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In the No. 1 Drive area production from what is known as the Top Seam Section was stopped, the coal-seam deteriorating into a series of alternating bands of stone and coal. Similar conditions obtained also in the No. 1 North Section, where increased thickness of stone bands militated against successful operations, and the section was closed down during the first half of the year. Development was completed in the No. 4 East Panel, which is bounded by a 30 ft. downthrow fault to the east and an area rendered barren by lire on the western side. Pillar-extraction has been pursued, since development was completed, with satisfactory results. In the East Rope End Section pillar-extraction is nearing completion, but preparations are well in hand to transfer the miners to No. 3 West Section. Very good residts are being achieved in No. 2 West Section, which is on pillar-extraction. A rearrangement of the line of retreat overcame to some extent the difficulties previously created by the soft heaving floor. Pillar-extraction in Thompson's pillar section was continued with satisfactory results. This section is bounded on the eastern side by a 30 ft. downthrow fault and a 10 ft. upthrow fault to the north. In the Main West Heading Section, development was completed and pillar-extraction commenced. No. 5 North Section was reopened and development continued with the aid of coal-cutters and power drilling-machines. Very satisfactory progress was being made. In the New Drive area, No. I East Panel was on development also with the aid of coal-cutters and power-drilling-machines. Preparations were also well in hand to pursue development across the 30 ft. downthrow fault encountered in the main heading. The average number of men employed during the year totalled 240, there being (53 employed on the surface and 177 underground. Wilton State Collieries (J. Baird (First Class), Mine-manager).—The statement reviews operations from No. 2, No. 3, and No. 3 Extended workings. In the No. 2 Mine, output was won solely from pillar-extraction. Very little coal remains in this area, the work being reduced to the extraction of pillars adjacent to the main level. In the No. 3 Mine, output was won by 3 pairs of miners. An electric driven Siskol percussivetype coal-cutter with self-contained boring-machine was installed and has given satisfactory results. The No. 3 Extended Mine comprises Nos. 2, 3, and 4 East and Nos. 2 and 4 West Sections. In the No. 2 East Section, output was obtained from pillar-extraction by 6 pairs of miners. Pillar lifts are driven with the aid of coal-cutters and electric boring-machines and the coal left on the goaf side brought back by hand methods. In the No. 3 East Section development was continued to the east and south-west by 8 pairs of miners. All places are machine cut. Development was completed in No. 4 East Section and pillar-extraction commenced bj r 5 pairs of miners. All coal won from No. 2 West Section was from pillar-extraction. In No. 4 West Section 4 pairs of miners completed development to the outcrop on the south side and pillar-extraction commenced. At the inbye end of No. 4 West Haulage a pair of headings were driven to the surface with a view to opening up an area of coal under the Te Puroa Road. ' One hundred and fifty-six men were employed underground and 58 on the surface. Rotoivaro Xo. 1 Mine (T. Glendenning (First Class), Mine-manager).—Production from this mine was limited and consisted of intermittent pillar-extraction by 3 pairs of colliers in the New Haulage and Hill 60 Sections. Callaghmts Dip Mine : The main headings in this mine were stopped at 55 chains from the main haulage due to increasing thickness of stone bands in this direction. No. 6 Panel headings were advanced 11! chains from the main headings and stopped against an upthrow fault whilst No. 6 Panel workings were in process of development to the right of the panel headings. The coal in this area is of good quality and approximately 15 ft. thick. No. 5 Panel headings were advanced 15J chains from the main heading. Further development was stopped on account of increasing thickness of stone bands. Formation of pillars in No. 5a Panel was completed. Pillar extraction will not be attempted owing to the proximity of an overlying 18 ft. seam of coal suitable for opencast methods. Pillar-extraction proceeded in No. 5 Panel with satisfactory results. Several pillars and a barrier of coal must, however, be left for support to the overlying 18 ft. seam. Owing to a serious heating in No. 4 Panel, resulting in sealing of this section, very little work was done in the panel during the year. A stone drive commencing from a point adjacent to No. 4 Panel headings was driven a distance of 5 chains to intersect a lower seam. The coal at the point of intersection is 15 ft. thick and of average Waikato quality. The work of driving a second drift for a return airway to this seam is being continued. It is anticipated that these roadways when completed will provide access for some 300 acres of coal ranging up to 25 ft. in thickness. Development was continued in No. 3 Panel, while preparations have been made to develop an area of coal to the south. This area underlies swampy ground. Pillar-extraction is not anticipated. Rotowaro No. 3 Mine : Practically all coal won is from pillar-extraction except for the New Dip Section, where two development headings were continued. Prospects of extensive development in this area are not good. In Wilkie's Dip Section, pillar-extraction was completed and this section is now closed. Pillar-extraction was continued throughout the year in Brown's Section. Development work in the Shaft Section was completed during the year and pillar-extraction commenced. In Moodie's Jig Section pillar-extraction was almost completed and arrangements were in hand to move the terminal of the main haulage system further outbye along Hagan's haulage road. One hundred and thirty-five men were employed underground and 54 on the surface.

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