STATE COLLIERIES.

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1927, Page 5

STATE COLLIERIES.

A GOOD REPORT. For Past Year. t < (Special Io Argus.) WELLINGTON, September 1. “As fur as the State Mines are concerned. there is a general forward movement,” said Mr H. E. Holland, in the House to-day. “The miners themselves take a great interest in their own community, and among them is found a larger proportion of students of history, economics, .and other subjects than in most communities. They were handicapped in days gone by in the mater of lighting, but that has now been overcome by electric lighting, and to-day they are seeking a water supply, which ] am sure the Minister is going to give them.”

Mr Holland said the position to-day showed a considerable improvement. The total gross output for the year just ended was 185,685 tons, an increase of 51.627 tons over the previous year. The total net profit was £22,669, of which £20,051 was from the mining section and £2,615 from the depots. The figures showed that there was a credit balance of £132,242, as against £109,575 last year, and he thought the Minister had reason to

congratulate himself in the position of the Stale Mines. Notwithstanding the heavy writings off for depreciation and some losses, which could have been avoided in the past, though there was no blame attachable to th*; present Minister for that position. REFUND ON CHARMING CREEK. In view of the later developments regarding the Charming Creek field I Mr Holland asked the Minister wheth er the Department had any possibility of having returned the money which had been spent by the State thereon He understood that the mine had now been taken over by a new concern, and hi? was sure that it would be a profitable venture, as over 1,000,000 tons oi first class coal had been proved when the Department itself was testing it. NEW STATE MINES. Air Holland also asked whether there was any possibility of the Department going on with development of the Mac l Donald Colliery. It seemed that if the position remained as at present, | they would simply be writing off year by year and the assets would disappear Some of the losses now shown belonged to the past days—as for instance — those on the briquette works and the Seihlonville Colliery. He thought that if any sort of care or foresight had been brought to bear, then need have been no loss in either of these cases. There were other it sms in the nett losses. which belonged to some extent to the present, and the Minister might be able to say how they were made up.