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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, 1945 Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Stock in bin and yard .. .. 844 11 2 Stock on wharf .. .. 38 7 0 BS2 18 2 Add net output for year .. .. 45,027 10 2 45,910 9 0 31st March, 1946 — Less stock in bin and yard .. 511 19 0 Less stock on wharf .. .. 165 4 0 677 3 0 Total disposed of .. .. 45,233 6 0 Disposals Shipped .. .. .. 22,828 5 0 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. 2,210 4 0 Railway sales .. .. .. 18,156 2 0 Local and mine sales .. .. 1,325 15 0 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 713 0 0 — 45,233 6 0 The gross output from the colliery since it was taken over by the State Coal-mines totals 169,608 tons 15 cwt. 1 qr. Days worked. —The colliery worked 223-125 days out of a possible 242 ordinary working-days. In addition, the colliery worked 8 back Saturdays, 2 statutory holidays, and 3 days which under the Annual Holidays Act might have been observed as holidays iri lieu of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, which fell within the annual holiday period, making the total days worked 236-125. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 223-125, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, VE celebrations ; 2 days, VJ celebrations ; 1 day, celebration of Labour Party's victory in Great Britain ; 5 days, following fatal accidents ; 1 day, breakdown of battery charger ; 1 day, trouble in shaft caused by falling box; 1 day, funeral of deceased workman, 1 day, funeral of member of clerical staff; 1 day, breakdown of haulage signalling system ; 2 days, union meetings to consider disciplinary action against union member ; 2-875 days, fan stoppages resulting from power failures. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 151 men and 8 boys, made up as follows —Underground : coal-hewers, 41 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 90. Surface : 23 men and 5 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £2 lis. 9d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 9s. 4d., an increase of 6s. lOd. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 200 tons 0 cwt. 2 qr. and the coalhewers' average daily output was 6 tons 8 cwt. 2 qr., as compared with 250 tons 16 cwt. 2 qr. and 6 tons 15 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 7,352. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £269 6s. sd. Accidents. —In addition to numerous accidents of a minor nature, three fatal accidents occurred at the Wallsend Colliery. There were no other serious accidents. Fatal Accidents.—On 9th April, 1945, a miner working in the No. 1 Slant Dip was struck by a large slab of coal which fell from the top side rib. He sustained severe injuries to his legs and abdomen and died in the Greymouth Hospital on the date of the accident..

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