111

C.—2

Denniston Collieries (Westport Coal Company, Limited, owners; J. C. Brown, local mining manager). —During the year the output for the Denniston Collieries was 323,368 tons, which was obtained from the mines working single shift. The development in both collieries has been kept well in advance of requirements. Coalbrookdale Colliery (Nicholas Milligan, mine-manager). —The development in the dip area continues to produce excellent results, and the winning headings have been pushed forward in a north-east direction, proving a large area of coal of excellent quality. In some parts of this area the superincumbent rocks are of a very treacherous nature, while water freely finds its way into the workings, causing no small amount of anxiety to the officials. Timber is, however, freely used. Glasgow section : For some considerable time the output from this section has been produced from the extraction of pillars, and, taking into consideration the serious amount of crushing the pillars have undergone, the percentage is very satisfactory. Pillar-extraction has been continued during the year in the following sections : No. 9 bank and the right-hand side of No. 8 bank, also Wallace section on the left-hand side of the main haulage-road. To open a fairly large area of virgin coal to the south of the present terminus of the Cascade haulage-road, a drift is being carried. The coal in this area is from 10 ft to 12 ft. in thickness, and of excellent quality. This drive, however, has been standing for some considerable time. Development lias been adequate in other parts of the mine. The Wareatea haulage-drive to the westward has been driven to reopen Bradley's section, which had been standing pending the completion of the haulage way. A haulage-engine is in course of erection for this section. Further developments connected therewith will necessitate a drive for a considerable distance to open up a new area. Heating occurred in Bradley's and the Glasgow sections, but this appears to have been overcome. The outlook for this mine is encouraging, and, should trade be forthcoming, a substantial increase in the output will in all probability occur. Ironbridge Colliery (A. G. Marshall, mine-manager). —Operations in this mine have been carried on in a satisfactory manner. The headings going south and south-east in Kruger's section are opening up a large area of excellent hard coal of considerable thickness. During the year a narrow heading was driven towards the old shaft section, from which water was drawn by a borehole in the roof of the drift. The shaft section is being worked to connect with the Kruger section, for the improvement of haulage and ventilation. Pillars are being extracted from the in-by end homeward. No. 2 section, Dundee dip (being the bottom seam and the headings going north-east) : These are being pushed forward, and are proving a seam of excellent hard coal, varying from 10 ft. to 12 ft. in thickness. A series of boreholes have proved a large area of workable coal, and the prospects of this part of the mine are encouraging. During the year the big pillar sections have been extracted to a point necessary to maintain the stability of the roadways. A stone drive is being carried towards the compressors to form a main return airway for a new ventilating-fan to replace the existing fan, situated some little distance from the power-house. Kiwi section : Most of the output from this section is from pillars. Deep Creek section : The average thickness of the coal is about 15 ft. or 16 ft., of good quality. During the year a small Schiele fan has been erected. Old shaft section : Pillar-extraction has been continued, and a high percentage of round coal obtained. The Port Arthur section, which has been standing on pillars some considerable time, is showing signs of severe brushing. Preparations are being made to remove these pillars. Good ventilation has been maintained in the various districts, while the general safety has been satisfactory. Millerton Mine (Westport Coal Company (Limited), owners; W. Dunn, local mine-manager; Wm. McCormack. mine-manager).—The output during 1911 was 299,642 tons, an increase of 30,826 tons on that of the previous year. In five cases legal proceedings have been taken by the company against persons for breaches of special rules. Mine Creek section : The workings to the westward have been considerably developed during the year, and have proved a large area of hard coal of excellent quality. On the eastern side of the main haulage-road, known as No. 10 and No. 4 pillars, a large amount of coal has been won by pillar-extraction exclusively. The prospects of this section are encouraging. Mangatini section : During 1911 the south headings have been driven forward, and a good deal of prospecting has been done from these headings, with reasonable prospects of a good seam of coal being proved. The headings going to the westward are showing hard coal of good quality. A few pillars have been extracted on the north side of the west heading in the dip section. Lower section : Preparations are being made to obtain an output from the rise side of this section. A new brake-house has been completed, and a powerful hydraulic brake installed to control the lead on the new tunnel haulage-road. Ventilation has, genernlly speaking, been well maintained. The stoppings controlling the fire area are daily inspected, and arc showing no signs of extra heating. Smoke is, however, discernable issuing through the broken ground on the surface. Wherever practicable the fractures in the rock are filled in to prevent the air from feeding the fire. • W estport-Stockton Coal Company's Mine (Westport-Stockton Coal Company (Limited), owners; F. H. Chamberlain, managing engineer; H. McAvoy, mine-manager).—The output for 1911 was 87,236 tons, being a decrease of 64,715 tons below that of the previous year. The bulk of the coal won has come from B and C tunnels, only a small percentage having been derived from D tunnel. In B tunnel operations have born confined to solid workings. Development on the eastern side of the main lay-by was discontinued owing to the coal proving soft, and thinning to 4 ft. Coal of good quality was found further to the south on the same side of the