C.—2

For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1943, Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Canterbury) Ltd., produced 1,300 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn. The production of tar was 27 000 gallons. Testing-work to determine the possibility of making briquettes from Blackball slack, and also from a blend of Strongman and Blackball slack coals, was carried out at the works of the Waikato Carbonization, Ltd., of Huntly, under the supervision of the works-manager, Mr. A. B Jones These tests were highly satisfactory, and indicate that the briquettes make a good domestic coal, while the blend of briquetted coal has proved satisfactory for use on locomotives. These briquettes have been made according to standard practice with a pitch binder, but it is of interest to note that binderless briquettes are now being made in America, with resultant economies m cost of production. Arrangements have already been made to have samples of New Zealand coals tested m America to see whether they will respond to this method of binderless briquetting. While the disposal of slack coal presents no difficulties at present owing to heavy demands caused by the war for coal of all types and sizes, it is essential that preparation be made to ensure that all coal produced in the after-war years is utilized to advantage. Accordingly, it is expected that briquetting of slack coal will become of increasing importance in the conservation of our coal resources. In particular the blending and briquetting of coals would enable much of our lower-grade coals to be utilized, with a corresponding saving in our limited resources of high-grade coals. A specification of the type of plant required by the State Coal-mines has been drawn up and leading manufacturers in England and America have been invited to submit quotations. SUBSIDY ON COAL-PRODUCTION For the financial year ended 31st March, 1944, the amount paid by way of subsidy on coal production arid distribution was £510,642, made up as follows : tonnage subsidy (including provision for increases in mine stores), £428,645 ; subsidy in respect of coastal shipping freights, £12,590 ; 'and subsidy in respect of the additional cost of work on back Saturdays, and"bonus payments to workmen not on contract, £69,407. At 31st March, 1944, the total sum paid out for coal subsidies since the subsidy was first introduced in May, 1940, amounted to £1,224,030. COAL-MINES COUNCIL The work of the Coal-mines Council continued during the year, its chief tasks, apart from special reports required from time to time, being the settlement of industrial disputes and the determination ol the terms and conditions of employment generally in the industry. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES AND IN OIL-PROSPECTING OPERATIONS Tlle followin g tab l e shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1943 and 1942 :— 6

7

Inspection District. Totals. Classification. I j : Northern West Coast (of Southern,, „ Increase (North Island). South Island). ' South 1943. 1942. j or : Island). j J Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 547 629 295 1,471 1,561 Dec 90 ° oal '■ . '• ;• i' 970 2,432 972 5,374 4,'997 Inc.' 377 Stone - quarries under the 1,141 103 399 *1,643 1 559 84 Stone-quarries Act .. 5 12 6 „ 6 Cinnabar .. .. 18 .. .. 18 20 Deo 2 ll onoie .... 18 2 .. 20 15 Inc. 5 Manganese .. .. 2 .. .. 2 3 Dec 1 Fuller's earth .... 1 .. j j ' Diatomaceous earth . . . . . . 1 D > l Bentonite .. . . 4 .. "4 9 9 Serpentine .... 9 .. 3 12 16 Dec. 4 est ° s 15 •• 15 12 Inc. 3 Dolomite ...... 3 q o p' ayt , ■/ •' •• •• 6 4 10 5 Inc. " 5 Phosphate ...... .. 23 23 23 Oil prospecting .. .. 106 110 .. 216 262 Dec. 46 TotaIs 3,823 3,300 1,701 8,824 lei • «.• t ° tal nm " ber °{. mon employed at stone-quarries is actually 1,072, as certain of the' mineraJs iTstcd'scp^telv in this tablo are produced from quarries which come under the Stone-quarries Act. f Other than for brickmakino.