27

C—3a,

miner named Timothy Davis, who had heen employed at the filling-in shaft. It appeared from the evidence at the inquest that the filling had been allowed to get low in the funnel-shaped mouth round the shaft, and Davis and another man, on returning from a smoke, had gone under some earth which was undermined, when it came away and carried the former into the shaft. There were no logs across, as the system adopted had been to keep the funnel-mouth full, so that the top of the shaft was never seen. In view of this, and of the men having let the filling get low, also that Mr. Harris had only been some two weeks in charge, and had had no opportunity of seeing the actual top of the shaft, it was undesirable to prosecute for its not being fenced. I notified Mr. Harris that it must be fenced or covered, and an easy means of escape provided. I also requested some retimbering to be done, and a second outlet to be made from the stoping under No. 6 level, as some of the sets in the latter had moved. I was unable to inspect these stopes at this visit as the fillingin had blocked up the level, and I had declined to allow filling-in to go on after the accident until I had inspected. Mr. Harris showed himself careful in the management of the mine and anxious to comply with my instructions. (16/12/91) : A new manager, Mr. J. Wileox, was now in charge. The place in No. 6 level previously mentioned had collapsed, but a cut had been made in the hanging wall, and the timber was being reset. Other outlets had been provided. The north block of stone m the lower intermediate level has been worked out, and stoping is now going on in the south block, where the reef is not so thick. Eeport and stoping-plan up to date. Filling-in shaft covered with mullock, so could not see bars, which manager informs me have been laid across. New cut made in embankment, so that escape is easy. Eevisited on the 22nd March, 1892, in response to an anonymous complaint about the air in No. 7 level. I found the air-pipe within 26ft. of the drillhole at face, and a good current blowing, though the diameter of the pipes was small, only 3in., and doubtless the recent rain had improved the blast. As the reef is fully 15ft. thick, there is likely to be a good deal of blasting, with accompanying smoke; but the manager explains that, as the men retire to the cross-cut until it clears, the loss is the company's. I found arrangements had been completed to have larger pipes with stronger blast fitted up within one or two days. United Italy Quartz-mine. —(6/3/91) : Only four men working, and these on tribute, stoping from the No. 2 level. The walls are clearly defined, but the quartz is only a thin vein or leader from lin. to 4in. thick. The yield per ton is high; so that there are good prospects of continued working. (16/12/91) : As the stoping is finished, No. 2 level is not working now, but four men are to start shortly extending it. Another level (No. 3) is working lower down on a very thin leader, at places only Jin. thick. Two shifts of two men are working ; and the prospects of this level are uncertain. Tyrconnel Quartz-mine. —(6/3/91) : This is a private party of two men, working a thin leader, which gives high returns per ton. It is a different one to that worked by the Italy, but the same as was formerly worked by the old Break of Day Company. Walls well defined and strong. Air good, as level No. 5 connects with the old Maruia workings. (16/12/91) : Working outside at present. The leader in the south end only about lin. thick, but the last crushing of 15 tons yielded 1950z. gold. The workings are about 4ft. between the walls, so that more stuff is got than can be used for filling-in. This was formerly raised by a windlass direct, but now an endless rope, with back-balance and an arrangement for tipping into truck at level, has been fitted up very ingeniously, considerably increasing the amount which a man can raise. Grams Quartz-mine. —(16/12/91): Work had ceased for the day when I reached this mine, and no one was about. An adit runs in a northerly direction over 600 ft. to chamber where shaft is being sunk. Dynamite on roadside. Westpobt. Beaconsfield Quartz-mine. —(16/3/91) : Shaft 118 ft. deep, with inclined ladders, in good order. From the chamber there is a cross-cut of 100 ft. before striking the reef, which is thin at first, but gradually increases to an average of about 18in. thick. An uprise has lately connected with the old level on the south side of the river. The timber here is not very good, but the manager will attend to it if the workings are continued. Dynamite on roadside, but the provisions of the Act will in future be observed. Eleven men in all were employed. (7/10/91) : Only pumping, no quartz being taken out for want of a battery. Bed Queen Quartz-mine. —(7/4/91) : Four men in two shifts driving on reef in No. 2 level, where stone is thin and rather irregular. Country very hard. Dynamite on roadside, and no copy of the Act. The latter will be obtained, and the dynamite will be attended to. Two men above No. 1 level are driving on course of reef. Eight men in all are employed. I have since been informed that work has been suspended. General. The provisions of the Act regarding dynamite and detonators have in almost every case been neglected. I have thought it wiser not to prosecute until the managers have been cautioned, but I consider it necessary that the rules as to this should, in future, be enforced. I have found the managers in general anxious to comply with the Act as far as lay in their power. ALLUVIAL MINES. Mahakipawa. Alice Fell Claim. —(lß/7/91): This is worked by a private party of six men, and is only prospecting. No payable gold has yet been found, and the water has been heavy. Hibernian Extended Claim. —(18/7/91): This claim has also to pump constantly, Bin. pipes, and have just bottomed a second shaft, and connected with No 1. Ten men in all are employed, in three shifts. They have been getting good returns, and the future prospects are good. The gold lies on the bed-rock,