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 .. .. 1,765 2 0 Stock on wharf .. .. .. 211 2 0 1,976 4 0 Add net output for year .. .. 57,805 17 2 59,782 1 2 31st March, 1947 Less stock in bin and yard .. 1,769 7 2 Less stock on wharf 1,769 7 2 Total disposed of .. .. .. 58,012 14 0 Disposals Tons. cwts. qr. Shipped .. .. .. .. 33,787 5 0 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. .. 18,245 13 0 Railway sales .. .. .. 3,767 18 0 Local and mine sales .. .. 767 4 0 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 1,444 14 0 58,012 14 0 The gross output from the colliery since it was taken over by the State Coal-mines on 22nd February, 1943, totals 244,024 tons 17 cwt. 2 qr. Days worked. —The colliery worked 229fdays out of a possible 242 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 8 back Saturdays and 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 240f. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 229f, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 3£ days, union meetings ; 3 days, power failures; 3 days, funerals of employees ; | day, football match ; 1 day, dispute re jack-hammers; 1 day, fault in signal system; j day, screen breakdown ; J day, election. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 194 men and 7 boys, made up as follows —Underground : coal-hewers, 46 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 115. Surface : 33 men and 7 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £2 19s. 10d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 16s. 6d., an increase of 6s. 2d. per day when compared with the previous period. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 246 tons 12 cwt. 3 qr. and the coalhewers' average daily output was 6 tons 4 cwt. 2 qr., as compared with 239 tons 15 cwt. 2 qr. and 6 tons 8 cwt. 3 qr. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 9,544. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £2lB Bs. Accidents. —The usual number of minor accidents occurred at the colliery during the year, but there were none of a serious nature. Underground Workings.—s West: Completion of stone drive to give this section better haulage and ventilation. This section has been one of the best so far in the mine, but is now affected by some small faulting which originated in the 4 West Section. While this is not likely to be of serious dimensions, more information should be available before meeting the main Dobson Fault.

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