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31st March, 1917, during which the highest previous output was obtained. The disposal, allowing for stock on hand at beginning of year, was as follows : —

The total sales of State coal from the mines for the year amounted to 148,335 tons, value £222,127, as compared with 149,850 tons, value £192,958, for last year, a decrease of 1,515 tons, but an increase in value of £29,169. For the purpose of easy comparison the figures are restated below in tabulated form :—

Comparative Statement of Sales from Collieries.

The average price per ton realized by the mines on the total sales for the year was £l 9s. 11-4 d., an increase of 4s. 2-36 d. on last year's average. The sales of coal, &c, through the medium of the depots totalled 60,912 tons, value £137,910, as against 40,157 tons, value £80,083, for last year. There was an increase of sales from the Liverpool Colliery of 33,069 tons, with a value of £62,860. The total profit at the mines was £17,681, and after deducting losses at the depots, &c, there remained a balance of £13,962, out of which £6,828 was applied to Sinking Fund Account and £222 to Bad Debts Reserve, leaving £6,912 to Ik 1 carried forward. During the year a tennis-court at Runanga was completed, and a large number of miners and others have made full use thereof for recreation purposes. A bowlinggreen is also in course of preparation, and it is expected that it will be available for use this coming summer. The ground which has been set aside for a recreationground has also been drained, and the surface covered with ashes, which have been ploughed in. Arrangements have been made for harrowing the ground and sowing grass-seed therein. In carrying out these works a number of the employees at the State colliery voluntarily, and without payment, undertook the work of clearing the sites and of assisting in other directions. James Collier v. Further development works, including the re-erection of a portion of the coalstorage bins which were shifted from the Point Elizabeth Colliery, and the installation of the requisite equipment, have been carried out. The developnient of this colliery has to some extent been governed by the progress made in constructing the railway-line giving access thereto. It is expected that the railway will be sufficiently completed for the haulage of coal within a few months. Trial samples of the coal from this colliery have upon test shown that it is a first-class household coal. When supplies are available it will greatly stimulate the activities at the several State coal-depots.

Supplied to Screened. Unsoreened. Small. Totals. Depots ... Railways Other Government Departments Shipping companies Gas companies Other consumers ... Tons. 7,927 307 9 33 170 3,667 Tons. 30,245 9,667 188 28,968 39,207 18,678 Tons. 2,218 460 6,499 Tons. 38,172 9,974 197 31,219 39,837 28,844 Totals ... 12,113 126,953 9,177 148,243

Total Sale Quantity. is, 1920-21. Total .Sales, 1919-20. Mino. Value. Quantity. Value. ?oint Elizabeth liverpool Tons cwt. qr. 91 8 0 148,243 11 0 £ s. d. 59 8 2 222,067 19 8 Tons cwt. qr. 34,676 3 3 115,174 3 1 £ s. d. 33.750 14 3 159,207 15 8 Totals 148,334 19 0 222,127 7 10 ! 149,850 7 0 192,958 9 II