C.—2,

In the West Coast coal-mines there were seven fatal accidents, four through falls of coal or stone one by explosives, one by the collapse of a bridge when the deceased was riding on a rake of coaltrucks across it, and one, which was not witnessed, was probably caused by the deceased being struck by a fast-moving rope on a steep incline. The sole fatality in the Southern district was through a fall of coal when a working-place was being examined after a shot had been fired there. It is pleasing to record that there was no fata! accident in the Northern district during the year. Of the sixteen serious non-fatal accidents, seven were caused by falls of coal or stone, two by falls from staging, and two by derailed trucks knocking out props which fell and caused the injuries.

SECTION IV,— WORKING OF THE COAL-MINES ACT. (a) Permitted Explosives. (Regulations 233 to 237 inclusive.) The following is a table showing the quantity of permitted explosives used and the number of snots fared at JNew Zealand coal-mines during 1934 :—

(b) List of Mines at which Permitted Explosives are used. The following is a list of mines as at the 31st December, 1934, at which permitted explosives are used : — Northern Inspection District. Pukemiro, Pukemiro—Throughout South Mine. Rotowaro, Rotowaro—Throughout No. 1 and No. 3 Mines. Glen Afton, Glen Afton—All sections of the mine. Mac Donald, Waikokowai—Throughout West section. Waikato Extended Colliery, Huntly—All sections. Renown, Waikokowai—All sections. Wilton, Glen Massey—All sections. New Kamo, Kamo—All sections. West Coast Inspection District. Wynndale, Murchison. Bellbird, Ten Mile. Mount Burnett, Collingwood. Brady's, Ten Mile. Puponga, Puponga. Brianda'le, Ten Mile. Owen (Seymour), Owen River. Mussel Point, Nine Mile. Cardiff Bridge, Seddonville. Bellvue, Rapahoe. Charming Creek, Ngakawau. Cain's, Rapahoe. Cascade, Burnett's Pace. Jubilee, Rapahoe. Chester's, Seddonville. Baddeley's, Dunollie. Westport Coal Co.'s Denniston mines. Braehead, Dunollie. Westport Coal Co.'s Millerton mines. Castlepoint, Dunollie. Westport-Stockton, Ngakawau. Hunter's, Dunollie. Archer's, Capleston. Moody Creek, Dunollie. Clele, Merrijigs. New Point Elizabeth, Dunollie. Coghlan's, Capleston. Fiery Cross, Dunollie. Collins, Murray Creek. Smith's, Dunollie. Morrisvale, Reefton. Duggan's, Rewanui. Defiance, Reefton. Old Runanga, Rewanui. Burke's Creek, Reefton. Spark's, Rewanui. Waitahu Colliery, Reefton. State Collieries (Liverpool and James'). Honey's (Times Street), Reefton. Goldlight, Rewanui. Lankey's Creek, Reefton. Blackball, Blackball. Sparkless, Reefton. Blackball Creek, Blackball. Venture, Reefton. Paparoa, Roa. Dennehy's, Twelve Mile. Dobson, Dobson. Schultz Creek, Twelve Mile. Wallsend, Brunnerton. Cox Creek, Twelve Mile. Stillwater (Boustridge's), Stillwater Hilltop, Ten Mile.

56

Quantity of Permitted Explosives used (lb.). Number of Misfired Shots. -i® __ || Inspection District. _■ Number £ ® -o & tô Shots fired. a > «5« & o +2 OJOI ® ca cu . 2 „ 3^3 111 »t ~J "■§ 5 Tot <"- «5 H ■& i ah fl-s as g S3 f i I <* s I S° <■ , :;■> " - 1 ■ '■ ? MMWO <1 Northern (i.e., North Island) 109,654 .. .. 122,696 7 23 9 SQ West Coast (of South Island) 101,594 .. 113,114 267,988 21 137 75 '2 235 7S2'414 Southern (i.e., Canterbury, 1.141J .. 54,201J 91,371 .. 13 7 20 970',,.-,, Otago and Southland) ' Totals •• 212.389J •• 167,315| 482,055 28 173 91 2 294~ 1,630,400