G.—2

78

It is satisfactory to report that the usual annual increase in output has been maintained. There has also been a considerable increase in the quantity of coal imported into the Dominion during the past year, 364,359 tons having been imported, as against 188,068 tons during 1911. The quantity of coal exported was 223,918 tons during 1911, and 229,849 tons in 1912. There has therefore been an increase of 281,902 tons in the coal consumed or stocked in New Zealand during 1912.

The following is a statement showing output of coal rom each coalfield :—

The production from, and the number of persons employed at, the principal collieries of the Dominion are shown in the following table : —

SECTION II.—PERSONS EMPLOYED.

Coalfield. Output during 1912. Total Output to End of 1912. North Auckland Waikato Mokau Nelson Buller Tons. 116,147 263,938 3,762 29,071 826,105 11,046 435,239 16,764 294,063 181,480 Tons. 3,024,403 3,230,768 81,560 224,604 11,478,628 215,886 6,782,216 657,041 7,658,649 2,107,059 Inangahua .. Grey Canterbury .. Otago 1 Southland Totals 2,177,615 35,460,814

Name of Colliery. Locality. Class of Coal, i 0a %f 2 for Total Output I to 31st December, 1912. Total Number of Persons ordinarily employed. Northern District. Hikurangi Hikurangi... Semi-bitu-minous Tons. 54,618 Tons. 822,067 85 Taupiri ... Northern Huntly ... Hikurangi... Brown S emi-bitu-minous 258,108 43,436 2,495,263 452,112 496 71 West Coast Distriot. Millerton ... Denniston Mangatini Seddonville Point Elizabeth Blackball ... 329,430 298,636 125,031 72,693 188,835 3,761,423 6,344,435 457,160 472,797 1,602,298 584 559 140 103 336 Coalbrookdale ( Bituminous it Westport- Stockton a State Coal-mines .. 1 u Blackball a 202,878 1,672,824 355 Southern District. Kaitangata Nightcaps... 127,761 89,874 Kaitangata Nightcaps Brown2,841,492 878,449 327 129 Other collieries, in all districts Various 386,315 13,660,494 1,143 Totals 2,177,615 135,460,814 4,328

Average Number of Persons employed during 1912. Inspection District. Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Northern Vest Coast iouthern 234 632 264 618 1,867 713 852 2,499 977 Totals, 1912 Totals, 1911 -I 1,130 1,365 3,198 4,328 2,925 4,290