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the winze. By the creek a new shaft has been sunk, which will be 210 feet deep when finished; in November it was down 185 feet. Dimensions, 10 feet by 4 feet, divided into three. The ladders are made of 4-inch by 2-inch black-birch quartering, in 12-feet lengths, and spliced; rungs, -|-inch cylindrical iron, let in. In each ladder three rungs are collared inside, and cottered, making a good job. The only objection is that the rungs may revolve when taken hold of. Platforms every 24feet. Alongside the ladders is a space for pumps ; until used, this will be covered; if used, railed off. The ladders have a good slope. A report is kept at the mine, and a plan also. A water-wheel will be the motive-power. On the 12th January I wrote to the legal and mining managers, calling their attention tr\ the particular requirements of shafts. 9. Nil Desperandum Quartz Mine. —(2Bth October, 1882.) —Since the last report this mine has done very little, and at the above date six men only were at work. The old winze has been cleaned out and fitted with ladders, which are in compliance with the law, but extremely inconvenient on account of the narrowness of the passage. The air is good. The weekly report was not at the mine, neither did I see it on the 21st November. The plan is not kept on the works. The Act has come rather heavily on this company, who have been in low water for some time. On the 12th January, 1883, wrote to the legal manager, giving him notice re plan. 10. United Alpine Quartz Mine. —(3oth November and Ist December, 1882.) —The workings were in a much better condition than at my former visit. A new level had been driven alongside the old No. 4, and there were eight men stoping. Three stopes were standing on timber, and, considering the nature of the ground, the less there is of this the better. Timbering of passes not altogether good. A filling-shaft exists, which required fencing. A new manager had been in charge for three weeks, and had received no instructions as to keeping the Act; so there was no plan on the ground, and no weekly report. A strike had just terminated, and the men were only just beginning to work. The former wages were £3 10s. a week and the men demanded £4, which was not conceded. At the time of my visit there were 12 miners, 2 captains of shift, 2 carpenters, 1 blacksmith, 1 manager, 1 timberman, 2 truckers, 2 incline-men, and sat battery : total, 28; and 30 more men were required. The reef is still very thick in places, but, unfortunately, poor. On No. 5 level four men were stoping, and a rise continued to No. 4. This will eventually go to the surface to form a man-road, filling-shaft, and quartz-pass. It is a substantial piece of work. The plan was dated June, 1882. Dynamite was taken in as it was required. On the Ist December the filling-in shaft was covered. On the 13th January I wrote to Mr. Inglis on this subject, and re weekly report. New Mines. The following new mines were brought under the operation of the Act at my last visit, so that the report is more on the condition of, and circumstances of, the mine than as to how the Act was observed, for of course this was only introduced at the time. 11. Golden Point Quartz Mine. —(6th November, 1882.) —On this day ten men were employed below and two above ground. The ladders from the top-level to the intermediate are vertical, but are not permanently used. The air is good, and the mine generally in good order; very little work, however, being done, as the machinery was not ready. Went over the requirements of the Act with Mr. Nasmyth, the mining manager. On the Bth January sent to Mr. Perotti, legal manager, notice to observe the Act, and enclosed a detailed letter to the mining manager. On the 26th January, 1883, I received a letter from Mr. Perotti, saying that the new mine manager was Mr. V. Franzini, to whom he had forwarded my letter. The mine is worked by levels. 12. Globe Quartz Mine. —(l6th November, 1882.) —Nothing but exploring works had been done at this claim at the time of my visit, but, as the mine appeared likely to be of a permanent character, I thought it had better be brought under the operation of the Act, in order that any costly works need not have to be altered subsequently. There was a shaft of 100 feet deep sunk on" the reef. This shaft was not fenced, and the same division was used for material and men. Powder is taken down in 6-lb. packages ; no iron rammers or prickers used. A tunnel was being driven to foot the shaft. Five men employed. On the 15th January sent the usual notices. 13. Oriental Quartz Mine. —(l6th November, 1882.) —The mine manager was away; his place was filled by Mr. M. Monaghan, boss of shift. Nine men were employed below ground and one above. At 150 feet deep in the level is a shaft 50 feet deep on the under-lay. The lad ders had only about two inches foothold, but were otherwise not in bad order. Timber good. Powder taken in 6-lb. packages. On the 15th January sent the usual notices. 14. Imperial Quartz Mine. —(l7th November, 1882.)- —This mine was to have been visited on the 11th, with a view to being brought under the operation of the Act. I was, however, prevented from doing so, and on the 4th a man, named Ralph Hall (whose name appears in the list of coalmining accidents), proceeded, whilst intoxicated, to descend the shaft. The ladders were very bad: the top one measured 9 feet long vertically, and had a pretty good slope, but was not continued over the top of the shaft, and the foothold on the top rung was only 3 inches. There was a rope to catch hold of, but Hall was arguing with the braceman (W. Goodyer), who objected to his descending while in so unfit a state, and stood on the third or fourth rung, leaning back against the other side of the shaft. Unfortunately his foot slipped, and he fell to the bottom—9o feet on the slope. I did not hear of the accident till the 16th, and the next day visited the mine and made inquiries, the result of which is given above. The unfortunate man, whom I saw in the Eeefton Hospital, acknowledged the truth of the statements as te- his own condition. In the bottom part of the shaft, which was sunk with great haste and little care, to serve merely as a prospecting shaft, the ladders were still worse, being in one case overhanging, and often so narrow as to give very little room for foothold. In one case they are composed.merely of saplings. This would, however, have no influence on the accident; but I am not prepared to say the same of the ladders at the top, for, in my opinion, the insufficient foothold may have assisted ; still, it is impossible to say that an intoxicated man would not slip on the best of ladders. The Act was not observed: shaft unfenced, both at the mouth and round a, staging 19 feet above. This staging also requires a fence round the edge. Timber in mine pretty 3—H. 11.