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Daily Output.—The average daily output was 115 tons 2 cwt., and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 8 tons 11 cwt., as compared with 105 tons 16 cwt, and 6 tons 17 cwt, respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies.—During the year no payments were made under the minimum-wage clause. Accidents.—No serious accidents were reported at the James Colliery during- the year. Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading has been continued. The total number of samples taken from this colliery and analysed was 31. Underground Workings.—All work in this mine was confined to splitting and extracting of pillar coal in the area north of Canncll Creek. Approximately only 5,000 tons to 6,000 tons of coal remains to be won from the James mine. Strongman Colliery Gocd-wmning.—The gross output for the year was 94,169 tons 16 cwt., an increase of 6,767 tons 6 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After making allowances for stocks on hand and deducting mine consumption and waste, there remained for disposal 97,232 tons 12 cwt. 3 qr., which is accounted for as follows: — Tons cwt. qr. Shipped . . .. .. .. .. 47,988 18 2 Railed Canterbury .. . . .. . . 19,903 5 3 Local sales .. .. .. .. . . 23,441 6 2 Mine sales .. . . .. 113 7 0 Sales to workmen and free issues . . .. 2,228 4 2 Stock in bin and yard.. . . . . .. 412 16 0 Stock on wharf . . .. .. .. 402 3 3 Stock on dump .'. .. .. .. 2,742 10 3 97,232 12 3 Used on works .. .. .. . . 414 0 0 Waste . . . . .. . . . . 1,575 16 0 99,222 8 3 The gross output from this colliery since its inception amounts to 304,768 tons 12 cwt. Days Worked. —During the year the colliery worked on 255 days 4 hours, an increase of 13 days 5 hours when compared with the previous year. The possible working-days, including 13 back Saturdays, were 274. The difference between the days worked, and the possible working-days is accounted for as follows: 1 day, Good Friday; 1 day, Easter Monday; 1 day, Labour Day; 2 days, dispute re buses; 1 day, dispute re truckers; 1 day, funeral of employee; 1 day, 4 hours power failure; 2 days, slips on road; 8 days, Christmas holidays. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 183 men and 11 boys, made up as follows—Underground: Coalhewers, 52; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 79. Surface: 52 men and 11 boys. Expenditure.—The .total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with subsidies on bus fares and cost of fuel used on works, amounted to £103,185, as compared wth £81,767 for the previous year. Capital expenditure was £14,583, as compared with £4,898 for the previous year. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £2 9s. 9d. per day, and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 4s. 7d., an increase of 4s. sd. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 368 tons 11 cwt,, and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 7 tons 10 cwt., as compared with 361 tons 7 cwt. and 7 tons 10 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £71 Is. lid. Accidents. —In addition to numerous accidents of. a minor nature, one serious accident occurred at the Strongman Colliery, when a shotfirer sustained compound fractures of both bones of the left leg above the ankle through being struck by a piece of coal approximately 3 cwt. in weight, The accident occurred in the South No. 2 section on Bth September, 1942. Stone-dusting.—Work under this heading has been continued during the year. The total number of samples taken from this colliery and analysed was 236. Underground Workings— Coal-winning operations have been confined to development in the solid, with a limited amount of head-coal work in the No. 1 North. No. 1 North: Two main headings in the bottom seam advanced 25 chains in stony-coal, bands varying from 3 ft, 6 in. to 5 ft, in thickness. This section has deteriorated since the last report, but boreholes in Griffiths Creek ab<sut 11 chains ahead show 20 ft, to 23 ft. of clean coal. East Dip: The east dip was opened out in excellent working-places. No. 1 North Level: The four-a-time incline in the top seam was driven 16 chains, and the section narrowed between the juncture of the 90 ft. fault and another fault. Splitting of pillars and mining of head coal has been commenced in this section.

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