S to reach Coal- ! * ber, 1939. ber, 1940. % o B ! g I £ seam. | - & ° j L _i | I 1 * * WEST COAST INSPECTION DISTRICT. v j n . . . , I 1 Tons. [ Tons. ] Tons. Wynndale MuTchton .. Crown lease .. J. Grillespie (P.) .. G. and A. H. Wyim, Murchison.. | 8 Sub-bitu- 1 6' .. Full .. Bordand .. .. j 2,437 j 18,985 | 21,422 2 4 6 Fan. I minous jjiiiar ! Westhaven, CoUingwood .. Freehold .. G. Wyim (D.) .. G. and A. H. Wynn, Mangarakau j 2 Ditto .. 1 10'.. •• Ditto •• • ■ •• , I 419'?35 3 8 11 Fan"*' Puponga, Puponga .. .. Crown lease .. A. J. McHardy(2ndC.) Puponga Coal-mines, Ltd .. 37 „ • • 1 J,*®®- 6 •• W' h \' .V 1 " HS S?'?07 3fiis4 2 13 15 Owen, Owen River .. .. ,, . • W. Crowe (1st C.) .. Owen Collieries, Ltd., Nelson .. 11 ,, •• 1 -± to 6 .. lull .. Double 2 * ch. .. 3,877 3,-.50/ 36.384 Z 13 lo „ Allan's. . . Crown lease .. T. D. Allan .. T. D. Allan, Charleston .. 8 Lignite .. 1 42' .. 8' .. Opencast ... .. 8 57 65 1 1 Open. Bowater and Bryan, Charleston.. „ .. F. M. Mitchell (P.) Bowater and Bryan, Westport .. 10| „ .. 1 1 • Full .. >> ... .. 2/3 2,487 2,760 1 .. 1 » Brighton Fox lliver .. i .. .. A. Hunter (P.) .. Brighton Coal-mines, Ltd., 8 „ .. 1 8 to 16 8 .. Bordand ... .. <66 2,/0< 3,4/3 13 4 natural. Brighton pillar t Cascade, Cascade Creek ..! „ .. W. Brown (1st C.).. Cascade Westport Coal Co., Ltd., 14 Bituminous 1 30' .. 7' to 10' .. Ditto .. .. | 18,724 207,976 226,700 11 10 21 rn,„,TWamfWCl JJestpOTti 18 1 8 'to 20' 9'to 10' .. „ .. .. 20 ch. . . | 33,928 183,370 217,298; 19 33 52 ' Fan. :: j ;; :: X.qS(D) ' :: CollCreek Mining party, Seddon- 23 „ 1 10' to 45' 8' .. „ .. ..« ch. .. 3,592 106,371 109,963 j 1 5 6 Natural. Hydro, SeddonviHe .. U W.to Ogd C.) Westport ,, 1 9'to 21£ 8,'to 9' .. ,, .. ;; 20 ch. ,.| 12,198 | 2 15 IJFan^ Mitchell's 6 Charleston \ ! F. M. Mitchell (P.) F. T. Mitchell, Charleston .. 15 Lignite .. 1 i;to8'.. „ .. Opencast .. .. j 181 7g| | 979 1 .. Bnd™?Sorge " " X V. " 3? Brown " 1 27' " 8'" Bordand "j " , 1,589 14,938 16,527 .. : "4 4 Natural. :: ;; :: £S5S£LS2ft S r fW gu :: :: 12ch - " isliii n,m;Io! u,«4:$ ior *£ *» :: " ;! | Coal Co., Ltd., 11 " 3 t'tolo' 10' " I! "Ifc?" M litlot? 87 III 269 " :: :: ;; ::j:: U if— i r :: ;; :: :: to- - .. % «.JSj I i ~ Archer's, .. Crown lease F. W. Archer (2nd C.) F. W. Archer, Keefton .. .. Seml-bltu- 3 16' to 18'; 8'to 18' .. Bordand 1 6 ch. .. 7,656 88.972 : 86,628 2 18 20 Natural. „, v l fvooholrl UlinOUS o tO 1U pilia.I Burke's Creek .. .. Crown lease .. C. D. Buist (1st C.) Burke's Creek Collieries, Ltd., 39 Brown .. 1 8'to 12' 9' .. Ditto .. ..| .. 25,889 335,295 361,184 If 49 66 Fan. Clele Merriiiss I R. V.Alborn (2nd C.) V. W. Alborn and party, Reefton 54 ,, .. 15' .. Full .. ,, .. ..j 30' .. .. f ; 87.775 93,107 3 8 11 Natural. Coghlan's, Capleston 1!! | Crown lease E. Cohen (U.) .. John Coghlan, Reefton .. 43 Lignite .. 1 10' to 12 8$ .. „ .. .. 12 ch. .. j 43,22/ 1 6 7,, Defiance, Murray Creek .. j Crown lease .. j G. Turner (2nd C.) McClatchie and Co., Ltd., Christ- j 12 Sub-bitu- 16' 6' .. j „ .. j ..| .. 5,34o 1< ; 789 23,134 t 10 li ; I church minous ,1 Morrisvale, Reefton .. .. „ .. ! C, D. Curtis (2nd C.) W. J. Morris Roefton . 28 Brown .. 1 8'to 14' 8; to 12' .. I „ ..... 12 ch. .. 8,401 166,749 175,150 3 8 11 { , "Rnrnwpli T}ppft/>Ti D Hamill (D.) .. Burnwell Coal Co., Ltd., Reefton ,, 1 50 to 60 9 ... „ .. .. 28 ch. .. 6,89- 9,986 1 8 9 -Ban. Waitahu,' Reefton !! '.! I \\ '■ '■ \ A. D. Williams (1st C.) A. D. Williams, Reefton • • fl „ ••] 1 % to 12' Full ... „ .. --j 20ch. ..I 6,780 23,288 30,0o8 l 9 11 » White Rose, Merrijigs .. .. 1 „ .. | H. Griggs (P.) .. S. Griggs and P.N. Jeffries, 17 „ .. , i 3 to „ .. .. 4 ch. .. | o0/ 1,276 1,783 .. 2 2 JNatura . Terrace, Eeetton .. .. „ .. j J. Findlay (D.) .. Terrace Coal-mine, Ltd., Beefton 13 „ .. 1 50' .. 8'to 9' .. j „ .. : ..! 100' .. j 3,368 7,871 11,239 1 5 j .6 Baddeley's^Bend*. Creek .. State reserve I 11. Barker (U.) .. Baddeley and party, Bunanga .. 20 Sub-bitu- 17' .. Full .. : Bord and .. .. ; 986 I 79,840 80,826 2 o 7 Fan. J ' I mmous piliar BeUbird, Ten-mile .. .. „ i A. N. S. Croad .. Stuart and party Kunanga .. 13 Ditto .. li6;to7'.. Full .. Ditto .. ..! 12 A. .. ( 3,219 38,441 41,660 1 5 6,, "RpIIviip H. Hadcroft (U.) .. Bellvue Mines, Ltd., Greymouth 14 ,, .. 1 ! o .. .. „ . J 12 ch. .. 6,831 83.624 90,4oo 1 b J „ Blackball, Blackball Freehold .. j J. G. Quinn (1st C.) Coal-mines Pty., Ltd., 49 „ .. 2 j 17' ..8' .. „ .. ..800' .. . 9,096 4,140,348 4,149,444 25 -6 ol Blackball Creek, Blackball .. ., .. i „ Blackball* Creek Coal Co., Ltd., j 9} „ .. 2 17' ..15' •• | ! 6 ch - j 9 - 91 ' 2 132,850 142,762 6 18 24 Blackball ! I ' 1

