STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1926.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1926 Session I, C-02a

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1926. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1926.

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

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 26th April, 1926. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1926. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning. —The gross total output of coal for the year was 107,277 tons 15 cwt., a decrease of 8,897 tons 15 cwt. when compared with the figures of last year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year, and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 107,167 tons 15 cwt., which is accounted for as follows : —

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 1,500,124 tons 2 cwt. Days worked. —During the year the colliery worked on 193\ days. The difference between the time worked and the possible working-time is accounted for as follows Days hrs. Union holidays (agreement) .. . . . . . . .. 15 0 Other holidays not specified in agreement .. . . . . .. 3 0 Funeral late Prime Minister .. . . . . .. .. .. 10 Fatal accident (J. Whelan) . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 0 Strike re Westport prosecutions . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 Strike re timbering .. . . . . . . . . . . 31 0 Delays to shipping, due to bad weather, bar conditions, &c. .. . . 27 0 Back Saturdays .. . . . . . . . . . . 10 0 Pay Saturdays . . . . . . . . .. . . 26 0 Quarterly cavils .. .. .. ■ ■ ■ ■ •. . . 0 6 Total.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 117 6 The days worked are approximately eighteen less than those worked the previous year. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 301, made up as follows : —Underground : Coal-hewers, 104 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 95. On the surface : 71 men and 31 boys. In addition to those employed under the head of " Coal-winning " there were, on an average, 11 men and 1 boy employed on development work, making a total number for the colliery of 281 men and 32 boys.

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j Screened. Unscreened. j Small. Total. |__ i , . . [ Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Export .. .. 3,915 9 0 51.114 3 0 16,183 12 0 71,213 4 0 Rail, Christchurch .. 1,063 16 0 14,016 1 1 2,131 1 0 17,210 18 1 Local sales .. .. 5,703 16 0 1,863 19 0 4,518 8 0 12,086 3 0 Mine sales .. .. .. 24 0 0 .. 24 0 0 Sold to workmen . . .. 2,081 0 0 . . 2,081 0 0 Stock in bin .. .. .. 3,463 13 3 850 0 0 4,313 13 3 Stock on wharf .. .. 15 7 0 223 9 0 .. 238 16 0 10,698 8 0 72,786 6 0 23,683 1 0 107,167 15 0 Used on works .. .. .. 3,788 19 0 .. 3,788 19 0 Waste.. .. .. .. 1,088 16 0 .. 1,088 16 0 Totals .. .. 10,698 8 0 77,664 1 0 23,683 1 0 112,045 10 0

