o.—3a.

Denniston Colliery. — (19/10/1905): James Dowse, coal-cutting-machine attendant, had back injured by piece of coal breaking over sprag. Denniston Colliery. —(18/12/1905 :) George Smith, deputy, had hip dislocated and was bruised generally, caused by fall of top coal in face. Denniston Colliery. —-(18/12/1905) : James Duguid, miner, had leg broken, caused by same fall of coal as injured Smith. Point Elizabeth Colliery. —(16/6/1905) : James Connolly, miner, had leg and ribs broken and injury to back, caused by fall of coal in the face. Point Elizabeth Colliery. —(l 3/10/1905) : Michael Connolly, trucker, was bruised by runaway empty truck. Genkkal Remarks. The output of coal for the year ending the 31st December, 1905, was 856,227 tons, which is an increase of 19,277 tons as compared with the previous year. In continuation of my previous remarks,, mechanical ventilation is now efficiently installed over the whole West Coast colliery system. New Leases. —The New Stockton Coal Company, Westport, is making satisfactory progress in connection with the initiatory development in setting out rock and coal drivings and other important surface works. In further addition to the working and projected properties, the coal-bearing area locally known as Cooke's lease was recently granted to a British syndicate. The coal lease granted on the Paparoa Ranges, Blackball, is now to be developed by a limited liability company. Fleming's Lease, Stillwater. —Driving has been continued for a distance of 600 ft., intersecting a series of marine formation, which, so far developed, gives very unfavourable indications of coal-bearing strata. Drainage. —The deep-level rock adits at Millerton and Blackball are now completed and operative. Completion of these drivings effects free drainage over the whole working-areas. Foreign Trade. Westport Coal' Company. —The total tonnage shipped directly from Westport to ports outside the colony during the year 1905 was 34,769 tons, this being a decrease of 9,550 tons as compared with the year 1904, and in comparison with the year 1903, a decrease of 19,047 tons. 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, 30th March, 1906. In accordance with the requirements of section 75 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905," I have the honour to submit the following report on the coal-mines in the Southern District for the year ending 31st December, 1905 :— Canterbury. Springfield Colliery, Springfield (J. Taylor, permit).—(26/4/1905) : During the month of February last the district was visited by heavy rains which so increased the drainage of the pit that the pump broke down under the extra strain, and being unable to overcome the inflow, the water rose in the workings, which collapsed and were abandoned. The coal-seam had been practically exhausted in the shaft area, and fireclay had latterly been the principal production. A new drive from the surface is being put in for fireclay for pottery-works, also to prospect for an upper seam of coal supposed toJlexist in the direction being driven. Victoria Mine, Springfield (W. J. Cloudesley, owner). —(26/4/05) : Behind the fault the coal became soft and inferior. Hard coal pillars were then withdrawn to the outcrop, and the ground behind is falling in. Dalethorpe Coal-mine, Springfield (G. Rutherford, owner ; P. Campbell, manager).—Coal mined for station purposes and local requirements.

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