a—2

out without accident. The fire stopping in No. 2 south at one time threatened danger, but was effectively dealt with, and water was laid on behind the stopping as an added precaution, after which no further trouble was experienced. Linton No. 1 Mine. —The bulk of the colliery output has been obtained from this mine, and development work was put in hand in several sections during the year. The new No. 6 level was completed and arrangements made to win the whole of the No. 4 section coal from this point. The No. 3 panel was developed in the lower workings by means of the " Korfmann" coal-cutting machine, the lower portion of this development work being now almost completed. Pillar-extraction was continued in the No. 2 panel, but was interrupted twice owing to indications of heating. The work in this section was carried out on the " double-story" or " gallery-working" principle, and has, during the year, proved to be reasonably satisfactory. The No. 1 panel in No. 4 section was successfully reopened towards the end of the year, after being sealed off for indications of heating, and pillar-extraction was again commenced. Pillar-extraction was continued in the No. 3 section under reasonable conditions and with good results. No. 5 section was developed first by means of the " Korfmann " machine, and later by the " Ingersoll-Rand " radial coal-cutter. Two sets of headings were driven north-east and north respectively, the progress of these places being ultimately checked owing to the interception of a fault running north-west. The headings were driven 400 ft. The main dip heading was advanced 1 chain in stone and 4 chains in coal at a gradient of 1 in 4. The coal seam at this point is 30 ft. thick, and of good quality. It is proposed to carry out boring operations to further prove the area to the dip, and also to the north-east of the fault-line intercepted in the No. 5 section. The year's operations at this colliery saw the total output to date reach seven figures. Terrace Mine, Kingston Crossing.—During the latter portion of the year this mine was reopened, an old level from the surface was reconditioned, and a small output obtained. Fatal Accident. James McKenzie, shot-firer, Mossbank No. 1 Mine, sustained fatal injuries on the 23rd March. The deceased had fired a shot in the top coal in a place where pillar-extraction was proceeding, and during his examination of the place after firing, a piece of coal, which appeared to have been resting on a " greasy parting," came away and struck the deceased. Serious Accidents. T. Todd, manager of the Star Mine, sustained a partial fracture of the vertebra just below the neck, on the 19th February. Todd was assisting with the tipping of a truck and fell about 5 ft. from a staging. D. Marshall, engineer, Kaitangata, sustained a fracture of the skull on the 9th March. Marshall was supervising the erection of machinery when the rope connecting the block and tackle fouled a detached beam on a higher level, which fell and struck him. Archibald Adams, miner, Black Lion Mine, sustained a simple fracture of the tibia of the right leg on the sth November. Adams was working at pillar-extraction in a place 8 ft. high, when a piece of coal burst off the side of a small stump of coal and struck his leg as he was moving away. William Hinks, miner, Solitude Mine, Glentunnel, sustained a fractured pelvis on the 18th December. Hinks was preparing to erect a set of timber when a piece of stone fell from the roof and struck him. Dangerous Occurrences (Regulation 82 oe the Coal-mines Act, 1925). Black Diamond, Mine. —On the 3rd March leakage at a fire stopping was reported in the upper workings, and was effectively dealt with. Black Diamond Mine. —On the 26th April excessive heating of a fire stopping in the lower workings was reported. This was dealt with by erecting a new stopping. Linton No. 2 Mine. —On the 24th May the fire in the sealed off No. 1 south section came over a stopping adjacent to the haulage road. It was effectively suppressed by water and the stopping extended. Linton jNo. 2 Mine.—On the I6th August fire worked around the side of a stopping in the horse level of the old' mine. It was suppressed by water and the stopping extended. Klondyke Mine.—On the 27th August signs of heating were reported in the waste, which was then effectively sealed off. Linton No. 1 Mine.—On the 21st September heating was reported in the goaf of No. 2 panel, No. 4 section. Stoppings were erected and the area effectively sealed off. Linton No. 1 Mine. —On 16th October heating was reported in the goaf of No. 3 section. Stoppings were erected and the area sealed off. Linton No. 1 Mine. —On the 19th November heating was reported in the goaf of No. 4 panel. Stoppings were erected and the area sealed off. Prosecutions. During the year the following prosecutions took place : — On the 26th January a mine-manager was convicted and fined £7 10s. and costs for a breach of section 140 (1), Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 9th March a mine-owner was convicted and fined £2 and costs for a breach of section 81, Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 28th March a shot-firer was convicted and fined £2 and costs for a breach of Regulation 224 (5) (b), Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the same date a miner was convicted and fined £2 and costs for a breach of Regulation 223, Coalmines Act, 1925. On the Ist May a miner was convicted with costs for a breach of Regulation 170, Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 29th June a shot-firer was convicted and fined £1 and costs for a breach of Regulation 224 (6), Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 4th September a shot-firer was convicted and fined £1 and costs for a breach of Regulation 234 (e), (ii) Coal-mines Act, 1925; he was also convicted and fined £3 and costs for a breach of Regulation 234 (a), (ii) Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the 11th December a mine-manager was convicted and fined £3 and costs for a breach of section 117, Coal-mines Act, 1925. On the same date a mine-manager was convicted and fined £2 and costs for a breach of Regulation 223 (2) of the Coal-mines Act, 1925.

72