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Session 11. 1912. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1912.

Presented to both Homes of the (lateral Assembly in accordance with the Requirements of Section 118 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908.

The General Manager, State Coal-mines, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — New Zealand State Coal-mines Office, Wellington, 25th June, 1912. 1 have the honour to submit the annual report and balance-sheet of the New Zealand State Coal-mines for the year ended the 31st March last. The gross output of the mines was 271,626 tons, which, after allowing for mine consumption and waste, left 244,478 tons for disposal, which when compared with the figures of last year shows a decrease of 16,325 tons. The Point Elizabeth Mine produced 187,921 tons of marketable coal of the following grades : Screened, 67,966 tons ; unscreened. 55,790 tons : bunker. 13.790 tons ; small. 50,375 tons. The following table shows the quantity disposed of : —

The sales of coal from this mine are 18,749 tons less than last yea)-. This is due to the fact that most of the. output is now being obtained from pillar workings, and also to the exceptionally bad weather which has prevailed at Greymouth, causing stoppages at the mine aggregating 21J days. The demand for all classes of Ibis coal has been far in excess of the capacity of the mine. This is especially the case at our depots, no doubt owing to some of the other collieries having raised their prices. It is hoped, however, when the No. 2 Colliery is turning out coal, in a few months time, all demands will be met.

I— C. 3.

To whom. Kereened. Unscreened. Bunker. Small. Total. Depots New Zealand railways Other Government Departments Private consumers and shipping companies Tons. Tone. 29,056 L 27.024 27,140 7.209 1,000 1,691 10,615 I , .).715 Tons. 167 29 14,712 Tons. 7.100 180 42,898 Tone. 63,347 34,349 2.900 87.940 Totals .. 67,811 55,639 14,908 50,178 188.536