C—3a.

Taupiri Eeserve : As sufficient coal to supply demands has been obtained for some time past from the other two sections of the company's property only four men are now employed in this section. These men send out enough slick coal to raise the steam necessary to keep the pumps going and the workings properly drained. The mine is in good order and so circumstanced that in the event of an increased demand, or any breakdown at the company's other mines, a number of men can be put on to get coal at very short notice. A sufficient output of coal is obtained from this section every year to comply with the terms of the lease. The output of coal for the year from the combined properties was 118,612 tons, an increase of 2,151 tons as compared with the previous year. 254 men are employed by the company. Taupiri South (formerly Harrison , s), (William Morgan, manager).—This mine is situated on the eastern side of the railway at Huntly, and opened out on the outcrop above what is termed " Ralph's old section of the Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited)." The quantity of coal in this company's lease is limited, and the entire section that has been worked during the year is exhausted. Prospecting, with the object of discovering another patch of coai, is now being undertaken; but, on the whole, the work has been of a very unsatisfactory chancter. The output of coa) for the year was 6,705 tons, an increase of 6,490 tons as compared with last year. Drury Colliery, Drury (Robert McEwen, manager).—This company was ill-advised in expending a large sum of money in constructing a tram-line for a distance of two miles from the railway to the mine. The operations cariied on in the mine have so far proved the coal-seam not to be of a payable character, on account of the numerous faults met with and ribs of stone running through the seam. This was very disappointing to the shareholders, as the works had got to that point when the mine was expected to pay; as the prospects were anything but encouraging, the operations in the mine were stopped. The company's attention is now directed to the fireclay deposits on the property, and they intend erecting machinery for the purpose of making firebricks, gas-retorts, and sanitary drainpipes, &c. The output of coal was 363 tons. Thirteen men were employed. The total output of coal from all the mines in this district was 259,876 tons, an increase of 17,359 tons as compared with the previous year. Non-fatal Accidents in Coal-mines. The following are the names of persons injured in the mines in the Auckland District who sent in claims to be placed on the Coal-miners' .Accident Relief Fund, the number of days they were off work, and the amount of money received : —

Samuel Moreland, who, having been off work for 301 days, was found after examination by a medical officer to be permanently disabled, was paid the sum of £50 in satisfaction of all claims. The total number of days men who were injured in the Taupiri Coal-mines were off work and received the usual weekly allowance through the Waikato Medical and Accident Society, Huntly, was 690 days, at 2s. Id. = £71 17s. 6d. 1 have, &c, James Coutts, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

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Date of Injury. Name. Mine. Injury. Number of , Days off Amoun ! Work. received. uly 1,1904.. ■ eb. 3,1905.. Feb. 22, „ .. larch. 3, ,, .. larch 17, „ .. Lpril 13, „ .. Lpril 20, „ .. lay 22, „ .. une 6, „ .. Sept. 18, „ .. S. Moreland .. J. Lennon E. Keatley W. McKegg .. T. Tatlock J. Flannagan .. A. Yates W. Holland .. F. Cairns C. Kerr Ngunguru .. 5, ■ • Northern » • • Ngunguru .. Union Northern Ngunguru .. Body severely injured .. Thumb injured Jarred hand Foot injured Leg broken and shattered Foot injured Leg injured Sprained knee Bruised leg, and seriously injured Hand injured Eye injured £ s. d. 301 31 7 1 20 2 18 28 2 18 4 22 2 5 10 9 0 18 9 203 21 2 11 24 2 10 0 15 1 11 3 14 1 9 2 72 7 10 0 Northern Sept. 18, „ .. )ct. 12, „ .. G. Goodhue W. Jackson Hikurangi .. 12 1 5 0 15 1 11 3 ?, ■ * Total 735 76 11 3