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Payments.—The total payments made in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, minetimber, and compensation amounted to £72,596 18s. lid., a decrease of £3,128 14s. 3d. compared with the previous year. In addition to the amount expended on coal-winning, £2,465 6s. lid. was expended on development work, which included the following : (a) Construction of an iron bridge, 630 ft. long, across the Seven-mile Creek ; (6) the erecting of an endless-rope-haulage engine, together with the housing of same ; (c) the building of a four-stall stable and feed-house in concrete; (d) the building of a large shelter-shed near the middle brake. Coal - hewers' Average Daily Earnings. — The coal - hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £1 ss. 10d., and after making deductions for stores (explosives) the net return was £1 3s. 5d., a reduction of 6-Bd. per day compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily mine-output was 555 tons 2 cwt., an increase of 12 tons 5 cwt. over the previous year. The coal-hewers' average daily output works out to 5 tons 15 cwt., a decrease of approximately 15 cwt. compared with the figures for the previous year. Days worked by Coal-hewers. —The total number of days that could have been worked by coalhewers was 24,598J ; the number worked was 18,606f, and the number lost, including those lost through sickness, was 5,991|. Included in the latter are 1,046 days that were lost owing to the miners refusing to work on back Saturdays. The loss in output during the year through strikes, delays to shipping, and the miners refusing to work on back Saturdays may be estimated at approximately 40,000 tons. Deficiencies. —-The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause during the year was £1,236 3s. 3d. This works out to the cost of 2-77 d. per ton. Underground Workings.—During the early part of the year the bulk of the output was obtained from the working of pillar coal at the Nos. 1, 3, and 3, Extended mines, but during the latter part of the year approximately one-third was obtained from solid workings from the No. 2 mine. No. 1 Mine. —At this mine two seams, known as the Top and the Morgan, are being worked from under a very high ridge. The Top seam outcrops on each side of the ridge, and the stratum overlying varies in thickness from 200 ft. to 300 ft. As the pillars are being extracted in a downward direction, the overlying stratum, which is a very strong post of sandstone, causes a crush occasionally over some of the pillars, thus making it difficult to maintain roadways. In the other mines where pillars are being extracted no difficulty of any note has been experienced. No. 2 Mine.—At this mine three seams, known as the Anderson, Kimbell, and Morgan, are being worked, and it is pleasing to report they are opening out well. At the present time there are thirty pairs of miners employed at this mine in what are known as " winning-places." These winning-places are driven not more than from 10 ft. to 12 ft. wide and about 8 ft. high. As this mine has every prospect of a great future, it is the management's intention of working it on what is known as the panel system —the area of the proposed panels being about 8 acres. A plan of the proposed method of working has been prepared, but this, of course, will be subject to alteration from time to time owing to the variation in the strike of the seams. Development Work. —The principal work carried out under this head was as follows : — (a.) The construction of a bridge, 630 ft. in length and 70 ft. high, in the centre over the Sevenmile Creek, near the middle brake. (b.) The erecting of an endless-rope steam-haulage plant, together with the housing of same, (c.) The building of a five-stall stable and feed-house in concrete near the No. 2 mine. (d.) The erecting of a large shelter-shed near the middle brake. (e.) Laying down concrete foundations preparatory to rebuilding the lower viaduct on the main haulage-road. In reference to the bridge herein referred to, this was erected for the purpose of replacing a temporary one, also to make a level haulage-road between the middle brake and the No. 2 mine. This bridge is constructed of 93-lb.-per-yard tramway-rails, resting on concrete piers, and braced together with 40-lb.-per-yard rails. In constructing the bridge considerable difficulties had to be overcome, such as the confining the course of the Seven-mile Creek with concrete retaining-walls (which creek is sometimes subject to very heavy floods), and such as the building of concrete piers in difficult ground for the bridge standards to rest on, also the maintaining of the output from the No. 2 mine over the temporary bridge whilst the new one was being erected. A permanent endless-rope steam-haulage plant, together with a substantial engine-house, was erected at the middle brake to replace a small electrically driven one which had been temporarily erected near the entrance to the No. 2 mine. This plant was put into commission a few months ago, and is working very satisfactorily. At the junction of the main haulage-roads and the No. 2 mine haulage-road, at the middle brake, a shelter-shed measuring over 200 ft. in length by 24 ft. wide has been erected. This shed has open sides, and the roof is supported by iron standards which rest on concrete blocks. A five-stall stable and feed-house, .measuring 40 ft. by 30 ft., was built near the entrance to the No. 2 mine. The walls of this building, together with the floor (excepting where the horses stand in the stalls), were built in concrete ; the floor of the stalls is laid with wood. Viaduct. —The lower viaduct on the main haulage-road at this colliery, which is constructed entirely of wood, is reaching the stage when it will have to be rebuilt. As timber does not last very long, it has been decided to replace it with an iron one, built- of 93-lb.-per-yard tramway-rails resting on concrete foundations. With this end in view the concrete foundations have been laid, and the rails for the structure have also arrived. The work of rebuilding the viaduct will be undertaken at an early date, and pushed on with all possible haste. Ventilating-fan. —Owing to the present fan at the No. 2 mine not being large enough to meet future requirements, it has been found necessary to install the large fan recently operating at the No. 1 mine. To Fenable this done the No. 3 Extended mine fan had to be transferred and erected at the No. I mine, and the fan from the latter was dismantled and brought down to the No. 2 mine. The large fan is partly erected, and should be put into commission about the middle of next month. Tree-plantingln my last annual report it was stated that an area of approximately 45 acres on the State Coal Reserve had been planted in trees, also that arrangements were being made to

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plant an additional area of 50 acres. The latter-mentioned area was felled preparatory to burning, but owing to unfavourable weather conditions the bush could not be burned until well on in the summer, when it was too late for planting. The trees planted in the former area of 45 acres, particularly the Douglas firs, were not the success anticipated, and in consequence 20,000 Pinus radiata were obtained and planted to fill up the spaces where others had failed, also to replant the area of 3| acres that was destroyed by fire. The Pinus radiata trees planted last season are doing very well, and appear to be progressing better than any of the other species. The question of planting the 50 acres herein referred to this season has been discussed with one of the officers of the Forestry Branch, and the latter is of opinion that, owing to the nature of the soil, Pinus radiata is the most suitable tree to plant. Electric Safety-lamps. —At the present time two types of lamps are being used at this colliery — viz., the Pearson Nife hand electric safety-lamp, and a cap-lamp which is a combination of the Pearson Nife and the Oldham. The former is used chiefly by the coal-hewers, and the latter lJy truckers and shiftmen. Some of the hand-lamps have been in use since August, 1923, and for a period were subjected to very hard treatment, for they were in use on tunnel-construction work, which in parts was very wet and dirty. After nearly three years' service these lamps are still in use, and are practically as good as ever they were. In January of last year a hundred Pearson Nife hand-lamps arrived, and were issued to the men the month following. These lamps have been in continuous use ever since and given very little trouble. A parcel of fifty cap-lamps arrived in August, 1925, and were issued soon after to the truckers and shiftmen. The cap-lamp has a decided advantage over the hand-lamp. With the latter there is a tendency for the user to do his work over a large area without moving the lamp from the first position, whereas with the cap-lamp, through the user carrying it on his cap, the quality of illumination is at all times comparatively constant, and eye-strain is in consequence reduced to a minimum. The candle-power of the cap-lamp is also very much greater than the hand-lamp. This is due to the light being concentrated and reflected in one direction. Coloured Glasses. —The light given by an electric lamp is white and hard, and the small incandescent filament appears to be very brilliant when compared with an oil-lamp flame, the light of which is soft and yellow. With the object of counteracting the effects of the brightness in the electric safetylamps a few yellow-tinted and frosted glasses were obtained, and are now on trial. The tinted glass appears to reduce the candle-power of the lamp from 10 to 20 per cent., and the reduction appears to be much greater with the frosted glasses. The trial, however, has not been sufficiently prolonged to allow any definite conclusions to be drawn. Accidents. —There were several minor accidents during the year, also a serious accident which resulted fatally. In connection with the latter a special report was forwarded. James Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output for the year was 26,781 tons 13 cwt., a decrease of 2,2f3 tons 7 cwt. compared with the previous year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 25,227 tons 13 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :—

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 84,529 tons 6 cwt. Days worked. —The mine during the period worked on 207§ days, compared with 222| days for the previous year. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days are accounted for as follows : — Days hrs. Union holidays (agreement) .. .. .. .. 15 0 Other holidays (not specified in agreement) . . 4 0 Funeral late Piime Minister .. .. ... ...... 1- 0 Fatal accident (J. Wbelan) . . ..20 Strike re Westport prosecutions 2 0 Timber strike .. . . ■ ■ • . 28 0 Stop-work meetings . . .32 Pay Saturdays .. .. .. .. .. . 26 0 Delays to shipping due to bad weather, bar conditions, &c. . . 2 0 Want of orders . . . . . . . . . 10 0 Back Saturdays . . .110 Weighbridge strike . . ..10 Total . . . . 105 2

Screened. ' Unscreened. Nuts. Small. Slack. Total. . . - - Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Tons owt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Export .. .. 9,231 2 0 49 3 0 169 10 2 .. 3,700 13 0 13,150 8 2 Rail to Christchurch 6,997 17 1 197 14 2 369 11 0 119 16 3 .. 7,684 19 2 Local sales .. 427 9 1 53 5 0 .. .. 1,145 1 2 1,627 13 3 Sold to workmen .. .. 353 15 0 .. .. .. 353 15 0 Stock in bin .. .. .. 70 0 0 250 0 0 31 6 0 351 6 0 Slack-dump .. .. .. .. • 1,719 1 0 1,719 1 0 Stock on wharf .. 265 17 0 . . .. 7 0 0 67 12 1 340 9 1 16,922 5 2 655 15 2 609 1 2 376 16 3 6,663 13 3 25,227 13 0 Used on works .. .. 1,797 0 0 .. .. .. 1,797 0 0 Waste .. . . . . 249 13 0 .. .. . . 249 13 0 Totals .. 16,922 5 2 2,702 8 2 609 1 2 376 16 3 6,663 13 3 27,274 6 0

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Employees.-- In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed was 64, made up as follows : —Underground : Coal-hewers, 28 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 17. On the surface : 16 men and 3 boys. In addition to those employed under the head of " Coal-winning,'' there were, on an average, 9 men employed on development work, making a total for the colliery of 70 men and 3 boys. Payments. —The total payments made in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, minetimber, and compensation amounted to £17,450 12s. 10d., a decrease of £2,917 6s. sd. compared with the previous year. In addition to the amount expended on coal-winning, £2,409 Is. lid. was expended on development work. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earning (gross) was £1 9s. 5-25 d., and after making deduction for stores (explosives) the net return was £1 2s. l-71d. The net return is practically the same as in the previous year. Bays worked by Goal-hewirs. —The total number of days that could have been worked by coalhewers was 6,316 ; the days worked were 5,315, and the number lost through sickness and various causes was' 820. Daily Output. —The average daily mine-output was 128 tons 18 ewt., and the daily average output per coal-hewer was 5 tons 0-85 cwt. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause during the year was £239 17s. 9d. This works out to the cost of 2-15 d. per ton. Underground Development.—The output during the year was obtained from workings in course of being opened in the main dip section, also in the east and west level sections. In the former section the seam was fairly uniform both in grade and thickness, the coal won therefrom being of good quality. In the development of the workings in the east level section the seam was far from uniform both in grade and thickness. The variation was due chiefly to the encountering of stone rolls in the form of irregular mounds. At the present time a dip heading is being driven from the east level, together with places worked right and left off the heading. The places to the right will eventually connect with the workings in the main dip section, and those on the left with places that are now in course of being driven from the No. 2 east level at the face of the main heading. The workings in the west level opened up well for a time, but three of the places, including the main level, are stopped at a roll, the latter pinching the seam to an unworkable thickness. In close proximity to the places stopped three others are being worked, and there is every indication that the roll will be worked round without going to the expense of crossing it. Main Heading. —In my last annual report reference was made to this heading encountering a stone roll which completely pinched out the seam, also that the same had been partly crossed. During the year the heading was extended a distance of 6 chains, 4 of which had to be driven practically through stone before coal of a workable thickness was rcached. The face of the heading is temporarily stopped in good coal, pending a connection being made for a return airway. Near the face of the heading two levels have been driven on the seam, and from these a heading parallel with the main one is now in course of construction for a return airway. Surface Works. —The whole of the plant and machinery in and about the mine has been maintained in good order, and during the year the following additional plant was erected : An elevating plant was erected for the purpose of elevating the small coal from the bin to a height of 40 ft., also a revolving screen for the extraction of nuts from the small. It was also necessary to partition a part of the bin into compartments for the storage of nuts and slack. To deal with the surplus slack, a pipe-line for water had to be laid to sluice it on to a dump. Boring.—With the object of ascertaining whether workable seams exist at a reasonable depth below the present one being worked, a borehole is now in course of being drilled in close proximity to borehole No. 1 on the banks of James Creek. At the time of reporting, boring lias been carried on to a depth of over 500 ft. without passing through any seams of coal. General. Reviewing the work for the year, it will be seen there is a decrease in output, and in the number of days worked, at both collieries, when compared with the previous year. The reduction of working-time has always a serious effect not only on the output, but on the general average cost of production, for it must be noted that the maintenance of the mines has to be attended to whether full time or otherwise is worked. The average daily output per coal-hewer at the Liverpool Colliery is less by 15 cwt. compared with the previous year ; this is due to a large number of men now being employed in solid working at the No. 2 mine. At the James Colliery the average daily output per coal-hewer shows an increase of nearly lit tons compared with the previous year. Accompanying are copies of the working-plans of the Liverpool and James Mine workings. In conclusion, I wish to state that all the officers in all branches have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. lam also indebted to yourself for valuable assistance rendered in connection with several matters concerning the mines. I have, &c., I. A. James, Superintendent. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

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NEW ZEALAND STATE COAL-MINES. Balance-sheet. Statement of Liabilities and Assets as at 31st March, 1926. Liabilities. £ s. d. £ s. d. Asset*. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Loan under Coal-mines Liverpool Colliery and DevelopAct, 1908 .. .. 150,000 0 0 ment Property Account — Loan under Coal-mines Balance at 31st March, Act, 1908, and Appro- 1925 .. .. .. 69,949 3 9 priation Act, 1912 .. 25,000 0 0 Additions during the year .. 4,682 18 2 New Zealand Consoli- — dated Inscribed Stock 52,601 0 7 74,632 1 11 — 227,601 0 7 Depreciation .. .. 5,302-15 3 Debenture sinking fund .. 48,198 11 8 69,329 6 8 Accrued interest .. .. 3,886 1 8 Machinery, plant, ropes, and Sundry creditors — rolling-stock— Liverpool Colliery .. 7,977 12 4 Balance at 31st March, James Colliery .. 1,915 19 5 1925 .. .. 34,598 19 6 Wellington Depot .. 789 11 3 Additions during the year 3,149 10 10 Christchureh Depot .. 2,220 16 0 — Wanganui Depot .. 337 14 10 37,748 10 4 — 13,241 13 10 Depreciation .. .. 3,689 0 2 Reserves— 34,059 10 2 General Reserve .. 64,952 5 9 Buildings at mine— Bad-debts Reserve .. 424 5 0 Balance at 31st March, ■ 65,376 10 9 1925 .. .. 3,868 17 6 Contracts Deposit Ac- Additions during the year 477 1 10 count .. .. .. 990 0 0 ———•— Unclaimed Wages, &c., 4,345 19 4 in Suspense .. .. 2 4 6 Depreciation .. .. 408 5 10 Stocks, &c., writing-off 3,937 13 6 Suspense Account .. .. 4,134 11 10 Cottages at mine— General Profit and Loss Balance at 31st March, Account— 1925 .. .. 5,451 4 2 Net profit for year .. .. 1,863 4 8 Additions .. .. 458 17 7 5,910 1 9 Depreciation .. .. 576 4 8 5,333 17 1 Plantation at mine— Cost as at 31st March, 1925 1,094 15 0 Additions .. .. 294 6 11 — — 1,389 1 11 Writing-off Suspense .. .. 134 2 9 Coal (stock on hand at mine and wharf) .. .. 4,814 0 9 Stores (stock on hand) .. 8,529 111 13,343 2 8 Stock Suspense Account .. .. 22 10 0 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 5,187 411 132,736 9 8 James Colliery and Development Property Account— Balance at 31st March, 1925 29,602 13 9 Additions during the year .. 2,245 9 4 31,848 3 I Depreciation .. . . 1,592 8 2 -30,255 14 11 Machinery, plant, ropes, and rolling-stock — Balance at 31st March, 1925 .. .. 11,028 410 Additions during the year 948 0 6 11,976 5 4 Depreciation .. .. 1,147 17 5 —10,828 7 11 Buildings at mine— Balance at 31st March, 1925 .. .. 1,243 2 9 Additions during the year 75 12 4 1,318 15 1 Depreciation .. .. 128 2 10 | ——- 1,190 12 3 Cottages at mine .. .. .. 6 2 0 Preliminary Expenses Account .. .. .. .. 1,103 8 6 Coal stocks .. .. 664 9 2 Stocks Suspense Account .. 124 13 0 Sundry debtors .. .. 379 10 4 1,168 12 6 —— 44,552 18 1 Prospecting on State Coal Reserve .. .. .. .. .. 146 4 1 Carried forward .. .. £365,293 19 6 i £177,435 11 01

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Balance-sheet —continued. Liabilities —continued. £ s. d. Assets —continued. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Brought forward .. .. .. 365,293 19 6 Brought forward .. .. .. .. 177,435 11 10 Mac Donald Colliery and Development Property Account— Cost at 31st March, 1925 .. 71,090 6 4 Additions during the year .. 2,878 9 9 73,968 16 1 Machinery, plant, and rol-ling-stock'—• Balance at 31st March, 1925 2,930 13 10 Less sales during the year 71 2 6 2,859 11 4 Less writing-off Suspense 2,859 11 4 Buildings at mine— Cost at 31st March, 1926.. .. 479 17 3 Cottages at mine— Cost at 31st March, 1925.. 2,133 3 6 Less recoveries during the year.. .. .. 62 9 2 2,070 14 4 Plantation at nxine— Cost at 31st March, 1925 .. 827 11 5 Expended during the year .. 82 14 0 910 5 5 Writing off Suspense .. 2,859 11 4 80,289 4 5 Wellington Depot Property Account— Balance at 31st March, 1925 3,557 1 2 Additions during the year .. 578 12 11 4,135 14 1 Depreciation .. .. 477 2 0 3,658 12 1 Writing-off Suspense . . .. 36 5 9 Stocks on hand .. .. 3,175 18 5 Stocks Suspense Account . . 333 10 9 3,509 9 2 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 9,001 8 10 16,205 15 10 Christchureh Depot Property Account — Balance at 31st March, 1925 .. 3,305 19 2 Additions during the year .. 539 2 9 3,845 1 11 Depreciation .. .. 329 11 0 3,515 10 11 Writing-off Suspense .. .. 42 9 9 Stocks on hand .. .. 4,094 10 6 Stocks Suspense Account .. 366 15 11 4,461 6 5 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 6,550 1 1 14,569 8 2 Wanganui Depot Property Account — Balance at 31st March, 1925 .. 1,419 5 0 Additions during the year .. 36 13 9 1,455 18 9 |§ jg Depreciation .. .. 143 0 1 1,312 18 8 Writing-off Suspense .. .. 7 14 4 Stocks on hand .. .. 919 17 0 Stocks Suspense Account .. 206 18 3 • 1,126 15 3 Sundrv debtors .. .. .. 6,307 10 3 — 8,754 18 6 Sinking Fund Investment Account .. .. 48,198 11 8 Investment Account (ordinary) .. .. .. 17,500 0 0 Interest on investments accrued .. .. 226 0 6 Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. 2,114 8 7 £365,293 19 6 £365,293 19 6 State Coal-mines Office, Wellington, 2nd July, 1926. G. Jas. Anderson, P. G. Pearce, Accountant. Minister of Mines. I hereby certify that the attached Working and Profit and Loss Accounts of Depots and Collieries, General Profit and Loss Account, Statement of Receipts and Payments, and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and oonipifwT until the relative books and document? submitted for audit, and'cbrrectly state the position as disclosed thereby, except that in the opinion of the Audit Office interest on capital expenditure on the unopened Mac Donald Colliery should be charged to General Profit and Loss Account instead of being capitalized, as development was sufficiently completed several years ago.—G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

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Statement of General Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. D?\ £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Liverpool Colliery Trade Ex- By Liverpool Colliery Working penses Account .. .. 80,998 14 0 Account —Gross profit .. 82,487 11 5 James Colliery Trade Ex- James Colliery Working Acpenses Account .. .. 18,481 11 10 count —Gross profit .. 17,490 311 Wellington Depot Trade Ex- Wellington Depot Trading Acpenses Account .. .. 9,087 10 8 count —Gross profit .. 9,072 2 2 Christchurch Depot Trade Ex- Christchurch Depot Trading penses Account .. .. 4,797 12 11 Account —Gross profit .. 7,394 17 4 Wanganui Depot Trade Ex- Wanganui Depot Trading Acpenses Account .. .. 1,953 13 7 count —Gross profit .. 1,882 13 4 *- 115,319 3 0 Sed don ville Colliery—Recoveries 68 8 8 Balance—Profit for year carried Point Elizabeth Colliery—Redown .. .. .. .. 6,415 5 1 coveries .. .. 1,487 13 3 Liverpool Collierv —Rents . * 639 4 9 120,522 14 10 Interest on investments .. .. 1,211 13 3 £121,734 8 1 £121,734 8 1 £ s. d. £ s. d. Sinking Fund Account for redemption of loan Bala,nee —Profit for year 1925-26 .. 6,415 5 1 capital . . . . .. . . 4,552 0 5 Balance—Net profit for year .. 1,863 4 8 £6,415 5 1 £6,415 5 1 Statement of Liverpool Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Br. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stock on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. 149,977 17 9 1925 .. .. .. .. 3,616 310 Sales of stores and hire of plant 6,654 1 4 Coal-winning— 156,631 19 1 Wages .. .. . . 60,630 15 0 Stock of coal on hand at 31st Stores and materials used .. 5,916 12 5 March, 1926, at mine and Railway tickets .. .. 512 16 6 wharf .. .. .. .. 4,814 0 9 Special trains .. .. 1,763 15 0 Stores and plant sales (at cost) 5,340 16 10 Coal purchased .. .. 323 11 7 Special rate .. .. 853 17 3 75,342 4 7 Balance—Gross profit .. .. 82,487 11 5 £161,445 19 10 £161,445 19 10 Statement of Liverpool Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Br. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Management and office salaries 2,912 5 9 By Gross profit at mine .. .. .. 82,48711 5 Interest .. .. .. 4,040 17 5 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 639 4. 9 Travelling-expenses .. .. 150 4 10 Printing and stationery . . 255 3 8 Repairs and maintenance .. 4,867 14 1 Telegrams and postages .. 157 12 1 Railway haulage .. ..11,716 5 2 Insurances .. . . .. 94 19 6 Compensation for accidents .. 3,074 9 7 Sick and Accident Fund . . 212 8 8 General expenses . . .. 389 4 8 Marine freights .. .. 39,827 9 10 Audit fees . . .. . . 93 I 8 Wharfage .. .. .. 2,561 11 9 Stores adjustment and losses .. 62 19 5 Depreciation—Mine, buildings, plant, and machinery .. 9,976 5 11 80,998 14 0 Balance —Net profit .. . . . . 2,128 2 2 £83,126 16 2 J £83,126 16 2

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Statement of James Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Stock on hand at 31st March, By Sales coal .. .. .. .. 34,762 7 8 1925 .. .. .. .. 432 17 3 Stock on hand at 31st March, 1926, at mine Coal-winning— and wharf . . . . .. .. 664 9 2 Wages .. .. .. 16,202 16 8 Stores and materials used .. 601 4 5 Subsidized bus-fares, &c. . . 216 1 6 Coal purchased .. .. 68 2 4 Special rate . . . . 138 10 3 Royalty .. .. .. 277 0 6 17,503 15 8 Balance—Gross profit .. .. 17,490 3 11 £35,426 16 10 £35,426 16 10 Statement of James Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Management and office salaries .. .. 704 411 By Gross profit at mine .. .. .. 17,490 311 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 20 16 8 Balance—Net loss .. .. .. 991 7 11 Interest .. .. . . .. .. 1,694 1 5 Travelling-expenses . . .. . . 39 1 2 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 65 17 8 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. 534 1 0 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. 38 3 0 Railway haulage .. .. .. .. 1,961 19 2 Insurance .. .. .. ~ 16 I 9 Compensation .. .. .. .. 163 11 10 Sick and Accident Fund .. . . .. 46 18 1 General expenses.. .. .. .. 1608 Marine freights .. .. .. .. 9,653 18 9 Audit fees .. .. .. .. 18 11 8 Wharfage .. .. .. .. 415 10 9 Road repairs and subsidy .. .. .. 209 17 11 Reserve for bad debts .. .. .. 14 7 0 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 2,868 8 5 £18,481 11 10 £18,481 11 10 Wellington Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, _ By Sales of coal .. ... 88,934 12 1 1925 .. .. .. .. 3,727 15 3 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 5,696 6 9 Purchases of coal .. .. 79,020 18 3 94,630 18 10 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. 3,739 17 10 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 82,760 16 1 1926— Wharfage .. .. .. .. 784 15 8 Coal .. .. .. 2,781 14 6 Cartage to depot .. .. .. 933 11 9 Firewood, coke, &c. .. 155 19 5 Wages—Trimming .. .. .. 289 11 10 2,937 13 11 Balance —Gross profit .. .. 9,072 2 2 £97,568 12 9 £97,568 12 9 Wellington Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. ToWages .. .. .. .. .. 1,447 8 3 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 9,072 2 2 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 1,400 4 0 Balance —Net loss .. .. .. 15 8 6 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 856 0 0 Rates .. .. .. .. .. 314 19 9 Interest .. .. .. .. .. 159 11 7 Travelling expenses and allowances .. .. 49 13 3 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. 410 15 0 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. 62 311 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 52 6 7 Insurances .. .. .. .. 41 5 3 Cartage .. .. .. .. .. 3,334 16 4 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. 165 0 7 Freights, &c. .. .. .. .. 85 10 7 General expenses .. .. .. .. 165 14 5 Audit fees .. .. .. .. 24 0 0 Compensation .. .. .. .. 40 19 2 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 477 2 0 £9,087 10 8 £9,087 10 8

