C—2a

The gross output since the colliery was taken over by the State Coal-mines is 403,019 tons 3 cwt. Days worked. —The colliery worked on 227 days out of a possible of 241. In addition,, colliery worked on 3 statutory holidays, making the total days worked 230. The difference between the ordinary days worked and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : Union meetings, 4|§ days ; cavil, 1 day ; strike, 1 day; mechanical breakdown, J day; gas (CO) in mine, days ; election day, J day; fire in mine,, 2 days ; relaying rails, 4 days. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, there were employed in and about the mine an- average of 127 men and 2 boys, made up as follows—Underground : Coalhewers, 30 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 72. Surface : 25 men and 2 boys. Daily Earnings.—The coal-hewers' average daily earnings were (gross) £3 13s. 7d., and after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 lis. Id., an increase of 15s. Id. per day when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 231 tons 4 cwt. and the average per coal-hewer was 8 tons 11 cwt., as compared with 219 tons 4 cwt. and 8 tons 2 cwt. for the previous year. The total hewer shifts worked was 6,220. Deficiencies. —No amounts were paid under the minimum-wage clause during the year. Accidents. —During the year there were no accidents of a serious nature. The number of minor accidents reported was 53. Underground Workings.—Development during this period has been confined to a slant dip off No. 2 East level, which has been advanced 5 chains in excellent coal. The majority of the production for the year has come from pillar-extraction in the No. 2 East " A " panel and from the No. 1 East " C " panel, and the work in these two panels is now almost complete. Pillar-extraction work has proved to be a very costly proposition at this colliery because of spontaneous combustion in the goaf, and also because of heaving roadways* which require continuous brushing to maintain sufficient size for haulage and ventilation. A new endless-rope road has been installed along No. 2 East level, which will be the main haulage from this section of the mine, and the extension of this level will be resumed as soon as miners become available from the pillaring sections. During the year a number of fires were dealt with, but one serious fire in the main return airway made it obvious that all loose coal must be cleared from the airways, and accordingly an extensive clearing-up programme is being carried out to attain this end. The mine now has its own Mine Rescue Station with full equipment, and there are fifteen fully trained men now at the mine. Township.—The painting of twenty houses has been completed, and the painting of a further thirty houses has been commenced. One two-roomed hut has been built, and the building of two four roomed baches has been partially completed. Recreation-ground.—The croquet-lawn has been completed and was opened for play during the season. The tennis-courts have been top-dressed and sealed, and are now in use. Tatu Colliery Coal-winning.—The gross output for the year was 35,4-65 tons 10 cwt., an increase of 1,088 tons 5 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After allowing for waste (1,654 tons 9 cwt.) and the quantity of coal used on works (189 tons 13 cwt.), there remained for disposal a net output of 33,621 tons 8 cwt.

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