a—2a

James Colliery. Coal-winning.—The gross total output for the year was 42,649 tons 3 cwt., an increase of 40 tons 16 cwt. when compared with the figures of last year. After making allowances for stocks on hand at the beginning of the year and deducting mine consumption and waste there remained for disposal 46,622 tons 19 cwt. 1 qr., which is accounted for as follows : —

The gross total output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 574,827 tons 17 cwt. Days worked.—During the year the colliery worked on 208 days, a decrease of 32 days 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, 18; stoppage re bathhouse, 2 ; death of employee, 1 ; stoppage re truckers, 6 ; stoppage re deficiencies, 2 ; repairs to Christchurch Depot turntable, 5 ; stoppage re bus, 1 ; stoppage re tokens, 2 : a total of 37 days. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 97, made up as follows-- Underground : Coal-hewers, 30 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 44 ; youths, 3. On the surface : 17 men and 3 youths. Expenditure.—The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with subsidies on bus fares, cost of electric power, and coal used on works, amounted to £32,703 7s. od., as compared with £31,132 7s. sd. for the previous year. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £1 17s. 6d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £1 10s. Bd., an increase of 2s. 9d. per day compared with the previous year. Daily Output. —The average daily mine output was 205 tons 1 cwt., and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 7 tons, as compared with 177 tons 10 cwt. and 6 tons 10 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies.- —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause during the year was £58 6s. lid. Accidents. —During the year there were a number of minor accidents, but none of a serious nature. The total payments under the Workers' Compensation Act amounted to £1,038 6s. 9d. On the output produced, this works out at a cost of 5-84 d. per ton. Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading has been carried out. The number of samples taken from the mine and analysed was 131. Plant and Machinery. —Maintenance of the plant and machinery has been somewhat more costly than usual. As the Strongman Colliery reaches the fully productive stage a change-over from the old James Mine rope-road and haulage plant to that of the new mine will take place, when a reduction of maintenance-costs can be looked for. Underground Working.—Coal-winning operations during the year were carried on in both pillar and solid working. In the sections lying to the west of the main rope-road pillar-extraction has been completed and both sections closed down. In the west section, Cannel Creek, pillar-extraction has been carried on throughout the year. To the east of the rope-road, Cannel Creek, the development work was discontinued pending the completion of the rope-road to the Strongman Colliery. In the new dip section development work has been continued. The direction of the main development headings has been changed from north to north-easterly. The levels being driven in a northerly direction have encountered a fault and have been stopped. Three levels driven to the south have also been stopped on a fault-line. Distance between faults approximately 10 chains. Pillar Sections.—Coal is being won from pillar-extraction in two sections lying to the west of the James Mine rope-road. The work of extraction will be completed during the coming year.

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I Soreened. Small. Slack. Total. Tons cwt. qr. Tons owt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Tons owt. qr. Tons ewt. qr. Shipped .. .. 9,377 3 1 2,657 16 3 .. 7,416 8 2 19,451 8 2 Railed Canterbury .. 12,782 10 2 830 15 1 999 5 3 147 18 3 14,760 10 2 Local sales .. .. 66 15 2 418 19 3 .. 170 3 1 655 18 1 Mine sales Sold to workmen and .. 749 12 0 .. .. 749 12 0 free issues Stock in bin and yard 108 0 0 82 0 0 .. 321 0 0 511 0 0 Stock on wharf .. 47 1 0 .. .. 45 7 0 92 8 0 Stock on dump .. .. .. .. 10,402 2 0 10,402 2 0 22,381 10 1 4,739 3 3 999. 5 3 18,502 19 2 46,622 19 1 Used on works .. .. 176 0 0 .. .. 176 0 0 Waste .. .. .. 1,039 3 0 .. .. 1,039 3 0 Totals .. .. 22,381 10 1 5,954 6 3 999 5 3 18,502 19 2 47,838 2 1