C—3a.

Bourke's Creek Coal-mine (owners, Cairns and McLiver).—(ll/12/1905) : Fot reasons best known to the owners, coal-mining on this lease may be considered at a standstill, the remnants of some old outcrop pillars being the chief source of supply. In the early part of the year a drive was cut into a rising outcrop on the western side of the creek, but the coal (soft) so far won is practically valueless for household purposes. . Archer's Freehold, Cwplestm (F. W. Archer, owner).—(ll/12/1905) : Owing to a fall of roof which occurred on the rise-level pillar-working, coal for local demands has been chiefly taken from the lower level working. Regarding the upthrow fault mentioned in previous report, nothing further has been done to prove the extent of displacement, it being the intention of the owner to cut the fault on a lower level tunnel which is partly driven. Local demands are not pressing owing to the continued depression in the dredging industry. Cor/Man's Freehold, Capleston (J. Coghlan, owner).—(ll/12/1905) : In the rise mine from which the coal is trolleyed down a self-acting incline, one man finds employment, getting coal for dredging and general use in the district. The field is further opened by a low level and staging erected for screening appliances, but up to time of writing coal for market purposes is not yet produced. The coal in the face is a fair sample. Murrmi Creek Coal-mine (J. Billett, owner).—(l 2/12/1905): Coal from this property continues to be supplied for steaming purposes, both at the Murray Creek Battery-works and the Energetic Mine, owned by the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand. In approaching the rising hill country faulting seems to exist, and, so far as development has extended, the probable continuation of the seam cannot be accurately determined. The leasehold shows a very good supply of coal eastward in open face. Phcenix Coal-mine, Reefton (John Knight, ownei).—(l2/12/1905) : The deep-level open-face coal located in the creek-bed has been carefully won, and a low-level drive commenced and securely timbered to win and open out the bottom section of coal-seam. However, success has notfollowed the venture, owing to an unknown and very intrusive faulting, the cutting of which has incurred considerable expenditure in rock-driving without showing any immediate indications of coal. Meanwhile local demands have been supplied from the Old Rise Mine (recently opened), the quality of coal continuing to show a fair sample, while ventilation is well maintained on the face through a newly cut rise connecting with the surface. Loehington's Leasehold, Bourke's Creek, Reefton.— (ll/11/1905) : There has been little coal won here owing to the limited demand. Preparatory to winter trade a new screening plant has been erected, and connection effected by new tram-line. The owner having constructed an extensive sawmilling plant adjacent to the mine, it is his intention to utilise the small coal for steaming purposes. Blachadder's Leasehold, Reefton Town Belt.— (l 2/12/1905) : In consequence of a total collapse of the roof in No. 2 tunnel further coal-getting was abandoned, and a third tunnel commenced on a lower level of the coal-seam. Having driven this No. 3 tunnel, and securely timbered it a distance of 100 ft., operations were abandoned owing to a break of wet, sandy ground in the face. "Ultimately the property was offered for sale without^success. Lankey's Creek Coal-mine, Reefton.— (l2/12/1905) : The demands on this small mine have shown a marked improvement, affording full employment to both partners. During the busy season work was continued on the single drive until further extension became impracticable ; the attention of the party was then directed to opening a second tunnel from, the outcrop, which is now progressing in good coal. New Inkerman Mines (Limited), Reefton, continued to take coal for steaming purposes at their battery-works until operations ceased, and the property was sold to the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand (Limited), who have meantime abandoned all mining operations. Devil's Creek Coal-mine, Reefton.— Since the present lessee reopened and securely timbered this drive, nothing further has been done. The seam is practically vertical, and the coal does not command a ready market notwithstanding the proximity of the mine to the town. Progress New Coal-mine, Reefton.— (l2/12/1905) : Regarding the working of the mine, development is chiefly confined to the extension of the main level westward, and rising to the outcrop, ventilation being well maintained through the regular holdings. The coal is exclusively won for steaming purposes at the A and B shafts, Progress Mines. Loughnan's Coal-mine, Reefton.— (l2/12/1905) : Slow but steady progress continues to be made. The output is very limited. Waitahu Coal-mine, Reefton (J. Scarlett, lessee).—(ll/12/1905) : Operations here are continued by one man, who supplies about 30 cwt. of screened coal per day, the seam showing no improvement towards hardness, while the situation, of the mine gives ample facility to deposit the small coal into the Waitahu River. In extending the low level, faulting of a very formidable character was recently met/which may account for the absence of coal, visible at the seat of fire on the adjoining property. Burning Coal-seam; Boatman's.— During the many visits paid to this property indications of heating or smoke have been absolutely nil, even when water was not available, the water-supply being almost dependent on rainfall. Water-races are in good order.

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