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APPENDIX B. REPORTS RELATING TO THE INSPECTION OF COAL-MINES. The Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines to the Under-Secretary of Mines. g IBj Wellington, sth June, 1942. I have the honour to present my annual report, together with statistical information, in regard to coal-mines of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1941, in accordance with section 42 of the Coal-mines Act, 1925. OUTPUT. The output from New Zealand colleries for 1941 was 2,639,507 tons, 123,4-08 tons greater than the 1940 output. There were increases of 48,026 tons from the Northern District, 52,038 tons from the West Coast District, and 23,344 tons from the Southern District. In the Northern District 55 more men were employed, and the output per man, 519-5 tons, was 11-4 tons greater than during 1940. In the West Coast District the output per man, 510-6 tons, was 43-8 tons per man higher than for 1940. In the Southern District 592-2 tons per man were produced, an increase of 28-4 tons as compared with the previous year. The following statement shows the tons of coal raised, persons employed, lives lost by accidents in or about collieries, &c., to 1941

ACCIDENTS. The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1941, with their causes: —

During 1941 three fatalities occurred in the West Coast District and one in the Southern District. Twenty serious non-fatal accidents were reported to the District Inspectors during 1941. Twelve occurring in the West Coast District,four in the Northern District, and four in the Southern District. Six accidents in the West Coast District, two in the Northern District, and two in the Southern District were caused by falls of coal or stone. Three men were seriously injured by runaway tubs and three by being crushed between tubs. Dangerous Occurrences reported. Of the seventeen dangerous occurrences reported to the Inspectors during 1941, eleven related to fires or heating in underground workings, one to a large quantity of firedamp found in the Wallsend Colliery, two to firedamp found in the Pukemiro and Renown Collieries, and one to an ignition of firedamp in the Mac Donald Mine. Inrushes of water were reported in the Linton No. 1 and Alison Mines. Prosecutions. Twelve informations were laid during 1941, ten by Inspectors of Mines and two by a minemanager, for breaches of the Coal-mines Act and the regulations thereunder. Convictions were obtained in all cases. Brief details are given in the Inspectors' reports. Legislation affecting Coal-mines. An Act to amend the Coal-mines Act, 1925, was passed in 1941. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.

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Lives lost by Accidents in or Persons ordinarily employed. Tons raised about Collieries. v o „ Output, in per each Per- p Vcar - Statute Tons. son employed Per Million Thousan( j Number *1 n , 1( , ~ , rn. l below Ground. Tons p° of Lives Above Ground, .Below Ground. Total. produced. Jj' d l0Bt " Prior to 1937 85,977,543 * * * * * * 484 1937 .. 2,277,799 1,129 3,288 4,417 693 2-64 1-36 6 1938 .. 2 222,088 1,195 3,368 4,563 659 4-86 2-41 11 1939 .. 2,342,639 1,220 3,542 4,762 661 7-26 3'57 17 1940 .. 2,516,099 1,277 3,769 5,046 668 3-18 1-58 8 1941 .. L 2,639,507 1,358 3,633 4,991 726 1-51 0-80 4 Totals | 97,975,675 .. .. .. I •• -■ 530 * For returns for previous years see page 53, Mines Statement, 1941.

Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons ; Number of Number of Number of 'thos^iniure^bv Separate Fatal Deaths. Accidents which | Accidents. Accidents. proved Fatal to their Companions. Carbon-monoxide poisoning Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust Falls of ground ...... 2 2 10 10 Explosives .. .. •• •• •- Haulage ........ 1 1 7 ' Miscellaneous —Underground .... .. • • 1 1 On surface .... 1 1 2 2 Totals ...... 4 4 20 20