9

C.—2A

Christchurch Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. 69,550 1 10 1925 .. .. .. .. 3,554 18 6 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 1,187 10 0 Purchases of coal .. .. 47,662 1 2 1 70,737 11 10 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. 637 12 7 Stocks on hand at 31st March, — 48,299 13 9 1926— Haulage to depot .. .. .. 15,318 8 8 Coal .. .. .. 3,686 1 11 Wages—Discharging . . .. .. 202 9 9 Firewood, coke, &c... .. 346 14 3 Gross profit .. .. .. .. 7,394 17 4 | 4,032 16 2 £74,770 8 0 ! £74,770 8 0 * Christchurch Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. ToWages .. .. .. 1,185 13 5 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 7,394 17 4 Salaries .. .. .. 878 12 5 Bents .. .. .. 116 3 8 Interest .. .. .. 94 2 6 Travelling-expenses .. . . 10 18 2 Repairs and maintenance .. 241 7 9 Telegrams and postages .. 44 10 11 Printing and stationery .. 30 13 8 Insurances .. .. .. 5 12 5 Cartage .. .. .. 1,581 6 8 Sacks .. .. .. 94 12 8 Freights .. .. .. 12 2 1 General expenses .. .. 94 7 1 Audit fees .. .. .. 34 0 0 Compensation .. .. 40 19 1 Reserve for bad debts .. 2 19 5 Depreciation.. .. .. 329 11 0 4,797 12 11 Net profit .. .. .. .. 2,597 4 5 £7,394 17 4 £7,394 17 4 Wanganui Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ . s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. 32,684 17 2 1925 .. .. .. .. 1,158 6 0 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 691 8 11 Purchases of coal .. .. 30,393 1 4 33,376 6 1 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. 411 8 5 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 30,804 9 9 1926— Haulage to depot .. .. .. 372 6 9 Coal .. .. .. 709 17 7 Wages—Discharging .. .. .. 33 3 1 Firewood, coke, &c... .. 164 15 3 Gross profit .. .. .. .. 1,882 13 4 874 12 10 £34,250 18 11 £34,250 18 11 Wanganui Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d ToWages .. .. .. .. .. 428 16 0 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 1,882 13 4 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. 442 15 7 Balance—-Net loss .. .. .. .. 71 0 3 Rents .. .. .. .. . . 191 16 8 Interest .. .. .. .. .. 55 15 9 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. 35 16 4 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. 118 10 11 Telegrams and postages .. .. .. 23 11 11 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 6 5 5 Insurance .. .. .. .. .. 1190 Cartage .. .. .. .. .. 382 17 2 Sacks .. .. .. .. .. 20 19 0 Freights, &c. .. .. .. .. 6 8 8 General expenses .. .. .. .. 40 17 2 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. 19 6 8 Compensation .. .. .. .. 25 7 3 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 143 0 1 j £1,953 13 7 £1,953 13 7

2 —C. 2A.

C.—2 A

10

Statement or Receipts and Payments foe the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Receipts. Expenditure. To Cash in hand and in £ s. d. £ s. d. By James Colliery— £ s. d. £ s. d. Public Account at Property and development .. 2,071 9 8 31st March, 1925 .. .. 12,887 15 0 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock . . 171 6 11 Proceeds of sale of coal 234,683 10 8 Buildings .. .. .. 24 17 9 Recoveries,refunds,&c. 1,658 5 5 Wages .. .. .. .. 15,901 15 11 236,341 16 1 Special rate .. .. .. 142 7 9 Contracts —Deposits.. .. 10 0 0 Coal purchased .. .. .. 71 6 7 Unclaimed wages, &c., Subsidized bus-fares .. .. 221 12 6 rebanked .. .. 2 4 6 18,604 17 1 Interest .. .. .. 754 18 11 Liverpool Colliery— Dishonoured cheques Property and development .. . 2,659 18 11 recredited .. .. 132 13 7 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. 6115 Buildings . . .. .. 154 9 10 Cottages . . . . .. 459 8 0 Plantation .. . . . . 244 3 0 Stores and materials .. .. 16,268 11 7 Wages .. .. .. .. 59,945 3 6 Special rate .. .. . . 839 2 3 Railway tickets .. .. .. 1,596 16 3 Special trains .. .. .. 2,070 18 9 Coal purchased . . .. .. 381 9 6 Wages on account . . .. 26 7 7 Rebate on cargo adjustment .. 12 8 1 — 84,719 18 8 Mac Donald Colliery— Property and development .. 9 0 0 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. 0 8 0 Cottages . . .. .. 6 8 1 Plantation . . .. .. 82 14 0 98 10 1 Prospecting on State Coal Reserve . . . . 92 3 9 Seddonville Colliery Account .. .. 65 7 10 I Wellington Depot Account .. .. 16,482 9 2 Christchurch Depot Account.. .. 20,761 0 10 Wanganui Depot Account .. .. 4,035 3 7 Coal purchased on account of depots (Suspense Account) .. .. 131 9 1 ■ 41,410 2 8 Management and oifice salaries .. 5,839 12 6 Interest .. .. .. .. 9,25119 2 i Travelling-expenses .. .. 200 6 0 Printing and stationery . . .. 337 3 1 Repairs and maintenance .. .. 3,513 17 3 Wharfage.. .. .. .. 2,944 10 0 Railway haulage .. .. .. 13,349 17 9 Marine freights .. .. .. 50,294 12 3 Road subsidy and repairs .. .. 209 17 11 Postages and telegrams .. .. 194 15 2 Insurances .. .. .. 64 14 10 Rents . . .. .. .. 110 2 6 Compensation .. .. .. 3,486 2 5 Sick and Accident Fund .. .. 197 4 4 General expenses .. .. .. 552 16 11 Investments —general .. .. 7,500 0 0 Sinking fund investment .. .. 4,552 0 5 Aiidit fees .. .. .. .. 261 13 4 Contracts refunds . . . . . . 30 0 0 Cheques dishonoured .. .. 132 13 7 , 103,023 19 5 Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. 2,114 8 7 £250,129 8 1 £250,129 8 1

11

C.—2a

Table showing the Position of the State Coal-mines Account from Inception to 31st March, 1926.

