C—2a

Taking into account the stocks at the beginning and end of the year, the following statement shows details of coal disposed of during the year : Ist April, 1947 — Tons cwt. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Stock in bins .. .. 77 0 0 Add net output .. .. 33,621 8 0 Add surplus stock taken on charge 561 11 0 34,259 19 0 31st March, 1948 — Less stock in bins .. .. 49 3 0 Total disposed of .. 34,210 16 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. 32,466 6 0 Mine sales .. .. .. 1,080 18 0 Workmen .. .. .. 605 7 0 Free .. .. .. .. 58 5 0 34,210 16 0 The gross output from the colliery since inception amounts to 210,053 tons 14 cwt. Days worked. —The colliery worked 220 days 4-| hours out of a possible 241 ordinary working-days. In addition, the mine worked the 3 substituted days for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day, making the total days worked 223 days 4£ hours. The difference between the ordinary days worked (220 days 4| hours) and the possible number of working-days is accounted for as follows : 9 days f hour, disputes ; 1 day 4 hours, boiler trouble ; 4 hours, bus breakdown; 1 day, mine flooded ; 4 hours search for workmen lost in bush ; 1J hours, fall of stone in mine ; 2 days, miners absent; 4 days 4f hours, union meetings ; hour local-body elections ; 1 day, funeral of employee. Employees. —In connection with coal-winning, the average number of men employed in and about the mine was 89 men and 3 boys, made up as follows —Underground: Hewers, 19 ; deputies, shiftmen, and truckers, 30; others, 8. Surface: 32 men and 3 boys. Total, 92. Coal-hewers' Daily Average Earnings. —The coal-hewers' daily earnings were, gross, £4 os. 3d.; after deducting stores (explosives) their net return was £3 13s. 9d. Daily Output.—The average daily output was 158 tons 13 cwt., and the average daily output per coal-hewer was 9 tons 7 cwt., compared with 148 tons 14 cwt. and 8 tons 17 cwt. respectively for the previous year. The total hewer shifts worked for the year were 3,833-|. Deficiencies. —Nil. Accidents. —During the year there were 39 minor accidents, most being bruises, lacerations, or strain, and there were several cases of crushed fingers. Workings.—During the year a new travelling road has been driven down to the pump in the No. 1 West and through the No. 2 West sections which joins the return airway from the South Section. Ripping of the roof in the main return airway has been carried out and the roof supported with arched rail sets. The floor has been graded out along this section of roadway so as to avoid flooding and consequent restriction of the ventilation. Development in the South area has been continued, where two panels have been formed and a third panel is in process of formation. No. 2 Panel is being developed with a view to immediate extraction so as to minimize losses due to floor heave. Development of the first line of pillars, the dimensions of which are approximately by 1 chain, has been completed, and the pillars are now being extracted.

2—o 2A

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