C—4

1885. NEW ZEALAND.

CONTROL AND INSPECTION OF MINES (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

To the Honourable W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G., Minister for Mines. Sir, Mines Department, Wellington, 26th June, 1885. I have the honour to forward you the general and detailed reports on the inspection of mines, under " The Regulation of Mines Act, 1874," for the year ending 31st December, 1884. I have, &c, James McKerrow, The Hon. the Minister for Mines. Secretary for Mines.

REPORT. •In writing this the Seventh Annual Report of the Mines Department, it is gratifying to observe, that from year to year, there has been a progressive increase in the production of coal, which the output of 1884 has fully maintained on that of the previous year. But as this report has to deal more particularly with the carrying out of the provisions of " The Regulation of Mines Act, 1874," it is matter for congratulation, that the increased development of coal mining has not been attended with any great disaster such as has been but too common in the coal mining districts of Great Britain. There were three fatal accidents during the year (the same number as the preceeding year) all from the same cause, so common in mining operations in every part of the world, viz : —falls from the roof. It is so far well that no serious accident has occurred or is attributable to any breach of the Act. This satisfactory record is due to the generally ready co-operation of the mine proprietors and managers, with the inspectors, in observing every reasonable precaution, and also, no doubt very much to the safe character of our coals, and the mines, being as yet only in their infancy, with no great depth or intricacy of workings. As they become opened out, greater or more minute attention will have to be given to many details, which for the present are not necessarily insisted upon by the inspectors. However, in the essential matter of ventilation, the defects in which, have been the cause of most disasters in coal mines, the inspectors are especially careful to ascertain that there is a sufficient current of fresh air to every part of the mine, and that the safety lamp is used wherever there is the slightest indication of gas. Mr. H. A. Gordon, Inspector of Mines, who recently returned from a visit to the Australian colonies, states in his Report H.—9, 1885, that more attention has been given to systems of ventilation in coal fields of New South Wales, than in those of New Zealand, and further, that in the larger experience gained in the coal fields of that colony, the systems of underground haulage, conveyance of coal from mine