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Bell and Devlin's Victory Mine (H. Bell (Deputy), Mine-manager).—Six men were employed at this mine. The output was won during the formation of pillars on a small area of coal leased from the Taupiri Coal Co. Huntly Brickworks. —No coal was produced during the year. Te Pahu Colliery, Karamu. —No work was done at this mine during the year. Daily's Mine, Hauturu. —No coal was produced during the year. Whatawhata Campbell Colliery (A. Penman (First Class), Mine-manager).—A total of 12 men are employed at this mine. Output was won from 5 miners forming pillars on the western side of the Main Dip haulage road. Working-conditions were good with good-quality coal up to 12 ft. thick. The output from the mine is transported by endless rope to the screens, where the coal is bagged and loaded on to motor transport. Bangitoto Opencast Coal-mine (Hamilton and Harvey), Otorohanga (K. L. Harvey (Quarry Certificate), Mine-manager).—A small output was won by 3 men from intermittent work during the year. Kimihia State Opencast Mine (F. J. Handcock (Quarry Certificate), Mine-manager).—All coal for the year from this mine was won from what is known as No. 1 Area. At the end of the year sufficient coal was left for a further few months' production, after which this area will be exhausted. Some 175,000 yards of debris was excavated for an output of approximately 77,000 tons of coal. It is intended to open up a new area to the west where boring operations have revealed an approximate total quantity of 600,000 tons of coal which can be mined by opencast methods. Transportation of coal from the present mine to the screens is by means of an aerial drag-line system depositing the coal on to a vibrator screen arrangement. It is intended that this method of transportation will be superseded by a modern conveyor-belt system when production of coal will be commenced from the new area. Reclamation of the new area has been carried out as in the former areas by building a stopbank some distance out into the lake and the water from the area to be mined pumped out by a 12 in. Pulsometer pump driven by a 35 h.p. motor. Seven workmen's cottages have been established adjacent to the workings for the housing of the workmen engaged at the mine. An average of 28 men employed. Kemp's State Opencast Mine (T. Bigwood (Quarry Certificate), Mine-manager).—Production from this mine was won from three thin seams, an output of approximately 66,300 tons being obtained. It is anticipated that this area will be exhausted in several months time, when extraction will commence on a new area to the west and adjacent to the Wilton Mine No. 2 workings. The formation and metalling of a new access road was well in hand and a fairly large area of coal stripped ready for extraction. An average of 50 men employed. Heworth Coal-mining Syndicate, Glen Massey (J. Corness (Deputy), Mine-manager).—A small output was won by opencasting a 5 ft. seam of coal. Three men were employed. Taranahi District Mangapehi State Colliery (H. Quinn (First Class), Mine-manager).—During the year development of No. 2 East Level was continued and extended to a distance of 2,800 ft. from the Main Dip. The endless-rope system has been extended and now operates practically over the whole distance. The A Panel off this level has been extracted and sealed off. Entries for B, C, and D Panels have been commenced. Development of these panels has not yet, however, been attempted. The coal in the main level is of good quality and height and only a few minor disturbances have been encountered. The Slant Dip headings commencing at a point approximately 6 chains from the Main Dip along No. 2 East Level have been advanced to 950 ft. These headings have been in good coal for the full distance. Preparations are now being made to develop No. 3 Level headings to the east. Constant attention to return airways is necessary, due to excessive floor heave. This work presents a major problem to the management, but despite this aspect a considerable amount of work has been done towards maintaining satisfactory conditions in the return airways. A pump was installed to dewater the dip at the end of No. 1 East Level to enable extraction of the pillars in this area. A new 300 kVA transformer was installed at the surface to replace the old one, which was inadequate. The mine is now equipped with portable electric cap lamps, principally to eliminate the danger of fires from naked lights. Safety-lamp conditions are now in force throughout the mine. Twelve workmen are now trained in mine rescue work. A local mines rescue station now has been built and stocked at the mine. One hundred and eight men are employed underground and 28 on the surface. Tatu State Colliery (J. McLelland (First Class), Mine-manager).—At this colliery satisfactory working-conditions are rendered extremely difficult by virtue of soft heaving floor conditions. Practically continuous attention to repairs and enlarging of roadways is necessary. The cleaning-up and repairs to the lower 10 chains of the South Heading haulage road was completed effecting a marked improvement in haulage facilities. Development east and west of the main headings is handicapped by the presence of the Victory fault to the west and the Cunningham fault to the east. The main development has therefore proceeded to the dip in a south-easterly direction, whilst further development towards Cunningham fault was proceeded with in No. 3 Panel workings. Pillar-extraction was completed in the Barrier Section and in No. 2 Rise Panel; however, extraction in this section was suspended temporarily following an accumulation of blackdamp in the goaf which tended to foul the workings on the return side. The section will be reopened following the rearrangement of the ventilation when the east side return airway is completed. In this connection approximately 90 ft. of stone driving remains to be done and a further 7 chains of roadway to be cleaned
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