a—sb.

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Days worked. An increase in the number of working-days is shown for the year, 250.1 days worked as against 21 \!,. which yives an average of !•& days per week. The miners' daily average for the year was His. fid., being an increase of Id. per day over the preceding year. The number of men and liovs ordinarily employed in and about the mine throughout the year was I 111. There were no accidents of any serious nature to report. F i — i Plant. The only addition during flic year has been fifty new steel tubs, and the installation fit a fire-equip-ment service about the bins, engine-house, and workshops. The Sirocco fan. as mentioned in the previous annual report, fur ventilating the New Area, has continued to run well during the year, the ventilation results obtained being satisfactory throughout, General repairs have been carried out to the coal-screening plant, main-haulage boiler, and one boiler at the ventilating shaft. The plant in ami about the mine is now in an efficient stale of repair. Undergkoim) Workings. The work chiefly done has been the winning of coal from the New Area. The coal won has been nf good quality, as instanced by the output, which was greatly increased user the previous year. The small area of |0 acres which was tapped through a fault in the West section has yielded very good coal : although not having been worked continually for the, year, the quantity won was 9,600 tons, and it is giving promise of lasting some time yet. The balance of the output was won from the Bridge section, south of Chasm Creek, which contained only a. few corners of hard coal which were left on the abandonment of it. No standing pillars of coal were extracted, there being plenty of suitable coal in the solid to v i the requirements of t he trade. The production per miner per shift for the year is li-35 inns, as against 6"21 tons, thus showing t hat the scam Worked possesses Its usual freedom for " getting." Future Prospects ami Developments. In view of the near exhaustion of the present workings, an area of country has been attached to the present reserve extending right to the Nuakawau River, embracing an area of 3,821 acres. Charming Creek, a slow-running stream, runs practically through the centre of it. and from this the area has been designated the " Charming Creek Area." This portion of country has never been geologically surveyed, hut now that special surface exam illations have been completed it is evident that it is an area of great promise, and requires to lie thoroughly tested by boring. A site was selected for the first hore. which was well in the heart ofthe held, and after boring 90 ft. a scam of coal 2o ft. thick was pierced. From the borings obtained it was shown to he of a hard and good quality. This result being very promising, a site for No. 2 bore was picked, half a mile to the eastward of No. I. and the drill is still boring in the apparent coal-measures. With a view of testine; the field quickly anil cheaply, a diamond drilling plant has arrived, and the intent ion is to hore. commencing from near the confluence of Charming Creek with the Ngakawau River, systematically right through the field. Genkkal. This mine being classed as a small producer, regarding tonnage, it is a matter for congratulation that the workine-t in xpeiienced has been so good, on account of having to depend on so many small boats to take away the output. The output is sorted into screened, unscreened, screened nuts, ami small, and often tin' mine works four days before a cargo of screened is ready. The Railway Department do all they can to help along with the supply of railway-wagons, and it is hoped they will he as generous for the current year. The output is expected to again exceed 70,000 tons. A new working-agreement was entered into during the year, with a currency of two years, andjis giving every satisfaction. The officers have again performed their duties in a most satisfactory manner, and I am indebted to the Consulting Engineer for valuable assistance rendered in connection with the working ofthe mine, and the prospecting and testing of the new field. I have. &c, James Fletcher, Manager. The Dnder-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.