C.—2.

and one set of reviving apparatus have been obtained for the Liverpool State-mine, and regular classes in the use of the apparatus and other phases of mine rescuework have been conducted by a specially qualified mine official. I am pleased to record that the miners have displayed keen and praiseworthy interest in the training, and already two qualified groups of men are available in case of emergency. SOCIAL AMENITIES IN MINING TOWNSHIPS. In my Statement last year I expressed emphatic views on the necessity for the provision of better social amenities in mining townships. I made it clear that I desired to achieve results in this direction by co-operation: firstly, by fostering a good public spirit amongst the miners and their families ; secondly, by appealing to employers for financial and other assistance ; and, thirdly, by making grants from a small fund which was made available to my Department. I am pleased to state that as a result of the adoption of this policy a large number of improvements have been carried out in different mining townships throughout the Dominion. In practically every case in which I have felt disposed to assist I have been splendidly supported by the coal-mine owners. I desire to see the provision of these amenities vigorously pursued within the limits of such financial provision as may be available. I have also always been enthusiastic in regard to the provision and maintenance of libraries in mining towns, and during the past year I have made small grants for the assistance and improvement of ten libraries in mining centres. CARBONIZING AND BRIQUETTING. The low-temperature coal-carbonizing and briquetting plant of Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., at Rotowaro, operated for eight months during 1936. The following figures show the production during that period : — Raw coal carbonized .. . . . . 30,520 tons. Carbonized coal produced .. .. .. 14,988 tons. Average percentage of carbonized coal to raw coal 49 per cent. Carbonettes manufactured .. .. .. 17,072 tons. Oil treated . . . . . . . . . . 221,325 gals. Pitch produced . . . . . . . , 512 tons. Light oil produced . . . . . . . . 68,438 gals. Heavy oils .. . . . . . . 49,240 gals. The briquetting plant of Briquettes Ltd. at Onehunga produced 1,734 tons of briquettes during the ten months it was in operation in 1936. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1936, Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd., produced 2,300 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS. The Dominion Laboratory has, as in past years, carried out the testing and analysis of mineral-samples and mine gases. An investigation was also carried out on stone dusts suitable for use in mines. Prospectors' samples from all parts of the Dominion have been examined for gold and silver and occasionally for other metals (in one notable case, platinum, in the North Island). The physical and chemical survey of the coal resources of the Dominion which has been under discussion for some time has been commenced, and officers appointed to work under a committee comprising representatives of the Dominion Laboratory, Geological Survey, and Mines Department. The purpose of the survey is to obtain complete information on the coal eserves of the Dominion, to correlate coal-seams of various localities, and

6