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Femdale Goal Syndicates Mine (Lockington's Lease). Reddale Valley, Reefton (J. Etheredge (Second Class), Mine-manager).—This mine was at one time worked by H. A. Lockington and later worked by J. Etheredge. The output was obtained from development work which eventually reached old workings, and pillar-extraction was commenced. One man was employed on the surface and 6 men underground. Rurnwell Mine (I). Hamill), Reefton (R. McDonald (Second Class), Mine-manager).—Production was maintained from development in a south-easterly and north-easterly direction. In places this development work reached a water-laden gravel bed, causing the places to be stopped. Two men were employed on the surface and 10 men underground. Central Mine (Redpath and Sons, Ltd.), Reefton (W. A. Hansen (Deputy), Mine-manager).— Development was solely in the area recently granted to Redpath and Co. One man was employed on the surface and 7 men underground. Terrace Mine (Terrace Coal Mine, Ltd.), Reefton (E. J. Richards (Second Class), Mine-manager).— Owing to a fire developing in the main level in No. 4 Seam, this section of the mine with the No. 2 Seam was conpletely sealed, and development was later confined in the No. 4 Seam to the dip of the main level. Two men were employed on the surface and 10 men underground. Defiance Mine (R. F. Woodbury), Reefton (R. P. Woodbury (Deputy), Mine-manager).—After being idle for some time, mining operations were recommenced by Woodbury and party, who purchased the mine from McClatchie and Co., Ltd. The output was won solely from development work. Two men were employed underground. Clele Mine (Alborn's), Merrijigs. —This mine remained idle during the year. Nicholls Mine, Capleston (A. Cohen (Deputy), Mine-manager).—Production from this mine was obtained from working-places which reached the outcrops in Elowers Creek, and development work was stopped and pillar-extraction commenced on the rise side of the main level. The thickness of the outcrops was about 5 ft. The outcrops of two seams about 100 ft. apart were showing at Flowers Creek, and it is proposed to connect these with a stone drive from the No. 1 Seam in which the party is now working. Banks Opencast Mine (Eklund and Party), Waitahu (A. E. Eklund (Underviewer), Mine-manager).— Oood production was maintained from this mine until the boundary of the Morrisvale lease was reached. Production was suspended pending the reaching of agreement with Mr. W. J. Morris to extend operations into the Morrisvale lease. Nine men were employed on opencasting. Royal Coal Syndicate, Rainy Creek (C. N. Curtis (Deputy), Mine-manager).—Production was' maintained from splitting and extraction of pillars. Four men were employed underground. Lewis and Party's Opencast Mine, Murray Creek.(J. Lewis (Permit), Mine-manager). —Production was maintained by opencasting from an area which was previously worked by underground methods. Two men were employed on opencasting. IF. G. Chandler's Opencast Mine, Murray Creek (W. McCaffrey (Deputy), Mine-manager).— Production was obtained solely from the area previously worked by underground methods. Owing to thicker overburden being reached, great difficulty was found in disposing of the overburden. Eight men were employed opencasting. Devil's Creek Mine (A. and W. J. McKenzie), Golden Point (W. J. McKenzie (Deputy), Minemanager). —This mine is a few miles along the Merrijigs Road and was opened this year. Development work was carried out until a gravel bed was reached, and pillar-extraction was commenced. Two men were employed underground. Garvey Creek State Mine, Reefton (J. Rarity (First Class), Mine-manager).—Development ceased in the south side at the end of the year. There are six levels on this side. No. 5 and 6 Levels go through to daylight, the latter level being approximately 3 chains long. Nos. Ito 4 Levels have been cut off by a thinning of the seam. These will be prospected further when electrification replaces the compressed air. Preparations are in hand to opencast this side down to No. 4 Level, and the party is expected to take over at the end of January, 1949. On the north side, Nos. 1 and 2 Levels have been driven 17 chains. No. 3 Level is in 20 chains, having had less trouble with stone bands. These levels were all in good coal during the last month of the year. Work has commenced in opening up a fourth level at a point 7 chains in, as the lower levels are connected here by a coal-chute and timber-supply road. The electric reticulation of the mine is completed. Only the transformer remains to be wired up. This is in position by the substation. The distribution panel is in place to connect up. A new compressor house is almost ready and an electric compressor will be installed early in the New Year. Excavations are almost completed at the bins for the installation of a small bin, belt conveyor, and chain conveyor to deal with both opencast and underground coal. Eight men were employed on the surface and 39 underground. Average daily output was 65 tons.

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