21

C—3a

Border Coal-pit, Rough Ridge. —(2/12/08) : A new tenant named Richard Thomas is awaiting lease preparatory to reopening this pit, which, from its favourable situation, should be a convenience to the settlers in the district. Gimmerburn Coal-pit, Gimmerburn (George Dougherty, owner). —A small quantity of coal continues to be raised for the convenience of the settlers in the district. Donaldson's Coal-pit, Mount Highlay (W. and G. Donaldson, lessees). —Two hundred and fiftyeight tons of coal won during the year for use at the tungsten and scheelite mines. Clyde Collieries Company, Clyde (Vincent and Dairy Creek Mines), (W. H. Ackroyd, secretary, Dunedin ; G. F. Turner, mine-manager).—(2s/9/08) : The new dip is being driven in the town coalseam, which is continuing good, and places are being won therefrom. Stoppings are in on the fringe of pillared area ; no undue warmth observable. Ventilation fair ; rules posted ; plan to date. Eraser River Coal-mine, Shepherd's Flat, Clyde. —The steam gold-dredge, for supplies to which this mine was opened, having ceased operations, there is no present demand, and the mine is closed. Cardrona Colliery, Cardrona (R. McDougall, lessee). —As has been usual, the seam is composed of bands of hard and soft coal alternately. The workings are now in a patch of crushed coal, with indications of hard band coming in on the lower level. Operations are confined to working on the strike in a southerly direction. Some prospecting is suggested northerly, but no expenditure has been incurred there as yet. Gibbston Coal-mine, Gibbston Saddle (Duncan and Scheib, lessees ; J. Duncan, mine-manager). — (13/5/08) : Mine-workings and roadways in good working-order. Ventilation good ; return airway rather small in places. Report-book up to date ; rules posted. Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company, Bannockburn (T. K. Harty, Managing director, Dunedin ; W. R. Parcell, mine-manager).—(26/9/08) : Kawarau or Shepherd's Creek Mine : A run of sand and water from roof in extreme dip-places south occurred during the early part of the year, and filled the bottom places and pillared area, which are now settled. Coal-seam to north and south of main dip having thinned to unworkable, the pillars are now being drawn outward, with a reasonable percentage of coal being won. Communication has been established with No. 4 level for second-outlet return on north side of dip. Water-percolation from surface having been successfully treated, there is no present necessity for installation of new Tangye pump procured ; another satisfactory feature is that Sunday pumping, formerly imperative, is thereby enabled to be dispensed with. Ventilation fair ; rules posted ; reports to date. Excelsior Mine : Operations suspended throughout the year owing to the policy adopted of concentrating workmen at Kawarau Mine. A large area of ground is standing on pillars ready for withdrawal at an opportupe time. Upkeep of the mine is maintained. Wilson's Mine : Communications having been effected with Excelsior Mine, this mine may now be conveniently combined with the Excelsior. Cairnmuir Coal Company, Bannockburn (John Hodson, mine-manager). —(26/9/08) : Dip drive being extended, and places are broken away having substantial pillars, on account of the steepness of seam, which varies from linltol in 2. Communication made with new second-outlet and ak shaft on western bank of the Bannockburn Creek. Ventilation fair, and workings safely conducted. A feature of this mine is that the deposit in its extent had not been anticipated. The coal is of superior quality for the district. Angel's Coal-pit, Bannockburn (C. Angel, licensee). —No coal got during the year. Ryder's Coal-pit, Nevis (Charles Scott, lessee, permit). —(11/12/08): Opencast pit. In good working-order. Overburden sluiced away with water. Nevis Coal-pit, Nevis (Charles Scott, lessee). —(10/12/08) : No coal has been won from this pit during the year. A fire has broken out in an old drive in the soft-coal area. A small supply of water is available, and the overburden will be sluiced down and the fire smothered. Ritchie's Coal-pit, Lower Nevis (Robert Ritchie, lessee). —(11/12/08) : Seams semi-vertical; aggregate width over 40 ft. The top stuff is sluiced away, and the coal-seam worked opencast. In good working-order. Upper Nevis Coal-pit, Upper Nevis (James Ritchie). —(11/12/08) : Mine idle. Coal soft, and seam considerably broken. Southland. Pukerau Coal-pit, Pukerau (C. O'Hagan, permit). —(29/4/08) : This mine is situated on the Coal Reserve, comprising 15 acres. Workings in good order ; ventilation good. Suitable magazine in use for explosives. Nelson's Coal-pit, Pukerau (J. H. Nelson, lessee). —(29/4/08) : This mine, formerly known as Dudley's, is also situated on the Pukerau Coal Reserve. Mine in good order ; ventilation good. Glover's Coal-pit, Pukerau (Thomas Glover). —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use only. Mason's (late Glover's) Coal-pit, Pukerau (Andrew Mason). —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use only. Otilcerama Station Coal-pit (Edwards Bros.) —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use sometimes. Mason's Coal-pit, Pukerau Road (Andrew Mason, sen.). —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use. H. Smith's Coal-pit, Pukerau Road (Hugh Smith). —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use. R. Smith's Coal-pit, Pukerau Road (R. Smith). —(29/4/08) : Opencast pit. Coal mined for private use.