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shaft (for steam- and water-pipes) near the tunnel. This work was completed about the end of the year, and the new pump set to work. During November and December the ground close to and for a considerable distance from the shaft cracked to the surface, and proved the wisdom of the course adopted for the future working of the mine. The new pump, which is specially designed and built for mining work, is giving every satisfaction. Saddle Hill Mine, Saddle Hill (Christie Brothers). —(3/12/97): The coal worked by Messrs. Christie is from 19 ft. to 25 ft. thick. A new dip-tunnel is being constructed, which, when completed, will cut off a long length of haulage both above and below ground. The workings are in very nice order, and no fault could be found with the ventilation. Burnweil Pit, Saddle Hill (A. Harris).—(3/12/97): The seam here is from 9 ft. to 23 ft. thick, with a somewhat variable dip. Six persons are employed. The places are in good order, and the air ample and sweet. Mr. Harris proposes starting a new adit at a much lower level from an adjoining gully, in order to command a larger area of coal than his present entrance gives. Glenochiel Pit, Saddle Hill (Bryce Brothers). —(3/12/97) : The owners have recently completed a new drive into their seam. It is 100 ft. long till coal is reached at full working height, then continued in coal to the dip. At the face the seam looks well. Towards the south some patchy and inferior coal is met with. It is proposed to prove whether good coal comes in behind or not. An area of 58 acres is held; 10 acres considered to be coal-bearing. The seam is thick, roads, &c, in good order, and ventilation very satisfactory. Lauriston Colliery, Brighton (J. Walker and Sons). —(24/11/97) : The coal appears to lie in a basin. It has a thickness of 9 ft., with a maximum dip of lin 13. Haulage and pumping is done by horse-power. Places are in good order, and well ventilated. McColl's Pit, Brighton (D. L. McColl).—(24/11/97) : McColl is now working a seam 3 ft. thick which overlies the one previously worked by him, some 3 ft. to 4 ft. of strata separating the two. The workings are of very limited extent, and in fair order. Mosgiel Coal-mine (Nicoll and Sneddon). —(3/11/97) : The old drive is now discontinued. A new drive has been driven for some 6 chains down in the coal, which dips lin 8. This new dip is well constructed and supplied with man-holes. The workings appear in excellent order, and the ventilation good. A new portable engine is used for hauling and pumping. Burnweil Colliery, Lovell's Flat (Gibson and Lees, proprietors). —(20/5/97): This colliery is now being opened out, and is connected by a branch line to the Government railways at Lovell's Flat. The shaft is 465 ft. deep, and the seam 16 ft. 4 in. thick. Below this there are clay and stone for 2 ft. 3 in., then 4 ft. 6 in. of coal. Dip, lin 5. A second shaft is sunk to the seam, but it will take some little time before the connection between the two shafts can be completed, owing to the distance which has yet to be driven. In the meantime the winding-shaft (which is divided) answers for both upcast and downcast. Ventilation is very fair. A bore-hole to prove the existence of lower seams is being undertaken. I found it necessary to draw the attention of the proprietors to certain provisions in " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," in connection with the working of the mine, and was afterwards personally assured by one of the firm that requirements would be complied with. A plan of the workings has been supplied. Eaitangata Colliery, Eaitangata. —(2s/6/97) : Accompanied by Mr. W. M. Shore, I inspected the workings throughout, entering the mine by the dip engine-plane and leaving it by the windingshaft. I also travelled the return air-course as far as the ventilating furnace at the bottom of the upcast shaft. On the south side of the engine-plane the pillars in Nos. 2 and 3 sections are being taken out. Very little coal is being lost, comparatively speaking. Across No. 3 fault the coal is much steeper, its dip being 26 degrees from the horizontal, and a fairly large district is being opened out. On the whole, the ventilation was satisfactory. I found a little firedamp in a heading which had been driven to prove No. 3 fault, but the place had been properly fenced oft, and a fireboard erected at the entrance. A heading now being driven will shortly establish a connection with that in which gas was found, and clear it. The workings in connection with the vertical shaft are also in good condition, and well ventilated. The coal in this section is very much steeper than in any other part of the colliery. On the north side, in the direction of the Castle Hill property, the coal is not so good, being of a stony nature, and divided by several clay partings. The report-books are kept up to date, and the Act appears to be well observed. (23/11/97) : I again visited the colliery, in consequence of an accident by which two men were injured, and examined the workings down the incline. The heading referred to as containing a little gas on my previous visit had been connected, and a very nice current of air was travelling. The various places were found in good order, and the ventilation generally good. Another downthrow fault (east) has been met, and the main coal-seam cut by a tunnel from the 18 ft. seam (Stone Drive section). It was giving off both gas and water pretty freely, and looked as though there may be a good area of solid coal ahead. This new portion of the mine was being lit by safety-lamps. Taratu Mine, Eaitangata (Trustees of the late James Fraser, owners). —(21/5/97): This mine has been worked by the owners for several years, almost, if not exclusively, for their own use; it is in very good order. The coal is of excellent quality for its class. Lakeside Mine, Eaitangata. —(2l/5/97): This mine is on the property (Fraser's Taratu Estate) leased to the Tuakitoto Coal Company, and was sublet to P, Welsh, who worked a portion of it for a short time. It had ceased work at the time of my visit, but appeared to have been operated in a very slipshod fashion. The coal is upwards of 30 ft. thick, with a very gentle inclination. The Tuakitoto Company are not working any part of the estate at present. Coal Creek, Roxburgh (John Jones). —(29/10/97) : Coal is being worked opencast to a depth of from 40 ft. to 50 ft. It is not known how much deeper the coal extends. The stripping is in a decidedly rough state. Called attention to this, and the necessity for keeping the ground well sloped back above the coal. Proceedings were taken against Mr. Jones in November for neglecting to furnish correct returns of output, &c, and also for neglecting to pay contributions to the Coal-

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