C—2

Output at the Blackball Colliery increased by 3,587 tons to 61,424 tons. During the year alterations were made to the pumping system at this mine, which is extremely wet, and these alterations will effect a saving in electric power as well as avoiding the possibility of flooding. Several new winches came to hand during the year, and these have eased the haulage problems. Difficult mining conditions at Wallsend, particularly in No. 1 slant dip, where very bad roof conditions are being experienced, have largely contributed to the decrease of 9,515 tons in the output at this colliery. Dobson suffered from a lack of experienced miners, a factor that has affected all mines to a greater or lesser degree, and output fell by 6,527 tons. All production was from solid workings. At Stockton a new mine was opened during the year to replace the Fly Creek Mine, which is coming back on pillar-extraction. The Fly Creek Mine produced 57,110 tons, and the new mine (D Hill) 38,419 tons; while the E Hill Opencast produced 119,692 tons. The output from the opencast is very satisfactory, when it is considered that the rainfall in this area was in the vicinity of 250 in. for the year. Output from Fly Creek was obtained mainly from pillar-extraction, and from D Hill from development places. Wairaki produced 68,425 tons and the coal was obtained mainly from pillars in the No. 1 Mine and solid workings in No. 3 Mine. Work at Mossbank was continued in pillars in No. 2 panel and a section east of Aylwards Dip, while a small amount of coal was won from solid workings in the rise being driven for haulage purposes from Coppins Dip section. Production amounted to 24,128 tons. Bar 20 Opencast produced 35,492 tons and operations continued normally. In July, 1945, the Wangaloa Opencast was purchased by the State and developed by the Public Works Department. Production to 31st March, 1946, was 8,587 tons. At Mangapehi heating in the mine on several occasions retarded the output of coal. Production fell by 2,748 tons to 58,112 tons. Although excessive floor heave at the Tatu Colliery continues to prove troublesome, production increased by 1,163 tons to 32,573 tons. Waitewhena Opencast produced 23,198 tons during the year. This opencast is situated in an area that is subject to a fairly heavy rainfall, and this, coupled with the steep nature of the ground being worked, caused several large slips, which interfered with production. Wilton produced 88,653 tons, which was obtained from pillar-extraction in No. 3 Mine, development and extraction of pillars in No. 2 Mine, and the development of No. 3 Extended Mine. At Kimihia the No. 2 and No. 4 sections closed down in June, 1945, as all recoverable coal was extracted. Production from Kimihia No. 1 (Kimihia Lake) commenced in the same month as the closing-down of Nos. 2 and 4, the total production from all areas for the year ended 31st March, 1946, being 32,398 tons. A 5-yard electric shovel has been installed on the No. 1 area, but owing to the unstable nature of the overburden being dealt with, difficulty has been experienced in stowing the overburden. The trouble experienced has reacted on production. Glen Afton Opencast produced 14,394 tons for the year, an increase of 2,365 tons when compared with the previous year. Work at this pit has again been hampered by periodic floodings. Kemp's Opencast produced 38,097 -6ons. Full details in respect of the operations and financial results of the collieries appear in the annual report of the State Coal-mines. (C.-2a).

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