C.--2.

Mine : Development work has been continued to the south-east, south-west, and south. A series of large rolls have been met with during the development of this mine, usually coming in from the roof and, at times, almost continuing to the floor of the seam. The mine has been idle since the middle of August as a result of an industrial dispute. Black Diamond Mine. —Following upon the sealing-ofi of the waste in the north-east corner of the lease, a commencement was made to extract the pillars immediately adjacent to the inby end of No. 5 level. During the year heating of coal in the waste took place, and it would appear that this coal will prove to be very liable to spontaneous combustion. A system of partially sealing off a small area before commencing pillar-extraction has been adopted. Arrangements have been made for the purchase of smoke helmets to mitigate the danger to life when dealing with underground fires. A re-survey of a portion of the mine was carried out during the year as a result of the original plan proving inaccurate. Industrial trouble caused operations to cease in August, but the proprietors have produced coal since then by their own efforts. Birchwood Mine.—ln the east section, to the rise of the bottom of the main stone-drive, development was continued until towards the end of the year,, when same was almost completed. A barrier pillar, 2 chains wide, was left between this area and the Linton workings, a portion of the area being cut off by a fault. Pillar-extraction was commenced and is still proceeding, the coal being inclined to be stony. Bottom coal was lifted in the places to the west of the main dip, this work being stopped about the end of the year. A crosscut dip heading to the north-east was commenced from the main level and was driven about 8 chains, and three levels broken away on either side of the dip. This development work has proved that operations at this mine will yield methane freely, and will require a high standard of ventilation in the interests of safety. Black Lion Mine. —During the year development work proved the area now being worked to be surrounded by faults or the Morley Stream. A barrier pillar, 2 chains wide, has been arranged to be left adjacent to the stream, and pillar-extraction has commenced. It was also arranged to leave a barrier pillar to protect the crosscut jig, and to extract the balance of the pillars to the rise. It appears essential to prospect to the north if the life of the mine is to be materially extended. Linton No. 1 Mine. —Development work was continued in Manderson's section and a connection was made between Nos. 1 and 2 panels. In the lower portion of No. 2 panel workings— i.e., to the dip of the main drive into Manderson's, development work was carried out in good-quality coal. In the section ahead of the north-east heading the double-story method of work was applied, the upper places being driven 6 ft. high, 8 ft. wide, with 3 ft. of coal left for a roof and coal 20 ft. thick being left between the lower and upper workings. Pillar-extraction was completed in the Junction section, and the area sealed off by concrete stoppings. Development work was completed in the small section between the north-west heading and the north levels, and in No. 3 panel and No. 2 east sections. A quantity of H. section steel arches were imported during the year for use, on main roadways, in lieu of timber supports. A new dip was commenced to run parallel with Manderson's dip and 1J chains distant from it. Linton No. 2 Mine. —Immediately preceding the cessation of work only eight men were working in this mine. Pillar-extraction was proceeding in No. 7 and No. 2 north sections, the latter section having been reopened a short time previously. A small amount of solid work was also carried out in No. 8 north section. This colliery was also involved in the industrial dispute which commenced in August and continued to the end of the year and interfered considerably with mining operations. Star Mine. —Development has continued along the main dip heading for a distance of 8J chains. After opening out the mine, and developing in the top seam, it was found that a further seam existed at a few feet lower level. The lower seam being 8 ft. in thickness and of good quality, all recent work has been carried out in this seam. Levels have been driven i chains to the west and 3 chains to the east. The mine is owned by a syndicate of local miners. Nightcaps Syndicate Mine. —A syndicate of Nightcaps miners commenced operations on Block 111, Morloy Village Survey District, a few acres of coal having been left here by the old Nightcaps Co. Industrial trouble at the larger mines gave birth to this concern. Smithvale Mine. —Operations were abandoned at this mine on 6th April, 1932. Lobbs Hill Mine. —A few pillars have been extracted to the rise of the main level. A lower level has also been commenced and an attempt will be made to prospect the small hill lying to the east of the present mine. Waihopai Downs Pit. —This is an opencast lignite pit adjacent to Rimu, and has probably come into existence as a result of the stoppage in the larger mines. Orepuki Mine. —A small amount of pillar-extraction has been completed in the old mine, and opencast work commenced in the bed of the creek at a point 20 chains to the north of the sawmill. Morley Vale Mine, (Old Mount Linton). —Opencast operations were recommenced at the old Linton Pit towards the end of the year, this probably as a result of the Southland stoppage. The coal is of very good quality and equal to the average of the district. Wairaki Mines. —The bulk of the year's output has been obtained from pillar-extraction, which has been continued in the No. 1 Mine. Miners have been engaged in pillars in the No. 2 east section, No. 3 west section, and No. 2 west. Work in No. 3 west is now nearing completion. A small amount of development work was carried out in the No. 2 east dip section, but the floor of the dip heading is still about 6 ft. lower than the floor of the seam. This brushing is being carried forward as it is expected to meet a large downthrow fault at any time. Methane is given off freely in this section, and requires a high standard of ventilation. Five months' work has been lost during the year as a result of industrial trouble. Fatal Accidents. Black Diamond Mine. —On the 13th April a double fatality occurred whereby Robert William Duncan, the mine-manager, and John Nutter, a miner, were killed by a fall of top coal. Duncan, in company with Nutter, was making an examination of the place prior to the commencement of work when the fall buried them. Pillar-extraction was taking place and the coal fell from the lip of the working-place and adjacent to a wooden chock. Sebiotjs Non-fatal Accidents. Star Mine. —On the 22nd April Thomas Todd, mine-manager, and Thomas McNeilage, miner, were severely burned by the ignition of a quantity of methane. The ignition took place prior to the commencement of work and the occurrence once more emphasizes the fact that the greatest care should be taken to ensure the efficient examination of all parts of the mine in which men are to work. Shag Point Goal-mining Go. —On the 29th August R. Corrigan, miner, sustained a simple fracture of the tibia. Corrigan and his mate were engaged in pillar-extraction when a piece of stone, a few pounds weight, fell from the roof and struck Corrigan on his outstretched leg, inflicting the above-mentioned injury. The workingplace was only 2 ft. 9 in. high.

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