C.—2A

1939. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE COAL-MINES (REPORT ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939.

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

The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Greymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Minos Department, Wellington. 12th May, 1939. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the State coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1939. Liverpool Colliery. Coal-winning. —The gross total output for the year was 136,533 tons 1 cwt., a decrease of 1,273 tons 10 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After making allowances for stocks on hand, coal purchased, surplus stock taken on charge, and deducting mine consumption and waste there remained for disposal 133,849 tons 14 cwt. 2 qr., which is accounted for as follows

The gross total output from the colliery since its inception amounts to 3,141,783 tons 7 cwt. During the year the colliery worked on 202 days, an increase of 1 day 5 hours when compared with the previous year. The possible working-days, excluding Saturdays and union holidays, were 245. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows : Lack of trade, 9 ; stoppage on account of fire in mine, 10 ; stoppage on account of building burned down, 1 ; shortage of railway wagons, 2 ; slips on railway-line, 8 ; stoppage re bathhouse, 1 ; stoppage re trucker, 5 ; stoppage re boys, 2 ; deaths of employees, 3 ; death of co-operative party employee, i ; failure of examining deputies to report, 1 ; a total of 43 days. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 314, made up as follows—Underground: Coal-hewers, 92 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 140 ; youths, 2. On the surface : 62 men and 18 youths.

I—C. 2A.

Screened. | Unscreened. Small. Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. •• 2,280 2 1 12,198 12 2 39,881 2 0 54,359 16 3 Railed Canterbury .. 29,906 16 3 8,391 0 0 25,480 9 1 63,778 6 0 Local sales .. .. 4,754 14 3 2,121 5 2 4,126 0 0 11,002 0 1 Mine sales .. .. ■ • 49 0 0 .. 49 0 0 Sales to workmen and free .. 1,954 2 0 .. 1,954 2 0 issues Stock in bin and yard .. 21 0 0 748 0 0 1,809 14 2 2,578 14 2 Stock on wharf .. .. . • 127 15 0 .. 127 15 0 36,962 13 3 25,589 15 0 71,297 5 3 133,849 14 2 Used on works .. .. .. 4,700 0 0 .. 4,700 0 0 Waste .. .. 1,026 7 0 .. 1,026 7 0 Totals .. .. 36,962 13 3 31,316 2 0 71,297 5 3 139,576 1 2