C—2.

10—C. 2.

' » Hunter's, Ten-mile .. .. State reserve J. M. Williams (2nd Hunter and party, Greymouth .. 8 ,, .. 17' .. Full .. ,, .. .. 9 eh. .. 4,166 21,447 25,613 2 6 8 ;> Braehead, Dunollie .. .. „ G. H. Gaskell (2nd C.) Boote and party, Dunollie .. 20 ,, .. 1 6' to 9'.. ,, .. „ .. .. 14£ ch. .. 8,676 124,466 133,142 3 14 17 Briandale, Ten-mile .. .. Crown lease .. T. Howard (1st C.) Briandale Collieries, Ltd., Christ- 14 Semi-bitu- 1 7'to8'.. „ .. ,, .. .. 1£ ch. .. 5,251 87,339 92,590 3 6 9 - s , church minous Wallsend, Brunnerton .. .. Crown lease G. Smith (1st C.) .. Brunner Collieries, Ltd., Wellington 17 Bituminous 1 18' .. 8'to 10' .. „ .. 2 650' .. 45,954 774,002 819,956 30 111 141 ,, and freehold Cain's, Rapahoe .. .. State reserve ■ S. Hewison (1st C.) E. Cain, Rapahoe .. ..16 Sub-bitu- 1 4'to 5'.. Full .. „ .... .. 951 15,419 16,370 1 4 5 „ minous Castlepoint. Dunollie .. .. ,, J. Neilson (1st C.) .. Castlepoint Co-operative party, 14 Ditto .. 1 4|' .. ,, .. ,, .... .. 6,642 93,314 99,956 1 10 11 > Greymouth Dobson, Dobson .. .. Crown lease .. R. Marshall (1st C.) Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd., 18 Bituminous 1 9'to 16' 9' .. „ .. .. 1,200' .. 76,508 960,545 1,037,053 33 148 181 „ Christchurch Fiery Cross, Dunollie .. .. State reserve J. Sharp (XL) .. Currie and party, Greymouth .. 12 Sub-bitu- 16' .. Full .. ,, .. .. 4 ch. .. 6,274 54,244 60,518 3 8 11 „, minous Goldlight, Rewanui .. .. ,, E. Keating (D.) .. Williams and party, Runanga .. 13 Ditto .. 17' .. ,, .. „ .. 6 ch. .. 3,534 91,086 94,620 1 4 5 ,, Hilltop, Ten-mile .. .. „ R. J. Armstrong (D.) Armstrong and party, Runanga 10 „ .. 16' .. „ .. ,, .... 270' .. 4,274 68,798 73,072 1 4 5 ,, Kaye's, Ten-mile .. .. ,, A. Mcintosh (D.) .. Kaye and party, Dunollie .. 6 ,, .. 1 9'to 10' ,, .. ,, .... 11 eh. .. 4,384 16,099 20,483 2 5 7 „ Hunter's, Rewanui .. .. ,, A. Hill (D.) .. Hunter and party, Greymouth ..20 ,, .. 1 3|' .. „ .. „ .... .. 5,746 102,034 107,780 2 6 8,, Jubilee, Rapahoe .. .. ,, J. S. Tinning (D.) .. Jubilee Co-operative party, 13 „ .. 4 6'to 9'.. „ .. ,, .. .. .. 731 37,081 37,812 3 5 8 Natural. Runanga Moody Creek, Dunollie .. ,, J. W. Patterson (2nd Moody Creek Co-operative party, 18 „ .. 1 7'to 10' „ .. „ ..1 .. 7,004 85,828 92,832 3 9 12 Fan. C.) Runanga Cliffside, Nine-mile .. .. ,, J. Gourlie (D.) .. Moore and party, Greymouth .. H ,, •• 1 13' ..9' .. „ .. 1 ch. .. 4,015 17,067 21,082 3 5 8 Natural. New Point Elizabeth .. .. ,, J. Dymond (2nd C.) New Point Elizabeth Co-operative 14 ,, .... 10' to 20' Full .. ,, .. .. 4£ ch. .. 9,266 105,611 114,877 4 10 14 Fan. party, Greymouth Old Runanga, Rewanui .. ,, J. Baird (1st C.) .. Old Runanga Co-operative party, 14 „ .... 4'to 5'.. „ .. ,, .... .. 9,390 83,964 93,354 4 13 17 „ Runanga Paparoa, Roa.. .. .. Crown lease .. A. O'Donnell (1st C.) Paparoa Coal Co., Ltd., Wellington 32 Semi-bitu- 2 8' to 25' „ .. „ .... 48£ ch. .. 36.624 929,717 966,341 21 51 72 Fans. minous Schultz Creek, Twelve-mile .. „ .. D. Cameron (D.) .. Marshall and party, Twelve-mile 16 Ditto .. 1 2' 6"to 3' ,, .. ,, .. .. 9 ch. .. 1,323 39,763 41.086 1 3 4 Natural. Smith's, Dunollie .. .. State reserve T. Halliday (D.) .. Smith and party, Runanga .. 20 ,, .. 1 3'6" to 12' „ .. ,, .. .. 8 ch. .. 8.999 103,791 112.790 2 8 10 Fan. James, Rapahoe .. .. ,, P. M. Outhwaite (1st New Zealand Government, 18 „ .. 1 4'to 8'.. „ .. ,, .... 15 ch. .. 20,235 576,108 ! 596,343 8 37 45 ,, C.) Wellington I Strongman, Nine-mile .. .. „ Ditto .. .. Ditto .. .. .. 