C—2a

slant dip connecting with, the Main Dip at a point 1 chain from the mine entrance. It is estimated that sufficient coal has been proved to extend the life of the mine a further twelve to fifteen months. No. 3 Mine : Operations were confined to development work in the following sections: No. 5 West Section : Following the acquisition of Star Mine, two main levels were .advanced beyond the boundary and under the workings of Star Mine for a distance of 12 chains in coal of excellent quality. * Panel headings to the rise and dip were opened •out and panels partly formed as development proceeded in the levels. The existence ■of two distinct seams on Star property has been definitely proved by underground driving and surface drilling, the upper seam being operated in Star Mine and the lower seam in Wairaki Mine. No. 6 East Section : Two levels were driven a total distance of 19 chains from the Main Dip. Splitting of the seam accompanied by minor faultings was encountered, but the upper portion of the seam remained of good quality with an average height of 12 ft. For the purpose of concentrating the work at the lower end of the mine the section was stopped and the miners transferred to Nos. 8 and 9 Sections. No. 8 East Section : Development of main levels and rise panels continued under good conditions for a distance of 18 chains from the Main Dip. A downthrow fault between No. 8 Section and No. 9 Section gradually disappeared and the prospect of an extensive area of clean coal existing to the south-east of the Main Dip is bright. The •coal is of good quality with an average thickness of 26 ft. No. 9 West Section : The developing levels are located at the lower end of the Main Dip 49| chains from the mine entrance, and have been advanced a distance of 10 ■chains towards the Star-Wairaki boundary. Stone intrusions have so far rendered the lower 6 ft. of the seam unworkable, but the upper 18 ft. consists of clean, hard coal. The coal generally is of good quality, with a decided tendency to improvement in quality and structure in the deeper workings in the mine. Underground Fires. —No heatings of coal were experienced during the year. Plant. The steam-driven main-and-tail hauler situated at No. 1 Mine was converted to electric power and is working satisfactorily. Foundations for a new 175 h.p. hauler at No. 3 Mine and two electrically operated -air-compressors, each of 110 h.p., were completed in readiness for the installation of the •equipment on its arrival from England. General. —A new bulk store and a double garage were erected and a fire-fighting system constructed consisting of a reinforced-concrete reservoir of 70,000 gallons capacity. A combined fire-fighting and pumping unit and the necessary fire-fighting accessories were installed adjacent to the surface screening plant and buildings at Wairaki Mine. Repair work was carried out in the intake and return airways, the latter being secured with heavy steel rails instead of timber. Relaying of the main haulage road in No. 3 Mine with rails of 30 lb. per yard weight was also proceeded with as rails became available. In both mines hand-drilling of the coal was eliminated by the introduction of -compressed air rotary drills, and water was reticulated throughout No. 3 Mine for the .suppression of coal-dust. Star Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 34,690 tons 9 cwt. 2 qr., a decrease of 3,391 tons 1 cwt. when compared with the previous period (2nd May, 1947 to 31st March, 1948). After allowing for waste (839 tons 9 cwt. 2 qr.) and the quantity used on works (566 tons 9 cwt.), there remained for disposal 33,284 tons 11 cwt.

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