C—2a

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, 1947 Tons cwt - q r - Tons cwt - q r - Stock in bin and yard .. .. 875 12 2 Stock oh wharf .. .. 88 18 2 964 11 0 Add net output for year .. 80,740 0 0 Add surplus stocks .. .. 2,040 9 1 82,780 9 1 83,745 0 1 31st March, 1948—Less stock in bin and yard .. 811 4 0 Less stock on wharf .. .. 147 1 0 958 5 0 Total disposed of .. .. 82,786 15 1 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. .. .. 43,668 4 1 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. 33,175 19 1 Railway sales .. .. .. 895 5 2 Local and mine sales .. .. 4,186 8 2 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 860 17 3 82,786 15 1 The gross output from the colliery since its inception totals 4,354,111 tons 17 cwt. Days Worked. —The colliery worked 226 days out of a possible 241 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 229. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 226, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, rope boy sent home ; 6 days, heating in mine ; 1 day, Strongman double place dispute ; 1 day, smash in bins tunnel; 1 day, funeral late Hon. J. O'Brien ; 3 days, death and funeral of workman; 1 day, miners did not work ; 1 day, slip on railway-line. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 277 men and 14 boys, made up as follows—Underground : Coal-hewers, 64 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 158. Surface : 55 men and 14 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 6s. 2d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 3s. Bd., an increase of 4s. 2d. per day when compared with the previous period. Daily Output. —The average daily output was 371 tons 8 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 6 tons 5 cwt., as compared with 420 tons 10 cwt. and 6 tons 2 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 13,596. Deficiencies. —There were no payments made under the minimum-wage clause during the year. Accidents. —On 10th March a horse-driver dropped dead whilst proceeding to the foot of the hoist. Apart from this case, there were so serious accidents during the year.

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