17

C.-2

The following is a description of fatal accidents during 1918 at operations which are under the Mining Act:—

IV. GOLD-MINES. The following statement shows the dividends declared, number of persons employed, and number of gold-mines and dredges :—■

(1.) Quartz-mining. The following is a statement showing the tons of ore treated and the amount of dividends paid by quartz-mining companies in oach of the inspection districts during the years 1917 and 1918 :

3—C. 2.

Date. Name anil Situation of Mine or Operations. Name, Age, and Occupation of Person killed. Description of Accident, and Remarks. 1918. 29 Oct. Taranaki Oilwells (Limited), Moturoa Frank Salmons Drury (33), derrick hand He with four other men were at No. 5 bore, rotating fishingrods, working with two pairs of tongs, one used for holding the strain, the other for rotating. The tongs used for rotating were pullod around by block and tackle ; those at tho time of the accident were being pulled by an engine. They had considerable strain on the fishing-stem, when, releasing the pulloy hold, the strain was all on the holdingtongs. When about to hook tho blocks on to take a fresh hold the pin that holds the chain in place on the bottom tongs sheared off, allowing tho pulling-tongs to swing back with considerable force, striking in the first instance another man, but not doing him much harm, and then hitting deceased, inflicting injuries from which ho died tho same day. Tho Coroner found that the occurrence was entirely accidental, no blame being attachable to any one. His body was found jambed between two pinions of a winch on the opposite side to that on which the driver usually stands. Tho winch was in good order. The dredgemastcr believed that deceased thought ho had steam shut off, and either wont to put the clutch in, or to look at tho toothed wheels, and whilo doing so touched tho reversing-lever and set tho engine in motion, and was caught by his loose clothing and drawn into the wheels. Ho was an experienced, careful, and sobor man. The Coroner's jury found that there was no conclusive evidence to show how the accident occurred, and that no porson was blameworthy. 21 Nov. Rise - and - Shine No. 2 Dredge, Cromwell Job n Macauley Wrightson (41), winchman

Dividends paid. Dividends paid. (By Registered Companies only.) Quartz-mining Dredge mining Alluvial mining (By Registered Companies only.) 1918. 1917. ... 193,519 203,069 4,925 4,800 4,953 5,710 Number of Persons ordinarily employed, 1918. Number of Productive Quartzmines, Alluvial Mines, and Dredges, 1918. 1,751 187 520 50 28 153 Totals ... 213,579 203,397' 213,579 I __„^__ 2,458 231

Inspection District. Statute Tons of Ore Dividends pa; treated. tered Com 1918. 1917. 1918. id. (ByRegispanies only.) 1917. Jorthern Vest Coast iouthern 259,103 86,495 1,690 298,396 105,539 5,381 £ 178,619 14,900 £ 195,619 7,450 Totals ... 347,288 409,316 | 193,519 203,069