2

a—3a

SECTION I.—OUTPUT OF MINEEAL. 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 29,966 tons. The following statement shows the production, &c, of the principal collieries :—

The most important feature in connection with the coal-mining industry has been the activity displayed on the West Coast bituminous coalfields, where new collieries are being opened and equipped on a scale of considerable magnitude. The quality of the coal from these fields is of a high class, the coal being used by the Admiralty and to a considerable extent by ocean-going vessels. On the northern coalfields activity has also been displayed in the development of new areas, and the acquisition by the principal companies of mining rights over freehold property. The equipment of the mines all over the country has been greatly improved.

Northern District. West Coast Distriot. Southern District. Total. Class of Coal, &o. Bituminous and semi-bituminous coal ... Pitch-coal ... Brown coal... Lignite Tons. 147,405 Tons. 1,057,807 2,801 2,958 Tons. 14,658 338,661 99,163 Tons 1,205,212 17,459 539,141 99,163 197,522 Totals... 345,927 1,063,566 452,482 1,860,975

Name of Collier} , . Locality. n . Total Output Class of Coal. to 31st De- ■ oember, 1908. Total Number of Persons ordinarily employed. Northern District. Tons. 61,071 Hikurangi Coal Company (Limited)... Hikurangi... S emi-bitu-minous Tons. 581,593 74 Taupiri Coal-mines (Liinited) Northern Collieries Company (Limited) Huntly ... Hikurangi... Bfown S emi-bitu-minous 175,777 50,2751 1,900,362 284,246 357 74 West Coast District. Westport Seddonville (Westport) Point Elizabeth (Greymouth) Blackball... Brunnerton Millerton, bituminous Denniston... Bituminous 316,601 2,651,061 473 Westport Coal Company (Limited) (Coalbrookdale Collieries) 296,617 55,231 5,026,377 209,410 574 100 New Zealand State Coal-mines ■{ 234,250 795,458! 400 Blackball Coal Company (Limited) ... Tyneside Proprietary Coal Company (Limited) ii it 85,348 40,304 1,026,555 295,059 150 160 Southern Distiici. Kaitangata Brown 2,312,6801 New Zealand Coal and Oil Company (Limited) Nightcaps Coal Company (Limited) ... 110,315! 296 Nightcaps... a 48,487 616,263 92 Other collieries, in all districts Various ... 386,699 11,423,875 1,144 Totals 1,860,975 27,122,939 3,894