15

H.—ll

about 430 miles away, and could not have arrived in less than five or six days. There was no inquiry or notice. The accident at Canterbury Colliery was not reported. Mr. Cox heard of it casually. Dufty's accident was not reported. Hall's accident was reported as soon as the Manager heard of it. The notice reached me sixteen days after. I was about 640 miles away (by the ordinary route). Stafford's accident not reported for six days. McLelland's, imperfectly reported, reached me 640 miles away. Suayden's accident was duly reported; the notice took twelve days to reach me (distance 640 miles). You will see from this that the prompt investigation of accidents is rendered somewhat difficult by the long distances intervening between mining centres, and also that there is room for improvement in the method of reporting. Also that it is practically impossible to keep the place where the accident happened, for the Inspector to form an opinion. In 1882 there were two accidents (neither of which was fatal) connected with mining, but not what may be justly called mining casualties. The first occurred at Shag Point- —a boy, named Dunn, being seriously injured by a piece of dirt or coal which struck him while he was under the dirt-tip (which, by-the-by, is situated on the foreshore) ; the second was at Westport, where a man, named Robinson, was very badly hurt by falling, while intoxicated, off a bridge on the Westport Coal Company's incline. As remarked previously, there is no proper road ; though, when the creek is low, it is unnecessary to go over this bridge. In 1883, so far, one man has been killed at Shag Point, and one boy at Westport, by trespassing on the stage, whence he fell. One man at the Brunner mine and one at Kaitangata had each a leg broken ; but in neither case could I find that the officials were to blame. Death-rate in South Island. The output being 282,121 tons, and the number of men employed 836, it follows that the death-rate is 141,060 tons raised, and 418 men employed per life lost. Number of Mines. The number of mines continues to decrease, and this year we have 91 on the list. It is quite natural that the small mines should be gradually swamped by the larger companies, and this is by no means an unhealthy sign. Of eighteen struck out, the Mohikinui is the only one of importance ; and, that will, it is hoped, be reopened. The upper mine at the Greymoutb Wallsend Colliery does not appear on the list, but the new shaft is being sunk. There are no mines of importance among the ten added. Number op Men employed. During 1882 there was an increase in the number of men employed, the returns showing 836 as against 754 in 1881; but this is not incommensurate with the increased output of coal. Output op Coal. It is a matter of regret that the output does not show such a large increase as might reasonably be expected. The total quantity for the Island is 282,121 tons, or an increase of 35,592 tons over the previous year. Methods of Working. Worked by adit—Horse-power used, 9 ; self-acting inclines, 1; engine-planes, 6; hand-power, 30 ... ... ... ... ... ... 47 • Openworked... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 25 Prospecting ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Worked by shaft—Steam-power used, 4 ; horse-power 7 ; hand, 2... ... 12 Closed 1 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 91 Of the above, one is worked by both engine-plane and self-acting incline, and is returned as the former ; one by shaft and engine-plane, and tabulated as shaft; and one by shaft and horse-drive, and returned as shaft. I have, &c, George J. Binns, The Under-Secretaryior Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 4. REPOET UPON INSPECTION OP QUARTZ MINES, WESTPOET DISTBICT. Mr. Inspector Binns to the Under-Secretary for Mines. Sin,— Dunedin, 26th May, 1883. I have the honour to make the following report on the quartz mines in the neighbourhood of Reefton. The last report was dated the 17th April, 1882 ; and from that time until March last, when the duty of inspection passed from my hands, only one visit to the district was made. This was ir. October and November, 1882. The number of the claims which it was then thought advisable to regulate was seventeen, an increase of seven on the last list: — Report on the various Mines. 1. Golden Fleece Quartz Mine. —(3lst October, 1882). —Still holds the position of a well-regulated mine. Referring to the requirements mentioned last year, the shaft is fenced and an indicator fitted on the engine. The weekly report very good. The powder-tins, which were too large, had been cut down. Twenty-four men were employed below and twelve above, including battery. This company has shown great enterprise in introducing rock-boring machinery, driven by compressed air. The