C.—2.

South Otago District. New Fcrnhill Mine. —Development work has continued during the year to the north, and the places have reach the boundary in this direction. Jubilee Mine.—The whole of the mine output has been won from pillar-extraction, a general policy of retreating from the dip having been followed. No further work has been carried out to develop this seam from any other site. A stone drive had been commenced for this purpose, but meantimo the project is suspended. Fairfield Mine. —Pillar-extraction has been continued during the year, no further development having been attempted. Wittowbank Mine. —During the year the top seam has been developed to the south, the quality of coal being good. A method of partly working the lower seam and then following Tip with the total extraction of the top seam has proved successful. The seams are separated by approximately 8 ft. to 12 ft. of fireclay and the floors of the seams are subject to heave. East Taieri Mine.—Development work has continued to the south from the lower level. The coal is of a friable nature. EUiotvale Mine. —The old mine was abandoned early in the year, and prospecting operations have taken place during the latter portion of the year. A small quantity of coal has been won to the rise of the old workings, and a good face of coal exposed to the west. Kai Point Mine. —Operations were suspended at this mine about the middle of the year. Benhar Mine.—The main dip has been extended and the lower areas to the north and south are being developed. The main dip heading has now been extended a total distance of approximately 1,400 ft. Wangaloa Mine. —Development work has continued in the lower levels and to the north-west. A small amount of pillar-extraction took place in the higher north-west levels, but this area is being held in reserve. Kaitangata Mine. —In the main south dip heading all operations are still confined to pillar-extraction and the greater portion of the mine output has been won from this area, the quality of the coal being good. The pillars on the oast side of the heading have retreated to a point 300 ft. to 500 ft. from the heading. In the north-west area, known as Samson's, pillar-extraction has been brought back almost on a line with the north-west heading, and despite the steep gradient (1 in 2) full extraction is obtained, this work being assisted by a strong roof. In the main south-west dip heading in Samson's, development is proceeding; the seam is still very steep and the coal tends to become more friable as it extends to the dip. The new stone drive, which is being driven to intercept Samson's seam, has now been driven approximately 2,200 ft. in a southerly direction (on a grade of 1 in 4), and a further 400 ft. still remains to be driven. Southland District. At the Waimumu, Raty, Firelight, Newvale, Afgyle, Hedgehope, Ota Creek, Ashe's Siding, Waimeamea, Coster's, Croyden, and Mataura Paper-mills pits opencast operations were continued during the year. Balfour Mine.—This mine is really a continuation of the old Kingston Crossing Mine. A pair of levels have been driven in a southerly direction from the outcrop, these being a short distance to the west of the old workings. Boghead.—The year's operations have consisted of driving several of the lower levels on to the south boundary, and no development has taken place to the dip. A small quantity of lignite was won opencast. Black Lion Mine.—The year's operations have consisted of pillar-extraction in the north and north-east portion of the mine. The very small amount of development carried out has not disclosed any further area of coal-bearing ground. The mine's operations appear to be gradually nearing their end. Black Diamond Mine.—The whole of the mine's output for the year has been obtained from pillar-extraction. The area worked was the north-east portion of the workings along the Nos. 5 and 6 levels. Mossbank No. 4 Mine. —Coal-production was commenced at this new mine, and development work has been continued throughout the year. Main levels have been driven east for a distance of approximately 500 ft., and panels are being formed to the north and rise of the levels. Star Mine. —During the year the development of all rise coal above No. I east level was completed and a commencement made to extract the pillars in the No. 2 panel. It was very soon evident that the roof in this area is weak, and it would appear that the percentage of coal won will not be high. Development of the main dip heading was recommenced during the year. Birchwood Mine.—The bulk of the year's output has been obtained from pillar-extraction in the No. 3 west section and Nos. 3 and 4 east sections. Development work has been carried out in the No. 2 west section, the prospecting stone drives in this section proving an area of good-quality coal approximately 27 ft. in thickness to the west of the faultline. Wairaki Mine.-—No. I : The bulk of the mine's output has been obtained from pillar-extraction. The areas which have been worked are chiefly the dip section from No. 3 east level and the stone dip section : the development of the latter section did not have very satisfactory results and it was therefore decided to extract the pillars. A certain amount of development work took place to the east of the main haulage heading. No. 3 : Development of this mine has been continued on sound lines and coal of good quality proven. Levels have been driven west for approximately 500 ft., and panels are being formed to the rise and north. Linton Mine—No. 1 : The chief development in this mine is taking place in the No. 0 section; the work of extending the main dip heading into this area is proceeding, and preparations are being made to open up a further section to the east of the main dip. Pillar-extraction has continued in Nos. 3 and 6 sections, and the quantity of coal remaining in the former section is now very limited. In the No. 7 section all development work was completed and pillarextraction commenced in the dip and in the cast rise areas. Development of the No. 8 dip panels was also completed and preparations made for pillar-extraction. The development of the section known as " Adam and Eve's "is also nearing completion, but as this area is adjacent to old heated workings no pillar-extraction can take place at this stage. No. 3 : Development of this mine has been retarded as a result of the main north headings striking a fault. Pillar-extraction has been proceeding in the rise and dip areas. Fatal Accident. On the 17th Juno Charles Hazeldine, miner, was killed in the Linton No. 1 Mine. The deceased was engaged in pillar-extraction, and was killed by being struck by coal which fell from the overhanging lip of his working-place. Sebious Accidents. On the 30th June George Williamson, Assistant Engineer, Wairaki Mine, sustained a fractured pelvis. Williamson was crushcd between a full box, ascending an incline, and the rib side of the roadway. On the sth August Ivan Jenkinson, miner, Kaitangata Mine, sustained a fractured vertebra of the neck. Jenkinson was engaged in pillar-extraction and was struck on the neck and shoulders by coal which fell from the lip of his working-place. On the 16th September Walter Parker, pumpman, Kaitangata Mine, sustained a fracture of the lower spine. Parker was screwing up a pipe-line when he was struck by a piece of stone which slipped off' a groasy parting from the rib. On the 29th September James Robb, trucker, Star Mine, sustained a fractured pelvis and internal injuries. Robb was struck by a runaway mine truck, which it is alleged ran over the stop-block. The type of stop-block used was condemned, and new stop-blocks were installed throughout the mine.

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