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ACCIDENTS IN MINES. I regret to state that during the past year twenty-seven persons employed in connection with the various branches of mining lost their lives. The fatalities are distributed as follows : — Coal-mining ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Quartz-mining ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Hydraulic and alluvial mining ... .. ... ... ... 6 Gold-dredging ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 27 Or a percentage of 2-14 for every 1,000 persons employed. The Inspectors of Mines have made a careful examination of the circumstances surrounding each accident. Circulars have been forwarded to experienced dredgemasters inviting suggestions as to the best means of minimising accidents in connection with dredge mining. DEPARTMENTAL. Mr. H. J. H. Eliott, who became Under-Secretary for Mines in April, 1891, retired from the Civil Service in March, 1906, after a continuous and honourable career of forty-seven years in various Departments of the public service. Mr. T. H. Hamer, who joined the Mines Department in 1878, was appointed successor to Mr. Eliott in April, 1906. Mr. John Hayes, who became Inspector of Mines for the Southern Mining District in April, 1897, and Inspecting Engineer to the Department in November, 1899, performing the responsible duties connected with his office to the satisfaction of the Department, resigned his appointment in June, 1906. Mr. Frank Eeed, M.lnst.M.E., who formerly held a similar appointment under the Government of Western Australia, was appointed successor to Mr. Hayes in August, 1906. Mr. T. H. Hamer resigned his appointment in July last as Secretary - to the Board of Examiners under the Mining and Coal-mines Acts; this position he has continuously held since the constitution of the Board in 1887. Mr. H. E. Eadcliffe, Chief Clerk to the Mines Department, was appointed Secretary to the Board on the Ist August, 1906. The work of the Department has been carried out by the Head Office staff in Wellington, and by the Inspectors of Mines and other officers at various centres, in a very satisfactory manner. The publication of the 'New Zealand Mines Record has been continued by the Secretary of the Mining Bureau during the past year, and papers of much interest to the mining community, culled from publications in all parts of the world, have appeared in its pages.

2—C. 2.

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