382 COALFIELDS AND COLLIERIES OF AUSTRALIA. 



storemaii of the total amount of stores issued under each ex- 

 penditure heading. All expenditure is collected in the ledger, 

 and elaborate fortnightly returns are compiled. 



Expenditure on capital and revenue is carefully distin- 

 guished, the capital returns showing the progressive cost of 

 each work, until completion. 



The quick development at the State coal mines constitutes 

 a world's record in coal mining. The mines are now capable 

 of producing over 2000 tons of coal per day. Up to the 30th 

 June, 1911, the total output of coal raised was 452,000 tons, 

 and the aggregate total of distances driven in coal drives and 

 stone drives was 27 .978 miles. 



The total footage sunk up to the same date was : 



Main shafts . . . . 1216 feet 



Timber and air shafts . 120 ,, 



Total 1336 



The capital expenditure to date is only 89,000, to which, 

 however, must be added 35,000 for contracts in progress. 



In keeping with the record development of the mines is 

 the wonderful progress of the town of Wonthaggi. The town 

 with its suburbs is estimated to contain a population of 8000, 

 and ranks next to Gee-long in Victorian towns for size. 



It is beautifully laid out, and when the roads are finally 

 metalled, and the young trees, which are looking very healthy 

 at present, have had time to grow, it will be a very agreeable 

 place to live in. The residential portion of the town is away 

 from the business portion. This is a new departure from the 

 system adopted in laying out most Victorian towns. The 

 water scheme is most comprehensive, and assures a plentiful 

 supply of water for years to come. The water gravitates from 

 the large dam at Lance Creek, to a storage reservoir on the 

 top of McLeod's Hill, in Wonthaggi. From this storage re- 

 servoir the water is reficulated over the lower portions of the 

 town. A steel storage reservoir is now being erected to pro- 

 vide a sufficient pressure to reticulate the higher portions of 

 ihe town. The whole scheme cost 60,000, and was carried 

 out under the direction of Messrs. J. M. and H. E. Coaiie, 

 consulting engineers, of Melbourne. 



Spread over the residential portion of the town, and 

 adding greatly to the beauty thereof, stand 100 Government 

 cottages. These cottages were built for the convenience of 

 the miners, and cost over 20,000. Each cottage stands in a 

 i-acre allotment, and is substantially built of hardwood, with 

 plastered walls inside to a dado of alternate strips of white 

 sine! red pine'. The cottages were designed by Mr. Stanley 



