C—3

19

"It is just as likely that the men employed in baling accumulated water would suffer from poisonous gas "as those men did at the accident under notice, provided that similar conditions exist as regards chemical action. The following tabulated statement shows the number of fatal and serious non-fatal accidents which were reported to the Department during the year : —

MINEEALS OTHEE THAN GOLD. Scheelite. This mineral is found associated with quartz at Top Valley, near Blenheim, and at Macrae's, Mount Highlay, Bendigo, and Glenorchy, in Otago. At present it is only being worked m the vicinity of Macrae's and Mount Highlay, Messrs. W. and G. Donaldson alone having in the past made a commercial product of the mineral, which they separate from the quartz sands by concentration. As the demand for scheelite containing not less than 60 per cent, of tungstic acid is steadily increasing, and much greater quantities than have hitherto been available are now being inquired for, the matter is receiving greater attention in the district, and it appears more than probable that the export of this mineral will show a decided increase within the next few years. Platinum. Small quantities are obtained at the Eound Hill Gold-mining Company's works at Eound Hill, Southland. A little is also reported as being present in the wash at the Takaka hydraulic claim, but up to the present no attempt has been made to save it commercially. HEMATITE. Hsematite paint is made from the iron-ores of Parapara, and also at Thames. The crude mineral is also supplied from a deposit at one of the Southland lignite mines for use as a pigment for colouring paper at the Mataura paper-mills. Eock Phosphate. The rock-phosphate deposits near Milton, Otago, are being worked, and the stone, after calcination, is treated at the Burnside Chemical Works and put on the market as a fertiliser. Copper. Mr T A. Turnbull, the mining engineer in charge of the works now being carried on by the Mineral Belt Copper-mining Company, Nelson, has furnished the following particulars of the undertaking :— " The Mineral Belt Copper-mining Company (Limited) commenced operations upon the Aniseed Valley section of their property in January, 1904. The area is almost identical with that held by the old Champion Copper Company, and comprises about 1,000 acres on what is known as the ' mineral belt' At their United Mine No. 2 level has been cleared out and the ore-deposits and indications noted. Levels 3 and 4 had collapsed, as had also No. 5, but the latter has been cleared and retimbered for 360 ft. For 300 ft this level is but a shallow one, but for 160 ft. it follows the cap of what seems to be an extensive ore-deposit. This level is being extended into the hill, and the ore found in No. 2 level has apparently lived down, though much disturbed by an intrusion of diabase rock. The disturbed ground has been driven through, and the Company are well satisfied with their prospects at this level. At 150 ft below No 5 the company are putting in a drive to develop the ore cut in the levels above, and to prove'its extent and value. So far as can be judged at present they should have no trouble m maintaining a fair grade of output, as assays range from sto 26 per cent, of copper and the ore-bodies are anything from 2ft to 10 ft. wide. At Jackson's Lode, on the opposite side of the valley high-grade ore has been found and traced by trenching, but very little development-work has been done here The United North (formerly known as the Stinking Lode) and the Mount Claud Lodes are practical y untouched At the head of the valley the Monster Lode is being tested by a crosscut being put in 105 ft. below the outcrop In one place on the surface it can be seen that this lode, since its deposition has been fractured transversely, and the fissure has been filled by a redeposition and concentration of ore assaying 27 per cent, of copper. The company are proceeding cautiously, and taking steps to obtain reliable data as to the ore-deposits before going to the expense of erecting smelting-works, lwenty men Den2 of y copper P ore e are known to exist at several places in both Islands, but their extent and value are, generally speaking, as yet unproved. A syndicate has been formed for the purpose of exploiting the'deposits at Moke Creek, near Queenstown, Otago.

Class of Mining. _ j Northern West Coast Southern Total District. District. District. I Fatal. Non-fatal. Fatal. Non-fatal. Fatal. Non-fatal. Fatal. Non-fatal. Quartz Hydraulic and alluvial Dredging ... 3 2 3 4 "s 4 1 3 5 6 5 4 7 3 8 "a Totals ... 15 18