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1896. NEW ZEALAND.
INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
No. 1. Mr. H. A. Goedon, F.G.S., Inspecting Engineer, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines. Sic, — Mines Department, Wellington, 26th June, 1896. I have the honour to forward you covering report on the progress of the coal-mining industry for the year ending 31st December, 1895. The output from the mines in the colony for the past year amounted to 740,827 tons, which shows an increase on the previous year of 21,281 tons. This output comprised 429,981 tons of bituminous coal, 104,566 tons of pitch-coal, 180,870 tons of brown-coal, and 25,410 tons of lignite. Mining operations were carried on in 164 mines, in connection with which there were 1,799 men employed. During the year there were twenty-five accidents, five of which terminated fatally. Of these, one occurred in each of the following mines : Kiripaka, Coalbrookdale, Cardiff, Gibbston, and Early Bank. Five of the other accidents resulted in serious injuries to the men, but in the case of the other fifteen the injuries were not of a serious nature. I have, &c, Henby A. Goedon, M.A.Inst.M.E., The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Inspecting Engineer.
No. 2. Mr. Geoege Wilson, Inspector of Mines, to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Sic, — . Inspector of Mines Office, Thames, 9th May, 1896. I have the honour to transmit to the Hon. the Minister of Mines the following report on coal-mining in the Auckland District, made in compliance with section 67 of " The Mining Act, 1891," for the year ending 31st December, 1895. Kawakawa Disteict. New Bay of Islands Mine. —This mine has been continuously worked during the year. The supply of coal has been obtained from old pillars. It is intended to drive an incline to reach a block of coal that exists towards the outcrop. A dip has been driven in the vicinity of the old incline. The works are carefully managed, and made secure for the men engaged on them. The output for the year was 10,996 tons. Hikueangi Disteict. West Bryan's Mine. —The coal has been chiefly obtained from drawing pillars. It is intended to drive a new dip to work the coal to the westward of the road. The output was 9,430 tons. Hikurangi Goal Company's Mine. —The works on the hill-side gave a supply of coal during the first half of the year, but latterly a new dip has been driven near the railway and a seam of good coal, from lift, to 14ft., has been opened up. From this place a large supply has been obtained. The mine is drained through a culvert under the railway-line, and so far pumping has not been required. The coal is raised by machinery. The output for the year is 21,257 tons. Phcenix Mine. —The mine has been worked during the year, driving bords from the adit-level. The output was 2,897 tons. Christie's Mine. —No work was done here. Rosebery Mine (McKenzie's Coal Lease). —A company has been formed to work this mine. The first work was to make a cutting into the hill to reach the seam, which is 6ft. in thickness, but the coal was in a disturbed state. The mine is connected with the railway— where a loading-stage has been made —by a tramway, about 1,200 ft. in length; 500 ft. being on trestles and stringers, 500 ft. embankment, and 200 ft. in the cutting. Mr. John Ord, who has been appointed manager, states that he will soon be able to send coals to the market.
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