a—2a.

6

for the different depots owing to urgent Government requirements absorbing (lie entire output of screened coal, thereby leaving available only a limited supply of unscreened coal each week for disposal through the depots for household and trade purposes. The quantity shipped was quite inadequate in view of the demands mack the depots by householders, and frequent stoppages owing to lack of supplies took place with consequent disorganization and loss of business. In this connection it must not be overlooked that while the depots have shown a loss owing to the impossibility of maintaining regular supplies, the collieries have benefited by the increased f.O.b. rates fixed for screened coal (a proportion of which was previously supplied to depots), and (hat although a loss has been made in distribution through the depots the public who have been drawing supplies therefrom have substantially benefited by the lower prices charged by the Slate Coal Department. During the year regular visils of inspection were paid lo the depots for the purpose of keeping in close touch with operations, and for promoting closer co-operation between Head Office ami branches. Output. The gross output of (he mines for the year was 246,273 tons, as compared with 265,782 tons tor last year, a decrease of 19.50!) tons. A comparative statement for the two years is shown below :—

(Note. —The difference between the gross and net outputs is the allowance made for mineconsumption and waste.) Point Elizabeth Colliery produced 111.552 tons of marketable coal, a decrease of 13,178 tons on the production last year. After allowing for stocks on hand and afloat at the beginning and end of the year the disposal was as under : —

Liverpool Colliery produced 124,782 tons of marketable coal, a decrease of 2,998 tons on the previous year's production. The disposal, allowing for slock in hand at beginning of year, was as follows :—

The total sales for (he year amounted to 239,840 lons, value £267.927. as compared with 256,558 tons, value £248,817, for last year, a decrease in quantity of 16,718 tons, and an increase in value of .£19,110.

Mine. Output in Tons, 1916-17. Grose. Net. Output in Ton Gross. is, 1917-18. Net. Point Elizabeth Liverpool '.. 132.769 125.030 133,013 127,780 118.077 128,196 111.552 121,782 Totals 265,782 252,810 246,273 236,334

Supplied to ; Screened. Unscreened. I l Ton«. Tons. Depots ... ... ... 18,730 16,164 Railways ... ... ... 23,440 746 Shipping companies ... ... 49 3,999 Other Government Departments ... 250 1,381 Other consumers ... ... 4,294 3,886 I _ Totals ... ... 46,763 26,176 | Steam. Small. Tons. Tons. 12,087 5 13,217 12,870 18 2,069 13,235 27,031 To'als. Tons. 46,981 24,191 30,135 1,631 10,267 113,205

Supplied to Screened. Unscreened. Steam. Small. ' Totals. Tons. Depots ... ... ... 15,499 Railways ... ... ... 17,178 Shipping companies ... ... 21 Gas companies ... ... ■ 9 Other Government Departments ... 34 Other consumers ... ... 943 Tons. 2,120 6,704 4,172 21,689 231 2,120 Tons. 6,466 Tons. 7,857 69 9,188 32,209 Tons. 25,476 23,951 19,847 53,907 265 3,189 126 Totals ... ... 33,684 37,036 6,466 49,449 126,635