C.—2.

I am gratified that, compared with 1936, over 8,000 tons of additional slack was carbonized, thus assisting in the problem of the disposal of slack coal in the Waikato area. The briquetting plant of Briquettes Ltd., at Onehunga, produced 2,070 tons of briquettes during 1937. For the twelve months ended 31st December, 1937. Smokeless Fuel and Briquettes (Canterbury), Ltd., produced 6,100 tons of briquettes at its works at Sockburn. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS. The Dominion Laboratory has carried out investigations and analyses on mineral samples, mine gases, coal samples, &c. Prospectors' samples have been assayed for gold and silver and occasionally for other metals, notably tungsten. During the year the physical and chemical survey of the coal resources of the Dominion has been proceeded with. The Laboratory is now fitted up and is working in conjunction with a geological field staff. A report on the Blackburn area with two maps has been included in the annual report of the Geological Survey. The field staff has commenced work in the Greymouth area with headquarters at Rewanui. Systematic and accurate sampling of the area is undertaken in conjunction with geological and survey work and the sealed samples forwarded to the Laboratory for complete analyses. It is hoped to extend the activities of the work of the survey to assist the Mines Department in finding new areas for co-operative mining and in locating supplies of coal suitable for the proposed iron and steel industry. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN OR ABOUT MINES AND STONE-QUARRIES. The following table shows the number of persons employed in each inspection district during 1937 and 1936 : — •

The heavy drop shown in the number of persons employed in metalliferous mines is due principally to the diversion to other occupations of a large number of subsidized prospectors. It will be noted that the coal-mining industry found work for an additional 160 men during the year. MINING AND QUARRY ACCIDENTS. In metalliferous mines, at which 3,913 men were ordinarily employed, two persons were killed and nine persons seriously injured. At stone-quarries under the Stone-quarries Act, employing 2,117 men, there was one fatal accident and four serious accidents. In coal-mines, where 4,417 persons were ordinarily employed, six persons were killed and twenty-six persons seriously injured.

7

Inspection District. Totals. Classification. i « i T Northern West Coast (of, S , )ut , 1b | rn ., i Increase (North Island). South Island). (res T t , of ®° uth 1937 " j 1936 ' i _ or v ' ' island). I Decrease. Gold, silver, and tungsten ore 1,024 1,894 992 3,910 5,183 Dec. 1,273 Coal .. .. .. 1,478 1,956 983 4,417 4,257 Inc. 160 Stone-quarries under the 1,602 92 423 2,117 1,981 Inc. 136 Stone-quarries Act Oil .. .. 3 1 .. 4 6 Dec. 2 Cinnabar .. . . 2 .. .. 2 .. Inc. 2 Iron ore . . .. 1 . . .. 1 .. Inc. 1 Totals .. .. 4,110 3,943 2,398 10,451 11,427 Dec. 976