Two drawing-shafts, 20 feet in diameter, and an independent upcast shaft, 15 feet in diameter, are being sunk for the purpose of working the Maudlin and Hutton coal-seams.

The Maudlin coal-seam is expected to be met with at a depth of 1,440 feet, and the Hutton coal-seam at 1,560 feet, but as a considerable area of the royalty lies on the dip-side of a large fault of an estimated throw of 360 feet, one or more of the shafts will eventually have to be sunk to a depth of probably 1,920 feet.

The winding will be done by two horizontal engines, each with two cylinders, 84 inches in diameter and 72 inches stroke; the steam-pressure will be 120 lbs. per square inch, and provision will be made for connecting the engines to an independent condensing-plant ; plane-drums will be used, 20 feet in diameter.

The headgear will be of steel lattice-girders raised upon a substantial heapstead built of brick and cement, and the winding-pulleys will be 20 feet in diameter, made (in Germany) in segments, with flat steel spokes.

The cages will run in wire-rope guides, and will each carry eight 10 cwts. tubs on two decks: the decks being loaded and discharged at separate levels. It is intended to counterbalance the ropes by means of continuous ropes placed under the cages.

The screening apparatus will be common to both drawing-shafts, and will project from the north side of the heapstead.

Sinking was commenced in the middle of 1897, and two of the shafts have now reached the depth of 630 feet.