C—2a

The shortage of man-power, combined with additional maintenance in the mine, has prevented development and prospecting in the lower dip. Heavy creep recently experienced in this area, adjacent to faulting, may cause a change of plans to be made, and dip development off the lower East level in uniform country to be decided upon. During the year no serious accident occurred, while each instance of underground fire occurring was successfully sealed. Township.—The increase in housing accommodation in the township for the year was six modern five-roomed cottages erected on co-operative contract. Contracting firms and carpenters generally are hard to find in the country or for rural work. A painting contract for twenty of the first houses erected has been let, but a start has not yet been made with this work. A modern electric bakery has been erected in the township, this filling a long-felt want, while inquiries for a section to open a butchery have been made by two returned soldiers who recently purchased the Mangapehi butchery. Roads in the newer section of the township have been metalled, and improvements in the standard of Ellis Road, with grading and alignment, to be followed by metalling to highway standard, is now under way. The latter is the responsibility of the Waitomo County. Recreation-ground.—A croquet-lawn, J acre in area, has been laid down and suitably fenced and should be in readiness for the coming season. Football, basketball, and softball are now being played on the main grounds, and by a combined voluntary effort sponsored by the footballers a change-room pavilion is being erected. The ground will require further top-dressing and heavy rolling, with drainage in parts to effect the desired improvement; and the sealing of the tennis-courts should be proceeded with prior to the opening of the season. Tatu Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 34,377 tons 5 cwt., an increase of 1,804 tons 9 cwt. when compared with the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,776 tons 17 cwt.) and the quantity of coal used on works (225 tons 9 cwt. 2 qr.), there remained for disposal a net output of 32,374 tons 18 cwt. 2 qr. 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 .. .. .. 90 0 0 Add net output .. .. 32,374 18 2 Add surplus stocks taken on charge 142 11 0 32,607 9 2 31st March, 1947 Less stock in bins .. .. .. 77 0 0 Total disposed of .. .. .. 32,530 9 2 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. .. 30,427 19 0 Mine sales .. .. .. 1,445 5 2 Workmen .. .. .. 602 9 0 Free coal .. .. .. 54 16 0 32,530 9 2 The gross output from the colliery since inception amounts to 174,588 tons 4 cwt. Days worked.—The colliery worked on 226J days out of a possible 242. In addition, the colliery worked on 5 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 231|. The difference between the ordinary working-days worked and the possible working-days is

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