C.—2A

approximately 70 chains. In this distance, however, there is a fault with a displacement of from 350 ft. to 450 ft., thus dividing the area into two blocks which are known as A and B. In Block A three seams have been traced for distances varying from 20 to 26 chains. The top seam in this block varies in thickness from 16 ft. to 18 ft., and is situated at an altitude of 1,240 ft. above sea-level at its highest point and 1,085 ft. at its lowest point along the face of the cliff. The second seam is situated about 70 ft. below the top one herein referred to, and the thickness of this seam also varies from 16 ft. to 18 ft. These two seams have been traced from fault to fault a distance of about 26 chains. The third seam in this block is situated about 550 ft. below the second one. It has been traced for a distance of approximately 20 chains, the thickness varying from 6 ft. to 12 ft. In Block B the seams are situated at a much higher level than in Block A, owing to the displacement of from 350 ft. to 400 ft. The top seam in this block, which has a varying thickness up to 21 ft., has been traced for over 40 chains along the face of the cliff. The second seam has also been traced a similar distance, but unfortunately becomes intersected with bands of stone at a point about 20 chains east of Wafer's Spur. Work is still in progress prospecting the third seam. Prospecting work so far carried out has been of a satisfactory nature, but in order to thoroughly prove the area it will be necessary to put down several bore-holes between the cliff overlooking the Ten Mile Creek and the valley of the Nine Mile Creek. With this object in view arrangements have been made for the work to be carried out. The coal in this area much resembles that worked at the old Point Elizabeth Colliery, and should be a first-class house-coal, the analysis being as follows :—

In connection with the work generally carried out on this area it would not be out of place to mention that owing to the precipitous nature of the country, together with the exceptionally bad weather experienced during the greater part of the year, the same progress has not been made as would have been made under more favourable conditions. James Colliery. Coal-winning. —-The gross total output for the year was 42,391 tons 1 cwt., a reduction of 1,573 tons 12 cwt. when compared with the figures of last year. After making allowances for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year, together with coal purchased, and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 42,061 tons 16 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :—■

The gross output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 285,839 tons 10 cwt.

3

Top Seam. Second Seam. Third Seam. Fixed carbon .. .. .. .. 50-77 48-89 50-80 Volatile hydrocarbons . . .. 37-64 41-23 36-78 Water lost at 105°-110° C. .. .. 8-94 6-60 7-71 Ash .. .. .. .. 2-65 3-28 4-71 100-00 100-00 100-00 Sulphur, per cent. .. .. .. 0-21 0-23 0-29 Calorific value — Calories per gram .. .. .. 6,954 7,270 7,122 B.Th.U. per pound .. .. .. 12,517 13,086 12,820 Evaporative power per pound in pounds 12-96 13-57 13-29 water at 212° F. Coking properties on heating in a closed Firm dense Firm compact Firm dense, vessel

—- Screened. j Small. Slack. j Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. I Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Export .. .. 10,496 13 0 .. |. .. 5,192 7 0 15,689 0 0 Rail to Canterbury .. 14,398 6 .1 1,419 1 0 ! 2,612 14 1 35 9 3 18,465 11 1 Local sales .. .. 581 14 2 12 1 3 .. 5,380 16 2 5,974 12 3 Mine sales .. .. 9 0 0 93 10 0 10 0 0 125 9 0 237 19 0 Sold to workmen and free .. 573 0 0 .. .. 573 0 0 issues Stock in bin .. .. 100 0 0 35 0 0 j 240 0 0 94 2 0 469 2 0 Stock on wharf .. 297 6 0 .. .. 15 5 0 312 11 0 Stock in dump .. .. I .. .. 340 0 0 340 0 0 Totals .. .. I 25,882 19 3 2,132 12 3 ' 2,862 14 1 11,183 9 1 42,061 16 0 I |