47

C.—2

were slightly better, the following being the vertical section : Coal, 2 ft. 4 in. ; clay, 12 in. ; coal, 12 in. In the C Mine pillaring to the rise has commenced. The goaf is being packed with clay as the coal is removed. Prospeoting operations due west of the present workings have disclosed a seam of clean coal 4 ft. 4 in. in height. Going east this seam splits and becomes dirty. North Cape Mine, Puponga.—During the year a new seam approximately one mile south from the old mine was opened out by means of a dip drive, gradient lin 3. The seam dipped from 70 degrees to 80 degrees north-east. The stoping method was used until August, when the ground adjacent to the haulage-road collapsed, and the mine was abandoned, and a shaft 220 ft. in depth was sunk to the west of the workings. It is proposed to crosscut and work the coal on the shrinkage system. Coal will probably be produced on the co-operative system during March. Golden Bay Mine, Motupipi. —Only two men employed during part of the year. Waikohatu Mine, Tahaka. —This mine has been closed during the whole of the year. Clifton Mint, Rocklands, Takaka. —• Prospecting operations on Hater's Estate, Takaka, have so far proved fruitless, but evidence of coal is to be seen in the adjoining hill. Operations have been suspended since October last. O'Rourke's Mine, Murchison.-—The main level has been extended a short distance. The seam is steeply inclined, and 2 ft. of coal is showing at the working-face. Fatal Accidents. Five fatalities occurred to workmen employed in the coal-mines of the West Coast Inspection District during the year, four being caused by falls in pillar workings, and one by a runaway truck. In addition, one of the directors of the Clydevale Mine lost his life on the aerial tramway at that mine. The following is a short account of the occurrences: — On the 28th February John Knox was killed in the No. 1 Mine, Liverpool Colliery. Deceased was engaged extracting a pillar when a fall of roof occurred, killing him instantly. On the Ist August a collier named George Robert Smith lost his life on the Roa Mine. Deceased was engaged splitting a pillar when the carrying-set swung. Apparently deceased was stunned by the timber and asphyxiated by the small coal. On the 19th August an elderly man named James Whelan was killed in the Morgan seam, Liverpool Collieries. Deceased was engaged as hanger-on at the foot of an incline when a rake of three trucks, getting beyond control, ran down the incline and struck Whelan, inflicting injuries from which he died the same evening. On the 12th October an elderly man named James Ford was killed by a fall of stone in the Mount Buckley section of the Dobson Mine. Deceased was engaged extracting a pillar when a large stone came away from a greasy head. The stone, striking deceased, inflicted injuries from which he died shortly afterwards. On the 23rd October a miner named James White lost his life in Evan's section of the Millerton Mine. White was engaged dropping tops when a fall of coal occurred, striking deceased and killing him instantly. On the 7th September one of the directors (Thomas Ronayne) of the Clydevale Mine lost his life. Mr. Ronayne was riding in a truck on the aerial tramway when the clip became detached, and he was thrown out on to a stump below, fracturing his skull. Serious Non-Fatal Accidents. On the 17th January as a labourer named A. Bradley, employed at the Liverpool Colliery, was lowering bags of cement down an incline his foot got caught in a loop of the rope, and the jerk fractured the bone near the ankle. On the 2nd June W. H. Smith, a miner employed in a cutting at the Clydevale Mine, received a blow from a falling piece of coal that resulted in a broken leg. On the 20th July a miner named Andrew Wilson, employed in the Millerton Mine, received injuries to his eyes from a blown-out shot. On the 30th July a miner named Harry Driver, employed at the Roefton Coal Company's Mine, received a simple fracture of the left thigh. Driver was working in a narrow place when a piece of coal fell from the roof, striking and fracturing his thigh. On the 14th September a miner named Stuart Symers was employed dropping tops in the Morgan seam when a piece of coal fell from the lip, fracturing his pelvis and left leg. Dangerous Occurrences notified under Regulation 94 (1). Millerton Mine. —On the 4th January a fire broke through No. 14 stopping 6th West fire area. The stopping was repaired and the fire again sealed off. Coal Creek Mine, Seddonville.—During April a serious fire broke out in the top section of the Coal Creek Mine; stoppings were erected, but the fire broke through some old workings and reached the outcrop, and the mine was abandoned. Millerton Mine. —On the Ist June the fire in the oth West section broke over the top of No. 15 stopping, but was checked, and the stopping repaired. Reefton Coal Company's Mine.—During the summer months a bush-fire spread to some old workings, which were ignited. Prompt steps were taken to seal off the workings. Phanix and Venus Mine, Murray Creek.—On the 21st August a fire was discovered in the upper workings of the Phoenix and Venus Mine. The stoppings when erected leaked badly, allowing the fire to spread through the workings. Finally the mine had to be abandoned. Millerton Mine. —During October a lire was discovered in the 3rd West dip section. Failing to smother the fire in the ordinary manner by the use of stoppings, nine concrete dams were erected and the area flooded. On the 31st December a fire was discovered in the Old Dip section of the Reefton Coal Company's mine. Stoppings were erected, and the fire sealed off. Prosecutions. On the 23rd March two colliers were each convicted and fined £1 and costs for taking into the mine explosives not in a securely covered case or canister, contrary to section 40, sub-section (2) (d) of the Coal-mines Act, 1908. On the 9th May a mine-manager was convicted and fined £1 and costs for failing to provide efficient means in the bathhouse to dry the clothes of the workmen, as provided by Regulation 140. On a second charge of failing to supply water at a temperature of 100 degrees F. to the hand-basins and showers, as provided by Regulation 142, he was convicted and fined £5 and costs. On the 25th May a manager was charged with a breach of section 40 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908, as amended by sections 8 (1) (a), (I) (c), Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, with a breach of section 40 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908, as amended by sections 8 (1) (a), (1) (b), Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914, and with failing to provide a water-gauge as required by Regulation 100. In the first case a fine of £5 and costs was inflicted. In the second and third cases convictions with costs were recorded. On the 30th July the owner of a mine was convicted and fined ss. with costs for failing to engage a fully qualified mine-manager, as provided by section 24 (2) of the Coal-mines Act, 1908. On the sth August a deputy was fined £1 and costs for firing a shot in the presence of gas contrary to Regulation 242 (a) (I), (ii). On the sth August the following prosecutions were heard against a manager : That on the 18th and 19th June he did fail to produce in the mine, at such a time when there were persons therein, an adequate amount of ventilation to dilute and render harmless inflammable and noxious gases. In all, four informations were laid —two 8 (1) (a) (i) of the Coal-mines Amendment Act, 1914 ; two under Special Rule 3, Coal-mines Act, 1908. On the charge in respect of the 18th June defendant was convicted and fined £5 and costs. On the charge in respect of the 19th June a conviction with costs was recorded. The remaining cases were then withdrawn.