C—3a

16

Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel (manager, J. C. Campbell).—(l6/9/1902): The new dip off the main haulage level is down 5 chains to the face in coal of excellent quality. Pillars in the old mine continue to be skilfully extracted, from 90 to 95 per cent, of the seam being won. Timber used in abundance, most of which is drawn and used again. The false roof in some of the places requires and receives close attention. Through long experience the men are well aware of the nature of the roof, and, exercising due care, accidents are rare. (10/10/1902) : This visit was paid in consequence of an accident to John Marsh (bruised shoulder and arm by a fall of coal from side of pillar on the 30th ultimo). Marsh had been wedging a fall of coal from the pillar when a lump came away from a false back, inflicting injuries mentioned. Timber plentifully used. St. Helen's Colliery, Whitecliffs (H. Levick, permit).—(l 6/9/1902): The new low level at 73 yards cut an 8 ft. seam of coal, thus giving the place a new lease of life. A half-yard band of dirt in the centre of the seam provides convenient stowing, coal being worked on the " blocking-out" system. Levels in the seam are driven right and left, and a rise drive to surface provides for return airway. (10/10/1902) : The 8 ft. seam thinning to north. Mine well opened, and almost the whole of the seam being extracted; levels being driven to boundary of district, and coal blocked out coming back. Timbering efficient; air good. Brockley Pit, Glenroy (Henry Lee, permit).—(l 6/9/1902): The south level had been driven 70 yards to a roll and stopped ; the north level is driven 25 yards ; average thickness of seam, which is vertical, 3 ft. Timber, having been light in first instance, has proved inadequate to withstand pressure from sides, and is being renewed gradually. An uprise for air is 40 ft. to the surface. MacFarlane's, Staveley (Llewellyn John). —(15/10/1902): Two trial drives on north bank of Taylor's Stream had proved failures. Prospecting-drive on south bank is in 174 ft. in vertical measures, abutting limestone formation. Strata passed through, dark clays with bands of sandy clay and running sand. Drive well timbered. Coal, when found, is required for lime-burning purposes. Mount Somers Goal-mines, Mount Somers (Andrew Thompson, manager). —(18/9/1902) : No. 1 or old mine : Only one man now employed here getting steam coal. I had to draw the manager's attention to the careless manner in which blasting-powder was being handled. No. 2 mine : The levels are being pushed on in good, clean coal, bords off same being worked 8 ft. to 10 ft. high, coal being strong; roof standing well. Dip of seam, south lin 4iJ. Air-shaft for return required. Owing to second outlet being on same level with intake and natural ventilation only, air-current comparatively stagnant. Orr and Harris, Mount Somers (John Harris). —(18/9/1902): An area on Crown lands recently granted on the south bank of Chapman's or Woolshed Creek. Prospecting-drive is in 4 chains in a sft. seam of coal alongside a "roll." The main seam has not yet been struck, but is expected to be found at an early date. Butherford's Mine, Albury (J. M. Willetts). —(19/9/1902): The old level is now used as a water-level, a rise crosscut being used for haulage-way, and a pair of headings being driven off it to communicate with an air-shaft to be sunk in the near future, original air-shaft being in a state of disrepair. North Otago. Aivakino Pit, Kurow. —(10/7/1902): No one about. Mine-mouth fallen in. Coal has recently been taken from the creek-bed, where 4 ft. to 5 ft. of gravel stripping lays coal bare. Shanks's Pit, Wharekuri (A. Shanks). —(10/7/1902): Heat and damp from lower levels (old workings) squeezing through the joints of the coal. The seam being vertical, although 40 ft. in thickness, only about one-third of the coal has been won. Otiake Coal-pit, Otiake (Simpson and Cunningham). —-(10/7/1902): The prospecting-shaft has collapsed, and is now filled up to the surface. An adit level (timbered) had been driven through sandy clay seams, and at 3 chains the coal-seam was struck, and found to be 18 ft. in thickness (vertical). Strike, north-west and south-east. An air-shaft is required, sinking about 60 ft. For many years no work had been done on this seam, which was formerly known as Porter's Pit. St. Andrew's Colliery, Papakaio (T. Nimmo, permit). —(9/9/1902) : Three men drawing pillars ; mine well supplied with props. Main road and return airway to furnace in good order. Air good ; report-book to date. Prince Alfred Colliery, Papakaio (J. Willetts). —(9/9/1902): The pillars are now drawn back to the haulage-road, and this mine is nearly finished. Timber well set; air good. A prospecting-drive being put in to the adjoining hill is well timbered. Ngapara Colliery, Ngapara (W. Nimmo, permit). —(11/9/1902): Manager absent in town for the day. Three men employed. Seam thick and strong. Mine in good order. Shots are now fired at the end of each shift, thus avoiding pollution of air formerly complained of. McLeod's Kartigi (C. E. Twining).—(lo/9/1902) : Prospecting on the rising ground forming the northern bank of Trotter's Creek. Several small seams have been driven on, but not sufficient work yet done to prove or estimate the value of the field. Shag Point Colliery, Shag Point (Thomas Shore, manager).—(l 7/2/1902) : Water out at last, after five months' baling and pumping. The new under-sea seam is driven on 30 ft. to north side of level. Three new feeders were struck at intervals of 2 yards, making the total flow of water from the seam 24,000 gallons per hour by admeasurement. The roof to the seam is composed of quartz conglomerate, hard and solid, except for the cutters or joints whence the water flows. Water still strongly brackish. I examined the mine, and found that it had not been much affected by the flooding. Air good; plans and report-books to date. (8/4/1902): Proprietors having decided to discontinue operations, pumps and plant have been drawn, and dismantling operations are almost completed. Some of the plant is being removed to the Lovell'sFlat Mine. (8/7/1902):