C.—2.

The total wages paid at all collieries during the year amounted to the sum of £152,797. These wages were distributed amongst 499 men and 34 youths, and represent an average income per employee of £287. For the previous year the average income per employee was £273, the total sum paid in wages for coalwinning being £112,072 and the number of employees being 385 men and 26 youths. WASTAGE OF COAL. The reduction in the size of screens in use, together with the increased consumption of slack coal in factories, has resulted in a substantial improvement being effected in respect of the wastage of slack coal, which was one of the major problems confronting the industry in previous years. NEW AVENUES OF COAL-UTILIZATION. The survey of our coal resources has continued during the year. Detailed investigations of the coals in the Grey and Buller districts have been made, but the work has not yet been completed. A start was also made with the sampling of Waikato and Southland coals, and some preliminary work carried out to determine suitable fuels for producer gas. 1 The question of producing increased quantities of benzol at the main gasworks is at present under consideration. RESCUE-STATIONS. A rescue-station was completed during the year at Dobson, near Greymouth, and equipped with modern apparatus. Courses of training were carried out, and at the end of the year there were seven fully-trained brigades and one partially trained brigade in the Grey district. . The importance of having up-to-date, properly-maintained mine-rescue apparatus is generally recognized. It is of equal importance that the selected rescue crews are comprised of relatively young men who have had proper mining experience and who possecs sound physical and mental qualities. The personnel of these rescue crews must be thoroughly trained so as to be competent to meet any emergency. A full appreciation of this fact by both employers and woikers is essential. Sites have been chosen for the erection of two additional rescue-stations —one in the Waikato district, the other in the Ohai field—and the erection and equipping of these stations will be pushed ahead as quickly as possible. SOCIAL AMENITIES IN MINING TOWNSHIPS. Substantial additions and improvements to the amenities in mining camps and townships have been provided during the year. In this work I have had the financial support of the owners of the mines, and the residents of the districts, too, have shown a commendable local effort. In 1939 a number of swimming-baths, tennis-courts, bowling-greens, croquetgreens, and other facilities for healthy recreation were made available in a number of townships. . . . , Small grants have been made to libraries m the townships tor the purchase ot suitable books. CARBONIZING AND BRIQUETTING. The low - temperature coal - carbonizing and briquetting plant of Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., at Rotowaro, operated for ten months during 1939. The following figures show the production during that period Raw coal carbonized. . . ■ • • • • 39,573 tons. Carbonized coal produced .. •• •• 19,365 tons. Average percentage of carbonized coal to raw coal 49 per cent. Carbonettes manufactured .. • • • • 22,089 tons. Tar and oil treated .. .. •• •• 321,204 gals. Pitch produced . . • • • • • • _ 638 tons. Light and heavy oils produced .. •• 163,922 gals. Creosote produced .. •• •• •• 47,766 gals. The briquetting plant of Briquettes Ltd., at Onehunga, produced 1,016 tons of briquettes during 1939. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1939, Smokeless I'uel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd., produced 6,312 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn.

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