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ANNEXURE B

STONE-QUARRIES

REPORT BY INSPECTOR OF QUARRIES FOR THE NORTH ISLAND (R. C. Ruffin) The following is the report for the year ending 31st December, 1943, for stone-quarries and tunnels worked in the North Island District under the Stone-quarries Act, 1910. Stone-quabries A total of 225 quarries was worked during 1943, a decrease of 12 when compared with the number for the previous year. The number of men employed at such quarries was 1,057, an increase of 33 on the figure for 1942. The decrease in the number of quarries worked is small and may be regarded as of little consequence. Output of Stone The output of hard stono used for roading, aerodrome-construction, and concrete work totalled 834,426 tons, as compared with 1,176,390 tons for the previous year. The considerable decrease may be accounted for by a lessened demand for this class of stone due to the completion of certain defence works. During 1943, 290,454 tons of limestone for agricultural requirements was quarried, compared with 321,351 for 1942, also 271,246 tons of limestone for cement as against 278,389 tons for 1942. There was a decrease of 30,897 tons of limestone for agricultural use. A total of 1,407,851 tons of stono, valued at £333,659, was produced for 1943, compared with 1,835,344 tons, valued at £345,962, for 1942. Tunnels There has been no tunnelling of any consequence for the period. The Gisborne Borough Council have a watersupply scheme in view, and the estimated length of a tunnel to be driven in connection therewith is one mile and a quarter. This work was started late in the year. Accidents One serious accident occurred in a tunnel, and one fatal and two serious accidents occurred in stone-quarries, during 1943. Fatality On 4th March W. Green died from cerebral injury as a result of being struck by a piece of flying rock during blasting operations at Wilson's Portland Cement Co.'s Quarry, Waro, on the previous day. Serious Accidents On 11th March F. J. Hancock sustained a broken right femur when struck by a piece of rock falling from the roof of a defence works tunnel. On 2nd December J. Black, quarryman, during blasting operations at Pinedale Quarry, Putaruru, received injuries to his nose and head from a flying fragment of rock after he had taken shelter. On 14th December John L. Kaire, quarryman, whilst barring down at the Ruatangata Lime-quarry, Ruatangata, was struck by a stone which lacerated his arm, cutting an artery. . Prosecutions There were no prosecutions under the Stone-quarries Act during the year.

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