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been employed in this section, and the output of coal from here during the year has been 36,828 tons. In the Taupiri Extended the work for the greater part of the year was confined to getting coal from the various bords which were in progress at the end of last year, but latterly the operations have been directed in driving a heading and dip on the western side of No. 2 shaft for the purpose of proving the extent and value of coal in this direction. So far as developments have gone, the coal has proved fully as good as was anticipated. There, are only a few men employed here now, but the average number of men employed has been forty-seven, and the output of coal was 21,742 tons. Work in the Taupiri Reserve section has been steadily carried on during the year, the operations being directed towards taking out the coal on the western side of the dip at No. 4 level and under Lake Kimihia. The seam is divided near the centre by what is termed a " clod " (or band of stone), varying from 4 in. to 9 in. thick, and, as the top portion is of inferior quality, the bottom portion is generally taken out and the top left in, which makes an excellent roof. The portion worked varies from 10 ft. to 16 ft., and is of excellent quality. When the mine was inspected in the month of June last the manager's attention was called to a soft portion of the roof where a fault had been driven through at No. 2 level, and which was only being temporarily repaired with timber; but, as this was under the lake, it was pointed out to him that it would have to be made more secure, and this portion of the level is now being filled and rammed tightly in with clay, &c, from the surface. At a subsequent inspection the workings were safe, but the ventilation was not as good as could be desired. An average of fifty-five men have been employed, and the output of coal was 18,621 tons. Mokau. Mokau Mine. —An average of eleven men were employed in this mine up to the month of August last, but, owing to the s.s. "Douglas" being wrecked at the Mokau Heads, and as no suitable boat could be got to take its place to convey the coal from the mine, all the men were discharged with the exception of two, who were kept on to do some repairs and look after the mine pending arrangements being made to form a company with a view to working on a more extensive scale than hitherto, and to get boats suitable for the trade. The mine is in good order, and a large supply of coal could now be put into the shoots at the loading-ground on the side of the river at a small expense. The output of coal for the year was 2,218 tons. Fernside Mine. —This mine is being worked on a small scale, and the appliances, such as shoots, &c, for loading boats are very primitive. The mine is opened up by an adit-level from the bank of the river, and, as the seam is 6 ft. thick, and the distance over which coal has to be trucked to the loading-ground is only some 500 ft., it can be put into the boats at a cheap rate. An average of four men have been employed in this mine, and the output of coal was 1,205 tons. Mieanda. Miranda Coal-mine. —This property has been taken over by Mr. Tattley, who has had four men employed on development-work, but finding there was going to be some trouble with water he has decided to erect pumping machinery to cope with it, and after that is done he is of opinion the coal can be placed on the market at a reasonable cost. Harrison's Taupiri Coal Company, Huntly. —This is a new company, holding a lease of the University Reserve, adjacent to Ralph's old workings on the outcrop of the coal-seam. Operations have been commenced recently. The mine is situated on the eastern side of the railway, and about half a mile from the Huntly Railway-station. The work in progress consists in the erection of an engine for the purpose of pumping the water and hoisting the coal out of an incline dip which has been driven from the side of the hill to give facilities for opening up the mine, A light tramway is being laid down to convey the coal from the mine to the railway. Of late more attention has been paid to prospecting and proving the extent of coal-seams in various places in the district than was formerly the case. Boring operations are proceeding in several places in the localities of Waikato, Whangarei, and Kawakawa, and in some instances I am informed they are meeting with encouraging results. The total output of coal won from the mines in this district for the year ended 31st December, 1900, amounted to 160,303 tons, an increase of 19,175 tons as compared with that obtained in 1899. The comparison of output for 1899 and 1900, north and south of Auckland, is as follows: — Output for Output for r ncraasp 1899. 1900. increase. Tons. Tons. Tons. North of Auckland ... 67,323! 79,679 12,356| South „ 73,805 80,624 6,819 141,1281 160,303 19,175| Accidents. I am pleased to say that no serious accidents have occurred in this district during the year, but several accidents of a slight nature have been reported, the men having in most instances declared on the Miners' Accident Relief Fund. The money paid out of the Government fund for this purpose is as follows : The Waikato Miners' Medical Association have drawn out of the Miners' Sick and Accident Relief Fund £30 3s. 11-J-d. ; vouchers recommended for payment by the Inspector of Mines, £20 18s. 9d.: total, £51 2s. B£d. I have, &c, Jambs Coutts, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.