C.—2,

56

Kaitangata No. 1 Mine.—loth May : A break was struck in the roof of the stone-drive going towards the main seam from the 6 ft. seam section. A considerable volume of water was liberated, causing the withdrawal of the men in the section. After the water was removed it was found to have come from the old Mundy's dip workings through 15 ft. of clay and coal. Linton No. 1 Mine.—7th June : Owing to lire-stink being emitted from the goaf in the dip workings, the men were withdrawn and the affected area then sealed off. Wairalci No. 2 Mine.—sth June : Heating developed in the pillar section on the west side. Stoppings were at once put in and pillaring was recommenced, but rather close to the top stopping, as it was found to be leaking a fortnight after. Wairaki No. 2 Mine.—2Bth October : At 4.30 p.m. smoke was reported in the return airway, and it was found that the fire in the goaf of the pillar section on the west side had crept through the coal over one of the stoppings. The heated material behind the stopping was filled out and the space packed with clay and a,shes and the stopping then reinforced. Waronui Mine.—llth November : An increased flow of water came into the No. 2 mine from the waste area of No. 1 mine. As they were retreating with the pillars the pump was withdrawn to a site farther up the dip. Prosecutions. On the 16th July a fireman-deputy, who was also the authorized shot-firer, was convicted and fined £3 and costs for failing, himself, to couple up the firing-cable to the detonator-wires. He left the miner to couple up the shot and went down the incline trailing his cable. He had trouble with the terminals, and after fixing them he looked up and saw a light at the pillar corner. Thinking this was the miner, he called out " Fire," and turned the battery-key, thus firing the shot. The miner was still at the face, having just coupled up the detonator-wires to the cable, and luckily he received only slight abrasions on his face and arms.