C.—2

APPENDIX B REPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines Wellington, 25th May, 1943. Sir, — I have the honour to present my annual report, together with statistical information, in regard to coal-mines of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1942, in accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. OUTPUT The output from New Zealand 'collieries for 1942 was 2,680,041 tons, being 40,534 tons greater than the 1941 output. There were increases of 12,638 tons from the Northern District, 15,234 tons from the West Coast District, and 12,662 tons from the Southern District. In the Northern District, 59 more men were employed, and the output per man, 509-6 tons, was 9-9 tons less than during 1941. In the West Coast District the output per man, 518-4 tons, was 7 8 tons more than for 1941. In the Southern District, 639 3 tons per man were produced, an increase of 47-1 tons as compared with the previous year.

The following statement shows the tons of coal raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about collieries, &c., to 1942: —

ACCIDENTS The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1942, with their causes-:—-

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Lives lost by Accidents in or Persons ordinarily employed. Ton8 raiged about Collieries. Vrnr Output, in per each Per- v ~ Statute Tons. son employed Per Million Number Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. below Ground. Tons of Lives proaucea. employedt lom. Prior to 1938 88,255,342 * * * * * * 490 1938 .. 2,222,088 1,195 3,3(58 4,563 659 '4-80 2-41 II 1939 .. 2,342,639 1,220 3,542 4,762 661 7-26 3-57 17 1940 .. 2,516,099 1,277 3,769 5,046 668 3-18 1-58 8 1941 .. 2,639,507 1,358 3,633 4,991 726 I'51 0-80 4 1942 .. 2,680,041 1,338 3,659 4,997 732 2-24 1-20 6 Totals.. 100,655,716 .. .. .. .. .. .. 536 * For returns for previous years see page 53, Mines Statement, 1940.

Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons Number of isrnmW nf Number of injiired, including Separate Fatal TV.fi-h« Separate Non-fatal i SiJtfww/ Accidcnts. Doaths - Accidents. Accidents which proved ratal to their Companions. Carbon-monoxide poisoning Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust .. . . .. Falls of ground ...... 4 4 10 10 Explosives ........ .... . . 2 2 Haulage .. .. .. . . . . .. 8 8 Miscellaneous —Underground .... 1 1 2 2 On surface .... 1 1 3 3 Totals ...... 6 6 25 25