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Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES REPORT. ("THE COAL-MINES ACT, 1905.")

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

No. 1. Mr. John Hayes, F.S.Sc, Inspecting Engineer, to the Undee-Seceetary, Mines Department. Sjr, Mines Department, Wellington, 20th April, 1906. I have the honour to submit the annual reports on the coal-mines of the colony for the year ended 31st December, 1905.

Output. The output of the several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarised as follows: —

As compared with the output for the preceding year, the above statement shows an increase of 47,918 tons, and the comparison of the relative increase and decrease of the different classes of coai, &c, won during the year 1905 is given in the following tabulated form : —

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Class of Coal, &c. Northern District. West Coast District. Southern District. I Total. bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... 'itch-coal ... Tons. 114,449 14-5,427 Tons. 850,634 2,867 2,726 Tons. 20,205 348,783 100,665 Tons. 965,083 23,072 496,936 100,665 irown coal... jignite Totals ... 259,876 856,227 _J 469,653 1,585,756

Class of Coal, &o. ■Northern listrict. West Coast District. Southern •istriot. m l , Total Total De Increase. creRee Total Net Increase. DeIncrease. J - e " crease. Increase. DeIncrease. crease. crease. bituminous and semibituminous coal 'itch-coal.. Irown coal agnite Tons. 8,230 Tons. Tons. Tons. 18,335 ... Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. 9,129 470 472 3,477 9,709 1,904 Totals 17,359 19,277 j 13,186 1,904 49,822 1,904 47,918