3

C.-2

MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 1,566 men were ordinarily employed, there, were 110 fatal accidents, and but three serious accidents. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 2,130 men, no persons were killed and only four persons met with serious injuries. In coal-mines, where 5,497 persons were ordinarily employed, twelve persons were killed and thirty-seven persons seriously injured. SOCIAL AMENITIES AT MINING TOWNSHIPS. During last year additional grants from the State Coal-mines Account were authorized for improvements to the domain, croquet-lawn, bowling-green, tenniscourts, and swimming-pool, and for repairs to the gymnasium at Runanga. The bowling-green at Millerton mentioned in the Statement for the year 1928 as nearing completion was finished during 1929, and is extensively used ; and at Granity the work of improving the playing-field is still being carried on ; an extensive swamp has been filled in, and the whole of the field is being top-dressed. The amenities provided are extensively used and patronized by the miners, by their friends and families, and also the general public. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. During the 1929-30 field 'season the Geological Survey continued the detailed examination of (1) the Te Kuiti district, (2) the volcanic region of the North Island, (3) the petroliferous area west of Gisborne, and (4) the Murchison district. With the exception of the Te Kuiti district, these explorations are now complete. An officer of the Geological Survey, lent to the Mineral Deficiency in Pastures Committee of the Research Council, also examined in considerable detail the substrata of many farms west of Te Kuiti, where, in recent years, stock have ceased to thrive, a condition thought to have been brought about by the deficiency of some element or elements in the soil. As in former years, the Palseontological Branch of the Geological Survey carried out a large amount of useful work, chiefly directed to elucidate the fauna and sequence of the Tertiary bed of the Gisborne district. A great deal of money has been spent in that district in endeavours to obtain oil in commercial quantities, so far, unfortunately, without success. The palseontological work undertaken has been of great assistance, and will in the future be of still greater help, to those engaged in searching for petroleum. In addition to the above-mentioned work, several examinations were made of mining properties in the Hauraki, Marlborough, and Reefton districts. Short accounts of these visits are published in the Annual Report of the Geological Survey. Several officers explored the area affected by the earthquakes that did so much damage to property in, and caused so much distress to the inhabitants of, western Nelson. The examinations are not yet complete; but some short- articles describing the observations already have appeared, and a comprehensive report is being prepared. MINING PRIVILEGES. During the year ended 31st March, 1930, 518 licenses for mining privileges were granted under the provisions of the Mining Act, 1926. Out of this number 53 were licenses for claims authorizing the holders to mine for gold. For the same period 315 mining privileges, including 50 licenses for claims, were struck off the registers under the provisions of section 188 of the said Act. STATE AID TO MINING. As in previous years, considerable use was made of the Government prospecting drills. They were hired by eight parties, and a total of 5,863 ft. was drilled. For the year a total of £2,980 12s. 2d. was expended in subsidies for prospecting, and 118 persons were employed in connection therewith.