C.—2

Jubilee Mine. —Pillar-extraction in the old mine was completed during the year, and, development of the new mine having proved a failure, a commencement was made to extract the pillars from this mine and abandon development here. With a view to winning the coal to the south and east of the old No. 4 workings, a dip has been driven at a grade of i in 4-7 in an easterly direction. It is not difficult to visualize these workings being troubled with water, and this will probably be the deciding factor as to the success or otherwise of this project. Green Island Mine. —Work at this mine was abandoned during the year. During the operations fairly large quantities of water had to be dealt with, most of this being undoubtedly due to errors in the initial layout. The development work was carried out too close to the old workings, and the pillars were made of irregular shape and too small. The result was that falls of roof took place, and this, coupled with the fact that fine sand overlies the coal-seam, caused several inrushes of water and sand, which eventually resulted in the mine's abandonment. In my opinion the mine would still have been operating had operations been carried out along proper lines. Hodson's Mine. —A limited amount of development has been carried out. Development to the dip showed the coal is inclined to thin and, as the boundary of the area under lease was being approached, a commencement was made to split some of the pillars, probably to the future detriment of the mine in the event of the dip development being continued later. McGoll's Mine.—Development has been continued to the west, on a small scale, and all places are still driven very narrow. Saddle Hill Mine.—A small quantity of clay and coal was won during the year by opencast methods. Kirkland's Mine. —Development of the middle seam has been continued north-east for a distance of approximately 10 chains. The seam has maintained its thickness iu this direction. Lack of capital has prevented the main seam being opened up and the future of this mine will probably be found to depend on the ability of the company to extend the main dip heading on to the lower or main seam. A ventilation fan was installed during the year. Allbright Mine. —This mine was abandoned during the year. Operations up to that time had been of an undesirable nature, and had consisted of fossicking amongst old workings in a more or less vitiated atmosphere. Willowbank Mine.—The old mine was abandoned during the year as a result of trouble experienced with spontaneous combustion. Had the mine been laid out on the panel system loss of coal would have been avoided. Development is being continued in the new mine, and the thickness and quality of lignite is being maintained. East Taieri Mine. —The year's work consisted of attempting to drive places through old workings to what is presumed to be an area of unworked coal. The results up to date can only be said to be disappointing. However, the effort is being continued. Bumweil Mine (Saddle Hill). —Operations at this mine have been confined to an attempt to find a block of unworked coal. So far the results and standard of operations has been disappointing. New Femhill Mine. —Pillar-extraction has been continued at this mine and very little coal now remains to be won. During the end of the year Freeman's old mine entrance was reopened, and an attempt is to be made to win an area of coal believed to exist to the south of the roadway. The outcome of this project is problematical. Essbanh Mine. —Prospecting-work, with a small amount of production, has continued during the year, but nothing material has eventuated. Elliotvale Mine.—Development was extended a short distance east, and a commencement made to extract the pillars. During the latter part of the year a dip heading was commenced to work the coal lying to the south and to the dip. Kai Point Mine. —The pillars in the old mine are almost worked out, and a small amount of development has taken place in the new mine—on a small scale only. Benhar Mine. —Development has been continued to the dip and to the north and south. Nothing of importance has eventuated, and mining conditions have remained unchanged. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —All actual coal-produciug operations have been held in abeyance throughout the year, and the only work carried out has been the driving of a stone-drive a distance of approximatffly 450 ft. at a grade of I in 1-J. This drive was driven from the No. 2 section in the main extension drive and connects with the main stone-drive return airway from this mine. The result will be a considerably shortened length of travel for the main air current, and should ensure adequate ventilation of the working-faces in this mine when work is recommenced. The distance from the mine-entrance to the face of the main heading is approximately If miles, and this heading and its companion place are standing in 8 ft. of good-quality coal. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine.—This mine has proved capable of supplying all requirements, and the total year's output has been obtained therefrom. In the No. I rise section to the north of the main stone-drive all development was completed. The places on the north side were driven to the fault-line and pillar-extraction commenced. The No. 2 rise headings were extended to a total distance of 1,600 ft., at which point a downthrow fault was encountered. Levels were driven a distance of 550 ft. north and pillar-extraction of this section was also commenced, and is continuing. The main south dips have been extended to a total distance of 1,500 ft. at a grade of about 1 in 7. During the year development of the seam in this direction indicated a thinning of the seam, which was inferior in quality, being very friable. The main east level section was developed for a distance of 850 ft. on to the fault-line, and a panel has been formed for extraction. The No. 2 east level section was also developed on to the fault-line, and a dip stone-drive has been commenced to proceed through the fault and intercept the coal-seam in the old No. 2 Mine, where it is believed an area of workable coal was left behind. Development headings have been driven south-west from the No. 1 west levels, and have proceeded approximately 900 ft. The quality of coal in the latter places is not all that could be desired. A large quantity of coal has been developed in this mine but the class of coal proven during the year at the extremities of all main development places does not make the prospects nearly so bright as was the case during the previous year. An endless haulage system has been installed to connect the No. 2 Mine to the screening plant, an electric winch (efficiently housed in a concrete chamber) has been installed in the No. 2 Mine, and an electrically driven compressor of 1,100 cubic feet per minute installed to provide power for all inbye purposes. Ventilation arrangements have proved efficient. Taratu Mine. —The extraction of available coal to the rise has been continued and is nearing completion— i.e., so far as it will prove wise to work. The development of the dip area, which followed upon the dewatering of the north-east dip, proved disappointing, and the extending of the main dip heading proved the coal too thin. The roof conditions were also very unfavourable. The result is that probably only a small amount of coal will be won from this area. The main haulage dip has been extended on to the fault-line and preparations made to prove the coal beyond the fault-line. The future life of this mine would appear now to depend upon the result of the latter work. Tait's Mine (Fairfield). —Operations were abandoned at this mine, very little coal being available for working owing to the prevalence of old workings. Lakeside Mine. —No development has taken place here, the small output having been obtained from pillarextraction. Conical Hills. —This mine was closed down and the lease surrendered. The cause of failure was an insufficient demand for this lignite, which it would appear is of a slightly inferior quality. Wangaloa Mine.—A limited amount of development has taken place in the new drive, nothing of importance having transpired. Kaituna Mine. —Operations were carried out adjacent vo the old workings; however, towards the end of the year, prospecting was commenced to the east of the old mine to pro v t an outcrop of coal which is showing here

76