a—2

The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows : —

Table showing the Increase or Decrease in the Annual Production of Coal and Oil Shale in the Dominion, and the Quantity of Coal imported since 1878.

Table showing Quantity op Coal exported annually prom New Zealand from 1939 to 1943 Quantity. Quantity. Year. Tons. Year. Tons 1939 43,990 1942 54 700 1940 81,287 1943 42 522* 1941 .. 58,179 * Includes 42,462 tons bunkers, value £90,421 and 60 tons cargo, value £195. COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND The Coal-miners' Sick and Accident Funds having been abolished as from the Ist April, 1926, and incorporated in the Coal-miners' Relief Fund, all accident-relief payments are now made from the latter fund, which is administered by the Public Trustee. The rate of interest allowed on the fund was decreased from 4 per cent, to 3| per cent, as from the Ist April, 1933. The interest earned for the twelve months ended 31st March," 1944 was £436, as against £571 for the previous year, while for the same periods the receipts from the -|d. per ton contributions were £6,325 and £5,346 respectively. The total expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1944, amounted to £9,780, as against £9,284 for the previous year. The amount standing to the credit of the fund at the 31st March, 1944-, was £11 391 as against £14,410 at the 31st March, 1943. COAL SURVEY COMMITTEE This Committee, which comprises representatives of the Mines Department, the Geological Survey, and the Dominion Laboratory, supervises field and laboratory investigations connected with the complete survey of the Dominion's coal resources. During the year, work has been conducted by the field staff in the Greymouth, Ohai, Westport, Mangapehi, and Waikato fields. The results of both field and laboratory work have been incorporated in coal-survey reports issued by the Committee. STATE COAL-MINES The gross output from the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1944, was 524,665 tons which is equivalent to 18-8 per cent, of the total Dominion production. Production commenced in the Glen Afton opencast, and 6,175 tons were produced up to the 31st March last. There was a substantial decrease in production from the Liverpool Colliery, in which mining conditions have become somewhat difficult and troublesome. In order to reduce haulage distance and costs, a stone drive was driven to connect the main haulage toad with the Morgan dip workings, and

4

Output of Coal during 1943. Total Output Class of Coal. Northern West Coast Southern „ !° District District District Total. (North Island). (South Island). (South Island). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub - bitu- 81,828 1,057,094 .. 1,138,922 57,466,814 minuous Brown .. .. .. 939,975 107,478 456,788 1,504,241 39,873,530 Lignite .. .. .. .. 630 144,075 144,705 6,103,240 Totals for 1943 .. 1,021,803 1,165,202 600,863 2,787,868 103,443,584 Totals for 1942 .. 930,634 1,191,329 558,078 2,680,041 100,655,716

Coal and Shale raised in the "Dominion. Coal imported. Year. j Tons. Yearly Increase or Tons Increase over Decrease below Decrease. ' Preceding Year. Preceding Year, Prior to 1939 .. 90,477,430 .. 13,808,901 1939 .. .. 2,342,639 Inc. 120,551 111,537 2,331 1940 .. .. 2,516,099 Inc. 173,460 64,860 .. 46 677 194! .. 2,639,507 Inc. 123,408 78,171 13,311 1942 .. .. 2,680,041 Inc. 40,534 90,865 12,6941943 .. .. 2,787,868 Inc. 107,827 37,454 .. 53 411