2 „ .. 1 20' ..9' .. „ .... 29 ch. .. 71.847 29,786' 101,633 60 124 184 Liverpool, Rewanui .. .. „ A. Smith (1st C.) .. „ .. .. ..28 Bituminous 2 8'to 34' 8' .. ,. .... 36 ch. 156,240 3,246,605; 3,402,845 85 296 381 Spark's, Rewanui .. .. Crown lease .. R. J. Ewen (U.) .. Spark and party, Runanga ..18 „ 1 30' ..8' .. „ .. .. 4$ ch. .. 5,291 49,385 j 54,676 2 8 10 ,, Output of collieries, included in previous statements, at which operations have been abandoned or suspended .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,118,939 f 8,118,939 SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT. Canterbury District. j } Bonanza, Sheffield .. .. Freehold .. J. T. Todd (D.) .. J. T. Todd, Sheffield .. .. 9§ Lignite .. 17' ..6' .. Bordand j . .j 30' .. .. 1,715 18,509 15,224 2 4 6 Fan. pillar ; Blackburn, Mount Somers .. Crown Lease A. McLean (U.) .. Blackburn Coal Co., Ltd., Ash- 11 ,, ..2 8'and 20' 7' and 8' .. Ditto .. . J 60' .. ,. 3,496 25,285 28,781 1 4 5 Natural. burton Brockley Anthracite, Whitecliffs Freehold .. E. W. Broad (D.) .. Brockley Anthracite Colliery Co., 2 Altered 13' ..3' .. ,, .. .. 143' .. 771 299 1,070 1 3 4,, Christchurch lignite Clearview, Glenroy .. .. „ .. P. T. Leeming (D.) Clearview Coal Co., Ltd., Glenroy 21 Lignite .. 1 10£' ..6' .. ,, .. .. .. 2.146 35,296 37,442 1 3 4,, Klondyke. Coalgate .. .. ,, .. M. Fowler (2nd C.) Klondyke Collieries, Ltd., Coalgate 12 „ 1 4'to 26' 4'to 8' .. ,, .. .. 75' .. ., 10,340 65,620 2 14 16 Fan. Malvern, Sheffield .. .. ,, .. P. Hart (P.) .. A. Taylor, Sheffield .. .. 3 „ .. 1 5-1' to 7' 7' .. .. 26 ch. .. 1,052 1,618 2,670 1 2 3 Natural. Sandown, Sheffield .. .. „ .. D. McQueen (D.) .. Sandown Coal Co., Sheffield .. 4 ,, .. 1 10' ..7' .. „ .. .. 262' .. 338 1,815 2,153 1 2 3,, Steventon, Whitecliffs .. .. „ .. H. J. Robb (D.) .. H. J. Robb, Whitecliffs .. 12| „ .. 1 6'to 7'.. 5'to 6' .. ,, .. .. 1 ch, .. 4,034 26,129 30'.163 2 6 8 Fan. Tripps, Mount Somers .. .. ,, .. M. Menaglio (P.) .. Mount Somers Mines, Ltd., Christ- 74 ,, ..2 9'and 23' 7'and 17' ,, .. .. 150' .. 2.623 108,304 110,927 .. 6 6 Natural. church Woodbank, Albury .. .. Crown lease .. J. H. Smillie (D.) .. J. H. Smillie, Albury .. ..16 „ .. 15' ..5' .. Opencast .. .. 282 10,334 10,616 2 2 4,, Acheron Anthracite, Coalgate .. Freehold .. A. J. Clark (D.) .. C. Stuart, Coalgate .. .. i .. 17' ..6' .. Bordand ..80' .. 96 .. 96 1 2 3 „ pillar North Otago. Airedale, Papakaio . .. Crown lease .. E. Roberts (TJ.) .. Airedale Coal Co., Oamaru .. 14 Lignite .. 16' ..6' .. Bordand .. 5 ch. .. 2,650 44,575 47,225 1 4 5 Fan. pillar i Ngapara, Ngapara .. .. Freehold .. A. Nimmo (2nd C.) W. Nimmo, Ngapara .. ..62 „ .. 1 25' .. 8' to 10' .. Ditto .. .. 58' .. .. 862 53,477 54,339 1 2 3 „ Rockvale_, Herbert .. .. „ .. D. R. Gaudion (D.) D. J. Gaudion. Herbert .. 6 „ .. 17' ..6' .. „ .. .. 8 ch. .. 1,534 2,149 3.683 1 2 3 Natural. Shag Point (Old), Shag Point .. Crown lease .. W. McLaren (D.) .. W. McLaren, Shag Point .. 26 Brown .. 16' ..6' .. 150' .. 440.222 441,777 2 5 7 ,, Shag Point (New), Shag Point .. Freehold .. A. K. McLean (U.) A. K. McLean, Shag Point .. 32 Lignite .. 12' ..2' .. ,, .. .. 800' .. 388 341.687 342,075 1 3 4,, St. Andrews, Peebles .. .. „ .. J. H. Nimmo (D.) J. H. Nimmo, Peebles .. .. 61 „ .. 1 5'to 7'.. 6' .. „ .. .. ch. .. 1.680 86.329 88,009 1 3 4 Fan. Willetts, Airedale .. .. Freehold and R. McVie (D.) .. G. H. Willetts, Oamaru .. 8 „ .. 1 10' ..6' .. „ .. .. 126' .. 7,995 9,240 1 2 3 Natural. Crown lease I

