C—2a

Daily Output.—The average daily output was 252 tons 18 cwt., and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 5 tons 7 ewt. Deficiencies.- The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £19 as. Id. Accidents.—There were no serious accidents at the Dobson Colliery during the period, Underground Workings.—All the coal in this mine is being won from developing places, Main Dip Section: The main dip section is being developed on double shift with the object of making more pit room for the miners employed. No. 5 East Level Section : Two dips are being developed on the low side of this level. No. 4 West Level Section: All places are developing in very hard coal which is very difficult to mine. It is proposed to introduce machine-mining into this section at some later date. No. 4 Dip : Four places developing. No. 4 East; Three pairs completing the development of a small block of coal in this section. The main dip endless haulage rope has been extended from the No. 4 to the No. 5 main level. Coal cannot be hauled by this rope from the No. 5 level until the laybyes have been completed. Plant. —The plant generally lias been maintained in good working-order. I have, &c., J. Hadcroft, District Manager. REPORT ON THE NORTH ISLAND STATE COAL-MINES The District Manager, State Coal-mines* Mangapolii, to the Under-Secretary Mines Department, Wellington 17th April, 1943. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my report on the working of the State coal-mines (North Island) for the year ended 31st March, 1943. Manga peui Colliery Output.—The gross output for the year was 52,031 tons 5 cwt., an increase of 11,205 tons on the previous year, and after deducting mine consumption and waste and allowing for stock in bin and surplus stock taken on charge there remained for disposal 50,975 tons 14 cwt., which is accounted for as follows: —

The total output from the colliery since it has been taken over by the State Coal-mines is 105,996 tons 10 cwt. During the year the mine worked on 244 days 7 hours out of a possible 275, including 14 back Saturdays. The difference between the days worked and the possible working-days is accounted* for as follows: 4 days 5 hours, union meetings; 6 hours shortage of railway wagons; 1 day, power failure; 1| days, dispute with truckers; 5 hours, no "boxes;' 8 days, Waikato strike; 1 day, stoppage re foot disease; 5 hours, breakdown in haulage; 6 hours, smash on jig; 2 hours, no drinking water; 8 days, Christmas holidays; 1 day, Good Friday; 1 day, Easter Monday; 1 day, Labour Day. Employees.—The total number of employees at the beginning of the year was 74 men and 3 boys, but this was gradually increased, and at the 31st March, there were employed in and about the mine, 107 men and 4 boys, made up as follows—Underground: Coalhewers, 30; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 57. Surface: 20 men and 4 boys. Expenditure.—The total expenditure in connection with coal-winning for wages, stores, mine timber, and compensation, together with the subsidy on bus fares and the cost of fuel used on works and electric power, amounted to £44,481. Coal-hewers' 'Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings were (gross) £2 7s. 4d., and after deducting stores (explosives) 4s, 4d., their net return was £2 35., an increase of Is. 4d. per day whe-n compared with the previous year.

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House. Kitchen. Slack. Total. Tons. cwt. qr. Tons. cwt. qr. Tons. cwt. qr. Tons. cwt. qr. Sales to Railways Department 7 1 0 14,711 12 0 .. 14,718 13 0 Sales to depot and local sales .. 9,000 13 0 2,828 5 0 23,929 10 0 35,758 8 0 Mine sales .. .. • • 62 18 0 26 0 0 22 0 0 110 18 0 Sales to workmen, and free issues 302 15 0 .. . . 302 15 0 Stock in bin . . . . ■ ■ • • 85 0 0 85 0 0 9,373 7 0 17,565 17 0 24,036 10 0 50,975 14 0 Unscreened — Used on works .. .. ■ • • • • • 480 0 0 Waste .. .. .. • ■ • • • • 666 17 3 Totals .. .. 9,373 7 0 1.7,565 17 0 24,036 10 0 52,122 11 3