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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