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1901. NEW ZEALAND.

ALLENDALE COAL-MINE: REPORTS OF INSPECTORS SINCE INCORPORATION OF COMPANY.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 3rd October, 1901. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House all reports from Inspectors of Mines relative to the Allendale Coal Company's mine, made either to the Minister or to the manager of the mine, since the company was incorporated and up to the present date (17th September, 1901)." —Mr. J. Allen.

Extract fbom Coal-mines Eepobt, 1891. Dunedin, 14th March, 1891. Allendale, Mine, Palmerston. —(2Bth July) : Mr. Campbell, manager, showed me through all the workings. . The seam is from 4 ft. to 6 ft. thick and of good quality. I was informed that the mine had only been opened in April last. All the coal has to be carted two miles to the nearest railway-station—Bushy. The coal is hauled up an incline from the mine-workings. An up-cast shaft has been sunk, and an airway driven to it. The air was good, and the mine-workings properly laid out. There are, however, some faults already met with, which may disarrange the original plan of work intended to be carried out. I fear there will be many faults found in this mine before long. J. Gow, Inspector of Mines.

Extract feom Coal-mines Eepobt, 1892. Dunedin, 31st March, 1892. Allendale Coal-mine.— (29th July, 1891) : Inspected all the workings, and found the seam has many faults throughout the workings. The seam varies from 5 ft. to 2 ft. going south, but a dip-drive, a distance of 50 yards to the northward, is said to be in 7 ft. of good ooal. This dip was filled with water at the time of my visit. It is intended to put up a windingengine at the head of the dip, in order to extend the dip to a considerable distance, to prove the value of the seam toward the low-lying land in that locality. If the result be satisfactory, then it is intended to lay a branch railway to Bushy Station. Since these notes were written the railway contract has been let. J. Gow, Inspector of Mines.

EXTKACT FBOM COAL-MINES EEPOBT, 1893. Dunedin, 2nd May, 1893. Allendale Coal-mine. —(4/10/92) : Most of the miners are working on the dip side of the incline in a good quality of coal, which is about 8 ft. thick in places. A stone drive is being put in to get to a seam known to exist below the present working, and believed to be a continuation of a 5 ft. seam worked in the old pit some years ago. I examined all the working-places and found good air throughout the mine. Since my previous visit the railway-line from Bushy Station to near the pit has been completed. The coal is now passed over large screens into the railway-wagons, ready for the market. J. Gow, Inspector of Mines.

EXTEACT FBOM COAL-MINES EEPOBT, 1894. Dunedin, 4th April, 1894. Allendale Mine.— (3/8/93): All the working-faces were visited, and the roof found to be very good. In some parts of the mine the roof is shale or conglomerate, and in others coal. The coal is not as free from small stone bands as could be wished, but it is supposed they will run out as the work advances towards the dip, where the manager expects to find a large field of clean coal. The air is good throughout the workings. J. Gow, Inspector of Mines.

EXTEACT FEOM CoAL-MINES EbPOBT, 1895. Dunedin, 30th March, 1895. Allendale Mine, Shag Point. —(3/8/94) : Accompanied by the manager, I first went through the lower-seam workings where the coal is at present 3 ft. 8 in. thick, and thickening to the dip eastward. We then went through the return drive to the 7 ft. seam, where I saw all the working--I—o. 14a.