C.—2a

Blackball Colliery. Coal-winning. —This colliery was taken over by the State Coal-mines on 7th July, 1941, and the total gross output from that date to 31st March, 1942, was 25,950 tons 3 cwt. After making allowances for coal used on works, there remained for disposal 25,772 tons 13 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :— Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. .. •• ■■ 11,754 1 0 Railed Canterbury .. .. .. • • 4, 298 1 0 Local sales .. .. .. • • • • • ■ 5,966 15 0 Mine sales .. .. .. • • • • • • 221 0 0 Sales to workmen, and free issues .. .. .. 311 0 0 Stock in bin and yard .. .. .. •• 3,170 5 0 Stock on wharf .. .. .. ■ ■ ■ • 51 11 0 25,772 13 0 Used on works .. . . .. • • ■ ■ 177 10 0 Waste .... 25,950 3 0 • During the period 7th July, 1941, to 31st March, 194-2, the mine worked on 148 days. The possible working-days, excluding Saturdays, was 192. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : 32 days, no orders ; 3 days, flooding in mine ; 1 day, burnt-out motor ; 7 days, Christmas holidays ; 1 day, Labour Day. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 82 men and 3 boys, made up as follows —Underground : Hewers, 31 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 27. On the surface : 24 men and 3 boys. Expenditure. —The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, &c., amounted to £28,818. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £2 3s. 4d. per day, and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £1 19s. 3d. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 175 tons 7 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 5 tons 19 cwt. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £20 9s. sd. Serious Accidents. —No accidents of a serious nature occurred at this colliery during the period 7th July, 1941, to 31st March, 1942. Mine Workings, Main North Level.—During the period the main north level had been driven a distance of 600 ft. when the seam commenced to dip. Development was continued to a distance of 250 ft. Development Work. —South Level: Development was temporarily stopped after the level was driven a distance of 770 ft. in a south and south-easterly direction. Main Dip : The main dip has now been advanced a total distance of 300 ft. from the north level. The coal is of poor quality, and numerous breaks in the roof have allowed a considerable influx of water into the workings. I have, &c., C. J. Strongman, Superintendent. REPORT ON THE NORTH ISLAND STATE COAL MINES. The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Mangapehi, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. g IE; 23rd April, 1942. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the State coal-mines (North Island) for the year ended 31st March, 1942.

Mangapehi Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 40,826 tons 5 cwt., and after deducting mine consumption and waste and allowing for stock in bin at the 31st March there remained for disposal 38,859 tons 17 cwt. 2 qr., which is accounted for as follows

The total output from this colliery since taken over by the State Coal-mines is 53,965 tons 5 cwt. During the year the mine worked on 235 days 5 hours out of a possible 249 days, excluding Saturdays and union holidays. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : I day, dispute re boardinghouse ; 3 hours, dispute re drinking-water in mine ; 2 days,

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Screened, House, Unscreened and Slack Total Kitchen, &c. Through. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Sales to Railway Department .. 13,647 6 3 18 19 0 .. 13,666 5 3 Sales to depot and local sales .. 7,599 14 3 13 .15 0 17,403 13 0 25,017 2 3 Sales to workmen, and free issues 176 9 0 .. •• 176 9 0 21,423 10 2 32 14 0 17,403 13 0 38,859 17 '2 Used on works .. .. ■ • 724 0 0 .. 724 0 0 Waste •• 1.182 7 2 .. 1,182 7 2 Stock in bin.. .. ;<, .. 60 0 0 .. 60 0 0 21,423 10 2 1,999 1 2 17,403 13 0 40,826 5 0