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The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Ohai, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 28th May, 1948. I have the honour to submit my report on the workings of the Mossbank, Black Diamond, Wairaki, Star, and Birchwood State Mines for the year Ist April, 1947, to the 31st March, 1948. Mossbank Colliery Coal-winnin@. —-The gross output for the year was 27,679 tons 9 cwt. 3 qr., an increase of 2,211 tons 4 cwt. 1 qr. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (614 tons 13 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (1,149 tons 9 cwt. 3 qr.), there remained for disposal 25,915 tons 7 cwt. The following statement shows details of coal disposed of during the year:— Ist April, 1947 — Tons cwt. qr. Stocks in yard Add net output for year .. .. 25,915 7 0 31st March, 1948 — Less stocks in yard Total disposed of .. .. .. 25,915 7 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. .. 25,637 7 0 Local and mine sales .. .. 3 0 0 Workman and free issues .. .. 275 0 0 25,915 7 0 The gross output from the colliery since taken over by the State on 2nd October, 1944, totals 89,094 tons 13 cwt. 3 qr. Days worked. —The Mossbank Colliery worked 234 days out of a possible 241 ordinary working-days. In addition, the colliery worked 3 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 237. The difference between the days worked and the possible number of ordinary working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, Easter Tuesday, 1948 ; 4 days, funerals of ex-members of Miners' Union; 2 days, erection of fire stoppings. During the past two years no days have been lost on account of disputes. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons engaged in or about the mine was 44 men and 2 boys, made up as follows—Underground : Coal-hewers, 15; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers 20. Surface: 9 men and 2 boys. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 116 tons 16 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 8 tons 14 cwt., as compared with 100 tons 9 cwt. and 7 tons 15 cwt. respectively for the previous year. Deficiencies. —No payments were made under the minimum-wage clause. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 4s. 9d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 os. 7d., an increase of ss. 3d. per day when compared with the previous year. Accidents. —Only a few minor accidents occurred during the year under review. Stone-dusting.—This work was done regularly throughout the year.

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