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H.—ll

and the empties are easily pushed in, but there are no refuge-holes. The level is well drained, and altogether reflects credit on the manager. 62. Green Island Colliery, Green Island. —On the 2nd August, 1882, this mine was well aired and cool. Weekly report entered, but plan not kept at the mine. The old shaft might have been better fenced, as also the rise-shaft in the paddock. The manager said he would attend to these points. On the 23rd February, 1883, pillars were being drawn without timber, and did not appear very safe; so I wrote to the manager. On the 2nd March the pillar-work was closed, but some timber was required on the level. 63. Saddle Hill Colliery, Saddle Hill. —Visited four times since last report. The main return averages 8,774 cubic feet per minute, and the air is well guided. Nothing has been done to prove the old workings. The report-book and plan are not kept at the mine, as they should be. Boys do not seem to be illegally employed. There is still some difficulty in fencing the shaft, and at my last visit, on the 25th April, Mr. Christie projected an automatically lifting bar, instead of the gates, which are awkward. This mine has always been in good order. 64. Glenochiel Goal-Mine, Saddle Hill. (McLachlan's of last year). —The old drive has fallen in, having been worked too wide. Eules, &c, were sent to Messrs. Bryce Brothers, the owners, who sent the rules up, but have persistently ignored the Act. On my last visit, the Bth May, a boy, eleven years of age, was at work on the loading-stage. He does not attend school, although I had previously warned the owners. The cage is uncovered and the shaft unfenced. The pit-workings are all right; but, however serious the consequences may be to the owners, I shall have to prosecute if the law is disregarded. 65. Walton Park Colliery, Green Island. —On the 22nd May, 1882, the air was pretty good, but the roof still bad. The furnace was not lighted. Intake by drive 7,316 cubic feet per minute. On the 4th September the air was very good. Some old workings were being approached, and every care was taken by keeping bore-holes in advance and at the sides. Ultimately these workings were tapped, and the water let off without danger. On the 9th January, 1883, the intake by tunnel was 8,350 cubic feet per minute, the furnace being lighted. Pit in good order, and report up to date. On the 27th April the pit was off work, the men being on strike. The roof seemed much better than formerly. Eeports kept. This mine is carefully managed. 66. Abbotsroyd Colliery (No. 1), Green Island. —The fire, as predicted, got worse, and this mine is now closed. 67. Abbotsroyd Colliery (No. 2), Green Island. —lnspected the 2nd August, 1882. No general rules up, and the air bad. On the 31st things were better, and the rules up. On the 23rd February, 1883, the report had been for some time neglected, there being apparently some doubt as to who was manager. The top places very close on account of a fall "vhich had just taken place. Ventilation main return, 1,485 cubic feet per minute for fifteen men and one horse. The minimum should be 2,000 even if it were guided, which this was not. On the 28th March the places were in a better condition, as a communication had been made : the report also was kept. 68. Brighton Coal Mine, Brighton. —This is a new mine. I visited it in January, and found two men at work. Act and draft special rules were sent on the 29th January. 69. Hurdstone Coal Mine, Milton. —Visited on the 24th April, 1882. Has ceased to be a sale-pit. 70. Bruce Coal Mine, Milton. —lnspected on the 26th April and 16th September. The old drive-workings had caught fire, and a new drive had been started. Mr. Hardwick keeps his mine in good order. 71. Beal Machay Coal Mine, Milton. —One man is employed here: he does not observe the Act. 72. Coombe Hay Coal Mine, Milton. —Was a series of prospecting shafts and drives. It was visited on the 27th April, 1882, and is not now working. 73 and 74. Cannon's and Bryce's Lignite Mines, LovelVs Flat. —Both -opencast. The latter has ceased to be a sale-pit. 75. Pashell's Lignite Mine, Glenore. —This mine has been worked for eighteen years. The first time I heard of it was in. October, 1882, when the owner was unfortunately killed by a fall of gravel. An account of this will be found in the accident report. 76. Monro's Coal Mine, Lawrence. —A new mine. Visited the Ist June, 1882, when one man was employed below ground. The mine was in good order, but there was too much powder stored. Pointed this out to the occupant, and on the 29th July sent a copy of the Act and draft set of special rules, which were returned through the dead-letter office. In January the manager sent word that it was not working. 77. Benhar Coal Mine, Balclutha. —Visited three times in 1882 and once in 1883. Has been generally in good order. On the 21st April, 1882, the furnace was out, owing to the neglect of the man whoso duty it was to attend to it. Pillar-working was carried on, and, a large fall having occurred at the surface, was dangerous. I cautioned the manager, and wrote to Taim on the 22nd. On the 28th, on meeting him in Dunedin, he informed me that this work was stopped. On the 2nd June it had all fallen in. The air is generally sufficient, but a great deal of it is lost at the stoppings. On the 21st March, 1883, the air was deficient; plan too long without addition. Eules appear not to have been properly distributed. Mr. Nelson was in the habit of asking his new men if they had a copy, and an affirmative answer was considered sufficient reason for not giving any more. At all collieries the rules are not the same, so this plan hardly does. On the 22nd March I'^rote about the ventilation and rules. There are some bad slips in the roof that will require attention. 78. KaitangatU, Tiailioay and Coal Company's Mine, Kaitangata. —Has been worked successfully and satisfactorily during 1882. No accident occurred in this mine or the next on the list, which are both in Mr. Samson's charge. On the 25th May, 1882, there was no gas in the fault-drive, nor did ■yve find any in the old workings. Main intake registered 11,664 cubic feet per minute. On the 15th