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Fdli/l. /'mill Elizabeth Stale Collieries. —(2s/1/09): John Mclntyre, trucker, killed by runaway empty truck on main dip haulage road. MiUerton Colliery. —(2/2/09) : Charles Forrest, miner, killed by fall of coal in tne iace. Point Elizabeth Statet 'olMeries. (17/4/09): Albert John Davis, trucker, run over and killed by truck on main dip haulage-road. Blackball Colliery. —(7/7/09) : James Median, labourer, killed by premature explosion whilst charging shot-hole at Blackball Coal Company's railway-works. Ironbridge Mine, Denniston Collieries. —(26/7/09) : George Miller, miner, killed by fall of coal in the face through timber being knocked out. I'nhil Elizabeth State Collieries. —(12/10/09) : Frederick Fletcher, roademan, killed by fall of stone Erom roof, through timber being knocked out by truck. Ncm-jatal. MiUerton Colliery. —(9/1/09) : Joseph Pfeffer. miner, sustained fracture of left thigh and four ribs on right side, through fall of roof coal and stone. Pwpa/roa GoUiery. — (4/6/09)*: Thomas Wilcock and Robert Dull, miners, sustained slight burns aboul lace and neck, through explosion of firedamp. Point Elizabeth ColUeries.- (27/7/09) : John Tyson, trucker, sustained severe crush in the region of the pelvis, through being struck by runaway truck. Westl«>rl-K nekton Colliery. —(3/9/09) : J. \V. Marshall, outside foreman, sustained fracture of skull and broken ribs, by falling from staging on bins. PoitU Elizabeth Slate GolMeriee. (12/10/09) : John Birch, miner, sustained fracture of three ribs, and Philip Rodgers. miner, fracture of hip-girdle, through fall of stone from the roof through timber being knocked out by truck. Frederick Fletcher was killed, and three others —Chris'Kodgers. miner ; Emi] Clouston, miner ; and John Harrison, fireman sustained slight injuries by the same fall. WestportrStockton Colliery. —(l 7/12/09 ): Emil Hartwig, foreman platelayer, sustained internal ciushing and fracture of left leg above the knee in two places, through being crushed between brakecar mi electric train and side of cutting. 1 have, &c., A. ('•. Marshall, Inspector of Mines. Mr. E. li. Green, Inspector of Mines, .Southern Inspection District, to the Under-Seoretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — Inspector of Mines' Office, Dunedin, 21st March, 1910. In section 78 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908, I have the honour to present my annual report for the year ended 31st December, 1909. Canterbury. Springfield Collier;/. Springfield (Christchurch Brick Company, owners ; T. N. Horsley, secretary ; James Taylor, permit, mine-manager).—(2B/9/09) : New second outlet air-shaft satisfactorily completed, having proper ladderway and platforms. Ventilation good. Work now being conducted in the second seam. Coal thin, from 18 in. to 2 ft. ;; fireclay, 5 ft., the latter being used at the owners' day and pottery works, Christchurch. Working-places well secured with timber. Report-book kept and rules posted. During the year 1,477 tons of fireclay was mined. Springfield Fireclay Mine, Springfield (Christchurch Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, owners : R. English, general manager : \Y. Wilson, permit, mine-manager). —(28/9/09) : Fireclay-seam, about 10 ft., being worked for clay for manufacture of sanitary ware and gas-burner fireplaces at the Christchurch factory. Working-places timbered to the faces. Communication is made with upcast shaft, but ladderway not quite completed. The creep anticipated by the mine-manager has apparently settled, also the sweating in the waste formerly noticeable has almost disappeared. Rules posted, report-books to date. During the year 1,235 tons of fireclay was mined. Austin's Fireclay-mine, Sheffield (Charles Austin, owner; Edwin Smith, permit, in charge). — Fireclay-pit only ; not visited. The owner reports that 1,043 tons of fireclay was mined during the year. Honiebmh Colliery, Glentunnel (Dean's trustees, owners; J. C. Campbell, mine-manager).— (16/12/09): No. 1 Mine, pillaring section : The balance of pillars nearing a finish. These have been successfully extracted, a high percentage, estimated at 90 per cent., of the coal-seam having been won practically without accident, notwithstanding the false roof, which was treacherous, but on that account perhaps extra care was taken by workmen. Timber being systematically used, and kept close up to working-faces. Seam, 7 ft. No. 1 Mine, dip section : No. 2 heading district now pillared out and abandoned. No. 1 heading, north side : Remaining pillars are crushed badly, and consequently lost by reason of the smallness of the coal. Ventilation very fair on this occasion, which may be attributed to a considerable length of air-course having been cut oft by abandonment of north side, and the ventilating-furnace is thereby enabled to overtake its duty. Engine seam : Coal thinned to 5 ft., and continuation of heading suspended. Present intentions are to withdraw this coal from the market, and utilise it for own consumption at pottery-works on the

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