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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 UnderSecretary of Mines. Wellington, 2nd May, 1947. -Sir, — I have the honour to present my annual report on the coal-mining industry of New Zealand for the year ended 31st December, 1946. OUTPUT The total output for the year was 2,793,870 tons, a decrease of 39,706 tons on the 1945 production. The output from the Southern District increased by 38,624 tons, but the outputs from the Northern and the West Coast Districts decreased by 66,295 tons and 12,035 tons respectively.

Tlie following statement shows tons of coal raised, men employed, and lives lost by accidents in or about collieries to 1946

ACCIDENTS The following is a summary of accidents in and about coal-mines during 1946

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Year. Output, in Statute Tons. Persons ordinarily employed. Lives lost by Accidents in or about Collieries. Per Million Tons produced. Per Thousand Persons employed. Number of Lives lost. Above Ground. Below Ground. Total. Prior to 1941 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 Totals 95,336,168 2,639,507 2,680,041 2,787,868 2,805,970 2,833,576 2,793,870 1,358 1,338 1,375 1,637 1,660 1,738 3,633 3,659 3,999 3,958 3,932 3,819 4,991 4,997 5,374 5,595 5,592 5,557 1-51 2-24 2-87 4-28 2-12 1-43 0-80 1-20 1-50 214 1-07 0-72 526 4 6 8 12 6 4 111,877,000 566

Fatal Accidents. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Separate Fatal Accidents. Number of Deaths. Number of Separate Non-fatal Accidents. Number of Persons injured, including those injured byAccidents which proved Fatal to their Companions. Carbon-monoxide poisoning Explosions of fire-damp or coal-dust Falls of ground Explosives Haulage Miscellaneous —Underground On surface 4 4 i 14 1 13 10 4 i 14 1 13 10 4 Totals 4 4 43 43