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COAL-MINING. The production of coal for the past year is, with the exception of 1910, the highest yet attained, being 2,066,073 tons. The output from the three inspection districts is shown in the following table : — Comparative Statement of Coal and Lignite raised during the Years 1909, 1910, a\-d 1911.

The comparative tonnage of the various classes of coal, &c, for the years 1910 and 1911 is summarized as follows :—

The total recorded output for the various classes of coal, lignite, and oil-shale is now 33,297,621 tons. There continues to be an increasing demand for the high-class bituminous coal from the West Coast mines and from the semi-bituminous collieries of the Waikato district, and with a view to meeting these requirements new collieries are being laid down on the Grey and Waikato coalfields, in addition to which existing mines are being further equipped and prepared for increased outputs. The production of coal and shale from the mines of the Dominion is shown in the following table : —

PERSONS ENGAGED IN MINING. The number of persons employed in and about the mines of the Dominion during 1911 is estimated at 11,690. The number employed in connection with the metalliferous mines was 7,400, and at coal-mines 4,290. The number of gum-diggers is not ascertainable.

Inspection District. Output for 1911. Increase or Decrease, 1910 and 1911. Output for 1909. Increase or Decrease, 1909 and 1910. Northern Vest Coast louthern Tons. 397,872 1,218,693 449,508 Decrease Tons. 2,792 122,339 6,158 Tons. 348,370 1,122,642 440,235 Increase Tons. 52,294 218,390 15,431 Totals 2,066,073 Decrease 131,289 1,911,247 Increase 286,115

Class of Coal. Output for 1911. Output for 1910. Increase or Decrease for 1911. Situminous and semi-bituminous 'itch-coal trown coal lignite Tons. 1,358,357 4,411 601,093 102,212 Tons. 1,495,709 6,068 594,995 100,590 Tons. Decrease 137,352 1,657 1 Increase 6,098 1,622 Totals 2,066,073 2,066,073 2,197,362 2,197,362 j Decrease 131,289 j Decrease 131,289

Name of Colliery. Class of Coal. Total Output Output for 1911. 3WD U mte| 1911. Brown Tons. 252,262 Tons. 2,574,413 Taupiri Westport Coal Company — Millerton Denniston Westport-Stockt on State coal-mines — Seddonville Point Elizabeth No. 1 .. Blackball Kaitangata Nightcaps Other collieries Bituminous . . >) • ■ >i • • 11 • • Brown ii • • Various 299,642 323,368 87.236 60,045 188,892 156,821 134,829 64,250 498,728 3,431,993 6.045,799 332.129 400,104 1,413,463 1,469,946 2,714,181 788,575 14,127,018 Totals 2,066,073 33,297,621