39

a—2

From the Ist April to the 23rd June the weather continued very dry, with a shortage of watersupply. Rain on the, 23rd June gave an abundant supply of water till the 30th, when 6 in. of snow fell and was followed by very severe frost, which compelled the, claims to close down. The winter continued severe until the 17th August, when a thaw set in, which enabled the claims to make a start after being idle for six weeks. From the 17th August to the 26th January there was a fairly good supply of water. On the 26th January heavy rain set in and continued for six days, causing one of the largest floods ever known in this locality. This large quantity of rain did considerable damage to the race, and from this date to the end of March all available, men were employed cleaning the race and repairing the, damage caused by the flood. Owing to the shortage of labour some of the elevating claims were unable to work throughout the year : this, with a dry autumn, followed by a severe winter, and then the flood in January, were the chief causes of the small returns from this race. The war being over, labour should become more plentiful and enable the claims which have been closed down for the last two seasons to recommence operations.

ANNEXURE C. Summary of the Report op the Inspector op Stone-quarrtes foe thr North Island (Mr. James Newton). Most of the year has been spent in actual inspection of the quarries that come within the scope of the Act, a great many of which are operated intermittently, and I have, endeavoured to inspect all such places in the several districts whether they have actually been under operation at the time of my visit or not. In many cases I have found that operations were not being carried out in strict compliance with the regulations, having regard to the storage and use of explosives and the working of the quarry-face. Persons responsible for these conditions have on every occasion been warned and instructed to effect immediate remedial measures in accordance with the requirements of the law. There has, however, been found in a great majority of the quarries substantial improvement in these matters, and it is noticeable that those responsible, are showing much genuine inclination to do the right thing, and I have no doubt further good results will follow as the direct result of frequent inspection. I am pleased to be able to report that no fatal or serious quarry accident has happened in the North Island during the year. With regard to quarries not sufficiently high at the face, to bring thorn within the scope of the Act but where explosives are used, together with those quarries where the faces reach a greater height than that mentioned in the Act but where no explosives are used, I have found a varjdng amount of real carelessness in the storage and use of explosives, and an astonishing amount of undue risk taken in the actual winning of the metal at the face of the quarry. I am of the opinion that it would be wise to bring such places within the scope of the Stone-quarries|Act.