STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF), FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1916.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1916 Session I, C-02a

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1916. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF), FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1916.

Prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 118 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908.

The Managee, State Coal-mines, to the Under-Sechetary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — New Zealand State Coal-mines, Greymouth, 15th May, 1916. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the work done at the State Collieries for the year ended 31st March, 1916. The gross output of the mines was 249,839 tons, which, after allowing for mine consumption and waste and with the addition of stocks from last year, left 249,619 tons for disposal, and when compared with the figures of last year shows an increase of 34,161 tons. The Point Elizabeth Mine produced 125,827 tons of marketable coal, an increase of 8,566 tons on last year's figures. The following table shows the quantity disposed of, after allowing for stocks on hand and afloat at beginning and end of year : —

The Liverpool Mine produced 113,486 tons of marketable coal, an increase of 27,420 tons. The following table shows the quantity disposed of, after allowing for stocks on hand and afloat at beginning and end of year : —

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f To whom. Screened. Unscreened. Bunker. Small. Totals. I Depots Eailways Other Government departments Private consumers Tons owt. qr. 25,241 15 3 18,504 14 2 1,447 12 2 Tons owt. qr. 10,259 9 3 8,799 9 0 117 0 0 Tons owt. qr.i Tons owt. qr. ' 16,498 6 0 Tons owt. qr. 51,999 11 2 27,304 3 2 3,022 18 1 1,209 10 0 248 15 3 7,501 7 0 6,400 18 0 16,218 18 013,071 10 3 43,192 13 3 Totals 52,695 9 3 25,576 16 3 17,428 8 029,818 12 2 125,519 7 0

To whom. Depots Railways Other Government departments Private consumers Screened. Unscreened. Tons owt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. 21,200 10 2 424 10 0 16,747 4 0 374 1 2 415 6 1 1,307 2 1 Unscreened. Tons cwt. qr. 424 10 0 374 1 2 1,307 2 1 I I Bunker. Small. Totals. Tons cwt. qr. Tons owt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. 41,632 7 3 63,257 8 1 7 0 0 17,128 5 2 143 10 0 ... 1,865 18 2 I 1,414 7 1 7,114 4 2 7,114 4 2 317 1 0 124,405 14 3 33,251 7 2 Totals 39,777 8 0 9,219 18 1 460 11 0 (66,045 2 2115,602 19 3 115,502 19 3 This mine is now in full next few years. working-order, and the in ores ,se in its output should be substantial for thy

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Point Elizabeth Colliery. Coal-winning. The gross total output for the colliery since its inception in June, 1904, amounted to 2,080,687 tons. The colliery worked on 237 days 6 hours for the year, making an average of 4-57 per week. The average numbers of men and boys employed in and about the mine were as follow : Underground—B2 miners, 76 in other branches, including truckers, shiftmen, deputies, &c, and 3 boys; on the surface there were 46 men and 15 boys: making a total of 204 men and 18 boys. The total payments made on wages account, exclusive of stores, compensation, timber, and royalty, amounted to £35,705 17s. lid. The coal-miners' average, daily earnings were 18s. 10'03d. Underground Development. The bulk of the year's output was obtained from pillar-extraction in both sections of the colliery, the only exception being in the rise workings of the No. 2 section, where a small area of new ground was developed. The latter completes all solid work in connection with this colliery, and the output from now on until the mines are exhausted will be entirely dependent on coal won from standing pillars. In my last annual report reference was made to an area in the No. 2 section of the colliery that had to be sealed off owing to spontaneous combustion. During the }'ear under review all available coal bekw where the fire originated, and for 3 chains above it, has been extracted, and the water allowed to rise with the object of extinguishing the fire. Upon investigation it was found the fire had spread much higher than the original seat. Arrangements were then made for extracting pillars up the dip for another 4 chains, and when this is completed and the water allowed to rise to that distance investigations will again be made to ascertain whether it will be safe to open up that, area. If it is possible to win some of the coal from this area the life of this section would no doubt be prolonged for a few months, but from past experience in dealing with underground fires I am doubtful whether any of the plant and coal can be taken therefrom. Reference to the accompanying plans will show that the workings of this colliery are fast approaching exhaustion, and, as it is unlikely that further areas will be found available for exploitation from the present mine-openings, the time is not far distant when, from the above cause, it will be necessary to dispense with some of the employees at this colliery; but it is to be hoped that when such steps are taken the Liverpool Colliery will be developed to such an extent that it will be only a matter of transferring them from one colliery to another. Surface Works and Accidents. The whole of the plant and machinery in and about the mine has been maintained in efficient working-order. During the year then 1 were several minor accidents, but none of a serious nature. Liverpool Colliery. Ooal-ivinning. The colliery worked on 222 days, an average of 427 days per week. The balance of the possible working-time —viz., 314 days —is accounted for as follows: Pay Saturdays, 26; union holidays, 15; want of shipping, 33; bar unworkable, 13; slips on the railway, 5 days. The average numbers of men and boys employed in and about the mine in connection with coal-winning were 219 men and 16 boys, made up as follows: Coal-hewers, 96; other adult underground employees, 82. On the surface, 41 men and 16 boys were employed. In addition to those employed in connection with coal-winning there were employed on property and develop-ment-work 16 men and 1 boy, making a total of 235 men and 17 boys "for this colliery. Underground Development. For a short period during the year coal was produced from four mines—namely, Nos. 1. 2, 3, and 3a—but, owing to the presence of stone bands and the high inclination of the seam the No. 2 Mine was stopped in June last, as it became a matter of impossibility for the miners to fill the coal in a marketable condition. The No. 3a Mine, which was opened up during the year, is situated midway between the bins and the upper section of the haulage-road. The seam worked is a continuation of the No. 3 Mine, and the coal won therefrom is of excellent quality. The thickness, so far, has not increased as was anticipated, but as the workings advance in a westerly course there is every reason to expect the seam, to increase in thickness. It is not anticipated that the workings in this mine will be in any way extensive; it was developed only with the object of working a block of coal which could not be economically worked from the No. 3 Mine near the bins. No. 1 Mine, situated near the upper terminus of the main haulage, has been worked continuously during the year. Reference was made in my last annual report to the limited area, also the friability of the coal in this mine; and, although there is no prospect of further development-work in an easterly and westerly course, it is gratifying to report that as the workings are extended in a northerly direction, the quality and hardness of the coal has improved considerably, enabling a much larger percentage of screened coal to be obtained. The chief drawback in connection with this mine is that the width of the block to be worked is limited, thus

