REPORT ON THE NORTH ISLAND STATE COAL-MINES The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Benneydale, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington 23rd June, 1944. Sir,— I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the. State Coal-mines (North Island) for the year ended 31st March, 1944. Mangapehi Colliery Output. —The gross output for the year was 70,929 tons, an increase of 18,897 tons 15 cwt. when compared with the previous year. After allowing for waste (868 tons 7 cwt.) there remained for disposal a net output of 70,060 tons 13 cwt. Taking into account the stocks at the beginning and end of the year, the following statement shows details of the coal disposed of during the year Ist April, 1943 — Tons cwt. qr. Stock in bin . . .. .. .. .. . . 85 0 0 Net output for year .. .. .. .. .. 70,060 13 0 70,145 13 0 31st March, 1944 — Less stock in bin.. .. » .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 70,045 13 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railway .. .. .. .. .. 16,239 12 0 Depot and local sales .. .. .. .. 52,490 14 0 Mine sales .. .. .. .. .. 240 15 0 Workmen and free issues .. .. .. 456 12 0 Used on works .. .. .. .. 618 0 0 — 70,045 13 0 The total output from the colliery since it has been taken over by the State Coal-mines is 176,925 tons 10 cwt. Days worked. —During the year the mine worked on 245 days 5 hours, an increase of 6 hours when compared with the previous year. The possible number of working-days, including 12 back Saturdays, was 274, and the difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, Good Friday ; I day, Easter Monday ; 4 days 3f hours, union meetings ; 2 days 2 hours, power failures ; 6 hours, dispute re hot-water in bathhouse ; 2 hours, dispute re stone-dusting ; 1 day 1\ hours, miscellaneous breakdowns ; 2 hours, heating in mine; 2 hours, shortage of truckers on back shift; 2 hours, no horse ; 1 day 3 hours, dispute for no apparent reason; 1 day, dispute re wet time for rope-boys ; 6 hours, dispute amongst truckers ; 1 day 6 hours, no railway wagons ; 9 days, Christmas holidays ; 1 day, dispute re horse ; 1 day, foot-disease. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, there were employed in and about the mine an average of 110 men and 4 boys, made up as follows —Underground : Coal-hewers, 33 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 56. On surface : Men, 21 ; boys, 4. Expenditure. —The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with subsidy on bus fares and the cost of fuel used on works and electric power, amounted to £63,276 12s. 9d. Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' daily earnings were (gross) £2 15s. 3d., and after deducting stores (explosives, 4s. 3d.) their net return was £2 lis., an increase of Bs. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily mine output was 288 tons 15 cwt. and the average daily output per coal-hewer was 9 tons 19 cwt., as compared with 212 tons 10 cwt. and 8 tons 3 cwt. for the previous year. Deficiencies.—'The total amount paid under the minimum-wages clause was £1 19s. 4d. Accidents. —During the year there were several minor accidents, but none of a serious nature. Mine Workings.—Development has been confined to Nos. 1 and 2 East levels and rise panels, and the completion of the rise panel Bottom West, where pillaring has commenced. During most of the year top coal was won in the Nos. 1 and 2 panels, Top East level, and these areas are now sealed. The proximity of the escarpment, with surface-water risks, warrants caution, hence pillaring has not been attempted there. Faulting to the rise limited development in No. 3 panel, and prospecting failed to locate the seam at the point selected for driving to develop the area beyond. The fault was proved as a 40 ft. downthrow by boring underground in No. 2 panel. Beyond the double-step faulting in the Top East level, development proceeded satisfactorily in a thickened seam of excellent coal, and when the prospecting dip through this faulting is widened a pair of slant dip headings will be started in a north-easterly direction. Development in the Bottom East level ceased owing to irregular measures, but prospecting in the companion level indicates a lessened displacement of the step faulting, and development will be recommenced there. The rise panel off this level is opening out satisfactorily with excellent coal and uniform conditions. To the west and parallel with the main dip a second haulage road is being formed by driving to the rise from three intermediate levels.

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