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the floor of the dams; to start in about 10 feet above the old levels, and drive level to the west until the seam was footed ; then make a communication with the old ventilating shaft, and work the solid coal and pillars in that district; also to continue the level, and tap the lower seam in the same way. There appeared to be nothing objectionable in this plan of works, provided that the water could be kept down, and the flow appeared to be very slight—probably the channel had, to some extent, silted up. There are many cases on record of the sea having established a means of ingress to a mine, which subsequently filled up; but those have been usually where there was a stratum of mud underlying the watei\ In this case, the shore is merely rock, with sand some distance out; however, the influx seems to be very small at present. I took some water from the pipe through which the steam flows, and sent it to the Colonial Laboratory for analysis; also some from a feeder which, Mr. Williams says, comes in at 40 feet from the surface. That would be, supposing the distance given to be exact—3'o9 feet above low water-mark, and about the same distance below high water-mark. The result of these analyses was as follows : the water coming through the dam was returned as common sea water diluted with its bulk of ordinary spring water, but its proportion of sulphates, in regard to its salts, raised—the sulphuric acid being undoubtedly derived from the coal beds themselves. The other sample, from what was supposed to be a mineral spring, was returned as sea water with about 3-fifths of its volume of fresh water. Now, supposing this 40 feet to be a little over 40, there is no reason to doubt the fact of this small feeder being a natural influx from the sea, diluted en route by fresh water. The shaft is close to the shore, and it will be remembered, how, at Whitburn Colliery, near Sunderland, feeders of salt water were tapped, and pumping stopped only when 12,000 gallons per minute was being raised; that was, however, in the Magnesian limestone, which is very open in texture. 57. Fernhill Colliery, Green Island. —There is very little to report on this mine, which has usually been in good order. At the end of last year a spontaneous fire was threatened, but the danger was, happily, averted. The stoppings were not at first made quite tight, and, occasionally, choke-damp came out in great quantities, to remove which, Mr. Shaw has added to his chimney above the air shaft. 58. Green Island Colliery, Green Island, has been frequently inspected. I have had occasion to find fault with several details of management, but nothing of importance. A slant drive has been made, and the old engine put down for hauling. On the 18th December, a shaft was required for air. 59. Saddle Hill Colliery (Christies'), Saddle Hill. —The general condition of this pit is always good, and the Act kept. On the 26th November, 1884, the main spindle, attaching the horse to the whim, gave way, and the whim revolved with great rapidity ; finally the spindle at the foot jumped out of the cup—the broken spindle was quite new. Nobody was hurt. 60. Saddle Hill Colliery (Harris'), Saddle Hill. —This is a small colliery which was originally started in connection with the Saddle Hill Quartz Mining Company, and has since been taken up by a new party. A tramway 37 chains has been made to the district road, and the trade is limited to landsale. No plan exists, but the workings are pegged out on the surface. 61. Glenochiel Colliery, Green Island.- —This is a small mine, employing about 2 men, and turning out about two tons a day. The workings are safe and the shaft also, though the Regulation of Mines .Act is not very carefully observed. 62. Walton Park Colliery, Green Island. —On the 3rd July, 1884, boys were not all supplied with rules, and the report was three days late. On all occasions the mine has been carefully worked, and the air good. 63. Ahhotsroyd Colliery, Green Island, has been visited several times. A communication was made with Proudfoot's old Otago Colliery. At the end of the year an engine for pumping and hauling was erected, which required fencing. 65. Bruce Coal Mine, Milton, has been, whenever visited, in excellent order. 66. Real Mackay Colliery, Milton. —Last year it was reported that the pillars were too small, and now the whole of the old workings have fallen in, and will probably spontaneously ignite. 67 Fortification Coal Mine, Milton, —This is a new mine in which the Act was introduced in May, 1884. In December, I found the rules exhibited and distributed ; but the report was very much neglected. Otherwise the mine looked well and safe. 71. Berihar Coal Mine, Balclutha. —In spite of repeated warning, the owner of this mine continued to take too much coal out, and the inevitable result was a creep, which came on in March last, and closed the mine. At my last visit, on the 27th April, the works were being re-opened. The Act has been pretty well kept here, and the air generally moderately good. 72 and 73. Kaitangata Hailway and Coal Company's Mines, Kaitangata. —These have received a good deal of attention during the year, having been visited no less than 16 times since my last Heport, and may conveniently be reported on together. The burning flue, which was mentioned last year, was shut off with some difficulty about the end of June, 1884 ; —that is, nearly six weeks after its commencement ; but, very shortly after this the south side of the dip commenced to weight very heavily. The difficulty of obtaining coal from pillars in such a thick seam, lying at an angle of 33 degrees, was referred to in last year's Report, and this, unfortunately, was solved by a creep which pervaded the whole district. The work of removing loose coal, only, was proceeded with by day-work, under most minute supervision ; at the same time the conditions of working were anything but conducive to safety ; and after I had repeatedly visited the mine Mr. Shore agreed to close that side on the 25th August. Subsequently, the creep was stopped by the pillars left for the protection of the engine-plane, after having spread over about nine acres, and threatened both the hauling engine and the engine plane itself. Meanwhile, the north side was shut off, on account of the fire; and, on the 27th August an attempt was made to effect an entrance, which was, however, found impracticable on account of the heat. Water was then turned on, and the whole of the loose slack in the flue sluiced down to the bottom level, whence 700 boxes full were taken away. As the old winding engine at the shaft was not in good condition, Mr. Shore effected, during the Christmas holidays, the necessary repairs. On the 19th January, 1885, the hemp rope at this shaft, having become worn at the point of attachment to the drum, broke, and fell down the shaft. As the imperfections had been noticed, and men forbidden to ride for some days previously,