C—2a

Taking into account the stocks at the beginning and end of the year, the following statement shows details of the coal disposed of during the year:— Ist April, 1947 Tons cwt - <l r - Tons cwt - <l r - Stock in bin and yard Stock on wharf .. .. 226 18 1 226 18 1 Add net output for year .. 93,670 0 0 Add surplus stocks .. .. 837 14 3 94,507 14 3 94,734 13 0 31st March, 1948 Less stock in bin and yard .. 534 10 0 Less stock on wharf .. .. 838 9 1 1,372 19 1 Total disposed of .. .. 93,361 13 3 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Shipped .. .. .. .. 62,868 16 3 Railed to Canterbury, &c. .. 14,635 3 1 Railway sales ... .. .. 3,791 4 2 Local and mine sales .. .. 8,278 12 , 2 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 3,787 16 3 93,361 13 3 The gross output from the colliery since its inception totals 813,439 tons 7 cwt. Days Worked. —The colliery worked 233 days out of a possible 241 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 3 substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 236. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 233, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 1 day, double place dispute ; 1 day, power failure ; 1 day, dispute re trucking contract; 1 day, funeral late Hon. J. O'Brien ; 1 day, fan motor breakdown ; 3 days, dispute between Miners' and Deputies' Unions. jEmployees. —ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 238 men and 5 boys, made up as follows —Underground : Coal-hewers, 69 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 110. Surface: 59 men and 5 boys. Coal-hewers'' Average Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 145., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3los. Id., an increase of lis. lOd. per day when compared with the previous period. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 407 tons 17 cwt. and the coal-hewers' average daily output was 6 tons 13 cwt., as compared with 422 tons 14 cwt. and 6 tons 18 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 14,512. Deficiencies. —There were no payments made under the minimum-wage clause during the year.

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