95

C—3

OTHER MINERALS. Cinnabar Waitahuna Cinnabar Company. —The work done by the company up to the present has been chiefly of the nature of prospecting. So far as operations have been carried on, no pocket of ore has been met with, but the work done has all been of a permanent character. Indications at the face appear to be favourable and indicative of the presence of ore not far distant. It would be advisable now to alter the mode of prospecting which has proved expensive, and test the value of the ore-deposits as indicated on the surface by small shafts. The mine is in good order and well timbered. Ventilation is procured by means of a water-blast. Operations have been suspended for some time owing to lack of funds to further prosecute the work. It would be unwise to abandon the work at this time, and further efforts to locate the ore-body would be justified. SCHEELITE. Twenty-six tons are returned as having been produced and exported during the year. In addition to Macrae's, deposits of scheelite are known to exist at Glenorchy ; Alta Reef, Bendigo ; also in the Rock and Pillar, and Lammerlaw Ranges Antimony. Lodes occur at Alexandra, Waipori, Mount Stoker, and the Carrick Ranges, none of which are at present being worked. Platinum. This metal is associated with the auriferous deposits at Round Hill, Southland, and is recovered in the proportion of about 1 oz. of platinum per 100 oz. of gold saved ; about 20 oz. of platinum having been sold by the Round Hill Mining Company during the year. Phosphate Rock. Approximately 4,400 tons of 60 per cent, to 80 per cent, rock have been produced and disposed of during the year. Several finds of phosphate had been reported, but only the Millburn and Clarendon deposits are at present being worked. Fireclay. Used for manufacture of fireclay goods, bricks, and sanitary pipes. The following outputs have been returned ; T. N. Horsley, Springfield, Canterbury, 616 tons ; Homebush Colliery, Glentunnel, Canterbury, 200 tons ; P. McSkimming, Benhar, Otago, 2,034 tons : total, 2,850 tons. HAEMATITE. One hundred and sixteen tons have been taken out by Messrs. Gilvray, Mataura, for use by the Mataura Paper-mills. accidents and fatalities. Quartz-mines. Fatal. 24-11-1903. —John Hercus, miner, Golden Bar Quartz-mine, Macrae's, was killed by an explosion of gelignite in the mine. Investigation failed to disclose the actual cause of the explosion, which occurred while Hercus was presumably conveying a charge from the magazine to his working-face. Non-fatal. 17-3-1903. —Henry Campbell, trucker, Shotover Quartz-mine, Skipper's, sustained fracture of collarbone, and bruised leg, by falling into quartz-paddock when tipping a truck of quartz. Hydraulic and Alluvial Mines. Fatal. 30-3-1903. —William Turner, miner, Scandinavian Claim, St. Bathan's, crushed by a fall of clay from the side while employed sinking a hole for lowering the hydraulic elevator. 22-12-1903. —Robert Williamson, manager, Undaunted Gold-mining Claim, Nevis, crushed by a slip of rock from the side of a trench being sunk for pipe-line under the county road. Non-fatal. 20-3-1903. —John Corbett, manager, New Skipper's Sluicing Company, Skipper's Point: Leg broken by a slide of material from the face jamming him against the pipe-line. 4-6-1903. —E. Deegan, nozzleman, Smith Gold-mining Company's Claim, Round Hill, while turning the nozzle stepped in front and was thrown against some stumps, with the result of three ribs broken. Gold-dredges. Fatal. 2-3-1903. —William Henry Hughes, Engineer, Unity dredge, Clyde : Fracture of skull; fall from friction-framing to deck, 8 ft. 9-7-1903. —Samuel McAuley, fireman, Roxburgh Jubilee dredge, Roxburgh : Foot torn off by a screen-roller. Succumbed to injury, 17th July, 1903. 3-11-1903. —Andrew Taylor, fireman, Pringle and party's dredge, Pride of Clutha No. 2, Miller's Flat : Drowned by being jerked out of the boat while lifting dredge side-line over bow-post.