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Deficiencies. —No payments were made to coal-hewers under the minimum-wage clause. Coal-hewers'' Average Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 12s. 4d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 4s. lOd. Accidents.—Only a few minor accidents occurred during the period under review. Stone-dusting.—This work was done regularly throughout the year. Underground Workings. —Development is being carried on at every point which indicates possibility of extension of the mine. No. 3 Dip is being driven north-west in the top part of a split seam. The sandstone between the top and bottom portions varies in thickness from 4 in. to 4 ft. 6 in. The coal is of good quality and dips 1 in 6 towards the western boundary of the lease, with 7 ft. in the top split and 6 ft. in bottom split. No. 4 Dip is being driven south-west, also in the top portion of the split, at a grade of 1 in 8. A pair of levels are developing eastwards in 23 ft. of good-quality coal. These levels are being driven towards the old Ohai syndicate's workings. Pillar-extraction in the Main Dip, and No. 1 West Dip sections is completed and the output now depends entirely on solid working. Boring.—Boring to prove the extent of the seams was commenced 8 chains south of the area at present being developed. One hole had been completed at the end of the year. Plant. —A 50 h.p. electric winch underground has been turned around to eliminate auxiliary haulages in the No. 1 West dip. All plant operated satisfactorily and repairs and maintenance were efficiently attended to by the engineering staff. I have, &c., J. McArthur, District Manager. The Superintendent, State Coal-mines, Grreymouth, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 14th June, 1948. I have the honour to submit my annual report on the workings of the Liverpool, Strongman, Blackball, Wallsend, Dobson, and Paparoa State Coal-mines for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Liverpool Colliery Coal-ivinning. —The gross output for the year was 85,055 tons 9 cwt., a decrease of 15,021 tons 8 cwt. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,145 tons 9 cwt.) and the quantity used on works (3,170 tons), there remained for disposal a net output of 80,740 tons.

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