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it I considered the coal would rise behind the roll. A new screening and storage plant was being erected. Two men employed. Inkerman Goal-mine. —(l 4/11/99): The Inkerman Gold-mining Company still continue to mine coal for steaming purposes at Rainy Creek low-level tunnel. One man employed. Devil's Greek Coal-mine (John MacQuham, owner). —(20/11/99) : This coal lease is on Midland Railway reserve, and in consequence no proper title has been granted. Pending a settlement the owner has shut down the mine. Both levels are standing on hard bright coal 8 ft. in thickness. The mine is in good order. Breen's Goal-mine. —(20/11/99) : At this mine all the coal in sight was practically standing in very small pillars, and I objected to their removal owing to very bad roof and most impractical miners. On a former visit I pointed out a splendid outcrop of hard coal, to which the owner has made a good road. The coal turns out well. Progress New Mine (the Progress Gold-mining Company).—(ls/11/99) : On this lease two mines are opened to supply coal for steaming purposes at the Progress Mines. The coal averages from 5 ft. to 6 ft. in thickness. Thomas Cochrane supplies the coal. Three men employed. Air good. Beckford Goal-mine. —This mine is abandoned. Waitakere Goal-mine. —This lignite-seam was not visited. Blackball Colliery (owners, Blackball Coal Company). —(20/11/99): From this colliery the output shows a satisfactory increase of 5,301 tons over the preceding year, and on the Accident Fund a saving of £103 14s. Bd. for the same period. Referring to my remarks on No. 1 west level in previous report, these mining difficulties have been dealt with in a practical and successful manner, and accordingly the original level course has been maintained. It was necessary that this roadway should receive special attention, as it is the continuation of the main adit which forms the traffic outlet for the whole mine. The endless-rope haulage when first installed was confined to the rock-tunnel section of roadway, but as the workings advanced it became necessary that further extension of the rope-line to a more central position of the working should be carried out, which has been done in a creditable manner, making the general terminus for loading and unloading at the foot of No. 4 incline. Total length of haulage-line, 2,432 ft. To carry out a more efficient system of signals in view of reducing risk, the principal stations along the rope-line are connected by telephone, in addition to the ordinary inward and outward electric signals. This arrangement will be the means of saving much time being lost in the case of breakdowns along the line. In view of the west working under-crossing Coal Creek, the thickness of overlying strata was determined by borehole at 90 ft. 6 in., of which 60 ft. next the coal was hard sandstone. No. 11 incline was cut through on the terrace, and forms an outlet direct from the faces. Double shift is established at the colliery owing to trade pressure. Aerial tramway has received special attention of late. Haulage-rope six miles and a quarter in length and two miles cable sections were renewed. Warning- and signal-boards are placed at all principal stations, and the provisions of the Act are carried out to the letter. Air-measurement, 17,240 cubic feet per minute. Timber sufficient. Direct air-current good. Ratio of compressed powder used in pounds weight against every 1,000 tons of coal mined was 129 lb. to 1,000 tons. No accidents reported. Four inspections made. Brunner Collieries (owners, Greymouth-Point Elizabeth Coal Company).—Considering the output from these mines is won wholly from the extraction of pillars, the returns show a substantial increase of 37,720 tons over the preceding year. Brunner Dip Mine. —(2l/11/99): Since the pumps were placed in position to discharge the water direct on to the adit-level, double shift gave facilities to extract the pillars from the lower levels more successfully and economically. Now that the pillars are exhausted from the lower levels, except a small section that will be worked in conjunction with the barrier pillar, the workings are chiefly confined to No. 1 rise incline, heading, and barrier. Between the dip-road and engine-plane a small solid section was blocked into pillars and exhausted. In this district Charles Woolett was killed by a fall of coal and fireclay. In the rise district the pillars are successfully worked. The roof is very strong. Double shift is confined to the barrier pillar, it being behind in the order of the workings. Three electric lights are installed in the main thoroughfare at the top of engine-dip and endless-rope terminal. This installation has tended to minimise risk to the lad who unhooked the engine-rope from the race, as it is discharged at a high speed. Gas was reported several days over a large fall on east side of dip-road, but this is now removed by ventilation. All other places are clear of gas. Marsaunt safety-lamps are strictly enforced ; leadrivet locks. Considerable repairs have been done on return airway, which is now in fair order. All reports are kept to date. Air measurement, 16,000 cubic feet per minute. Six inspections made. Brunner Bise Mine. —(22/11/99): Notwithstanding the difficulties contended against from steep gradients and heavy overlying pressure on the pillars and roadways, the quantity of coal won from this section of the lease is considerably in excess of the original calculated tonnage. No. 1 block, located next to the cliff, was the chief source of the year's output. In the first working this section was considered worthless, consequently a large percentage of the coal won was from the solid. With regard to keeping up a standing coal-output against the decrease from exhaustion of this mine, an adjoining section of old rise-workings was recently tapped by a dip rock tunnel, which has opened out a valuable district of pillar and solid coal. Therefore resources from this mine are fairly guaranteed for some time to come. Further, another drive is.set away a short distance to rise of fan drift at the old mine, where an extensive area of Brunner old pillars exist. A miner named James Allen had his leg broken by a fall of coal in the face. During the summer months black-damp was a source of trouble. Reports are kept to date. Double shift was again resumed. Six inspections made. Monthly inspections are carried out by the workmen. Goal Greek. —This property appears to be at a standstill.