r. 2

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and the seam lias been opened up from the outcrop and followed by level and incline drives one mile to the north and approximately 40 chains to the east. On the west side of the main haulage-road several disturbances in the seam have been encountered, and boring operations for the purpose of ascertaining the continuity of the seam have not as yet revealed workable coal beyond the faults. A dispute in connection with the employment of truckers at the coal-faces resulted in a strike of four weeks' duration. A crushing movement commenced during the month of June in D section, consequent to the removal of a few pillars, and subsequently carried weight over the barrier pillars between D and G sections, and finally crushed both sections to the extent that the workings were made inaccessible for inspection. Seventeen substantially constructed brick stoppings have since sealed off the affected sections. Mining operations following the crushing movement have been concentrated upon the more active development of E and H sections, which have been extended to produce larger outputs. The 60 ft. fault displacement at the end of the main drive has been pierced by a stone drive, and the seam recovered. During the year a thin coal area was opened out from the surface, but operations were subsequently discontinued owing to the unsatisfactory quality of the coal. In A section the pillars are being removed from the travelling-road barrier, and the falls are breaking within the excavated spaces. Additional bathing-accommodation has been provided in the bathhouse in order to shorten the waiting-time. Approximately 90 tons of incombustible dust have been used in the treatment of the roads. In compliance with the Department's requisition for larger pillars the management has increased considerably the size of pillars both in bords and headings. The company has been able to supply the increased annual demand for its coal, and, excepting the strike period, the mine worked full time. Graham's Colliery (Go-operative Party).—The mine is situated at the terminus of the Huntly - Glen Afton Railway. The coal-seam —7 ft. in thickness—occurs about 20 chains from the railway-siding. The output is conveyed by a self-acting incline to fixed screens installed contiguous to the railway. Mining operations during the year have been confined to the extraction of the pillars. Preparations are being made to drive a pair of headings into a thin seam area with the view of providing future places. The coal is of excellent quality, and commands a ready sale throughout the year. Pukemiro Junction Colliery (Crown Lease ; Co-operative Party).—A new mine section has been developed in the western area where the outcrop seam has been followed by narrow places driven with the view of providing easy access to the pillars. A fire in No. 1 mine section occasioned some anxiety to the management, but the area was flooded and the workings subsequently recovered in good condition. Bathing facilities for the use of the workmen have been provided at the mine. Roadways and jigs have been maintained in good order. Waipa Colliery.—The general development of the mine continues to provide places well in advance of requirements. Two travelling outlets for the workmen, affording means of escape, have been provided at the end of the farthest inbye section. In No. 3 district, where the solid work is completed to the boundary, the pillars are being attacked, whilst in No. 2 section the area of workable solid coal is almost exhausted to the fault. Work in the main dip section is proceeding on the expectation of proving a fairly large area of marketable coal on each side of the main dip. The ventilation of the mine has been assisted by the installation of a fan in the recently constructed return airway at the faces. The introduction of coal-cutting machines for the more economic mining of the coal has been considered by tlie management, but the preparatory work in connection with the installation has been hindered by the late arrival of the necessary machinery. The requirements in respect to the sampling of the dust on the main roads have been observed. Waikato Extended Colliery.—This small colliery is situated on the banks of the Waikato River, two miles south of Huntly. The workings are reached by an adit level driven to the boundary, and pillars are now being extracted. Permitted explosives are used throughout. The natural ventilation, effected by a shaft and several open falls to the surface, has been good. The wharf loading-stage for river-steamers has been repaired, and the surface roadway to the mine has been reconditioned. The seam averages 20 ft. in thickness and is free from stone. Huntly Brickworks. —An output of 15,000 tons of fireclay is annually obtained from an open quarry and manufactured locally into bricks and tiles. The conveniently situated deposit of clay, exceeds 50 ft. in thickness, and there is little overburden to be stripped from the top of the quarry. Operations have been conducted safely, and competent miners are in charge of the open faces. Kimihia Colliery (Auckland University Council Endowment Lease). —Legal proceedings taken against the lessee for trespass resulted in the cessation of work in the mine. The bords turned away from the heading dip proved the seam to be faulty and stony, and there was little demand for the output. Taupiri East Colliery (Auckland University Council Endowment Lease).—A small rise area left by a former working of the field has been located by a level driven from the surface, and a few winning-places have been developed to produce an output of 10 tons per day. The output is still being removed by motor-lorry to Huntly Station, a distance of four miles. Campbell Colliery, Whatawhata (Grown Lease). —A considerable amount of driving has been done in order to prove the direction and extent of the field. The seam maintains its former thickness and quality, and working-places do not exceed 12 ft. in width by 8 ft. in height. The output of approximately 20 tons per day is conveyed to Hamilton by motor-lorries. Old Stockman Mine, Mokau.—The mine is situated on the banks of the Mokau River, thirty miles up the stream from Mokau Village. The seam averages 4 ft. in thickness and has a strong sandstone roof. A limited output is produced by two miners, and the coal is conveyed to Mokau by river-boats. Hetherington's Colliery, Waikolcowai. —The company has secured an extensive coal area, exceeding 2,000 acres, adjoining Macdonalds State Coal-mine Reserve. Explorations on the field by boring and driving have proved several million tons of coal. The field is not easily accessible by railway communication. A branch railway from Mahuta was first projected as a means for the transportation of the output to the Government railway, but trial surveys revealed that a standard grade could not be obtained within reasonable limits of expenditure. The owners are now considering the advisability of installing endless-rope haulage from the mine to Rotowaro Railway-station, a distance of two and a half miles. Mine-development conducted during the year was confined to roadmaking and excavations necessary for a tramway to the elevated outcrop. Prosecution. —On the 23rd September, 1926, a mine-manager was convicted and fined £1 and costs for using threatening language towards a miner employed in the mine. Dangerous Occurrences : Regulation 94 (1). —On the 30th April, 1926, the manager of Wilson's Colliery reported the indications of fire-stink and smoke issuing from old workings in No. 7 section. Stoppings were erected and the fire subdued. On the 11th May, 1926, the manager of Pukemiro Junction Colliery reported a fire in the old workings. The area was subsequently sealed off. The underground workings of the Hikurangi Coal Co.'s shaft colliery were flooded on the 20th May, 1926, due to an abnormal inrush of surface water from fault breaks and subsidences. The workings were recovered four months later. On the morning of the 10th June, 1926, the acting mine-manager of Pukemiro Colliery reported the presence of smoke and fire in the south mine, due presumably to dry brattice-cloth being ignited the previous night. The fire was quenched with water available at the scene of fire. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Rotowaro Colliery.—On the 19th March, 1926, George Holmes, miner, working at Rotowaro Colliery, received an injury to his right eye, which subsequently became septic and impaired the vision. Holmes was off work seventy-four days. John Williams, miner, employed at Rotowaro Colliery, on the 26th March, 1926, sustained loss of vision of his left eye, due to a septic wound on the pupil caused by flying coal. Duration of disablement, seventy-eight days. On the 30th March, 1926, Joseph O'Brien, miner, working at Rotowaro Colliery, sustained a compound fracture of his left leg due to a fall of stone from the side of the drive he was timbering. O'Brien was off work 196 days. On the 20th September, 1926, John Beveridge, miner, employed at Rotowaro Colliery, sustained the loss of his right eye due to an injury by a piece of coal from the pick-point. Beveridge was incapacitated seventy-one days.