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Bentall. The accident arose through the traceman or his assistant failing to attach the haulage rope to the train of trucks before lowering them into the mine. At the Coroner's inquest the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the evidence was so conflicting that no person could be singled out for blame. The mine when inspected from time to time was found to be in good order, strict regard being paid to the safety of the men, leaving, on the whole, little cause for complaint. The company has established a record return for this year, the amount of coal obtained amounting to 32,987 tons, which is a substantial increase over the previous year. In addition to this, 900 tons of fireclay of a superior quality was mined. Seventy-four men were employed, and a dividend of 10 per cent. paid. Union Collieries (F. J. Tattley, manager).—During the year no important works were undertaken, mainly owing to the obstructions which prevailed for a greater portion of the time. Of all the companies, perhaps, this one in particular suffered most acutely from the January floods. The exceptionally incessant rains in that month flooded the swamp near by, and the overflowing water found its way into the mine and flooded it. Mining operations were completely suspended until the mine was unwatered to a depth enabling work to be resumed. It was then discovered that enormous damage had been done to the main drive, and that a quantity of debris, carried in by the water, was everywhere present. The time consumed in the work of repair and restoring former older caused a severe falling-ofi in trade and output, the latter showing a decrease of 9,540 tons At times the ventilation has been defective, in consequence (if which the company has been directed to sink another shaft. This work was deferred until such time as the mine was got into good order, and now that this is dime the work of sinking will be started without delay. The seam worked is exceedingly thick, and naturally the working-places are extended at a slow rate. The output of coal reached 10.-'JSi- , tons, and an average of thirty men were employed. Taupiri Coal-mines (Limited) —Ralph's Section (E. S. Wight, manager). —The company has not done any development work of importance, such as extending the main south-west dip headings to intersect the property underlying Lake Wahi, acquired some three years ago b)- this company. To some extent this may be attributed to the fact that great attention is being devoted to grading the work already done, so as to give a uniform grade for the haulage-way. With a view to proving the thickness of the seam in the new property several bore-holes were sunk, but the results have not been made known. A new travelling-way, separate from the haulage-way in the south-west section, has been constructed, and it is a decided advantage over the old one, being more direct and far safer. Several inspections of the mine were made at different intervals, and the ventilation was found to be all thai could ho desired. Everything else, with the one exception, gave entire satisfaction. In January the mine-manager reported a creep in the pillar district immediately beneath the Waikato River, and that he considered it so serious that he had withdrawn the workmen. Your Inspectors visited the mine a few days later, and, in company with the mine officials and two representatives from the miners' union, carefully examined the pillar section, and found that the pillars were considerably damaged, in their opinion, by cold air being circulated through the section after it had been closed off for some time and become heated. Your Inspectors believed that there was no immediate danger, and advised that work might be resumed, but that the company should take such measures as would adequately protect the workmen against a serious disaster occurring. The workmen were very much alarmed, no doubt through the manager withdrawing all workmen from the mine when the crushing of the pillars was observed, which action was approved by the Inspectors as a wise precaution. After a little hesitation on the part of the men, work was resumed at the mine. The precautionary measures subsequently taken for the future safety of the men and the mine did not meet with our approval, and, as a result, the matter was referred to arbitration, as provided for in sections 55 and 56 of " The Coal-mines Act, 1905." The Court's decision, as reported to the Department, relieves the company from compulsorily sinking another shaft, but, to guard against a disaster, pillars should be strengthened. The output for the year reached 97,878 tons, and 183 men were employed. The Extended section (Win, Wood, manager): The work in the mine is confined to the dip section; west of the shaft, and underlying the Waikato River. The development work headings have been pushed on, and a considerable area of coal opened out. The haulage roads and machinery connected therewith have been much improved during the year, and with an up-to-date screening plant the mine should maintain a modest output of coal, which is of good quality, and has a ready sale at Auckland and Waihi for household and steam purposes. Since the installation of improved furnaces and fire-grates the small coal which was formerly thrown away as waste is now purchased by the mining companies. For the year slightly over 9,000 tons of small coal has been sold from this mine alone. Several visits of inspection were made, and it was found that great care was being exercised for the safety of the men. The ventilation was good, the newly erected Sirocco fan giving complete satisfaction. In this section of the company's property 152 men were employed. Taupiri Reserve (Wm. Wood, manager). —This section, like the Ralph's and Extended sections, is underlying a water area, the surface overlying the coal being covered by Lake Kimihia, The mine is entered by an incline drive of considerable length to the deep levels, and is worked on the bord and pillar system also. (Ireat care has been taken in opening up the mine, and strong pillars of coal are left in to support the overlying strata and prevent the flooding of the mine. The coal is of a good quality, and the seam is very thick. This mine has been continuously worked for twenty vents, being the oldest mine in the Waikato district, and has produced over 300,000 tons of coal. The mine is a comparatively dry one, and is worked at little cost, no expensive machinery lieiiiL' required. Very few men are employed in this section, since it is reserved to meet any sudden demand that may be made. The mine is in good order, and well ventilated. Drury Colliery (J. Holden, manager).—This mine has proved a disappointment to the management and shareholders, the coal being not only of poor quality, but very much broken by faults.