C.—2

Bellvue Mine (Iladcroft and Party), Rapahoe.—The output from this mine (luring the year has been won from pillar-extraction. All development work in the present mine has been completed, but there remains a portion of this class of work to be done in a small area adjacent to the present workings. Jubilee Mine, (Finn and Party), Rapahoe.—This party has operated in three small areas during the year. The old mine was fully exhausted early in the year, and a commencement was made to develop a small area adjoining the Bellvue Mine lease. Prospects in this area were disappointing owing to encountering a fault after driving the main level 1 chain. Work was then commenced in an old area near the bins which contained a few pillars of coal. At the end of the year pillar-extraction was in progress both in the area adjacent to Bellvue Mine and the old area. Cliff side Mine (Moore and Party), Nine-mile.-—The output from this mine during the year was won from pillar workings and development work. All pillars have been, extracted from Nos. 2, I! and 4 sections, and No. 1 section is now being further developed. An upthrow fault was encountered in the main level, and this fault retarded development work somewhat. However, the throw of the fault was proved and a stone-drive constructed which tapped a good seam of coal 16 ft. in thickness. A borehole was sunk by the Mines Department on the lease to the flip of the present workings, and this proved the existence of a good workable coal-seam. Smith and Party's mine, Dunollie.—The output obtained during the year was won from pillar-extraction in Nos. 1 and 2 levels. The coal seam is 4 ft. 6 in. in thickness, and the coal is of good quality. Braehead Mine (Boote and Party), Dunollie.—The output during the year was principally won from development work to the dip of the main level. Tho main dip has been driven 11 chains, and the coal-seam at the face is 7 ft. 6 in. in thickness and of good quality. The coal-seam in the levels east and west of tho dip varies from 5 ft. 6 in. to 9 ft. in thickness. Daring the latter part of the year a more substantial electrically-operated haulage winch was installed at the dip head. Remarks on Co-operative Mines in drey District. Apart from the Fiery Cross, Goldlight, and Jubilee Mines, all co-operative mines have a reasonable life. With a view to finding suitable areas for parties who totally exhaust their present leases, the Mines Department is conducting geological surveys of a few areas on the State Coal-mines Reserve, while boring has been done on an area situated between the Nine-mile and Ten-mile Creeks adjacent to the Greymouth-Westport highway (coastal route). Reefton District. Archer's Mines, Capleston.—Two mines are operated by Mr. Archer, these mines being known as the Top Mine and Bottom Mine. In the Top Mine development work has continued on the dip workings in No. 1 seam. A large " roll" was encountered at the face of the dip and a stone-drivo is in the course of construction to penetrate this. In the Bottom Mine development work was continued on the north side of the stone tunnel. During the latter part of the year further driving in the main level was abandoned owing to same approaching a creek and the coal becoming very inferior in quality. Pillar-extraction has now commenced. Coghlan's Mine, Capleston.—Practically the whole of the output from this mine has been won from development work in what is known as the Smithy level section. Two levels are being pushed ahead into the hill and pillars formed to the rise of these. Tho coal-seam at the faces is 7 ft. in thickness, and the coal is of good quality. Waitahu Mine (A. D. Williams), Reefton. —During a portion of the year three parties operated on this proporty, but, owing to faulted country and inferior quality coal being encountered in one section, one party abandoned operations and joined with one of the existing parties. In what is known as the Top Mine, development levels have been driven approximately 12 chains. The coal-seam is 7 ft. in thickness, and the coal is of good quality. In what is known as Kinley's Mine, two levels have been driven 6£ chains. The coal-seam is 7 ft. in thickness, and the coal is of good quality. Venture Mine (Old Birchwood Mine), Reefton. —Coal was not produced from this mine during the year. The mine is now definitely closed. Morrievale Collieries, Reefton. —Perfection Mine: Coal was not produced from this mine during the year. At the latter end of 1937 a fire occurred in this mine, and a dam has been erected at the entrance. Surprise Mine : This mine did not operate during tho year and is now lying full of water. Pyramid Mine : This is a small mine Bituated on the Morrisvale lease 12 chains north-east of the Perfection Mine, and is operated by a party of minors. Operations commenced at tho outcrop and a pair of headings driven 8 chains to the rise. Development work has also been done to the east and west of these headings. Work east and west, however, is somewhat restricted due to the coal outcropping near to the headings on the east side and the presence of the Perfection Mino fire on tho west side. It is the intention of the party to construct a stone tunnel for the purpose of tapping the seam at a lower level than the present mine entrance. Burke's Creek Collieries, Ltd., Reefton. —The larger portion of the output from this mine during the year was won from pillar-extraction in No. 3 panel and a small area inbye of No. 3 panel. The small area referred to has been exhausted and sealed off. There is still a little development work to be done in No. 3 panel. During the year a slant dip was driven 5| chains from a point on No. 2 level approximately 4 chains inbye of the main dip. A level has been commenced off this dip for the purpose of reaching a point in line with the main dip. When this point is reached an incline will be commenced to form a continuation of the main dip. Otherwise, the main dip has not yet been extended. Peerless Mine (Williams and Party), (Burke's Creek Lease), Reefton. —This mine is operated by a party of coal-miners on a small portion of the lease held by the Burke's Creek Coal Co. The output for the year has been won from pillar-extraction. There is no further development work possible on the area. Burnuiell Mine (D. Ilamill), Reefton. —This mine is situated adjacent to the town of Reefton. The output was won from a little prospeeting-work to the rise of the main level. No. 4 seam is operated, and there has been a fair demand for this coal during the year. However, there has not been any serious attempt made to properly develop the mine. Times Street Mine (Old Terrace Mine), Reefton. —Coal was not produced from this mine during the year. A little prospecting has boon done with a view to looating No. 2 seam, but as yet without success. Phoenix and Venus Mines (N. Collins), Murray Creek.—The output for the year was won from the extraction of small strips of coal bordering the fire in the Venus Mine. During the latter part of the year a commencement was made to oporato the Phoenix Mine again, but, owing to the quality of the coal, prospects do not look bright. Defiance Mine (McClatchie and Co., Ltd., Christchurch), Late O'Brien and Party, Murray Creek.—The output for the year was won from development work in what is known as the Waterfall section. Some development work has also been done north of the old mine workings. The coal in this area is of fair quality and the seam is 7 ft. in thickness. Clele Mine (Alborn and Party), Merrijigs.■—The output for the year was won from development work and a small amount of pillar-extraction in No. 2 mine. Numerous difficulties have been experienced in tho development of this mine due to the faulted nature of the country. The coal produced is of good quality. White Rose Mine, (H. and S. Griggs, Late W. Osborn), Merrijigs.—Only a small output was won from this mine during the year. The old mine was abandoned at the end of 1937, and during the present year prospecting and development work has been done on another portion, of the lease. A dip has been sunk, but after further prospecting it has been decided to tap the foot of the dip with another drive.

10—C. 2.

73