C—3a.

Only one case calls for special remark—viz., that of Adam Girvan. He was assisting to fill wagons on the railway when he slipped off the top of a loaded truck on to railway-line, seriously injuring his head, and was off work seventy-eight days. In the mines south of Auckland (Huntly) thirty-seven men were injured, and were absent from work 540 days, the sick-pay from the Relief Fund amounting to £56 ss. This money was paid through the Waikato Medical and Accident Society, who also pay an equal amount to the miners in terms of clause 6 of the amended regulations for the management and administration of funds and moneys under section 69 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1891." There were no fatal nor yet what might be termed serious accidents in this district during the year. I have, &c, James Coutts, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

No. 3. Mr. Robert Tennent, Inspector of Mines, Westport, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Westport, 17th March, 1903. I have the honour, in compliance with section 67 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1891," to report as follows on the West Coast coal-mines for the year ending 31st December, 1902:— Enner Glynn Coal-mine. —(26/12/1902): Trask and Hurly's syndicate are sinking a prospectingshaft on ground owned by James Newport, situated on the north bank of Brock Street Valley. The shaft, 5 ft. by 3 ft., was sunk to a depth of 15 ft., and timbered throughout. Wise and Bennett, late of Enner Glynn Coal-mine, put down a shaft in the same locality about two years ago, with unfavourable results. Belgrove Prospecting Syndicate. —(ls/12/1902) : During my last visit two men employed on behalf of a Wanganui syndicate were prospecting at the foot of the hill country which forms the eastern boundary of the Wai-iti Valley, about seven miles southward of the Belgrove Railwaystation. The party had driven a crosscut 15 ft. through a series of crushed coaly and foreign matter, which was cut off by a strongly defined wall of roof-formation. Other surface works disclosed nothing of an encouraging nature. It is understood that operations have since been suspended. Motupipi Coal-mine. —(l 9/8/1902): A small trial shipment of coal was sent to Wellington, but nothing further has been done at the mine. Shakespeare Bay. —For some time past prospecting has been periodically carried on by a local syndicate, but operations are at present suspended. Taitapu. —Mr. N. L. Buchanan, attorney for the Taitapu Gold Estates (Limited), has recently directed his attention to prove the extent and quality of a coal-seam located on the west bank of the Paturau River, and about five miles south of the West Wanganui Inlet. The thickness of the coal-seam as proved in two different faces is 12 ft. The analysis by Dr. Maclaurin, Government Analyst, is as follows: Fixed carbon, 41-40; hydrocarbons, 40-25 ; water, 5-65; ash, 6-70. This is a good caking coal, forming a fairly hard coke. The sulphur is very low, and, although the ash is somewhat heavy, the coal is good. Pakawau Coal-mine. —(l 7/12/1902) : This mine is not now working. Some tunnelling and ditching were recently carried out by a prospecting syndicate, but, so far, further developments have not been effected. Puponga Coal-mine (owners, Puponga Coal Company ; Mr. Sydney George Hayward, attorney for the company).—(l 7/12/1902) : Owing to certain differences having arisen between the late attorney and the company, progressive developments have been temporarily suspended. Mr. James Bishop, consulting engineer and acting-manager for the company, has recently drafted plans and estimates for the construction of haulage tram-line and loading-jetty. These works are intended to be put in hand at an early date. A contract has been let to drive the low level in the " Annie Taylor " section of the property. Five men employed. Cape Coal Prospecting Syndicate. —Nothing further has been done on this property since report of last year. Mokihinui Coal-mine (Westport Co-operative Coal Company).—(s/11/1902): Operations have been confined exclusively to the extraction of pillars in both sections of the Hut seam, the district being bounded east and west by fault-lines. Subsequently to total exhaustion of the lower pillars, the pumps were withdrawn, natural drainage being available for the upper districts, which at time of writing are wholly exhausted. Regarding the fire in the exhausted Big Face area, there is practically no notable change, the fire having assumed a smouldering condition. Reports are kept to date, and absence of accidents has been a marked feature during the year. Seddonville Colliery (A. B. Lindop, manager). —Regarding the development of this " State coal-mine " property, the various works in connection therewith are being energetically pushed forward, and gradients affecting endless-rope-haulage requirements (conformable with the undulated contour of the country) are being carefully determined in order that economy and reliable operative results may be ultimately obtained. The rock tunnel, efficiently timbered to 10 ft. by 7 ft. in the clear, is making satisfactory progress, the driven distance on the 31st December being about 12 chains, leaving a further distance of 12 chains or thereabouts to cut the coal-seam. The formation met with in the tunnel consists of an unbroken intrusion of fine-grained granite, which has afforded favourable conditions for driving. Efficient ventilation is induced by fan, driven by oilengine. The ventilating-shaft, now down 60 ft., is presently suspended, awaiting the erection of steam winding machinery, which is now under construction. Other important works are receiving prompt attention.

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