C—2a

The gross output from the colliery since its acquisition by the Government totals 122,287 tons 12 cwt. Days worked. —The colliery worked 232-125 days out of a possible 242 days. In .addition, the colliery worked 18 back Saturdays and 6 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 256*125. The difference between the days worked and possible working-days is accounted for as follows : 2 days, YE celebrations; 2 days, YJ •celebrations ; 1 day, extension of VJ days by the men ; 1 day, men returned home after stop-work meeting; 1 day, men attended funeral of ex-employee; 2-875 days, stopwork meetings. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons ■employed in and about the mine was 178 men and 4 boys, made up as follows — Underground: coal-hewers, 70; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 67. Surface: 41, men and 4 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The average daily earnings of the coalhewers after deducting explosives were £2 9s. 6d., which showed an increase of Is. when •compared with the previous year. Daily Output. —The average daily output from the mine was 346 tons 2 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 9 tons, compared with 343 tons 4 cwt. and 7 tons 0 cwt. 2 qr. respectively for the previous year. The number of hewer shifts worked was 9,851-375. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £192 4s. 3d. Accidents. —There were 196 accidents reported during the year, none of which were serious or fatal. Underground Workings. —The ouput was obtained from pillar-extraction in the No. 3 Mine; completion of development and extraction of pillars in No. 2 Mine ; also •development of No. 3 Extended Mine and the extraction of a few pillars in No. 1 East panel of this mine. The main headings of No. 3 Extended Mine are driven to their southern boundary, a distance of 23£ chains. From these headings various panels were •opened up. Those on the east side have developed satisfactorily and continue to do so, -whilst those on the west side after travelling a few chains encounter stone bands and intrusions in the seam as they approach the major fault between the present mine and the old workings of No. 1 Mine. However, from present indications this has so far only occurred in Nos. 1, 2, and 3 West sections, as No. 4 West headings, which are being ■opened up, are still in excellent coal and likely to remain so for a much longer distance than the previous headings mentioned. Pillar-extraction is being carried out in a satisfactory manner in No. 3 Mine from two sections —namely, the east side, which is nearing •completion, also in B panel. The haulage rope was extended to the inbye end of No. 3 Extended Mine during the year, whilst a small endless hauler is being installed to serve No. 2 East headings. Development in No. 2 Mine was completed early in the year; the whole of the operations now consist of' pillar-extraction. We have been able to maintain sufficient places for all our men; our chief difficulty has been to keep them manned up, due to absenteeism. During the winter months the incidence of wet-time places rises sharply, due to the seam being only about 100 ft. from the surface. Stone-dusting.—This was carried out at regular intervals during the year in addition to the daily dusting of the places. During the year seventy-six samples of dust were taken and analysed. Dangerous Occurrences.—Nothing of the above nature occurred during the year. Stoppings. —The permanent stoppings of brick were erected in the Extended Mine between the intakes and returns in the main roads. Work is still proceeding in the panels. Plant. —The main fan from No. 1 Mine having been dismantled, was re-erected at No. 3 Extended Mine during the year. An overhead transmission line was erected from

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