C—3

10

Classification of Accidents during 1886. Below— Trucks ... ... ... ... ... 1 Falls of roof and sides ... ... ... ... 8 Powder ... ... ... ... ... 1 Gas ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 — 11 Shafts Working ... ... ... ... ... 1 Sinking ... ... ... ... ... 1 . 2 Above Trucks ... ... ... ... ... 2 2 15 Number of Men employed. The slight increase in the number of men employed—l,3ll in 1886 as against 1,224 in 1885 —is as nearly as possible proportional to the increased output. The quantity of coal got per man (above and below) is 328 tons in 1886 as against 326 in 1885. Output of Goal. The statistics for last year indicate that the steady increase in output is being maintained. For the twelve months ending the 31st December, 1886, the tonnage is 430,160 tons, an increase of 30,880 tons on the output for 1885. The principal alterations are as follow : — Increases.— Banbury, 28,189 ; Koranui, 13,630; Shag Point, 6,815; Kaitangata, 6,040 ; Nightcaps, 4,900; Coalpit Heath, 4,418; and St. Helens, 3,192. Decreases.— Brunner, 16,836; Fernhill, 5,410; Homobush, 5,266; Walton Park, 2,865; and Hartley, 2,529. NuMiiEK of Mines. For 1886 we have 105 mines on the list, 101 of which have been visited. The new mines on the list—some of which are old mines recommenced, others merely made by separating of mines like those at Nightcaps and Kaitangata, which had previously been inconveniently classed as one—are not of any great importance. The tendency is to reduce the number, owing to the greater facilities of transport, which enable the produce of large mines to be brought cheaply into outlying districts. Methods of Woeking. Worked by shaft— Steam-power used... ... ... ... ... 8 Horse-power used ... ... ... ... ... 5 — 13 Worked by adit— Engine-planes ... ... ... ... ... 10 Horsa-power used ... ... ■ ... ... ... 11 Self-acting inclines ... ... ... ... 3 Hand-power used ... ... ... ... ... 38 — 62 Open-work ... ... ... ... ~. ... 30 JLOS Compared with last year this table indicates that there is one more shaft at which steampower is used, two more engine-planes, and four more adits where horses are used; also, that the number of shafts employing hand-power has decreased by two. I have, &c, Geoege J. Binns, The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 3. Mr. Inspector Binxs, F.G.S., to the Undee-Seceetaey of Mines, Wellington. Supplementary Report on Control ami Inspection of Mines, South Island. Sic,— Dunedin, 15th April, 1887. I have the honour to make the following report for the period extending from the Ist January, 1887, to the present date : — In the first place, the following details connected with the various mines may be given (the numbers refer to the table sent in with my report dated the Ist April, 1887): — 6. Coalbrookdale Colliepy, Westport (formerly known as " Banbury.") —This mine is now, I am happy to state, putting out a quantity of coal more in accordance with the scale on which the works have been constructed. Mr. Joachim, managing director, informs me that between 11,000 and 12,000 tons is the monthly output. The main headings have been bored through to the Yellow Bluff, and a wrought-iron girder-bridge, constructed by Messrs. Kincaid and McQueen, is being