a—2.

Paparoa Colliery.—Development work has been continued in the Aerial section, the main levels having been advanced a total distance of 24 chains and to a point 5 chains distant from the outcrop in Waterfall Creek. The results from this area have been considerably better than indicated by the state of the outcrops, which show dirty coal, the seam having proved to clear itself of any impurity a short distance to the dip of the outcrop. An electrical plant is now in position to drive a dip heading, and indications point to a reasonably large area of coal in this direction. The prospecting stone drive to the west of the old mine-workings has been completed, and all haulageroads leading thereto have been retimbered. An additional party of miners are now operating in this section. The quality of coal is superior to that being mined previously. Considerable general development work has been carried out at this colliery during the year. Production up to the end of 1931 was 679,603 tons. Tyneside Colliery.—During the year a commencement was made to gain access to the area of coal lying to the north of the old Tyneside and Kiwi shaft workings. However, after driving a dip heading a distance of approximately 2 chains and installing a haulage plant and erecting a small bin at the roadside, operations ceased. This company produced 1,374 tons to the 31st December, 1931. United Brunner Mine, Ltd. —A small amount of work has been carried out by this company, consisting of the reconstruction of Allan and party's incline, cleaning up and timbering of old roadways, and the winning of a small amount of coal (131 tons) from the seam situated adjacent to the river and bins. The work carried out is not suggestive of extensive mining operations. A small quantity of coke was produced from the old coke-ovens by blending Paparoa, Wallsend, and Brunner coals. Co-operative Party Mines. Spark and Party's Mine. —The bulk of the output during the year was secured from the pillar workings in the rise section. Prom the main level a dip drive has been started and driven a distance of 2 chains in a southeasterly direction. A small bathhouse was erected during the year. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 34,795 tons. Duggan and Party's Mine. —All of the workings beyond Garvey's Creek have been completed and the plant withdrawn, the party' having acquired an area on the eastern boundary of the abandoned No. 3 Liverpool State Mine. An aerial jig 10 chains in length has been constructed from the bin to a point on the hillside from whence a main level is being driven northerly. The coal seam varies from 2 ft. 6 in. to 4 ft. 6 in. in height. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 41,908 tons. Old Runanga Co-operative Party (O'Brien and Party).—All the pillars in the Bin section having been extracted, the plant was withdrawn. In the Bluff section the coal in the main level, driven south-west, has increased in thickness to 8 ft. The coal in the inclines driven north-east has increased in thickness to 9 ft. To the 31st December, 1931, 26,929 tons was produced. Goldlight Colliery (Williams and Party).—The workings going easterly have reached the fault. To the rise only a limited amount of solid working remains to be completed prior to the extraction of the pillars. To the 31st December, 1931, 29,231 tons have been produced. Moody Creek Mine. —Stone bands increasing in thickness and faults encountered have hindered development and increased working-costs. Development work is nearing completion. A tram-line is being laid to open up a new seam higher up the creek. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 44,093 tons. New Point Elizabeth Party (Guy and Party).—Development work has been carried out to the west and north in coal of good quality. Pillar-extraction has commenced to the north of the main incline. This party has produced 35,375 tons to the 31st December, 1931. Fiery Cross Mine (Currie and Party). —The main level, after being driven a distance of 7 chains, encountered a fault. Prospecting operations having proved the existence of coal beyond the fault, a stone drive, 100 ft. in length, was projected to again pick up the coal-seam. A Blackman propeller fan was installed during the year. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 11,509 tons. Baddeley and Party's Mine.—The output was got from pillar-extraction, which is rapidly nearing completion. The party produced 43,999 tons to the 31st December, 1931. Castlepoint Mine.—The main level has been advanced northerly a total distance of 36 chains. Twelve chains to the rise a fault was encountered and pillar-extraction along the fault-line has commenced. The installation of a new sirocco fan materially improved the ventilation. Total production to the 31st December, 1931, was 39,411 tons. Hilltop Mine (Armstrong and Party).—The main dip, after having been driven southerly a distance ot 4J chains, was stopped in stony coal. The No. 1 level has been advanced a total distance of 10 chains southeasterly in good coal. The total output is 7,362 tons. Hunter and Party's Mine. —The main level was advanced a distance of 10 chains and temporarily stopped m coal 3 ft. thick. To the rise the coal has slightly increased in thickness, and, generally speaking, the area of coal proved has exceeded anticipations. A small bathhouse was erected during the year. Up to the end of 1931, 48,016 tons have been produced. Cox Creek Mine (Coates's Lease). —During the year this mine was subleased to a party of four miners. Development work has been continued southerly to the dip. Easterly, the main level is stopped on the fault. One place has bêen driven west to the escarpment for ventilation purposes. Total output to the 31st December 1931, was 4,255 tons. , Schultze Creek Mine (Marshall and Party).—All pillars in the old mine have been extracted. Ihe stonedrive in the new area has crossed the fault and development work is being continued in an easterly direction in thin coal. Development work has been carried out in coal not more than 2 ft. in thickness. The party produced a total of 20,319 tons up to the 31st December, 1931. Dennehy's Mine.—The mine has been sublet to a party of two men. The main level has been driven m a northerly direction a distance of 2 chains in coal not more than 2 ft. in thickness. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 144 tons. .. Cain's Mine.—The main heading is still being driven in a northerly direction, only a small amount ot coal being produced. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 4,492 tons. Bellbird Mine (Fauth and Party)— The coal in the main dip going south gradually thinned to 5 ft. and development work was stopped. The main levels are being driven east in coal of good quality 8 ft. in thickness. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 11,535 tons. Bellvue Mine (Lynch and Party).—Development work is nearing completion, and pillar-extraction will shortly be commenced. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 37,540 tons. .Jubilee Mine,—The bulk of the output for the year was obtained from pillar workings to the rise. Ihe dip workings have been advanced a distance of 2 chains. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 13 ' and Party.—This small mine, situated on the Nine-mile bluff, Grey-Westport Road, commenced operations during the year. The coal outcrops on the escarpment above the beach. Bins, winding-plant, &e., have been erected and" coal-winning operations commenced. The party produced 391 tons. Smith and Party's Mine— Development during the year has been mainly on the strike of the seam to the north and south. The main dip has been advanced a total distance of 7 chains. A Keith-Blackman fan of the propeller type has been installed. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 54,182 tons. Braehead Mine (Boote and Party).—Work in the upper mine has ceased. In the stone-drive section the main level has been advanced several chains in an easterly direction. To the rise the old workings have been reached and the accumulation of water drained off. To the 31st December, 1931, 59,210 tons was the total output. Boustridge and Party.—Work during the year was entirely of a prospecting nature, with disappointing results, no seam of any commercial value having been located,

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