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On the 17th April a mine-manager was charged, under Regulation 221, clause 1, under the Coalmines Act, 1925, that he did take into the workings of the mine one packet of explosives—-to wit, 5 lb. of Polar Thames—the said explosives not being in a secure case or cannister. He was convicted and fined £2 and costs. On the 9th July a deputy was charged that, being a shot-firer, he did neglect to see that all persons in the vicinity had taken proper shelter when firing a shot. He was convicted and fined ss. with 10s. Court costs. On the 20th August a shot-firer and two miners were charged under Regulation 224, subsection (2),. of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. The shot-firer was convicted and fined £2 and costs 10s., one miner was jonvicted and fined £1 and costs, and the other was convicted and fined £1 and 10s. costs. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (J. Hughes, Inspector of Coal-mines) North Otago District St. Andrews Mine, Papakaio.—Pillar-extraction was continued throughout the year and no further development work was undertaken. Ngapara Mine.—The whole of the operations at this mine have been confined to pillar-extraction. Shag Point Mine.—During the year trouble has been experienced with roof control, and the result has been that a certain quantity of pillar coal has been lost. Pillar-extraction work only has been carried out. Airedale Mine.—-No further development work has taken place at this mine, the whole of the operations having been confined to pillar-extraction. Bochvale Mine.—An additional small quantity of coal was developed during the year to the northeast of the main level, but this wall be limited in quantity. Pillar-extraction continued in the balance of the mine. Willett's Mine.—Development work was continued to the west; however, the seam deteriorated in this direction, and a commencement was made on pillar-extraction towards the end of the year. Central Otago District Cairnmuir Mine.—Development work has been continued during the year, chiefly to the south,, by levels driven towards the old Cairnmuir Mine. The coal-seam has maintained its thickness and quality, but work to the dip is restricted as a result of the limited capacity of the plant. Shepherd's Creek Mine.— Pillar-extraction has been continued throughout the year and there is now only a few months' work remaining. Idaburn, Oturehua, and Coal Creek Pits. —Opencast bperations have been continued throughout the year. South Otago District Benliar Mine.—Development work has been continued to the dip, and the lower north and south levels have been driven almost to their limit. A lower seam is stated to exist in the area already worked in the top seam, and it is proposed to commence the development of this lower seam, at the same time keeping the higher working free from water accumulation. Wangaloa Mine.—No further development work has been undertaken and coal-production has been confined to pillar-extraction. Wangaloa Opencast.—During the year the State acquired this coal-pit along with an area of freehold coal-bearing land. Boring operations adjacent to the opencast pit have proved a large quantity of coal available for opencast mining. Fairfield Mine. —Spontaneous combustion brought about the abrupt termination of operations at this mine at the end of the year. Almost all the available coal had been won at the time of the outbreak, so it was decided to abandon the mine and withdraw all plant. New Fernhill No. 1 Mine. —Pillar-extraction has been continued during the year. New Fernhill No. 2 Mine. —Development work at this mine has been very disappointing, the coal-seam thinning in all directions. Work was done near old water-logged workings, with the result that the quantity of water to be handled became excessive. . Present and future operations will probably be confined to recovering as much coal as possible from the area now opened up. New Fernhill No. 3 Mine. —Prospecting driving was commenced in the coal-seam adjacent to the old Fernhill Mine and also near the present No. 1 Mine, but sufficient data is not so far available for comment. Victory Mine, Brighton.—Development of this mine resulted in the interception of the old workings of Fry's Mine. The seam deteriorated in thickness, and a commencement has been made to extract the available pillars. Willowbank No. 1 Mine. —Development work has been continued throughout the year. The main dip headings were advanced and development levels are being driven to the south-west; a faulting has been encountered in this direction, but indications are that this is of a minor nature. Some pillar-extraction work was also carried out. Willowbank No. 2 Mine. —Following upon severe flooding and difficulty in maintaining the main return airway, mining operations were suspended at this mine during the year.

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