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limiting the number of miners, and consequently the output; but since the Morgan seam will be operated on from the entrance of the No. 1 Mine, and its output will also he handled in conjunction with the output of the No. I Mine without any additional labour being employed between the mi lie and the storage-bins, the cost of production from this mine will be lessened. No. -i Mine, situated near the bins, from which the principal part of the output of this colliery was obtained, was fur the greater part of the yea] - worked on two shifts. Since the fault referred to in niv previous report has been crossed over and a moderate area opened up it lias been, the means of enabling all the men to be employed on one shift, which is more satisfactory in every respect. A main haulage-road has been constructed from a point near the bins, connecting with the mine-workings in as central a position as was possible, and it is expected that the same will be put into commission at an early date. Surface Works. The whole of the surface works and machinery have been maintained in efficient workingorder, and during the year several alterations and additions were carried out, as follows : — The soreened-coal conveyer at the storage-bins was extended, thus enabling the coal to be delivered direct into the railway-wagons and minimizing the breakages considerably. The unscreened-coal storage-bin was reduced, and the small-coal bin correspondingly increased, An. elevator was also installed for elevating the small coal from beneath the shaking-screen. From the elevator the coal is distributed to any required part of the bin by means of chutes automatically arranged. Near the storage-bins a new lamp-room was built and fitted with a oharging-stand and other appliances necessary for dealing with the Gray-Sussman electric lamps; also a large stable and feed-house to enable the horses to be brought out of the mine daily. At the power-house midway between the storage-bins and the upper section of the haulageroad an air-compressing plant was erected to supply power for driving a fan engine, and also a dip-haulage engine at the No. 3a Mine. At the upper section (No. 1 Mine) an endless-rope haulage was installed, dispensing with horses. A large Sirocco fan has also been erected, and a cable line laid for conveying power from the power-station for driving this fan, which is so situated that both the No. I Mine and the underlying Morgan seam can be ventilated by it. Exploratory Work. Work under this head was confined to boring and surface prospecting in various parts of t he reserve. Boring operations were carried out between the No. 3 Mine and Spring Creek, off the service tramway, and also between Spring Creek and the main haulage-road near the upper terminus. The former boring operations were carried out with the object of proving whether the seam at present worked in No. 3 Mine existed beyond where some disturbance had been encountered in the main level of that mine. Three bores were put down, each proving the continuity of the seam, but at a much deeper level. The seams penetrated were also so much intersected with dirt-bands that it was not deemed advisable to recommend any expenditure in the development of that area. *** The latter boring was carried out with the object of ascertaining the depth to the seam that had been located on the banks of Bishop Creek and dipping south. This hole was bored to a depth of 650 ft. and abandoned, it having proved that the coal was too deep to be commanded by the present haulage-road, Surface prospecting was carried out for a, short period on the western part of the reserve, but when, as above stated, it was proved by boring that practically all coal on the western part of the field was too deep to be commanded by the present haulage this work was discontinued. Future Development-work. The principal work under this head for some considerable time to come will be confined to developing the Morgan seam, which lias been proved by bores to exist over a considerable area. This seam has now been connected with the No. 1 Mine by means of a cross-measure drift, but so far very little development-work has been done, it being impossible to do so until the second connection, which is now in the course of construction, is completed. When the seam was struck in the drive the coal appeared to be of a soft nature, with signs of being disturbed by faulting. Subsequently (he presence of a fault was conclusively proved, for when driving east to make ready for the second connection an upthrow of 20 ft. was encountered. Further driving beyond the fault shows considerable improvement in the hardness of the seam. As this seam when passed through in all the bores appeared to be of a hard nature, there is every reason to expect that the seam will improve as the workings are extended from the line of this fault. Eleothic Safety-lamps. During the last few years the question as to the advisability of installing electric lamps in the coal-mines of the United Kingdom has been a very live one, and, although considerable extension in the use of these lamps lias taken place, the results obtained at several collieries were not the success anticipated. To make a success of these lamps a great deal more depends on the management of the lamp-cabin and the care exercised by those who use the lamps than appears to be generally known.

