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been made by repairing the upcast air-shaft, and now driving in fireclay towards the old main shaft, which is also used for pumping purposes. The coal-seam is practically worked out, there being only sufficient available for steaming requirements on the works. The fireclay is in demand for manufacturing purposes in Christchurch, where it is conveyed by rail. .Two hundred and forty tons of fireclay was mined during the year. Springfield Fireclay Mine, Springfield (Christchurch Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, owners : R. English, general manager ; R. Peters, permit, mine-manager). —(8/12/08) : Communication with old air-shaft is closed, and the new-shaft sinking to restore air-course should be prosecuted without delay, as pointed out to the person in charge. This mine is worked chiefly for production of fireclay underlying a 2 ft. seam of coal, which latter is worked as required for consumption on the premises only. Fireclay-seam, 5 ft. After production is railed to Christchurch for manufacturing purposes there. During the year 1,228 tons of fireclay was produced. Craigieburn Coal-mine, West Coast Road (I). Manson). —Forty-five tons of coal was taken during the year for station-requirements. Austin's Fireclay Mine, Sheffield (Charles Austin, owner ; Edwin Smith, permit, in charge). — (8/12/08) : Only fireclay now being got at this mine, the drives of which are well secured by timber, .there being also an abundance on the ground ready for use as required. During the year 972 tons of fireclay was produced. Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel (J. C. Campbell, mine-manager; Dean's trustees, owners). — (8/12/08) : No. 1 Mine pillaring section : Air at intake, 6,000 cub. ft. per minute. Pillars are withdrawn successfully back to the " fault," a high percentage of coal, estimated at 95 per cent., having been won. Timber is kept close up to working-faces. Ventilation is good. No. 1 Mine, dip section : Air at intake, 6,000 cub. ft. per minute, South side, three places going in solid. North side, No. 2 heading finished and stopped off. . Coming back on pillars of No. 1 heading both sides. Some sweating visible in one place, which will soon be cut off and left behind in the waste. The return air-course, which is somewhat cramped in area owing to heaving bottom and fallen false roof, is to be restored by a new pillar stripway. Ventilation, fair. Engine seam : Ventilation, 4,500 cub. ft. per minute. Levels driven to northern boundary, making in thinning and stony coal. Preparing to bring back the pillars. All places timbered to faces. Seam, 5 ft. 6 in. ; air-shaft, 80 ft. (4 ft. 6 in. by 3 ft, 6 in.). Airways in good order. Engine-supply seam is on outcrop, worked intermittently for boiler and ventilating-furnace fuel. Manager's, underviewers', and deputies' report-books to date. Powder-magazine approved for storage ; fifty cases (25 lb. each) of compressed blasting-powder stored (C. and H.). Fireclay-pit: Clay only obtained for brick and tile and sanitary-ware factory purposes on the premises. Seam from 20 in. to 3 ft. in thickness. During the year 159 tons of fireclay was mined. St. Helen's Colliery, Whitecliffs (Messrs, Levick and. Thin, owners; W. Thin, permit, minemanager).—(B/12/08) : Since last visit the dip drive has been extended 2 chains in coal-seam, 6 ft. Low levels are driven north 5 chains to the fault, and pillars are now being brought back. The south level is 6 chains to the face, coal having thinned down to 4 ft. 6 in. Altogether this area-of coal is creditably developed, and is being successfully worked where coal had been previously regarded as non-existent. Ventilation good ; rules posted ; copy of Act kept at mine ; report-book to date. Airshaft 80 ft. (4 ft. by 3 ft.). Te Moana Coal-mine, Geraldine (Crowe Bros, and McDonald, lessees). —(18/4/08) : A new mine intended to supply fuel for brickmaking purposes on the premises. A high level along the strike of coal proves the seam to extend westerly, intersected by minor faults consequently coal crushed, and somewhat inferior. The level drive is well timbered and safe —in fact, almost too much care has been taken, the result being over-expenditure in proportion to amount of work done and information gained. Advised Mr. Crowe to set away to dip, and prove deposit in that direction. Mount Sbmers Coal Company, Mount Somers (George Neil, secretary, Staveley ; A. Thompson, mine-manager). —(13/12/08) : By amalgamation with the Woolshed Creek Coal-mines Company, as holders of adjoining lease, headings are now being driven through the boundary into Crown lands area. Seam, 20 ft. of coal. The fireclay underlying the coal-seam has been favourably reported upon. Ventilation good ; rules posted ; report-book kept; powder-magazine approved. The new tram-line, four miles in length, is practically completed to the jig incline on the southern bank of Chapman's Creek. The tramway is laid for locomotive haulage with rails 40 lb. to the yard, and connects with the Selwyn County Tramway to Mount Somers Railway-station, nine miles distant, A contract has been let for construction of jig incline 25J chains in length, grade 1 in 3|. Woolshed Creek Colliery, Mount Somers (W. Pickles, secretary, Ashburton). —(13/12/08) : Now under new ownership, lease having been taken over by the Mount Somers Coal Company, and shareholders absorbed by that company. Not much work doing here now. A drive was being timbered preparatory to prospecting towards old worked ground. A small drive lower down the creek is in on the outcrop of coal, and further prospecting is necessary to prove continuance of the seam in direction of dip. Albury Coal-mine, Albury (C. E. Riddle, owner ; Gavin C. Kidd, permit, manager). —(17/7/08) : The mine has been taken over from Mr. G. H. Willetts by Mr. C. E. Riddle as from the Ist instant. Repairs to mine-mouth required, and to be .made safe overhead where timbers rotted. Copy of general and special rules to be posted. Daily examination with safety-lamp, and report to be entered in reportbook immediately after examination. Air-shaft to be repaired from damage during recent flood rains, and ladder to be placed in position. Waihao Forks Coal Syndicate, Waihao Forks (George Lomas, permit, manager).—(l6/7/08): South Branch pit flooded by recent rains and floods. North Branch : Prospecting-drive fallen in at mouth by slip from hillside. A second drive to the rise is in to the coal, where it is the height of the place