92

0.—2

Waikaia Coal-mine, Waikaia. —-The area affected by " creep " i now comparatively settled, but pillars and head coal are considerably crushed. A decreased output has latterly been produced at this mine. Argyle Coal-pit, Glenary. —An opencut pit, worked for supply of local requirements. Waimea Coal-mine, Waimea. —-The old mine became flooded, and owner now reopening in another place. Lynch's Coal-mine, Waimea. —Seam, 6 ft. Roof sound and strong. Princhester Creek Coal-pit, The Keys. —Output for local supply continues to be provided from this irregular deposit. Mataura Collieries, Mataura. —The venti'ation under natural conditions can only be described as inadequate. The owners are contemplating installation of mechanical or other means for providing sufficient air to working-places. Otherwise the mine is well conducted. Eeport-book and plan kept. Mataura Lignite-pit, Mataura. —Opencast, stripping 12 ft., and becoming heavier as the seam is followed to the dip. The working-face is about 200 yards in length, and a mechanical stripper is in use in addition to hand-work and carting. Boghead Coal-mine, Mataura. —-Seam 16 ft., stripping 12 ft., and is kept well ahead of workingface. Waimumu Coal-pit, Waimum,u. —A reduced, output is now being obtained from this opencast pit. Clarke's Coal-pit, Wyndham.- —'Opencast. Seam, 10 ft. Stripping 6 ft. of gravel. Ota Creek Coal-pit, Wyndham. —Opencast. Stripping 4 ft. Lignite 6 ft. Robin Hood Coal-pit, Pine Bush. —An opencast pit, worked for local requirements. Graham's Coal-mine, Fairfax. —A shallow underground working on a small scale. Ardlowie Coal-pit, Fairfax. —An opencast working for lignite used .locally. Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps. —No. 1 mine : Nos. 1, 2, and 3 dips, top seam, have been pillared outward ; and at No. 3 dip driving has been carried southward in the solid. The fault at foot of No. 4 dip proved troublesome, and the measures were found to bo considerably disturbed. Ventilation is well conducted by brattice to working-faces. Temperature in return airway, 59° Fahr. No. 2 mine : The stone drive was badly affected by " creep," necessitating a fresh haulage-way underground. The balance of the coal from this section will be won from a new tunnel-entrance, which will shorten the haulage. Some heat was perceptible in the pillar-workings against the waste, where more air-brattice was being erected. Opencast working continues, stripping being kept well ahead. A new mine is being set away in the outcrop of the lower seam (10 ft.), which occurs at 90 ft. below the main seam being worked. The principal loading-bank, stage-buildings, and offices were completely destroyed by fire on the 19th September last. The cause of fire remained unexplained. Fortunately, the hauling-engine and boiler were saved, and loading was renewed with the loss of only one day. New Brighton Coal-mines, Nightcaps. —Coming back on pillars from the boundary of School Commissioners' Reserve. Coal-seam open-jointed, and care required for safety of working. Ventilation good. Plan kept. Beaumont Coal-pit, Nightcaps. —Opencast, seam 20 ft., stripping kept fairly ahead of working face. Hauling-engine with tramway and loading-bank are now laid to the roadside. Mount Linton Coal-pit, Nightcaps. —Open workings in good order. ACCIDENTS. Seven serious accidents were reported during the year, of which one (Simon Weatherall) resulted fatally. An accident considered, non-serious, sustained by Wm. McAllister, resulted in the death from septic poisoning. Fatal Accidents. 3/5/12. —-Perseverance Coal-mine, Roxburgh : Simon Weatherall, thirty-four, miner ; sustained dislocation of spine while riding on trucks on haulage incline. 5/7/12. —Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Wm. McAllister, twenty-five, trucker ; struck head against iron crowbar on roof. Death resulted from septic poisoning on the 14th July, 1912. Non-fatal Accidents. 16/1/12. —Kaitangata Colliery,''Kaitangata : John Bennie, fifty-four, miner ; bruised back by piece of coal falling from roof while drawing a prop. 25/3/12. —Castle Hill Mine, Kaitangata : Wm. Fraser, sixty-one, wagon-trimmer ; fractured arm while running a wagon under screens. 1.3/5/12. —-Kaitangata Colliery, Kaitangata : Dennis Gavin, thirty, winchman ; fractured left lower limb, caught by hauling-rope at head of No. 19 dip. 8/5/12. —-Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps : John Foster, twenty-nine, miner ; injured ankle by fall of coal from face. 24/6/12. —Castle HilllMine, Kaitangata : Carl Hunnichen, thirty-eight, miner ; injured knee, slipped on pavement. 28/6/12. —Kaitangata Mine, Kaitangata : Wm. Proctor, forty-one, underviewer ; slight burns face and arms, due to ignition of firedamp while shot-firing. coal-miners' relief fund. Payments, 1912, £984 Bs. Id. ; 1911, £889 lls. Id. : increase, 1912, £94 17s. FIRECLAY AND PIPECLAY OUTPUT. Canterbury and Otago, 6,923 tons.