MINING CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 501, 7 May 1909, Page 6

MINING CONFERENCE.

(DI TELEQBArH—rEESS ASSOCIATION.) '^-■}■'■:■ ;':•'';'; ; '"':Waihl| May 5.' :; : ;' • Tlio'Mining; Conference (the Hon. '.R. ; M'Konzie, . for'■;'■ Mines, ■ presiding) continued its sittings;up till 11 o'clock' last : , night, and resumed again this morning at 10' v o'clock; >'" : "".. ! i-,''-'V'^' '■■'''•■''"'V '-.''' '"■. ..The general questions of schools of mines control and management was discussed,, and '" it. was decided that the inspectors of mines : should report .upon,', the ■ efficiency' 'of the -. schools in their respective districts.' '.':, AVith'regard'to prospecting regulations, it. . was [ decided that prospecting by subsidised :• parties should only bo' carried on.during tho ' : summer, months in localities recommended by >' officers of the tieological Survey^. It was decided that the uso of sprays for . the rock drills should be made coSnptJsary; .. that the .Mining; Act' ; bo brought into line ' with tho Cpal-MineS'Actin regard to prao- " tical electricity/ being included among, tho ■ subjects set for'tho examinations' of' mine managers; that a limit of speed bo provided by regulation for lifting and lowering men in mining shafts; that the.maximum tomperaJ'Uro of .the air in working places in- niinos shall not exceed,B3 degrees Fall, by, wot bulb thermometer, which is, the general practico in tho'Australian.States; that a uniform codo of shaft signals in' mines : throughout the Dominion: bo> arranged; that where, nooessary fans bo provided-for the bettor distribution of ventilating currents to tlio working places • iii mines; that yearly.returns bo required from all that , provision '. Do made for the annual registration of: mining .■'■ privileges; that shot firing in gold, mines by ■'.'■-" electricity bo compulsory; that boring with keystone drills i and diamond drills -is satis-, factory and should bo encouraged; that in' gaseous mines the use of permitted explosives : only shall bo ojiforcod p and that they shall ; bo fired by electrical apparatus or by Bickford's safoty fuses. ~. , ; . ...... ;'■■'. .'•.,• ;

tai IELKOBArn—rRKSs association.! ■'- '■■''"'■'■ . ; '■'• ■: ■'-■ WajhiiMay 6J The Confercnc3 of Mining'lnspectors conckded its sittings to-day.. Some vary , ho-' portaht matters in connection, with' the .welfare of the mining industry were: discussed. •' A proposed Bill,to rectify anomalies in the Mining Act was discussed at' considerable IcLßth. end .certain; proposals , were made. Suggestions' from various ' Miners' Associations were considered, ; and certain recommendations wero mado.in>connection therewith. / ■ ..''V;-' ' ~,!.,. v:' ' A lo.ig discussion took on a propo.sal to inaugarnto a Vgoldminers'- relief fund, and sympathy was, expressed with such proposal,' / '. '.. • ■,'';.' Prior to the conclusion of >■ tho conferenco : an expression of regret was mado regarding tlio loss to the Miiics Department of tho services of Mr. T.. H. Hamor,' 'formerly Under-Secretary for Mines, who .left for, ■ England to take a position on tho staff of' tho High Commissioner ; for the Dominion. Duo appreciation was also paid to the■ sorvicos rendered to the Mines Departriient by Mr. R.'-Tcnnant, who recently retired from tho position of Inspector of ; Mines for tho West Coast. by roasou of his having reached the ago limit;. ■'■',■ Tho conference concluded with a! vote of thanks to the president (the Hon. R. M'Kcnzie), whesd practical knowledge of mining, was of great assistanoo. ■•