C—4c

6

43. Shag Point Colliery, Palmerston. —Since my last report this colliery has been twice visited. On the 29th June, 1885, work was being carried on in three different places —namely, in the main seam down the engine-plane, in a small upper seam down the engine-plane, and in the lower-drives on the main seam down the shaft. A quantity of bad air had come into the first and second mentioned, and all the men were out with the exception of two, who were attempting to make a communication. The cage was not covered; neither was the north side of the shaft fenced. Speaking generally, the place seemed in good order. On the 4th November the shaft at the main seam was not fenced. Two doors had been propped open while on their hinges ; but otherwise there was little or no fault to find. 49. Kyeburn Coal-mine, Kyeburn. —Visited in January last. In tolerably good order, and the air good. There is a second outlet, fitted with a ladder. 50. Perseverance Coal-mine, Kyeburn. —As usual, in very good order. Inspected last January. 51. Archer's Coal-mine, Kyeburn. —Mr. Archer was, when I visited the locality, driving towards an old shaft containing water. I warned him against the danger of suddenly breaking through. 52. Taieri Coal-mine, Hyde. —The old Last Chance Coal-mine, worked by a new party. The mine seemed all right, and in February last I supplied the owners with rules, &c. 64. Fernhill Colliery, Green Island, has been visited several times since last year, about the end of which a portion of the workings took fire, and have since been closed off. The Act has been generally observed. 65. Green Island Colliery, Green Island.— The workings of this mine extended so close to the railway as to crack the surface in proximity to the line, which alarmed the engineers. The ground worked, however, is so shallow that all the damage was probably done at first, and no evil results have ensued. As a precaution, after the workings had commenced to weight Mr. Richardson sank a small shaft and filled it in. The Act has been pretty well attended to. 66. Saddle Hill Colliery (Christie's), Green Island, has been examined twice since last year's report, and has always been in good order. Shaft-fence not very good. 67. Saddle Hill Colliery (Harris's), Green Island, has been abandoned. It was never more than a small land-sale pit, and the competition in this locality has been somewhat severe. 68. Glenochiel Coal-mine, Green Island. —The shaft-workings of this mine having proved rather expensive for a very small output, an adit has been driven, and was just being opened out when the mine was last visited—on the 2nd February last. 69. Walton Park Colliery, Green Island, was last examined on the 16th July, 1885, at which date everything was as usual, the only objectionable point being the air in the rise-head-ings. 70. Abbotsroyd Colliery, Green Island. —During the past year Mr. Freeman has made a communication with McOoll's old shaft, which is used as an upcast ; but some motive-power is urgently needed, as the air-current does not flow constantly in one direction, and on the 21st January last the bad air in the main intake rendered the carrying of a candle impossible. When the current had reversed, the atmosphere became clearer; but such a mode of working a mine is clearly inadmissible. In other respects the law is fairly well carried out. 71. Mosffiel Colliery, Mosgiel. —This is a small mine, not far from Mosgiel Station, and has been opened up by a party of miners in a workmanlike manner. A syphon which has been used for draining the dip works very well. Considerable attention was paid to the observance of the law. 72. Bruce Coal-mine, Milton, has been visited, and found in excellent order, with good air, and the rules up. 73. Real Maclcay Coal-mine, Milton, has done but little, as the road is frequently impassable. 78. Benhar Coal-mine, Balclutha. —The creep mentioned in last year's report proved so damaging that it became necessary to close the whole mine ; and when there on the 24th September, 1885, I found that a new drive was being carried on. The old pumps have been abolished, and a steam-jet is used for draining the workings. The Act seemed pretty well observed, but there was no signal on the engine-plane and no drag on the set, though the latter was very necessary, as there was no escape for the men in case of a breakage. 79. Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company's Mines, Kaitangata. —On the 7th July last the new engine-plane workings were entirely lighted by safety-lamps, as gas was occasionally seen. The brattice was kept well forward. Preparations were being made to continue prospecting to the extreme dip. On the 15th July the new ventilating-shaft was connected with the workings, and has since been bricked throughout and provided with a furnace. A slight powder accident which occurred here will be found under another heading. On the Bth October, 1885, another inspection was made, with a satisfactory result. A blower of gas was showing in the floor of the main heading in the engine-plane workings, but precautions were apparently taken. Blocks were required at the incline-top, and on the 20th a letter from Mr. Shore informed me that they had been fitted. Every care seems to be taken in working this mine. Southland District. 92. Nightcaps Coal-mine, Nightcaps. —On the 9th June, 1885, eleven men were at work