C—3a

32

different reef to the Progress if no faulting occurs, as it is not now in line with the latter. A rise is being put up from this level, and a winze has been sunk 125 ft. in depth on stone which is believed to be payable right through. The main cross-cut has been extended about 20 ft. through the country to a parallel reef, and on this a level has been driven about 60 ft. to where it cuts out. A winze is being put up a few yards to east from the main cross-cut on stone which is about 3 ft. in thickness, but on the level it would run 4 ft. 6 in. in width. The east level face is being driven ahead, although the stone has cut out. A fair current of air comes in the main cross-cut, but it is none too strong in the faces. Two shifts are worked, employing eighteen miners, in this level. At No. 4 level two shifts, of two men each, are driving to connect with the Progress battery level. Air good. To east of the cross-cut four men, in two shifts, are driving about 200 ft. in, of which the last 110 ft. has had no stone. Air not so good here, so I requested the manager to have it improved. He will have it seen to ; a hand-fan will be fixed up if necessary. Driving is to be continued, and a connection will be made with the stopes below. In No. 5 level two shifts, of two men each, are driving to the west, and are in about 150 ft., of which the last 20 ft. has been in stone. The width of the lode is not yet known ; but it is over 5 ft. A connection is to be made by sinking to meet the rise from No. 6. To the east of the cross-cut in No. 5 level eight men, in two shifts, are stoping abreast of the level, as the lode is wide. Two men are taking forward a leading stope for air, and four are driving on the track of the reef where the stone has given out, and are going to continue right in to the Larnach Claim. The timbering to which I directed notice at last inspection has been attended to. No detaching-hook, but one has since been fitted. Report behind. Ropes tested three weeks ago, and entry made in the report-book. Plan up to 25th June. On the 18th November a miner named William Johnston McLaren had occasion to go out on his own business to the shaft in No. 5 level, and by some unexplained circumstance he fell down to the next level, and was killed. Good and tight-fitting doors were on the shaft, and these were testified to as having been closed prior to Johnston's going out, so the accident can only be attributed to misadventure. (21/11/96) : The main shaft is now down 35 ft. Requested that men be lashed to the rope in lowering, as this was not observed. Rising is being done to connect with the sinking. This shaft is being sunk to suit winding from deep levels, and consists of three compartments, two for winding and a man-way. The latter is 2 ft. 6 in. by 4 ft. 6 in., and the others 4 ft. by 4 ft. 6 in., in the clear. The wall-plates, end plates, and corner posts are 8 in. by 8 in. timber, and the centre posts 6 in. by 8 in.; these are backed by 2 in. lining, securely filled and wedged. At date of writing a depth of over 600 ft. has been reached, which is extra quick work, even although rising and sinking from the Progress drive went on at the same time as sinking from the surface. It will be sunk below the No. 7 Globe level before a start is made at crushing, and the sinking will still be continued. The lode should be sunk through at a depth of 1,100 ft. or 1,200 ft. Prior to date of writing connection between the rise and shaft has been accurately made, showing that excellent work has been done in the surveys. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine. —(22/8/96) : The battery level is being driven north to connect with the old workings of the Energetic Mine, which are 170 ft. ahead. I notified the manager to keep the requisite boreholes in advance, as there was known to be a large quantity of water under considerable pressure in the old workings. Air rather dull; not as good as formerly, the face being 225 ft. ahead of the old filling shaft, so I requested Mr. Watson to have it improved. From the 200 ft. level a prospecting drive to south-east is being put in by three shifts of two men each. This level has been retimbered throughout, and is to be extended to north. In the 500 ft. level driving to south-east is being continued on the lode. A winze is down 130 ft. on the underlie from this level, and six men are at work, in two shifts, proving the width of the vein to the hanging-wall. (20/10/96) : Air now led in in boxes in the battery level. A narrow prospecting drive from the 200 ft. level was being driven without timber, and, as there were some loose pieces on the sides, I requested that they should be taken down or secured. A man was put on to take down the bad places, but the drive was subsequently stopped. Ropes tested, and entry made in manager's reportbook, which is duly kept. The battery level, where driving to connect with the Energetic, was also inspected on the 21st November, when rising was being done as the level was too low. On the 21st December the water was successfully tapped by the advance borehole, and at date of writing four men are engaged retimbering the bottom level of the Energetic Mine. This will drain the water from the latter, while at the same time providing stronger ventilation in the Wealth of Nations Mine. Keep-It-Dark Quartz-mine. —When erecting new poppet-heads at this mine on the 26th June a workman named John McLean had his leg broken by a collapse through a guy rope breaking. (22/8/96) : Six men are stoping about 90 ft. above the No. 6 level. Some timber requiring renewal in the travelling-passes, but the ladders are all right; the timbering will be attended to. A winze is being sunk from No. 6 level, and is clown 78 ft., where the reef is about 3 ft. in width. Act and rules required. Report kept weekly. As the filling shaft, though still permitting a good current of air, has been allowed to become unfit for a travelling-way, I requested that retimbering should be done to maintain a second outlet, and work has been started accordingly. (22/3/97): Six men stoping in the day shift, and four in the afternoon. Timbering right, and air sufficient. Two men are retimbering the winze from No. 3 upwards, and four men are cutting out a chamber. Nineteen men in all are employed. Copies of the Act and rules have been'obtained. Manager's report duly kept. Hercules, Quartz-mine. —(24/8/96) : Three shifts of two men each are rising from No. 9 level to connect with a winze which has been sunk about 100 ft. from No. 8. They are up 55 ft. above No. 9, and have air led right up in boxes. A single shift of two men is cross-cutting from the No. 9 level to west, and are in some 20 ft. Plan up to 3rd ultimo. Ropes not tested recently, but Mr. Bray will have this done quarterly in future. The prospects of this mine are not very encouraging at present, but prospecting might at any time disclose a different aspect of affairs.