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6

The number of coal-mines in operation last year was ninety-five—only one more than during the previous year; and it will be seen by referring to Table 8 that sixtytwo of them produced 27,701 tons by employing 114 men, which gives an average of 243 tons per man; eleven other mines produced 35,966 tons with eighty-four men employed, equalling an average of 428 tons per man ; six other mines produced 32,339 tons with ninety-one men employed, giving an average of 355 tons per man; while sixteen mines produced 415,057 tons with 1,194 men employed, yielding an average.output of 348 tons per man. The average output per man from the whole of the mines referred to in respect to the men employed last year was 345 tons per man. The reason for the apparently low average per man in reference to some of our mines is accounted for by the large number of lignite-pits that are being irregularly worked, consequent upon the demand for this class of coal being limited to household and other local consumption. I beg to refer honourable gentlemen to Table 9, from which will be learned the increase and decrease of output respectively from the various districts or mines of the colony. Kawakawa shows an increased output of 6,898 tons; Waikato, 1,481 tons; Greymouth, 42,825 tons; Reefton, 460 tons; Koranui, 24,550 tons; Shag Point, 964 tons; and an increase is shown by several of the smaller lignite and brown-coal mines in Otago. But the principal, decreases shown by mines in that district are notably the Walton Park, 7,035 tons ; and the Fern Hill, 3,381 tons ; while the Kaitangata shows an increase of 2,447 tons, and the Westport Mine, at the Buller, a decrease of 26,717 tons. This large decrease in the latter may be accounted for by an unfortunate system of "strike" which seemed to have been countenanced by the coal-miners at Westport and Denniston during the year. It will be remembered that the principal workings of the Shag Point Mine had to be abandoned about two years ago on account of the water from the ocean breaking into the mine, which necessitated a new shaft being sunk at considerable expense ; that work having been accomplished and many difficulties surmounted, the mine is again in operation. In the chief Canterbury mines there has also been a decrease. In the Homcbush Mine, Malvern district, 3,256 tons ; Whitecliffs, 2,448 tons; Springfield, 1,887 tons. In the Southland district the Nightcaps Mine shows a decrease of 8,210 tons; while the excellent coal and shale mine at Orepnki exhibits an increase of 2,091 tons. The large increase of output at the Greymouth mines is mainly attributable to the Brunner, owned by Messrs. Kennedy Brothers, and the Coal-pit Heath Company's mine. The former shows an increase of 25,633 tons, and the latter 14,289 tons; while a new mine recently opened on the Westport Company's property, and known as the " Tyneside," shows an output for the year of 2,903 tons. The Wallsend Company, now the Westport, which was originally initiated and started many years ago, has had to encounter some difficulties ; but since the mine was taken over by the Westport Company work has been pushed on vigorously, with the object of speedily sending the coal to market. Two excellent shafts have been sunk to a depth of 600ft. each, and, without any exception, the best plant in the colony for pumping, winding, and otherwise working a mine to the greatest advantage is to be seen here. The company have bottomed on a magnificent seam of coal 17ft. to 18ft. in thickness, and immediately some extra modern machinery, now ordered from England, and necessary for facilitating the winning of the coal, arrives at the mine, operations on an extended scale will commence towards sending the coal to market; and, as the shafts are contiguous to the railway to the shipping port only distant about eight miles, I have little doubt that the export of coal from Greymouth during the next year will nearly have doubled its previous annual quantity. It is an unquestionable fact that the rapid increase at Greymouth of its chief export is entirely owing to the encouragement given to shipping by the construction of the harbourworks, and the substantial improvements that already are apparent in its harbour. It is not many years ago that vessels drawing a little over Bft. of water and carrying not more than two hundred tons of coal could with certainty at all times, be piloted over the bar, whereas now it is seldom that less than 12ft. to 18ft. are found on the bar, thereby enabling steamers and other vessels carrying on one bottom from seven hundred to a thousand tons of coal to load, and leave the port without risk. When the harbour-works have been completed and more wharfage-accommodation provided, the increase of trade at this port will be so rapid and, in my opinion, so sound that the day is not far distant when this Newcastle of the West Coast will rank second to very few of the chief towns of the colony in points of substantial prosperity, as it will, like its twin sister Westport, take a foremost place as a port for the shipment of