C.-3a

Accidents. Fatal. 18th November, L 909. — Edward Henry Matthews, Green's Coal-mine, Gore: Instantaneously killed by a fall of coal at the face, which he was evidently attempting to bring down after having fired a shot therein. Non-fatal (Serious), 27tli January, 1909. —Charles King, miner. Kaitangata Mine: Fracture of left arm, by fall of head con I. 27th April, 1909. —J. C. Campbell, jun., miner. Eomebush Mine : Hernia, sustained while t raoking. 28th May, 1909.—Thomas Dixon, miner, Kaitangata Mine : Wound and subsequent loss of right eye, by flying coal from working-face. 2nd November, 1909. —William Nolan, miner. Clarke's Coal-pit: Loss of right eye and compound fracture of no.se. by explosion of blasting-powder while charging a shot. Bth December, 1909.— John Heard, miner, Kaitangata Mine: Fracture of arm and loss of forefinger and little finger, by fall of coal from roof and sides. 2nd March, 1909. -Samuel Newburn, deputy, and William Oliver, miner, Kaitangata Mine : Burns of face and arms, by slight explosion of firedamp while shot-firing. I have, &c, E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines.

ANNEXURE B. •

QUESTIONS ASKED AT THE 1910 MINE-MANAGERS' EXAMINATIONS FOR FIRSTCLASS CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY. Subject I.— Prospecting, Boring, Shaft-sinking, and Opening <mi a GoUiery. 1. Jf you were prospecting a district previously unexplored from a mining point of view, bow would you proceed to ascertain the existence of coal-bearing strata ? 2. Describe the necessary plant foi sinking shafts under various conditions, likewise the methods and precautions for general safety to the workmen. •'!. A pair of shafts having been sunk from a level surface. 1,300 ft. and 1,390 It. respei lively, to a Beam of coal dipping 1 in 3, show by sketches how you would open out the workings, also shaft-bottom arrangements : give dimensions of shaft-pillars, plan of ventilation, and size of air-courses and roadways. Provide for a large output. 4. If, after the shafts were sunk, you were charged with the development of a colliery, to exploit a seam at a depth of 1,100 ft., for an output <if 2,000 tons per day, whal mechanical equipment would l,e necessary u> accomplish this i Describe and show l>\ sketches how you would arrange such equipment, up to the final loading of the coal into wagons. Subject 2. — Working Coal and Timberimj Underground. 1. Describe the differeni systems of working coal, and under what conditions, as to thickness and nature of coal, roof, and Horn-, you would adopi one system in preference i<> the others, keeping in view • he getting of the coal in the most marketable condition and the safety of the workmen. 2. Explain and show by sketches the principles which should govern the timbering of workingplaces and roadways so as to most effectually prevent accidents, '.'>. Describe Imiw you would proceed to clear a way through a long and heavy I'all in a tunnel rising lin :S. Give sketches showing how you would timber it. 4. During pillar-extraction, how would you guard against dangers arising from accumulations of gas in the goaf being forced into the working-places ?

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