Page 20 - 00 Volume 5 The Mine

resumed, but that the company should take such 1908
measures as would adequately protect the workmen
against a serious disaster occurring. The workmen were
very much alarmed, no doubt through the manager Taupiri Reserve
withdrawing all workmen from the mine when the (Wm. Wood, manager). This section, like the
crushing of the pillars was observed, which action was Ralph's and Extended sections, is underlying a water

approved by the Inspectors as a wise precaution. area, the surface overlying the coal being covered by
After a little hesitation on the part of the men, Lake Kimihia. The mine is entered by an incline drive
work was resumed at the mine. The precautionary of considerable length to the deep levels, and is worked
measures subsequently taken for the future work was on the bord and pillar system also. Great care has been
resumed at the mine and did not meet with our taken in opening up the mine, and strong pillars of coal
approval, and, as a result, the matter was referred to are left in to support the overlying strata and prevent the
arbitration, as provided for in sections 55 and 56 of flooding of the mine. The coal is of a good quality, and
"The Coal-mines Act, 1905." The Court's decision, as
reported to the Department, relieves the company from the seam is very thick.
This mine has been continuously worked for
compulsorily sinking another shaft, but, to guard twenty years, being the oldest mine in the Waikato
against a disaster, pillars should be strengthened. district, and has produced over 300,000 tons of coal.
The output for the year reached 97,878 tons, and The mine is a comparatively dry one, and is worked at
183 men were employed.
little cost, no expensive machinery being required.
Very few men are employed in this section, since
The Extended section (Wm. Wood, manager): it is reserved to meet any sudden demand that may be
The work in the mine is confined to the dip made. The mine is in good order, and well ventilated.
section, west of the shaft, and underlying the Waikato
River. The development work headings have been
pushed on, and a considerable area of coal opened out.
The haulage roads and machinery connected therewith
have been much improved during the year, and with an
up-to-date screening plant the mine should maintain a
modest output of coal, which is of good quality, and has
a ready sale at Auckland and Waihi for household and

steam purposes.
Since the installation of improved furnaces and
fire-grates the small coal which was formerly thrown
away as waste is now purchased by the mining
companies.
For the year slightly over 9,000 tons of small coal
has been sold from this mine alone. Several visits of
inspection were made and it was found that great care
was being exercised for the safety of the men. The
ventilation was good, the newly erected Sirocco fan
giving complete satisfaction. In this section of the
company's property 152 men were employed.
Taupiri Reserve (Wm. Wood, manager). Report 1

This section, like the Ralph's and Extended
sections, is underlying a water area, the surface
overlying the coal being covered by Lake Kimihia. The
mine is entered by an incline drive of considerable
length to the deep levels, and is worked on the Great
care has been taken in opening up the mine, and strong
pillars bord and pillar system also. of coal are left in to
support the overlying strata and prevent the flooding of

the mine.
The coal is of a good quality, and the seam is very
thick. This mine has been continuously worked for
twenty years, being the oldest mine in the Waikato
district, and has produced over 300,000 tons of coal.
The mine is a comparatively dry one, and is worked at
little cost, no expensive machinery being required.

Very few men are employed in this section, since
it is reserved to meet any sudden demand that may be
made. The mine is in good order, and well ventilated.
demand that may be made.