STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1925.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, C-02a

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1925. NEW ZEALAND

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1925.

Prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 118 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908.

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 30th April, 1925. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1925. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning. —The gross total output of coal for the year was 116,175 tons 10 cwt., a decrease of 18,144 tons 10 cwt. when compared with the figures of last year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year, and deducting mine-consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 115,744 tons 19 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :— Export — Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Screened 5,207 15 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 58,075 15 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,610 4 85,893 14 Rail, Christchurch — Screened .. .. .. .. .. 2,679 16 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 5,993 7 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,166 7 10,839 10 Local Sales — Screened .. .. .. .. .. 5,431 16 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 1,621 2 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,294 3 12,347 1 Mine sales .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 0 Sold to workmen .. .. .. .. .. 1,877 19 Stock in bin .. .. .. .. .. 4,117 17 — — 6,014 16 Stock on Wharf —• Screened .. .. .. .. .. 69 16 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 564 17 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 5 649 18 115,744 19 Used on works .. .. .. .. .. 3,477 4 Waste .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,211 6 4,688 10 The gross total output won from this colliery since its inception amounts to 1,392,846 tons 7 cwt,

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Days worked.- —During the year the No. 1 mine worked 211 days, No. 2 mine 212, No. 3 mine 215J, and No. 3 Extended 217|, out of a possible 312 days. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : —

There is an average decrease of approximately 38 working-days compared with those of the previous year. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 295, made up as follows : Underground —Coal-hewers, 94 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 100 : on the surface —70 men and 31 boys. In addition to those employed under the head of " coal-winning " there were, on an average, 38 men and 1 boy employed on development work, making a total number for this colliery of 302 men and 32 boys. Payments.—The total payments made in connection with coal-winning, for wages, stores, mine-timber, and compensation, amounted to £75,725 13s. 2d., a decrease of £3,451 17s. lOd. in payments compared with the previous year. In addition to the amount expended on coal-winning, there was £14,197 Is. 7d. expended on development work, which included the driving of two stone headings, erection of a new change and bath house, erection of a new lamp-room, and the building of a concrete wall and piers for a new bridge across the Seven-mile Creek. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £1 6s. l-55d., and after making deductions for stores (explosives) the net return was £1 3s. 11-80 d., an increase of 4-26 d. per day over the earnings of the previous year. Daily Output. —The average daily mine-output was 542 tons 17 cwt., and the daily average output per coal-hewer was 6 tons 9-42 cwt., an increase of 11 tons 17 cwt., and 4-69 cwt., respectively, when compared with the previous year. Days worked by Coal-hewers. —The total number of days that could have been worked by coalhewers was 20,360| : the number worked was 17,953J, and the number lost, including those lost through sickness, was 2,407f. Taking the average daily output per coal-hewer at 6 tons 942 cwt., this represents a loss of approximately 15,580 tons. In addition to the days lost by miners through sickness, &c., the mines were idle on 38 days from causes for which the men were not responsible —namely, delays to shipping, railway strike, enginedrivers' strike, and breakdown on railway. Taking the daily average output at 542 tons 17 cwt., this represents a loss in output of 20,628 tons 6 cwt. There were also 16 days lost by the miners that should have been worked, and this represents a further loss in output of 8,685 tons 12 cwt. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum clause during the year was £763 19s. Id. This works out to the cost of l-58d. per ton. Underground Workings. —At the present time there are four mines being worked—namely, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 3 Extended. There was also another mine worked (known as No. 4) but it was stopped at the end of last January. At the No. 1 mine there are two seams being worked —namely, the Morgan seam and the Top seam. Development work in both these seams was discontinued some time ago, therefore operations have been confined during the year to the extraction of pillars. No. 2 Mine.—Two seams are being worked in this mine, and arrangements are being made to develop another one. The seams are known as the Anderson, Kimbell, and Morgan. The former was partly opened up several months ago, but had to be stopped pending power being available for hauling and pumping purposes. Power is now available, and arrangements are now being made to develop the seam. The Kimbell seam was pierced in the low-level adit in June last, and, so far, development work has been confined to the driving of main and companion levels in an easterly and westerly course, together with the necessary connections for ventilation. The Morgan seam was

| No. 1 Mine. No. 2 Mine. No. 3 Mine. | 0 Union holidays .. .. .. .. 14 14 14 14 Strike over a miner's lamp being stopped .. 1 1 Strike re trucker going 6n coal .. .. 1 Quarterly cavils.. .. .. .. 1| U 1| U Delays to shipping, due to strikes, bad 21 21 21 19 weather, and other causes Railway strike .. .. .. .. 9 9 9 9 Fall on haulage-road .. . . .. J i ..... Railway tablet wires out of order .... 1 1 1 1 Breakdown on railway .. .. .. .. 1 1 Engine-drivers strike ...... 7 7 7 6 Strike re co-operative system .... 9 9 6 7 Fatal accidents at mine .. .. .. 4 4 4 4 Funerals .. .. .. .. 4 4 4 4 Pay Saturdays .. .. . . .. 26 26 26 26 English Football Team ...... 1 1 1 1 Chinese Football Team ...... 1 1 1 1 101 100 96| 941

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met in March, therefore little or no development work lias been done. The coal in these seams is of excellent quality, and is suitable for all general purposes, such as gasmaking, steam-raising, also blacksmith and household. The following is a copy of the analysis of the Morgan seam : Fixed carbon, 59-31 per cent. ; volatile hydrocarbons, 37-33 per cent. ; water lost at 100° C., 0-66 per cent. ; ash, 2-71 per cent, sulphur, 0-33 per cent. ; Calorific, value: Calories, per gramme, 8,370 ; British thermal units, per pound, 15-066 ; pounds water evaporated at 212° F. per pound of coal, 15-6. No. 3 Mine. —During the year an average of six pairs of miners were employed on the work of pillar-extraction. Although the number of miners was limited to six pairs, the daily output on some occasions was 100 tons. No. 3 Extended. —During the early part of the year a little development work was carried out in the east and west levels, but owing to the seam pinching, and the intrusion of stone bands, they had to be stopped. The bulk of the output from this mine was therefore obtained from pillar-extraction No. 4 Mine. —This mine is adjacent to the main haulage-road that leads from the middle brake to the No. 2 mine. Although all the coal from this mine is not won that could have been, operations were suspended in January last. The management deemed it advisable not to extract any more of the pillars in the meantime, as there was a liability of damaging the overlying cliff and therefore endangering the haulage-road. Development Work. —For some considerable time the principal work carried out under this head was confined to the construction of two low-level adits to connect with the Anderson, Kimbell, and Morgan Seams (No. 2 mine). To connect with the latter seam the estimated distance to be driven was 56 chains, and it is pleasing to report that the estimate was fairly correct, for the seam was met at 55 chains 45 feet. This work is now completed, and it would not be out of place to state that in the course of driving these adits inflammable gas was given off on several occasions in such quantities that operations had to be stopped for days at a time until it drained off. For the last 36 chains of driving it was imperative that only permitted explosives should be used for blasting purposes, and this made the work more costly than if gelignite was used. The power that was used for the driving of these adits will now be used for hauling and pumping out of the Anderson seam. Accidents. —There were several minor accidents during the year, and it is regrettable to report that there were two fatal accidents. In connection with the latter, special reports were forwarded. Surface Works. —The plant and machinery in and about the mine has been maintained in efficient working-order, and during the year the following buildings have been erected : A change and bath house near the middle brake, capable of accommodating 128 men ; also a lamp-room for the electric safety-lamps. In the change and bath house there are sixteen cabinets fitted with hot and cold showers ; there are also two cabinets containing washbasins only. The floor of the building is constructed of reinforced concrete, and likewise the main walls and those of the cabinets to a height of 7 ft., and finished off with a plastered surface. Above the concrete walls the building is erected in wood, roofed with corrugated iron, and the inner walls and ceilings line! with matchlining. The building is heated by five lines of 4 in. steam-pipes, the steam being supplied from the boilers by a Hn.-pipe line. The latter is fitted on to the end of the 4 in. pipes. The escape steam from the other end of the 4 in. pipes is returned into two 400-gallon tanks to heat the water for the showers. This change and bath house is considered one of the most up-to-date in the Dominion, and it is built in such a way that it can be easily extended if required. The new electric-lamp room is built entirely of concrete, and is fitted with all necessary equipment for dealing with the electric lamps. In addition to the buildings herein referred to, a concrete retaining-wall, approximately 200 ft. by 12 ft. high and 2 ft. thick, has been built to prevent the Seven-mile Creek water scouring the foundations of the No. 2 viaduct. A large number of concrete piers have also been built preparatory to erecting a new viaduct. At the present time there is a temporary bridge across the Seven-mile Creek, and arrangements are being made to construct a new one of iron. The new bridge will be approximately 600 ft. long, and in the centre it will be about 40 ft. higher than the present one. When completed, it is the man »gement's intention to convey the workmen to and from their work from the middle brake to the end of the haulage-road in the No. 2 mine. The distance from the middle brake to the end of the haulageroad in the No. 2 mine is approximately one mile : it will therefore be seen that a great saving in travelling will be effected. Electric Safety-lamps. —In my last annual report reference was made to a trial that was being carried out with several types of hand and cap electric safety-lamps with a view of determining which was the best type to adopt. After a careful and lengthy trial it was the unanimous opinion of all concerned that the Pearson N.I.F.E. hand electric safety-lamp was undoubtedly the best of the hand-lamps, for many reasons. Of the cap lamps, the composite one, which is a combination of the Pearson N.I.F.E. and Oldham, was the best. This lamp, however, is not yet on the permitted list, but it is understood that arrangements have been made by the makers to have this lamp submitted for test. As a result of the trial herein referred to, 100 Pearson N.I.F.E. hand electric lamps were purchased, together with charging-stands and other necessary equipment. These lamps are in daily use, and give entire satisfaction. If anything, the light is too bright, and is hard on the eyes, particularly, when men are walking behind one another travelling in and out of the mine. To overcome this difficulty arrangements will be made to obtain tinted outer glasses, and use them instead of the plain ones as at present. An order was also placed for fifty composite cap-lamps, but, as herein stated, they had to be submitted for testing purposes, and so far they have not arrived. Co-operative Contracts. —In October last a party of twenty-one employees (with the sanction of the union) came to terms with the management for working the No. 3 mine extension on the co-operative system. The contract included all underground operations (excepting shot-firing and supervision) and necessary labour required on the surface to deliver the coal into the storage bin, the Department

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supplying all plant and material required near the entrance to the mine. As this system of working was an experiment, it was arranged that a record should be kept of the amount the party would have earned under the industrial-agreement rates, in order that a comparison in the two systems could be obtained. The party worked under the co-operative system from the beginning of October to the 14th March, and they would have continued working under this system had the union t stepped in and compelled them, tojterminate their contracts. The following is a comparative statement showing the amount the party would have earned under the industrial-agreement rates, together with the amount earned under the co-operative system : Industrial agreement, £2,090 18s. Bd. ; co-operative system, £2,525 Is. 4d. : difference, £434 2s. Bd. From these figures it will be seen that the party earned to the extent of £434 2s. Bd. more under the co-operative system than they would have under the industrial-agreement rates for the period. During the time this mine was being worked on the co-operative system the men worked amicably together, and the management were perfectly satisfied with the manner in which they carried out their work. There is no doubt but that the co-operative system is preferable in many ways to the old system to all concerned, and it is a great pity the union stepped in and caused them to terminate their contracts. At the Liverpool Colliery there are several sections suitable for working under the co-operative contract system, if the union would only agree to them being so worked. For some reason or other the union is opposed to sections being worked on the co-operative system. From what can be ascertained, the union is not opposed to the system if there was one contract price covering all sections, but this the management claim is not practicable, owing to several sections nearing exhaustion, whilst others are only in the development stage. A party of twenty-one men came to terms with the management for working the No. 3 mine (bins seam) on the co-operative-contract system, but they worked only eighteen days when they were compelled by the union to terminate their contract. In this case a record was not kept of the difference in earnings between the industrial-agreement rates and co-operative-contract rates. The men, however, were so satisfied with the new system that they did not like terminating their contract. During the period the coal-hewers worked 194 days and produced 1,439 tons 13 cwt., an average of 7 tons 7-4 cwt. per man per day. The other nine men worked 79 days, making a total of 273 for the party. After making allowance for stores (explosives), their net total earnings amounted to £585 17s. Bd., an average of £2 2s. lid. per day for all members of the party for the period. Tree-planting. —On a portion of the State Coal Reserve at Dunollie about 45 acres were planted in five different varieties of trees, viz. : Oregon pine, 30,000 ; Eucalyptus viminalis, ] 5,000; E. Macarthuri, 12,200 ; E. euyenioides, 400 ; E. Gunnii, 400 : total, 58,000 trees. Of the trees planted, those planted on the flat on the banks of the Seven-mile appear to have come on best, particularly the Eucalyptus. The Oregon pines have also done well on the fiat, but not so well as the Eucalyptus. On the small hill overlooking the Dunollie Station, about 3 acres were planted in Oregon pine, but these have not done well. The soil apparently is either not suitable, or the failure may be due to the plants being too long on hand before they were planted. Arrangements have been made to plant an additional 50 acres during the ensuing year on the area adjoining the one already planted on the banks of the Seven-mile Creek. An officer from the Forestry Department recently paid a visit of inspection, and after a consultation it was decided that the area now being felled and burned be planted in Pinus radiatu, Eucalyptus Gunnii, and E. viminalis —20,000 of each. Last season the trees to be planted arrived at one time and necessitated a deal of labour in what is known as " heeling in." This season, however, arrangements have been made for the trees to arrive in parcels of 20,000, with an interval of three weeks between each. During the recent summer the trees on an area of approximately 3| acres were destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered late one Saturday evening, and how it originated was never ascertained. James Collieky. The gross total output for the year was 28,995 tons, an increase of 3,188 tons 9 cwt. over the previous year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 27,793 tons 8 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :— Export — Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Screened .. .. .. .. .. 9,277 10 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 740 10 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,175 15 Nuts .. .. .. .. .. .. 689 3 17,882 18 Rail to Christchurch — Screened .. .. .. .. .. 7,091 14 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 251 18 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,244 16 Nuts .. .. .. .. .. .. 99 10 8,687 18 Local sales — Screened .. .. .. .. .. 527 3 Unscreened .. .. .. .. .. 17 4 Small .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 13 Nuts .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 10 —— 560 10

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Mine sales— Tons cwt. Tons cwt. Sold to workmen .. .. .. .. 365 0 Stock in bin .. .. .. .. .. 57 I' 2 422 12 Stock on wharf .. .. .. .. 239 10 239 10 27,793 8 Used on works .. .. .. .. .. 2,00« l Waste .. .. .. .. .. .. 35.1 6 Slack dump .. .. .. .. .. 195 11 — 2,549 19 The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 557,747 tons 13 cwt. Days worked. —The mine during the period worked 222|- days. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days, not including union holidays and pay Saturdays, is accounted for as follows : Railway strike, 3 days ;j stop-work meetings, 2 strike, 8 ; delays to shipping, 2 ; funerals, 7 , want of orders, 19 ; want of wagons, A 3|; Chinese football match, 1 : total, 45J. Employees. —The average numberjjof persons employed in and about the mine in connection with coal-winning was 68, made up as follows : Underground —Coal-hewers, 29 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 19 : on the surface —16 men and 4 boys. In addition to those employed under the head of " coal-winning " there were on an average 5 men and 1 boy employed on development work, making a total for this colliery of 69 men and 5 boys. Payments. —The total payments made in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, minetimber, and compensation amounted to £20,367 19s. 3d., an increase of £4,592 ss. sd. over the previous year. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings. — The coal-hewer's average daily earning (gross) was £1 Bs. 0-94 d., and the net return to each man after deducting stores (explosives) was £1 2s. l-19d., a decrease of Is. l-72d. per day compared with the previous year. Days worked by Goal-hewers. —The total number of days that could have been worked by coalhewers was 6,789 ; the total worked was 6,1164 > the number lost, including those lost through sickness, was 672f. Taking the average daily tonnage produced per coal-hewer, 4-43 tons, together with the days lost by coal-hewers, this represents a loss in output of 2,980 tons. Underground Development. —At this colliery arrangements were being made to work the mine on what is known as the panel system. A plan was accordingly made showing the proposed workings under this scheme, and an attempt was made to carry it out, but owing to the intrusion of stone bands in the seam, and large rolls of stone being encountered, the system had to be abandoned in the meantime. The main heading was extended a distance of 8 chains during the year. After driving 6 chains, a stone roll was encountered, completely pinching out the seam. The roll has been partly crossed, and the seam in the downthrow side has been met, but so far only 2 ft. of the seam is showing. When the roll was first encountered the seam gradually pinched until the apex of the roll was reached. At this latter point the seam completely disappeared. Although the seam completely disappeared, the roof remained unbroken. The latter was therefore followed as a guide until the seam was again met. Four chains ahead of the face of the main heading is borehole No. 1, where the seam was proved to be 8 ft. 6 in. thick. Eleven chains ahead of bore No. lis bore No. 2, where the seam was again proved to be 8 ft. 6 in. thick, and 12 chains farther on and in the same line is the 7 ft. outcrop, on the banks of the Nine-mile Creek. Once this trouble is completely crossed in the main heading there is every prospect of the field being more uniform. A dip heading was driven a distance of 9J chains, and levels driven off right and left. There are at the present time six pairs of miners employed in the dip section, and coal won therefrom is of good quality. An attempt was made to drive a new dip heading 12 chains on the inbye of the present one, but owing to a stone roll being encountered, which completely pinched out the seam, it was abandoned. A new level was also driven in a northerly direction oS the main haulage-road. Off this level, headings were driven in a westerly course, and a connection was made with one of the outcrops. Co-operative Contracts. —A party of thirteen men came to terms with the management for working the dip section on the co-operative system. The party, however, worked only fifteen days when the union objected to the system, and in consequence the party terminated their contract. In the party were ten coal-hewers and three truckers, and the output produced was 978 tons 12 cwt., an average of approximately 65 tons 5 cwt. per day. The coal-hewers worked 138 days, and their average daily output worked out to 7 tons 1-8 cwt. per coal-hewer. The truckers worked forty-four shifts, making a total of 182 shifts worked by the party. The gross earnings were £369 7s. 9d., and after deducting stores (explosives) the net total to be divided amongst the party was £303 3s. 9d. Their net daily average earning for the time worked was therefore £1 13s. 3-75 d. General. Although the average daily output at the Liverpool Colliery is higher than in the previous year, it will be noticed that the gross output shows a decrease of 18,144 tons 10 cwt. This reduction in output is due to the number of working-days being approximately forty less than in the previous year. A lhe output at the James Mine shows an increase over the previous year of 3,198 tons 9 cwt. This increase would, of course, have been greater had the mine worked full time.

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Having in view that the output at the Liverpool Colliery is reduced, and the number of days worked at both collieries being considerably less than those worked during the previous year, it is only natural to expect that the cost of production will be increased, for there are many standing charges that cannot be reduced whether the mine works full time or otherwise. Accompanying are copies of the working-plans of the Liverpool and James Mines workings. In conclusion, I wish to state that the officers in all branches have loyally fulfilled their duties, all being imbued with the desire for the safe and successful working of the mines. lam also indebted to yourself for valuable assistance rendered in connection with new agreements for both collieries, also several other matters in connection with the mines. I have, &c., I. A. James, Superintendent The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.

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NEW ZEALAND STATE COAL-MINES. Balance-sheet. Statement of Liabilities and Assets as at 31st March, 1925. Liabilities. £ s. d. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Loan under Coal-mines Liverpool Colliery and DevelopAct, 1908 .. .. 150,000 0 0 ment Property Account— Loan under Coal-mines Balance at 31st March, Act, 1908, and Appro- 1924 .. .. .. 82,974 8 8 priation Act, 1912 .. 25,000 0 0 Additions during the year 14,996 18 8 New Zealand Consoli- - dated Inscribed Stock 52,601 0 7 97,971 7 4 ———227,601 0 7 Depreciation .. .. 28,022 3 7 Debenture sinking fund .. 41,668 12 2 ——69,949 8 9 Accrued interest .. .. 3,886 1 9 Machinery, plant, ropes, aiul Sundry creditors — rolling-stock— Liverpool Colliery .. 9,195 211 Balance at 31st March, 1924 37,589 11 10 James Colliery .. 2,629 19 3 Additions during the year 853 14 3 Wellington Depot .. 527 19 8 Christchurch Depot .. 1,329 17 7 38,443 6 1 Wanganui Depot .. 240 810 Depreciation .. .. 3,844 6 7 13,923 8 3 34,598 19 6 Reserves — Buildings at mine— General Reserve .. 67,359 12 7 Balance at 31st March, Bad-debts Reserve .. 368 10 3 1924 .. .. 3,656 7 7 67,728 2 10 Additions during the year 642 7 5 Contracts Deposit Account .. .. .. 1,010 0 0 4,298 15 0 Stocks, &c., writing-off Depreciation .. .. 429 17 6 Suspense Account .. .. 1,129 18 3 _ — 3,868 17 6 General Profit and Loss Cottages at mine— Account' — Balance at 81st March, 1924 6,136 8 0 Net profit for year .. .. 821 3 0 Less loss by fire .. 80 0 0 6,056 18 0 Depreciation .. .. 605 13 10 — — 5,451 4 2 Plantation at mine .. .. 1,094 15 0 Coal (cargo afloat) .. 347 11 1 Coal (stock on hand at mine andwharf) .. .. 3,268 12 9 • Stores (stock on hand) .. 13,585 17 5 17,202 1 3 Stock Suspense Account .. .. 79 15 8 Sundrv debtors .. .. .. 5,102 12 5 137,347 9 3 James Colliery and Development Property Account- — Balance at 31st March, 1924 32,415 14 4 Additions during the year .. 476 3 2 32,891 17 6 Depreciation.. .. 3,289 3 9 — 29,602 13 9 Machinery, plant, ropes, and rolling stock — Balance at 31st March, 1924 11,123 11 10 Additions during the year 1,130 0 2 12,253 12 0 Depreciation.. .. 1,225 7 2 — 11,028 4 10 Buildings at mine— Balance at 31st March, 1924 1,021 6 3 Additions during the year 359 19 0 1,381 5 3 Depreciation .. 138 2 6 1,243 2 9 I Cottages at mine .. .. .. 6 2 0 Preliminary Expenses Account .. .. .. .. 1,103 8 6 Coal stocks .. .. 297 11 6 Coal stocks (cargo afloat) .. 135 5 9 Stocks Suspense Account .. 239 7 0 672 4 3 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 346 0 9 44,001 16 10 Mac Donald Colliery and Development Property Account— Cost at 31st March, 1924 .. 68,214 9 8 Additions during the year .. 2,875 16 8 , 71,090 6 4 Machinery, plant, and rol-ling-stock— Cost at 31st March, 1924 4,083 8 9 Less sales during the year 1,152 14 11 2,930 13 10 Buildings at mine— Cost at 31st March, 1924 .. 479 17 3 Cottages at mine— Cost at 31st March, 1924 2,199 5 6 Less recoveries during the year .. 66 2 0 -2,133 3 6 Carried forward .. 357,768 6 10 181,349 6 1

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Balance-sheet —continued. Liabilities—continued. £ a. <]. Assets —continued. Brought forward .. .. 357,768 (i 10 MaeDonald Colliery and Development Property Account —continued. Plantation at mine— £ s. d. £ s. d.||. fj" £ s. d. Cost at 31st March, 1924 547 10 8 Expended during the year 280 0 9 827 11 5 ■ ■ - 77,461 12 4 Wellington Depot Property Account-— Balance at 31st March, 1924 2,454 9 9 Additions during the year .. 1,551 6 0 4,005 15 9 Depreciation .. .. 448 14 7 3,557 i 2 Writing-off suspense .. .. 93 11 8 Stocks on hand .. .. 4,062 19 4 Stocks Suspense Account .. 210 10 10 4,273,10 2 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 8,189 10 10 ——— 16,113 13 10 Christchurch Depot Property Account— Balance at 31st March, 1924 3,069 1 2 Additions during the year .. 485 3 9 3,554 4 11 Depreciation .. .. 248 5 9 3,305 J9 2 Writing-off Suspense .. .. 62 10 11 Stocks on hand .. .. 3,453 17 5 Stocks Suspense Account .. 588 8 6 4,04-2 5 11 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 4,712 7 2 . 12,123 3 2 Wanganui Depot Property Account —- Balance at 31st March, 1924 1,399 5 4 Additions during the year .. 158 3 11 „ 1,557 9 3 Depreciation .. .. 1 38 4 3 — 1,419 5 0 Writing-off Suspense .. .. 12 4 11 Stocks on hand .. .. 1,190 14 0 Stocks Suspense Account .. 33 14 6 1,224 8 6 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 3,293 6 9 5,049 5 2 Sinking Fund Investment Account .. .. .. 41,668 12 2 Investment Account (ordinary) .. .. . ■ 10,000 0 0 Interest on investments accrued .. .. . . 214 19 1 Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st March, 1925 12,887 15 0 £357,768 6 10 £357,768 6 10 State Coal-mines Office, Wellington, 17th August, 1925. P. 6. Pearce, Accountant. G. Jas. Anderson. Minister of Mines. I hereby certify that the attached Working and Profit and Loss Accounts of Depots and Collieries, General Profit and Loss Account, Statement of Receipts and Payments, and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby, except that in the opinion of the Audit Office interest on capital expenditure on the unopened MacLonald Colliery should be charged to General Irofit and Loss Account instead of being capitalized, as development was sufficiently completed several years ago.—J. H. Fowler, Deputy Controller and Auditor-General. Statement op General Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. Gr. To Liverpool Colliery Trade Ex- £ s. d. £ s. d. By Liverpool Colliery Working £ s. d. £ s. d. penses Account .. .. 119,047 19 3 Account—Gross profit .. 97,646 510 James Colliery Trade Ex- James Colliery Working Account penses Account .. .. 23,616 15 9 —Gross profit .. .. 19,841 16 2 Wellington Depot Trade Ex- Wellington Depot Trading Acpenses Account, .. .. 8,916 6 7 count —Gross profit .. 9,531 15 4 Christchurch Depot Trade Ex- Christchurch Depot Trading penses Account .. .. 6,416 12 6 Account —Gross profit .. 7,542 9 9 Wanganui Depot Trade Ex- Wangamii Depot Trading Acpenses Account .. .. 1,889 13 2 count —Gross profit .. 2,052 3 2 159,887 7 3 Seddonville Colliery —Recoveries 138 3 8 Balance —Net profit for year .. 821 3 0 Point Elizabeth Colliery—Recoveries • • ■ • 1,298 4 0 Liverpool Colliery—Rents .. 666 3 4 138,717 1 3 Interest on investments .. .. 2,307 15 7 Transfers from General Reserve .. 19,683 13 5 £160,708 10 3 £160,708 10| 3

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Statement of Liverpool Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr., £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stock on hand at 31st March, \ By Sales of coal .. .. 168,294 12 5 1924 .. .. .. .. 4,084 1 7 Sales of stores and hire of plant 7,154 12 8 Coal-winning— 175,449 5 1 Wages .. .. .. 61,064 12 4 Stock of coal on hand at 31st Stores and materials used .. 5,982 8 6 March, 1925, at mine and Railway tickets .. .. 519 11 0 wharf .. .. .. 3,268 12 9 Special trains .. .. 2,752 2 6 Cargo afloat .. .. 347 11 1 Stores and plant sales (at cost) 5,644 7 9 3,616 3 10 Coal purchased .. .. 358 0 11 Special rate .. .. 1,013 18 6 77,335 1 6 Balance —Gross profit .. .. 97,646 5 10 £179,065 8 1] £179,065 8 11 Statement of Liverpool Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. I Cr. £ s. d. To Management and office salaries 3,158 0 5 By Gross profit at mine .. .. .. 97,646 510 Interest .. .. .. 5,501 16 7 ] Rents .. .. .. .. .. 666 3 4 Travelling-expenses .. 163 16 2 Transfer from General Revenue .. 19,683 13 5 Printing and stationery .. 220 10 4 Balance—Net loss .. .. 1,051 16 8 Repairs and maintenance .. 6,011 12 6 Telegrams and postages .. 183 16 11 Railway haulage .. .. 13,971 15 8 Insurances.. .. .. 453 2 6 Compensation for accidents .. 5,033 15 1 Sick and Accident Fund .. 294 1 6 General expenses .. .. 439 8 3 Marine freights .. 47,547 6 4 Audit fees .. .. 125 0 0 Wharfage .. .. .. 3,041 15 6 Depreciation—Mine, buildings, plant, and machinery .. 32,902 1 6 119,047 19 3 £119,047 19 3 £119,047 19 3 ===== | =a Statement of James Colliery Working Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stock on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. .. .. 40,886 14 6 1924 .. .. .. .. 1,079 4 7 Stock on hand at 31st March, 1925, Coal-winning— at mine and wharf .. ..297 11 6 Wages .. .. .. 18,619 15 7 Cargo afloat .. .. .. 135 5 9 Stores and materials used .. 960 19 7 432 17 3 Subsidized bus-fares, &c. . . 187 8 6 Coal purchased .. .. 32 0 5 Special rate .. .. 201 3 6 Royalty .. .. 397 3 5 20,398 11 0 Balance —Gross profit .. .. 19,841162 £41,319 11 9 £41,319 11 9 Statement of James Colliery Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March. 1925. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s . <}. To Management and office salaries .. .. 749 11 0 By Gross profit at mine .. 19,811 16 2 Rents .. .. .. .. .. 20 16 8 Balance—Net loss .. .. 3,774 19 7 Interest .. .. .. .. 1,827110 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 43 9 9 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 54 16 6 Repairs and maintenance .. .. .. 496 3 11 | Telegrams and postages .. .. .. 45 12 7 j Railway haulage .. .. .. .. 2,32625| Insurance .. .. .. .. 29 6 1 | Compensation .. .. .. .. 386 5 2 Sick and Accident Fund .. .. .. 71 13 7 j General expenses .. .. .. 103 19 9 Marine freights .. .. .. .. 12,180 3 5 Audit fees .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Wharfage .. .. .. .. 603, 10 6 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 4,652 13 5 . £23,616 15 9 £23,616 15 9 Wellington Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ g. 4. £. s . d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, : By Sales of coal .. .. 120,964 19 1 1924 .. .. .. .. 3,728 11 10 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 4,890 5 2 Purchases of coal .. .. 109,342 610 125,855 4 3 Purchases of firewood, coke, &e. 3,877 2 2 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 113,219 9 0 1925— Wharfage .. .. .. .. 1,217 1 5 Coal .. .. ... 2,583 18 8 Cartage to depot .. .. .. 1,585 15 6 Firewood, coke, &c. .. 1,143 16 7 Wages—Trimming .. .. .. 300 6 5 3 > 727 15 3 Balance—Gross profit .. .. 9,531 15 4 £129,582 19 6 £129,582 19 6

2—C. 2A.

9

C.—2A,

10

Wellington Depot Profit and Loss Account foe the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. ToWages .. .. .. 1,609 6 5 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 9,531 15 4 Salaries .. .. .. 1,490 12 1 Rents .. .. .. 856 0 0 Rates .. .. .. 310 7 7 Interest .. .. .. 151 7 3 Travelling-expenses and allowances .. .. .. 21 15 11 Repairs and maintenance .. 344 5 8 Telegrams and postages .. 76 16 8 Printing and stationery .. 92 7 0 Insurances.. .. .. 38 0 8 Cartage .. .. .. 3,021 3 7 Sacks .. .. .. 58 2 7 Freights, &c. .. .. 60 8 4 General expenses .. .. 288 10 6 Audit fees .. .. 30 0 0 Bad debt .. .. .. 9 13 8 Depreciation .. .. 448 14 7 Compensation for accidents .. 8 14 1 — 8,916 6 7 Balance—Net profit .. .. 615 8 9 £9,531 15 4 £9,531 15 4 Christchurch Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. 55,824 9 5 1924 .. .. .. .. 1,364 17 11 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 1,120 19 11 Purchase of coal .. .. 39,328 16 5 — ——— 56,945 9 4 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. 577 18 5 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 39,906 14 10 1925— Haulage to depot .. .. .. 11,480 19 11 Coal .. .. .. 3,166 8 6 Wages-—Discharging .. .. .. 205 5 5 Firewood, coke, &c... .. 388 10 0 Gross profit .. .. .. .. 7,542 9 9 3,554 18 6 £60,500 7 10 £60,500 7 10 Christchurch Depot Profit and Loss Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. i Cr. £ s. d. ToWages .. .. .. 1,102 13 11 I By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 7,542 9 9 Salaries .. .. .. 868 4 10 , Rents .. .. .. 113 10 0 Interest .. .. .. 133 13 5 Travelling-expenses .. .. 1 18 6 Repairs and maintenance .. 306 14 5 Telegrams and postages .. 47 17 1 Printing and-stationery .. 43 10 5 Insurances .. .. .. 9 17 6 Cartage .. .. 1,783 5 7 Sacks .. .. .. 81 10 3 Freights .. .. .. 4 3 5 General expenses .. .. 99 9 8 Audit fees .. .. .. 30 0 0 Compensation .. .. 1,503 9 5 Depreciation .. .. 248 5 9 Bad debts .. .. .. 38 8 4 6,416 12 6 Net profit .. .. .. .. 1,125 17 3 £7,542 9 9 £7,542 9 9 Wanganui Depot Trading Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d, £ s. d. To Stocks on hand at 31st March, By Sales of coal .. .. 27,017 1 4 1924 .. .. .. .. 1,165 19 10 Sales of firewood, coke, &c. .. 703 11 9 Purchases of coal .. .. 24,480 12 8 27,720 13 1 Purchases of firewood, coke, &c. 500 17 2 Stocks on hand at 31st March, 24,981 9 10 1925— Haulage to depot .. .. .. 653 17 7 Coal .. .. .. 977 19 0 Wages—Discharging .. .. .. 25 8 8 Firewood, coke, &c... .. 180 7 0 Gross profit .. .. .. .. 2,052 3 2 1,158 6 0 £28,878 19 1 £28,878 19 1

11

C.—2a

Wanganui Depot Profit and Loss Account foe the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. ToWages .. .. .. 417 6 8 By Balance of Trading Account .. .. 2,052 3 2 Salaries .. .. .. 450 12 9 Rents .. .. .. 210 3 4 Interest .. .. .. 59 6 4 Travelling-expenses .. .. 6 8 4 Repairs and maintenance .. 45 18 2 Telegrams and postages .. 35 8 6 Printing and stationery .. 19 3 5 Insurance .. .. .. 5 17 8 Cartage .. .. .. 397 14 2 Sacks .. .. .. 19 5 9 Freights, &c... .. .. 2 13 6 General expenses .. .. 62 7 10 Audit fees .. ~ .. 17 0 0 Depreciation .. .. 138 4 3 Compensation .. .. 2 2 6 1,889 13 2 Net profit .. .. .. .. 162 10 0 £2,052 3 2 i £2,052 3 2 Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31st March, 1925. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s, d. By James Colliery— £ s. -d. £ s. d. To Cash in hand and in Property and development .. 312 18 0 Public Account at Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. 754 12 6 31stMarch, 1924 .. .. 17,389 7 5 Buildings .. .. .. 203 12 10 Proceeds of sale of coal 254,967 14 10 Cottages .. .. .. 6 2 0 Recoveries, refunds,&c. 11,849 0 9 Wages .. .. .. .. 18,734 17 8 266,816 15 7 Special rate .. .. .. 205 3 3 Contracts—deposits 40 0 0 Coal purchased .. .. .. 33 310 Refunds .. .. 100 0 0 Subsidized bus-fares .. .. 191 8 0 • —— 140 0 0 — — 20,441 18 1 Investments realized 17,500 0 0 Liverpool Colliery— Interest .. .. 974 411 Property and development .. 13,190 11 0 18,474 4 11 Buildings .. .. .. 299 5 10 Plantation .. .. .. 1,045 14 8 Stores and materials .. 23,207 3 10 Wages .. .. .. .. 61,085 13 2 Special rate .. .. .. 1,065 13 3 Railway tickets .. .. .. 1,938 0 9 Special trains .. .. .. 2,802 10 0 Coal purchased .. .. .. 301 7 6 104,936 0 0 Mac Donald Colliery Property and development .. 33 0 0 Machinery, plant, and rolling-stock .. 38 14 4 Cottages .. .. .. 6 8 2 Plantation .. .. .. 280 0 9 — 358 3 3 Seddonville Colliery Account .. .. .. 37 19 2 Wellington Depot Account .. .. 18,044 8 11 Christchurch Depot Account .. .. 19,161 5 6 Wanganui Depot Account .. .. 4,631 12 10 41,837 7 3 Management and office salaries .. 5,207 2 4 Interest .. .. .. .. 9,251 19 2 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 219 2 6 Printing and stationery .. .. 276 8 8 Repairs and maintenance .. .. 4,346 6 5 Wharfage .. .. .. .. 3,812 9 6 Railway haulage .. .. .. 18,758 711 Marine freights .. .. .. 61,483 1 3 Postages and telegrams .. .. 229 6 9 Insurances .. .. .. 482 8 7 Rents .. .. .. .. 119 13 4 Compensation .. .. .. 5,180 4 2 Sick and Accident Fund .. .. 147 9 4 General expenses .. .. .. 649 11 11 Investments—general .. .. 7,500 0 0 Sinking fund investment .. .. 4,552 0 0 Audit fees .. .. .. .. 85 13 4 Contracts refunds .. .. .. 20 0 0 122,321 5 2 Cash in hand and in Public Account at 31st March, 1925 .. .. .. .. 12,887 15 0 £302,820 7 11 £302.820 7 1

C.—2a

12

Price 6d.\

Table showing the Position of the State Coal-mines Account from Inception to 31st March, 1925.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (525 copies), £16.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

T , , . . - Fixed Assets Liabilities Name of Works. I Expendftwe! °Depredat|ii Balance-sheet, Net Profits. Net Losses. Balance-sheet, written off. 1925> l92 r>. i ' . i i £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Point Elizabeth Colliery .. 98,210 9 0 Less loss by fire and sales .. 2,291 6 11 95,919 2 1 95,919 2 1 .. 142,699 3 8 Liverpool Colliery .. .. 270,834 15 8 1 Less loss by fire .. .. 80 0 0 I 270,754 15 8 | 155,791 15 9 114,962 19 11 32,853 18 7 9,195 2 11 Seddonville Colliery .. 38,243 2 5 Less sales .. .. 548 17 0 37,694 5 5 37,694 5 5 .. .. I 37,996 10 3 Briquette-works property .. 16,135 2 6 Less sales of plant .. 2,066 5 0 14,068 17 6 . 14,068 17 6 .. .. 22,660 18 10 Charming Creek prospecting .. 5,956 18 6 5,956 18 6 .. .. 5,954 11 8 James Colliery .. .. 51,484 0 4 9,603 17 0 41,880 3 4 .. 3,774 19 7 2,629 19 3 Mao Donald Colliery .. 77,461 12 4 .. 77,461 12 4 Wellington Depot property .. 9,276 0 11 Less sales .. .. 384 16 0 8,891 4 11 5,334 3 9 3,557 1 2 .. 5,137 6 2 527 19 8 Christchurch Depot property 9,219 9 3 Less loss on horses and sales 157 18 8 9,061 10 7 5,755 11 5 3,305 19 2 3,209 8 11 .. 1,329 17 7 Wanganui Depot property .. 3,640 12 1 Less loss on horses .. 161 4 5 3,479 7 8 2,060 2 8 1,419 5 0 .. 563 5 6 240 8 10 Dunedin Depot property .. 2,023 3 7 Less sale of plant .. 641 10 0 1,381 13 7 1,381 13 7 .. .. 4,248 3 5 Hulks property .. .. 4,033 15 5 Less sales .. .. 1,948 17 0 2,084 18 5 2,084 18 5 .. 1,786 12 11 Office furniture .. .. 189 13 9 Less sales .. .. 17 5 0 172 8 9 172 8 9 .. .. 172 8 9 Grand total .. 586,708 15 9 Less losses and sales 8,298 0 0 578,410 15 9 335,823 14 10 242,587 0 11 Interest on investments .. .. .. .. 6,052 2 10 Discounts .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 2 9 Cash lost (highway robbery) .. .. .. .. .. 89 0 1 Totals, profits and losses .. j .. .. .. 186,614 9 8 80,597 4 3 Balance, profits over losses .. I .. .. .. .. 106,017 5 5 Stocks on hand and suspense.. ! .. .. 27,614 11 3 Investment Account (ordinary) .. .. 10,000 0 0 Interest on investments accrued j .. .. 214 19 1 Sinking Fund Investments i .. .. 41,668 12 2 Account Preliminary expenses .. .. .. 1,103 8 6 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. 21,643 17 11 Bad debts, writing off, suspense . . .. 48 2 0 Cash on hand .. .. .. .. 12,887 15 0 Debentures and Loan Account .. .. .. .. .. 227,601 0 7 Bad-debts Reserve .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 368 10 3 Accrued interest payable .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,886 1 9 Sinking Fund Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 41,668 12 2 General Reserve .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 67,359 12 7 General Profit and Loss Account .. .. .. .. .. 821 3 0 Contracts Deposit Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,010 0 0 Stocks Suspense Account .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,129 18 3 357,768 6 10 186,614 9 8 186,614 9 8 357,768 6 10