STATISTICS OF WORKINGS IN COAL-MINES, 1940—continued.

C— 2.

„-d Depth of Shaft Number of Persons c« = iS . System of °S or Total TotaI Total ordinarily employed. Name of Mine and Locality. or ? »dg£. Name and Address of Owner. | § | J Coal^ aM Jwnd j| Uri™(U any) ! § gjl Vaamam - of Certificate. fc g £§ ' | Coal-seam. ; | 5 2 I S fc* | tc ! ' ■ SOUTHEBN INSPECTION DISTRICT —continued. I Tons. Tons. Tons. Idaburn, OtSehua 0toS, °'. .. Freehold .. E. Barber (D.) .. R. Barber, Oturehua .. 70 | Lignite .. 1 » .. 28' .. Opencast .. .. 960 1 . . 1 •• McPherson's. Coal Creek .. Crown lease .. N. J. Harliwich (P.) N. J. Harliwich, Roxburgh .. 71 0 „ 1 14 , 14 ;. „ .. .. , g . g - 5 2 .. 2 Oturehua, Oturehua .. .. „ • • A. Brown (P.) .. J. R. and A. Becker, Oturehua .. 46 „ 1 12 •• ,*2 •• Bor '^ an( j " 100' " 1,929 143,257 145,186 1 3 4 Fan. Shepherds Creek, Bannockburn .. „ .. J. Hodson (2nd C.) J. Hodson, Shepherds Creek ..63 „ .. 1 6 to-0 10 .. JJanrana .. Hodson's, FaMeld^' 10 '. .. Freehold .. J. L. Baird (D.) .. Hodson's Coal Co., Green Island 8 Lignite .. 16' .. 5' .. Bonland .. D. 99' .. 349 35,392 35,, 41 2 6 8 Fan. Willowbank, East Taieri G. Sourr (D.) .. George Scuir and Co., Ltd, Mosgiel 20 „ .. 2 10; .. 6 q> .. Ditto .. .. 200; .. 6,228 355!t93 1 8 9 " Benhar, Benhar .. .. Freehold a n d J. Walls (2nd C.) .. McSkimnung and Son, Benhar ..77 „ .. 3 U ..10 .. „ .. .. lou o,iu East Taieri, East Taieri .. Freehold .. W. Hewitson (1st C.) A. J.Birley, Milton .. .. 21 „ .. 1 lo ; •• i 6 ; •• „ ■■ ■■ .. | j?!? 38!oi9 lo'.sol 12 3 Elliotvale, Milton .. M. Welsh (U) •• EUiotvale Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin 11 „ .. 1 20 -.8 .. „ .. .. .. 1#;848 2 2 Natn ral. Eskvale, Milton .. .. „ • • J. J- Cooper (D.) .. A. J. Birley, Milton .... » 165' .. 2,940 18,868 21,808 .. 5 5 Fan. Fairfield, Fairfield .. .. „ •• J- G. Bare la y (U.) Fairfield C-ool'Co., Ltd., Dunedin „ .. 7'to 9' 6' " 200' .. 10.774 644.008 654.782 6 14 20 „ Jubilee, Saddle Hill .. .. „ •• F. Barclay (2nd C.) Jubilee Coal Co., Ltd., Dunedin 43 .. 1 7 to .. b „ g ..2 2 Natural Kai Point, Kaitangata .. „ .. S. Newburn (2nd C.) S. Newborn Kaitangata lj Brown \ g? and2 'o' g ? and 20 ; ' " .. .. 42i ch. .. 133.334 5,829,621 5,962,955 80 220 300 Fan. Kaitangata, Kaitangata .. Freehold a n d F. Carson (1st C.) .. Kaitangata Coal Co., Ltd, Kaitan- 64 „ .. aana-u s ana cu New Fernhill, Abbotsford .. M. Hewitson (1st C.) Coal Co., Ltd., 8 „ ..1 7'to 14' 6' 300' .. 4,571 27,087 31,658 1 5 6,, Wangaloa, Kaitangata .. Crown lease J. Prescott (D.) .. J. Prescot.t, Kaitangata .. 18 | „ .. 1 25' .. 7' .. „ 5J ch. .. 2,04/ 18,3/2 20,419 3 and freehold I Southland District. dQ 11' 11' . Opencast .. .. 104 14,096 14,200 1 .. 1 Argyle, Waikaia .. .. Crown lease .. T. Woodward (P.).. T. Woodward, Waikaia .. Li 0 nite .. "Rordand 2 ch .. 113 18 131 1 2 i 3 Fan. Beaumont Syndicate, Nightcaps Freehold .. J. R, Ford (D.) .. Beaumont Coal Syndicate, Night- li „ .. 