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its power. In far-in levels, &c, brattice is carried to working-faces for ventilation as required. The opencast to furnish a considerable proportion of the total output, Stripping of overburden systematically carried out and workings are safely conducted. All plant and machinery maintained in good working-order. Report-books and plans to date. Hit or Miss Coal-mine, Nightcaps (William Tinker, lessee, permit).—(27/9/1906) : At this date the lessee was busy putting in a new drive to reach the coal-seam on adjoining sections. The mine is unwatered by means of syphon. Lamont's Coal-mine {H.8.), Nightcaps (D. McKenzie, permit).—6o3 tons of coal were raised from this mine during the year. The mine is now closed. Morley Coal-pit, Nightcaps (G. R. Spence).—Opencast pit, from which 1,167 tons of coal have been taken during the year. Mcßride's Coal-mine, Nightcaps (William Reed, lessee, permit).—(27/9/1906) : Driving a level westerly on strike of the coal, the intention being to thereby prove an area of 10 acres held by McKenzie and Cousins and lying to westward of Mcßride's section. Meanwhile coal is carted a distance of three miles to Wairia Railway-station, but a proposal is afoot to lay down a tramway to the station. The Willow Coal-pit, Nightcaps (John Clark).—33o tons of coal were mined for local requirements from this opencast pit during the year. Groves's Coal-pit, Manuka Hill, Nightcaps (George Groves).—(27/9/1906) : A new pit. A wooden tram-line, 60 chains in length, has been laid to the opencast pit at the foot of the hill. Hogan's Lignite License, Orepuki (Cornelius Hogan, licensee).—Opencast pit. Four tons of lignite were raised during the year. An inferior seam of lignite, 8 ft. in thickness, occurs on the banks of Falls Creek. There is nothing doing, and from appearances the pit is closed down, if not abandoned. Bush Siding Coal-pit, Seaward Bush (I. W. Raymond, late R. W. Robson, lessee ; F. Bowden, manager).—(29/8/1906) : Working opencast on north side of railway-line. Seam, 20 ft. Stripping of clay, 6 ft. to 8 ft., is kept fairly well in advance of working-face. Thomas Gillies's Coal-pit, Clifton.—The pit is still flooded owing to the small pump being unable to cope with surface drainage, and no coal has been mined during the year. Remarks. Contributions by coal-owners to the Coal-miners' Relief Fund amounted to £465 16s. 7d., while payments from the fund to the amount of £416 18s. lid. have been recommended on account of accidents which have occurred in and about coal-mines in this district during the year. Accidents. During the year 118 cases of accident were reported to me, three resulting fatally, while nine might be termed serious, and the balance, 106—mainly trivial accidents incidental to the calling—were chiefly reported to me in connection with claims for relief from the Coal-miners' Relief Fund, there being no Sick and Accident Fund in connection with the miners' associations in the district. For various reasons eleven of the claims were not prosecuted by the claimants. All accidents of a serious nature were inquired into and reports thereon duly forwarded to you by me. Fatal Accidents. sth February, 1906.—Alexander Beuuie, fifty-one, miner, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Fatally injured by fall of coal at face. Bth November, 1906.—Frederick Olive Anderson, forty-seven, acting assistant manager, and William Lee, twenty-four, mechanical engineer, Kaitangata Colliery : Suffocated by foul gases in return airway. Non-fatal {Serious) Accidents. 26th May, 1906.—Joseph Terry, repairer, Castle Hill Colliery, Kaitangata : Fractured rib, injuries to chest, lung, and head ; struck by runaway box on heading. 164 days off work. 26th May, 1906.—Joseph Lamberton, miner, Heffernan's Colliery, Gore : Fracture of fibula by piece of coal rolling on to leg. Seventy-two days off work. 25th July, 1906.—Neil McAllister, assistant manager, and Charles Milne, repairer, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Severe burns about face, hands, and body by small fall of heated sand and live coal which fell from brick-wall fire-stopping. 142 and 143 days off work respectively. 10th October, 1906.—John McCaughern and William Proctor, deputies, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Burns of face and arms by ignition of firedamp. Each sixty-one days off work. sth December, 1906.—John Ramsay, miner, Burnwell Coal-mine, Chatton : Injuries to head and back by fall of coal from roof. , . 17th December, 1906.—James Hill, banksman, sinking air-shaft, Kaitangata Colliery, kaitangata : Severe burns of face, arms, and body by ignition of firedamp at surface. 17th December, 1906.—David Coulter, miner, sinking air-shaft, Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Burns of face, neck, and arms by ignition of firedamp at surface. Forty-nine days off work. I have, &c, E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines.