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The gross output from the colliery since it was taken over by the State Coal-mines totals 224.766 tons 17 cwt. Days ivorlced. —The colliery worked 238 days out of a possible 242 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 20 back Saturdays, 3 statutory holidays, and ■3 days which under the Annual Holidays Act might have been observed as holidays in lieu of Christmas Day, Boxing, and New Year's Day, which fell within the annual holiday period, making the total days worked 264. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 238, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows: 1 day, dispute re minimum wage ; 2 days, YJ celebrations ; 1 day, VE celebrations. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons ■employed in or about the mine was 159 men and 4 boys, made up as follows —Underground: coal-hewers, 44 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 88. Surface : 27 men and 4 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings <(gross) were £2 12s. 2d. per day, and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 Bs., an increase of 2s. 9d. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output. —The average daily output was 232 tons 13 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 6 tons 16 cwt., as compared with 218 tons 5 cwt. and 6 tons 12 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 9,033. Deficiencies. —-The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £lOB Is. sd. Accidents. —The colliery was free from fatal accidents, but numerous accidents of a minor nature were suffered by employees. Underground Workings.—Development work for the year followed the same general plan as that for the previous year. Development on the line of the main dip has been held up by excess water. Four •chains to the south a dip section has been developed parallel to the main dip in a westerly direction, the coal being 16 ft. in thickness. A level has been started to connect •with the main dip from No. 2 Dip sump section. In the south-east section the coal gradually thinned to 2 ft., when development work ceased. Pillar-splitting has been commenced in this section, and as the section is ■comparatively dry it is hoped to recover the major portion of the pillar coal. The south level main and tail heading has been stopped in troubled country for some months, but was restarted towards the end of the year. Indications are that a considerable area of Coal exists to the south of this section. It is hoped that development to the west and east will be possible when the troubled country is passed. Seven chains east of the main and tail heading, a dip was started and driven for a distance of 6 chains in coal 16 ft. in thickness. The floor is undulating. _ Six working faces have been developed. No. 2 North level has been advanced 6 chains in coal 12 ft. in thickness. No. 3 North level was advanced a distance of 5 chains in good-quality coal. All places going north and north-east are very wet. Pumps.—During the year the pumping system was altered. Water is now pumped directly to the surface through a bore and a saving in power is effected. The danger of flooding in the mine, although possible, is more remote. The work of cleaning up and retimbering the water drive from the old mine is nearing completion. Several new winches have come to hand during the year, and they are being installed in the mine, thus easing the haulage problems. Three small heatings were dealt with during the year, two being filled out and one sealed off. Wallsend Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 47,233 tons 8 cwt. 3 qr., a decrease of 9,515 tons 18 cwt. 2 qr. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (467 tons 2 cwt 3 qr.) and the quantity used on works (1,738 tons 15 cwt. 2 qr.), there remained for disposal a net output of 45,027 tons 10 cwt. 2 qr.

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