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No. 4 West Extended : The main headings were driven 6 chains, and the endlessrope haulage extend to this point. Development has thus proceeded to the south-east where the bulk of the coal in this area lies. Development has been greatly hindered by faulted ground—one fault of a series necessitated 1-| chains of stonework. Roof conditions have been exceedingly bad, requiring the setting of a large amount of timber. The main levels have been driven a distance of 10 chains and development at the main part of field commenced. A main and tail haulage has been installed to bring output to the main endless-rope haulage of this area. At present, conditions have substantially improved and the outlook is much better. The north-west side of the main heading is also being developed, but as the major fault of the field cuts this area, the amount of work therein will be small. No. 1 and 2 West Sections : Pillar-extraction has been continued in the latter section during the year. The remaining undeveloped coal on low side of No. 2 West is being worked from No. 1 Area. Coal-cutters, &c. —At present, in the colliery, 4 chain-type coal cutters, 3 electrically driven percussion coal-cutters, and 9 electric drills are in service. Stone-dusting. —Stone-dusting and sampling has been carried out during the year. Dangerous Occurrences. —The only dangerous occurrence during the year was a heating which took place in the No. 4 West Section —this was effectively dealt with. Plant. —On the sth September, 1949, a fire occurred at the main workshops, destroying a large amount of electrical and other equipment. New workshops on more modern lines have since been erected and equipped. All other plant in and about colliery has been kept in good condition. Private Railway. —Maintenance work has been carried out during the year. Bus Service. —At present, five buses are being operated by the contractors between Ngaruawahia and the mine. The service has been carried out efficiently during the year. Housing and Mine Buildings. —Departmental houses situated in Ngaruawahia and Glen Massey have been maintained in good repair. An additional bathhouse to accommodate 40 men was completed. New workshops were erected. A new lunch-room was completed at screens. I have, &c, J. Baird, Manager.

The Superintendent, Mines Department, Huntly, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Ist April, 1950. I have the honour to submit my report on the State opencast coal-mines in the Waikato district for the year ended 31st March, 1950. Kemp's Opencast Mine, Glen Massey All coal-mining operations at this mine were completed in June. The total overburden removed since operations commenced is 2,313,149 cubic yards, and the total quantity of coal removed from this area is 239,314 tons. The foregoing represents a ratio of 9-665 cubic yards of overburden for each ton of coal won. It would have been impracticable to recover the coal-seams by the method of underground mining practiced in this district, and the complete manner in which the maximum recovery of coal has been effected by the opencast method of work is a credit to the operators, and provides a definite indication of the stripping ratio limits which can be successfully undertaken under reasonably favourable operating conditions. Stripping operations were carried out with Works Department plant.

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