C.-2.

O'Brien and Party's Mine (Old Runanga Co-operative Party).—The work of extracting the remnants of coal, left behind during the bins extension workings, has been carried on ; this work is nearing completion. The development of the seam in the Bluff section has been carried out in a thorough manner. The main levels, which commenced on a 4 ft. outcrop, are now in 6 ft. of coal and have been driven about 7 chains. Ventilation and general equipment at this mine, are, relatively speaking, good. Goldlight Colliery.—During the year a Sullivan Arkutter machine was introduced and applied to the dip section. Unfortunately, a fault with a heavy water feeder was struck, thereby practically eliminating the scope for the coal-cutter meantime. A dip heading has been commenced from a point 2 chains above the main level to prove the direction and extent of the fault. In the event of this development work proving satisfactory, the area of available coal will be materially increased, and the probable reinstatement of the Arkutter will follow, as it is understood the results obtained during the Arkutter's operations were satisfactory. Moody Creek Mine.—Development-work on the southern side of the creek showed satisfactory results. The dip has been driven a distance of 5 chains. Power is supplied by the Grey Electric-power Board, and is used for ventilation, haulage, &c. New bins and screening-plant have been erected. New Point Elizabeth Mine (Guy and Party).—The main rise headings have been advanced a total distance of 14 chains into a softer nature coal, this being due to their proximity to the surface. Levels driven in a westerly direction from a point 12 chains up the heading appear to prove the absence of the fault at this point, in which case the amount of available coal in this direction will be materially increased. Ventilation at this mine is very efficient. Fiery Cross Mine. —The main levels have been driven a total distance of 6 chains. The outlook at this mine has improved materially, the quality of coal showing a marked improvement. Baddeley and Party.—Development work has been completed and pillar-extraction commenced. Surfacesubsidence has caused an influx of water during wet weather. Castlepoint Mine. —Development work has been continued along the usual lines. Crosscut headings have been driven to lessen the hand-haulage distances. The ventilation having become sluggish, arrangements have been made to install a larger-capacity fan. Armstrong and Party's Hilltop Mine.—The old mine having been exhausted, the party has secured a new lease on the State Coal-mine Reserve at the Ton Mile Creek. A self-acting incline, 15 chains in length, conveys the coal from the mine-mouth to the bottom bin On the Briandale tramway. Prom the mine-mouth the coalseam, 8 ft. thick, dips in a south-westerly direction. The mine has been opened by a dip drive. The coal is hauled to the surface by an electric winch, situated at the mine-mouth. Electric power is supplied by the Grey Electric-power Board. Hunter and Party's Mine. —Development work in the lease acquired by this party has proved reasonably _ satisfactory. The main levels tended to thin after being driven 6 chains. The rise headings revealed 7 ft. of good-quality coal. Safety-lamps were introduced in September, owing to methane being given off freely in the lower level. Scottvale Mine.—Operations ceased during the year. Cox Creek Mine.—The main dip has been driven a distance of 3 chains. The coal, although thin, is of good quality, and roof conditions "are very favourable. Schultze's Creek Mine (Marshall and Party).—Pillar-extraction has been continued in the rise section, which is nearing completion. A level stone drive has been driven 4| chains to intersect the seam below the fault which cut off the rise workings. It is expected to intercept the coal-seam at a total distance of 5 chains to 6 chains. This drive should open up a reasonable amount of workable coal. Dennehy's Mine. —Operations have ceased meantime. Cain's Mine. —Operations of a routine nature have been continued on a small scale. Bellbird Mine.—Development work carried out during the year has given satisfactory results as regards extent, quality, and thickness of coal-seam. An electrically driven winch has been installed to facilitate further dip-development work. Bellvue Mine.—Development work has shown only fair results with the exception of one pair of headings, driven in a southerly direction, in which the coal has improved materially in quality and thickness. Ventilation was unsatisfactory towards the end of the year. However, a fan will be installed at an early date. Jubilee Mine. —Work has been continued along similar lines to the previous year, the results of development work being satisfactory. Smith and Party's Mine, Dunollie.—The old lease was exhausted during the year, and an area adjoining Castlepoint was opened up. The main dip has been driven a distance of 5 chains, and several levels broken away. The thickness of the seam at the dip face is 10 ft. —i.e., 5 ft. top coal, 1 ft. stone, and 4 ft. bottom coal. The- top 6 ft. of the seam is at present being worked. Braehead Mine (Boote and Party).—Pillar-extraction in the rise section was stopped at the end of the year. A level stone drive of 13 chains has been driven from a lower level. Sufficient pillars were left in the old rise section to maintain the present air-course. A reasonably large area of coal has now been made available for rise working, and the future prospects of the mine are good from a mining point of view. Remarks on Co-operative Mines in Grey District. —The extended use of electrical power supplied by the Grey Electric-power Board has been instrumental in improving the underground working-conditions in the small mines, and enabling dip coal to be won profitably. The general rule at present is that each mine has installed an electrically driven fan, winch, and, where necessary, pumps, with beneficial results. Inahgahua District. Burke's Creek Coal-mine.—The installation of an additional steam-boiler and electrical generating-plant was completed early in the year, and dewatering operations were commenced in March and completed in June. Coalproduction was commenced immediately, this being confined chiefly to the west level section and dip-development. The main dip has now been driven a total distance of 14 chains, and is at present in good hard coal. An adequate ventilation-fan has been installed. Underground haulage and pumping-plant is electrically driven. The general equipment at this mine, along with the underground development, now places the colliery in a position to produce an economical output. A comprehensive scheme for developing this mine on the panel system has been arranged, this being the first occasion on which an attempt has been made to open out an area of coal in this field on systematic lines, and the necessary plant installed to provide the desired margin for the successful operation of dip workings. The initiative shown is to be commended. Morrisvale Lease.—(l) Matchless Mine: Work in this mine has been confined to pillar-extraction in the No. 2 seam and a small amount of development work in the No. 3 seam. (2) Saramain Mine : The main dip heading encountered faulty ground after being driven a few chains. There was also an inrush of water from the surface, and as a result the workings were abandoned. (3) Surprise Mine : The main dip heading has been extended a total distance of approximately 5 chains, the quality of coal being good. The installation of a modern plant would be of assistance in obtaining more economical results. It is proposed to develop this mine on the panel system. (4) Perfection Mine : The main levels, after being advanced a total distance of 18 chains, intersected an old fire area. Stoppings were erected and pillar-extraction commenced. Archer's Mine, Capleston.—Coal won during the year has been obtained chiefly from the freehold. Two level headings to the west of the freehold, workings have been recommenced in good-quality coal. Waitahu Mine.—Work has been continued on a small scale in the top section. The coal became of inferior quality in the level, and the bulk of the output was obtained from pillar-extraction to the rise and adjacent to the outcrop.

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