C— 2

38

having become uncoupled, and the trailer failing to act, had run back the jig. The Coroner returned a verdict that the cause of death was [purely accidental, and that no blame was attachable to any one. At Manderson's Co-operative Mine, near Dunollie, on the sth September, Albert Manderson, 25 years of age, was killed by a fall from the roof. He had been engaged re timbering a place when a bump occurred which swung the sets and buried deceased. He died before he could be extricated from beneath the fall. The Coroner's verdict was that death was due to shock and asphyxia, that every care had been taken to make the workings safe, and that no blame for the accident was attachable to any one. At Denniston Mine, on the 25th September, Moses Harry, 71 years of age, was killed on the haulage-road. Deceased was employed at a curve between Denniston and Burnett's Face. There were no witnesses to the accident, but it would appear that deceased had endeavoured to cross the rope road and had been struck and dragged by a full truck. The Coroner in his verdict at the inquest stated that no blame was attachable to any one. Accounts of the serious but non-fatal accidents are contained in the District Inspector's reports.

SECTION IV.—WORKING OF THE COAL-MINES ACT. (a.) Pebmitted Explosives. (Regulations 128 to 134 inclusive.) The following is a table showing the quantity of permitted explosive used and the number of shots fired at New Zealand coal-mines during 1924 : —

Seventy-four per cent, of the coal produced in the Dominion during 1924 was broken down by permitted explosive, and the average production of coal per pound of explosive used was 4-5 tons, and per shot fired 4-1 tons. (b.) List of Mines bequibed by Law to use Pebmitted Explosives. The following is a list of mines as at the Ist December, 1924, required by law to use permitted explosives : — Northern Inspection District. Pukemiro Collieries, Pukemiro —throughout South Mine. Rotowaro Colliery, Rotowaro —throughout No. 1 Mine. Taupiri Extended Mine, Huntly—throughout the mine, but operations at- present suspended. Glen Afton Colliery, Glen Afton—throughout B, C, D, E, and F sections of the mine. West Coast Inspection District. North Cape Mine. Lankey's Creek Mine (Bolitho Bros.). Puponga Mine. Ferndale-Timaru Coal Company's Mine. Westport-Stockton Mine. Sherwood Mine. Westport Coal Company's Mine. Paparoa Mine. Regan and O'Brien's Mine. Blackball Mine. J. T. Dove's Mine. Armstrong and party's Mine. Coal Creek Mine (McGuire and party). Baddeley and party's Mine. Cardiff Bridge Mine. Boote and party's Mine. Old Cardifi (Clay Pit). Dixon and party's Mine. St Helens Mine "(McAllister and party). Clark and party's Mine (Hillside). Westport-Mokihinui Mine. Duggan and party's Mine. Chester and party's Mine. Hunter and party's Mine. Marris and Murray's Mine. Manderson and party's Mine. Ngakawau Mining Syndicate's Mine. Mclvor and party's Mine. Whiteclifis Mine. Moody Creek Mine (Simpson and party.) Reefton Coal Company's Mine. Smith and party's Mine. Phoenix and Yenus Mine. Spark and party's Mine. Victory Mine (now Caliope). James Mine. Woodlands Mine. Liverpool Collieries. Empire Mine.

tSKM? Number of Misfired Shots. | S o AT V ® ® ® <?•§ Number > > . > o Inspection District. — of !3 © S p< £ ® Shots fired. «> »-§ £ . <UM ®O3 ® . m L 1 H 2 S 'zj Total. "3 r 9 0 £ § ®ft ®J2 JP'S o° 1 & i of ng fig a-s M .9 ' 1 >. H >>fi 5* <j hi m m n « ■< Tons. Northern (i.e., North Island) .. 105,978 .. 105,050 8 140 21 169 409,315 West Coast (of South Island) .. 115,040$ 1,972$ 76,771 210.764 28 289 149 466 974,065 Southern (i.e., Canterbury, Otago, 29,512J 40 7,337f 57,464 4 72 9 85 156,480 and Southland) ! Totals .. .. 250,530f 2,012$84,108| 373,278 40 501 179 720 1,539.860