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REPORT ON NORTH ISLAND STATE COAL-MINES. I he Disikici Manages, State Coal-mines, Mangapehi, to the Under-Secretary, Mities Department, Wellington. SIR — " 9th June, 1941. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the State coal-mines (North Island) for the year ended 31st March, 1941. Mangapehi Colliery. Coal-winning.- Tim gross output since coal-production, commenced on the 28th May, 1940, was 13,213 tons 0 cwt. 1 qr., and after deducting mine consumption and waste there remained for disposal 1.2,064 tons 18 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :—

During the year the mine worked on 209 days out of a possible 224 days (excluding Saturdays and union holidays, and including 3 back Saturdays worked). The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : Washout on road, 1 day ; breakdown of boiler, 1 day; shortage of wagons, 1 day ; Christmas holidays, 10 days ; King's Birthday 1 day ■ and Labour Day, I day. ' ' Employees.—The total number of employees when the mine commenced production was 14 but this number was gradually increased throughout the year, and at the 31st March there were employed in and about the mine 55 men and 2 boys, made up as follows : Underground : Coal-hewers 17 • deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 22. On the surface : 16 men and 2 boys. Expenditure.—The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with the subsidy on bus fares and the cost of fuel used on 'works amounted to £10,893 19s. 2d. Coal-hewers Average Daily Earnings.--The coal-hewers' average daily earnings were (gross) £2 Bs. Bd., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 3s. 1 Id. Daily Output,. Ihe daily output when the, mine commenced was approximately 30 tons per day, but this was gradually increased throughout the year, and at the 31st March the daily output was 145 tons. The average daily output per coal-hewer was 9 tons 4 cwt. Deficiencies. During the year no payments were made under the minimum wage clause. Accidents. During the year there were a few minor accidents but none of a serious nature. Development.—-This mine was taken over by the State Coal-mines at the beginning of May, 1940. The plant and the mine were reconditioned. Coal-production commenced on the 27th May from the development of the ninth and tenth levels, to the west of the main dip heading, in good-quality coal. During the year development in this direction was continued for 7 chains and, although irregularities have been met with in the roof and floor, the coal has maintained a good quality. Development work to the east of the main dip has been carried on from Nos. 7 and 8 levels, and the No. 7 level has been extended a distance of 15 chains. To the rise Nos. 1 and 2 panels are being worked. 8 Owing to irregularities in the roof and floor the coal-seam has varied in thickness from 12 ft. to 20 ft., but the quality has been maintained. Return Airway.—The upper portion of No. 2 back heading has been reconditioned and extended to the surface and is now being used as the main return airway. Ventilating-fan. A new 45 inch Sirocco propeller-type fan, driven by a Diesel engine, has been installed for mine ventilation. Plant. —The D.C. electrical plant has been reconditioned and is now in fair order. Arrangements have_ been made to obtain power from the Waitomo Power Board, and the transmission-line from Te Kuiti is under construction. A.C. plant is being purchased, and preparations are in hand for the change over from D.C. to A.C. Rolling-stock.—The mine trucks previously in use at the mine have been discarded and replaced by new trucks fitted with heavier drawbars and 12-in.-diameter wheels. The surface and underground tracks have been re-equipped throughout with new rails, crossings, and flat-sheets. New ropes, chains, and couplings have also been installed. b '

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Screened, Kitchen, TT , I , ~~ & c> Unscreened. | Slack. Total. I .Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. (jr. Tons cwt. qr. Sales to Railways Department! 3,564 5 1 61 16 3 33 14 3 3 659 16 3 Depot and local sales .. J 2,672 15 3 346 14 3 5,310 11 0 1 2 Sales to workmen, and free 74 19 3 .. 74 19 3 issues __ T1 , , 6,312 0 3 408 11 2 5,344 5 3 12,064 18 0 Used on works .. .. .. 487 0 0 487 0 () Waste . . . . . . 661 2 1 . . 661 2 1 Totals.. .. 6,312 0 3 1,556 13 3 5,344 5 3 13,213 0 1