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For the past nine mouths the Gray-iSussman electric lamps have been used at one of the mines of the Liverpool Colliery, and when first installed were intended only for the coal-hewers, but, owing to their superior light and their many advantages as compared with the oil safety-lamp, it soon became evident that better results would be obtained by the general use of these lamps, therefore, with the exception of the mine officials, every underground employee in this mine now uses the electric safety-lamp. Within a week from the time these lamps were issued to the workmen it was discovered that a weakness existed in the accumulators : this was due to the breaking of the lead conductor between the connecting-bar of the positive plate and the terminal. A new conductor and terminal were designed with a greater cross-sectional area than the original ones : these have been fitted to all the lamps, and have withstood the most severe test. After nine months' continuous service the whole of the original lamps and accumulators are still in good working-order. The accumulator of this lamp is of the lead-cell type, 2 volts, the electrolyte being dilute sulphuric acid of I*2 specific gravity. On an average ninety-five of those accumulators are charged on a special charging-stand fitted with spring-contact clips for conveying the current. The accumulators being placed on a shelf, the terminals come in contact with the spring clips, which automatically connect the cells in series for charging. The charging-current is obtained from a 220-volt circuit through suitable switch-gear and safety devices, the voltage for charging being regulated by adjustable resistance to obtain the required charging-current, the rat© of which is lijr amperes for approximately seven hours after eight hours discharge. These lamps have sometimes failed to light when the switch was turned on, and upon investigation it lias been discovered that the failure was principally due to two causes —viz., broken lamp-bulbs and bad contacts. These bad contacts are caused by the action of the sulphuric acid on the brass terminals, causing them to sulphate, thus breaking the circuit. Although the electric lamps are heavier than the ordinary oil safety-lamp, the many advantages derived more than compensate the user for the extra weight carried about. Change and Bath House. In accordance with Mines Regulation 143, a change and bath house is now in the course of erection at the Liverpool Colliery. The building is of wood, with an iron roof and concrete iloor, the dimensions of which are as follow: Length, 35 ft.; width, 26 ft. ; height to where the clothes will be suspended, 14 ft.; height of lower walls of the cabinets, 8 ft. Cabinets : There are fourteen cabinets provided, seven on each side of the building, the dimensions of which are 5 ft. long and 4 ft. wide. The inner walls are lined with sheet iron to within 10 in. of the floor of the building, this space being necessary to enable the cabinets to be thoroughly cleansed daily. In each cabinet a shower, wash-basin, and seat will be provided; the water supplied will be heated to the required temperature by steam passing through a copper coil in the tank or receiver used for this purpose. Change-house : In the change-house twelve seats will be provided, capable of seating from sixty to seventy men. Above the seats (he workmen's clothes will be suspended from the ceiling, and at the same time be subjected to the drying effect of heated air supplied by heated pipes passing along the entire length of the building. Accidents. There were several minor accidents during the year, and one that may be classed as serious, on which a special report was written. General. Although the output from each colliery shows an increase when compared with last year's figures, it is regrettable to report that considerable time was lost, especially at the Liverpool Colliery, for the want of steamers, also through the bar being unworkable. The average number of days worked per week throughout the year was only four and a quarter, whereas the possible working-days, excluding holidays, average five and a quarter, thus showing an average loss of one day's work per week. In addition to the loss of wages to the employees, the output from the Liverpool Colliery alone was reduced by approximately 25,000 tons, and the cost of production increased. In conclusion, permit me to say that the officers in all branches have performed their duties in a most satisfactory manner, and the Inspecting Engineer has in the course of his duties rendered good service. I have, &c, I. A. James, Manager.

