9

C.-3A

Seddonvitte State Colliery (I. A. James, manager).—(3o/12/10): West section : Recent developments in this section have resulted favourably. The coal in the working-faces, which are being driven in a northerly direction and almost parallel with the main haulage-road, is of better quality than previously met with here. The extraction of the pillars to the rise in the Cave area continues to be carried out. Where pillars are withdrawn there is in places from 6 ft. to 7 ft. of soft, coal overlying the harder bottom coal, and it is to be regretted that no sale can be found for this soft coal, as at present it is being buried up by falls of roof, and may cause serious trouble in the future. The new heading, mentioned in my report of last year as being set out from this section to prove the area lying to the easi of the rope-road, was for some time only intermittently at work, and on above date a faulting had taken place, entirely displacing the coal. Bridge section : During labour troubles in the coal-mining industry in New South Wales, which gave an impetus to the coal trade throughout the Dominion, several pairs of miners were employed in this section, as well as the Eastern section, rilling large falls of coal which had taken place during the temporary abandonment of these areas. The output from the mine shows a decrease of 5,221 tons as compared with the output for the year 1909. The timbering and ventilation of this small colliery are satisfactory. Westport-StockUm Colliery (H. Chamberlain, managing engineer; H. McAvoy, mine-manager).— (8/11/10) : This colliery has now been in operation for two years, during which time a total output of 214, \\\\ tons of coal bus been produced. The output for the year under review was 151,951 tons, or 62,276 tons in excess of that for the year 1909. For the first six months of the year the whole of the output was won from B tunnel, which produced by double-shifting from 800 to 1,000 tons of coal per day. To fully develop the area lying to the south of the lease, a bridge spanning the Mangatini Gorge, and constructed of Australian hardwood, was completed in May last. During the completion of a new haulage-road to connect B and C tunnels, which has a total length of 65 chains, with a mean g] ul nil (if 1 in 18 in favour of the load, the coal from C tunnel was lowered by the main rope-haulage system, which junctioned with the main electrical haulage system in B tunnel. The new haulage-road has been equipped with the endless-rope haulage, on which the load is controlled by an electrically driven brake. For lowering the coal from D tunnel a short incline 7 chains in length, with a mean gradient of 1 in 3-2 in favour of the load, has been constructed, and also equipped with the endless rope. The load is controlled by a powerful hand-brake. The development of D tunnel is giving satisfaction, as also is C tunnel, where the winning headings are kept well in advance of requirements. For the ventilation of C tunnel a 30-in.-diameter " Sirocco " fan, motor-driven at a speed of 150 revolutions, producing an air-current of 20,000 cubic feet per minute, has been installed. D tunnel: For the ventilation of this section a shaft 9 ft. in diameter was sunk to a depth of 56 ft. An improved Waddle fan, 7 ft. diameter, somewhat similar to the fan in use at B tunnel (also motordriven), has been erected over this shaft, and produces a current of 80,000 cubic feet per minute. The company have further augmented their electrical haulage by the purchase of an additional 20-ton electric locomotive, to deal with the anticipated increase of output. Rules posted, and reports to date. Millerton Colliery (William Dunn, local manager; William McCormack, mine-manager).— (24/11/10) : During the year the total output from this colliery, including engine-coal, was 274,905 tons, being an increase of 57,722 tons over 1909. Mangatini section : The principal developments in this section have been to the westward of the main haulage-road, where the coal continues of a hard nature and good quality. During the year coal-cutting by machines was discontinued, and the coal is now won by hand-mining. A new endless-rope road-haulage system has been installed for a distance of 62 chains, connecting the Mangatini section with the main-haulage system at Mine Creek. Mine Creek section: In Nos. 10 and 11 East sections, pillar-extraction has been carried out. Recent developments in Nos. 4, 5, and 6 West sections have proved a second seam of coal below that now being worked, this second seam extending over a large area of the Mine Creek field. The coal from it is of superior class, both as regards quality and hardness. For the ventilation of this section a holing was effected from No. 6 West, to the escarpment of Mangatini Creek, and at the entrance a 6 ft. " Sirocco " fan has been erected, which is giving excellent results. To expedite the hauling of coal from this section, an entirely new road to connect with the main endless rope at Mine Creek end is in course of construction. The new haulage-road to supersede the heavy graded old Mine Creek Road lias been completed. Throughout the whole length of track the rails have been laid on top of longitudinals ; these in turn are securely fastened to sleepers, both tracks being held together with tie-sleepers every few yards. To control the load, a powerful hydraulic brake is situated at the Mine Creek end. housed in a substantial underground reinforccd-concrete building. Lower section, Old Dip : On inspection of the stoppings in this area, no abnormal signs of heating were noticeable, the thermometer registering 72° Fahr. However, a decided smell of sulphuretted hydrogen was noticeable. These fumes can in no way affect the workmen, as they are carried by overcast directly into the return airway. On inspection of the surface over this heated area, smoke was found to be issuing from several places where breaks had occurred in the strata. These breaks upon exposure are immediately filled in with sand and clay, to prevent air from reaching the seat of actual fire. The ventilation system consists of four fans. One each of Schiele and Hayes type are situated at Mine Creek, and ventilate the old workings and pillar sections of the mine. The others, of " Sirocco " type, are placed in the Mangatini and VVest sections, and are actuated by compressed air. Rules posted, and reports to date. Dcnniston Collieries (J. Dixon, district manager ; J. C. Brown, local manager).—These collieries still maintain a large output. For the year 1910 the total quantity of coal won from the two mines was 347,719 tons, or 616 tons less than the output for the previous year. The development-work of borfi mines continues well in advance of all requirements. A high percentage of coal continues to be won from the various sections where pillar-extraction is carried out.

2—C. 3a.