5

C—4c

21. Wallsend Colliery, Greymoulh. —At length there appeal's to be a prospect of an early output of coal from this property. The sinking of the No. 3 Shaft has proceeded, not only with rapidity, but with perfect safety. The plant is of the most substantial character, the engine consisting of a pair of 30-inch cylinders with 5-feet stroke, and acting direct on to a 16-feet drum fitted with a steam-brake. Sinking has for some time been carried on with this engine, which works as smoothly and easily as possible. The head-gear will be of wrought-iron, and upwards of 50ft. in height to pulley-centres. A Guibal fan, 30ft. in diameter, is already on the ground, and should be erected at once, as there will probably be at first a very considerable quantity of gas to contend with. As the No. 3 Shaft has been sunk over old workings, it was decided to bore down before breaking through. On the 27th ultimo Mr. Elliott telegraphed to me that coal had been struck in the bore. 22. Sprint/field Colliery, Springfield. —There is nothing new to report of this colliery, the workings of which have been carried on under Mr. Lindop's supervision without alteration, and with safety to all except one man, whose finger was crushed in the railway-points. 23. Canterbury Colliery, Sheffield. —In January last this mine was inspected, when the air was bad, timber defective, and weekly report neglected. I wrote to Mr. Austin immediately about these points. 24. Baron's Coal-mine, Sheffield.— -In 1885 Mr. Baron wrote to inform me that he had recommenced work at his mine, which I inspected in January. There was nothing worth mentioning except that the timbering was defective, about which I wrote to the owner in the same month. 25. Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel, was temporarily closed at the commencement of this year, but it is now working again in a small way. Some of the men told me that prior to the stoppage the air had been very bad, and, as some motive-power is almost invariably necessary, while none exists here, I can easily credit the assertion. Nothing has been done to prove the fault on the level. Generally speaking, the Act has been observed. 26. Hartley Colliery, Whitecliffs. —At my last visit I considered the mine in very bad order. The working-places are all mixed up with old drives, which causes the whole place to weight, the timber to break, and altogether makes the roadways in a very dilapidated condition.. The air was pretty good, and plans, reports, Sec, kept. 27. Whitecliffs Colliery, Whitecliffs, is now closed. 28. St. Helen's {No. 1) Coal-mine, Whitecliffs. —On the loth January I examined this mine, which had then been working a few months. The air was good and the timbering all right. On the 22nd January I wrote to Mr. Smart, requesting him to have a plan made, and send Special Rules up. 29. St. Helen's (No. 2) Coal-mine, Whitecliffs (formerly Smith's Mine). —Under the same management as No. 1, and was visited on the same date. Two men only were employed, and the mine seemed in good order. Timor u District. 33. Elephant Hill Coal-mine, Waimate, was visited on the 14th October, 1885. As it is now used solely for station purposes, the output is very small. 34. Studholme's Coal-mine, Waimate. —This is a new mine; and there are two seams,, oft. and Bft. 4in. respectively, separated by six inches of soft shale, and rising at a gentle angle into the hill. The coal analyzes pretty well, and should prove of value. Otayo District. 35. Wharekuri Coal-mine, Wharekuri. —When this mine was visited in September last the air was pretty good, though insufficiently guided, and hot on the upper level. A little timber was required on the level. The report aud rules were neglected, and on these points I wrote to the owner. 36. Kuroiv Coal-mine, Kurow. —ln last year's report the bad condition of this mine was mentioned. Since then the workings have fallen in, and a new drive has been commenced, which appeared in September last as if it would soon follow the example of its predecessor. A letter on the subject was sent to the owner. 37. Prince Alfred (No. 1) Coal-mine, Papakaio.- —ln December last this small mine was in good order. No Special Rules were exhibited, though the owner had posted the General Rules. 38. Prince Alfred (No. 2) Coal-mine, Pnpakaio. —-At this mine the Special Rules only were exhibited, reports kept, and the mine in good order generally. A little more attention to the timbering would have been advisable. 39. St. Andrew's Coal-mine, Papakaio. —Mine in good order, air guided, plan and reports kept. 40. Ngapara Colliery, Ngapara. —As usual, the Act was observed in nearly every respect, both as regards the condition of the mine and the necessary formalities. General Rules, however, were not hung up. 41. Diamond Hill Coal-mine, Hampden. —Visited in September last, at which date work had been suspended. 42. McDonald's Coal-mine, Hampden. —Merely a prospecting-drivc, with defective ventilation. Has since been stopped.