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Mossbank Mine. —The development work during the year proved rathicr disappointing, as the coal in the little dip gradually became thinner, and the level going east off the main dip is also in very thin coal. The pillars are now being extracted both east and west of the main dip. Wairaki No. 1 Mine. —Owing to the varying pitch of the seam the main dip has been deflected 40° and is now being driven about due south-west. In the bottom place going cast stony coal was met, but in the main dip and all the places on tho west side good clean coal is being mined. The ventilation is usually good throughout, but, owing to faulty bratticing, on the 27th September 30 cubic feet of inflammable gas was found in Smith's stonton. This was the only occasion on which gas was reported for the year. A new safety-lamp cabin was constructed towards the end of the year. Wairaki No. 2 Mine. —ln this mine, as in the No. 1 mine, timber is systematically used. Towards the close of the year a small shaft was sunk underground a distance of 21 ft., and boring was done from the bottom of this shaft to prove if a lower seam existed. The bore proved 74, ft. of coal 10 ft. below the shaft-bottom, or 31 ft. between the scams. Development was continued in the lower places going to the west, but no work was done in the dip. On the east side is the large downthrow fault. Arrangements for the reversal of the air-current have been completed in the No. 2 mine and are being proceeded with in the No. I mine. Linton, Mine. —The coal in the 30 ft. scam became stony going north, and the bottom level going in that direction met the downthrow fault. The places above having reached the ash area, pillaring has now commenced. A borehole was put down west of the opencast area and towards the boundary of the Ohai Coal Company. It is reported that 35 ft. of coal was struck at a depth of 138 ft., or 30 ft. below the level of the Morley Stream. A second borehole was put down 14 chains east of the first bore, and struck 20 ft. of coal with only 16 ft. of overburden. A stone drive is now being put in to work this area. Pillaring is almost completed in the eastern area of the thin seam. A small area of workings has been opened out in the 7 ft. seam between the pillar section and the 30 ft. seam section. Timbering rules have been drafted and posted up at the mine-entrance, Ohai, Coal Company's Mine. —This mine is west of the Linton Mine. A dip drive, going 1 in 5, proved coal at about 2 chains from the surface, but it went through troubled ground for about a chain. When 5 chains down the seam was proved to be 20 ft. in thickness. The bottom 7 ft. is now being worked. A small prospecting-shaft sunk 10 chains ahead of the mine-entrance proved the seam at a depth of 82 ft. The seam is very hard and fairly clean except for the clay " backs " which are met in several places. A ventilating-fan, purchased from the old Nightcaps Coal Company, has been" erected at the mine. The coal is at present conveyed by horse haulage, along a surface tramway, to the Linton Mine haulage-system. Birchwood Mine. —The main dip met faulted ground when about 2 chains from the surface. Driving was continued through this trouble, and good clean coal was met. The seam proved to be 74, ft. in thickness and rather a gaseous one. In consequence of an ignition during August, safety-lamps only are now used at this mine. Since their introduction, and prior to 31st December, there were twenty-six reports of inflammable gas having been found by the examining deputy. The main dip is now down 7 chains and continues in good clean coal. The main winningplaces going east are in about 8 chains. No places have been broken off going westward. The railway built by the Ohai Railway Board from Wairio to Ohai is Hearing completion. It is anticipated that the line will be open for traffic before the coming winter. Dangerous Occurrences notified under Regulation HI. Mount Torlesse Collieries. —23rd February : G. G. Littlewood, undcrviewer, was slightly burned by an ignition of gas in the rise section. Birchwood Mine. —25th August: J. Sheehan, miner, was burned on the face and arms by an ignition of inflammable gas which occurred at 8.30 a.m. in his working place in the 8 ft. seam section, dip workings. As a consequence naked lights were debarred from use in the mine. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —2sth September : At 12.30 p.m. an inburst of water occurred from a break in the side of Eatons level in No. 1 seam workings. Twelve men were safely withdrawn, and in half an hour the flow of water had slackened considerably. The mine-plan was in error regarding some of the old workings. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —27th November : Fallen coal in a stenton off the back level, north side, in No. 5 seam was heating, and two miners were employed to fill away the heated coal. Fatal Accident. Wairaki Mine. —loth January : George Cleveland, 40, shunter and tip attendant —fatally injured by being crushed between a railway-truck and the loading-chute at the Wairaki Company's railway-siding. He sustained a fractured pelvis, and he died on the 4th February of embolism of the heart and lungs, the result of the accident. Tho Coroner 's verdict was in accordance with the medical testimony. The Coroner's jury added a rider that the clearance between the trucks and the chute should be made larger, with which the Coroner agreed. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Black Diamond Mine. —10th February : George Dempster, 17, coal-screen attendant —fracture of the right thigh caused through his clothing being caught in the machinery. Stepping across a revolving shafting 18 in. above the door, the head of a key of the flange-coupling caught his trouser-leg and he was thrown to the floor. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —9th March : James Durrant, 40, miner—fractured left leg and fractured right forefinger caused by a fall of stone from the roof of his working-place, in the Oft. seam. The fall was owing to a slippy back which before the fall was concealed by a skin of coal 2or 3 in. thick. The place was timbered with props and oap-pieoes. Shag Point, Mine. —12th March : James Wilde, 37, miner—injury to face and serious injury to left eye. He was firing two shots. He lit one fuse, but ho thought the other did not spit and he decided to leave it. After the first charge exploded lie returned intending to light the second charge. This exploded when lie was a yard away, and he was struck by the flying coal. Springfield Mine, Waikaka Valley. —l7th March : William Bazley, 26, miner—laceration of lungs and fractured ribs caused by a fall of gravel and clay which he was stripping from above tho coal-seam. Wairaki Mine. —16th May : William Taylor, miner—injuries to chest and side caused by a large stone falling out from between two slippy facings. Birchwood Mine.— l9th May : James W. G. Baird, 48, miner—burns on the left hand caused by a spark from his naked lamp igniting a half cartridge of gunpowder which he was going to use for a shot. Mossbank Mine. —20th July : Alex. Kane, miner—loss of left eye by being struck by a piece of coal which burst from the side of the pillar. Waronui Mine. —26th July : Robert Robertson, 57, miner—corneal ulceration of the left eyeball through being hit by a piece of coal. Wairio Mine.— 30th July : John Duncan, 53, mine-manager—injury to spine and paralysis of both legs. Whilst examining a " pothole " about 10 yards back from a working-face he was struck and knocked down by a fall of stone and coal. The place was only 5 ft. in height, and was supported by props and cap-pieces. Linton Mine. —4th September : Robert McDowell, 5!), miner—burns to arms. Whilst carrying his powder-tin to the face he slipped on a bench of bottoms 18 in. high. His tin was projected forward and the lid burst open. The naked light ho was carrying fell amongst the powder. Mossbank Mine. —4th December : Charles Orr, 21, miner—fractured clavicle and abrasions, caused by being struck by a piece of coal from a shot which blew through from an inclined working-place into the level above. Christie's No. 1 Mine. —13th December : John Stratton, 39, miner—sustained a compound fracture of his right leg through a lump of " doughboy " falling from the roof where he was engaged putting up a set of timber, In jumping back his foot slipped into the hole sunk in the floor for the log of the set.
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