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With the completion of the present stripping programme it should be possible to maintain a regular output in future, with reserves ahead of requirements. The coal is of excellent quality, and now that the full thickness of seam is available it can be worked to greater advantage. The installation of a larger pumping unit would also be an advantage from various aspects. Ohai Coal Co.'s Opencast (J. W. McKenzie (XJnderviewer), Manager).—Opencast operations with a good output have continued on this area adjacent to a fault upthrust of a thick seam, and a large stripping programme has been undertaken. Mossbank Mine, (A. E. McMillan (First Class), Manager).—Operations have been confined to pillar-extraction in the lower part, south-west of the mine, and in the old No. 1 Rise Panel. A new haulage stone-tunnel has been driven, which will enable the coal under the old haulage roads to be extracted. This tunnel was driven by rising from underground a total distance of 700 ft. at a grade of 1 in 3|-, while the surface approach and winch chamber required a further 170 ft. of stone driving. A 75 h.p. electric haulage (flameproof equipment) has been installed to furnish a reliable transport system. Linton Nos. 1 and 3 Mines (A. Oolligan (First Class), Manager).—ln the No. 1 Mine, development' has been in Sections Nos. 10 and 11. In the former, levels are advancing in a south-west direction from the No. 1 panel, and a point 5 chains distance headings have been driven 2 chains from which a panel will be formed. This area is on the rise side of the fault that was previously encountered in No. 10 Section and the coal is of excellent quality 40 ft. thick. In No. 11 Section, headings are being projected to the south-west to develop the area along the Birchwood Mine boundary, with the distance driven approximately 4 chains, and the seam 40 ft. in thickness. Pillaring has been undertaken in No. 8 Section —No. 3 Linton Mine. The No. 6 Dip has been projected to the east some 16 chains from the main haulage road, and places developed 6 chains to the south and 3 chains to the north. The seam here is very thick, 40 ft. to 50 ft. Pillaring to the west of the rope-road junction has continued with- good results. The main bathhouse has been extended 40 ft. with extra showers and a larger boiler installed, while at the bins and screens a bathhouse fitted with showers and electric heaters for the use of surface workers has been erected. Further improvements have been the erection of a concrete, fully-equipped underground ambulance-room adjacent to the No. 10 Section, No. 1 Mine, and an ambulance-room in No. 3 Mine. Wairaki Nos. 1 and 3 Mines (F. E. Lockington (First Class), Manager).—No. 1 Mine : An area of coal previously left on the east side of the dip a short distance from the portal has "been blocked out, followed by pillar-extraction, from which good results were obtained, and the area has almost been worked out. On the west side development continued in an irregular area formerly left, and later good coal was encountered, and development continued to within 2 chains of the No. 2 Mine workings, from which levels the area to the rise is being worked. A new access has been formed by driving to the rise from a central position to connect with the main dip roadway about a chain from the portal, while a dip is also being advanced from the central position on the same bearing. No. 3 Mine.—No. 0 Section : Development lias reached a point about 19 chains from the main dip, where a split in the seam accompanied by minor faulting gave considerable trouble, and development has ceased for the time being. No. 8 Section : Development has extended to 18 chains off the main dip, and the fault running along the bottom side between No. 9 and this section appears to have run out. No. 9 Section : Development has advanced to 10 chains past the old No. 9 laybye. On the west side of this section the bottom part of the seam now contains bands of stone, and the places are driven above these bands. No. 5 Section : Development, in the main levels has reached a point 20 chains from the main dip and panels are being developed. No.J Section, No. 5 Level : On the inside of these levels a dip is being driven to form a second dip panel, and rise panels arc also being opened out. The main return airway is being enlarged and secured with heavy rail girders in place of timber, and a good job made. Star Mine, State (J. Lewis (First Class), Manager).—The work has been solely pillar-extraction in the middle and lower sections on the east side of the mine. During the year two heatings occurred in the goaf, one in each section, and these were effectively sealed with log and clay stoppings. The coal is of excellent quality and produces a large percentage of round coal. A 10 h.p. three-stage electric pump was installed at the foot of the main dip. Birchwood Mine (J. Lewis (First Class), Manager).- --The output has been obtained from development and pillar-work in the No, I West area.

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