C—3b

4

shaly coal, lft.; stone, 2ft. ; coal, lft.: total, 7ft. in height. The seam dips to south at 1 in 3. I requested Mr. Caldwell to have some timbering done at the mine mouth, and to procure a safetylamp and copy of Act. Granting of permit deferred till the mine is again inspected. Motupipi Goal-mine. —(18/6/94) : This is the old Brownville Mine, which has been given up by Mr. Brown, and is now worked, occasionally by Mr. Charles. It is evident that very little work is done. Set of timber at mine mouth requiring to be stayed; this will be seen to. All work has since been stopped at this mine. Bartlett's Goal-mine. —(lß/6/94) : The position of this mine is some four or five miles up the Takaka Valley. The seam worked is probably the highest of the numerous coal-seams in this district, and underlies the limestone by perhaps 40ft. The face measures 4ft. 6in. in height, and in this there is a band of stone 18in. in thickness, leaving barely 3ft. of clean coal. The only work consists of a short drive 70ft. in length, in which the timbering is well done, and an old drive near at hand, which has been abandoned as the roof caved in. Mr. Bartlett was doubtful of continuing work as it did not pay, and has since notified me that the mine has been abandoned. Gordon Doiuns Goal-seams. —(20/6/94) : These outcrop on the northern shoulder of Gordon's Knob, and are exposed by one or two cuts ; but no underground-work had been done. There are some six seams, lying highly inclined, and one of these is about sft. 6in. in thickness. Although tenders were being called for the removal of a quantity of coal, I understand that no mining has yet been done. Brightwater Coal-seams. —(7/6/94) : Some prospecting has been carried on, but the seams were thin, only a few inches in thickness, and highly inclined, consequently operations have been abandoned. Westport-Cardiff Colliery. —(l 3/4/94) :No further work has been done at the No. 4 outcrop, which appears to be abandoned for the present. On the main adit, which forms the extension of the tram-line, the coal was cut after 6 chains of driving; thence the seam rises at an angle of lin Some 3 chains have been driven in the coal, which is not very hard, showing signs of movement, and, two or three faults having been met with in the main adit, this coalfield may be expected to be-more or less broken. Ten men in all engaged. (12/11/94): Twenty-eight men now employed, and seven places working. The main heading has been driven right out to Chasm Creek, showing a width from where the coal was cut in the adit of 8 chains. This has had the effect of improving the ventilation, which previously had become dull. Mr. Broome is now mine-manager. I drew his attention to some loose pieces on the roof and sides; these are to be seen to. He has since forwarded me a well-made plan, showing the surface also taken up—a thing which is too seldom done on coal-mine plans in the colony. Mokihinui Colliery. —(2l/2/94) : The workings in this mine were still continuing under discouraging conditions, numerous veins and bands of stone intersecting the seam, and the coal itself being at places soft and of poor quality. The air of one or two places was poor, but the current in the aggregate was about what is required. The dullness was caused by one or two places having so much stone to contend with that they were not put through. The case did not call for a prosecution, nor would such have been successful. I requested Mr. Shaw to have the places connected, and when inspected again on the 13th of April this had been done, and the air improved. I measured 8,500 cubic feet of air circulating for fifty-one men. (17/8/94) : A fire had broken out underground, and had been subdued, but another started a day or two later. Mr. Alexander, who had lately been appointed manager, neglected to notify me earl)', but explained that this was on account of confusion, consequent on the outbreak. The Westport Mre-brigade turned out willingly, but their services were not required. Water was being pumped into the section where the fire existed, and, as it was to the rise, dams were being put in. These were not likely to prevent the escape of the water, but would prove excellent stoppings. The area affected is a small one, said to be mostly wrought out. The rise in temperature which must have followed the first outbreak would be a most active factor in promoting the second, and ought to have been a warning to exercise extra vigilance. This mine was subsequently idle for some months. At date of writing work has recently been resumed by the Knights of Labour, who lease from the company. It is to be regretted they have not a better field to start with, but promising outcrops lay ahead of the workings. During November some three weeks of my time was occupied in making, in conjunction with Mr. McKay, Mining Geologist, a geological survey and map of this company's leases. Granity Greek Colliery. —(28/3/94) : Only the two main headings working, three shifts of two men in each. Air very good. Act well observed. The coal, however, is tipped in the gully, and is being carried away by floods. During the most of the year mining has been discontinued, pending completion of the extensive surface-works. (20/12/94) : Tramway reserve : After going over the ground no objection was apparent to this being granted. Mr. Brown informs me that the idea of a locomotive line has been abandoned. Goalbrookdale Colliery. —(30/1/94) : In the Big Dip section, the workings are now in the lower seam, but the faces towards the north-west are mostly stopped, owing to bands of stone coming in. These seams are being wrought in their proper sequence, for, if the lower one were worked first, it would shatter the upper coal, and also render the already bad roof too dangerous to work under. Air rather better than at last visit, 12,000 cubic feet circulating, but two or three faces still in advance of it. Thirty-two faces were working, employing fifty-four miners and fourteen truckers per shift;. The new mine and Murray's Creek section employ thirty-eight men in all, including those at pillar-work. In the Cascade section twenty-six miners and truckers were employed in two shifts. These were in good order, and had plenty timber supplied. One set badly secured; on my drawing attention to it, it was ordered by Mr. Cameron to be seen to at once. These sections were also inspected on the 31st May, and it was clear Mr. Brown, who was in charge for the time being, was exercising special care for the safety of the mine. (30/11/94) : Muncey's dip-heading is now driven 11 chains, and is intended to be the drawing road for the new area. Air, near the back