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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1905.")

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Mr. Frank Reed, M.lnst.M.E., Lie. Surveyor, Inspecting Engineer, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department. Sir,— Mines Department, Wellington, 11th April, 1907. I have the honour to submit the annual reports of inspection, together with statistical information in regard to the coal-mines of the colony for the year ended 31st December, 1906. The reports are divided into the following Sections : — I. Output of Mineral. IT. Persons employed. 111. Accidents. IV. General Remarks. Appendices— (a.) Inspectors' Reports. (b.) Mine-managers' Examinations. (c.) Statistics of Working-collieries.

SECTION I.—OUTPUT OF MINERAL. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarised as follows : —

As compared with the output for the preceding year, the above statement shows an increase of 143,780 tons, and the comparison of the relative increase and decrease of the different classes of coal, &c, won during the year 1906 is given in the following tabulated form : —

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Class of Coal, &o. Northern District. West Coast District. Southern District. Total. Bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... Pitch-coal ... Brown coal... Lignite Tons. 120,700 180,486 Tons. 956,708 2,957 3,250 I Tons. Tons. 1,077,408 22,004 24,961 337,267 521,003 106,164 106,164 Totals... 301,186 962,915 465,435 1,729,536