C.—3a

10

Coalbrookdale Mine (C. W. Dixon, mine-manager).—(3/11/10) : Lady Glasgow section, or right hand side : The whole of the output from this section is derived from pillar-extraction. In the upper levels the usual crush or movement consequent upon the withdrawal of pillars is noticeable. In this section, ten pairs of miners are employed, and to look after their safety one underviewer, two deputies, and three timbermen are continually moving to and fro amongst the miners. Dip section, Cascade : For the purpose of opening up a large area of virgin country known to be coal-bearing, a new dip having a south-west trend has been set out from the end of the preseni Cascade main haulage-rope road. The drive, which at present is partly in coal and stone, is 9 ft. by 6 ft. in the clear — i.e., measured inside timbers—and it is estimated the total length of driving will not exceed 8 chains before the field is reached. No. 9 section : In this section pillar-extraction is the main source of supply, the whole height of coal (12 ft.) being worked to a hard sandstone roof. No. 8 section : This extensive area continues to open up satisfactorily. The headings arc driven in a north-east direction, and as they advance the coal lying to the dip of Munsie's section can be won. Wallace's section : The solid workings in this section, being completed, will enable the pillars from this and the East or old left-hand side workings to be withdrawn. Munsie's section : Having exhausted all available solid and pillar coal, this section of the mine was closed down on the sth August, 1909. The percentage of coal won from the extraction of the pillars was satisfactory. Warcatea section : Work in connection with the development of this field is vigorously carried on. Upon the completion of the surface rope-road (15 chains in length) it is intended to immediately install the endless-rope system of haulage for a distance of 35 chains (tunnels have already been driven for upwards of 20 chains) to connect, with Bradley's section. The latter section, in which there are a large number of working-places, has been closed for two years, pending the completion of this new haulage-road. Therefore a decided increase in output from this mine should be looked for in the near future. The mine throughout is both well timbered and ventilated. Ironbridge Mine (Thomas Thomson, mine-manager). —(2/11/10) : In the various sections of the mine, operations throughout the year have proved satisfactory. Old Tunnel section : In this old section, which was formerly the main haulage-road from the workings to the tip at Denniston, pillar-extraction continues to furnish all supply. Shaft section : To the rise of the free water-level, pillars continue to be withdrawn. To prove an area of coal some 5 acres in extent, a dip is being driven from the water-free level. The coal showing in the face of the dip is of excellent quality, and 12 ft. in thickness. Off this dip, several ordinary working-places have already been turned away. The whole of the output from Kiwi, No. 4 and No. 2 (Big Pillars) sections, is maintained by pillarextraction. The pillars in all of these sections are working homewards, and are adequately timbered. Deep Creek : All places are confined to solid workings. The coal in the various faces is of good quality. Kruger's and No. 7 sections : In these two sections the headings, which are driven in the bottom seam, have already opened up a large area of coal, and it is anticipated that these headings will eventually effect a holing into the workings of the Shaft section. The development of No. 2 dip has proved an extensive area of excellent coal from 10 ft. to 12 ft. in thickness. The main headings going north-easterly have already been driven upwards of 10 chains, and. the coal has maintained its continuity and thickness throughout the whole length of driving. The ventilation of the various sections of the mine is excellent, and timber is freely used throughout the whole of the mine. The lighting of the main haulage and trucking roads by electricity is I icing pushed on, and, when completed, should be of great assistance to tho3e who3e work lies in this direction. Rocklands Coal-mine, Buller Road (George Walker, owner ; J. Burley, permit). —(11/11/10/) : Work in this mine has been very intermittent, and is regulated by dredging demands. The output from the mine has been principally won from the extension of the main south heading. The working-faces and the mine generally were found in a very satisfactory condition. Two men employed. Rules posted. Whitecliffs Coal-mine, Buller Road (Job Lines, owner; S. Smeaton, permit). —(11/11/10) : A new tram-line, 5 chains in length, necessitating the bridging of Coal Creek, has been completed. From here a low-level tunnel has also been set out, which will enable the coal lying to the west of the old workings to be won with safety. This level is drnten 6 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft., inside measurements, and is timbered throughout with heavy black-birch 10 in. diameter. Rules posted. Archer's Freehold, Capleston (F. W. Archer, owner, permit).— (l 6/11/10 ): For the first six months of the year very little work was done on this property, which contains two excellent seams of coal from 10 ft. to 12 ft. in height, separated by sandstone, exceeding 60 ft. thick. Both seams were worked simultaneously, but present operations are confined to the bottom seam. Tin , ventilation of this section has at times been very sluggish, but should now be satisfactory, as it was anticipated a second outlet would be holed within a few days of my visit. The mine throughout is timbered in a very creditable manner. Two men employed underground. Rules posted, and reports to date. Coghlan's Freehold, Capleston (J. Coghlan, owner, permit).—(l 6/11/10) : No. 1 tunnel has been extended a total distance of 700 ft., from which bords are turned at regular intervals of 60 ft. Early in the year a second outlet was provided to the rise of No. 1 level, without which mining operations would be impossible at this level. No. 2 level : Driving this level for 350 ft. (all in stone) constitutes practically all the work done here. On the above date no coal of value had been proved, the headingface standing in soft sandstone. Two men employed. Rules posted, and reports to date.