C—2

Kimbell West Dip Section : Six pairs of colliers continued throughout the year with splitting and pillar-extraction. The area to the rise of the Kimbell West Level, previously sealed up on account of fire, was reopened at the end of the year and two places were ready for production. Morgan East and West Rise Sections : The prospecting drive in stone at the head of the Morgan West Main Level was driven approximately 5 chains. This work was stopped through inadequate ventilation until a return airway is provided. Prospecting-work continued in a strip of coal encountered in this drive. Pillar-extraction continued in the Nos. 2 and 3 Banks Morgan W&st Section, but owing to steep grades and old roadways this work was very difficult and costly to maintain. Nine pairs of colliers were employed in these sections. No. 1 Bank, Morgan East, was practically finished at the end of the year, only 1 pair being employed. No. 2 Bank, Morgan East, was reopened following a temporary sealing and 2 pairs of colliers were employed in the extraction of the pillars adjacent to the Morgan East Main Level. Morgan West Dip : This section was advanced 15 chains to the dip and stopped in dirty coal, only about 3 ft. of coal remaining in the dip face. Two pairs of miners were employed in this section during the year, in the latter portion of which they were employed in the development of two levels to the south-east. These levels are approaching a borehole showing 25 ft. of coal. Morgan East Dip (Middle Panel): Seven pairs of miners were employed on pillar-extraction and 2 pairs continuing with the development of the inbye side of this panel. The top panel in this section was sealed following a heating. The main Morgan East Dip Heading was stopped practically throughout the whole of the year pending the completion of extensive haulage alterations to Hadcroft's Dip haulage road. This work is now almost completed, and development work should recommence early in the New Year. Coal thickness to the east of the Morgan Dip heading thinned to approximately 5 ft. Coal in the dip heading face, however, was 16 ft. to 18 ft. in thickness. During the year the steam endless haulage plant into No. 2 Mine was changed over to electric power and the work of widening Hadcroft's Dip for double haulage was completed and the 75 h.p. electric winch replaced with one of 120 h.p. At the foot of Hadcroft's Dip a new endless-rope haulage was also completed and by the end of the year was in operation. Eighty-five men were employed on surface and 209 underground. Strongman State Colliery, Nine-mile (G. K. Keown (First Class), Mine-manager).—No. 2 North Section : Development work was concluded in No. 2 Panel and development in No. 3 Panel was continued during the year. Little progress was made in the development of the main headings, which are now in the vicinity of No. 3 Borehole. These headings are already showing signs of stone bands, as indicated in No. 1 Bore. A borehole through the fault on the right-hand side of these headings encountered the seam being worked from No. 3 North Heading. A borehole was also put down in No. 2 Panel proving the bottom seam with the same characteristics as those in Bore No. 281. Twelve pairs of miners were engaged in this No. 2 North Section. No. 3 North Section : Development work was continued between the Doherty and Bob faults, 8 pairs of miners being employed. Changes in the character and direction of grade made transport of coal from this section most difficult. East Heading : Continuation of the heading was suspended until coal had been proved on the right and left-hand sides beyond the fault. One pair of miners was engaged on this work. No. 1 South Section : Four pairs of miners were engaged on solid work and 3 pairs on pillarextraction. Bad roof conditions are against maximum percentage extraction. No. 2 Dip Section : Development work continued with 9 pairs of miners in the bottom seam from which good-quality coal was obtained. Sixty-six men were employed on surface and 177 underground. Blackball State Colliery, Blackball (J. Rarity (Second Class), Acting-Mine-manager).—At the beginning of the year a 70 h.p. endless-rope haulage was installed in place of the existing main and tail in No. 2 South Section. Main Dip : Twin connections driven northerly were made from the Sump Section to the Main Dip through thin coal a distance of 4 chains. The seam thickened and the Main Dip and parallel airway have been extended a further 3J chains in good coal. The seam is 12 ft. thick. Preparations were in hand at the end of the year to install an endless rope to the dip. Sump Section : This dip has been developed for a further 5 chains in good coal. Little development has been possible to the south side due to the seam dipping sharply in that direction. The coal is 15 ft. to 18 ft. thick. From the Sump Dip another dip has been driven to the south in the direction of No. 2 Borehole. This progressed to a distance of 4 chains. The dip is now 20 ft. beyond the borehole and the seam 10 ft. thick, the coal being of good quality. No. 2 South : Development was carried on here for a distance of 3|- chains. For If chains the •coal was 12 ft. to 14 ft. thick and of fair quality. The seam then thinned out to 3 ft. when development was stopped. Connections were made by twin roads from Dunn's Dip to No. 2 bouth, the distance being 5 J chains. Part of the seam thinned to 5 ft. 6 in. Dunn's Dip : The dip rose sharply for a chain and thinned to 6 ft. The seam then dipped over at ■a distance of If chains, and development stopped until a pump is available. The class of coal is fair. Thirty-two men Were employed on surface and 148 underground.

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