C—3a

20

Wallace, Nightcaps (C. Darcy).—This pit is now worked out and finished. Owner promised to fence the bank on roadside. Reliable, Nightcaps (Jesse Alley).— (29/10/1900): Opencast. Turning the creek, and working in the old creek-bed and banks alongside. Mr. Alley sustained an accident (strangulated hernia) on the Ist February, 1900, while lifting a large lump of coal into the box. Quested's, Nightcaps (J. Quested). —(29/10/1900) : Pit stopped and full of water. Owing to stripping being heavy, owner is going to open in another place. H. 8., Nightcaps (Lamont). —(29/10/1900) : Main drive in 3 chains. Timber in use too light for this class of coal, clay backs being frequent. Shaft for air and second outlet is required. Black Diamond, Nightcaps (W. Tinker). —(29/10/1900) : Not working owing to a fault downthrow 14 ft. cutting across the face. Morley Village, Nightcaps (W. Beid, jun.).—(29/10/1900): This is a new pit just started. A little opencast work has been done to begin with, and Mr. Eeid intends putting a drive into the coal-face. Wairio, Nightcaps (A. Mcßride).—(27/10/1900) : Opencast. Stripping, 21 ft. Coal-seam, 10 ft. Stripping removed with plough and scoop. Orepuki, Orepuki (M. Straw, manager).—(2l/4/1900) : Development-work for the production of coal and shale being vigorously prosecuted. A main incline, 9 ft. by 6 ft. 6 in., dipping lin 4, has been driven 1,000 ft. in sandstone to the main coal-seam, which ranges from 8 ft. to 20 ft. in thickness, and is immediately overlaid by 4 ft. of shale. Levels are driven off each side at the bottom of the main incline, and a heading being put up off the west level is to be extended to the boundary (about one mile). The roof being heavy, strong timber is used, and in places sets are close-lathed. Coal and shale are to be worked towards home in districts; 20-yard stalls are to be opened off the headings, and coal and shale worked on the long-wall principle. Accidents. 4th January, 1900.—George Dickson, Nightcaps Colliery : Left thigh lacerated by drum spurgearing. While guiding new steel rope on drum a lever held by Dickson became jammed, and he was thrown on to the cog-wheels. 31st January, 1900.—Lachlan McLean, Idaburn : Fractured rib. While taking down a piece of coal with a crowbar the point slipped, and the butt-end of the bar struck McLean on the breast. Ist February, 1900.—Jesse Alley, Keliable Colliery, Nightcaps : Strangulated hernia, sustained while lifting a large lump of coal into the box. sth April, 1900.— E. Henry, Nightcaps Colliery: Ulceration of cornea, with loss of sight (one eye), caused by a piece of coal from the pick-point striking the eye. Bth May, 1900. —James McEorie, Allandale : Fractured left leg. A piece of stone on the roof came away unexpectedly while being taken down. 28th June, 1900. —Eli Bearsdmore, Kaitangata Colliery : Ulceration of cornea, caused by a piece of coal from the pick-point striking the eye. 30th June, 1900.—P. Peterson, Kaitangata Colliery : Ulceration of cornea, caused by a piece of coal from pick-point striking the eye. 4th August, 1900.— T. Wheeler, banksman, Alexandra Coal Company's Mine : Nose broken and face cut. Head jammed against side of shaft by descending cage from upper landing while Wheeler was stretched on the ground talking down the shaft. 24th September, 1900.—George Pilling, Kaitangata Colliery : Bruised head, back, and legs, by fall of coal from roof. Ist November, 1900.—William Cairns, Castle Hill Colliery: Fractured forearm, caused by hauling-rope surging and striking arm. 25th October, 1900. —Francis Winter, Nightcaps Colliery : Instantaneously killed by a fall of coal at the face. This accident was fully reported to you on the 31st October. Thirty-one other accidents have been reported during the year, but are not of sufficient importance to mention individually. Of these, six were eye accidents at the Kaitangata Mine, caused while working "proud coal." Pieces of coal flying from the pick-point cause injury to the eye ; septic poisoning is set up, followed by ulceration of the cornea, with, in severe cases, partial loss of sight. I have, &c, E. E. Geebn, The (Jnder-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines. Errata. —Coal-mines Eeport, page 12, under heading of "General Kemarks " : For "589,183 tons," read "594,183 tons"; for "67,236 tons," read "72,421 tons."