Page image

C.—2.

During the year a " Blaekman " streamline fan 48 in. in diameter, with a capacity of 2|5,000 cubic feet of air per minute, was installed. Stillwater Mine (Boustridge's), Stillwater. —The only work done at this mine during the year was prospecting, and, owing to the unsatisfactory results, the mine closed down. Remarks on Go-operative Mines in Grey District. No extensive development work was undertaken during the year. The standard of efficiency was maintained, and the output from this source shows a small increase over the output for 1934. Reeeton Distkiot. Archer's Mines, Gapleston.—The stone-drive was continued to a distance of 400 ft., when the seam was intercepted lying at an angle of 60 degrees. On the north side, being developed by Archer, the main level was driven 8 chains, but the coal is not of very good quality. South Side (Oliphant's Section) : The main level to the south was continued for a distance of 10 chains, when a fault was struck. This completed the development, and further work will be by pillar-extraction. Cog Man's Freehold Mine, Capleston.—Development work in the top section was completed and the coal is won by pillar-extraction. Bottom Section : A drive was cleaned out and retimbered for about 4 chains to the dip of the old mine, with the object of developing an area of coal to the dip. Waitahu Mine (A. D. Williams), Reefton.' —Coal-winning from No. 2 seam was suspended owing to slackness of trade. Two men have been employed prospecting over the fault near the extremity of the rise workings. No. 3 Seam : The main and parallel levels of this mine were developed approximately 500 ft. in good-quality coal. Venture Mine (Old Birchwood Mine: J. and I. Patterson's Lease), Reefton —A dip was put down from the main level a distance of 90 ft., and the level broken off in a northerly direction and extended approximately 100 ft. The coal is of poor quality and very friable, and the mine closed down towards the end of the year. Morrisvale Collieries, Reefton. —Perfection Mine : The work was carried on in a block of coal to the dip of the old Perfection Mine fire. This work was originally started in order that the workings to the dip in the Perfection Mine could be flooded. The results obtained were of such an encouraging nature that it was decided to carry on ordinary development work. The main level was driven north-easterly a distance of 6 chains, and three inclines were broken away to the east. The coal varies from 8 ft. to 10 ft. in thickness, and is of good quality. Pluming was put in for a distance of 15 chains and the water directed on to the fire area with satisfactory results. Surprise Mine : The working-places to the eastern side of the dip were carried to a distance of 12 chains, when the coal started to pinch out and the places became wet. Development work in this section was stopped and a start made with the sinking of the main dip, which is now down 14 chains. A new Worthington-Simpson centrifugal pump was installed, capable of 250 gallons per minute direct-driven by a 45 horse-power motor at 1,800 revolutions per minute. Higrade Mine : Three men were employed at this mine on the extraction of the few remaining pillars. The coal being exhausted, the mine was closed down during the latter part of the year. Burke's Greek Collieries, Ltd., Reefton. —All coal was mined from the south-western, or Reefton, side of the dipbottom. No. 1 panel was worked out and sealed up with five concrete stoppings when slight heating was suspected in the waste. No. 2 panel was driven up with two headings, and work has recently been commenced in opening out places near the top barrier of the panel. The main development levels are now in ready to start the headings for No. 3 panel. These levels are in excellent coal, and are proving the seam at this depth to be better in quality and extent than was previously anticipated. These levels have proved the possibility of a continuation of the seam to the dip of the present workings, and preparations are being made to extend the dip for another 10 chains with the object of opening out another series of panels. The seam has a very poor roof, which makes it necessary to use heavy timber as supports. Turner and Party's Peerless Mine (on Burke's Creek Lease): Three men were employed developing a block of coal on the rise side of the Burke's Creek lease. The main level is in 3 chains, and the coal is of good quality, 11 ft. thick. Sparkless Mine (Lockington's Lease, worked by J. Watson), Rezfton. —A drive of chains was projected into the hillside in friable coal. The results proved disappointing, and the workings were abandoned. Times St. Mine (H. A. Honey's Lease), Reefton. —Two men were employed developing No. 4 seam. The coal is 40 ft. in thickness, but is of a soft and friable nature. Phoenix and Venus Mines (N. Collins), Murray Creek. —A dip drive was put in from the outcrop to a distance of 4| chains, the object being to extract a few small blocks of coal that were left in the old workings. Defiance Mine, Murray Greek. —Five men were employed opening up and developing a block of coal in a northeasterly direction near Pall Creek. The coal is of good quality, averaging approximately 8 ft. in thickness. Lankey's Creek Mining Syndicate (Transferred from, Wealth of Nations, Ltd.), Grushington.—All the coal possible was taken from the old mine, and it has been abandoned. The new drive was started by the same party at a distance of about 5 chains to the north-east of the old mine. The object of this drive is to win a block of pillars left in the old workings. Glele Mine (Alborn and Party), Merrijigs.—The bulk of coal from this mine was won from pillar-extraction. A 40 ft. stone-drive was put in to pick up the seam at a lower level. Practically no other development work was done during the year. White Rose Mine (W. Osborn's Lease), Merrijigs.—A small amount of pillar coal was won from this mine during the year. Bulleb District. Mitchell's Mine, Charleston. —Coal-winning from the opencast workings was continued during the year. Price's Freehold, Brighton.—No work was done at this mine during the year. Brighton Goal-mines, Ltd., Brighton.—Three working-places were developed. In the heading proceeding southeasterly the coal-seam dipped and the drive put in level so that the roof was struck in the main heading. A considerable amount of work was done on the surface to fluming and tunnels. Rocklands Mine (J. P. Burley), Buller Gorge.—The work of pillar-extraction to the rise adjacent to the outcrop was continued, and 207 tons of coal were produced. Glencrag Mine (previously known as Whitecliffs Mine), Buller Gorge.—The lease (held by Mr. J. H. Burley) was cancelled for non-fulfilment of conditions. Subsequently a lease over an area of 60 acres was granted to Messrs. N. Porsvth, C. Curtis, T. Waddell, S. B. Collins, and T. Nelson. The mine was reconditioned and coal-winning operations commenced towards the end of the year. Coal Creek Mine (McGuire and Party), Seddonville. —Prospecting operations were continued throughout the year on various portions of the lease in an endeavour to obtain a harder coal suitable for market requirements. The output from this mine during the year was 145 tons. Glasgow Mine (Steele and Party), Seddonville.—A very small amount of coal was produced at the beginning of the year, the mine being closed for the major portion of the year. Cardiff Coal Co., Ltd., Mokihinui. —After prospecting an area locally known as Kynneneley's area, development operations were commenced. A fluming 26 in. wide at the top, 13 in. wide at the bottom, and 149 chains in length was completed from a bin in the Upper Mokihinui Mine to a point opposite the mine-mouth at Chasm Creek. On top of the flume the tramway was laid, over which material for the construction of the flume was conveyed, a tractor being used for haulage purposes. At the mouth of the stone-drive, which is 72 ft. in length, 7 ft. high, and 8 ft. in width, a 14 horse-power boiler and winch were installed. The bin at the mine-mouth has a capacity of 80 tons. No. 2 bin,

71