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HiJcurangi Collieries (Limited). —The operations in this company's mine have been chiefly confined to working the seam of coal on the outcrop. The surface covering on the coal varied from 1 ft. to 6 ft. in thickness; consequently, most of the coal up to the end of December has been quarried out. This is a new mine, and is well situated, being close to the railway ; therefore the prospects of the company may be considered encouraging, as no doubt the quality of the coal will improve to the dip. No accidents. Phcenix Coal Company. —This mine has been continuously worked, and a large number of men were employed for a short time, but, as the price of coal delivered into the trucks was so low that it did not pay the company, the number of men was reduced. The workings are carried on from an adit-level, which is securely timbered and safe. The ventilation is also good. No accidents reported from the mine. The output of coal for the year was 5,026 tons, an increase of 2,926 tons over the previous year. Waikato. Waikato Colliery Company's Mine. —This mine has been steadily worked during the year. The operations in the mine have been confined to taking out pillars, and the manager has exercised great care for the safety of the men in taking out the coal, and a very small percentage of the coal has been lost. Abundance of timber is kept at the mine ready for immediate use. The output of coal for the year was 13,317 tons, a decrease of 916 tons as compared with the previous year. Four slight accidents happened in the mine, but none of a serious character. Taupiri Extended Company's Mine. —This mine has been worked continuously during the year. The works in the early part of the year were confined to what are termed the east and west districts at No. 1 level, but the manager is directing the operations now in opening the mine at the dip or No. 2 level, near No. 2 shaft. The levels are being vigorously pushed ahead, so that no time may be lost in opening up this portion of the mine, and, as the coal is of good quality at the dip, the prospects of the company look very encouraging. The output of coal for the year was 33,066 tons and 847 tons slack, an increase of 4,925 tons over the previous year. The ventilation is all that could be desired, and the mine is safe. Two accidents happened in the mine : one was of a slight character ; but the other, due to a fall of coal, proved fatal to a miner named William Crowder, but no blame could be attached to any one. The Taupiri Reserve. —This mine is being steadily worked, and a fair amount of coal is being produced. The workings in the mine are still confined to that part of the property under Lake Kimihia, but the principal works are directed from the new dip extension. Large pillars are left to keep the mine secure, and from 5 ft. to 8 ft. of tops are left on in the places to strengthen the roof. The output of coal for the year was 18,870 tons, an increase of 210 tons over the previous year. The ventilation is good, and the workings, to all appearance, safe; but, strange to say, no less than ten accidents were reported, most of them being of a slight nature. Kawakawa. New Bay of Islands Coal Company. —This company's operations have been mostly confined to working out pillars of coal near the outcrop, and sinking prospecting shafts for the purpose of discovering any patches of coal that might have been considered by the previous company not good enough to work. In this the company have not been successful, as in most cases the seam of coal cut through by these shafts was too thin to work. Great care has been exercised in working out the pillars, and it has required a large quantity of timber to keep the men safe, owing to the coal they have been working being near the surface. The prospects of the company do not look as encouraging as could be desired. Still, the mine was considered exhausted some years ago. Since then a considerable quantity of coal has been produced from it, and it has given employment to a number of men. If prospecting operations are continued in this locality a coal discovery may be met with which would be the means of giving an impetus to the whole of this district. The output of coal for the year was 11,134 tons, a decrease of 2,833 tons as compared with the previous year. An accident of a serious nature happened in this mine to a miner named Emerson Lee, from which he is not likely to recover. lie was in the act of drawing out timber when it occurred, but no blame could be attached to any one. Mokau. Mokau Goal-mines Syndicate (Limited). —The opening-up of this mine is being more vigorously pushed ahead. An air-drive has been put in from the side of the hill and a connection made with the workings, which has given excellent ventilation. The seam of coal is 7 ft. in thickness, and the band of shale in the centre of the seam, which has been 2 ft. thick in places, is gradually getting thinner as the workings are proceeding into the hill, and the coal to all appearance is improving. There has been great difficulty in getting the coal taken away and shipped in the past, but a steamlaunch has now been put on to tow the barges down the river, and the s.s. " Kiripaka," capable of carrying 120 tons, has been put on to take the coal from the Heads. The output of coal for the year was 3,148 tons, an increase of 1,205 tons over the previous-year. No accidents are reported. Bombay Mine. —The work in this mine has been very limited, and the mine has only been worked to supply the settlers in the neigbourhood. Twenty-five tons was taken out during the year, an increase of 7 tons over the previous year. No accidents. Accidents. A fatal accident happened to a miner named William Crowder, in the Taupiri Extended Company's mine, and one of a serious nature to Emerson Lee, in the Bay of Islands Coal-mine; also minor accidents occurred.
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