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2

Waikato Disteict. 5. Waikato Mine. —The work in this mine is carefully carried on. The ventilation, which was not always satisfactory, will be perfected when a fresh upcast shaft is sunk higher up the hill than the old upcast. The output for the year was 7,687 tons. Six men on surface and fifteen below were employed. 6. Balph's Taupiri Mine. —This mine was worked until the 29th of May by the owners. The mine was then leased for a period of five years, with right of an extension of term to ten years, to the Taupiri Eeserve and the Taupiri Extended Companies, who took possession of the mine at that date and suspended all work; the pumps and machinery were since removed. The output to the 29th of May was 3,432 tons. Six men on surface and nineteen below were employed. 7. Taupiri Extended Mine. —This mine continues to be carefully worked; the bords are safe and the ventilation good. The output was 26,025 tons. Ten men on surface and fifty men below were employed. 8. Taupiri Reserve Mine. —This mine has been worked chiefly to the westward of the extension of the incline. There has also been a considerable quantity of coal taken from the bords under the lake. The mine is well ventilated, and good cover left in the roof. The output for the year was 20,107 tons. Thirteen men on surface and thirty-two below were employed. Mokau Disteict. 9. Mokau Mine. —Operations in this mine have not been carried on with much vigour during the year, the output being 781 tons. Three men were employed. Accidents. The accidents reported are as follows, none being of a very serious nature : —■ Joseph Yuracka was scalded by hot water from Tangye pump on the 28th January, 1893, in the Taupiri Eeserve Mine. James Harris : Injured between buffer and truck on the 9th February, 1893, in Ealph's Taupiri Mine. John Guilliford was slightly injured by being struck on the back of the leg by a piece of stick on the Bth February, 1893, in Ealph's Taupiri Mine. David Taylor : Injury to finger on the Ist March, 1893, in the Kawakawa Mine. Albert Schlinker: Fracture of forefinger on the 18th March, 1893, in Ealph's Taupiri Mine. J. 11. Evans : Injury to eye on the 21st April, 1893, in the Taupiri Eeserve Mine. Eichard Pedro was slightly injured by being knocked down by a wagon on the 6th July, 1893, in the Kiripaka Mine. Joseph Gomez was injured by a piece of stone falling from the drive, breaking his collarbone and fracturing three ribs, on the 29th September, 1893, in the Kiripaka Mine. Timothy Calla'ghan : Injury to eye, by a blow from a piece of coal, on the 3rd November, 1893, in the Taupiri Extender! Mine. Thomas Bell, junior : Injury to thumb on the 29th November, 1893, in the Taupiri Extended Mine. Eemaeks. The output for the district north of Auckland is 6,247 tons in excess of that of last year, while in the Waikatoand Mokau district there is a decrease of 1,685 tons, leaving a total increase for the year of 4,562 tons. The increase in the north was due to the Kamo and Kiripaka Mines, the Kawakawa and West Bryans having shown a decrease. It may be assumed that the Hikurangi Field will be a large producer for the current year, as the coal is suitable for ocean-going steamers. The Kiripaka coal is also obtaining a good market, and is giving satisfaction when used in oceangoing and coastal steamers. The contributions to the Accident Fund have been paid on all coal sold except by the Mokau Company, who had not paid the amount when I inquired at the post-office, New Plymouth. Coal-leases have been applied for in the Hikurangi district, and probably new mines will be opened in that district. The output for Kawakawa is not likely to increase, as, although there may yet be a considerable quantity of coal obtained from old pillars, it cannot be depended on for a continuous supply to any great extent. I have, &c, Geo. Wilson, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 3. Mr. N. D. Cocheane, Inspector of Mines, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sib,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 24th April, 1894. 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. Minister of Mines, and to enclose list of the serious accidents and table of statistics for the West Coast coal-mines:— Wallsend Colliery, Collingivood. —This mine was not inspected during the year, owing to pressure of other work. Brownv,ille Coal-mine, Takaka. —No work has been done in this mine during the year, and the lease is said to be given up by Mr. Brown, but Mr. Charles, who formerly worked in it, has taken it up, and intends giving it a further trial.