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The Manager, Wilton State Colliery, Ngaruawahia, to the Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington. 12th April, 1948. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my annual report on the working of the above colliery for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Goal-winning. —The gross output for the year was 81,730 tons 6 cwt., an increase of 1,793 tons 2 cwt. when compared with the figures of the previous year. After allowing for waste (2,826 tons 12 cwt.) and coal used on works (810 tons 3 cwt.), there remained for disposal a net output of 78,093 tons 11 cwt. 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. qr. Tons cwt. qr. Stock in railway wagons .. 14 0 0 Add net output for year .. 78,093 11 0 = 78,107 11 0 31st March, 1948 Less stock in railway wagons Total disposed of .. .. 78,107 11 0 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. 42,606 6 0 Railway sales .. .. .. 34,341 11 0 Local and mine sales Sales to workmen and free issues.. 1,159 14 0 78,107 11 0 The gross output for the colliery since its acquisition by the Government on 20th October, 1944, totals 283,955 tons 2 cwt. Days worked. —The colliery worked 227J days out of a possible 241 days. The difference between the days worked and possible working-days is accounted for as follows : 2 days, strike at Pukemiro ; 1£ days, fan defect; \ day, football; £ day, broken wheel; 2 days, death of workman ; 1 day, funeral of old local resident; day, power failure ; J day, dispute re boxes ; days, stop-work meetings. Employees.—ln connection with coal-winning, the average number of persons employed in and about the mine was 184 men and 4 boys, made up as follows— Underground : coal-hewers, 64; shiftmen and truckers, 64. Surface: 56 men and 4 boys. Coal-hewers' Average Daily Earnings.—The average daily earnings of the coalhewers' after deducting explosives were £2 17s. 5d., which shows an increase of 6s. 6d. when compared with the previous year. Daily Output.—The average daily output of the mine was 359 tons 13 cwt. and the hewers' average daily output was 12 tons 0 cwt. 1 qr., as compared with 323 tons 12 cwt. and 9 tons 19 cwt. 3 qr. respectively for the previous year. The number of hewers shifts worked was 6,804, as compared with 8,001 J for the previous year. Deficiencies. —The total amount paid under the minimum-wage clause was £4 13s. Id. Accidents.—During the year the number of accidents occurring which necessitated absence from work for more than three days was 162, a reduction of 28 on the previous year.

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