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ANNEXURE A SUMMARY OF REPORTS BY INSPECTORS OF COAL-MINES NORTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (C. Hunter, Inspector of Coal-mines) Summary of Operations of each Colliery for the Year 1946 North Auckland District Kama Colliery.—During the year development work has been carried on in the Main Slant Dip, ■which has been advanced to a face distance of 57 chains from the main mine haulage system and is at present standing on inferior coal, no work having been done here for several months. To the east off Main Slant Dip and approximately 7 chains from face a pair of levels have been driven for a distance of II chains, the coal here being about 6 ft. in thickness. Work was discontinued some months ago ■ due to ventilation difficulties. Fourteen chains back from dip face a pair of dips known as No. 3 Right have been advanced to a distance of 12 chains from dip side ; at 10 chains from dip a step-down fault •of 10 ft. was intercepted. This fault was crossed, proving coal of 10 ft. thickness on inbye side of it. In the East Dip Section a fair amount of development work has been accomplished. In June the • extraction of pillars in No. 4 Mine was completed and the mine closed down, only pumping operations being carried on. A new ventilating-drive for No. 3 Mine has been started and is down approximately :2 chains from portal, grade of drive is 1 in 3, the dimensions of drive are 8 ft. by 7 ft. 6 in. Waro Colliery.—The production for the year has been solely from the extraction of pillars, and present indications are that, due to the fast rate of extraction and to occasional compulsory retreat • caused by flooding, the area should be exhausted during the current year. Avoca Opencast.—This small undertaking closed down in April, the output for the working period being 186 tons. Whareora Opencast.—Only 16 tons were secured for the year before closing down. Waikato District Pukemiro Colliery.—The output of 122,271 tons for the year has been won chiefly from the • extraction of pillars, the only solid work performed being in the recovery of old sections and the -development of small areas adjacent to the extremities of the field. The colliery accommodates forty-seven pairs of miners, twelve pairs being placed in the North Mine and the remainder in the South. North Mine : In the North Mine it is the intention of the manager to leave an area of unextracted pillars for the support of colliery houses, and as the line of extraction reaches this predetermined position the miners are transferred to the South Mine. On the south side of the main haulage road, five pairs are placed, with seven to the north of the haulage road. South Mine : The work in this mine is carried on over a large area with eight groups of men placed in small sections more or less isolated from one another; this makes for duplication of workmen in . some classes of work, which, as conditions are, is very difficult to avoid. Along the southern boundary three sections are located, these being known as South Straight, New Panel, and Nelson's Jig Sections, ten pairs being accommodated between the three, the Nelson's Jig Section carrying three pairs on back- , shift; this is necessary to expedite the extraction of pillars and to avoid spontaneous heating. The Taupiri Section, which is subdivided into three sections, is located alongside the Hangapipi Road. In all, twelve pairs engaged on pillar-extraction are placed in this area. In Home's Dip Section the • coal is of a very friable nature with heavy roof conditions and the floor tends to creep ; five pairs are placed here. In the No. 1 Right South Section five pairs are employed in solid work developing behind the Old Rope Section. A new airway has been completed to the surface and preparations for installing an additional fan are well in hand. To provide extra floor space, 750 square feet has been added to the bath-house. Renown Colliery.—No. 2 Mine main headings have been advanced to a total distance of 80 chains from the portal. At this point a downthrow fault of major importance has been intercepted and the work of advancement stopped. About 4 chains ahead of the present position a borehole was put down, but only 4 ft. of coal was recorded. It would appear that the fault is the continuation of the one that stopped the further development of the workings in the No. 1 Mine. To the south-east of the main haulage road five panels have been formed, and a sixth is at present being formed. It is intended upon completion of the No. 6 panel to commence pillar-extraction. To the north-west very little developing could be done due to the existence of faulted country running parallel to direction of haulage road and about 3 chains from it. All the coal is machine cut. A new bathhouse of excellent design capable of accommodating ninety-two persons was put into use towards the end of the year.

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