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Balance-sheet of the New Zealand State Coal-mines. Statement of Liabilities and Assets at 31st March, 1916. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. a. : Point Elizabeth Colliery— £ s. d. £ s d. £ s. d. Debenture loan .. .. .. .. 175,000 00 i* Machinery, plant, ropes, and rolling-stock— Loan under Appropriation Act, 1912 .. .. 50,000 0 0 Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 8,535 11 2 Inscribed stock .. .. .. .. 2,601 0 7 Less Sale.. .. .. .. .. .. 210 227,601 0 7 8,533 10 2 Debenture sinking fund .. .. .. 13,200 0 0 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 6,705 14 5 Reservefund .. .. .. .. 5,884 11 2 1,827 5 9 19,084 11 2 Buiiaings at mineCost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 1,421 14 3 Accrued interest .. .. .. .. 4,282 4 6 Less sale .. .. .. .. .. .. 050 Sundry creditors .. .. .. .. 22,652 16 0 26,935 0 6 ; 1,421 9 3 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 358 7 4 1,063 1 11 Cottages— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 1,514 18 7 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 255 8 3 1,259 10 4 Stores (stock on hand) .. .. .. .. .. 4,122 8 3 Coal (stock on hand at mine and wharf) .. .. .. 1,547 13 1 Coal (stock on hand, afloat) .. .. .. .. 799 4 9 6,469 6 1 ! Point Elizabeth (Liverpool) Colliery and Development Property 10,619 14 Account— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 95,54111 2 Additions during the year .. .. .. .. 4,386 3 4 99,927 14 6 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 5,311 6 4 94,616 8 2 Machinery, plant, ropes, and rolling stock— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 48,010 4 1 Additions during the year .. .. .. .. 2,983 410 50,993 8 11 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 3,673 17 4 47,319 11 7 Buildings at mme— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 3,562 18 0 Additions during the year .. .. .. .. 379 111 3,941 19 11 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 208 2 5 3,733 17 6 Cottages at mine .. .. .. .. .. 3,063 13 2 Additions .. .. .. .. .. 469 11 5 3,533 4 7 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 184 16 11 3,348 7 8 Coal (stock on hand at mine and wharf) .. .. .. 2,005 8 5 Coal (btock on hand, afloat) .. .. .. .. 1,022 0 7 3,027 9 0 Hulks Property Account— 152,045 13 11 i Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 765 19 7 Less sale .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 ~. . . 715 19 7 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 119 310 •-■•■■■ 596 15 9 596 15 .9

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Balance-sheet of the New Zealand State Coal-mines— continued. Statement of Liabilities and Assets at 31st March, 191 6—continued. lAabmies— continued. I Assets— continued. £ s. d. £ s. d, £ s. d. £ s, d. Wellington Depot Property Account— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 3,522 13 10 Additions during the year .. .. .. .. 38 10 0 ■ 3,561 3 10 Depreciation .. .. ■ ■ .. .. 292 16 0 3,268 7 10 Stocks on hand .. .. .. .. .. 2,240 9 9 5,508 17 7 Ohristchurch Depot Property Account,— Cost at 31st March, 1915.. .. .. .. .. 4,387 18 8 Additions during the year .. .. .. .. 231 14 6 4,619 13 2 . Depredation .. .. .. .. • •• • 360 14 3 4,258 18 11 Stock on hand .. .. .. -■ •■ .. •• 1,956 14 10 6,215 13 9 Wanganui Depot Property Aocount— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. •■ ■■ •• 1,461 16 5 Additions during the year.. .. .. .. .. 334 0 0 1,795 16 5 Depreciation .. .. .. .. ■ ■ • • 123 16 10 1,671 19 7 Stock on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. ■■ 1,439 10 6 3,111 10 1 Dunedin Depot Property Account— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. • • 799 410 Depreciation .. .. .. .. ■ - • •85 8 0 713 16 10 Stock on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,231 1 8 1,944 18 6 Wellington Office Furniture Account— Cost at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. .. 47 8 5 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 47 8 5 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. .. .. .- 21,815 15 6 Suspense Account, premiums, deposits, &c. .. .. .. . • 504 6 0 Loan Flotation Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,561 0 0 23,881 1 6 Cash in hand and in Publio Account on 31st March, 1916 .. .. 34,960 0 7 Less vouchers outstanding .. .. .. .. .. 209 6 9 34,750 13 10 General Profit and Loss Account— Balance, 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. . .. 37,460 12 8 Less profit for year .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,514 19 5 34,945 13 3 £273,620 12 3 £273,620 12 3 State Coal-mines Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1916. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Louis H. Eilebs, F.E.A., N.Z., Accountant. . Minister of Mines. ' Note.—The profit shown is due to recoveries and less depreciation on Point Elizabeth assets, otherwise a loss would have resulted. Examined and found correct.— R. J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General.

