C—2

6

COAL-MINERS' RELIEF FUND. As required by the Coal-mines Act, 1908, the owner of every coal-mine contributes £d. per ton on all coal sold, for the relief of coal-miners who may be injured whilst working, and for the relief of families of coal-miners who may be killed or injured. The following is a statement of the accounts of the fund during the two last financial years : — Year ended Year ended 31st Maroh, 1915. 31st March, 1916. £ £ Contributions .. .. .. 2,068 1,966 Allowance on account of accidents, &c... 2,782 1,526 Balance .. .. ..6,320 7,303 PROVISION FOR PERSONS TOTALLY INCAPACITATED BY MINERS' PHTHISIS. By the passing of the Miners' Phthisis Act, 1915, the Gold-miners' Relief Fund was abolished, and provision is now made in the new Act for a pension of £1 per week being paid to a married man or a widower with young children, and 15s. per week to a single man who is or becomes totally incapacitated for work owing to miners' phthisis contracted while working as a miner in New Zealand. In addition to which the widow of any pensioner under the Act who dies from that disease is entitled to a pension of 12s. 6d. per week for two years. Funeral expenses to the extent of £20 are also provided for. All gold duty is now reserved for these pensions, and the Act is administered by a Commissioner under the Pensions Act, 1913.