a—3a

10

tons in excess of that of the preceding year ; the quantity of coal lowered down the company's inclines for shipment amounted to 310,000 tons. Generally, the mines continue to develop satisfactorily, while the development effected confirms the fact that the present productive capacity will continue well into the future. Coalbrookdale Mine. —(22/11/1906): Throughout the various working - districts of this mine a satisfactory standard of efficiency has been maintained, and extension continues to expose coal in fair quantity and quality. Endless-rope haulage having been extended into a central position of the Cascade Dip working, hauling operations are thereby much simplified. In the early part of the year fire, the result of spontaneous heating, was discovered in an incipient stage in the West Cascade section of pillar-working, but~the prompt and effective measures t&keh to_ fill awayand send out all heated debris from the mine, further danger was avoided. Munsie's section: In this section all the solid working that was deemed advisable to win from the present adit has been finished for some time, output being wholly maintained by the removal of the dip roadway pillars. However, in order to maintain the productiveness of the property, surveys have been completed preparatory to commencing the necessary rock-tunnelling operations in connection with the future development of the Whareatea lease. Owing to scarcity of labour, certain proposed works have been much retarded during the year. Ironbridge Mine. —(23/11/1906) : The development of Dundee Dip section has not proved a success, the seam being interrupted by a number of small faults, which hamper the "work and affect the cost of production; but it is worthy of note, the normal thickness of seam is showing more favourably in the direction of Mount William. Kiwi section, situated on the north bank of the Waimangaroa River, continues to yield a fair proportion of the output, the quality and thickness of seam being well maintained. Old shaft-workings : The prospecting-work so far carried out has proved an important additional area of first-class workable coal, with a thickness of 14 ft., which in future operations will form a strong factor towards the productive capacities of the Ironbridge Mine. Deep Creek area : In connection with the development of this section of the coalfield, the intended haulage-road, which junctions with the main underground haulage, has been driven out to the Waimangaroa River, where preparatory work is in progress towards the erection of a girder bridge; but before the coal-outcrops are reached, a further extension of rock-tunnel will be driven, and Deep Creek bridged. As an evidence of the advanced condition of exploration-works, an increased percentage of the total output was won from solid working, thus showing that the pillared areas are closely followed up. New works : Haulage system—The main haulage system leading from the Wooden Bridge, Bur nett's Face, to the brake-head, Denniston, a distance of 120 chains, is now controlled by a newly erected steam-driven"'double-cylinder haulage-engine, the constant power exerted being a dead pull of 40 tons. The new storage-bins orected at the brake-head, with a calculated capacity of over 2,000 tons, are now equipped to clean, grade, and load the coal into railway-wagons. The records kept at the respective mines of shots fired show a total of 46,191 shots, giving an average of 6-89 tons of coal produced per shot. Working-conditions have maintained their former efficiency in ventilation and timbering, together with the requirements of the Coal-mines Act. Coal Creek Coal-mine, Butter Road (George Walker, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : All operations are suspended. Entrance to the mine was partly blocked by a fall of loose earth, which formed a partial dam against the mine-water. White Cliffs Coal-mine, Butter Road (Job Lines, lessee). —(19/12/1906) : The limited supply of coal is confined to dredge requirements, the coal being chiefly taken from the extraction of pillars. Flaxbush Coal-mine, Three Channel Flat (De Filippi, owner). —(18/12/1906) : The supply of coal is still confined to the Mokoia and Feddersen dredges. Working-conditions are in good order, and timber freely used to secure the exhausted ground. Bourke's Creek Coal-mine (owners, Cairns and McLiver). —(14/12/1906) : Operations at this mine are somewhat limited, as the coal formerly worked on the terrace lands has failed to show any signs of improvement, either in hardness or quality. However, in order to acquire a better share of local trade, the party is jactively jengaged in constructing a roadway to develop a 6 ft. seam of better quality. Loekington's Leasehold, Bourke's Creek, Reefton. —(14/12/1906) : Operations were suspended the whole year. The coal-seam is practically valueless, with excessive pyritic stone. Plant and workingconditions are in good order. Archer's Freehold, Capleston (F. W. Archer, owner). —(14/12/1906) : The removal of pillars in the No. 2 tunnel continues to be the chief source of supply. However, as this section of pillar-working is nearing exhaustion, rock-tunnelling was commenced to win the bottom seam. On a later visit the seam was struck, showing coal of excellent quality and hardness. Coghlan's Freehold, Capleston (J. Coghlan, owner). —(14/12/1906) : The supply of coal continues to be taken from the rise mine. Considerable work has been done to exploit the seam on lower levels, but the prospects are not favourable towards further expenditure. Waitahu Coal-mine, Reefton (J. O'Donnell, owner). —(14/12/1906) : With the severe faulting met with in No. 1 section, together with the continued soft character of the coal riseward, operations were suspended and attention directed to develop a 6 ft. seam on a lower level. In opening out this seam, hardness was a marked feature until change of conditions was effected by a " thinning " and soft fireclay roof, which requires close timbering. For household purposes the coal is excellent, but cost of working is much increased by the high percentage of small coal. Reefton Coal Company (John Harris and party). —(13/12/1906): Coal is taken from two rise levels on No. 2 section, but the pyritic-stone bars maintain a strong and formidable position in the seam.