a.—2

2

COAL-MINING. The output of several classes of coal mined in each inspection district is summarized as follows :—

PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1926 and 1925 : —

MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 1,770 men were ordinarily employed, there were three fatal accidents. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 2,243 men, there were three persons killed and eight persons met with serious injuries. There were 5,159 persons ordinarily employed about the coal-mines, and there were fifteen persons killed and twenty-two persons seriously injured. It is with sincere regret that I have to record the fact that an explosion or explosions occurred at the Dobson Colliery on the 3rd December, 1926, resulting in the loss of nine lives. As soon as possible after the last body was recovered from the mine a Royal Commission was appointed to investigate and report as to the cause of the disaster, &c. The report of such Commission, which is already known to honourable members, states that the closest investigation has failed to disclose with certainty the origin of the explosion.

Output of Coal during 1926. , : " '• ~ Total Output Class of Coal. , Northern West Coast Southern I „ J° District District District J Total. Jjna 01 (North Island) (South Island). (South Island). Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bituminous and sub-bitu- 111,918 1,084,470 .. 1,196,388 39,179,785 minous Brown .. .. .. 541,931 37,450 326,444 905,825 20,807,277 Lignite.. .. .. .. 256 137,530 137,786 3,972,280 Totals for 1926 .. 653,849 1,122,176 463,974 2,239,999 63,959,342 Totals for 1925 .. 672,403 951,396 491,196 2,114,995 61,719,343

Inspection District. Totals. Classification. ,, i Northern West Coast (of , ° u , <? rn ,, 1Q0 „ ]ri0K ! I ncrease (North Island). South Island).. («>st°f South 1926. 1923. or ' ' i Island). j Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 850 490 366 1,706 1,666 Inc 40 Ironstone .. .. .. .. 64 .. 64 83 Dec. 19 Sulphur .. .. .. 12 .. . . 12 Inc. 12 Coal .. .. .. 1,342 2,780 1,037 5,159 4,777 „ 382 Stone-quarries under the Stone- 1,608 263 372 2,243 1,972 ,, 271 quarries Act Oil .. .. .. 20 3 .. 23 „ 23 I i Totals .. ..I 3,832 3,600 j 1,775 9,207 8,498 Inc. 709 I | !