C—2

No. 4 Mine (R. D. Clark (Deputy), Manager).—The projection of a pair of narrow headings continued but the seam, formerly 7 ft. to 8 ft. in thickness, gradually thinned to half this amount, while development to the north-west encountered stony coal and thinning, and towards the end of the year operations were suspended. The men were transferred to the other mines to undertake more important work and to remove material from Dunnery's area, Saddle Hill, where prospecting has proved .very discouraging. A . . Akatore Mine (Milton), (W. McDowell (Deputy), and later J. McCoy (Permit), Managers).— Pillaring continued in the old mine to the jig-head with satisfactory results, although stony coal caused the retreat to be more rapid than anticipated. A small section was worked opencast, and off this a pair of headings has been advanced in good clean coal, the seam being upwards of 12 ft. in thickness. Viewbanlc Mine (J. H. Lowrey (Deputy), Manager).—Development by a pair of headings continued off the lower part of the opencast face simultaneously with part opencast work. Later permission was given to extract pillars from an old section to the rise of the new development subject to certain conditions. The preparation for this work was commenced, to furnish ventilation and suitable roadways, and following some solid work pillar-extraction started. Ellio'vale Mine (F. Harris (Deputy), Manager),—ln January, following prospecting operations at a site 30 chains to the south-west of the old Elliotvale Mine portal, an adit was started. After driving 6 chains in excellent coal 16 ft. in thickness, it was decided to develop to the dip as the topographical features limited development oA a level course to a pair of levels. The absence of power was the deciding factor for the first programme of development. A decision was made later to link up with the adit development, and a stage has now been reached where a pair of levels to each side are being worked. The haulage road is to the full dip 1 in 7. The small amount of water made is siphoned, while an internal-combustion engine furnishes haulage. Further dip extension will require power to be installed. , The seam contains at least 16 ft. of excellent coal, and a well-defined parting at 7 ft. from the floor provides a perfect roof for the development places. A road, f mile long, has been formed and suitable gantry and loading facilities provided, and it is intended to erect screens and slack-bin. Benhar Mine (J. Findlater (Underviewer), Manager).—Development has been to the north in the bottom seam off the end of the main dip, where uniform conditions have been present, enabling a regular and good output to be won, and with extra places established the mine reverted to singleshift coal-production. During the year a Vale's axial-flow fan was installed to replace the former inefficient open-running type, and this, at the present speed, produces 39,000 cubic feet per minute with a W.G. of H in. and is capable of much higher quantities. The installation of a concrete-brick overcast has enabled a two-split ventilating system to be established, which speedily clears fumes from blasting operations. The tough nature of the coal requires a greater number of shots per miner than in working seams of a more free nature, and it is pleasing to report that the company, following a discussion on this matter, decided to install electric coal-cutting machines and drilling equipment at the faces. This plant will arrive very shortly. The return airway has been enlarged and retimbered in part, and this mine, an example in all respects, has been maintained in its usual excellent condition. Taradale Mine (C. D. Nicol (Permit), Manager).—Development continued towards the perimeter of old workings driven in the upper part and middle of the seam by the Taratu Co., while pillar-extraction and top-coal recovery adjacent to old workings was also undertaken. The work at present is pillar-extraction from an area (McKenzie's) developed by the old company, from which good recovery should be possible, but the circuitous haulage road is a retarding factor, the improvement of which is well worth consideration. Sunnydale Mine (J. G. Barclay (Underviewer), Manager).—This co-operative party carried on development in the bottom seam by a pair of headings commencing from the outcrop adjacent to the former mine, which was in the upper seam. The area was purchased by the State for extension of the Wangaloa opencast pit, and the party ceased operations in December, arrangements having been made for them to transfer to, an area unsuitable for opencast working. Wangaloa State Opencast (G. Auld (Quarry Certificate), Manager).—Stripping operations on a large scale continued throughout the year, and. the second cut has almost bared the coal-seam, while the removal of overburden from another area to the north is well advanced. The present coal face is 22 ft. in height, of good clean coal, while the second cut stripped will give a further thickness of 10 ft., of which fully 50 per cent, is recoverable as clean coal, the remainder being interspersed with dirt bands. The mine continued to produce an output of upwards of 250 tons daily to supply winter demands but the improved fuel situation resulted in a reduced output during the summer months. Adequate reserves have been established for the 1950 output, and the plan of operations has been well arranged and executed.

71