COAL PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23053, 2 June 1938, Page 14

COAL PRODUCTION

TOTAL 2,277,799 TONS DOMINION'S 1937 OUTPUT INCREASE ON PREVIOUS YEAR MORE WORKERS ENGAGED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Coal produced in New Zealand last year amounted to 2,277,799 tons, an increase in output of 137,582 tons, or 6.43 per cent, over the production for 1936. Figures relating to the classes of coal produced in 1937, the number of mines operating, and the envploj'ment provided by the industry, were mado available this evening by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb. Last year's production of bituminous, brown and lignite coals was as follows: —• Otago and North Is W.C. Southland District District District Bituminous . 41,09-1 028,200 • Brown .. 73G.504 45,598 403,918 Lignite .• ' Totals 778,498 975,228 524,073 "There were 195 mines in operation in the Dominion in 1936, and a total of 4257 men were employed, 1469 in the North Island, 1850 on the West Coast, and 938 in the Otago and Southland district," said Mr. Webb. "In 1936, 1103 persons were employed above and 3154 below the ground. There were 172 coal mines in operation in the Dominion in 1937, and a total of 4417 men were employed, 1478 in the North Island, 1956 on the West Coast, and 983 in the Otago and Southland district. Of the persons ordinarily employed in or about coal mines during 1937, 1129 were employed above ground and 3288 below ground."