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NEW ZEALAND STATE COLLIERIES Plan of the LIVERPOOL COLLIERY

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Statement of General Profip and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. | Or. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Point Elizabeth Colliery Trade Expenses Aooount .. 52,164 10 11 By Point Elizabeth Colliery Working Account— Gross profit .. 60,790 8 3 Liverpool Colliery ~ „ 63,905 9 0 Liverpool Colliery „ „ .. 53,430 1 9 Wellington Depot „ .. 12,636 1111 Wellington Depot Trading Account— Gross profit .. 13,638 19 5 Christchurch Depot ,- .. 6,383 6 5 Christehureh Depot „ „ .. 7,620 17 2 Wanganui Depot „ ~ .. 2,500 7 7 Wanganui Depot „ . .. 2,140 12 4 Dunedin Depot „ .. 1,770 8 5 Dunedin Depot „ „ .. 2,005 7 3 139,360 14 3 139,626 6 2 Wellington office furniture depreciation .. .. .. .. 47 8 5 Seddonville Colliery recovery .. .. .. .. 1,506 17 11 Balance profit for year .. .. .. .. .. 2,514 19 5 Briauette works recovery .. .. .. .. 280 0 0 Point Elizabeth Colliery rents .. .. .. .. 153 2 9 Liverpool ~ .. .. .. .. 356 15 3 2,296 15 11 £141,923 2 1 ! £141,923 2 1 Balance down at 31st Maroh, 1915 .. .. .. .. 37,460 12 8 Less profit for year .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,514 19 5 £34,945 13 3 Statement of Point Elizabeth Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stock of coal on hand at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. 2,297 14 10 By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. 104,537 16 4 Coal-winning— Sales of timber .. .. .. .. .. 235 7 11 Wages .... .. .. .. .. 37,577 2 4 Sales of stores .. .. .. .. .. 2,829 310 Materials used .. .. .. .. .. 3,104 14 10 107,602 8 1 Stores used.. .. .. .. .. .. 1,686 6 2 Stock of coal on hand at 31st Maroh, 1916— 42,368 3 4 I At mine and wharf .. .. .. .. 1,547 13 1 Timber out .. .. .. .. .. ~ 166 1 7 Afloat .. .. .. .. .. .. 799 4 9 Stores sold .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,625 9 2 2,346 17 10 2,791 10 9 Special rate .. .. .. .. .. .. 993 15 9 Royalty .. .. .. .. .. .. 707 13 0 1,701 8 9 Balance: Gross profit at mine .. .. .. .. .. 60,790 8 3 £109,949 5 11 £109,949 5 11

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Statement of Point Elisabeth Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. a. Cr. £ s. d. £. 8. d. To Management and office salaries .. .. .. .. 1,113 410 By Balance of Working Aocount— Interest and exchange .. .. .. .. .. 2,940 3 8 Gross profits at mine .. .. .. .. 60,790 8 3 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. SO 11 4 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 153 2 9 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. 57 110 — 60,943 11 0 Repairs and maintenance .. -. .. •■ 1,172 3 8 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. ■. ••61 12 5 Railway haulage .. .. .. .. .. 11,218 17 0 Insurances .. .. .. .. .. .. 155 12 6 Compensation for accidents and fund .. .. .. 687 7 3 Cargo adjustments ..........944 ■■■ - General expenses ... .. .. . •••48 18 11 Marine freights .. .. .. .. .. 25,734 18 9 Hulkß Working Account (proportion) .. .. .. 1,325 15 9 Terminal charges .. .. .. .. .. ■ 105 3 1 Audit fees ............ 18 17 3 Bad debts .. .. .. ....... 115 8 4 .... Depreciation: Mine, buildings, plant, and machinery .. 7,319 10 0 52,164 10 11 Net profit ..• .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,779 0 1 £60,943 11 0 £60,943 11 0 Statement of Point Elizabeth (Liverpool) Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand, 31st March, 1915 .. .. „ .. 4,279 4 10 By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 97,025 14 8 To Coal-winning— Stock of coal on hand at 31st March, 1916— Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,396 65 At mine and wharf .. .. .. .. .. 2,005 8 5 Materials used .. .. .. .. .. 2,005 4 9 Afloat .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,022 0 7 Stores used .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,848 32 3 027 9 0 41,249 14 4 ' Special rate .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,094 2 9 Balance: Gross profit at mine .. .. .. .. .. 53,430 1 9 £100,053 3 8 £100,053 <T~B

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Statement of Point Elisabeth (Liverpool) Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. & s. d. £ s. d. Cr.JßrpS! & a. d. £ s. d. To Management and office salaries .. .. .. .. 1,132 10 7By Gross profits jtt mine .. .. .. .. .. 53,430 1 9 Interest and exchange .. .. .. .. .. 5,027 7 2 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 356 15 3 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 94 3 8 53,786 17 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. 54 16 5 Balance: Loss .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,118 12 0 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. .. 627 4 1 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. .. .. 56 ]0 7 Railway haulage .. .. .. .. .. 13,288 5 4 Bad debts .. .. .. .. .. .. 715 0 Insurances .. .. .. .. .. .. 145 7 7 Compensation for accidents and fund .. .. .. 719 17 9 Cargo adjustments .. .. .. .. .. 12 5 1 General expenses .. .. .. .. .. 53 11 4 Marine freights .. .. .. .. .. 32,598 10 2 Hulks Working Account (proportion) .. . .. 94 4 3 Terminal charges .. .. .. .. .. 77 14 3 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 2 9 Loan-flotation charges .. .. .. .. .. 520 0 0 Depreciation: Mine, buildings, plant, and maohinery .. 9,378 3 0 — 63,905 9 0 £63,905 9 0 £63,905 9 0 Wellington Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr - £ s. d. £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on band at 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. 1,218 16 BBy Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. 60,113 411 Purchases of coal .. .. .. .. .. 47,07115 4 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 1,089 18 7 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. 648 18 5 61,203 3 6 47,720 13 9 : Stocks on hand at 31st March, 1916— Cartage to depot .. .. .. .. .. ... 865 3 5 Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,895 13 2 Balance: Gross profits .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,638 19 5 ' Firewood, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 344 16 7 2,240 9 9 £63,443 13 3 .- £63,443 13 3

