C—2

(10) Tlie scholarship stipends are payable half-yearly in advance, but £5O is reserved from the final payment until a satisfactory final report is received. Payments may be suspended if the statements and reports required under clauses (7) and (8) are not forthcoming or if any report is unfavourable. Scholars shall also forward with the reports required under clause (8) certified statements of emoluments received for any work done during the half-yearly period. (11) Applications must be made in writing to the Registrar, University of Otago, by the Ist of November in the year prior to that in which it is desired to take up the scholarship. The applications must be accompanied by statements of the training and practical work the candidates propose to undertake if awarded a scholarship. (12) Before they become entitled to any payment, scholars must enter into an agreement with the Mines Department defining their obligations and rights. The agreement will provide, inter alia, that, immediately after the termination of the scholarship, scholars shall accept employment with the New Zealand Mines Department, if called upon to do so, at a salary or emolument to be determined by the Public Service Commission. The period of employment shall not be less than two years, exclusive of any other obligation the scholar may have entered into—e.g., obligation under a coal-mining bursary. COAL-MINES COUNCIL The work of the Coal-mines Council continued during the year and 103 separate decisions were issued, mainly in connection with the settlement of industrial disputes and the determination of working-conditions in the industry. I take this opportunity of thanking the members of the Council for their valuable service during the year. RESCUE STATIONS Rescue stations at Dobson, Ohai, Rotowaro, and Granity were in full operation during the year and continued to render valuable service to the coal-mining industry. Full details of the operations of these stations will be found in the annual report of the Superintendent which is published as an annexure to this Statement. HOUSING During the financial year 1948-49, housing loans were granted to twenty-eight employees to a total amount of £18,247. Eight loans were for the construction of new houses, seventeen for the purchase of existing houses, and three for repairs and renovations. The locations of the houses are : Runanga, 5 ; Dunollie, 3 ; Dobson, 1 ; Blackball, 3 ; Hector, 1 ; Waimangaroa, 1 ; Stockton, 3 ; Millerton, 1 ; Ohura, 1 ; Ngaruawahia, 7 ; Ohai, 2. The following table gives details of loans granted for the last ten years :

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Erection of Purchase of Repairs and Total. New Houses. Existing Houses. Renovations. Year Ended. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. Number. Amount. - £ £ £ £ . 31/3/40 9 5,225 1 250 10 5,475 31/3/41 16 10,221 3 909 19 11,130 31/3/42 14 9,088 1 120 15 9,208 31 '3/43 6 5,500 11 6^230 1 495 18 12,225 31/3/44 10 10,335 15 6,788 3 1,025 28 18,148 31/3/45 4 4,549 7 3,925 1 395 12 8,860 31/3/46 2 2,000 7 2,748 2 560 11 5,308 31/3/47 3 4,160 14 7,195 6 1,062 23 12,417 31/3/48 11 11,380 11 4,355 22 15,735 31/3/49 8 10,670 17 6,907 3 670 28 18,247 Totals 83 73,128 82 38,148 21 5,486 186 116,753