1 10 • • / • ■ Bo^° d '' Birchwood, Ohai .. .. Crown lease .. J. Lewis (1st C.) BireCood Coai |CoLtdDunetoi 17 Brown .. 1 gto 25' (Tto 8' Ditto . 1,100' •• 36 053 |52 602. 288,65| 15 o4 6# ,, Black Diamond, Nightcaps .. „ ■■ B. McDonald (2nd C.) Black Diamond Coal Co., Ltd., 25 „ .. 1 ■ Black Lion, Ohai .. .. „ •• E. Mason (2nd C.).. Black Lion Coal I Co Ltd., Benhar 19 , 1 ||, *®, " •; ;; \' 132'062 lll'ol? 1 2 ° \\ Boghead, Mataura .. .. Freehold .. J. Dee (P.) .. C. B. Rowe, JIataura .. .. 3o Lignite .. - •• • Opencast .. .. 1.293 3.969 5.262 2 2 Coster's, Edendale .. .. „ •• T>. A.Ooster (P.) .. D. A. Coster, Mataura .. .. « ,, •• • 3j600 36.102 39,702 3 3 Crovdon Gore .. .. ,, •• C. McGregor (P.) .. C. McGregor, Gore .. 2o ,, .. [ ' 1 147 45 749 46 896 2 2 Diamond Lignite, Ashers Siding .. Crow-n lease .. A McMillati(P) . Inyercargill .. 8 „ •• i 2Q , lQ , •• Bor^' and ;; 1 ; 896 tt2|l07 1 2 3 Fan. Green's, Gore .. .. Freehold .. W. J. Barclay (D.) W. J. Barclay, ijore .. .. » pillar Glenlee, Waikaka .. .. „ •• J. G. Burgess (P.) F. W Edge, Waikaka .47 „ .. ® 0 - Dltt0 " " X '477 *51857 61334 .. 1 1. Natural. Hakatere, Waimumu J. B? e boUj (D.) .. Hakatere Coal Co Ltd., Gore .. 5J 1 •• _ 9Qg 137 _ 77gl 4 .. 4 :: 25 :: i so'to4o- ..sen. i 10#>477 li539:457 li648!934 44 138 182 fan . Matauro !! ™ ! '■ J. Pearson (D.) .. Co., Ltd, 6? Lignite !! 1 Oncost !! '.i 3,081 414,939 418,020 2 .. 2 .. Mataura Paper Mills, Mataura .. Freehold .. A. W. Coster (P.) .. Pa P er " ' * 2 8 to22 12 .. „ OtaCreek, Wyndham .. .. Crown lease .. E. Genge (P.) .. E.Genge Wyndham .. .. 60 „ .. 1 10 .. 10 .. „ •• 454 1 !! 1 ! ffarfbhaf " !! !! " G. Giltert^lrtC.j.. Ste Ohai !! » Brown 'J 1 20' " 8' !. Bordand .. 4 ch 26,012 74.272 100,284 10 30 40 Fan. Waimeamea, Orepuki .. .. Crown lease .. J. L. Hennessey (P.) J. L. Hennessey, Orepuki 35 Lignite .. 4 .. 12_ .. Opencast .. .. 4l!007 2 2 wa~6hl aimumu :: :: ™uase T. :: 27 :: I rto® 7' to 2 2 ':: Bordand .. .. 44,631 571,764 616,395 21 62 83 Fan. Otikerama, Otikerama .. - F. .. J. - - ■■ ®1 UgDJto .. 1 .. V .. .. .. 4,106 67,723 71,829 4 4 Natural. Tourist Department, Te Anau .. Crown lease .. W. A. Pickford .. Jounst Department, Te-A.nau .. -6 „ . • • • •• P 6 35 .. 635 2 .. 2 Newvale, Waimumu .. .. Freehold .. T. Gaudion (D.) .. Coal Co., Waimumu 2 " | ** _ i .. 10,047.917 10.047.917 .. .. 1 .. 1 Output of collieries, included in previous statements, at which operations are abandoned or suspended .... .. .. ... .. rr 4- 1 c TWrir* "Manil .. .. •• •• 522,072 23.016,094 23,538,166 254 672 926 -Totals, Southern f d * * " " . .. .. .. .. 1,124.057 45.866.548 46,990.605 634 1,774 2,408 ?oSICSSSS 1 :: :: :: 869,970 2»;MO;75» 24,510,723 3 89 1,3231,712 . , olo .. .. .. .. 2,516,099 92,523,395 95,039,494 1,277 3,769 5,046 urana toiiiio ■ • " oqa of collieries prior to 1890, not included in above statement .. .. .. •• •• •• •• | -»o,ooa Shale exported, 1914 .. .. .. . • • • • • • • • • • • • • * * *" * * * * 95,336,168

