9

C—3b

out to him as dangerous, and, on finding there was not sufficient suitable timber at the pit-mouth to make more than two sets, I requested him to at once procure what was required, and put the adit in good order as early as possible. This he promised to do. I subsequently sent him a written notice to put the adit in good order, stating I would return in a few days to see if it were done. I returned on the 4th June, and found that only one of the old sets of timber had been straightened up, and that there was not any more timber at the mine. I thought nineteen days more than sufficient time to do what was required, and found out that the timber had not been even ordered. Mr. Scott was brought to Court on the 29th June, and lined £5, and costs £7. Mr. Scott assured me on the Court day that he had renewed most of the old timber in the adit, and that it was now in thorough good order from end to end. 16. Phillips s Aivakino, Kurow. —(l6/5/94) : There was no work done in this mine for some time after Irvine's death. Phillips is now hewing a little coal himself in a level 20ft. below the old workings, where he is leaving a strong coal roof of 10ft. or more. The coal is very solid and hard, and in the mine is not effected by the air; therefore the pillars and roof are in splendid order. I think the seam is about 30ft. thick, and standing on edge. The air is good. 17. Gairns's Wharekuri Mine. —(ls/5/94): The mine is being worked on the same level as it was on my previous visit—viz., the fifth gallery, at 150 ft. below the outcrop on the surface. I found the main level walled up to the roof at a spot said to be half its total length. Cairns told me that some part of the old workings overhead was on fire near the upcast shaft, down which the fire was falling into the lower workings, consequently the south part of these was blocked off to prevent the fire putting the men out of the mine. Some part of the old workings was on fire five or six years ago. Probably the fire has been smouldering all these years, and freshened up near the airshaft. 18. Collins's Wharekuri Mine. —(ls/5/94): This mine is being worked on the same level as at the time-of my previous visit, and on the south side of the adit. On the north side a dip-drive follows the seam to a depth of 25ft. below the level of the last year's workings. The coal continues about the same thickness—viz., 25ft.—and only the centre of it is supposed to be taken out, but at one spot on the'east side insufficient coal had been left to bear the weight of clay, and the result was a large cave-in of loose rubbish. The cavity is now faced up with filled sacks placed end on to the side, which will keep the dip open till this level is worked out. 19. St. Andrews Papakaio Mine. —(18/5/94) : I did not find any one at the mine, but I examined all the working-places and found them in good order, and the air good. At the junction of the main level and one of the headings I noticed the side coal much cracked and likely to come down. I therefore called at the house where the men live, and requested them to at once remove the cracked coal. 20. Prince Alfred Mine. —(lß/5/94) : The roof in the working-places is very good just now, and the coal is more solid than it was at the time of last visit. There is not, however, anything in view that may be considered a lasting improvement. The adit is very low in places, and requires brushing down a bit to give head-room. 21. Ngapara Mine, Ngapara. —(l4/4/94) : Quite lately a low-level drain-tunnel has been driven from near the mouth of the pit to the first of the old workings, where the drain is about Bft. below the floor. Prom this point an open cut will be made, and probably drain-pipes laid and covered as the workings extend to the dip in the hill. The mine was quite dry till the roof caved in a few months ago, and at that place there is now a constant inflow of water. The seam where above the present drained level is now being worked, and the drain-extension will be carried on from time to time when the coal trade is slack. The length of drain when completed will probably be 800 ft., and this will be 200 ft. beyond the old workings in the mine—assuming the inclination of the seam to continue the same as where working. The mine is being carefully worked and the workingplaces well laid out. Plan of same furnished up to December, 1893. 22. Bosebury Mine, Olepopo. —(3/6/94): This mine has lately changed hands, Alexander Love having disposed of his interest to George Smith and J. Stewart, who are now working it. I examined all the working-places and found them in good order. It is the intention of these men to do some prospecting by driving on the seam towards the south, where it is now thin, in the hope of finding it thickening in that direction. They are now driving a heading south-east to get round a roll in the floor. 23. Early Bank Mine, Otepopo. —(3/6/94) : John Willitts, after a considerable expenditure of labour in opening this mine, could not find a sufficiently thick seam to pay for the labour of getting it, and had at last to abandon the mine in November last. Nothing has been done since then. 24. Shag Point Mine, Shag Point.— {2s/7/94) : Went down the main shaft to the 450 ft. level, where a main level has been driven seaward about 727 ft., intersecting the No. 2 seam of coal, which is here 2-|ft. thick. No. 3 seam is 3ft. 9in., and is intersected in the same level at a distance of 430 ft. from the shaft. Both these seams are of good quality. Eunning parallel with the main level is a return airway up to No. 3 seam in the old workings, going to the Boat-harbour. The cross-cuts from the main level are at present very wet overhead, but the roof is of a good standing character. From the main shaft, following the same level 176 ft., the No. 4 is intersected and followed south towards the No. 2 shaft, joining the northern workings of the same. This junction causes a good current of air between the two shafts. Most of the coal-hewing is going on near the No. 2 shaft, where the No. 5 seam of 3ft. is being worked. This coal has also a fairly good roof. The new pump plant is being got ready to be sent below, and the bedplate of engine and pump is now being fixed in position at the 450 ft. level, and likely to be in working order in two or three weeks from date. 25. Allandale Mine, Shag Point. —(3/8/94) : Accompanied by the manager, I first went through the lower-seam workings, where the coal is at present 3ft. Bin. thick, and thickening to the dip eastward. We then went through the return drive to the 7ft, seam, where I saw all the working2—C. 3b.