C.—2

STATE COAL-MINES The output from the State coal-mines for the financial year 1942-43 was 419,708 tons, which is a new record for the Department, and represents 15-66 per cent, of the total Dominion production. All collieries contributed to the increase, as shown in the table appearing below. Two new collieries, Dobson and Wallsend, were acquired as State coal-mines on 22nd February, 1943. Considerable dip development work is required at the Dobson Colliery to ensure the maximum possible extraction of coal, and at Wallsend certain additional dip development is essential for similar reasons. On this account, neither of the collieries is likely to show a profit for a few years, although the operating losses should not be considerable during this period and should eventually be recouped when pillar-extraction commences. The development work at the Blackball Colliery was continued, but failed to locate an area of hard coal similar to that worked in the old colliery. A severe financial loss on operations has been inevitable because of the friable nature of the coal, heavy costs of pumping the large volume of water in the mine, and very heavy timbering costs. Financial results were also adversely affected by substantial periods of idleness caused by lack of shipping and the urgent need in the national interest of giving priority in available shipping-space to and railway coals required in the North Island. The Paparoa Colliery (privately owned) was similarly affected by the shipping difficulty. Boring operations on a coalfield fairly close to Blackball have commenced, following a geological examination of the area. Consideration will be given to the possibilities of this now field when the boring data is available. Experiments with the briquetting of Blackball coal have given encouraging results, and further trials are being conducted and data gathered concerning the latest developments overseas in the technique of briquetting. Altogether 30,542 tons of Blackball coal was disposed of during the financial year to such essential users as the Railways, cement-works, and electric-power stations. The coal from the Blackball Mine has accordingly been of some national importance in maintaining the services supplied by these industries. The completion of development at the Tatu Colliery was unexpectedly delayed by the occurrence of a fault or "want" which was not detected in the earlier geological exploration work. The need for maintaining the highest possible coal-production satisfy urgent and immediate requirements of consumers, together with lack of power, limited the number of workmen who could be concentrated on actual development, and has retarded this work to some extent. Arrangements have been made for the installation of electric power, and it is hoped that the major portion of this installation will be completed before the end of the present year. Over 50,000 tons of coal has been produced since the colliery was opened by the Government in 1940. Full details in respect of the operations and financial results of the collieries appear in the annual report of the State coal-mines (C-2a).

A comparative statement for the last two financial years is shown hereunder :-

Note. xhe difference between the gross and the net output is the allowance for mine consumption and waste. In addition to the above, 21,639 tons of coal was purchased for resale.

The disposals, inclusive of stock on hand at the beginning of the year, were as follows :-

4

Output in Tons, 1942-43. Output, in Tons, 1941-42. fi'jjj | frj-j ■S ® A -2 02 "S T.,-. ; — cisO a c$ s Mine. 8Sj 8S° Gross. Net. Gross. Net. S3 § g §5 P-i i— 1 O Liverpool .. .. 165,837 160,260 163,799 157,170 1-2 1-9 Strongman .. .. 94,170 92,180 87,402 85,381 7-2 7-3 James .. •• 29,529 28,770 26,549 25,809 10-1 10-2 Blackball . .. 34,527 34,294 25,950 25,773 24-8 24-8 Mangapehi .. .. 52,062 50,915 40,849 38,920 21-5 23-5 Tatu 29,620 24,440 10,159 8,875 65-7 63-6 Wallsend .. .. 6,883 6,441 Dobson .. .. •• 7,081 6,913 Totals .. 419,709 404,213 354,708 341,928 12-5 12-5

Supplied to 1942-43. 1941-42. Tons. Tons. Depots 132,990 118,430 10-9 Railways .. ■■ •• ■■ 96 ; 328 lo'orn oo a Other Government Departments .. .. .. 23,758 18,309 il-9 Shipping 10,289 8,131 20-9 Gasworks 107,667 107,522 Other consumers .. •• •• 26,235 13,519 Totals .. .. •• •• 397,267 338,417 14-8