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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1907.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in accordance with the requirements of Sec Hon 108 of '"The Coal-mines Act, 1905."

TV. C. Gasquoink, Esq., Manager, State Coal-mines Department, to the Under-Secretaky, Mines Department, Wellington. SlE > State Coal-mines Department, Wellington, Bth July, 1907. 1 have the honour to submit the annual report on the transactions of this Department for the period ended the 31st March last. The aggregate quantity of coal dealt with was 190,009 tons 2 cwt., valued at £158 097 6s 4d Figured separately, Point Elizabeth Colliery supplied to:— Tons O Wt, qr. £ Vlllll «; d Railways ... ... ... ... 91,502 4 1 89,344 19 3 Private consumers (including shipping companies) ... ... 67,530 15 2 40,348 8 7 Government Departments other than Railways 4,445 3 8 3,832 15 3 T <> tal s ... ... ... 163,478 3 2 133,525 18 1 Of this quantity 4,236 tons 17 cwt. 3qr., value £3,870 10s. 5d., was disposed of through the medium of the hulks. ° The excellent quality of this coal is now being realised, and it is much sought after not onlytor household purposes—for which it has few if any equals- but also as a steam-producer With some slight alterations in furnaces the small coal has been found to give general satisfaction and one of its greatest advantages is that it does not burn the firebars. The demand at present far exceeds the supply, but patience has to be exercised, as the development of such a large field has to be gradually and carefully carried out. The Seddonville Colliery supplied to — Tons cwt. qr. £ Val '"'- Railways ... ... ... ... if,,706 3 I 14,007 6 10 Private consumers (including shipping comP anics ) ■•■ ... 16,611 9 2 10,129 211 Government Departments other than Railways... 713 5 3 434 18 6 Totals ... ... ... 33,030 18 2 24,571 8 3 Of this quantity 718 tons 6 cwt. 1 qr., value £677 Is, 7d,. was disposed of throue-h the medium of the hulks.

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