C—3a.

Dairy Greek Goal-pit, Clyde (B. Robertson, permit).—(s/6/1901) : Workings generally in good order. Air good. Preparations now being made to put a dip drive down in coal from surface and erect an engine for haulage purposes to replace shaft and horse haulage at present in use. (9/12/1901) :W. Dixon, manager. The new mine dip has been driven down to the middle level, and has about 20 ft. to go to reach the bottom level of the shaft-workings. Mine, idle on this date. Ventilation fair throughout the workings. Clyde Collieries (Vincent Coal-fit), Clyde (G. F. Turner, manager).—(s/6/1901) : The south levels are stopped at an upthrow fault, the throw of which is not yet determined. Headings off the level are all up to the outcrop ; pillars intact. A crosscut dip drive is down 30 yards in excellent coal. Roadways in good order ; iron rails throughout. Workings very safe. Air good. New mine started to the rise. When finished will become a second outlet in addition to shaft already provided. A new coupled engine, Gin. cylinders, 12 in. stroke, has been erected for haulage purposes. Rules posted. Report-book and plan to date. (9/12/1901): Mine idle on this date. Ventilation fair, and mine in good order. Top dip stopped through shortage of timber, but connection has been made through to the main workings. Cromwell Pit, Cromwell— (2s/7/1901) : Not working. Wadie and Simmons''s Mine, Lindis. —(29/4/1901) : A few tons only have been taken out of the creek-bed. The coal was waterlogged, and when tried on the Lindis dredge was said to be inferior and incapable of keeping up steam. Gardrona Mine, Cardrona (D. Scurr). —(27/4/1901) : Opencast. The open race formerly used, for bringing in water for ground-sluicing the stripping has been cut off, and 600 ft. of 9 in. pipes are now laid, a pressure of 200 ft. vertical head being obtained. The stripping is easily removed. The pit is now being worked in a safe and systematic manner. Kawarau Goal-pit, Bannockburn (Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company; T. Barclay, manager).—(2s/7/1901) : The new dip is down about 5 chains, but the last 100 ft. of coal proved too stony and had to be abandoned. Eight men are employed taking out what coal is left above this to the rise. The pit is in good order. Air good. Report-book a fortnight in arrears. (1/10/1091) : Owing to mishap to pump, the water was up for three days. Since the water was taken out the roof has fallen at the foot of the main dip near the pump. The men have withdrawn their tools and were taking up some of the roads. The manager anticipates that the settlement will cease in a few days. This pit is fast being worked out, and the intention is to drive a new dip on the proposed extension lease. Six men in mine ; three men on top. Report-book to date. (31/11/1901): The pillar-work is fast closing in. The old workings, which were on fire, have been broken into, consequently the atmosphere is close and warm. Three men below. A new dip being put down on the Kawarau Extension will strike the coal at 100 ft., with a dip of 1 in 4. Excelsior Pit (Parcell and Gibson's), Bannockburn (Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company ; Thomas Barclay, manager). —(25/7/1901) : Work in this pit now confined to taking out pillar-coal. The coal being hard and the roof good, the work is comparatively easy and safe. Nine men underground. Air good. No levels have been driven yet lower than the bottom of the haulage dip. Report-book up to date. (2/10/1901) : Pillar-work still going on. Air good. Eight men in mine ; two men on top. Report-book up to date. (31/11/1901) : Work slack. Ventilation good, and mine in fair working-order. Bannockburn Coal-mine (Wilson s), (Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company; T. Barclay, manager).—(2s/7/1901) : Three men are taking out pillar-coal in the old mine. On account of the work closing in, ventilation is somewhat impeded, and the air is warm. A short time, however, should see this section of work finished. A low level driven from the river-bank strikes the seam 120 ft. to the dip of the old workings. Several places have been broken off and carried on to connect with the air-shaft. Until that is completed the air will bo dull. The surface arrangements in connection with the lower workings are still primitive. Haulage over the river is done by means of a hand-winch, and the coal is carried on a travelling-chair suspended from a wire rope. (2/10/1901) : Two men in old mine at pillar-work. Air warm. A connection is being made from the new workings. Nine men in lower workings ; three men on top. Coal is being worked to the rise. (31/11/1901) : Trade being slack, there was no one about. Air good. George Jeffrey's Area, Bannockburn. —(2/10/1901) : Two prospecting-shafts have been sunk. The last shaft was sunk well in the lease, and found coal at 50 ft. depth. Two men engaged. Gairnmuir Pit (Grow and Anderson's), Bannockburn (Crow and Anderson, owners). — (25/7/1901) : A small prospecting-shaft has been sunk, but no serious efforts are being made to develop the area. Nevis Goal-pit, Nevis (Alexander Cameron). —(30/-4/1901) : Mr. Luscombe recently sold the pit to Mr. Cameron. There was no one about; no work being done owing to the Nevis Company's dredge having cut away the coal-road entrance to the pit. The north side of the pit is standing well, but the south-side workings (where the coal is soft and inferior) are fallen in. (27/11/1901) : Opencast. Seam 40 ft. thick. Top stuff stripped with water. Three men. Mr. Charles Scott now in charge. Ryder's Pit, Nevis (John Williamson, permit). —(1/5/1901) : A new opening on the seam— which is vertical—has been made. The coal was previously worked opencast until stripping became too heavy. Two parallel drives have been put in the face going south. The coal is harder and of better quality than is usual in the locality. I drew the manager's attention to the dangerous nature of the face over the entrance to the drives; owing to the loose and friable nature of the clays on the coal-seam here, more batter is required. Instructions to this effect were given to the manager. (27/11/1901) : Seam 45 ft. thick. One man only at work. C lough and Allen's, Nevis (Mrs. A. Holmes). —(1/5/1901) : Opencast. This pit adjoins and is the northern continuation of Ryder's Pit seam. Apparently very little is being done here ; the coal could be more easily won from the Ryder's Pit side than any other way.

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