117

C—2

Alexandra Colliery, Alexandra South (Crown lease; Mathias Bros, and Co.; D. Mathias, permit, manager) (13 12/11): Six men underground. Ventilation good. The output is obtained from pillar-extraction. An error having been discovered in the relative positions of the mine-workings nnrl surface on the plan, a chain or so more ground can be taken out at the bottom of the dip without endangering the mine and the overhead water-race. New [lexandra Coal Company , * Colliery, Alexandra South (Crown lease; New Alexandra Coal Company ; James Pollock, mine-manager). —(13/12/11): The old workings are standing ly, the water being up to the sump-level. The brick dams are apparently doing their duly, owing to whioh, and by a rearrangement of the pumping plant, the hours of pumping are reduced liv forty-two weekly, thus effecting a good saving in fuel and charges. Working-places are being extended in the easterly part of the lease in solid coal of good average quality and thickness, as proved by the boreholes in the ioof, which arc regularly pul up a 1 intervals of 20ft. iii headings and 30ft. in all levels or working-bords. The necessary liars required at the stagelanding at pit-bottom should be kept in place. The second outlet for airway and ladderway is in excellent condition. Rules posted; repori books and plan kept. A new roof break occurred on the 29th December near the bottom of the upcast air-shaft, '[lie break cannot be reached or seen, but a quantity of clean gravel has come therefrom, and is giving "20,000 gallons of i water per hour. Five cement dams are being put in, with the objeel of holding the water back. Coal sides, roof, and floor being fairly solid, success is anticipated. A satisfactory feature is that the first proper break in the roof in the history of the pit—some twelve years —has occurred, and the result shows that a sudden flooding of the workings from overhead strata is unlikely to happen. Welshman's Gully Coal-pit, Cambrian (Crown lease; Mrs MoGuckin; J. McGuckin, manager). —An opencast pit. Output considerably reduced during later years. Laudervale Coal-pit. Cambrian (Robert .lones). —Opencast pit. from which an ordinary output is maintained. St. Bathau's Goal-pit, St. Bathan's (James Enright). —An opencast pit. from which a small output is being obtained. Beck's> Idaburn Goal-pit, Oturehua (Crown lease; Mrs. M. Beck; W. Beck, permit, manager). —Opencast pit. Usually kept in good working-order. White's Idaburn Coal-pit, Oturehua (Crown lease: ,1. White, permit, lessee and manager). Opencast. Water drainage rather troublesome. Oturehua Coal-pit, Oturehua (l>. Thomas). -Opencast pit. Shallow working. Gimmerburn Coal-pit, Gimmerburn (C. Dougherty). Opencast pit. worked in a small way for local use. Dillon's Coal-pit, Blackstone Hill (J. Dillon).- Small quantity mined for private use. The Gold ami Scheelite Proprietary Coal-mine, \hi<-rin.< Flat (Gold and Seheelite Proprietary Company, owners). —(19/5/11): An opencast pit, worked for supply of steaming-coal to the scheelite-mine. Clyde Collieries, Clyde (Crown lease; Verooe and Co.; G. I , '. Turner, mine-manager). — (18/8/11): When I visited the mine a recent thunderstorm had caused considerable inconvenience bj lilling the lower levels with silt and water, which poured down an old drive in the dry creekbed; otherwise the few working-places were in good order. All lire-stoppings in against tin pillared area except one were in good order, and no leakage of escaping damp could be detected from any of them; but I found one of the stoppings leaking, and directed the manager's attention to the necessity of keeping them in good order. Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries, Bannockburn (Crown lease; Cromwell and Bannockburn Collieries Company (Limited); John Hodson, mine-manager). —(22/8/11): The new Shepherd's Creek Mine, between Thorn's and Par cell's Gullies, is turning out well. The coal is of fair thickness, and clean. Drives are being taken narrow at first working. This system, it is believed, will result in a higher percentage of pillar coal being won eventually. Until the dip is driven to the boundary, and a lodgment made, a few hours' pumping on Sundays will be necessary to prevent the water rising and damaging the mine. Ventilation good. The second outlet was in a good state of repair. In December a fresh inflow of sand and water had occurred in the lower level. A temporary stopping drawn across easily stopped the influx. Cairnmuir Colliery, Bannockburn (Crown lease; Cairnmuir Coal Company ; A. W. Whittlestoiij mine-manager).—(22/8/11) : The old mine is nearly finished. Pillars under Bannockburn Creek are being left in to prevent flooding. The seam in the new drive across the fault is very steep, but the coal is strong and of good quality. Levels are being broken away off the dip at the usual intervals. Cardrona Colliery, Cardrona (Crown lease; It. McDougall, permit, lessee and manager).— (7/11/11) : Opencast; four men. Rules require posting. Removing a large amount of overburden fallen during the winter. The seam appears to be about 16 ft. thick, including numerous bands of stone aggregating about 9 ft. The coal-output will be small for some time. Gibbston Colliery, Gibbston (Crown lease; J. Duncan, mine-manager).—A fair output continues to be maintained from this mine, which is situated at an altitude of 3,350 ft. above sealevel. The coal is lowered down the mountain-face on a single line of tramway. Nevis Colliery, Lower Nevis (Crown lands; I!. Toms, permit).—(ll/5/11): Drive extends 30 ft. in length. A working mate to the one man employed is necessary, and the provisions of the Coal-mines Act should be carried out regarding examination with a safety-lamp before starting work. Ryder's Colliery, Lower Nevis (Crown lands; R. Toms, permit).—(ll/5/11): Pillaring and dropping head coal. Report-book not up to date. Safety-lamp out of repair, and requires replacing. Nevis Crossing Collirn:, Nevis (Crown lands; Robert Ritchie, permit).— (ll/5/11): Face, 15 ft. high. Stripping top burden off by water, and afterwards lifting coal