C—2a

Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading was continued during the year. The number of samples taken from the Liverpool Colliery and analysed was 516. In addition, 172 samples from co-operative mines and 150 samples of coal from other State coal-mines -were also analysed. Underground Workings.—Anderson Dip : Four pairs of miners splitting and extracting pillars. Average thickness of coal is 11 ft. Kimbell West Level (Fire Area) : One pair of miners has advanced a distance of 7 chains below and parallel to the old Kimbell West Level. This level has now connected to No. 2 Bank and pillar-extraction commenced. The area had been sealed off for some time because of heating. Average thickness of coal is 18 ft. Kimbell West Dip : Three pairs of miners have been driving to the West fault and •extracting pillars in this section. Average thickness of coal, 12 ft. Morgan East Dip, West Side : Two pairs of miners have advanced parallel headings ..3 chains each in a north-easterly direction. Average thickness of coal, 16 ft. Morgan East Dip, No. 1 Panel: Five pairs of miners employed extracting pillars from this panel. Average thickness of coal, 10 ft. Morgan East Dip, No. 2 Panel: Six pairs of miners are developing this panel in an ■easterly direction from the main heading. In the top levels the coal thinned 2 chains from the back heading, finally cutting out. Bottom levels encountered similar trouble about 5 chains from the back heading. Driving for a distance of 5 chains proved 5f ft. of coal. The coal appears to have jumped up about 4 ft. In the overlying Kimbell seam similar local trouble was encountered, but the coal continued to the Main East Fault. The average thickness of coal was 6 ft. before thinning. Hadcroft's Dip : Two pairs of miners developing main dips. Grade 1 in 2 and very wet. Much pumping is required. Dips have advanced 2| chains. Average thickness •of coal, 10 ft. Level Off Dips : A pair of levels has been advanced 7 chains in an easterly direction. Average thickness of coal, 10 ft. Morgan East Top Panel: Three pairs of miners continue to extract pillars from this panel. Average thickness of coal, 25 ft. No. 2 Bank, Morgan West: One pair of miners splitting and extracting pillars in this section. Average thickness of coal, 18 ft. No. 2| Bank, Morgan West: Three pairs of miners developing. The workings have been advanced 5 chains in a north-easterly direction, forming pillars on each side of heading. Average thickness of coal, 18 ft. No. 3 Bank, Morgan West: Two pairs of miners developing and extracting pillars. Average thickness of coal, 18 ft. Morgan West Dip : Four pairs of miners employed. Three pairs extending main levels in an easterly direction and one pair prospecting off bottom level, Main levels advanced 8 chains. Average thickness of coal, 14 ft. Morgan West Level: Prospecting work is still going on in this level, but up to date the results have not been encouraging. Strongman Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 85,187 tons 5 cwt., a decrease of 11,062 tons 19 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (2,419 tons 5 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (468 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 82,300 tons.

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