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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1891.")

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. Mr. J. Hayes, F.S.Sc, Inspecting Engineer, to the Undek-Seceetaby, Mines Department. Sib,— Mines Department, Wellington, 11th May, 1903 oi l t, , 1 „L honoUr t0 Submit re P° rt8 on the coal-mines of the colony for the year ending 31st December, 1902. ' 8 Output. The following summary shows the output of the various classes of coal, &c. mined in each district:—

Total number of mines at work, 180, only twenty-two of which employ more than twentv-ot<e persons. ' In comparison with the output of the previous year the foregoing summary shows a net total increase of 125,354 tons. The subjoined statement shows the relative increase and decrease in the output of the various classes of coal, &c, in each inspection district:—

The approximate total quantity of coal, &c, raised from the several mines throughout the colony up to the 31st December, 1902, is 17,157,596 tons. The number of persons ordinarily employed is returned at 803 above ground and 2 082 below ground, making a total of 2,885 ; but it is to be remembered that many of the men included as working above ground are engaged in actually getting coal or lignite at opencast pits or quarries, of I—C 3a.

Class of Coal, &c. Northern District. West Coast District. I Southern District. [ Total. Bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... Pitoh-coal ... Brown coal... Liguite Oil-shale Tons. 92,761 99,284 Tons. 752,28.5 1,531 Tons. 25,245 326,357 65,239 2,338 Tons. 845,046 25,245 427,172 65,239 2,338 Totals ... 192,045 753,816 419,179 1,365,040

Northern District. Class of Coal, &c. , . Inorease. De " crease. West Coast District Southern District. jj Increase. crease. Toi DO- ' crease. Total Total Net Increase Increase. Decrease. Increase. i Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and semi- 5,706 bituminous coal Pitch-coal Brown coal ... 11,255 Lignite Oil-shale ... ... Tons. 84,387 Tone. 106 Tons. 10,661 10,871 12,290 Tons. ... 9,710; ..' Totals ... j 16,961 ... 16,961 84,387 106 33,822 9,710 135,170 9,816 125,354