1 I [iif . I Total Amount of ifixed Assets Liabilities Name ol Works. .wni!,,.! i Depreciation as per Net Profits. Net Losses. as per '* 1 ' written off. Balance-sheet, 1926. Balance-sheet, 1926. £ ». d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Point Elizabeth Colliery .. 98,210 9 0 Less loss by fire and sales .. 2,291 6 11 95,919 2 1 95,919 2 1 .. 144,186 16 11 Liverpool Colliery, .. .. 279,897 11 0 Less loss by fire .... 80 0 0 279,817 11 0 165,768 1 8 114,049 9 4 34,982 0 9 .. 7,977 12 4 Seddonville Colliery .. .. 38,243 2 5 Less sales .. .. 548 17 0 I 37,694 5 5 37,694 5 5 .. .. 37,928 1 7 Briquette-works property .. 16,135 2 6 Less sales of plant .. 2,066 5 0 14,068 17 6 14,068 17 6 .. .. 22,660 18 10 Prospecting on State Coal 146 4 1 .. 146 4 1 Reserve Charming Creek prospecting .. 5,956 18 6 5,956 18 6 .. .. 5,954 11 8 James Colliery .. .. 54,753 2 6 12,472 5 5 42,280 17 1 .. 4,766 7 6 1,915 19 5 MacDonald Colliery .. .. 80,289 4 5 2,859 11 4 77,429 13 1 .. 2,859 11 4 Wellington Depot property .. 9,913 0 4 Less sales .. .. 443 2 0 9,469 17 10 5,811 5 9 3,658 12 1 .. 5,152 14 8 789 11 3 Cbristchurch Depot property 9,838 18 4 Less loss on horses and sales 238 5 0 9,600 13 4 6,085 2 5 3,515 10 11 5,806 13 4 .. 2,220 16 0 Wanganui Depot property .. 3,683 5 10 Less loss on horses and sales 167 4 5 3,516 1 5 2,203 2 9 1,312 18 8 .. 634 5 9 337 14 10 Dunedin Depot property .. 2,023 3 7 Less sale of plant .. .. 641 10 0 1,381 13 7 1,381 13 7 .. .. 4,248 3 5 Hulks property .. 4,033 15 5 Less sales . . .. 1,948 17 0 2,084 18 5 2,084 18 5 .. 1,786 12 11 Office furniture .. .. 189 13 9 Less sales .. .. 17 5 0 172 8 9 172 8 9 .. .. 172 8 9 Grand total . . 603,313 11 8 * Less losses and sales 8,442 12 10 594,870 18.10 352,477 13 7 242,393 5 3 Interest on investments .. .. .. .. 7,263 16 1 Discounts .. .. .. .. .. .. 1329 Cash lost (highway robbery) . . . . .. .. .. 89 0 1 Totals, profit and loss .. .. .. .. 194,039 2 9 84,466 3 7 Balance, profits over losses .. .. .. .. .. 109,572 19 2 Stocks on hand and suspense.. .. .. 23,298 18 5 Investment Account (ordinary) .. .. 17,500 0 0 Interest on investments accrued . . .. 226 0 6 Sinking Fund Investments .. .. 48,198 11 8 .. Account Preliminary expenses .. .. . . 1,103 8 6 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. 27,425 15 5 Cash on hand .. .. j .. .. 2,114 8 7 Writing off Suspense Account ' .. .. 3,033 11 2

O.—2A

12

Table showing the Position of the State Coal-mines Account from Inception to 31st March, 1926—continued.

Approm'mate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (550 copies), £23 17s. 6d.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

Price, 6d.]

nw«i r<ar»i+Qj Total Amount of Fixed Assets Liabilities Name of Works. Depreciation as per Net Profits. Net Losses. as per ' P written off. Balance-sheet, 1926. Balance-sheet, 1926. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Debentures and Loan Account .. .. .. .. .. 227,601 0 7 Bad-debts Reserve .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 424 5 0 Accrued interest payable .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,886 1 8 Sinking Fund Account .. .. .. . . .. .. 48.198 11 8 General Reserve .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64,952 5 9 General Profit and Loss Account .. .. .. .. .. 1,863 4 8 Contracts Deposit Account .. .. .. .. . . . . 990 0 0 Stocks Suspense Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,134 11 10 Unclaimed wages, &c., in sus- .. .. .. .. .. 2 4 6 pense % 365,293 19 6 194,039 2 9 194,039 2 9 365,293 19 6