C—2a

Wallsend Collieey Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 47,075 tons 4 cwt. lqr., a decrease of 158 tons 4 cwt. 2 qr., when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (571 tons 1 cwt. 1 qr.) and the quantity used on works (1,840 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 44,664 tons 3 cwt. 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 .. .. 511 19 0 Stock on wharf .. .. .. 165 4 0 677 3 0 Add net output for year .. .. 44,664 3 0 45,341 6 0 31st March, 1947 Less stock in bin and yard .. 376 4 1 Less stock on wharf 376 4 1 Total disposed of .. .. .. 44,965 1 3 Disposals Tons. cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. .. .. 27,196 0 2 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. .. 4,705 3 3 Railway sales .. .. .. 10,874 0 3 Local and mine sales .. .. 1,679 16 3 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 510 0 0 44.965 1 3 The gross output from the colliery since it was taken over the by State Coal-mines on 22nd February, 1943, totals 216,683 tons 19 cwt. 2 qr. Bays worked. —The colliery worked 228£ days out of a possible 242 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 5 back Saturdays, 1 statutory holiday, and 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 237|. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 228J, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows: 8£ days, monthly union meeting, &c.; 1 day, funeral of employee; 1 day, damaged loading-bank; J day, football match; 1 day, gas accumulation ; 2 days, fan stoppages due to power failures ; | day, election day. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 138 men and 5 boys, made up as follows—Underground : coal-hewers, 39 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 75. Surface : 24 men and 5 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 os. 6d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 17s. 6d., an increase of Bs. 2d. when compared with the previous period. Daily Output. —The average daily output was 198 tons 8 cwt. 2 qr. and the coalhewers' average daily output was 6 tons 16 cwt. 3 qr., as compared with 200 tons 0 cwt. 2 qr. and 6 tons 8 cwt. 2 qr. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 6,881.

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