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The Manager, Wairaki State Mine, Ohai, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington Sir, — 14th June, 1946. I have the honour to submit my report on the workings of the Wairaki State Colliery for the year Ist April, 1945, to the 31st March, 1946. Wairaki Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 68,425 tons 5 cwt. After allowing for waste (1,959 tons 14 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (3,122 tons 16 cwt.), there remained for disposal a net output of 63,342 tons 15 cwt. The following statement shows details of coal disposed of during the year : Ist April, 1945 Tons cwt. qr. Stocks in yard .. .. .. .. Nil Add net output for year .. .. .. 63,342 15 0 31st March, 1946 — Less stock in yard .. .. .. .. Nil Total disposed of .. .. .. 63,342 15 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed. .. .. .. 60,434 8 0 Local and mine sales .. .. 2,424 3 0 Workmen and free issues .. 484 4 0 63,342 15 0 The gross output from the colliery since operated by the State totals 81,261 tons 6 cwt. 3 qr. Days worked. —The Wairaki Colliery worked 235 days out of a possible 242 ordinary working-days. In addition, the colliery worked 12 back Saturdays and 6 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 253. The difference between the days worked and the possible number of ordinary working-days is accounted for as follows: 2 days, dispute re travelling-time ; 1 day, funeral of a member of Miners' Union; 1 day, YE celebrations ; 2 days, YJ celebrations; 1 day, Easter Tuesday. Employees.—ln connection- with coal-winning, the average number of persons ■employed in and about the mine was 97 men and 3 boys, made up as follows — Underground : coal-hewers, 36 ; deputies, 5 ; shiftmen and truckers, 28. * Surface : 28 men and 3 boys. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 270 tons 9 cwt. and the coal-hewers .average daily output was 8 tons 2 cwt., as compared with 273 tons 2 cwt. and 8 tons 16 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies. —No payments were made under the minimum-wage clause. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' average daily earnings '(gross) were £3 2s. 6d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 17s. 7d., an increase of ss. 2d. per day when compared with the previous year. Accidents. —Only a few minor accidents "occurred during the year under review. Stone-dusting. —This work was done regularly throughout the year. Underground Workings.—The output was obtained from the dip pillars being extracted below No. 2 East level in No. 1 Mine and solid workings in No. 3 Mine. jFire Stoppings.—All fire stoppings have been maintained in good order. Dangerous Heatings.—Two minor heatings were effectively sealed off. I have, &c., ' T. Young, Manager.

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