0.—2.

Gain's Mine, Sapahoe.—All inclines have now reached the northern boundary, and pillar-extraction has commenced. Bellbird Mine, Rapahoe (Fauth and Party).—The main dip has been driven northerly to the boundary of the lease. Development to the east and west was stopped on fault-lines. The area being developed comprised a strip of coal 4to 5 chains in width between parallel faults. In the main dip the coal has thinned and is now approximately 6 ft. in height with stony bands near the roof and floor. Bellvue Mine, Rapahoe (Hadcroft and Party).—All development work in this mine having been completed, pillar-extraction was commenced principally on the south-western boundary adjacent to Cain's Mine. The coal averages 7 ft. 6 in. in thickness. Jubilee Mine, Rapahoe (Pinn and Party).—The seam in the new mine adjacent to the main highway (Greymouth to Westport) having thinned to 1 ft. 10 in., coal-winning operations ceased. A tramway was then constructed from the bin to the old mine and pillar-extraction commenced. Prospecting operations : A considerable amount of surface prospecting was earned on. Mussel/point Mine, Nine Mile (Curtis and Party).—To the east the workings were cut off by an upthrow fault of unknown dimensions. Going south, the coal thinned to 3 ft. in thickness. A short-wall method of mining was commenced. Smith and Party, Dunollie. —The main dip going west was stopped in friable coal. Pillar-extraction was commenced on the south side of the bottom level. Three main levels were extended in a northerly direction in coal approximately 4 ft. in thickness. The stone band in the coal continues to increase in thickness. The cost of pumping is now an important factor in the workings of this mine. Braehead Mine, Dunollie (Boote and Party).—-Pillar-extraction was carried on in the north-easterly portion of the lease throughout the year, the line of extraction being 3 chains in length. Stillwater Mine, Stillwater (Boustridge's).—Prospecting on the adjacent hillside uncovered a vertical seam running north and south. The coal is 8 ft. in thickness between the hanging and the foot wall. A drive 4| chains in length was put in on the bottom of the seam. Another drive immediately above this was commenced to provide a return airway. Remarks on Go-operatives Mines, Grey District. —These small mines have been seriously affected by slackness in the coal trade. The overhead costs, more particularly in the dip mines, are becoming an important factor, due to the cost of power, &c., and the small output obtained from each mine. Reeeton District. Archer's Mines, Capleston.—Mining was continued in the same primitive manner. The bulk of the coal won was from pillar-extraction to the rise in the No. 1 seam. To the dip a drive was commenced and projected for a distance of 1-5 chains in a south-westerly direction. Haulage was done by means of a hand-winch, the water being removed by means of a hand-pump and syphon. Hopeful Mine (Archer's Lease). —Pillar-extraction was continued in the No. 2 seam. The coal was friable and roof conditions adverse, and in places it was necessary to use face boards and close lathing to keep up the hanging-wall. Smith and McGormack's Mine (Archer's Freehold). —This small mine was opened up in the No. 1 seam adjacent to the fault. A stone drive was commenced to cut the No. 2 seam at a lower level. Coghlan's Minis, Capleston.~Eone Mine (Leasehold): Pillar-extraction was carried out to the rise adjacent to the outcrop. The main stone drive was extended in order to cut the No. 3 seam at a lower level. Total output up to the 31st December, 1933, from this mine is 6,233 tons. Coghlan's Freehold: No development work was done during the year. Work was confined to the splitting and the extraction of pillars on the boundary adjacent to the Eone Mine. Waitahu Mine. —The work of developing the No. 3 seam by driving a pair of parallel headings with inclines 2 chains apart was continued. Golden Point Mine (T. S. Patterson's Lease). —-Prospecting operations were carried on at this mine during the year. The coal produced was of a friable nature. Towards the end of the year the mine was closed. Venture Mine (Beechwood Mine), (J. and I. Patterson's Lease). —Steam plant was installed and the old mine unwatered. Going south the main level was extended a distance of 3 chains and parallel inclines driven to the rise an approximate distance of 2 chains. The coal is of a friable nature and difficult to market. Morrisvale Collieries. —Perfection Mine: The coal won from the mine during the year was from pillar-extraction to the rise. A dip heading off the main level for development purposes was driven to the east a distance of 2 chains. The fire in the rise workings broke through from the goaf. Two dams were erected in the stone drive to seal it off. A large quantity of clay and rubble was sluiced in behind the dams to prevent the encroachment of the fire to the present workings. An electrically driven fan of the Blackman stream-line type, was installed during the year. Surprise Mine : Work in this mine was confined to the developing of two panels east and west of the main dip. In June last an electrically operated three-throw pump was installed to replace the steam-driven pump formerly used. An electrically driven fan of the Blackmail stream-line type was also erected. Welcome Mine (No. 4 Mine) : This mine was reopened and a small amount of top coal removed. Hygrade Mine : Pillar-extraction along the outcrop adjacent to the fire area was commenced. The mine worked intermittently during the year. Burke's Greek Collieries, Ltd. —Early in the year the work of coal-winning from this mine was undertaken by a co-operative party. The development work in the east panel was continued. A small amount of coal was also won from the barrier section adjacent to the Middle Flat. Towards the end of the year the fallen ground on the south-west side of the dip was driven through and retimbered, and the work of developing the new panel commenced. The indications are that 30 acres of new workings will be opened out from this level. Extensive repair work was carried out underground. The last three months of the year showed an improvement in the number of days worked at the mine. Peerless Mine (Burke's Creek Lease) : This mine is worked by Messrs. Turner and party. The main level going west had been stopped in stony coal near the boundary and the work of pillarextraction commenced. Sparkless Mine (Lockington's, leased to Hamill and Watson). —Prospecting operations failed to reveal coal of a marketable quality, and the mine was closed towards the end of the year. Times Street Mine (H. A. Honey).—This mine worked intermittently during the year. Development work consisted of driving a pair of parallel headings approximately 90 ft. apart. Collins' Mines (Phoenix and Venus). —During the year 711 tons of coal was produced from these mines during prospecting operations, the object of which was to locate and extract small blocks of coal that have been left between the fire and the fault-line. Defiance Mine (McLaughlin's).—ln addition to extending the main level on the strike of the seam, a small prospecting drive was extended towards the outcrop in an endeavour to locate coal of a harder nature suitable for market conditions. Wealth of Nations Mine, Lankey's Greek.—The old workings to the east of the abandoned area were reopened and three places opened out. The old roadways were secured by packs and chocks and several small pillars have been extracted. Clele Mine (Alborn's). —No. 1 section : The main level was extended in a line parallel with and 70 ft. distance from the. outcrop. The seam is thin and stone intrusions are troublesome. No. 2 section : Two dip sections are now being developed from the. outcrop. The main dip was extended a distance of 70 ft. and levels broken off to the right and left.

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