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The District Manager, New Zealand State Coal Mines, Ohai, to the Under-Secretary,. Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 16th April, 1947. I have the honour to submit my report on the workings of the Mossbank State Mine, the Bar 20 Opencast, and the Wairaki State Mine for the year Ist April, 1946, to the 31st March, 1947. Mossbank Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 25,468 tons 5 cwt. 2 qr., an increase of 1,340 tons 11 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After allowing for waste (117 tons 4 cwt. 1 qr.) and the quantity used on works (952 tons 14 cwt. 1 qr.), there remained for disposal a net output of 24,398 tons 7 cwt. The following statement shows details of coal disposed of during the year : Ist April, 1946 Tons cwt. qr. Stocks in yard Add net output for year .. .. .. 24,398 7 0 31st March, 1947 Less stock in yard Total disposed of .. .. .. 24,398 7 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. 24,141 17 0 Local and mine sales .. .. 5 0 0 Workmen and free issues .. .. 251 10 0 — 24,398 7 0 The gross output from the colliery since taken over by the State on 2nd October,. 1944, totals 61,415 tons 4 cwt. Days worked.—The Mossbank Colliery worked' 235£ days out of a possible 242 ordinary working-days. In addition, the colliery worked 13 back Saturdays and 5 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 253|. The difference between the days worked and the possible number of ordinary working-days, is accounted for as follows : 1 day, Easter Tuesday; 2 days, funerals of ex-members of Miners' Union ; 2| days, power failures ; 1 day, # fall in return airway. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of personsengaged in and about the mine was 44 men and 1 boy, made up as follows—Underground : coal-hewers, 15 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 19. Surface : 10 men and 1 boy. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 100 tons 9 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 7 tons 15 cwt., as compared with 96 tons 7 cwt. and 7 tons 8 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies.— No payments were made under the minimum-wage clause. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 os. 3d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return wa& £2 15s. 4d., an increase of lOd. per day when compared with the previous year. Accidents. —Only a few minor accidents occurred during the year under review. Stone-dusting.—This work was done regularly throughout the year.

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