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In the Old Mine pillar-extraction has continued. E Hill Opencast: Opencast extraction from E Hill is almost completed, with about 70,000 tons of coal under much thicker overburden yet to be won. Until suitable plant arrives to deal with the heavier overburden, work on this area has been suspended. Operations have started on another opencast area adjacent to and south-west of Webb Mine ; this is a peninsular-shaped area yielding a good grade of coal. Regular outputs have been maintained from the opencast throughout the year. Prospecting.—Surface work has been completed over an area of approximately 2,500 acres and drilling is being carried out by two drills. Reconnaissance and preliminary survey work have been carried out over another area of over 3,000 acres. The operations have revealed a high tonnage of good-quality coal nearly all of which is suitable for opencasting. One fairly large area has been proved to contain a high percentage of ash, but the quality of the coal in all other respects is excellent. Extensive repairs and renewals were made on the loco track during the year. Over one mile of track was relaid with new rails, sleepers, and centre rail. Extensive alterations and repairs have been almost completed on the main bin at Ngakawau. I have, &c., T. H. McGhie, District Manager. The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Benneydale, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 21st June, 1948. I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the Mangapehi and Tatu Mines and the Waitewhena Opencast for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Mangapehi Colliery Output.—The gross output for the year was 53,181 tons 1 cwt., a decrease of 759 tons 11 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,528 tons 1 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (845 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 50,808 tons. 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. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Stock in bins and yard .. .. 139 17 0 Add net output for year .. 50,808 0 0 50,947 17 0 31st March, 1948 Less stock in bins and yard .. .. 78 14 0 Total disposed of .. .. .. 50,869 3 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Local and mine sales .. .. 1,288 19 0 Railed .. .. .. .. 48,926 15 0 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 653 9 0 50,869 3 0

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