C.—2.

Remarks on Co-operative Mines in Grey District. —The majority of the mines are now using electricity extensively, and mining methods continue to improve. Several of the mines are now under the control of managers holding first- and second-class certificates, with the result that the general lay-out of the mines, particularly the haulage systems, are being improved. Several co-operative mines have erected miniature bathhouses for their convenience. These buildings, whilst not being elaborate, are clean and well kept, being provided with a concrete floor, ample hot-water supply, and the requisite number of showers. It is not usual to provide small cubicles, all the showers being placed in the same compartment. These small mines, with their electrically controlled haulage, screening, and ventilation systems, are gradually assuming a greater degree of permanency. Reefton District. Archer's Mine. —Work has proceeded along the usual lines, the methods of operations being extremely crude. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 46,467 tons. Hopeful Mine. —This mine, situated to the west of Archer's Mine, is working Nos. 1 and 2 seams, which at this point are almost vertical. Only the coal lying between free drainage-level and the outcrop will probably be won. . Eone Mine—A small block of outcrop was won during the year and a small amount oi work carried out on a cross measure drift to intercept the seam at a lower level. Coghlari's Mine. —Development work along the routine lines has been continued and the accumulation of water in the old Eone Mine drained off, thereby removing a definite source of danger. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 26,002 tons. Waitahu Mine. —Only a small amount of work was carried out at this mine along the usual lines, the method oi working pillars being condemned and subsequently stopped as unsafe. Total output to the Ist December, 1931, was 6,857 tons. Morrisvale Collieries.— -Perfection Mine : During the year considerable trouble has been experienced with nre. The main levels intercepted an old fire area and pillar-extraction was commenced. The rate of progress of pillarextraction was insufficient to keep pace with the advance of the fire from the direction of the goaf, and arrangements were made to retard the fire's progress by means of erecting a water-fiume and conveying the water to the fire area. This was only partially successful. Surprise Mine : The dip headings have been advanced a total distance of 10 chains preparatory to driving levels from which to form panels to the rise. A larger steam boiler and winch have been installed, but the equipment generally is not such as to facilitate development operations. The quality of coal proved in the dip "headings was of a high standard. Matchless Mine : Work was completed at the old mine and will be resumed on the block of pillars named " Hygrade " in which a fire exists, at present controlled by two clay stoppings. A clean extraction of these pillars will be necessary to permanently isolate this fire. The total output from these mines to end of 1931 was 101,071 tons. Burke's Creek Colliery. — Development work was continued in the main dip headings and in the mam levels to the north. A commencement was made to form a panel from these levels. The quality of the coal is more or less fluctuating, and roof conditions in the lower workings are such as to add materially to the difficulty of profitable mining. Trade conditions have been particularly severe at this colliery. The No. 4 seam has been worked only to a small extent. To the end of 1931 the total output was 200,893 tons. Terrace Mine.—Owing to the danger of spontaneous combustion in old workings and which were almost incapable of being sealed off, a commencement was made to extract the pillars from this mine, and the work is almost completed. The total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 6,684 tons. Times Street Mine.—Development work proceeds at this mine in a haphazard manner and devoid of method, lack of capital being the chief cause of this. No 4 seam is being worked, and whilst same is usually of a friable nature, at this point reasonably hard patches of coal are encountered and there are usually followed without due regard to systematic working. Total output to the 3lst December, 1931, was 2,080 tons. Collinses Mine.—Work at this mine consists of extracting stumps of coal which have escaped the effect of the fire which destroyed the old mine. To the end of 1931 the total output was 59,330 tons. Defiance Mine (McLaughlin's).—A short cross measure was driven for the purpose of tapping the seam at a lower level. Wealth of Nations Mine (Lankey's Creek).—Work here consists of pillar-extraction. However, as a result of previous bad mining practice in which pillars of insufficient size were formed with roadways of excessive width, serious surface movement took place, with a resultant loss of coal. Total output to end of 1931 was 30,939 tons. , Clele Mine—Work at the present mine is nearing completion, and prospecting carried out adjacent to the mine has disclosed sufficient coal to enable operations being continued for some time to come. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 47,068 tons. White Rose Mine.—Very little work was carried out at this mine. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 192 tons. Remarks.—lt was found necessary to take steps to cancel a permit to manage a mine in this district as a result of persistence of unsatisfactory methods of work and a general disregard of the requirements of the Coal-mines Act and regulations. Btoleb District. Mitchell's Mine, Charleston—A small amount of opencast work has been carried out to meet local requirements. Total output to end of 1931 was 365 tons. Brighton Mine (Hunter and Party).—A prospecting-tunnel was constructed on Price's freehold, the seam being intercepted and a small quantity of coal won to meet local requirements. The total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 564 tons. Roclclands Mine (J. P. Burley). —Development work of an intermittent nature and on a small scale has been continued to meet local requirements. To end of 1931 the total output was 10,347 tons. Whitecliffs Mine (J. H. Burley).—Mining operations on a small scale have been carried out intermittently to meet local requirements. To the 31st December, 1931, the total output was 3,105 tons. Coal Creek Mine. —The main levels have been driven approximately 25 chains and headings set away preparatory to forming a panel on the inbye side of the old workings. A small feeder of methane was reported early in the year and a ventilating-fan was installed forthwith driven by a Diesel engine. The mine has been idle during the latter portion of the year. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 97,910 tons. Quinn's Mine. —Work at this mine consists of pillar-extraction which has reached a point approximately 6 chains from the mine entrance. Total production to the 31st December, 1931, was 8,632 tons. Glasgow Mine.—An attempt was made during the year to gain access to a block of pillars in the old State Mine workings, but, owing to the fire again becoming active, was unsuccessful. Pillar - extraction is now being carried out. Total output to end of 1931 was 34,460 tons. Cardiff Bridge Mine. —Operations are being gradually restricted owing to the rapid extraction of all available coal. The output from a portion of the mine was sluiced from the faces to the surface from whence all coal is flumed to the bins. The method of pillar-extraction at this mine is not all that could be desired, with the result that considerable crush takes place on the roadways and the pillars left to support same. Total output to the 31st December, 1931, was 210,904 tons. Wynnes Mine—Work was abandoned in the latter portion of the year, the seam having become too thin for profitable working. Total output to end of 1931 was 6,426 tons.

51