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basement rocks are known to outcrop not far away to the north, it would appear that the coal-seam cannot continue to exist much farther in this direction, however, every effort is being made to prove its full extent. Pillar-extraction was continued in Section Nos. 7 and 8, and in a satisfactory manner. No further work was carried out in No. 9 Section, and only a small amount of work was done in No. 6 Section. Linton No. 3 Mine.—Operations at this mine have been restricted during the year, chiefly due to the prevalence of complicated faulting to the north. Pillar-extraction was continued on a limited scale, and towards the end of the year development places were set off to develop the coal lying to the east —i.e., in the old Black Lion Lease. Canterbury District Mount Somers Mine.—Development work was continued throughout the year and the results were satisfactory. Headings have been driven to the north and north-east and the quality and thickness of the seam have improved. Blackburn Mine. —Pillar-extraction was continued in the old mine, and towards the end of the year a commencement was made to form an incline to an area of coal found to exist adjacent and to the rise of the old mine. Newburn Mine, Mount Somers.—All development work at this mine resulted in failure to prove workable coal of reasonable quality. Sunnyvale Clay-mine.—Work was carried out very intermittently along the usual lines. Woodbank Mine (Albury).—Development of this mine was continued on a decreased scale. The main dip heading was advanced slightly and additional levels broken away to the east. Acheron Mine (Anthracite). —Development work was continued on a small scale at the new mine. The west dip heading was advanced slightly and levels driven north and south for a short distance. This seam is emitting CH4, and safety-lamps were installed towards the end of the year. Clearview Mine.—Pillar-extraction was continued and this mine is now almost worked out. Steventon Mine. —The bulk of the output was obtained from pillar-extraction in Nos. 12, 13, and 14 north levels. A small amount of development work took place in the lower south levels. However, in this direction the seam is divided by two stone bands, each about 9 inches thick, and the total thickness of the coal is only 8 ft. Lucknow Clay-mine.—Mining operations were continued along lines previously followed. Victory Mine.—The development of this seam along the north-east levels was disappointing and at a point 9 chains from the main dip the seam thinned and became unworkable. The extension of the main dip heading is now a necessity. KlondyTce Mine.—Pillar-extraction was completed in the No. 6 north level, and development work was continued in Nos. 7, 8, and 9 north levels and in No. 9 south level, the lower north level having been driven a distance of 12 chains. A cross-measure drive was driven from No. 9 north level to a lower 7 ft. seam separated by 15 ft. of strata from the main seam, but difficulty will probably be experienced in working the lower seam. Fatal Accidents It is very gratifying to pass through another year free from fatality, and I am grateful to all who assisted in this direction. Serious Accidents Birchwood Mine. —On 31st January R. Holland, miner, sustained a fractured left ankle as a result of being struck by falling head coal. Kaitangata Mine. —On 15th February A. Marshall, shiftman, sustained a fracture of the second lumbar vertebra as a result of falling on a steep haulage road whilst stepping over the haulage rope, which rose higher than the injured person anticipated. ATcatore Mine.—On 26th June C. Woodley, miner, sustained injuries which resulted in the loss of his right hand, loss of one eye, and loss of large portion of sight in the remaining eye. Woodley was in the act of removing a detonator from a tin containing eight detonators when the detonators exploded and inflicted the above-mentioned injuries. Woodley unfortunately was not able to throw any light on the cause of the ignition. This was a naked-light mine. Wairaki No. 1 State Mine. —On Ist October J. Booth, miner, sustained a fractured pelvis as a result of being struck by a fall of roof stone in a pillar place. Acheron Mine.—On 29th November George Craig, manager, sustained burns of the head and arms as a result of the ignition of CH 4 following upon the firing of a shot. This accident was the result of negligence in not examining the place with a safety-lamp before resuming work therein. This was a naked-light mine.

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