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COAL-MINING. Noeth Island. The coal-mining industry, especially in the northern portion of Auckland District, has not been progressive, the output from the various mines showing a general falling-off; whilst in the southern district the mines in Waikato, as well as the Mokau Coal-mine, show an increase ; the total increase for the whole district being 1,473 tons. The New Bay of Islands Mine, at Kawakawa, has given an output 2,833 tons less than that of last year, and if no new discovery is made the quantity produced last year will not again be exceeded in any one year. Hikurangi Mines. —The Hikurangi Coal Company still maintain a steady output. 30,663 tons were produced, being an increase of 2,683 tons compared with last year. The West Bryan's Mine produced only 2,142 tons, being a decrease for the year of 7,397 tons, whilst the Phcenix Mine produced 5,026 tons, giving an increase of 2,926 tons. A new mine is being opened close to the railway which will soon be in a position to produce coal. No difficulty would be experienced in maintaining a large output from this district if the demand should increase. The output of the Ngunguru Mine for the year was 16,248 tons, being a decrease of 3,985 tons. The Kamo New Mine, at Whangarei, still continues to produce coal in small quantities, chiefly for local consumption. In the Waikato district there has been a general increase in the output of coal, the Taupiri Extended Company alone producing 33,066 tons, being an increase of 4,925 tons over the output of the previous year. Although there has been a slight falling-off in the Waikato Company's return, the Taupiri Reserve Company's mine shows an increase on the output of last year of 210 tons. A very large output of coal of this class could be maintained from this district, especially as Ralph's Mine, which has been closed for the past five years, is about to be reopened by a new company. Mokau Mine. —This mine is being energetically opened up, and, as the company has now a steamer capable of carrying 120 tons, the trade has increased. The output of coal for the year was 3,448 tons, an increase of 1,205 tons over that of the previous year. Middle Island. A limited amount of coal has been put out from the Pakawau and Enner Glyn Mines, at Collingwood and Nelson respectively. The Mokihinui Mine was closed down during the year. The Westport Cardiff Mine has produced 54,280 tons, being an increase of 13,849 tons over the output of the preceding year. The Granity Creek Mine has produced 59,240 tons, being an increase of 38,697 tons over the yield of last year. The Coalbrookdale Mine shows a decrease of 6,599 tons, the output for the year being 184,376 tons. The mines at Longford, Boatman's, and Eeefton continue to produce small quantities of coal for local requirements. In the mines in the Greymouth district, there was a falling-off in the Blackball of 2,688 tons, and in the Brunner Mine of 6,526 tons. In the West Coast and Nelson districts the increase in the output for the year was 26,115 tons. In the Canterbury District there was a decrease of 323 tons in the Springfield Mine, the output for the year being 2,357 tons. The Homebush Mine yielded 3,718 tons, being an increase of 554 tons over the output of the previous year. The Mount Somers Mine produced 2,818 tons, an increase for the year of 800 tons. The total produce of coal in this district for the year was 13,710, showing an increase of 1,893 tons. In North Otago the Shag Point Mine yielded 23,334 tons, an increase of 2,237 tons on the output of last year. The Allendales Mines yield was 11,635 tons, showing an increase of 180 tons. The total quantity of coal produced in this district was 39,015 tons, the total increase for the year being 2,176 tons. In the South Otago district the Fernhill Colliery produced 7,191 tons, an increase of 754 tons. Freeman's Mine yielded 7,824 tons, also an increase of 274 tons over the yield of the preceding year. The Walton Park Green Island Collieries produced 11,554 tons, a decreased output of 5,058 tons. The Kaitangata Mines return for the year was 92,914 tons, being an increase of 20,378 tons on the output of the previous year. The Castle Hill Colliery only produced 472 tons, a decrease of 12,253 tons as compared with the return of last year. Conical Hills Mine produced 2,006 tons, a decrease of 54 tons. For the whole district 148,059 tons was produced, being an increase of 10,769 tons. In the Central Otago district the yield from the various mines was 25,218 tons, being an increase of 5,533 tons. The demand for coal to supply the dredges on the various rivers caused increased activity in the pits in this district. In Southland the Nightcaps Mine was the largest producer, 22,792 tons being obtained, an increase of 5,887 tons. The total yield for the whole district was 43,704 tons, or a decrease of 97 tons. The total increase in the output of coal for the colony during the year was 47,862 tons, the output for the year 1896-97 being 792,851, and that of the present year 840,713 tons. Accidents in Coal-mines. During the year four fatal accidents took place in coal-mines. Of these, one occurred in the North Island, and three in the southern district, there being no fatalities recorded from the West Coast district. The number of men engaged in coal-mining in the colony being 1,912, the rate of fatal accidents for the year was 2-092 per thousand. The usual number of serious and minor