13

C.—4

Statistical Table. Owing to the number of mines now included in this table, and the quantity of information attempted to be given, absolute accuracy can hardly be obtained. Add to this the probability that, since the particulars were obtained from mine-owners, many changes may have taken place, and it will readily be understood that the figures are given subject to correction, and that any mine-owner or manager who will take the trouble to point out any errors will be conferring a favour. With regard to the inclusion in the list of many very small mines, I may mention that the Act makes no distinction by which they might be left out, and that they are nearly always more trouble to get at, and frequently more troublesome to deal with, than the largest mines. In Great Britain mines employing one man are included in the lists, and not only so but some which have been suspended, and which have presumably not been inspected during the year, are also retained. My custom is to strike off any mine which has neither employed labour nor been inspected. The last column, " Date of Inspector's last visit," does not, in my case, refer to the year 1888. Safety-lamps. Most of the mines are now provided with approved lamps, though there has been some difficulty in persuading the owners of some lignite-mines, producing a few tons a month, and working close to the surface, and barely out of daylight, that a safety-lamp was absolutely necessary. Since the New Zealand Act was passed, the Home Parliament has enacted that " Wherever safety-lamps are used they shall be so constructed that they may be safely carried against the air-current ordinarily prevailing in that part of the mine in which the lamps are for the time being in use, even though such current should be inflammable." This appears to be very indefinite, and in consequence a battle is now raging at Home between those who wish to introduce new and safe lamps and those who cling to the Davy, on account, probably, of old associations. Abstract op Act. Section 30, requiring that an abstract of the Act shall be exhibited at or near the mine, appears likely'to cause a certain amount of trouble. Some of the managers applied for an official abstract, and, acting under instructions from the head office, I informed them that if a copy of the Act is hung up the law will be observed. lam afraid that the replacement of torn copies will be rather expensive for the small mines. Special Eules. The formation of special rules has been carried out without difficulty. At present ten are finally approved, three have been sent up for approval, and one set is in process of negotiation. I have, &c, George J. Binns, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 3. Mr. Inspector Binns, F.G.S., to the Undek-Secretary of Mines. Supplementary Beport. Sib,— Dunedin, 12th April, 1888. I have the honour to make the following report on the coal-mines in this Island during the period commencing on the Ist January, 1888, and ending at the present date. The numbers refer to the table sent in on the 7th instant. 8. Wallsend Colliery, Collingwood. —The special rules for this colliery have been finally settled, and the time for making up the plan has, on the application of the manager and by the authority of the head office, been extended to six months. 12. Lankey's Gully Goal-mine, lieefton. —On the 16th January Messrs Aston and Lamberton wrote that that they had driven an air-course, and had written for an approved lamp, which had not arrived. They failed, however, to send the name of the manager. 26. Homebush Coal-mine, Glentunnel, —Special rules for this mine were sent to the head office for approval on the Ist March. 28. Brockfield Coal-mine, Smith Malvern. —In February Mr. Ferguson wrote that all work was discontinued, pending arrangements for a low-level drive to cut off the water. 36. Kurow Coal-mine, Kurow. —On the Bth February the mine was in a better condition than usual. No attention was, however, paid to the law, and I wrote to Mr. Muir on the 13th. 41. Shag Point Colliery, Palmerston. —When I visited this mine on the 10th February forty men were employed, thirty of whom were below ground. Of these two were in the upper seam prospecting, and the rest in the lower seam through the stone-drive. The mine was not at work, and the air pretty good. Tho rules and Act were duly exhibited, and the pit-bank covered; plan up to the 4th January; daily report kept, but not signed by the underviewer who makes the examination. We made a trial of Howarth's patent safety-cage. On the first occasion the guides were somewhat out of plumb, and the cage fell 10-Jin.; on the second trial it fell 2Jin., and one of the wedges got broken as it was being taken out. 42. Allandale Coal-mine, Palmerston. —Mr. Mclntosh notified me on the 30th January that this mine commenced work on the 23rd of that month—a statement somewhat inconsistent with an output return of 56 tons for 1887. I visited the mine on the 10th February, finding three men at work above ground and four below. The seam varies from 4ft. 4in. to sft. 6in., and dips N.W. at 1 in IJ, forming part of the syncline which exists between Mounts Vulcan and Pukewitahi. Mr.