C—2a

Deficiencies/ —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £l2 13s. lOd. Accidents.-—One serious accident occurred at this colliery. On 11th March, 1947, a shiftman sustained a crushed foot, with subsequent amputation of first joint big toe, total second toe, and end joints third and fourth toes, as a result of his foot being run over by a loaded coal-truck. Stone-dusting.—This work was carried out regularly in the dry portions of the mine. Underground Workings.—Since this colliery was acquired by the State Coal-mines an endeavour has been made to maintain a moderate output and at the same time to recondition and develop the mine. Development.—North-east Levels : From the Friction Dip, development levels have been driven to a distance of 16 chains to the north-east in coal of average thickness and good quality. At a distance of 14 chains from the new dip a sharp roll was encountered in the bottom level which, though it does not dislocate the seam, affected both the strike and dip. This level is now 6 chains past the line of the continuation of the Main Dip, and a rise heading in line with the Main Dip has been commenced which, when completed, will serve for the extension of the present main haulage. The old Harris Dip, last worked in 1941, was dewatered, reconditioned, and connected through to the bottom level. This dip will be used as a haulage for coal from the east side of the Bottom Level Section until the Main Dip extension is completed. Development to South-west: Prior to the mine being acquired by the State, development of the bottom south-west levels was stopped at 7 chains from the New Dip. The coal in this locality is soft and of inferior quality. Development to the Dip North-west: A winch is now being installed in the bottom level to be used for sinking a prospecting dip in line with the main return heading. Reconditioning.—Extensive repair work has been done in the Main Dip and the lower sections of the return airway. The former was widened, retimbered, and regraded to permit the use of a carriage for the transport of workmen. Winches. —The 15 h.p. electric winch used for haulage from the Slant Dip Section was replaced by a 30 h.p. winch. Pumps.—The installation of a new 3 in. seven-stage pump in the lower workings, along with the reconditioning of other installations, has eased the pumping problems of the mine. Fires. —Three clay and block stoppings were put in early in the New Year to seal off a heating in the waste at the inbye end of the Slant Dip pillar section. In addition, four clay and block stoppings were erected to reinforce the existing stoppings of an old fire area. Coal-production. —The output was obtained from development in the bottom northeast levels and from pillar-extraction in the Slant Dip Panel. The colliery is now equipped and developed for an output at least 50 per cent, greater than can be obtained with the limited number of workmen available. Surface. —A concrete winch-house was erected and a new 75 h.p. winch and a carriage for workmen installed for the Main Dip Haulage. Buildings.—Army ration stores have been transported from Blenheim for re-erection at the mine and in Reefton as a mine store, district office, and garage respectively. Railway.—The reconditioning of the mine railway was commenced early in the New Year. Preliminary surveys for the railway extension to the mine were completed and plans and estimates prepared for bins and screening plant.

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