C—2

On the surface all buildings were maintained in good order, while extensive repairs were carried out on the bridge adjacent to the mine fitting-shops. One hundred and seventy-eight men were employed underground and 62 on the surface. Wilton State Collieries (J. Baird (First Class), Mine-manager).—The greater portion of the output from this mine was won from No. 3 and No. 3 Extended Mines. No. 2 Mine was closed on 7th July, 1949, all available coal having been extracted. Three pairs of miners were employed on pillar-extraction in 6 ft. of coal. These men were transferred to No. 3 Extended Mine. The limit of extraction in No. 3 Mine has also been reached, a number of pillars being left intact for support to the main haulage road from No. 3 Extended Mine. Three pairs of miners previously employed have been transferred also to No. 3 Extended. In the No. 2 East Section of this mine development was completed and pillar-extrac-tion commenced with 9 pairs of miners. Output was maintained at a high level with the aid of coalcutters and power drilling-machines. In the No. 3 East Section development of the main headings was continued to a distance of 29 chains east from the main haulage road. Further development was abandoned on account of the seam being split by increasing dirt bands, coupled with bad roof conditions. Development to the north and south was also abandoned for similar reasons. A small area of coal still remains to be developed adjacent to the outcrop. This work is being continued. The greater portion of the output, however, was obtained from pillar-extraction. Twelve pairs of miners were employed in this section. Two coal-cutters and two power drilling units were operated in the section. Pillar-extraction was continued in Nos. 2, 3, and 4 West Sections and in No. 4 East Section, with 10 pairs of miners engaged in this work. In the No. 1 West Section,2 pairs of miners continued with development, aided by an electric-driven Siskol coal-cutter and drill. Development was continued in the No. 4 West Extended area, where 6 pairs of miners were employed. Development was impeded through the workings encountering several faults accompanied by heavy roof conditions. All coal was won with the aid of coal-cutting machines and power drills. During the evening of 6th September, 1949, a disastrous fire occurred at the surface workshops, resulting in their total destruction, with serious damage to the plant. One hundred and seventy-six men were employed underground and 36 on the surface. Rotowaro No. 1 Mine (T. Glendenning (First Class), Mine-Manager).—Production from this mine was limited and consisted of intermittent pillar-extraction by 4 pairs of miners. Callaghari's Dip Mine : Development work was continued in the No. 2 Dip Panel with 2 pairs of miners. During the later portion of the year three reinforced-concrete dams 27 in. in thickness were erected in three entries to the old No. 3 Dip Panel. These dams were erected as a precaution should there be an entry of water from an overlying swamp. Pillar-extraction was continued in Nos. 3 and 5 Panels with good results, 6 pairs of miners being employed in these districts. Development in No. 6 Panel was completed and splitting of pillars commenced by 3 pairs of miners. Complete extraction will not be attempted owing to the swampy nature of the ground on the surface. In the No. 4 Dip Section, lower seam, a return airway was completed and development of two headings in 15 ft. of coal was continued by 2 pairs of miners, assisted by a Sullivan coal-cutter and power drilling-machines. Rotowaro No. 3 Mine : Practically all coal won from pillar-extraction, except for 3 pairs of miners advancing two headings in the new Dip Section. Prospects for continued development in this area, however, are not good. A number of heatings in Brown's Section have interfered with continued production. In Moodie's Section approximately three months' work remains for 2 pairs of miners on pillar-extraction. Pillar-extraction was continued intermittently in the Shaft Section. C Section was reopened for pillar-extraction by 2 pairs of miners after being sealed for some considerable time. Further heating in the goaf was again experienced and the section resealed. In D Section some development work was carried out by 3 pairs of miners towards the old stone drive workings. At the end of the year the timber supports to the girders at the mine entrance were replaced by the erection of concrete walls. The number of men employed underground totalled 133, with 54 on the surface. Alison No. 1 Mine (W. N. Currie (First Class), Mine-manager).—Pillar-extraction was continued in No. 1 Jig, No. 4 Jig, and No. 2 Dip Sections with 9 pairs of miners. Alison No. 2 Mine (W. N. Currie (First Class), Mine-manager).—Production was maintained throughout the year entirely from development work. In B Section Slant Panel 5 pairs of miners have continued with the aid of a Samson crawler-type coal-cutter and power drills. B Section headings were advanced a further 10 chains south of the Huntly-Glen Afton railway-line. Five pairs of miners were engaged in this section. Development was continued in No. 4 Rise Panel also with 4 pairs of miners assisted by a Samson crawler-type coal-cutter and power drills. It is interesting to record that this type of coal-cutter has been used in this section to cut places on grades up to 1 in 5. Some development work was also carried out by 2 pairs of miners in C Section. The main development heading was continued by a stone drive through an anticlinal fold in the seam. This drive, at a grade rising lin 16 tapped the seam at a distance of approximately 8 chains. Preparations are now in hand for a return airway and further development. Some 1£ chains of the main return airway were concreted where this airway had been driven through heavy and faulted ground. Surface boring operations on the company's property were continued throughout the year, an additional 223 holes being bored. A total of 140 workmen were employed underground in No. 1 and No. 2 Mines, with 70 on the surface.

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