a—4

16

102. Hefferman s Lignite-mine, Gore; and 103. Ghat ton Lignite-mine (Pacey), East Chatton, are all open-work, and were visited in January, 1888. 101. Gore Goal-mine, Gore.—l examined this mine on the 21st January, when there was nobody about. On seeing Mr. Hunter subsequently, I found that the Act was not kept in any way. Mr. Tweedie, the registered manager, had been away for some time, but no notice had been sent. In February Mr. Tweedie left altogether, leaving Mr. Hunter to carry on the mine alone, and from him I received a notice that he was manager. 104. Chatton Lignite-mine, Chatton. —This mine, though new on the list, has been at work for about twelve years. I for the first time heard of it—saw it, in fact—when driving towards Mr. Pacey's mine, which is in the same locality. It is a Government lease, and well worked; the seams, of which there are two, being very thick, The strike is N. and S. (magnetic). 105. Mapp and McKenzie's Lignite-mine, Pukerau (24th January, 1888). —This undertaking has been very short-lived, having commenced in September, 1887, and been closed in March, 1888, as the water became too much to get rid of. 106. Pukerau Lignite-mine, Pukerau. —On the 24th January the manager was not at the pit, and I could not see that the Act was observed. On the 31st I wrote inquiring whether the safetylamp was daily used and the copy of the Act kept at the mine, and on the 6th February Mr. McKenzie replied in the affirmative. 108. Mataura Lignite-mine, Mataura (Beattie), and 109. Mataura Lignite-mine, Mataura (Town), are both open-work, and well laid out. They were visited in January. 111. Edge's Lignite-mine, Waikaka. —Worked for six years. I first heard of it in January last. An open-work mine, employing two men. 112. No. Id Lignite-mine, Waikaka, was commenced about the end of November, 1887, and was inspected on the 23rd January, 1888. The seam is lying at a high angle, and the workings are open to the day. 116. Nightcaps Coal-mine No. 2, Nightcaps. —This is the adit in the thick seam. On the 19th January the general rules were exhibited, nicely framed; but there was no copy of the Act, nor had Mr: Lloyd an approved lamp. The mine was in very good order. 115. Nightcaps Goal-mine No. 1, Nightcaps. —This is the thin seam worked by engine-plane. Only one man was working on the 19th January, and the place seemed in good order; the ventilation rather slack, however. 117. Nightcaps Coal-mine No. 3, Nightcaps. —The open-work not now used. 118. Wairio Goal-mine, Nightcaps. —Open-work. Visited 19th January, 1888. 119. Morley Village Goal-mine (Alley's), Nightcaps. —Open-work in a thin seam. Well laid out. Visited in January. 121. Morley Village Goal-mine (Lamont's), Nightcaps. —Open-work. Not at work when I was there in January. 122. Hokonui Coal-mine, Winton (20th January, 1888). —This is an open-work mine situated at the termination of the Winton Tramway, which is about eleven miles in length. The coal is similar to Nightcaps ; and the company have secured a considerable contract for the supply of the railways. Mr. T. Shore, late of Orepuki, is the Manager. 126. Orepuki Coal- and Shale-mine, Orepuki, has not been visited this year. Messrs. Cassels and Co., che present owners, wrote on the 14th February that the old pit was entirely closed, and that they were proposing to put down an adit. New Mines. Craig's Lignite-mine, Coal Greek, Roxburgh, is situated near Jones's Lignite-mine, and appeared on the 23rd March to be carelessly worked, though it was nearly dark at the time of my visit, and I was unable to distinguish the angle of dip with any degree of accuracy. Pukurau Lignite-mine (formerly known as Swan's). —This mine, which was worked during the summer of 1887 to a small extent, was visited in September, when it was standing. In October I forwarded a letter to Mr. Swan, who, it appears, died immediately after my visit, consequently the letter was not answered. The lease has now been taken up by Messrs. Mapp and McKenzie, and the mine reappears on the list. Waimea Lignite-mine, Biversdale, has not yet been visited. It is an open-cast working, and Mr. Carmichael, the owner, has applied for a copy of the Act. Lieze's (Junior) Lignite-mine, Gore. —Open-work; formerly known as White's Lignite-mine. Bayles and Buckingham's Goal-mine, South Malvern. —This is a reopening of an old tunnel driven about fourteen years ago, and would hardly have merited mention had it not been the scene on the 23rd March of a very unfortunate fatal accident. Accidents. There have already been two fatal accidents in this Island during 1888, both occurring at pro-specting-works, The occurrence of a fatality at the Earnscleugh Coal-mine has already been mentioned. The cause was very simple. Mr. J. Buckley, the owner of the mine, had been constantly on the premises for about two months, and on Saturday, the 17th March, he was down the shaft, which measures 4ft. lOin. by 3ft., and is 35ft. deep.; the air was quite clear, but the shaft is close to old workings, to drain which it had been sunk. The ground has always been noted for foul air (see report of the 12th June, 1880, page 15). Mr. Buckley stated at the inquest, and the evidence was corroborated, that before leaving on the Saturday he had cautioned his stepsons, aged respectively thirty and twenty-seven years, not to go down without first lowering a candle—a rash proceeding, of which it seemed the deceased had been guilty on the preceding day. Mr. Buckley added, " You