I—C. 2A.

C.—2A

1935. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935.

Prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 184 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925.

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— ' 2nd May, 1935. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the workings of the State Coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1935. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output for the year was 102,484 tons 3 cwt., an increase of 8,715 tons 10 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After making allowances for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 102,204 tons 4 cwt., which is accounted for as follows : —

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 2,612,946 tons 4 cwt. Days worked.—During the year the colliery worked on 142§ days, an increase of 16J days when compared with the previous year. The possible working-days, excluding pay Saturdays and union holidays, were 272. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : Lack of trade, 84 ; back Saturdays, 26 ; disputes re starting of boys, 2 ; shipping strike, 5 ; funerals, 4 ; May Day, 1 ; St. Patrick's Day, 1 ; dispute re curves versus flatsheets, 5 ; dispute re timbering by deputies, 1 ; fatal accident, f. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 314, made up as follows : Underground —Coal-hewers, 97 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 135 ; boys, 2. On the surface—64 men and 16 boys. Expenditure.—The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with subsidies on railway tickets and cost of fuel used on works, amounted to £69,773 Bs. Bd., as compared with £64,642 3s. 4d. for the previous year. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £1 125., and, after deducting stores (explosives), their net return was £1 Bs. 10|d., a reduction of |d. per day when compared with the figures of last year. Daily Output.—The average daily mine output was 719 tons 4 cwt., and the coal-hewers' average daily output 7 tons 17 cwt., as compared with 744 tons 4 cwt. and 7 tons 13 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause during the year was 9s. 4d. Accidents.—ln addition to a number of minor accidents, it is to be regretted that two fatalities occurred during the year, both of which were caused by falls of coal when working at the coal-face. The total payments made under the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act amounted to

Screened. Unscreened. Small. Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. 967 8 0 10,470 13 3 34,011 0 2 45,449 2 1 Railed Canterbury .. 23,967 1 3 5,661 9 3 15,562 1 2 45,190 13 0 Local sales .. .. 2,975 10 0 258 1 0 3,042 4 2 6,275 15 2 Mine sales .. .. .. 110 0 .. 110 0 Sales to workmen and free .. 1,718 18 0 .. 1,718 18 0 issues Stock in bin and yard .. 84 0 0 3,004 5 1 400 0 0 3,488 5 1 Stock on wharf .. .. J .. .. 70 10 0 70 10 0 27,993 19 3 21,124 7 3 53,085 16 2 102,204 4 0 Used on works .. .. .. 4,150 0 0 .. 4,150 0 0 Waste .. .. .. .. 1,454 3 0 .. 1,454 3 0 Totals.. .. 27,993 19 3 26,728 10 3 53,085 16 2 107,808 7 0