21

C—3a

Edge's Coal-mine. Wendon (School Commissioners' lease ; A. A. Edge, lessee ; Mclvor and Mitchell, sub-lessees ; W. M-Ivor, permit, manager).—(9/12/10) : The old level area easterly having been fairly well exhausted of coal, the dp has been extended, and a new level is broken away westerly. Stentons and brattice required for adequate ventilation, and these the lessees of the pit promised to provide. Landslip and Riverbank Coal-mines, Waikaia (School Commissioners' lease ; William Kyle, lessee and permit-holder).—(7/12/10) : These mines are closed down and abandoned. A third mine is opened, where some prospecting to southward resulted in the vertical seam being driven on for a short distance, but. unfortunately the energy and perseverance of the lessee is very unlikely to be rewarded. Rossivale Coal-mine. Landslip. Waikaia (School Commissioners' lease; Bond Bros., lessees; J. Bond, permit, manager). —(7/12/10) : Dip drive discontinued after water lodgment formed. A pair of levels turned away, and stentons for ventilation being driven at regular distances. Ventilation good, and mine safely worked. Waikaia Coal-mine. Landslip. Waikaia (School Commissioners' lease ; Alexander Cain, lessee, permit). —(7/12/10) : Some heating from soft coal in level at left-hand side of dip had been going on, necessitating blocking off with clay and sand stoppings faced with timber, notwithstanding which leakage of black damp was continuing. This part of the mine consisted of inferior, soft, and crushed coal, liable to spontaneous ignition. In other parts ventilation fair and working-places in order. The second outlet being the upcast air-shaft, however, did not appear to be in stable ground, as there were several falls in the vicinity. Muddy Terrace Coal and Shale Pit, Waikaia (Crown land ; Knuckey and Junker, lessees ; F. A. Junker, permit, manager).—(7/12/10) : Trade quiet. The small output is being obtained from the shale-seam pillars which are being drawn safely homeward. An Inv.ircargill syndicate is said to be interesting itself in the acquirement of this and an adjoining private property. Argyle Coal-pit, Glenary, Waikaia (C. Hutton, permit).—(26/1/10): Seam 20 ft., being worked openoasi in benches. Stripping kept sluiced away well in advance of working-face, and pit in a safe working-condition. Mataura Colliery, Mataura (Mataura Collieries (Limited), Gore, owners ; A. E. Kemp, secretary ; W.Dixoii, mine-manager). —(l/ 12/10) : The dip drive is suspended, and levels are being driven to distance from each side of dip to provide new ventilation, which is needed, as the powder-smoke this day seemed to hang in the working-places, atmospheric conditions being unfavourable to natural ventilation. This 1 pointed out to the manager, who proposes having headings set away from levelfaces to surface, by means of which, and having the main dip for intake, the ventilation of workingfaces should be relieved. Plant and appliances in good working-order. Mataura Lignite-pits, Mataura (Beattie, Coster and Co. (Limited), owners ; W. Coster, permit, manager).—(2/12/10) : Opencast working. Stripping kept well in advance of the working-face, which is of considerable extent. Operations here are carried out in a workmanlike manner, and no accidents occur. Boghead Coal-pit, Mataura (C. P. Sleeman and Co., lessees ; C. P. Sleeman, jun., permit, manager). —(2/12/10) : Opencast. Stripping kept well ahead of working-face ; thus an element of danger is removed and work conducted safely. Clarke's Coal-pit, Wyndham (Samuel Clarke, owner ; G. \V. Clarke, permit, manager).—(24/11/10) : Opencast working ; seam 12ft. in thickness; stripping. 6ft. to 8 ft., kept well in advance of workingface. Work apparently safely conducted. Graham'B Coal-pit. Fairfax (P. S. Graham, owner). — (21/1 l t 10): Coming home on main level pillars. Timber used, and the place is worked in a safe manner. Apparently not a great deal doing. Ardlowie Coal-pit, Fairfax (Edward Poole. owner). —(21/11/10) : Opencast pit. Stripping ahead attended to, and pit in good working-order. Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps (Nightcaps Coal Company (Limited), owners ; William Handyside, managing director, tnvercargill ; W. Barclay, mine-manager). —(16/12/10): No. 1 district: New No. 3 dip workings are being developed in coal of good qualify, and roof is stronger and better than had been usual in other parts of the mine. Further in work consists, as heretofore, of coming back on pillars and head coal. The old middle lay-by area is closed, and stopped off permanently. Owing to powdersmoke " hanging " in several working-places, I had to insist on air-brattice being carried nearer to the working-faces than had been done latterly, there being an abundance of air, if properly conducted and the fan working well within its power. No. 2 district: Ventilation good ; brattice erected, and air skilfully conducted around the working-faces. Pillar and head coal-working carefully carried out. The lower seam (No. 3) was 4 ft. at outcrop, but has thickened to 10 ft. toward the dip where now being worked. The old " fire " area in this section has cooled down, and undue warmth is now almost imperceptible. An abundance of timber for mine-use is kept on hand, and used unsparingly underground. The roadways, airways, plant, and machinery in good working-order and condition. Magazines for storage of explosives approved, and other requirements of the Act generally well observed. Erection of a compressed-air plant (Ingersoll type) for pumping and dip haulage is under way at the mine-mouth. The opencast workings continue to be worked systematically, and stripping kept well in advance of the working-face. The live electric wires for fan-drive are carried on poles out of reach from the ground, and danger notices are posted. There were no serious accidents during the year.