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depth of seam, 15 ft. The drainage-tunnel is 1,100 ft. in length, having 8 ft. of fall, and continues to keep the pit water-free. A trial drive, 10 ft. high by 10 ft. wide, had been driven some 40 ft., and proved the seam to maintain its thickness and quality. The owner has, however, decided to continue working opencast in preference to driving. The output of coal from this mine for the year 1902 amounted to 9,452 tons 10 cwt. Average number of men employed, nine. Bogside Coal-pit, Mataura (H. Brown). —(21/1/1902) : Pit being well worked, and stripping kept back from the face. The drainage of the pit is rather heavy for the small steam pumping plant in use. (25/8/1902), (Mutch and Hurst): Pit now standing full of water, but the owners intend reopening at an early date. Beattie and Coster's Pit, Mataura (W. Coster). —(21/1/1902) : Stripping kept well back from the face, and pit in good order. (25/8/1902): Seam maintains its thickness of 16 ft., with 10 ft. of stripping. The face is fully 50 yards in length, and the stripping is kept well in advance of face. Mutch's, Mataura (J. McGilvray).—(27/8/1902) : Mr. McGilvray has bought Mutch's property. Some 80 tons of haematite per annum is supplied to Mataura paper-mills. The coal-pit is shallow, and is now full of water. Duthie's Pit, Waimumu (J. Duthie). —(22/1/1902) : Negotiations are pending with a syndicate to purchase the pit and furnish coal-supplies to dredges in the Waimumu Valley. Working-face, 150 ft. in length; seam, 10 ft. 6 in.; stripping, 12 ft. A clay band 3 ft. in thickness underlying the seam is resting on a lower seam of coal, which is not being worked. Pit in good workingorder. (26/8/1902), (W. J. Williams and Son) : A tramway three miles in length has been constructed to the Waimumu Valley, and the requirements of the district are amply provided for. Lambert's, Edendale (R. H. Lambert). —(22/4/1902): Three men at work getting coal for the Two Creeks dredge. Stripping about 6 ft. Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps (J. Lloyd, manager). —(28/2/1902) : Development-work extending on the north-east boundary underground, and the opencast working on the outcrop. Air a little dull in the new dip and the new rise heading, elsewhere good. New fan-ventilating shaft just completed; depth, 65ft. by 6ft. diameter, brick-lined; foundations for fan being laid. Mine throughout in good order ; requirements of the Act well observed. Plan and report-books well kept. (25/4/1902) : Mine in good order throughout, roadways and air-courses clear, and an adequate supply of timber kept on hand. Air rather dull, but a subsequent visit to the venti-lating-furnace disclosed the fact that the furnace-man had been neglecting his duties. No. 2 mine in good order, and timber-supply unstinted. (30/10/1902) : The new low-level drain, to dispense with pumping in the mine, is 16f chains to the face; total length of drain when finished, 28 chains. The drain is timbered throughout, and is ventilated by a 2 ft. diameter fan driven by an overshot water-wheel 6 ft. 6 in. diameter; air-pipes 7 in. diameter, laid to the face. The mine throughout is in excellent order, and plant well above present requirements. Stripping kept well back on opencast workings. All underground working-places well provided with timber, and air conducted to the faces. A 9 ft. diameter " Hayes " fan, recently erected, is belt-driven by a 9-horse-power horizontal engine; boiler, tubular, 12-horse power. The fan is designed to run up to 200 revolutions per minute, and when put to work was found to circulate 51,030 cubic feet at 152 revolutions. This being in excess of requirements, the working-speed has been reduced to 100 revolutions per minute, at which speed a most ample ventilation is maintained. Air conducted direct to faces ; air stoppings and doors being in an efficient state, little or no loss from leakage occurring. H.B. Coal-mine, Nightcaps (T. Kelly and W. Reid).—(2B/2/1902) : The new lessees, having renewed timber where required, have put in a number of extra props on the level. Air conducted to the faces, but the upcast shaft should be enlarged at the bottom. (26/4/1902) : The seam is not thick enough to allow of much coal being left overhead, and consequently some difficulty is experienced in maintaining the roof. Ventilation fair, and airways clear. The upcast shaft is provided with a chain ladder. (29/10/1902) : Attention paid to safety of working, and timber kept close up to the faces. Air well conducted. Hit or Miss Mine, Nightcaps (Alley and Tinker; W. Tinker, permit).—(26/4/1902) : Mine in good order; timber plentifully used, and ventilation good. The mine is being opened in a regular manner, 6-yard pillars being left. (21/10/1902) : Mine in good order, and carefully worked. The level is advancing in good hard coal. Blythe Pit, Nightcaps (Grier and Spence, lessees). —-(27/4/1902) : The coal is dipping below water-level, and the stripping is also becoming too heavy. Pit standing full of water. (30/10/1902), (J. Ritchie, owner): Nothing doing here now, the pit having been abandoned by the lessees. Wairio Mine, Nightcaps (A. Mcßride). —(26/14/1902) : The mine had been sublet to Mr. J. W. Kelly, who had driven on the 11 ft. seam for about 90 ft. At this date the rails had been lifted, and the mine was standing full of water. Only a small quantity of coal now being taken out for private use. Quested's Pit, Nightcaps (J. Quested). —(26/4/1902): Present face 4 ft. of coal, with 2 ft. of light stripping. A new pit is being opened in the neighbourhood. Brighton's, Nightcaps (J. Clarke). —(26/4/1902) : The seam is worked opencast; 6ft. of stripping overlying 14 ft. of very good coal. Mr. John Clarke is working the pit during summer months under an arrangement with Mr. Brighton. Stripping kept well ahead of the working-face. Mount Linton Station Pit, Nightcaps (Colonel Chalmers, owner). —About 60 tons of coal per annum is taken out for own consumption. A water-wheel is being erected for pumping purposes. Orepuki Shale-mine, Orepuki (New Zealand Coal and Oil Company; M. Straw, manager).— (26/2/1<902) : Only Nos. 1 and 2 headings now working, it having been found necessary to concentrate the men and work out sections as rapidly as possible, owing to the " waste " heating and the