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Wellington Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,508 13 2 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,638 19 5 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,041 2 1 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 856 0 0 Rates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 146 15 6 Interest .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 176 17 9 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 37 8 0 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. .. .. 688 5 5 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. .. .. 26 0 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. 90 10 8 Insurances .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 11 0 Cartage .. .. .. .- .. .. 3,482 5 8 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 178 18 1 Wharfages, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,914 2 7 General expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 86 3 5 Alterations .. .. .. .. .. .. 65 0 0 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 13 4 Bad debts written off .... .. .. .. 11 9 3 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 292 16 0 12,636 11 11 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,002 7 6 £13,638 19 5 £13,688 19 5 Christchurch Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand, 31st March, 1915 .. .. .. .. .. 874 10 5 By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 48,843 2 7 Purchases of coal.. .. .. .. .. .. 36,349 11 5 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 1,012 2 3 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 824 17 4 49,855 4 10 37,174 8 9 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 1916— Haulage to depot .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,142 3 4 Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,568 12 9 Gross profit .. .. .. .. .. .". .. 7,620 17 2 Firewood, ooke, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 388 2 1 1,956 14 10 £51,811 19 8 £51,811 19 8 -» '

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ChristcMirch Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ a. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s- d. To Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,025 2 3 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,620 17 2 Salaries '.'. '.'. .. .. .. .. .. 851 0 0 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 99 5 3 Interest and exchange .. .. .. .. .. 216 13 11 Kepairs and maintenance .. .. .. .. .. 82 0 2 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. 716 2 Insurances .. •..i. .. .. ■• 11 16 6 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. . ■75 5 4 Cartage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,207 6 7 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 81 19 i Freights .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 198 12 1 General expenses .. .. .. .. . ■ .. 49 15 4 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .- 37 0 0 Bad debts .. .. .. .. .. .. 393 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 360 14 3 6,383 6 5 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,237 10 9 £7,620 17 2 £7,620 17 2 Wanganui Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ a. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Tβ Stocks on hand at 31st Maroh, 1915 .. .. .. .. 1,860 11 9 By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,855 1 1 Purchases of coal .. .. .. .. .. 7,992 4 0 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 813 2 6 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. 409 14 5 11,668 3 7 — -— 8,40118 5 ! Stocks on hand at 31st Maroh, 1916— Haulage to depot .. .. .. .. .. .. 704 11 7 i Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,177 12 0 Gross profit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,140 12 4 ! Firewood, ooke, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 261 18 6 1,439 10 6 £13,107 14 1 I £13,107 14 1

11

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Wanganui Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended Slat March, 1916. Dr. £ s. c>; £ c. a. o, £ s. a. To Wages .. ~ .. .. .. .. .. 579 14 IBy Balance of Trading Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,140 12 4 Salaries.. .. .. .. .. .. -. 416 11 7 Balance: Loss.. .. . .. .. .. .. ■• 359 15 3 Bents .. .. .. .. .. .. •• 110 0 0 Interest and exchange .. .. .. .. ■ • •7416 5 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. ■• 69 11 4 Telegrams and postages .......... 12 8 1 Printing and stationery .. .. .. . • •1013 1 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .■ ■ ■2113 6 Insurance .. .. .. .. .. •• 610 8 Cartage .............. 845 7 8 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 3 8 Freights, &o. .. .. .. .. •. • • 97 1 1 General expenses .. .. •• •• ■• 61 17 0 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 6 8 Bad debts .. .. .. .. ■- .. 21 15 11 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 123 16 10 2,500 7 7 £2,500 7 7 £2,500 7 7 Dunedin Depot Trading Account for the Year ended Hist March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, 1915 .. .. ... .. 917 8 5 By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,389 5 0 Purchases of coal.. .. .. .. .. .. 9,328 11 9 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 72 11 0 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. 54 1 4 12,461 16 0 9,382 13 1 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 1916— Wharfages, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,263 4 5 Coal .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,194 10 5 Cartage to depot .. .. .. .. .. .. 124 4 6 Firewood, coke, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 36 11 3 1,387 8 11 1,231 1 8 Balance: Gross profit .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,005 7 3 £13,692 17 S £13,692 17 8 Dunedin Depot Profit and Loss Account for 31st March, 1916. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 495 17 7By Balance of Trading Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,005 7 3 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 340 0 0 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Bates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 16 9 Interest .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 111 Repairs and maintenance .. ~. .. .. .. 18 19 7 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. .. .. 409 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. 18 14 2 Insurances .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 10 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. 134 Cartage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 468 4 2 Freights, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 10 General expenses.. .. .. .. .. .. 21 13 3 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 1 3 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 0 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. .. 85 8 0 1,770 8 5 Net profit .. .. .. .. .. ». .. 234 18 10 £2,005 7 3 £2,005 7 3

