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The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Reefton, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 28th April, 1948. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the workings of the Burke's Creek and Garvey Creek State Coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Burke's Creek Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 19,921 tons, compared with 14,453 tons 10 cwt. for the ten months ended 31st March, 1947. After allowing for loss on measurement and waste (1,001 tons 10 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (380 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 18,539 tons 10 cwt. 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. qr. Stock in bin and yard .. .. 81 0 0 Stock on dump .. .. .. 40 0 0 l2l 0 0 Add net output for year .. .. 18,539 10 0 18,660 10 0 31st March, 1948 Less stock on hand .. .. 247 3 2 Less stock on dump .. .. 40 0 0 —— 287 3 2 Total disposed of .. .. .. 18,373 6 2 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. .. .. 80 7 0 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. .. 15,835 0 1 Railway sales .. .. .. 22 7 1 Local and mine sales .. .. 2,067 2 0 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 368 10 0 18,373 6 2 The gross output of the colliery since its acquisition by the State on 3rd June, 1946, totals 34,374 tons 10 cwt. Days worked. —The colliery worked 241 days out of a possible 241 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 244. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 69 men and 3 boys, made up as follows —Underground: Coal-hewers, 12; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 41. Surface: 16 men and 3 boys. Goal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £2 19s. lid. per.day, and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 17s. 3d., an increase of 12s. lid. per day when compared with the previous period.

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