C.—2.

APPENDIX C.

REPORT OF THE COAL SURVEY COMMITTEE FOR THE PERIOD 1936-40. 1936. On the 10th January, 1936, a meeting to discuss the possibilities of increasing the use of coal in New Zealand and of exploring means of assisting the industry was called by the Ministers of Mines, Scientific and Industrial Research, and Public Works. A Committee was appointed to advise as to what action should be taken, and among other things it was recommended—• " that a commencement be made on a physical and chemical survey of New Zealand's coal resources, and that funds be provided for this purpose." In giving effect to this recommendation a Coal Survey Committee comprising representatives of the Mines Department, Geological Survey, and Dominion Laboratory was appointed in December, 1936, to direct the work of the survey. A geologist was appointed to take charge of field work and a chemist to supervise laboratory investigations. 1937. Field-work.—During 1937 the field staff carried out a detailed survey of the Blackburn area, estimated the reserves of coal, and sampled the outcrops. The State Coal Reserve at the Blackburn is an area of 13-5 square miles comprising parts of Blocks VIII, IX, XII, and XIII of Ngakawa Survey District. A detailed field report is published in the thirty-first annual report of the Geological Survey for 1936-37, pp. 32-39. Towards the end of the year work of a preliminary nature was started in the Greymouth district, equipment was acquired, and the field staff increased. Laboratory-work.- Apparatus especially designed for investigational work on coal had been ordered from England. This apparatus was accommodated in a laboratory which consisted of portion of a building adjacent to the Dominion Laboratory, subdivided and specially equipped for coal-survey work. The acquiring of this accommodation, the setting-up, standardizing, and testing of apparatus occupied the greater part of 1937. 1938. Field-work.— -Work done in the Greymouth area during 1938 is summarized in the thirtysecond annual report of the Geological Survey for the year 1937-38, pp. 6-9. Co-operative Parties. —The survey helped materially in the pressing problem of prospecting suitable areas for co-operative parties and in locating £ites for boreholes. Aerial Survey.—An aerial survey was made of about 50 square miles of the Greymouth coalfield. Coal for Iron and Steel Works. —As the result of special representations from the Iron and Steel Department, a series of samples was taken from the working-faces of the main Westport mines to determine the value of the various coals for the purpose of manufacturing metallurgical coke. Laboratory-work. —The staff of the Coal Survey Laboratory is attached to the Dominion Laboratory and conducts not only coal-survey work but also general investigations connected with the use of coal and fuels generally. In 1938, forty-one general laboratory samples were analysed, fifty-one survey samples were analysed in greater detail, and a general investigation made of Westport coals to determine their value for making metallurgical coke. Fresh and stored samples of Liverpool coal were tested for gasmaking purposes, and two mobile gas-producers were examined for efficiency. In June, 1938, the Superintendent of State Mines, Greymouth, was co-opted as a member of the Coal Survey Committee, and in September, 1938, a representative of the State Iron and Steel Department was invited to regularly attend meetings of the Committee. 1939. Field-work.—During 1939 field-work continued in the Greymouth district (see thirty-third annual report of the Geological Survey for the year 1938-39, pp. 4-7). Coal for Iron and Steel.—Estimates were made both of the amount of coal in the ground and of the amount considered to be recoverable from the mines of the Greymouth district and from the main mines of the Westport district. Prospecting Parties. —In certain Greymouth areas arrangements were made whereby prospecting parties carried out reconnaissance work and prepared the way for the main geological and survey groups. Laboratory-work.—ln the laboratory, fifty-two general laboratory samples, and eighty-seven survey samples were analysed. Analytical data relating to coals for iron and steel purposes were correlated with field information, and a full report made on the reserves of coking-coal in the Greymouth and Westport districts, and the suitability of each coal for blending and for the manufacture of metallurgical coke. 1940. Field-work. —Work was continued in the Greymouth district (see thirty-fourth annual report of the Geological Survey for the year 1939-40), and at the same time an extensive sampling programme was undertaken of all working mines in New Zealand, including seam, run-of-mine, and slack samples.

