C—2a

When plant deliveries are projected beyond a certain point, tlie orderly planning of workings becomes extremely difficult, due to altered conditions between the times of ordering and delivery. Future Development and Boring. —During the year a number of bore-holes have been put down ahead of, also to the" west of, No. 3 Extended Mine. The holes to the west proved disappointing. However, good results were obtained from the boreholes going towards the Te Puroa Road. Approximately 8 ft. of good coal being obtained in four boreholes out of five bored. Boring is going on at the present time in an area between old No. 1 Mine and No. 2 Mine present workings with satisfactory results. This, of course, will be an opencast proposition with the possibility of yielding between 40,000 tons and 60,000 tons of good-quality coal. However, an accurate estimate can only be given when the boreholes have been completed, which should be in the very near future. The output from this will be necessary to replace No. 2 Mine, which is rapidly drawing to a close. With a view to future development of coal-winning in this district, an area to the west and north-west of the old Waipa Colleries Mine is to be mapped with the intention of having it bored and proved at some future date. General. —The prospects for the future working of this mine are good for many years. I have, &c., John Penman, Manager. The District Manager, State Coal-mines, Kamo, to the Under-Secretary,. Mines Department, Wellington. Sir, — 9th July, 1948. I have the honour to submit my report on the workings of the Kamo State Mine for the period from sth January, 1948, when this mine was acquired by the State, to the 31st March, 1948. Coal-winning.—The gross output for the period was 9,783 tons 5 cwt. After allowing for the quantity used on works (12 cwt. 3qr.), there remained for disposal a net output of 9,782 tons 12 cwt. 1 qr. Taking into account the stocks at the beginning and end of the period, the following statement shows details of the coal disposed of during the period : sth January, 1948 Tons cwt. qr. Stock in yard Add net output for the period .. .. .. 9,782 12 1 Add surplus stocks .. .. .. .. 112 17 0 9,895 9 1 31st March, 1948 — Stock in yard .. .. .. .. .. 19 10 2 Total disposed of .. .. .. 9,875 18 3 Disposals Tons cwt. qr. Railed .. .. .. 8,763 10 0 Local sales .. .. .. 932 13 1 Sales to workmen and free issues .. 179 15 2 9,875 18 3

38