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ANNEXURE B

STONE-QUARRIES

REPORT BY INSPECTOR OF QUARRIES FOR THE NORTH ISLAND (R. C. Ruffin) Report for the year ended 31st December, 1945, for surface and underground work done in the North Island District under the Quarries Act, 1944. Quarries A total of 249 quarries were worked during the year 1945, being an increase of 6 compared with last year, while the number of men employed in the industry for the year 1945 was 977, showing an increase of 35 over the number for 1944. Output of Stone The output of hard stone used for roading, hydro-electric-dam construction, and concrete products is 977,589 tons, being an increase of 122,402 tons over 1944. This increase is partly due to the large volume of rock aggregate supplied for hydro-electric-dam construction. During 1945, 301,662 tons of limestone for agricultural requirements was quarried, a decrease of 69,393 tons compared with last year, also 274,995 tons of limestone for the manufacture of cement, against 251,395 tons for last year. The loss in production of agricultural lime to the extent of approximately 19 per cent, must be considered serious ; there is no doubt as to the demand for this product, and the inability of the limeworks to supply is due to a combination of retarding factors. Underground A circular shaft ~l\ ft. in diameter was sunk at the Dominion Breweries' property at Papatoetoe. The shaft is lined with concrete and is sunk 90 ft. It is proposed to sink to a depth of 120 ft. to intersect a pipi bed, where it is anticipated to tap a flow of water required for brewery manufacturing purposes. A tunnel is being driven by the Wellington City Council at Walworth Street, Northland. The tunnel is being driven to divert storm-water. Accidents (Fatal, 3 ; serious, 1) Fatal Accidents Fatal accident at Beros Bros.' quarry at Te Kuiti on the 3rd July, 1945. Percy Orr was killed by a piece of stone that fell on him from a place above him. He was changing poles at the time of the fatality. Fatal accident at Wilson and Rothery's quarry at Ferndale Road, Ellerslie, on the 9th August, 1945. Jerko Didovich was killed through falling down the face of the quarry. He was barring a loose rock when he slipped and fell. Fatal accident at Turiwiri Quarry, near Dargaville, on the 21st November, 1945. Ante Jericevich was killed when barring a slab of rock, when he slipped and the rock rolled on him. Serious Accident Jack Milina met with a serious accident at McCallum Bros.' quarry at Karamuramu Island on 27th February, 1945. Milina was firing a round of thirteen holes in a tunnel at the quarry. Milina was at the face when the blast started, and sustained general injuries and shock. Prosecutions Six informations were laid against quarrymen for breaches against the Quarries Act, 1944: 27th February, 1945 : A quarryman was prosecuted for firing more than six holes underground. The prosecution failed. 27th February, 1945 : A quarryman was fined for acting in the capacity of manager of underground works, he not being certificated, as required by section 9 (3), Quarries Act, 1944.* 27th February, 1945 : A quarry occupier was fined for employing a quarryman in the capacity as manager who was not certificated, as required by section 9 (4) of the Quarries Act, 1944. 3rd July, 1945 : A quarry foreman was prosecuted for failing to clean down loose rock material from the face after blasting, contrary to Regulation 50. The hearing has been adjourned from time to time by order of the presiding Magistrate. 23rd November, 1945 : A quarry foreman was fined for failing to keep a daily report book, contrary to Regulation 51. 19th December, 1945 : A quarry foreman was fined for failing to see that loose rock material was removed from the face of the quarry, contrary to Regulation 50.

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