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APPENDICES TO THE MINES STATEMENT APPENDIX A REPORTS RELATING TO METALLIFEROUS MINES AND QUARRIES The Inspecting Engineer of Mines to the Under-Secretary op Mines. Wellington, sth July, 1948. Sir. — I have the honour to present my report on metalliferous mines and quarries for the year ended 31st December, 1947. ACCIDENTS During 1947 two fatal and five non-fatal serious accidents occurred in or aboutmetalliferous mines, at which 1,191 persons were employed. One fatality occurred in the Southern District, a shift foreman on a dredge being caught between the stacker terminal pulley and the casing, while the other was in the Northern District, being due to a surveyor at the Martha Mine falling 300 ft. down a shaft. The five serious non-fatal accidents all happened in the West Coast District, three being on dredges and two at the Blackwater Mine. QUARTZ-MINES Blackivater Mine continued development of the fifteenth and sixteenth Levels South and of the sixteenth Level North with good results, the southern extension of the sixteenth Level being particularly satisfactory. In order to maintain ore reserves, the sinking of the North Shaft to No. 17 Level will be necessary in the near future. Development during the year has again been hindered by the shortage of skilled miners. Martha Mine. —Considerable secondary development work was carried out during the year in the reopening of old workings and the driving of sub-levels. The output of 108,747 tons was obtained from the Martha, Empire, Welcome, Royal, and Dreadnought Lodes. In spite of a shortage of skilled men still operating, output and values produced showed no decrease on the previous year.

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