C—2a
Days Worked. —The colliery worked 210f days out of a possible 241 ordinary workingdays. In addition, the colliery worked 2-|- substituted statutory holidays, making the total days worked 213§. The difference between the ordinary days worked, 210f, and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 13f days, monthly union meetings, &c. ; 1 day, union dispute re beer boycott; 8 days, gas accumulations ; 1 day, gas accumulation due to breakdown of booster fan ; 1 day, union decision not to work due to presence of gas ; 1 day, fan stoppage due to power failure; 1 day, burnt-out fan motor ; £ day, breakdown in haulage system ; 1 day, funeral of late Hon. J. O'Brien ; -J day, local-body election day ; J day, parliamentary by-election day ; If days, union decision to commence seven-hour shift. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 150 men and 6 boys, made up as follows—Underground : Coal-hewers, 42 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 84. Surface: 24 men and 6 boys. Coal-hewers'' Average Daily Earnings. —The coal-hewers' average daily earnings (gross) were £3 3s. 9d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 Is. Id., an increase of 3s. 7d. per day when compared with the previous period. Daily Output. —The average daily output was 235 tons 11 cwt. 3 qr. and the coal hewers' average daily output was 6 tons 11 cwt. 2 qr., as compared with 198 tons 8 cwt. 2 qr. and 6 tons 16 cwt. 3 qr. respectively for the previous year. The total number of hewer shifts for the year was 7,647f. Deficiencies. —There were no payments made under the minimum-wage clause during the year. Accidents. —In addition to numerous accidents of a minor nature, 3 serious accidents occurred at the Wallsend Colliery. On 22nd May, 1947, a trucker had his left wrist fractured when his forearm was caught between a box and a prop. On 29th August, 1947, a miner was struck by a fall of coal and suffered a puncture wound of the back and a fracture of the transverse process of the vertebra;. On 29th January, 1948, a trucker had two joints of the middle and ring fingers partially amputated when his left hand was caught between the top of a derailed box and the roof. Underground Workings.—No. 1 Dip Section : All development has been completed in this section and splitting of pillars is now in operation ; seven pairs of miners employed. No. 2 Dip : This section has been dewatered to a point approximately opposite the Machine Dip, and the Main Dip has been developed for a further distance of 3 chains. Brushing and retimbering of the Machine Dip has been carried on with three pairs of miners in the section. No. 1 Slant Dip : In this section, five pairs of miners are engaged splitting pillars. Roof conditions are very poor in this section. The undercast in this section has been enlarged to increase the quantity of air in circulation from 12,000 cubic feet to 17,000 cubic feet per minute. No. 2 Slant Dip : In this section, three pairs of miners are splitting pillars. Extension Section : In this section, splitting of pillars is being carried out by five pairs of miners. A large amount of brushing is required to keep the roadways open, as the seam is low, and this subsequently has the affect of reducing the output from this section. The new rise and return airway has been completed and the ventilation system adjusted to meet the new conditions. No. 2 Dip Section : An endless-rope winch driven by a 30 h.p. motor has been installed at the top of No. 2 Dip for the haulage of coal. Poppet Heads : During the Christmas holidays the main pulley wheel on the road side of the poppet heads was repaired. Dobson Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 64,124 tons 15 cwt. 2 qr., an increase of 4,744 tons 18 cwt. 2 qr. when compared with the figures for the previous year. After allowing for waste (2,118 tons 5 cwt. 3 qr.) and the quantity used on works (228 tons 4 cwt.), there remained for disposal a net output of 61,778 tons 5 cwt. 3 qr.
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