3

a—3b

Exploration. The, work done in this connection during the year has been limited to putting down bores outside the boundaries of the present working-areas, the result of which has proved that for some distance beyond the fault-line, which cuts across the dip headings the*coal is too thin to warrant expensive works being undertaken to reach it. Accidents. A number of minor accidents occurred during the year, and it is to be deeply regretted that there were three fatalities, on all of which special reports have been forwarded. Future Developments. Reference to the colliery plans will show that the areas at present being operated on are almost surrounded by faults, and where not faulted the coal has thinned out, and it is unlikely that further areas of coal will lie found available for exploitation from the present mine-openings. Thus the work to lie undertaken with a view to future working will consist of surveys, examination of outcrops, and limes to test the coal in such portions of the field as can be most conveniently operated on and coal delivered from to the present bins and railway. Point 2 Colliery. This colliery now in course of development is located five miles almost direct north from the No. 1 colliery, and is to he connected by the extension of the Greymouth State Collieries line for a distance of three miles, the grade of the railway being 1 in 30. The coal-storage bins will he located on the west side of the Seven-mile Creek, where the station-yard will be laid out. The colliery will be connected with the station-yard and bins by two miles of endless rope-haulage, line, worked by gravity and controlled by hydraulic brakes. The construction of this haulage-line involves the driving of approximately 6,338 ft. of tunnels, in four sections, of which 1,710 ft. had been done at the 31st March. The balance of the line is in earthwork and trestle bridges. The opening-up of the mine, is being pushed on, and the coal is proving of excellent quality, from 12 ft. to 20 ft. thick. The railway connection is making good progress, and the work connected with the storage-bins, brakes, and other appliances is being got ready. When opened, this colliery will be entirely water-level free, and with the, other favourable features it should prove a commercially sound enterprise. General. Referring to the quantity of coal raised dining the year, the reduced output as compared with 1909 may he said to he due in great part in the reduced time worked owing tojjjthe strike, &c.,J'and to the conditions leading up to the strike may he attributed the reduced daily average for the period. Harbour. Although the working of the mines has not been so seriously affected by the difficulties of working the port as in some past years, somewhat serious loss has been caused by the detention of steamers. and difficulties of loadiug to their proper draught. A port such as Greymouth requires special facilities to be given in the way of rolling-stock, cranes, &c, so that vessels may be rapidly loaded and dispatched ; a day's delay may mean much longer detention. The officers in all branches have, carried out their duties in a most satisfactory way, all doing their best to maintain the output and to carry on the work under their charge on safe and economical lines. The Consulting Engineer has at. times rendered me much assistance. The Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. James Bishop, Manager.

Mr. James Fletcher, Manager of the Seddonville State Coal-mine, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— Seddonville, 1910. 1 have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the Seddonville State Coalmine for the year ending the 31st March last. Output. The output won from the mine during the year was 74,463 tons 18 cwt., from which had to be deducted for mine-consumption and waste 283 tons, leaving available for market 74,180 tons 16 cwt 1 qr. The briquette-works at Westport were only in a producing state during the hist five months of the year, and consequently only 3,521 tons of fine small were used for briquetting purposes. During the stoppage of the works a keen demand was experienced for all classes of coal, which caused the bulk of the output to be t sent to market as " run of the mine, consequently there was no waste of small coal. Again, the largest portion of the output has been won from theJNew Area, thirty-six coal-miners producing 60,300 tons, and the balance was won from the West and Bridge sections.