C—2a

This undertaking will also allow of the complete recovery of any small areas of coal which may have to be left when under-ground operations cease at the No. 2 Wilton Mine. A total quantity of 179,200 cubic yards of overburden has already been removed and a reasonable quantity of coal is now available for immediate mining. No. 1 Area, Kimihia Opencast The output for the year was 78,340 tons, making the total production from No. 1 Area 214,344 tons. All stripping operations with the exception of a small area adjacent to the railway siding (containing approximately 12,000 tons of coal) has now been completed, but there is still a substantial amount of coal remaining to be recovered before the area is finally abandoned, probably about, the end of September of this year. The working of this area has not been devoid of its difficulties, caused chiefly by the semi-fluid nature of parts of the overburden. This condition can be understood when it is remembered that this overburden constituted part of the bed of Lake Kimihia prior to dewatering the area and working the mine. No. 5 Area, Kimihia Opencast Stripping operations were commenced on this area at the beginning of December, 1948, and have been continued continuously, except when bad weather prevailed. The plant in use is the 120-B shovel and a number of Athey wagons. A total quantity of 143,500 cubic yards of overburden has been removed and all necessary formation work for the railway, siding, and screens, &c., has been completed. Seven new cottages for married employees have been completed and all are now occupied. These houses are of a high standard with modern conveniences. A tennis-court has been constructed, and this should prove of great value during the summer months. Callagahan's Dip Area (Taupiri Coal-mines, Ltd.) A plan has been arranged to drill this area before preparing plans for coal-winning probably by opencast methods. The quantity of coal recoverable from this area will probably be considerable. I have, &c., Job. Hughes, Superintendent. The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Bennydale, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. 9th May, 1949. .Sir, — I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the Mangapehi and Tatu Mines and the Waitewhena Opencast for the year ended 31st March, 1949. Mangapehi Colliery Output. —The gross output for the year was 38,189 tons 18 cwt., a decrease of 14,961 tons 3 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,009 tons 18 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (970 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 36,210 tons.

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