H.—ll.

on the 9th April, to the legal managers of the Caledonian, Just-in-Time, Oriental, Hopeful, and Globe Quartz-Mining Companies, formal notice to transmit special rules as required by law. The Imperial being closed, and having had a notice in November, 1882, I did not send any further notification. This closes my connection with the quartz mines, of which I was relieved verbally on the 31st March, and by your letter of the 7th ultimo. On account of the consideration and friendly assistance I have met with in almost every instance from the mining managers and owners, and on account of the interesting nature of the occupation, I regret that my letter producing this result should have been written: the more so, as after the introduction of the Act the carrying of it on would have been comparatively easy ; but the time occupied by the inspection of these mines intrenched so much on my other duties, for which I was originally appointed, that there was no course open but to represent the case. As suggested by me, in Wellington, and requested in your letter of the 7th ultimo, I have forwarded to Mr. Gordon, Inspector of Mines for Westport District, the records and plans of this work, which has been in my hands for twenty months. I have, &c, George J. Binns, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

List of Quartz Mines, with Names of Managers.

No. 5. EEPOET UPON INSPECTION OF COAL MINES, NOETH AND SOUTH ISLAND DISTEIOTS. Mr. Inspector Cox to the Undee-Seceetaey for Mines. Sir, — Mines Department, Wellington, 24th April, 1883. I have the honour to inform you that I have visited the Waikato, Taupiri, Kamo, and Whauwhau colleries, and herewith submit my report on the same. I did not visit the Kawakawa colliery, since I should have had to lose a fortnight had I done so; but I observe from Mr. McLaren's report that it is, as usual, in good order. Waikato Colliery. —l visited this mine on the 9th April, and found the workings in good order, good pillars being left and the bords being driven small. The ventilation, though not strong, is ample for the number of men employed, and the air is generally fresh. The manager's book has fallen into arrears, and I have requested Mr. McGlynn to attend to this in future. Very little work is being done at present. Taupiri Colliery. —The workings in this mine, which I visited on the 10th April, are now all to the dip; they are generally in good order, and the ventilation satisfactory. The plan is well kept up to date, and Mr. Collins pays a daily visit of inspection, and keeps a record of his opinion as to the safety of the works. There were several young persons of fourteen years and upwards employed in the mine, and no register of these had been kept. I have written to the manager requesting his attention to this point. Carelessness on the part of the miners was noticeable in several cases throughout this mine, no sprags having been set where necessary, and in one instance I found a young person undercutting a piece of coal which had been wedged, and without any support under the coal. I satisfied myself that the men were in every case supplied with timber at the face, but had neglected to set it; and Mr. Collins informs me that, unless he stands over every man and sees the timber erected, they will not do it. I have written to him calling his attention to special rules Nos. 17 and 19, and also clauses 28 and 33 of Eegulation of Mines Act, and stated that if the colliers will not comply with his instructions it is his duty to bring them before a Justice of the Peace and have them fined. Whauwhau Colliery. —This mine was visited on the 14th April, and found to be in thoroughly good order, and the position of the mine much better than when I was last there, since they have proved the coal beyond the east and west fault. The bords are kept small, and sufficient pillars left; the ventilation is very fair. A feeder of water has lately been struck in the mine, which will •prove a temporary inconvenience, but will, I think, be shortly overcome.

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Name of Mine. Legal Manager. Mine Manager. 1. Golden Fleece Extended 2. Golden Treasure 3. Energetic ... 4. Wealth of Nations ... 5. Keep-it-Dark 6. Welcome ... 7. Fiery Cross Extended 8. Just-in-Time 9. Nil Desperandum .0. United Alpine .1. Golden Point .2. Globe .3. Oriental .4. Imperial .5. Hopeful Extended ... .6. Caledonian G. W. Moss T. Lee ... G. W. Moss W. Eae ... G. C. Bowman P. Brennan G. W. Moss G. Wise ... T. Lee ... J. Inglis ... G. Perotti W. Hindmarsh P. Brennan G. Wise ... P. Brennan G. Wise ... J. Trennery. A. McKay. J. McCallum. T. Watson. Eaymond Fitzinaurice. F. Eooney. H. Currie. J. Lawn. J. S. Treloar. J. Marshall. V. Franzini. T. Adams. G. Black. A. Notman. J. Bates. G. Edwards.