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Fire Stoppings.—All fire stoppings were maintained in good order, and temporary stoppings were erected along the line of goaf on the east side of the dip to prevent heatings while pillar-extraction is continued up the dip. Dangerous Heatings.—A heating occurred in the goaf in No. 1 Mine to the dip of the working-places. This was sealed off by the erection of eight permanent stoppings. Plant. —The winch from the Black Diamond Mine was installed at the No. 3 Mine and is working satisfactorily. Star Colliery The Star Colliery was purchased by the State from the Star Coal Co., Ltd., the State entering into possession on 2nd May, 1947. Coal-winning.—The gross output from 2nd May to the end of the year was 38,081 tons 10 cwt. 2 qr. After allowing for waste (380 tons 8 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (535 tons 5 cwt. 2 qr.), there remained for disposal 37,165 tons 17 cwt. The following statement shows details of coal disposed of during the year: — 2nd May, 1947 Tons cwt. qr. Stocks in yard Add net output for year .. .. .. 37,165 17 0 31st March, 1948 — Less stock in yard Total disposed of .. .. .. 37,165 17 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Bailed .. .. .. .. 36,844 17 0 Local and mine sales Workmen and free issues .. .. 321 0 0 37,165 17 0 Days worked. —The Star Colliery worked 210| days out of a possible 221 ordinary working-days. In addition, the colliery worked 3 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 213|. The difference between the days worked and the possible number of ordinary working-days is accounted for as follows: 1 day, Easter Tuesday, 1948; 1| days, mechanical breakdowns ; 4 days, funerals of ex-members of Miners' Union; 1 day, unfavourable weather; 2 days, disputes (1 re truckers, Ire regulation of boxes); 1 day, Christmas pay Friday. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons engaged in and about the mine was 57 men, made up as follows —Underground: Coalhewers, 23; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers 21. Surface: 13 men. No boys were in regular employment at this mine. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 178 tons 7 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 8 tons 8 cwt. Deficiencies. —No payments were made under the minimum-wage clause. Coal-heivers' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 Is. 10d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £2 17s. 2d. Accidents. —On 9th January a driller was electrocuted when the derrick of the drill fouled a power line. Apart from this, there were no serious accidents. Stone-dusting. —This work was done regularly throughout the year.

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