C—2a

Taking into account the stocks at the beginning and end of the year, the following statement shows details of the coal disposed of during the year : Ist April, 1946 Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr.. Stock in bin and yard .. .. 972 15 0 Stock on wharf .. .. .. 886 7 3 1,859 2 3 Add net output for year .. 96,680 0 0 Add surplus stocks .. .. 104 1 0 96,784 1 0 98,643 3 3 31st March, 1947 Less stock in bin and yard Less stock on wharf .. .. 226 18 1 226 18 1 Total disposed of .. .. .. 98,416 5 2 s Disposals Tons. cwt. qr. Shipped.. .. .. .. 66,340 14 3 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. .. 15,202 6 1 Railway sales .. .. .. 5,321 10 2 Local and mine sales .. .. 7,837 8 0 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 3,714 6 43 98,416 5 2 The gross output from the colliery since its inception totals 717,189 tons 3 cwt. Days worked.—The colliery worked 232 days out of a possible 242 ordinary working days. In addition, the colliery worked 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 235. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 232, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, power failure ; 2 days, slip on access road ; 1 day, football match ; 1 day, miners did not work ; 1 day, dispute re pillars ; 2 days, objection to employment of a labourer; 2 days, death and funeral of workman. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 236 men and 6 boys, made up as follows —Underground : coal-hewers, 68 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 108. Surface : 60 men and 6 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 2s. 4d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 18s. 3d., an increase of ss. 4d. per day when compared with the previous period. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 422 tons 14 cwt. and the coal hewers' average daily output was 6 tons 18 cwt., as compared with 439 tons 16 cwt. and 7 tons 6 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 14,341. Deficiencies. —There were no payments made under the minimum-wage clause during the year. Accidents. —No serious accidents were reported at the Strongman Colliery during the year. Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading was continued during the year. The total number of samples taken from the Strongman Colliery and analysed was 386. Underground Workings.—All the coal from this mine has been won from developing places in the following sections : No. 2 North Heading, No. 3 North Heading, No. 1 South Dip in the No. 2 Seam, and the dip section from No. 1 North Heading in the No. 3 Seam.

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