C—3a.

premises. Extraction of rise pillars is begun. As the life of the mine is becoming restricted, boring operations have been conducted with some measure of success. At KM) ft. depth, two seams, each 3 ft., having a band of clay about 12 in. between, are expected to be workable, and a mine dipping 1 in 5 is being driven to the coal. Fireclay and pipeclay —3,065 tons were mined during the year —are obtained on the property, and utilised for brick and pipe making at the pottery-works on the premises, where a considerable proportion of coal-output is also consumed. Powder-magazine approved. Requirements of the Act generally well observed. St. Helens Colliery, WkiteoUfft (Levick and Thin, owners : W. Thin, permit, mine-manager).— (2/6/09) : Advancing levels to southward being practically up to the boundary of good coal area, nov preparing to draw pillars homeward. Extraction of the double seam to northward of dip has thrown a weight on the timber, which requires frequent renewal. Bottom also heaving to an extent, and consequent contraction of roads and airways. Some sweating in gob on north side indicates heating, but no further appearance as yet of approaching gob fire. Ventilation good. Rules posted ; reportbook kept. Si , am. sft., all being worked on the pillar, slope, and wall system. Mount Sonnets Colliery, Mount Somers (Mount Somers Coal Company, owners; George Nellsecretary; J. 8. Hamilton, mine-mangaer). — (1/10/09): No. 1. or Wookhed Creek .Mine—freehold: Freehold old mine-entrance closed and workings abandoned. A new prospecting drive is in about half a chain on the creek-bank in coal as yet too near the outcrop to be of value, although apparently improving. The drive is timbered to the face. No. 2 Mine Crown lease : The mountain tramway and jig which was formerly in use is now discontinued, as the new self-acting jig to Wbolshed Creek tramway is in lull working-order. Length, 25| chains, and grade of new jig. lin :)},. The mine-mouth is situated on the company's freehold, but underground workings are extended within the boundary of the Crown coal lease, whence output is being drawn. Headings are driven to the " washout " and Uirds broken off in the usual way. Ventilation adequate. Rules posted : plan and report-books kept. Blasting-powder apparently properly handled in the mine, the main supply being Stored in an approved magazine on the surface. Attntry Coal-mine, AJbury (Q. E. Riddle, permit, lessee and mine-manager). —(26/5/09): Crown lease : Robbing of pillar and head coal to rise continuing. Some warmth and smell detectable on the edge of the waste ; the person in charge, however, asserted that symptoms of gob fire were not worse than at any time during the previous three months. Arrangements were being made for draining water in the old dip workings, and the work is to be prosecuted in that direction. Second outlet airshaft in good order ; ladder provided. Rules posted ; plan kept; report-book to date. Stoney Creek (/«fc Waihao) Cod-mine, Waihao Forks (Stoney Creek Coal Company,Waimate, owners ; D. L. Watson, permit, lessee and mine-manager). —(22/9/0!)) : A small prospecting drive put in on the face of the terrace. Coal-seam found, but thin, and troubled with running sand. The lessee proposes to shift to a place further up the valley, where he says coal is known to occur in workable thickness, and of fair quality. North Otago. St. Andrew's Colliery, Papakaio (Thomas Nimmo. permit, owner and manager). (25/5/09): Rules posted : report-book and plan to date. The new mine is opening up fairly well, although seam disturbed by several small faults met with. Bords driven medium width, and strong pillars are being left. Workings in good order. Ventilation good. The new air-shaft projected, being to the rise of all the winkings, should afford move than ample ventilation for this mine. Prince Alfred CoUiery (on Minim/ Reserve) Papakaio (Abel Beardamore, permit, lessee and manager). —(25/5/09) : This colliery is now under new ownership. Mrs. Willetts and family, who worked it for so many years, having transferred their interest to Mr. Beardsmore, who is working the new mine opened to southward of the old workings. A downthrow fault, struck on the main level is interfering with development, but a water-lodgment is being constructed, after which I he workings are to be opened to the best advantage. Old rules posted to be replaced ; plan to be provided, also copy of Act; reportbook to be obtained. Ngapara CoUiery, Ngwpara (William Nimmo, permit, owner and manager). —(22/5/09): Rules posted : plan and report-book kept. Mine and workings in good order. Ventilation adequate. Shag Point CoUiery, Sim;/ Hoint (William Hunt, permit).—(2l/9/09): This small mine is closed, and may be considered as abandoned, the lessee having extracted the pillars of this thin seam (2 ft.) almost to mine-mouth. Shag Point Coal-minim/ Company, Shai/ Point (J. 0. Gilmour, secretary, Shag Point; C. Clausen, permit). —(21/4/09): Driving prospecting dip. which, at 150 ft., tapped a 3 ft. seam of coal, which is being won longwall. Ventilation good, and workings well laid off from commencement. BroadUaj Coal-mine, Shag Point (George W. Brooke, permit, lessee and manager).—(2l/9/09): After considerable prospecting a dip drive from seaward at 150 ft. struck a 2 ft. seam of coal, lather stoney but suitable for some local purposes. Air good, having met with an old [eve] driven from sea-beach several years ago. AUandale CoUiery, Shag Point (Allan Macintosh, lessee and manager). (21/9/09): The new dip workings are pillar robbed and finally abandoned, as. owing to tin- faulted ground and bad roof, coal getting here became unprofitable. Chief working consists of splitting pillars in rise of main tiaulage level. Recent proposals are to work out the easily available coal, then draw ihe plant, and afterwards win the pillars left in old mine-workings. Coal-output shows a considerable reduction of that on formei years.

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