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C—3b

9. Miranda Mine. —The working of this mine was carried on with very few men until September last, when work was discontinued and the mine shut down, and the late manager wrote informing me that the shaft was well and securely covered. There were five men on the surface and five men below ground up to the time operations ceased. The total output for the year was 2,280 tons. Accidents. No accidents have been reported to me during the year. The charge of negligence against the late manager of Ealph's Mine, referred to in my last year's report as being sub judice, resulted in a conviction. Remarks. The output of coal from Kawakawa cannot continue much longer, as only a few old pillars are available, and the result of boring in the district has been that no extensive deposit of coal was found. The coalfield at Hikurangi is extensive, and the seams can be easily worked; it may therefore be anticipated that when the Whangarei-Kamo Railway is completed to Hikurangi mining operations will result in a large output, as this coal is suitable for ocean-going steamers as well as being a good household coal. Boring operations at Kamo have shown that 1,200 feet to the eastward of the shaft the upper seam is 12ft. in thickness and the lower seam lift. 6in., so there is every probability of a continuance of the output from this mine. In the Waikato district the available coal is sufficient to supply the demand for this class of coal, and no great increase in the output may be looked for, as the market is chiefly in the Auckland district. A seam of brown coal was discovered at Waitakaruru, within two miles and a half of the Miranda Creek, on the west side of the Firth of Thames, and about twelve miles from Grahamstown. The owners are about to commence operations in exploring the seam with a view to opening a mine. I have examined the books of the owners of the mines, and have ascertained from the proper officers of the Post Office Savings Banks, that the amounts were paid to the Sick and Accident Fund, as shown in the following statement:—

I have, &c, Geo. Wilson, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

No. 3. NORTH ISLAND. Mr. N. D. Cochkane, Inspector of Mines, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Westport, 31st March, 1892. I have the honour, in compliance with section 67 of "The Coal-mines Act, 1891," to report as follows for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Mines :— Taupiri Extended Colliery (6th July).—The workings of this mine are adjacent to Lake Hakanoa, the face of the main heading being about 1 chain distant from the edge of the lake, but it is not working at present. Mr. Tatley informs me that there is 120 ft. of cover, and holes are drilled in the roof to insure a thickness of 4ft. of coal being left. Coal is also left on the floor, except in one or two places. The thickness of the coal varies from 22ft. to 48ft., and it stands very well. Safety-catches and detaching-hook are fitted up, and the general rules posted, but without the required names; this will be seen to. Reports and register kept, and plan shown to be made up by survey-book, but will in future be dated. Machinery and head-gear for sinking a shaft to provide a second outlet have been fitted up, and sinking will be started when the cylinders arrive. As forty-three men are employed, I notified Mr. Scherff, the secretary of the company, that it would be necessary either to have the connection made by the end of September or to reduce the number of men to what the Act permits. This was allowing eighteen months from the time of starting, as provided by the Act of 1886, instead of a year, to which the period had been reduced by the Amendment Act of 1890. As the company had sunk their first shaft and started

Name of Mine. Number of Tons of Coal sold for Quarter ending 31st December, 1891. Bate per Ton. Amount paid. Name of Post Office. Kawakawa "West Bryans ... Kamo "Waikato Ealph's Taupiri Extended Taupiri Reserves 5,927 236 108 2,102 728 7,553 3,869 d. i I i i i £ £ s. d. 12 6 11 0 5 9 0 2 3 2 3 9 0 15 2 7 17 4 4 0 7 Kawakawa Kamo Kamo Huntly Huntly Huntly Huntly £27 11 9