C—3a

18

North Extension : No. 7 dip was, put down 105 ft. when a " roll " was struck. A level was started away, but owing to presence of gas and difficulty of ventilating the dip was stopped, and is now half full of water. Nos. 1 and 2 levels south are being pushed on, and it is intended to drive along the " roll " for ventilation of the dip workings. Gas was detectable on the roof at the face of No. 2 level. The return from this place was contracted. Elsewhere this section was clear of gas, the only working-faces being No. 2 level and end. Jordan's Seam: This is an 11 ft. seam cut by a cross-measures drive, and lying behind the 25 ft. seam working stone cross-cut. There were six men in this section. Nos. 1 and 2 levels north were working. All clear to-day, although presence of gas sometimes detected at face of No. 1 level north. We traversed the faces of the headings, and the return by way of the 50 ft. shaft up into the 25 ft. seam section. Examined all the stoppings en route, and found all clear round the return. This is a long distance, and involves upkeep of a large number of stoppings mostly "log " built. We returned by way of the stone cross-cut to the main drive, and then by the north extension to No. 5 dip. There is only one pillar working in this dip, two men on bottom level and two on top. The roof is here very treacherous, owing to the presence of a " roll " which traverses the pillar. The roof falls close in to the face. In consequence of this it is a difficult matter to ventilate properly over and through the fallen ground behind the pillar. The pillar is being brought outwards. The bottom pair of men were in fairly good air, but on going to the top pair we found them dependant upon the air which filtered through the fallen ground. At my instance these men were removed, and will now be in the direct course of the air which will be on the faces. Carriage Heading district: Stopped off on the level; all clear. 6 ft. seam : One man on stonework. North level and north level return : All stoppings clear on this course. Air current: South side, 300, 6 by 5, 9,000; north-side. 250, 6 by 5, 7,500: total, 16,500, plus 5 per cent., 825: 17,325. Record Reign Coal-mine, Kaitangata (John Irvine, manager).—(24/7/1907): A straight level drive from the hillside into the coal-seam, which appears to be about 10 ft. in thickness. No one about at the time of my visit. Central Otago. Coal Creek Collieries, Coal Creek Flat, Roxburgh (R. Pilling, jun., secretary, Lawrence; J. Barber, mine-manager).—(7/6/1907): Leasehold Mine: The new drive put in to meet the coal seam in the dip, and thus lessen the haulage distance and provide free drainage, did not prove successful. Disturbed and heavy ground was met with, and the plan was abandoned after a distance of 8 chains had been driven. Three men were employed taking up a new lift of bottom coal in the opencast, until means could be provided of mining further to the dip. Freehold Mine: Owing to there being three coal-pits in this district, causing keen competition for a limited trade, only the best quality of coal is sent from the pits. A large proportion of the coal from the freehold section appears to be inferior to that in the leasehold, and for this reason the freehold section has not been worked during the year. The mine is kept open and in repair, and I found it in good order on my visit. Good natural ventilation is maintained. Rules posted. Plan and report-book kept up. McPherson's Coal-pit, Coal Creek, Roxburgh (Mrs. M. McPherson, lessee; A. McPherson, manager).—(7/6/1907): Portion of the seam lying towards the main road exhibited signs of spontaneous ignition. Attention was given to this place, and a large amount of coal was won opencast. The lessee has hopes that the heated area has been cleared out. This pit, which continues to be worked opencast, is kept in good order, but the amount of refuse obtained from rubbish seams and soft coal is a serious drawback. The greater portion of the clay overburden is sluiced off with water. 4.024 tons of coal was mined during the year, and an average of six men were employed. Craig's Perseverance Coal-mine, Coal Creek Flat, Roxburgh (James Craig, lessee; William S Craig, permit).-—(7/6/1907): The new dip workings were in good order. A good current is maintained by natural conditions. The heated area continues to be stopped off. I found the stoppings in good order. Safety-lamp inspection made. Six men are employed. Rules posted. Report-book up to date. Plan kept. McQueenville Colliery, Alexandra (S. T. Lett, lessee). —(9/8/1907): The lessee having applied for abandonment, shafts have been filled up, and edges of plumps to surface trimmed as settlement of filled-in material proceeds. Above is in accordance with the terms of the lease. Alexandra Coal-mine, Alexandra (Mathias Bros, and Co., lessees: C. F. Turner, minemanager).—(27/9/1907) : This privately owned mine continues to be worked by the shareholders, to supph* dredging and household requirements. Generally the mine is in good working-order. Timber is used as required. The condition of the seam renders narrow working necessary, and for tliis reason the ventilation requires careful attention. On this visit the air was dull at several faces, but this was remedied by readjustment of the air-brattice. Only one man was employed in the lower workings, driving a new dip. The main work was being continued to the rise. Safety-lamp inspection continues to be made before the men descend to work. Plan and reportbook kept. Rules posted 4,600 tons of coal was raised, and an average of eleven men employed above and below ground. Alexandra Coal Company (Molynenx Colliery), Alexandra (L. Ryan, secretary: James Pollock, mine-manager).—(B/2/1907): Mine-workings and roadways in good order. Bore-holes are kept going in roof and face of advancing places. The top of the upcast chamber of the shaft lias been heightened 42 ft., and this has resulted in a marked improvement in the ventilation.