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1938. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1938.

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. Sir, — 29th June, 1938. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1938. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning. —The gross total output for the year was 137,806 tons 11 cwt., an increase of 4,840 tons 8 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After making allowances for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 133,070 tons 5 cwt. 3 qr., which is accounted for as follows: —

The gross total output from the colliery since its inception amounts to 3,005,250 tons 6 cwt. Days worked. —During the year the colliery worked on 200 days 3 hours, an increase of 6 days 3 hours when compared with the previous period. The possible working-days, excluding Saturdays and union holidays, were 249. The difference between the days worked and the possible workingdays is accounted for as follows : Lack of trade, 29 days ; stoppage on account of fire, 5 days 5 hours ; slip on railway, 4 days ; stoppage re slack time, 4 days ; stoppage re horses and grease, 2 days ; stoppage re lamps, 2 days ; breakdown at bins, 1 day ; returned home on account of heavy rain, 1 day : a total of 48 days 5 hours. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 310, made up as follows —Underground : Coal-hewers, 94, deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 135 ; youths, 2. On the surface —61 men and 18 youths.

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Screened. Unscreened. Small. Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. j Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. 2,241 6 1 13,539 2 3 | 43,423 3 1 59,203 12 1 Railed Canterbury .. 30,012 1 0 7,234 16 3 20,504 10 0 57,751 13 3 Local sales .. .. 5,639 0 2 2,600 8 2 3,997 0 1 12,236 9 1 Mine sales .. .. .. 37 0 0 .. 37 0 0 Sales to workmen and free . . 1,843 4 0 .. 1,843 4 0 issues Stock in bin and yard .. 117 0 0 600 0 0 851 7 3 1,568 7 3 Stock on wharf .. .. .. 155 14 0 274 4 3 429 18 3 38,009 7 3 26,010 6 0 | 69,050 12 0 , 1-33,070 5 3 Used on works .. .. .. i 4,616 0 0 .. 4,616 0 0 Waste .. .. .. .. ! 1,046 11 0 .. : 1,046 11 0 1 38,009 7 3 j 31,672 17 0 69,050 12 0 138,732 16 3 I I I