c.—2,

Allbright Mine.—lt would appear to have been proved that very little coal exists here, and the year's operations have consisted of the extraction of a few pillars. Trouble has been experienced with spontaneous combustion in the old workings. Willowbank Mine.—Work at the old mine has been confined to pillar-extraction, the development work having been carried on from the new mine. The main heading has been driven 11 chains, the latter 8 chains of which have been in reasonably good-quality lignite, and it would appear that a reasonable extent of eoal will be found here. East Taieri Mine. —These operations have been confined to investigating along the outcrop, several attempts to develop the seam beyond the old workings having so far proved futile. Burnweil Mine, Saddle Hill.—Only a limited amount of fossicking work amongst Harris's old workings was carried out during the year. New Fernhill Mine.—Development work was completed early in the year, and operations have been mainly confined to the splitting and robbing of the pillars. Essbank Mine, Milton.—The work of pillar-extraction was completed during the year, and work during the latter part of the year has been confined to prospecting. Elliotvale Mine, Milton.—Development work has been extended east for a distance of 6 chains ; a commencement was also made to develop the top portion of the seam. At the end of the east level the seam was split by a band of stone 2 ft. 6 in. thick in the centre of the seam. Kai Point Mine.—Pillar-extraction has continued in the old mine, and a small amount of development, of little importance, has taken place in the new mine. Burnweil, Lovell's Flat. —A limited amount of development, of little importance, was carried out in a southerly direction. Benhar Mine. —Development work has been continued to the dip and along the levels going north and south also. A barrier will now be left between past and future workings. Stone intrusions in the seam continue to be met in various directions. Taratu Mine. —Development carried out during the year, to the rise and along the main level, proved disappointing and was abandoned. Almost the whole of the rise pillars have been extracted and the area partially sealed off. A little trouble was experienced with spontaneous combustion in the pillar area, but it was effectively dealt with. The north-east dip was dewatered and developed for a distance of 12 chains. A commencement has been made to form panels to the north and south of the main dip, and a rearrangement of haulage has been effected. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine. —Pillar-extraction was continued in the No. 2 section of this mine for the greater portion of the year. As was to be expected, there was considerable crush exerted on the remaining pillars ; however, the work of extraction was carried out with comparative safety and a satisfactory percentage of the seam was won. During the second half of the year a decreased demand for the coal rendered the operations much more difficult and costly, and the few remaining pillars were abandoned in August and the area effectively sealed off. The development of the No. 3 section was pushed on expeditiously for the greater part of the year. A pair of main headings was driven east for a distance of 1,400 ft. on the coal seam. The thickness of the coal averaged about 7 ft. These headings run parallel to the edge of the old No. 2 section workings, and approximately 300 ft. distant therefrom, but at this point a downthrow fault was struck. The direction of the headings was then changed to south-east and continued for 400 ft., when the coal thinned to 4 ft. 6 in. and .the headings were stopped. The main haulage headings were then driven 13 chains through the fault and on to the coal-seam, at which point the seam is approximately 8 ft. thick. Towards the end of the year operations were temporarily suspended in this mine and only sufficient staff was retained to keep the mine in repair, pending the seasonal increased demand for coal. Kaitangata No. 2 Mine. —In the section to the north of the main dip the development headings were driven 800 ft., and levels were driven north at various points to prove the fault-line or belt of stony coal in this direction. This fault shows a tendency to veer away from the heading ; however, prospects do not seem bright in this direction. The main rise headings were driven 1,300 ft., at which point a fault was met and a com' mencement was made to extract a small section of pillars on the north side of the heading, where the coal is 22 ft. thick. The main south dip headings have been driven 1,000 ft. in good-quality coal, and levels have also been driven east and west for distances of 700 ft. and 800 ft. respectively. Preparations have been made to push on this southerly development work a farther 1,000 ft. immediately, as the future expectations are chiefly in this direction. The results of all development work at this mine can be said to be satisfactory. A fairly extensive area has already been proven, and to date nothing has occurred to interfere with an optimistic outlook. The ventilation arrangements have proved adequate so far, and operations generally have been conducted on reasonably sound lines. A Turbo-alternating set of 1,000 kv.a capacity has been installed and is now in operation. A new brick lamp-cabin was erected during the year, and an ambulance-room has been provided for the reception and treatment of injured persons. Tait's Mine.—This is a small mine commenced in what appears to be a small area of coal left from ancient workings. The area available for working will probably prove very limited. Lakeside Mine.—No new work of any importance has been done during the year, the output having been obtained from pillar-extraction. Conical Hills. —A very limited amount of development work has been carried out during the year, and it would appear that the demand for lignite in this locality is very limited. Wangaloa.—A limited amount of development has been carried out during the year, difficulty having been experienced in marketing the coal. The new cross-measure stone-drive was completed, and the output is now won from this point. Kaituna Mine.—No work of any importance was done here, a small amount of prospecting along the edge of old workings having produced a small output. Southland Mines. Hakatere Pit. —An attempt has just been commenced to work this deposit by underground mining. A drive has been driven for 60 ft. It will probably be found difficult to compete with opencast pits. Hamilton's Pit, Waimumu. —Opencast mining has been continued mostly in the lower portion of the deposit. Kingdoms Pit. —Operations ceased at this pit in June. Croydon Pit,. —Opencast mining operations were continued during the year. The lignite deposit is over 40 ft. thick at this point. Whiterig Pit. —Opencast mining was continued under more difficult conditions, the overburden increasing in thickness. Otikerama Mine. —A limited amount of development work was done to the dip and north-east, and in a very crude manner. Milne's Pit, Hakatea. —This is a new opencast pit in the Waimumu Valley. About 8 ft. of lignite is being worked with 6 ft. of overburden. Beattie Coster Mine, Mataura. —The underground workings have been allowed to flood, and operations have been confined to opencast mining. A small additional area was purchased to the north, and mining continued in this direction. Green's Mine, Gore. —Work has been confined to the completion of development to the north-east, and a commencement was made to split the pillars in this section in such a manner as to prevent surface subsidence.

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