a-3b

4

railway, is a mile and a quarter in length, and falls from the mine-mouth a vertical height of 1,200 ft. The tramway is worked by two separate sections of endless haulage, and the travel of the ropes is regulated by powerful hydraulic machinery, built by A. and T. Burt, engineers, Dunedin. The ropes are made of plough-steel, 4-Jin. and 3^-in. respectively, and the tubs are attached "by ones," with chain-clips either on front or back, as required. All the viaducts over the deep ravines on this tramway are being securely fenced. The leading features in carrying out the construction of these works are strength and durability, and they reflect great credit on the management. The provisions of the Act are strictly carried out. Coalbrookdale Colliery. —(l 2/8/97): This group of mines has been steadily worked during the year. The Cascade west section is the principal centre of solid workings, which extend over a large and valuable area of clean coal. The thickness of the seam varies from 6 ft. to 30ffc. The average height of the workings is 9 ft. The remaining portion of the coal forms a good roof. It is well timbered, and consequently a very safe working is made. To provide a better ventilation system an extensive scheme is being carried out, with the object of splitting the main air-current and providing separate return airways to each district of the workings direct to the fan. A large quantity of stonework has had to be cut, the execution of this work incurring considerable expense. The work will be completed in a few weeks, and a general improvement in the ventilation is anticipated. The air volume at fan is 28,000 cubic feet. A deviation of the main haulage-road to a more central position of the workings is being driven, and to form a connection 3 chains of stonework yet remains to be cut. Solid work on the east side of Cascade Mine is finished, where one electric coal-cutting machine of the percussion type is employed at pillar-work. The bad nature of the roof requires careful timbering. Big Dip: Pillar-work at the bottom of haulage-road and Martin King's heading is exhausted. The miners are removed, and are employed on a higher level of pillars. The roof over this coal is a loose fireclay, and special care on the part of the miner is required. Pumping is still continued. New Mine : The coal-seam in this mine averages 7 ft. thick, with a stroDg sandstone roof, which provides natural advantages favourable for coalcutting machinery. Two electric percussion machines are constantly employed, and satisfactory results are obtained. Close attention is paid to timbering as the coal is removed, and the whole pillar is extracted before a fall takes place. No timber is drawn. Air good; natural ventilation. Muncie's Mine : Work was suspended for a short time, but on my last visit preparations were being pushed on to open out a large district of pillars, and six men were employed putting up timber and. railing new roads. This section connects with New Mine, and is ventilated by one continuous current: a dip-drive to form a connection and provide a permanent travelling road with Cascade Mine. Apart from haulage traffic, this work will be completed in about two months. No accidents are reported from this group of mines. The Act and all reports are strictly kept. Ironbridge Colliery. —(l 3/8/97) : The output from this mine depends chiefly on the Cedar seam, where thirty-four miners are employed. The workings are well regulated, and are extended by two parallel winning headings, which are driven by two shifts. Brattice is led well forward on the face, and the general ventilation is good. To provide a direct ventilating current, and cut off all return airways, a heading is being driven in advance of the workings towards Cedar Creek, where the fan will be built. This seam promises favourably for coal-cutting machinery, and preparations for this work are well forward. A new electric cable is laid, and four new machines of the percussion type are on the works. In the Gentle Annie three miners are employed single-handed, picking out a few stoops that remain. A shaly formation forms the roof, but timbers well. The shaft district is abandoned, and all movable plant is removed. The flat seam is 18 ft. thick, covered with a strong grit sandstone, and the removal of these pillars are taken the full thickness with little loss of coal. Air good, and timber plentiful. James Hamilton, miner, had his knee-cap and ankle broken by a fall of coal rolling on his leg. Langford Coal-mine. —(lß/8/97): This coal-seam varies in thickness from 1 ft. 9 in. to 2 ft. 3 in.; rises, lin 3. It is worked long-wall, and has a good roof. The opened ground is filled with debris from surface shafts on the outcrop, and from these shafts good air is kept on the working-face. Timber is regular, and carefully set. Buller dredge is supplied with this coal. Whitecliffs Coal-mine. —(2o/9/97): This mine is owned by Job Lines, and at time of visit work had ceased. Flaxbush Goal-mine. —(2l/8/97): Work at this mine has also ceased. Owner, Mr. De Philippi. Coal Creek Goal-mine. —(2o/9/97) : This mine is worked from an outcrop on the south bank of the Buller Eiver, near Whitecliffs. Mr. Hansen has recently taken up the lease for the supply of the Excelsior dredge, Three-channel Hat. The coal is of good quality, and well suited for steaming purposes. I requested that three sets of timber be placed at mine-mouth, which was done at once. Golden Treasure Coal-mine. —(2o/8/97): This lease has been formerly worked bord and pillar. John Davidson, the present owner, has two men employed sluicing off the surface and breaking out the coal opencast. A small percentage of gold is collected from the wash. Bayfield Coal-mine. —(2o/8/97) : This adjoining lease of old workings, connecting the Golden Treasure, is held by James Sara. The coal is also worked opencast, the surface being stripped off by sluicing. Phoenix Coal-mine. —(2o/8/97): Owing to the loose way this mine had been worked, a creep was brought on the workings; consequently the tunnel was lost by a landslip from the hillside. Operations were resumed from a tunnel on the west side of the terrace, where the drays are now loaded. On a later visit the mine had settled down, and the workings were in good order. Upcast shaft supplies good air. Breen's Coal-mine. —(lo/2/98): This coal-seam stands nearly on edge. The workings are opencast along the line of outcrop. A small drive was cut into the terrace a few feet, following the coal. Globe Mine is supplied with this coal.