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RESCUE STATIONS The training of rescue teams continued during the year at the Dobson, Rotowaro, .and Ohai rescue stations, and refresher courses for trained men were held at regular intervals. In these districts trained teams, using the station equipment, have repeatedly assisted to bring underground fires and heatings under control. Owing to the difficult building situation, it has, unfortunately, not been possible to complete the new Granity Station and bring it into active operation. SOCIAL AMENITIES During the financial year 1946-47. the sum of £5,029 was expended in the provision •of improved social amenities for mining communities. In the main, the expenditure was for the improvement of bowling-greens, tenniscourts, swimming-pools, and sports-grounds, In general, the social-amenities programme is severely restricted by the prevailing shortage of man-power and materials. HOUSING During the financial year 1946-47 housing loans were granted to twenty-three ■employees to a total amount of £12,417. Three loans were for the construction of new houses, fourteen for the purchase of existing houses, and the remaining six for alterations or renovations. The locations of the houses are : Runanga, 5 ; Dunollie, 2 ; Stockton, 3 ; Ngaruawahia, 3 ; Taylorville, 5 ; Ohura, 3 ; Dobson, 1; Glen Massey, 1.

The following table gives details of loans granted for the last ten years :

COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND Receipts from the levy of Jd. per ton for the year ended 31st March, 1947, were £6,212, and expenditure for the year was £8,299. Interest earned was £7B, and the amount standing to the credit of the fund on 31st March, 1947, was £1,841. At the close of the previous year the figures were : receipts, £5,706 ; expenditure, £9,219 ; interest, £165 ; balance as at 31st March, 1946, £3,851.

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Erection of Purchase of Repairs and Tnf Q 1 New Houses. Existing Houses. Renovations. JLUl/ctl. Yeax ended Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. £ £ £ £ 31/3/38 3 1,200 1 390 4 1,590 31/3/39 8 3,830 1 250 3 788 12 4,868 31/3/40 9 5,225 1 250 10 5,47531/3/41 16 10,221 3 909 19 11,130 31/3/42 14 9,088 1 120 15 9,208 31/3/43 6 5,500 ii 6^230 1 495 18 12,225 31/3/44 10 10,335 15 6,788 3 1,025 28 18,148 31/3/45 4 4,549 7 3,925 1 395 12 8,869 31/3/46 2 2,000 7 2,748 2 560 11 5,308 31/3/47 3 4,160 14 7,195 6 1,062 23 12,417