23

C—3a

Mahakipawa. Southern Cross Quartz-mine. —(20/7/91) : This is supposed to be the same line of reef as the Eavenscliff Company's, and is being opened up from a cross-cut, which struck the reef at 292 ft. It has been driven on for 80ft., and runs from 18in. to 3ft. in thickness, with 150 ft. of backs to the surface, where lam informed it has been traced for 10 chains. The country is very hard, requiring little timber. At present only four men are employed. * Bavenscliff Company's Quartz-mines. —(20/7/91) : No. 2 adit strikes the reef at 195tt. The thickness of stone runs from 2ft. to Bft., and little timber is needed, as the country stands well. Only four men are employed, driving to north-west to connect with No. 1 level, and putting up an uprise, which at present has 80ft. to go before connecting with that level, which is 155 ft. higher than No. 2. This is the only work being done at present, pending completion of aerial tram and erection of battery. No. 1 level is in 360 ft., on the reef all the way, the stone varying in thickness from a few inches up to 6ft. Eapai Quartz-mine is about 290 ft. higher than No. 1 level. The work done consists of one level driven along the reef some 160 ft. from the outcrop. The quartz, which in all these drives has been very blue in colour, is whiter at first in this one, where it has shown very good gold. Mahakipawa Quartz-mine. — Not working, as the men are preparing the battery-site. I am informed that a winze has been sunk some 40ft., and a cross-cut driven, which is not yet in far enough to strike the line of reef. Wakamaeina. Golden Bar Quartz-mine. —(22/7/91): This mine is not working, and is protected for four months, from the 6th May. Mr. Coffey, the manager, and two men are starting work in the Golden Spur Quartz-mine, No. 2 level, where there is about 250 ft. of cross-cut, and then about 60ft. driven to westward on the reef and a few feet to the east. Thickness of stone, 4ft. at west face, and 6ft at east. No. 1 level is about 100 ft. higher up, and nothing is being done in it at present. Federation Quartz-mine. —(22/7/91): No work being done at present. An adit has been driven 280 ft., in country all the way, which at first is soft, but properly timbered. The timber has evidently been in for some time, but is still moderately good. COLLINGWOOD. Johnston's United Quartz-mine. —(28/7/91) : This reef lies very flat, with a variable underlie. The average thickness is about 3ft., and the roof or hanging wall stands well. I requested Mr. Johnston to renew some of the sets of timbering in the dip drive, and this he will attend to. Two shifts of ten men each are working, and the total number employed is thirty. Plan not at mine, but tracing dated this month. Beefton. Progress Quartz-mine. —(23/2/91): This mine employs thirty-six men in all, principally engaged in stoping. The lode, which runs from 6ft. to 16ft. in width, has pinched in No. 2 level, which for the last 100 ft. has only been following the track of the reef. Air good ; timbering right; filling-in going on. I visited this mine again on the 15th June, to inquire into an accident which hapened on the 12th June to a miner named Conrod Haub. He had been stoping above No. 2 level when a flake of the wall-rock fell off and struck him on the ankle, breaking the small bone. This accident ought to have been avoided if he had taken sufficient care. (17/10/91) : The only work now being done is sinking the main shaft from No. 2 level. It is down 145 ft., and it is intended to open out directly. 4in. pipes are being led in level for compressed air to work winding machinery at shaft. No report, but one will be kept. Plan not at mine. (9/3/92) : The shaft from No. 2. level has now been completed, and a second outlet is afforded by a winze with ladders in good condition. A second reef has been met with 110 ft. from the. shaft, from which the main reef is distant 180 ft. The block of stone is 220 ft. in No. 2, and the south reef 70ft., but the lengths are not yet determined in No. 3. There should be plenty of stone for a year or eighteen months' work. Manager's name not posted, but will be seen to. Safety-catches will be provided when men start to ride up in the cage. A survey has recently been made, but plan not yet returned. Globe Quartz-mine. —(23/2/91): The cross-cut from the shaft at a depth of 500 ft. had only recently cut the reef, which is sft. wide and not yet properly opened up, but the stone has been payable all the way in the winze, which is down 112 ft. from No. 3 level. Plan not at mine ; no detaching- hook, safety-catch, nor indicator. Forty men in all are employed, chiefly in stoping and filling-in. On the 11th August a miner named John Prentice was accidentally killed in the ladderway of the filling-in pass by a rush of stuff through an opening in the centre pieces, which had been made to allow the prizing-down of the mullock. The evidence at the inquest went to show that this opening had been properly secured. There was nothing to indicate whether or not it had been interfered with in levering down the stuff. (17/10/91: Principally stoping between Nos. 3 and 4 levels. Plan up to date, but indicator not yet provided. (10/3/92): The air in No. 1 level, which is rather dull, will be better shortly when stope is broken through. The reef, which is thin at the east end of the east block, will average 7ft. in this level. Stoping is going on between Nos. 3 and 4 levels, and from the latter a winze is being sunk to prove the reef before sinking the main shaft. The dynamite in No. 3is kept in old drive, and in No. 2itis on roadside, but a short drive is to be made for it. Thirty-eight men in all are employed. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine. —(24/2/91): The battery-level is at present only following the walls of the reef, the block of quartz having given out. In the lower level the stone will average 12ft. in thickness. Some steping is being done and filling-in is going on. Air sufficient. Safetycatch, but no detaching-hook. No report kept. (14/10/91) : Battery-level not working, face fallen. Ladders in pass to No. 1 right. A winze is being sunk from No. 1 level, and a start is being made to sink a vertical shaft. Gelignite and caps together on roadside. This is to be altered. Eeport now kept, and plan up to date. Fourteen men in all employed. (8/3/92); The present work is