C.—2.

Conservation. —Supplies of coal for iron and steel purposes continued to engage the attention of the Committee, and a special report emphasizing the necessity for conservation of the rapidly diminishing supplies of high-class bituminous coals was forwarded to the various Departments interested in this aspect of the coal question. Laboratory- work.—A number of urgent investigations mainly connected with the national emergency seriously restricted the time available for ordinary survey work, except in so far as survey samples were required for these investigations. Producer Fuels. —The major work was in connection with producer fuels for mobile producers. Analyses were made of 201 samples of charcoal ordinary and activated gasworks coke, lignite, and char. Estimation of reactivity and tar content in these fuels involved extensive laboratory-work. In addition to the above, fifty survey samples were fully analysed, nineteen general laboratory samples were examined, and seven shales carbonized to determine their content of oil. Some of the reports made by the Committee are as follows Summary of discussion on coal research and utilization, 10th January, 1936. Physical and chemical survey of New Zealand's coal resources (review), Bth November, 1937. Coal research (for Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin No. 69 (1938) p. 86). Gas-producer tests (Goetz producer), August, 1937. Quantity of coal in the Kimbell and Morgan seams (Liverpool Colliery), November, 1937. Coal between Waiomo and Carroll Creeks, Liverpool Colliery, Ist November, 1938. Recoverable coal in Millerton, Stockton, and Denniston Mines areas. Coal reserves at Coalbrookdale Mine, 14th March, 1939. Coal reserves at Ironbridge Mine, 14th March, 1939. Summary of sulphur and coking properties of coals from Millerton, Stockton, and Denniston Mines, 14th March, 1939. Estimate of coal in the Paparoa, Mine area to the east of the " Braetown " fault, 7th August, 1939. Estimate of coal in Wallsend Mine area, 7th August, 1939. Estimate of coal in Dobson Mine area, 7th August, 1939. Liverpool and Strongman coals (analyses compared), 30th May, 1939. Coal resources of the Empire (Now Zealand section), 28th April, 1937. Coal deposits in the Aorere Valley, Nelson, 19th July, 1939. Distribution of sulphur in the products of low-temperature carbonization, 4th October, 1939. Determination of washing characteristics of Liverpool coal by float and sink tests, 4th October, 1939. Fuel for dust-firing, 4th October, 1939. Reserves of coking coal in New Zealand (from an iron and steel industry point of view), 17th November, 1939. Supply of coal for the iron and steel industry, 11th January, 1940. Liverpool coals (analyses), 30th August, 1940. Strongman coal (ash investigation), 21st November, 1939. Ash-fusion temperatures and analyses of typical New Zealand coals, 14th November, 1939. Ash content of twenty-one Liverpool Colliery coal samples, 13th February, 1940. Summary of information on New Zealand coal-ashes up to May, 1940, 27th May, 1940. Analyses of coal-seam samples from five West Coast Minos : Denniston, Millerton, Stockton, Dobson, and Wallsend, 27th May, 1940. Conservation of New Zealand coals, 30th August, 1940. Producer fuels in New Zealand, December, 1940. Ash in Waikato coals, December, 1940. Wax in New Zealand lignites and Chatham Island peat, December, 1940. Weathering of Waikato and Coalbrookdale coals, December, 1940. Blends of coal for the manufacture of iron and steel, 9th May, 1939. Rare and toxic elements in coal-ash, 11th August, 1938. Lurgi plant: Rotowaro, 1938. Gas coals from six West Coast mines (analyses). Proximate analyses of typical New Zealand coals, gasworks cokes, and producer fuels.

C.—2.

APPENDIX D.

REPORT OF BOARDS OP EXAMINERS. Geological Survey Office, S IR > — Wellington, 27th March, 1941. 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 1940. Goal-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 15th October and two following days. In addition, two candidates (one each at Greymouth and Westport) were examined for mine-surveyors' certificates. Examinations for candidates who desired to obtain underviewers' and firemen-deputies' certificates were held at Dunedin on the Bth and 9th October ; at Huntly on the sth, 6th, 7th, and Bth November ; at Greymouth on the 14th and 15th November; and at Westport on the 20th and 21st November'. Three special examinations were held during the year, one at Greymouth for a candidate for underviower's certificate, one at Kaitangata for a candidate who held a partial pass for underviewer's certificate, and the third, also at Kaitangata, for a candidate for fireman-deputy's certificate. The total number of candidates sitting the various examinations under the Coal-mines Act was one hundred, an increase of thirteen as compared with the previous year. Seventy-one gas-testing certificates were issued to candidates during 1940, while ten 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, three underviewers' and two firemen-deputies' certificates were endorsed by the Inspectors of Mines. Mining Act. —An examination for first-class mine-managers' certificates under the Mining Act, 1926, was held at Waihi on the 15th October and two following days. In addition, two candidates (one at Reefton and one at Waihi) were examined for battery superintendent's certificate ; two candidates (one at Greymouth and one at Dunedin) for class A dredgemaster's certificate, and eight candidates, all at Greymouth, for class B dredgemaster's certificate. The oral examination of candidates for dredgemasters' certificates who qualified in the written examination was taken at the respective local centres on the 15th November. The total number of candidates sitting the several examinations was fourteen, a decrease of six as compared with the previous year. Two dredgemasters' class B certificates (by exchange) were granted to applicants on production of equivalent certificates issued after examination by recognized authorities outside of New Zealand, and after passing an oral examination in the Minijig Act and regulations as relating to dredging. Mr. R. C. Ruffin, on his appointment as Inspector of Mines at Greymouth, tendered his resignation as member of the Board as from the 15th April, 1940. The vacancy on the Board was filled by the appointment of Mr. T. R. Hogg for a term of three years as from the Ist May, 1940. General.—Pursuant to the provisions of the Petroleum Act, 1937, two service permits were granted during the year. The Boards also dealt with a number of matters arising out of applications for and the issue of certificates, none of which, however, calls for special mention.

