C—2a

Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings <gross) were £3 Bs., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 ss. lid., an increase of ss. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 116 tons 10 cwt. 3 qr. and the coalhewers' average daily output was 9 tons 1 cwt. 3 qr., as compared with 118 tons 18 cwt. 2 qr. and 9 tons 9 cwt. 2 qr. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 3040f. Deficiencies. —There were no payments made under the minimum-wage clause •during the year. Accidents. —On 18th March the mine-manager was electrocuted when the bus in which he was travelling from Blackball to Roa came in contact with a fallen power-line. Underground Working.—The output from both the West and Aerial Mines has been mainly from pillar-extraction. Development work has been continued in the Waterfall Creek Section, where a pair of levels are being driven in the direction of the main Roa Fault. These levels are now 12 chains beyond the limit of the Paparoa Coal -Co.'s workings and are approximately 12 chains from the main fault. They have passed through faulted country and, in places, inferior coal, but they are now in hard, goodquality coal. To drive a stone drift to give direct haulage from this area, a compressor plant is being installed and will be completed early in April. The old West fan has been installed at the Waterfall Creek Section of the Aerial Mine and has improved the ventilation throughout the mine. The erection of the high-tension power-line from Middle Flat to Soldiers is completed and awaits linking up with the Power Board's supply line. Repairs and maintenace to the bins and bottom tunnel have been carried out. Satisfactory tests have been made with the radio transmitting and receiving sets to be used on the man hauler and at the winch-house. They will be installed as soon as new trolleys are completed. I have, &c., C. J. Strongman, Superintendent. The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Ohai, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. 23rd May, 1949. I have the honour to submit my report on the workings of the Mossbank, Wairaki, Star, and Birchwood Mines, and Black Diamond and McLean's Opencast Mines for the year Ist April, 1948, to the 31st March, 1949. Mossbank Colliery Coal-winning. —The gross output for the year was 26,350 tons 7 cwt., a decrease of 1,329 tons 2 cwt. 3 qr. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (585 tons) and the quantity used on works (975 tons 16 cwt.), there xemained for disposal 24,789 tons llcwt.

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