15

a—4

68. Green Island Coal-mine, have not been visited this year. Special rules have been approved for both. 69. Saddle Hill Colliery (Christie s) No. I. —Mr. Christie commenced the daily examination and report on the day of my visit, 2nd February, 1888. The brace was not covered in, but, as the owners expect to abandon the pit at an early date, compliance with point appeared capable of being postponed. The Act was duly exhibited, and a bonneted Mueseler lamp used. Abandoned places fenced. 70. Saddle Hill Colliery (Christie's) No. 2. —Nothing more done ; visited 2nd February. 71. Saddle Hill Colliery (McDougall's), (2nd February, 1888). —Mr. McDougall had an approved lamp, but the daily report was not at the mine, nor was the Act exhibited. On the 6th March Mr. McDougall wrote saying that he had a daily report-book and a copy of special rules at the mine. Possibly by the latter he meant a copy of the Act. 72. Glenochiel Colliery, Saddle Hill (2nd February, 1888). —Messrs. Bryce Brothers have at last made an effort, and bought an Evan-Thomas lamp, which is used in the morning. No report at the mine, however, and no copy of the Act, nor have I succeeded so far in inducing the owners to send me the name of the manager. 73. Walton Park Colliery, Green Island. —Mr. London would not accept the special rules of the other mines in this locality, so a new set has been drawn up. 74. Abbotsford Colliery, Green Island. —Special rules have been approved. 77. Bruce Coal-mine, Milton. —On the 10th January Mr. Hardwick had no approved lamp and no daily report; the weekly report was said to be at the house. On the Ist February the manager wrote that he had sent for an approved lamp. 78. Beal Mackay Coal-mine, Milton (10th January, 1888). —Mr. Young had no Act exhibited, no daily report, and no safety-lamp. I gave him a fortnight's notice to get straightened up, and on the 25th January received a letter stating that he had a lamp, a "copy of rules," and a reportbook at the mine. 79. Fortification Goal-mine, Milton. —Mr. Eeid had an old Davy lamp, in excellent order, and a copy of " The Coal-mines Act, 1886 ; " no copy of the Act, and no report on the premises. A weekly report was said to be at the house. Most of the mine had fallen in (see previous reports). I wrote to the owner, and after waiting a considerable time for an answer wrote again, whereupon Mr Eeid replied on the 3rd March that, as he proposed giving up possession of the mine in six weeks, he presumed that the existing lamp would do. I replied that, under existing circumstances, it was perhaps hardly necessary to obtain a new one. 80. Cannons Lignite-mine, Lovell's Flat, and 82. Adams Lignite-mine, Adams Flat, are both open-work mines, and when visited on the 10th January, 1888, were in good order. 81. Paskell's Lignite-mine, Glenore, was, on the 10th January, 1888, in a very dangerous state. An Bft. seam is worked open-cast, under a very heavy overhanging gravel, which was dangerous. I wrote on the 28th January. 83. Benhar Colliery, Stirling (11th January, 1888). —Mr. Nelson has, I regret to say, not apprehended the necessity for compliance with the law, and I must call your attention specially to this fact, with an expression of opinion that a mistaken leniency on the part of an Inspector is not only prejudicial to the safety of the miners but unjust to the manager, who may find himself suddenly and. unexpectedly pounced on and heavily fined. The timber did not appear too plentiful. I wrote to Mr. Nelson on the 28th January, intimating that in the event of continued neglect on his part I should be compelled to resort to legal action. 84. Morrison's Coal-mine, Stirling (11th January, 1888). —Only one man employed. Notice sent on the 30th January to the owners. 85. Bigfoot Coal-mine, Stirling (11th January, 1888), is now worked by an adit, and was at that time apparently safe. I have written to the manager, explaining the provisions of the Act. 86. Kaitangata Baihvay and Coal Company's Mine. —On the 12th January, 1888, I examined the workings in the engine-plane, finding the north side rather warm. A good many bords were being worked in the head-coal, which had settled down and closed up the bords. In all respects the Act seemed carefully observed. Special rules have been approved. 88. Castle Hill Colliery, Kaitangata (13th January, 1888). —At that time the mine consisted of a straight drive with two short branches, one of which terminated in a shaft. A Marsant lamp was at the mine, and appeared to be duly used, but no report was kept, nor was the Act at the mine. Mr. Carson has subsequently written that these deficiencies were rectified. 89. Wangaloa Goal-mine, Kaitangata. —There was nobody about on the 13th January, so I examined only the main level, without going into the rise-working's. _ 90. Lesmahagow Coal-mine, Kaitangata. —l was at this mine in January, but the place was deserted, and I did not go in. 91. Bonnie View Coal-mine, Wangaloa, appeared on the 13th January to be abandoned, and at the end of January Mr. Allan wrote that it was so. 92. Croft Head Goal-mine (13th January, 1888).' —At this date tw» men and a boy were at work. A Marsant lamp was used, but no report was kept, and no Act at the mine. On the Ist February Mr. Mackie wrote that he would observe these portions. 94. Wyndham Lignite-mine (Genge), Wyndham; 95. Parratt's Lignite-mine, Wyndham; 96. Menzies Ferry Lignite-mine, Wyndham ; 97. Smyth's Lignite-mine, Gore; 98. Leize's Lignite-mine, Gore; 99. McKinnon's Lignite-mine, Gore; , 100. Hoffman's Lignite-mine, Gore;