C.—2.

A mine-manager was charged with failure to continuously produce by mea:ns of a mechanical ventilation appliance an adequate amount of ventilation during the eight hours preceding the entry of men into the mine, as required by Regulation 181 (1). He was convicted and fined ss. with costs 10s. For failure to provide a water-gauge and either an automatic indicator registering the number of revolutions of the fan, or an automatic indicator registering the water-gauge as required by Regulation 182, a mine-manager was convicted and fined 55., with costs 10s. An information was laid against a mine-owner under section 81 for failing to furnish a correct hail-yearly return for the preceding six months specifying the quantity of coal produced from the mine and the number of persons ordinarily employed above and below ground. This charge was withdrawn after the return was received. Two mine-managers, who also acted as firemen-deputies of their respective mines, were charged with failing to inspect with a locked safety-lamp within two hours immediately before the commencement of work, every part of the mine in which workmen were to work or pass during the shift, as required by section 128 (1). One was convicted and fined £3 and costs 125., and the other was convicted and fined £1 and costs 10s. A second information laid against one of the mine-managers for failing to mark with chalk the day of the month upon the face of each working-place, as required by Regulation 96, was withdrawn. A mine-manager of a mine in which mechanical ventilation appliances had been installed was charged with failing to run the fan at least two hours before the workmen entered the mine, contrary to Regulation 181 (2). He was convicted and fined £1 and costs 10s. For failing to appoint a qualified person to act as fireman-deputy in the mine, a mine-manager was convicted and fined 10s., and costs 12s. An information was laid against a mine-manager for failing to take such steps as were necessary tor enforcing the observance in the mine of the provisions of Regulation 224 regarding explosives. The same mine-manager was charged under Regulation 223 (2) for failing to keep detonators stored in the magazine specially provided for that purpose. In both eases a conviction and fine of £1 and costs lis. were An information was laid against a workman for failing to comply with the instructions given to him by an official of the mine in pursuance of section 143 with respect to working his place. He was convicted and fined 10s. and costs 10s. . A mine-manager was charged with failing to take such steps as were necessary for enforcing the observance in the mine of the provisions of section 117 (1) regarding the systematic timbering at his workmg-face. A conviction and fine of £2 and costs 10s. were- recorded. For failing to send a notice in writing to the Inspector of Mines of a case of fire or heating below ground as required by Regulation 82, a mine-manager was convicted and fined £2 and costs lis. SOUTHERN INSPECTION DISTRICT (Job Hughes, Inspector of Coal-mines). Coal, Output. The output for the Southern District again shows a material increase of 58,516 tons. The bulk of this district's output is used for domestic purposes, and a comparison over the last ten years' output would seem to indicate that the diminished output during recent years has not been due to the inroads made by other forms of domestic heating, such as electricity and gas, so much as the result of the general depressed conditions recently experienced. The output this year is almost on a par with the years 1926 to 1930. „ Mechanical coal-winning was introduced in one of the larger Southland mines during the year, a Kortmann coal-cutter and a radial puncher-type machine being put into use with reasonably satisfactory results. With the exception of one of the larger mines, it is to my mind unfortunate that more attention has not been paid to development work in the Southland field, and I am afraid the result of this omission will ultimately be severe unless soon remedied; the operation of cheap pillar-extraction is pleasing, but only while it lasts. The mining operations in general, and particularly in the larger mines, have been carried out m a reasonably safe manner. During the year samples of "hard hats" or safety helmets were received from England. The helmets appear to be of a comfortable and neat type, and, in view of the fact that the cost is reasonable, there does not appear to be any valid reason why their use should not become general, particularly m mines working thick seams. Several dozen helmets have already been ordered by managers of two of the mines, and their initiative in this respect is gratifying. It is to be hoped that the miners will co-operate and avail themselves of this added measure of safety .xl n Another pleasing feature is the procuring of " McLuckie " gas-detectors for use m two oi the larger mines. To my mind the possession of a methane detector by the manager of a gassy mine is invaluable as a means of aviating him in his efforts in ventilation. Periodical sampling of the return air gives a definite guide as to which sections are emitting CH 4 most freely, and therefore allows of the correct quantity of air being circulated in each split, or, in other words, the analysis shows at a glance where the danger-pomts in a mine exist, and where particular ventilating attention is required. j Steel arches for the support of a main roadway were adopted at one of the larger Southland mines, and the result, from a ventilation viewpoint alone, made the introduction well worth while. I am sure this method of support of main roadways could be extended with beneficial and economical results. Canterbury Mines. Springfield Mine— Operations were suspended early in the year at the old mine, and a new drive was commenced about 5 chains south of the old mine. The operations continue to be of a limited and crude nature. Konomy Mine, Springfield. — Operations ceased at this small mine m October, following upon a iutile attempt to develop the seam to the dip and to the east, the seam proving to be too thin for profitable working. Bonanza Mine.—Pillar-extraction has been continued throughout the year, approximately 50 per cent, of the rise pillars having been won in a satisfactory manner. _ . Clearview Mine—The whole of the output has been obtained from pillar-extraction, this work having been carried out in a satisfactory manner. . Luclcnow Clay-pit.—'The work of extracting the pillars at this mme has been continued m a reasonably satisfactory manner. ... ... Klondyke Mine. —The whole of the output at this mine continues to be won from pillar-extraction, lhis work has been continued along the method mentioned in my last report, and has, so far, proved to be a safe and efficient method of pillar-extraction under conditions such as exist here. Bush Gully Mine.—Pillar-extraction was continued along the higher levels and development work carried out in the 3 ft. and 4 ft. seams with satisfactory results. Attempts to locate the big seam here have, so far, al6 Homebush Fireclay Mine.—A- limited amount of work has been carried out intermittently during the year. Homebush Mine— Several attempts to locate a workable area of coal at various points have been made again during the year, but, so far, with unsatisfactory results. The interception of old workings is repeated with monotonous regularity, the results being invariably a foul atmosphere with broken and dangerous ground. Solitude Mine. —This is a new mine situated between South Malvern and Glentunnel. Two levels have been driven 3 chains, the thickness of coal being 3 ft. . Sunnydale Mine.—Work at this mine continues to be of a prospecting nature, very little work of any importance having been carried out.

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