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of the seam meet anticipations, the installation of more powerful and permanent plant will be necessary. The'absence of water is a notable feature in the working-conditions. The endless-rope-haulage system, the best that could have been adopted, is in operation. The construction of storage-bins with a load-ing-capacity of 2,000 tons has been substantially completed, but in addition to the present appliances in use, be furnished for the more even distribution and efficient cleaning of the coal before loading. Amongst the essentialities at the colliery are the blacksmiths' and carpenters' workshops, which are spaciously built and equipped with useful labour-saving tools ; also the office recently erected for colliery use compares favourably with similar buildings at more important centres. The sawmilling plant has been found a factor of considerable value in connection with the development of the property, and with the recent addition of the planing-machine, the requirements for building timber for workmen's dwellings will be much simplified. The general equipment of the colliery has been carried out on substantial and efficient lines. The ventilation and general working-conditions of the mines are satisfactory, and the provisions under the Coal-mines Act are strictly observed. Seven inspections were made. Thomas Smith, miner, was killed by a fall of roof. Accidents and Fatalities. Brunner Mine. —(18/1/1904) : Wright Armstrong, roadman, killed by a fall of coal whilst draw- ■ ing timber. Coalbrookdale Mine. —(l/ 3/1904) : Albert Jefferman, miner, killed by fall of coal in the face, spragging neglected. Point Elizabeth Mine. —(14/12/1904) : Thomas Smith, miner, killed by a fall of roof on flatsheet. Mokihinui Mine. —(10/3/1904) : John Tressman, miner, had legs bruised by fall of coal in the face. Coalbrookdale Mine. —(3/5/1904) Price, shiftman, sustained injury to head and face and arms while setting timber—not serious. Ironbridge Mine. —(28/7/1904) : F. Hudson, miner, had collarbone and two short ribs broken by fall of bottom coal breaking away from underneath the sprag while he was holing. Point Elizabeth Colliery, Greymouth. —(26/1/1904) : Walter Watson, carpenter, had arm broken while erecting coal-bins. (27/9/1904) : William Davis, deputy, had two ribs broken and injury to shoulder while drawing timber in the east level face off No. 1 tunnel. Tyneside Mine. —(28/9/1904) : W. Moses, miner, was slightly burned by explosion of gas in the face. Puponga Mine. —(B/4/1904) : Thomas Collier, miner, sustained cuts on face and scalp-wound by fall of coal in the face. Progress New Coal-mine, Reefton. —(4/8/1904) : Thomas McGee and William Cochrane (mates) were injured by fall of stone in face. Brunner Mine. —(l 4/10/1904) : James Hunter, miner, sustained fracture of leg by fall of stone in face. General Remarks. The output of coal during the year ending 31st December, 1904, was 836,950 tons, which is an increase of 55,918 tons as compared with the previous year. The year 1904 has been marked by the active progress made in the|erection o appliances to effect increased efficiency in the ventilation of the West Coast colleries. At Blackball and Tyneside Mines fans have been erected and are now in operation, whilst, as already reported, the Westport Coal Company have carried out extensive works preparatory to the erection of a 12 ft. diameter double-inlet fan, with a guaranteed exhausting-capacity of 150,000 cubic feet per minute, at a 3 in. water-gauge. At time of writing, this fan has arrived at Westport. The Puponga Coal Company have also completed arrangements to install a single-inlet fan, 7 ft. in diameter. These fans when erected and operative will place the whole ventilating system of the principal West Coast collieries under fan-control. Drainage. —The rock-driven adits now well advanced towards completion at Millerton and Blackball will effect free drainage over the whole system now operative at each colliery. Foreign Trade. Westport Coal Company. —The total tonnage shipped directly from the port of Westport to outside the colony during the year 1904 was 44,319 tons, this statement being a decrease of 9,497 tons as compared with the previous year. I have, &c, R. Tennent, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 4. Mr. E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines, Dunedin, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Office of Inspector of Mines (Southern District), Dunedin, Ist April, 1905. I have the honour to submit the following report on the coal-mines in the Southern District for the year ending the 31st December, 1904, in accordance with the requirements of section 67 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1891 " :—