C—3.

Scheelite.

This mineral continues to be produced by Messrs. Donaldson, Golden Point, Macrae's. The occurrence of the mineral associated with gold-bearing quartz is known at the other quartz-mines in the Macrae's district, but no efforts are being made to recover the scheelite, owing (it may be) to the percentage contained in the stone being too low to recoup the expense of erecting the necessary concentrating plant at the present market price of the mineral. CINNABAB. Waitahuna. —The level to the main lode has been completed in "hard" country, the lode being struck at 231 ft. Pending the construction of a company to provide funds for development, the mine has been locked up and no further work done. ACCDIENTS. QUABTZ-MINBS. Non-fatal. Two slight accidents were reported to me during the year, neither of which happened underground. 20/5/1901. —William Baird, mine-manager for the Table Hill Quartz-mining Company, was heating some water (in which dynamite had previously been thawed) in a tin on the smithy fire for the purpose of thawing dynamite when an explosion occurred and inflicted slight injuries to Baird's abdomen and hands. The tin was not suitable for the purpose, and I wrote the general manager of the company drawing his attention to paragraph (n) of subsection (2) of section 206 of " The Mining Act, 1898." 17/7/1901. —Thomas Harrison, Bare wood Quartz-mine, was leaning over the cam-shaft talking to the battery-feeder when he got caught by the crank on the end of the shaft. Nature of injuries : Fractured forearm, Hydbautjlc and Alluvial Mines. Fatal. Loo Sok, a Chinese miner, was found dead under a fall of dirt in the face of his claim, at Ophir, on the 2nd December, 1901. Non-fatal. D. O'Brien Waipori, while working alone in his claim on the 4th February, 1901, was caught by a fall from the face. Nature of injuries : Fracture of one leg and several ribs. GOLD-DBEDGES. Fatal. 23/9/1901. —Arthur Cormack, fireman, Teviot dredge, Roxburgh, was caught by the clothing on a coupling on the elevator-shaft while oiling, machinery being in motion. 26/9/1901. —Herbert Blatch and H. Ferris, engineer and fireman respectively on the Dunstan Lead dredge, Alexandra, were drowned. Coal-boat swamped owing to boat taking too much sheer, and the crew jumped into the river. The two other members of the crew got ashore safely. 8/10/1901. —Archibald McLean, dredgemaster, First Chance dredge, Alexandra, was making the dredge snug preparatory to handing her over to a caretaker when he by some means fell into the river. The jury brought in a verdict " that there was not sufficient evidence to show how it happened." 18/10/1901. —The body of James Reid, Lady Charlton dredge, Gore, was found in the paddock. After an exhaustive inquiry the Coroner's jury brought in a verdict " that James Reid was drowned in the Lady Charlton paddock, but there was no evidence to show how it happened." Hugh Cox was drowned in the paddock of the Happy Valley dredge while attempting to rescue a foal on Sunday, the 11th March, 1901; but, this not being a mining accident, I have not included it in the above list. Non-fatal. 5/2/1901. —Albert Shirley, fireman, Little Waikaka dredge, fractured a leg. He was oiling top tumbler while machinery in motion. 6/3/1901. —Arthur Lister, fireman, Manuka dredge, sustained a crushed hand with loss of thumb. He was cleaning top tumbler bearings, the machinery being in motion. 29/6/1901. —William Morrison, engineer, Central Electric dredge, Cromwell, was adjusting brasses when a wedge he was driving sprung, struck his right eye, and cut it out. 13/8/1901. —John Watt, Waimumu Extended dredge, Gore, was pressing the stern line into the lead with his foot, when his foot got caught and bruised, but no bones were broken. 27/9/1901. —William Patterson, Waipori King dredge, Berwick, while stepping ashore from the boat at midnight, fell and sustained fracture of three lower ribs. I have, &c, E. R. Green, The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Inspector of Mines.

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