C.—2A.

1927. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1927.

Prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 184 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925.

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir,— 27th April, 1927. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1927. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output of coal for the year was 151,179 tons 17 cwt., an increase of 43,902 tons 2 cwt. when compared with the figures of last year. After making allowance for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 149,522 tons 9 cwt. 3 qr. ; which is accounted for as follows : —

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 1,651,303 tons 19 cwt. Bays worked. —During the year this colliery worked on 215 days. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : Union holidays (agreement), 14 days ; delays to shipping, due to bad weather, bar conditions, &c., 22 days ; pay Saturdays, 26 days ; back Saturdays, 25 days ; slips on railway, 4 days ; explosion, Dobson Mine, 1 day ; strike re reduction of one hour through stoppage of fan at No. 2 mine, 5 days : total, 97 days. The days worked are 21§ more than those worked the previous year. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 347, made up as follows : Underground—Coal-hewers, 131 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 114. On the surface —71 men and 31 boys. In addition to those employed under the head of " Coal-winning " there were on an average 8 men and 1 boy employed on development work, making a total number for the colliery of 324 men and 32 boys.

I—C. 2A.

Screened. Unscreened. Small. Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Export .. .. 8,674 1 0 43,110 6 0 36,620 9 0 88,404. 16 0 Rail, Canterbury .. 15,229 18 3 21,780 3 2 3,885 5 0 40,895 7 1 Local sales ".. .. 6,425 9 2 2,024 14 1 3,988 3 3 12,438 7 2 Mine sales .. .. .. 30 0 0 .. 30 0 0 Sold to workmen .. .. 1,948 0 0 .. 1,948 0 0 Stock in bin .. .. .. 4,032 17 0 600 0 0 4,632 17 0 Stock on wharf .. .. 304 12 0 564 16 0 303 14 0 1,173 2 0 30,634 1 1 73,490 16 3 45,397 11 3 149,522 9 3 Used on works .. .. .. 5,134 18 0 .. 5,134 18 0 Waste .. .. .. .. 1,074 19 0 .. 1,074 19 0 Totals.. .. 30,634 1 1 79,700 13 3 45,397 11 3 155,732 6 3