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COAL-SHIFFING PORTS. The following is a summary of the principal items of interest in connection with the coalshipping ports of Westport and Greymouth during 1911 :— Wcstport. Greymouth. Receipts (ordinary) ... ... ... ... £91,190 £35,59? Expenditure (ordinary) ... ... ... ... £71,916 £21,091 Goal exported (tons) " ... ... ... ... 770,410 379,004 Coko exported (tons) ... ... ... 2,397 Steamers visiting ... ... ... ... 1,116 739 Sailing-vessels visiting ... ... ... ... 9 18 Aggregate tonnage ... ... ... ... 711,881 382,427 Average depth of water on bar at high tide during the whole year ... ... ... ... ... 24 ft. 3 in. 20ft. 3 in. Average depth of water in river at high tide during the whole year ... ... ... ... ... 25ft. lin. Total rainfall in inches ... ... ... ... 7136 94-77 I have, &c, Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer and Inspector of Mines.

ANNEXURE A. REPORTS OF INSPECTORS OF MINES. The Inspector of Mines, Northern District, to the Undkk-Secketary, Minos Department, Wellington. Sir,— Inspector of Mines' Office, Thames, 12th March, 1912. In compliance with section 78 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908, I have the honour to present my report on the coal-mines in the Northern District for the year ended 31st December, 1911. Hikurangi Coal Company (Limited), (W. R. Dunn, mine-manager). — No. 1 section (old mine) : This section has been exhausted of coal, and the rails have been removed for use elsewhere. No. 2 section (Crown lease) : This section was also exhausted during the year, and the plant has been removed. No. 3 section (new dip) : This is a small section situated between Nos. 1 and 2 sections, and underlying the limestone rocks at Waro. The main levels have been driven to the boundary, and the pillars are being drawn, also the top coal is being cut down. The work is being carefully carried on, and there is a plentiful supply of timber on hand. The water having been drained off in the No. 1 section of the dip workings to No. 3 mine section, there is no danger of flooding. Natural ventilation having proved at times inadequate, the company are installing a Waddell fan of 27,000 cubic feet per minute capacity. If the distribution of the air is properly attended to there should be no cause for complaint about the ventilation. During the year two air-shafts were sunk, one being used as the return airway, and the other as a travelling-way or second outlet from the mine. No. 4 section (Ciown lease) : Very little work was done during the year. The section being some distance from the loading station, the coal is conveyed thereto by horse tram. The coalseam is thin in places, and consequently the section is not profitable. I am informed that the company is boring for coal on the shores of the Whangarei Harbour, in the vicinity of Grahamstown wharf. The mine was visited by me periodically, and everything except the ventilation (which is now being remedied) was found satisfactory. The output of coal for the year was 64,657 tons, being an increase of 1,817 tons over that for the previous year. An average of eighty-two men were employed. Northern Coal Company (Limited), (Mr. William Morgan, mine-manager).- —Drainage section: The section is still in the early stages of development. The timbering is , satisfactory, and the ventilation has been adequate. Nos. 5 and 6 districts : The pillars are fast being exhausted, and the life of the mine may be estimated at about two years. Ventilation has been adequate, but owing to the nature of the work it was often most difficult to distribute the air into every place as adequately as might be desired. The company has acquired other areas of coal in the district, and has bored with satisfactory results. One of the new sections adjoins the old Phoenix Mine. The output of coal for the year was 40,503 tons, a decrease of 4,121 tons as compared with the previous year's. An average of seventy-five men were employed. 14—C. 2.