12

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Statement of the Receipts and Expenditure &f theJNew Zealand State Coal-mines for the Year ended 81st March, 1916. Receipts. £ s. d. £ s. d. I Expenditure. £ s. d. P. s. dTo Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st By Point Elizabeth CollieryMarch, 1915 .. .. .. .. 25.405 15 1 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. .. .. .. .. 3fi 7 6 Proceeds of sale of coal .. .. .. 224,326 2 i Stores and materials .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,649 711 Proceeds of sale of hulk .. .. .. 50 0 0 Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,181 195 224,376 2 4 Timber .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 275 9 4 Special rate .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,640 10 3 Recoveries .. .. .. .. 6.966 0 5 Royalty .. .. .. .. .. .. 739 2 0 Refunds, &c. .. .. .. .. 108 1110 T - , p. „. 51.522 16 5 „ ma n a Liverpool Colliery— (,0 ( 4 12 3 Property and development 4,300 12 10 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. .. .. .. •■ 1,946 2 1 Buildings 358 2 8 Cottages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 449 4 4 Stores and materials .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,990 2 10 Wages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36,497 16 6 Special rate .. ".. .. .. .. .. .. •• 1,396 17 9 ■ * ... _„ : 46,938 19 0 Seddonviile Colliery— Wages .. •• 2 ° ° Hulks, working 1,212 8 2 Wellington Depot, working .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,107 9 5 Christchurch Depot, working .. .. .. .. .. .. 12,780 14 11 Wanganui Depot, working .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,700 5 4 Dunedin Depot „ .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,943 7 8 Management and office salaries .. .. .. .. .. •■ 2,249 4 0 Interest and exchange .. .. .. .. .. .. •• 8,564 12 0 Marine freights .. .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 50,355 14 5 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. • • 182 3 7 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. - •• ■ 105 2 7 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. .. .. . • ■ • 118 3 0 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. .. .. •• 1,339 3 9 Railway haulage .. .. .. .. .. .. •• 23,807 4 9 Insurances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •• 301 ■ 0 1 Compensation for accidents and fund .. .. .. •■ ■• 1,557 1 3 General expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 100 16 7 Terminal charges .. .. .. .. .. •• •- 32 0 6 Refunds .. .. .. .. ■ .. .. .. .. 54 8 5 Audit fees 28 0 0 a Deposit Contract Account .. .. .. .. .. • • 103 0 0 Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st March, 1916 .. .. .. 34,960 0 7 Less vouchers passed .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 209 6 9 g4 75Q yi 1Q £256,856 9 8 £256,856 9 8 State Coal-mines Office, Wellington, 16th June, 1916. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Louis H. Eilees, F.E.A., N.Z., Accountant. Minister of MinesExamined and found correct.— R, J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General.

