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Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 31st MARCH, 1906.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in accordance with the requirements of Section 108 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905."

Mr. James Bishop, Manager of State Coal-mines, to the Under-Secretary for Mines, Wellington. SIR _ Greymouth, 10th July, 1906. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the State Coal-mines for the year ending 31st March last. Point Elizabeth Colliery. In previous reports I have dealt somewhat fully with the physical features of the reserves on which this, colliery has been opened, as also with the peculiarities hitherto met with in the course of the underground development. . , In this connection a disappointing feature has been the thinning of the coal-seam now being operated on as the workings advanced towards the rise of the field. This, taken in conjunction with the system of faults known to exist in the region, has demanded constant and careful attention being given to exploratory work in order that the colliery may be maintained in a position to cope with the trade, and increase the output of coal as demand arises. The principaT'woTk done in this direction during the year comprises boring by diamond drill, extending new headings underground, and the; examination of surface outcrops. In all, 2,200 ft. of boring has been done, one bore having been carried to a depth of 1,600 ft, proving a number of seams, two of which are workable and can be developed later on. The result of the boring is not conclusive as regards the lower or Moody Creek seams, and further boring will be required before deciding the position of works required to develop these coals. .-'.,'., The outcrops examined on the outlying part of the reserves show seams varying in thickness from 2 ft. to 20 ft., the latter being of a high-quality bituminous coal. These seams will be further examined, and their position ascertained by survey at the very earliest opportunity. Underground Development. The developments underground have been continued on the lines indicated in my last year's The dip headings in Nos. 1 and 2 sections are being continued. The former has reached a distance of 16 chains, and the latter 33 chains. In both sections the coal has maintained an average thickness of 10 ft, and is of excellent quality. Coal-winning. The quantity of coal raised during the year amounts in the gross to 131,816 tons 8 cwt, made up of 85,493 tons 9 cwt. from No. 1 section, 44,464 tons 7 cwt, from No. 2, and 1,858 tons 12 cwt. from No. 3.

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