H.—ll

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Kamo Colliery. —This mine, which I visited on the 14th April, I found in a very bad state, owing to creep having set in and closed a large proportion of the workings from dip to rise. It appears that about nine months ago a small area in the rise-workings caved in, owing to some two or three pillars having been taken out too small. Since then operations have been continued in the rise-workings at the far end, while to the dip, which is all below the original workings, and has been entirely opened up since my last visit, the main works were pushed forward, and the coal taken out in a most reckless manner. The bords generally have been wider than the pillars, and in several cases the pillars left have not been more than one-fourth of the whole, the rest of the coal having been taken. The result of this was inevitable: the creep came on, starting to the rise, and has almost closed the mine. Besides the creep, the amount of thrust which has come on the pillars has crushed many of them very considerably, the result being that, in addition to the slack which has been left in the mine, a large quantity of fresh slack has been formed, and it is by no means unlikely that this will fire. The workings are now confined to four bords at the far end of the rise-workings, and the ventilation is fair, considering the position of the mine at present. The sinking of the new shaft by the railway-line is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and the dip-drive is being reopened to try and get to the coal, but work was suspended there, when I visited the mine, for repairs to the pump. The manager's book, recording the weekly inspection, has been allowed to fall into arrears, and the manager informs me that, during the time the dip-workings to which I have alluded were being carried forward, he was ill and unable to attend to his work, and it does not appear that any responsible person was in charge. I have required him to keep this record again in the future, to take out far less coal in any new preliminary workings which may be started, and to securely fence all those parts of the mine which are not in actual use, and to see that none but properly-authorized persons are allowed to enter, since in many places the roof is not safe to pass under. The plan is now up to date. I have, &c, S. Herbert Cox, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

Mr. Inspector Cox to the Undee-Secretary for Mines. Sir, — Mines Department, Collingwood, 17th November, 1882. I have the honour to inform you that I have visited the Wallsend Colliery, Collingwood, now the property of Mr. J. E. Eees, and find that it is being worked satisfactorily, and that the Act is observed. The points which Mr Binns took exception to while the mine was in the company's hands have now been remedied. The rope is in good order, a new one having been placed on one drum, while the sound portion of the old rope is employed on the other, good splices having been made at the joints. The brake, which was defective, lias been replaced by a new one, which consists of a substantial band brake with drums on each side. The rope coils well and the flanges are sufficiently large, the framework is solid and well stayed, and the position of the brake-handle has been moved. The workings in the mine have not been at all extensive since it was reopened, and the system of work has not been altered. The roof stands very well indeed, but is not being subjected to undue strain. I have, &c, S. Herbert Cox, The Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

Mr. Inspector Cox to the Under-Seceetaey for Mines. Sir, — Mines Department, Wellington, 28th February, 1883. I have the honour to inform you that during my late trip down the West Coast I took the opportunity to inspect the principal mines in the district, and herewith submit my report:— Brunner Mine. —The extent of ground now open is far less than it formerly was, and all works which have been undertaken latterly have been carried out with due precautions for safety. The bords are now kept to their legitimate width, and the works all seem to be standing well. The roof is not nearly as good now as it used to be, and at places timber has to be freely used; but the manager, Mr. Bishop, is careful to have this set where required. In the rise-workings there is a little gas coming off, with some water at the end of the lowest level, but no accumulation whatever has yet been found, and the mine is examined daily before the men go to work. The fan, which has now been talked of for some time, is not yet at work, but, as changes in the machinery generally are in course of operation, it is to be hoped that it will not be delayed much longer. The air generally throughout the mine is fresh, but the current is not strong, and the sooner mechanical ventilation is established the better. An accident occurred a short time back from a fall of coal, resulting in a man's leg being broken. It happened after a shot had been fired, a piece falling off the roof while the coal was being cleared away. Although accidents of this sort are no doubt due to carelessness on the part of the men, yet in these high chambers it is very difficult to see when a piece of coal has dislodged, and even with the greatest care accidents will happen now and then. Great improvements have lately been made in the haulage of the coal, and the drainage of the dip-workings will, in a short time, be satisfactorily provided for. The Act generally is well observed. Coalpit-Heath Mine. — The workings in this mine at the present time are small, and the ventilation is by no means so good as when last I visited the mine. There appears to be about the same quantity of air passing from the main shaft to the air-shaft, but in the dip-workings the air is very weak, and the powder-smoke hangs in the mine for a long .time after the shots have been fired. This is due to the manner, in which the workings are at present being carried on, the dip-drive being put in at an angle across the plane of the coal to ease the haulage, thus rendering the system of ventilation defective, by making it necessary to have places ahead of the air. The air-courses, too, which have been cut are small, and the angles are sharp, so that there is a good deal of friction. Steps are being taken to remedy this by putting down an engine-plane on the dip of the coal, and before long the air should again be as good as ever. I have impressed on Mr. Alexander, who is,