15

C—Ba

Sanderson's Coal-mine {late Phillips's), Awakino, Kurow (John Sanderson, owner). —(30/11/1906): This mine having been acquired by Mr. Sanderson, the new owner has driven 50 yaids in and 50 yards southerly along the strike of the semi-vertical coal-seam to a fault which was being proved. A prospecting shaft to south of present workings is down 30 ft, Awakino Coal-mine, Kurow (George Orr, owner). —(30/11/1906): Not worked since March, 1905. St. Andrew's Colliery, Papakaio (Thomas Nimmo, owner and manager). —(23/11/1906) : A feature of the work in this mine is the safe manner in which pillars and head coal continue to be withdrawn without accident. Air good. Rules posted. Prince Alfred Colliery, Papakaio (Mrs. J. E. Willetts, owner; William Russell, permit).— (23/11/1906) : The 7 ft. seam of coal in the leasehold is practically exhausted. Timbering is well and safely done. A quantity of C0 2 being given off from the waste is led direct to the upcast air-shaft. A prospecting shaft being sunk on the freehold is down 40 ft, in the coal-measures. Ngapara Colliery, Ngapara (William Nimmo, owner and manager). —(14/8/1906) : Mine-workings in good order. Ventilation excellent. Seam, 25 ft, lignite and shale intermixed, having bands showing resinous and woody structure. Allandale Colliery, Shag Point (0. H. Westfield, mine-manager ; W. Everest, secretary, Shag Point). —(27/11/1906) : North section: Coal having thinned down considerably, it was decided to cease advancing and come back on the pillars, which w r ork is now proceeding. A prospecting bore at 58 ft. passed through a seam of coal 3 ft. 6 in. in thickness. Dip section: Development continues. The dip is at 280 yards to the face, and No. 2 north and south levels are broken away —the north level in top seam and south level in No. 2 seam. These seams are seen contiguous in several sections of the district, giving a total thickness of from 12 ft. to 14 ft. of ooal where exposed. Ventilation satisfactory, and timbering of working-places systematically attended to, an abundant supply for the purpose being constantly maintained on the premises. Electric-power plant for dip-haulage, pumping, and lighting purposes having proved efficacious, additional electrical plant is on order for the purpose of working the 7 ft. seam to the dip at near foot of main-haulage incline. Rules posted. Report-hooks and plan to date. Shag Point Colliery {old pit). Shag Point. —(2/5/1906) : Buildings are taken down ; engines, boilers, pumps, and all plant and machinery removed. Shafts are fenced around and covered with substantial beams. I had a quantity of old and damaged explosives removed from the magazine to a place of safety. Shag Point Colliery, Shag Point (William Hunt, permit). —A land-sale trade is being done from the upper or 3 ft. seam on the hillside. Pillar-extraction continues. South Otago. Fernhill Coal Company, Abbotsford (James Gray, lessee and manager).—(l4/11/1906) : A section of the old workings has been opened and cleared of damp. Falls of roof and sand from above coalseam maks effective stoppings to fire area. Ventilation satisfactory. Freeman's Coal Company, Abbotsford (R. Hill, manager).—(l4/11/1906) : The irregular method of development adopted is not conducive to free ventilation, with the result that while a fair supply of air enters the mine an unduly small proportion of the whole reaches a number of the working-faces. At my request improvements have been effected from time to time by closer attention to bratticing, and the ventilating furnace has been repaired and enlarged somewhat. It is, however, apparent that, as airways and roadways lengthen the loss of air by leakage and drag is such that the requirements of the Coal-mines Act are becoming incapable of fulfilment under the existing system. Pillais are being successfully drawn in the dip area, and the line of fire stoppings is maintained. An air-door on the haulage-road was found burnt in half, but whether maliciously or accidentally set on fire has not, been ascertained. The new coupled haulage-engine is working effectively. Report-books to date. Plan kept. Rules posted. Jubilee Colliery, Saddle Hill (Peter Campbell, mine-manager).—(l9/9/1906): A new air-shaft, 4 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 6 in., has been sunk a depth of 75 ft. to the coal-seam ; hence the ventilation around the working-faces is considerably improved. The former air-course has been cut off, and the old workings have now a separate ventilating system. Twenty-eight men employed. The mine-workings and roadways are in good order. Powder-canisters provided. Rules posted. Report-book up to date. Plan kept. Burnweil Colliery {including Glenochiel Colliery), Saddle Hill (Adam Harris, owner and manager).— (19/9/1906) : Mr. Harris having acquired the adjoining Glenochiel Colliery property (so long owned and worked by Mr. Bryce), has recently directed his efforts in the latter direction. Hauling-engine and steam-boiler having been erected, a new dip is being driven easterly, which will command a reasonable area of coal-seam to the rise of the engine plane. Ventilation good, and brattice up to workingfaces. Saddle Hill No. 1 Colliery, Saddle Hill (Christie Bros., owners ; W. W. Ogilvie, manager).— (9/10/1906) : A brick furnace has been built to the new upcast air-shaft. Ventilation excellent, and air conducted by brattice to working-faces. Extension of main dip is being proceeded with. This mine is water-free, due to percolation of water-growth (which is considerable) into a seam of sand underlying the coal-seam, thus becoming a source of underground springs at lower altitudes. Seam 20 ft. in thickness, of which 8 ft. is being worked bord and pillar.as first working. Saddle Hill No. 2 Colliery, Saddle Hill (Christie Bros., owners ; James C. Christie, manager).— (19/9/1906) : Pillars continue to be successfully drawn in a safo manner, an ample supply of timber being kept up to the lip of the waste as required. Mr. Christie estimated that from 85 to 90 per cent, of the coal-seam is being recovered. It is worthy of notice that fifteen miners produced 21,000 tons