C.—2.

The following is a summary of the various examinations and the results obtained :■ —

A list of the certificates issued since my last report is appended. COAL-MINES ACT, 1925. First-class Mine-manager's Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Baird, John, Taylorville; Carrie, William Nichol, Pukemiro; Fafnworth, William, Dunollic ; Inglis, William Carrick, Pukemiro ; Peattie, Peter Thompson, Huntly. Second-class Mine-manager's Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Forsyth, Neil, Denniston ; Keown, George Joseph Kennedy, Mangapehi. Underviewer's Certificate. Issued after Examination— Burnett, William, Cobden ; Charteris, James Thomas, Kaitangata ; Cockfield, John Edward, Burnett's Face; Cowan, John, Dobson; Critchley, Frank, Dunollie; Dellaway, Thomas, Denniston ; Forrest, Thomas Davie, Ngaruawahia ; Laing, Boy Ernest, Granity; McFarlane, William Lowrie, Granity; Mollison, Bichard Phipps, Blaketown; Rarity, .John, Blackball; Rollerson, Edward Francis, Reefton ; Saul, Herbert, Pukemiro Junction. Firemen- deputy's Certificate. Issued after Examination. —Armstrong, Robert James, Runanga; Blyth, James Shearer, Millerton; Braithwaite, James, Runanga; Chester, Roland, Seddonville; Currie, Peter, Glen Afton ; Forsyth, Neil, Denniston ; Halley, John, Huntly ; Hodson, William James Smith, Cromwell; Leishman, James, Kaitangata ; Luke, John George, Ngaruawahia ; McCaffrey, William,_ Reefton ; McLaren, John, Runanga; McLeod, Henry Allan, Burnett's Face; Moss, Edwin, Ohai; Oliver, Robert, Huntly; Paine, Norman Burleigh, Berlins; Park, John Henry, Pukemiro Junction; Pengelly, Richard Joseph, Brunnerton ; Peters, Hugh Eric, Cobden ; Reid, James, Dunollie ; Scurr, George, East Taieri; Teare, Harold Percy, Pukemiro Junction.

' ht > . „ , - , , Number of Certificates Number of Candidates. issued Act and Examination. g y Examined. Passed. Partial Pass. Exam^ation Recognized Lrcaentiala. 1. Coal-mines Act, 1925 — | Mine-manager's certificate — (a) First class — Written examination .. 17\ 2 5 Oral examination .. 4 f (b) Second class — Written examination ,. 2\ ! 2 Oral examination .. 2 J Underviewer's certificate .. 27 13 3 13 i Fireman-deputy's certificate .. 52 22f 18 22 Mine-surveyor's certificate — Written examination .. .. 2\ Oral examination .. . ■ • • J 2. Mining Act, 1926— Mine-manager's certificate — (a) First class— Written examination .. 2 \ j j Oral examination .. 2%j (b) Second class— Written examination .. .. \ Oral examination . . ■ ■ f Battery superintendent's certificate — Written examination .. .. 2\ j« | Oral examination .. .. ■ ■ f Dredgemaster's certificate— j Class "A"— Written examination 2\ 2 2 Oral examination .. . . 2 J' Class "B"— Written examination .. 8\ g g Oral examination . . .. 6 J Class "B" (by exchange) .. 2 __ 2 i • • I 2 * Includes one candidate who had previously passed the oral examination. t Includes five, candidates who last year were credited with partial passes pending production of certain certificates. J Includes one candidate who at a former examination had passed the written section. § This candidate had previously passed the oral examination.

C.—2.

MINING ACT, 1926. First-class Mine-manager's Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Dunlop, Robert Basil, Karangahake. Battery Superintendent's Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Coxhead, George Thomas, Waikino. Dredgemaster's Class A Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Ashby, Leo, Alexandra ; Neilson, George Humbert, Hokitika. Dredgemaster's Class B Certificate. Issued after Examination.—Buckland, John Frederick, Ikamatua ; Collins, Robert John, Hokitika ; Donnelly, Hugh, Okarito ; Jones, Sydney Harley, Barrytown; Routhan, William John, Kanieri; Sullivan, Douglas William Stanley, Greymouth. Issued on Production of Certificate from Recognized Authority outside of the Dominion.—Bradley, Neil Patrick, Blackball; Bridson, Robert, Murchison. PETROLEUM ACT, 1937. Service Permit. Hughes, Paul, Stratford ; La Mar, Charles Moody, Gisborne. I have, &c., J. Henderson, Chairman of Boards. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

Approximate Coat of Paper. —Preparation, not given printing (810 copies), £140.

Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94l.

Price Is. Qd,\

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