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to port, and the loading of vessels, are altogether much superior to the systems in vogue here. With regard to winding machinery and safety appliances, in cages and hooks, Victoria is greatly in advance of all the colonies. As Mr. Gordon has entered into detailed explanation of these different appliances, and as we can only hope to become self-supporting in the matter of coal, by cheapening its production, copies of his report will be widely distributed, throughout the colony with the object of affording information on these subjects to those engaged in mining pursuits. Statistics, The rapid development of the coal resources as shown in the tables as under, is all the more gratifying as maintaining the usual ratio ol increased output that has marked the history of each successive year of the coal industry of the Colony for the last seven years. The production of coal from the mines of the Colony during 1884 was 480,831 tons, and the quantity imported 148,444 tons, making a total of 629,275 tons. Of this amount 6,354 tons have been exported, principally for gas purposes in Victoria, which shows the consumption of coal within the Colony during 1884 to have been 622,921 tons, against 538,132 tons during the previous year: thus showing an increase over the consumption of 1883 to be 84,791 tons. Notwithstanding the increased output, the mines are still unable to keep pace with the demand. The imports, which, for the last four years had been kept pretty stationary by the increased output from year to year, have however, this year, increased by 24,904 tons. No better criterion of the trade of a country can be adduced than the consumption of coal, it being the motor of most industries. The largely increased consumption of coal, is no doubt due, in a great measure, to the establishment of the direct steam service with England, and the refrigerating works that have been recently established in different parts of the Colony. The following table shows the progressive increase in the output of coal, and total quantity imported into the Colony during the last seven years : —

The number of mines at work in 1883 was 99, and the number now standing on the list is 94. The following table shows the number of mines; the number of men employed; and the output of coal during 1884 : —

It will be seen from the above table that 94 mines are being worked; 64 of which have produced 26,367 tons of coal, while there were 122 men employed : thus showing an average output for the year of 206 tons, the same as the previous

Coal raised h the Colony. Coal Imported. Year. Yearly Increase. Plus or Minus. Increase or Decrease. .878 879 880 ,881 .882 883 .884 Tons. 162,218 231,218 299,923 337,262 378,272 421,764 480,831 Tons. 69,000 68,705 37,339 41,010 43,492 59,067 Tons. 174,148 158,076 123,298 129,962 129,582 123,540 148,444 + Tons. 16,072 34,778 6,664 380 6,042 24,904 +

Number of Mines. Number of Men employed in each Mine. Total Number of Men employed. Output of Coal in Tons. Output in Tons per Man. 64 mines ... 7 mines ... 8 mines ... 15 mines ... I to 4 men each 5 to 10 men each II to 20 men each 21 men and upwards 123 50 117 993 26,367 11,159 49,737 393,568 206 224 425 395 375 94 mines ... 1,283 480,831