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ANNEXUKE G. The Secretary, Thames Deep Levels Mining Board, to the Hon. Minister of Mines, Wellington. Sir, — Thames Deep Levels Mining Board, Auckland, 31st March, 1911. In compliance with your favour of 13th April last, I beg to report as follows: — Operations were commenced on 11th April, 1910, to open out a chamber at a depth of 1,000 ft. at the bottom of the Queen of Beauty shaft, on completion of which the main crosscut was commenced by wages men as a preliminary step to put the works in thorough going order preparatory to letting the work on contract. Tenders were then invited for the works as a whole, the tenderers to supply and instal all machinery and plant, and carry out the operations to completion ; but the tender received was considered excessive, and declined. In July of last year tenders were invited for labour and explosives only for driving 100 ft., and one was accepted at £2 17s. 6d. per foot, but owing to deficient ventilation the contractor abandoned the work. The operations were then suspended, and the installing of an efficient ventilation plant taken in hand. Considerable delay occurred owing to some of the material having to be obtained from England. On completion of same tenders were invited for driving 500 ft., the contractors to find labour and explosives, &c, the Board to provide all plant, machinery, and timber, and the work was let at £1 His. per foot, and up to date the contractor has driven 310 ft. The total distance driven from the shaft to date is 437 ft. I have, &c, J. B. Sheath, Secretary. The Hon. the Minister of Mines, Wellington.

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