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14

Remarks on the State Coal-mines Accounts foe the Year ended 31st March, 1916. The total capital expenditure on State Coal-mines Account to the 31st March last was £344,664 16s. Of this amount £175,568 18s. 6d. has been written off in depreciation, equal to 5093 per cent. The railway has cost to date under review £255,056, making a grand total expenditure in connection with the mines of £599,721. The payments to the Railway Department from the State Coalmines, Greymouth, for haulage inception totalled £201,126 to the 31st March last. This represents 78-85 per cent, on the cost of the railway.* The amount expended on the Liverpool Colliery to the above date was £168,220, the additional amount for the year being £8,218, as against £16,400 for previous year. The total tonnage and value of sales from the mines and depots to the 31st March last are as follows :— Tons. £ s. d. Point Elizabeth Colliery .. .. .. 1,957,756 1,609,400J17 11 Liverpool Colliery .. .. .. .. 216,535 187,885 14 7 Beddonville Colliery .. .. .. 520,848 366,380 9 7 Grand total output sales .. .. 2,695,139 £2,163,667 2 1 Wellington Depot .. .. .. .. 290,948 371,090 2 5 Christchurch Depot .. .. .. 255,103 313,900 8 2 Wanganui Depot .. .. .. .. 61,048 98,398 13 11 Dunedin Depot .. .. .. .. 55,923 72,759 6 1 Grand total depot sales .. .. 663,022 £856,148 10 7 Point Elizabeth Qolliery. —The sales increased at this mine by 8,916 tons, with a value of £7,144. The cost of production, including royalty and special rate, was 7s. 0-06 d., or Is. 0-55 d. per ton less than last year. The cost of trading was Bs. 3-74 d. per ton, 8-79 d. lower than last year. Of this amount interest and depreciation account for Is. 7-62 d. per ton. The sales averaged 16s. 7-88 d., or 0-58 d. per ton less than in the previous year. Liverpool Colliery.- —A substantial increase in sales took place here —viz., 31,386 tons, with a value of £10,877. This mine is in full working-order now, and a further increase may be looked for in the coming year. The cost of production was, including special rate, 7s. 5'54d., or 4-13 d. per ton less than last year. The cost of trading was 11s. 0-78 d. ,or Is. 6-24 d. per ton lower than last year, and of this amount depreciation, interest, and loan charge account for 2s. 7-01 d., less by 7-23 d. per ton than in the previous year. The average price obtained was 16s. 9-60 d. per ton, Is. 3-66 d. lower than' last year. The loss equals Is. 9-02 d. per ton. Wellington Depot.- -The sales at this place increased by 14,882 tons, valued at £10,487. The total cost of trading was 4s. 9-73d.,0r 11-04 d. per ton less than last 3 r ear, due to larger quantities being p handled. The average price realized was 21s. 9-69 d., short by 2s. 9-40 d. per ton on last year's figures : this is due to increased small-coal trade. Chrislchurch Depotr —There was an increase in sales here on the past year of 5,638 tons, and value £7,308, mainly due to contracts. The cost of trading was 6s. 5-06 d., or l-56d. per ton in excess of previous year. The average price obtained was 255. 6-69 d., 0-74 d. more per ton than last year. Wanganui Depot. —A decrease in sales resulted at this depot of 112 tons and a value of £830. The difference between tonnage and value appears peculiar on the face of it, but is explained by the heavy falling-ofi in household coal as against increased sales of small coal. The cost of trading was Bs. 9'27d., less by 6-36 d. per ton than last year, and the average price obtained 31s. 11-24 d. per ton, Is. 9-06 d. short of previous year. The loss amounts to 11-81 d. per ton. Dunedin Depot. —An increase of 1,032 tons, with a value of £782, took place here. The cost of trading was 6s. l-35d. per ton, being 8-92 d. less than last year; and the average price obtained was 245. l-44d. per ton, or 11-95 d. less than previous year. 3rd July, 1916. L. H. Eilkrs, Accountant.

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Table showing the Position of the State Coal-mines Account from Inception to 31st March, 1916.

15

Name of Works. Total Capital Expenditure. Total Amount of Depreciation written off. Assets: Net Capital as per Balance-sheet, 1916. Net Profits. Net Losses. Liabilities as per Balance-sneet, 1916. Point Elizabeth Colliery Less loss hj fire and sales Point Elizabeth (Liverpool Colliery) Seddonville Colliery Less sales Briquette-works property Less sales of plant Charming Creek prospecting . . Wellington Depot propertv Less sales » £ s. d. 97,342 18 11 463 3 8 96,879 15 3 168,220 0 3 38,187 6 8 548 11 0 37,638 15 8 16,135 2 6 2,066 5 0 14,068 17 6 3,000 18 4 5.856 0 3 292 0 0 5,564 0 3 £ s. d. 92,729 7 3 19,201 15 4 37,638 15 8 14,068 17 6 3,000 18 4 2,295 12 5 £ s. d. 4,150 8 0 149,018 4 11 3,268 7 10 £ s. d. 99,971 15 7 1,712 9 2 £ s. d. 24,712 6 8 29,618 3 7 16.663 1 11 £ i s. d. 14,068 17 6 3,000 18 4 5.856 292 0 0 3 0 5,564 0 3 Chiistchurch Depot property . . Less loss on horses 7.214 5 4 40 0 0 7,214 40 5 0 4 0 7,174 5 4 7,174 5 4 2,915 6 5 4,258 18 11 • 1,307 13 0 Wanganui Depot propertyLess loss on horses 2,476 16 0 40 0 0 2,436 16 0 2.476 16 40 0 0 0 764 16 5 1,671 19 7 243 3 7 2,436 16 0 Dunedin Depot property Less sale of plant 2.007 17 7 300 0 0 2.007 17 300 0 7 0 1,707 17 7 1,707 17 7 994 0 9 713 16 10 2,455 19 9

C—2a.

Table showing the Position of the Coal-mines Account from Inception to 31st March, 1916— continued.

Price 6d.]

■L. H. Eilers, Accountant. Xote.— The special depreciation of £45,000 18s. 4d. was written off in 1912, and distributed as follows: Point Elizabeth Colliery, £25,000, thug reducing the net profit to £74.971 15s. 7d.

Approximate Cost of Payp&r. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,200 copies, including plan), £20.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l6.

16

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