C—s.

12

fourteen yards back, imperfectly stopped with a cloth, through which there was some scale. Intake to south side, 1,687 cubic feet per minute, but a good deal lost at a door. On my calling Captain Parker's attention to this, he wrote, on the 10th November, that a regulator and an extra door had been fixed, which saved a good deal of air. On the 22nd April, 1884, the mine was visited ; everything was satisfactory, except the omission to register a boy. The mine is carefully managed, and the company deserve better luck than has hitherto attended their efforts. The diamond-drill has been in use till quite lately, but I am unaware with what ultimate result. 28. Smithfield Colliery, Springfield. —Was closed on the 9th November, 1883. On the 3rd August the lessee had his leg broken by a piece of coal which flew off and struck him, when he was standing to hole. On the 11th September the air was pretty good, but the Act otherwise neglected. The output is included with 'Springfield. 29. Boiuick's Wallsend Coal Mine (formerly Kowai Pass). —Has been visited three times since last report. On the 11th September, 1883, a new manager, unacquainted with the requirements of the Act, was in charge; so on the 6th November I sent him a copy, with an explanatory letter. On the 23rd January, 1884, the law was carefully observed. On the 22nd April only two men were at work, and the places appeared short of air; no special rules were up: wrote requesting attention to these points. 30. Canterbury Colliery, Sheffield. —On the 23rd October, 1883, this mine passed into the possession of a party of working men, who, however, did not keep it long, for on the 19th December Mr. Austin wrote that he had taken it over. These frequent changes are by no means beneficial. Two slight accidents- occurred here in 1883, only one of which was of sufficient importance to be included in the list. On the 22nd April, 1884, only four men were employed, and some of the places were very short of air, so on this subject a letter was sent to the owner. 31. Baron's Goal Mine, Sheffield. —This was a very old mine, reopened by Mr. Baron ; but its life was very short, lasting only from the beginning of October, 1883, to the middle of February, 1884. The owner was, however, supplied with ■& copy of the Act, rules, &c. 32. Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel. —On the 24th October, 1883, the mine was all right, but some men were engaged in taking out a small pillar of coal, to the dip of a very wide place, and, as no timber was used, I was afraid that the weight would be thrown over, so I got Mr. Brown to stop the place. He wrote subsequently, in reply to my query of the sth November, that the men had ceased working, but that the roof had not fallen. Perhaps if more had been taken it would have done so : the seam has a very heavy dip (1 in 3), which makes pillar-working somewhat risky. On the 23rd April, 1884, I found that this proceeding had brought on a creep, which had barely missed the main level. At this date, the mine having hardly settled, the pillars were still being wrought between the creep and the level, a policy which appeared to me perfectly suicidal. The coal in the end of the main level has split up into three seams, and is consequently unworkable. The report and plans are duly kept, but a boy of eleven, employed above-ground, had not properly attended school. He was not registered, nor were two boys employed below-ground. The creep, mentioned above, having closed what was the only available second outlet from the mine, Mr. Brown proposed driving a new road to grass at the outcrop, and I thought ladders in the upcast shaft would do. 33. Hart's Colliery, Whilecliffs. —This mine has developed considerably on the brown-coal seam mentioned by Mr. Cox. On the 25th October, 1883, general rules were not exhibited. Plan kept, and a good report; refuge holes in incline ; shaft fenced, and a good but insufficiently guided air-current; timber in places not first-class. On the 24th April, 1884, no rules were up. The lower portion of the coal is close and hard, but the upper part jointy, with fissures, so the roof generally is bad. An incipient creep, causing the use of a great deal of timber, has set in. Air moderate. Mr. Bkberg has sent up a new set of special rules, which are now under consideration. 34. Brockley Coal Mine, Whitecliffs. —Has been closed since January, 1883. Want of railway communication is the cause of this really good household coal being excluded from the market, 35. Whitecliffs Coal Mine, Whitecliffs .—On the 24th October, 1883, Mr. W. Smart was in charge, and the Act was not observed at all, nor was the drive properly ventilated : so, on the sth November, I wrote requesting attention. On the 22nd December, however, Mr. Smart wrote that he had disposed of his interest in the mine and was no longer connected with it. On the 24th April there was a new manager—Mr. W. Dearnley—who had kept a report, but done nothing else to observe the Act; no rules were up, and no plan made, neither was the ventilation perfect. On the 2nd ultimo I wrote about these things. Otago Disteict. 38. Wharehuri Coal Mine, Wharekuri. —Visited the 30th August, 1883, when the air was very bad, and symptoms of a gob-fire apparent. No special rules were up, but the men told me that the owner (who was absent) shows them a copy, without, however, presenting it, as he should. Wrote to him subsequently. 39. Kurow Goal Mine, Kuroiv. —Visited the 30th August, 1883. At the end of the main level pillars were being worked, and a body of damp put our lamps out. The owner works alone, and has a copy of special rules, which he does not exhibit; neither does he keep a report. 40. Prince Alfred (No. 1) Goal Mine, Oamaru. —On the 29th August, 1883, the air was bad. Report kept. On the 30th January, 1884, the lessee was finishing his last day at the mine, which is worked out. Eules distributed and report kept. 41. Prince Alfred, (No. 2) Coal Mine, Oamaru. —Visited twice since last report. Is nearly worked out, and is, like maiiy moribund mines, badly aired. Eeport kept, and rules (special) exhibited. 42. St. Andrew's Coal Mine, Oamaru. —Has been recommenced, but not yet re-visited. 43. Ngapara Coal Mine, Ngapara. —Visited the 11th October, 1883. Everything in good order; plan up to the 11th June, and report kept.