3

C.—2A

plant an additional area of 50 acres. The latter-mentioned area was felled preparatory to burning, but owing to unfavourable weather conditions the bush could not be burned until well on in the summer, when it was too late for planting. The trees planted in the former area of 45 acres, particularly the Douglas firs, were not the success anticipated, and in consequence 20,000 Pinus radiata were obtained and planted to fill up the spaces where others had failed, also to replant the area of 3| acres that was destroyed by fire. The Pinus radiata trees planted last season are doing very well, and appear to be progressing better than any of the other species. The question of planting the 50 acres herein referred to this season has been discussed with one of the officers of the Forestry Branch, and the latter is of opinion that, owing to the nature of the soil, Pinus radiata is the most suitable tree to plant. Electric Safety-lamps. —At the present time two types of lamps are being used at this colliery — viz., the Pearson Nife hand electric safety-lamp, and a cap-lamp which is a combination of the Pearson Nife and the Oldham. The former is used chiefly by the coal-hewers, and the latter lJy truckers and shiftmen. Some of the hand-lamps have been in use since August, 1923, and for a period were subjected to very hard treatment, for they were in use on tunnel-construction work, which in parts was very wet and dirty. After nearly three years' service these lamps are still in use, and are practically as good as ever they were. In January of last year a hundred Pearson Nife hand-lamps arrived, and were issued to the men the month following. These lamps have been in continuous use ever since and given very little trouble. A parcel of fifty cap-lamps arrived in August, 1925, and were issued soon after to the truckers and shiftmen. The cap-lamp has a decided advantage over the hand-lamp. With the latter there is a tendency for the user to do his work over a large area without moving the lamp from the first position, whereas with the cap-lamp, through the user carrying it on his cap, the quality of illumination is at all times comparatively constant, and eye-strain is in consequence reduced to a minimum. The candle-power of the cap-lamp is also very much greater than the hand-lamp. This is due to the light being concentrated and reflected in one direction. Coloured Glasses. —The light given by an electric lamp is white and hard, and the small incandescent filament appears to be very brilliant when compared with an oil-lamp flame, the light of which is soft and yellow. With the object of counteracting the effects of the brightness in the electric safetylamps a few yellow-tinted and frosted glasses were obtained, and are now on trial. The tinted glass appears to reduce the candle-power of the lamp from 10 to 20 per cent., and the reduction appears to be much greater with the frosted glasses. The trial, however, has not been sufficiently prolonged to allow any definite conclusions to be drawn. Accidents. —There were several minor accidents during the year, also a serious accident which resulted fatally. In connection with the latter a special report was forwarded. James Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output for the year was 26,781 tons 13 cwt., a decrease of 2,2f3 tons 7 cwt. compared with the previous year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 25,227 tons 13 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :—

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 84,529 tons 6 cwt. Days worked. —The mine during the period worked on 207§ days, compared with 222| days for the previous year. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days are accounted for as follows : — Days hrs. Union holidays (agreement) .. .. .. .. 15 0 Other holidays (not specified in agreement) . . 4 0 Funeral late Piime Minister .. .. ... ...... 1- 0 Fatal accident (J. Wbelan) . . ..20 Strike re Westport prosecutions 2 0 Timber strike .. . . ■ ■ • . 28 0 Stop-work meetings . . .32 Pay Saturdays .. .. .. .. .. . 26 0 Delays to shipping due to bad weather, bar conditions, &c. . . 2 0 Want of orders . . . . . . . . . 10 0 Back Saturdays . . .110 Weighbridge strike . . ..10 Total . . . . 105 2

Screened. ' Unscreened. Nuts. Small. Slack. Total. . . - - Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Tons owt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Export .. .. 9,231 2 0 49 3 0 169 10 2 .. 3,700 13 0 13,150 8 2 Rail to Christchurch 6,997 17 1 197 14 2 369 11 0 119 16 3 .. 7,684 19 2 Local sales .. 427 9 1 53 5 0 .. .. 1,145 1 2 1,627 13 3 Sold to workmen .. .. 353 15 0 .. .. .. 353 15 0 Stock in bin .. .. .. 70 0 0 250 0 0 31 6 0 351 6 0 Slack-dump .. .. .. .. • 1,719 1 0 1,719 1 0 Stock on wharf .. 265 17 0 . . .. 7 0 0 67 12 1 340 9 1 16,922 5 2 655 15 2 609 1 2 376 16 3 6,663 13 3 25,227 13 0 Used on works .. .. 1,797 0 0 .. .. .. 1,797 0 0 Waste .. . . . . 249 13 0 .. .. . . 249 13 0 Totals .. 16,922 5 2 2,702 8 2 609 1 2 376 16 3 6,663 13 3 27,274 6 0