C.—2A

1937. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1937.

Prepared in accordance with the requirements of Section 184 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925.

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department. Wellington. 6th May, 1937. Sir,— j I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1937. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output for the year was 132,966 tons 3 cwt., an increase of 11,434 tons 15 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After making allowances lor stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 129,324 tons 7 cwt., which is accounted for as follows :—

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 2,867,443 tons 15 cwt. Days worked. —-During the year the colliery worked on 194 days, an increase of 17 days when compared with the previous year. The possible working-days, excluding pay Saturdays and union holidays, were 272. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : Lack of trade, 45 ; back Saturdays, 26 ; slip on railway, 1 ; May Day, 1 ; funeral of employee, 1 ; stoppage re wages of boys, 1 ; stoppage re payment for King's birthday, 3 : a total of 78 days. Employees.~ln connection with coal-winning the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 302, made up as follows : Underground—Coal-hewers, 92 : deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 127 ; youths, 4. On the surface—6l. men and 18 youths. Expenditure. The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with subsidies on railway tickets and cost of fuel used on works, amounted to £94,950 7s. 7d., as compared with £83,408 Is. for the previous year.

I—C. 2A

• Screened. i Unscreened. | Small. ! Total. Tons ow *- V- Tons cwt. qr. J Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. or Shipped .. .. 1,626 10 1 17,551 13 1 38,538 4 2 57,716 8 0 Railed Canterbury .. 28,001 5 3 6,9.25 17 0 23,187 8 3 58,114 11 2 Local sales .. .. 3,393 3 0 3,449 8 3 3,779 13 2 5 1 Mine sales .. .. .. 25 0 0 .. 25 0 0 Sales to workmen and free .. 1,919 16 2 .. 1 919 16 2 issues Stock in bin and yard .. . . 424 4 3 200 0 0 624 4 3 Stock on wharf . . .. . . | 212 6 0 89 15 0 302 1 0 | 33,020 19 0 j 30,508 6 1 65,795 1 3 129,324 7 0 Used on works .. ... .. j 4,610 0 0 .. 4,610 0 0 Waste .. .. .. I .. ! 1,546 3 0 .. 1,546 3 0 Totals •• j 33,020 19 0 36,664 9 1 65,795 1 3 135,480 10 0