REGULATION OF MINES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1566, 9 October 1912, Page 8

REGULATION OF MINES.

' AN AMENDING BILL. - • The, Coal-Sliues Amendment Bill- (Xo. 2), introduced in the House of Representatives last night by Governor's Message, provide? for the borrowing of an additional .£IOO,OOO for the purposes of State-Coal Mines. Part of the money is to defray the, balance of the cost of development works at the new mine, and tho remainder is to be used in repaying to the account the amount which appears in the balance-sheet as sinking and reserve funds and profit, but has , actually been expended in -development works at the new. .mine. Other clauses of the nmending Bill provide that application for lenses, under the principal Act are to Iμ determined within six months, for an annual niodieal inspection of enginedrivers, and for the appointment of an Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of llines. Tower is Riven to the inspector to apply to tlie Warden to hold inquiries in case of accidents. Extensive, amendments are made to the provisions of the principal Act relating to the ventilation and sanitation of lniney. Tho Bin contains elaborate provisions in ; reference to (bo uso of various safety appliances, and to the general questron. of safety in mines, and ,it is provided that workmen employed' in a mine may, at their own cost, appoint two persons to inspect tho mine. These persons are to have full liberty to inspect every part of tho mine at least ouce in every fortnight. It is provided that at- mines where'- aiditionaV rules' are required a. coimnitteo shall bo set up' consisting : of the inspector, the mine-manager nnd h representative of tho workmen. The committee will have power to mako additional rules in connection .with the working of thu mine. Tho inspector is empowered to summarily stop mining operations where there is immediate danger to life. It is provided that Slate coal depots may purchase and sell liguile, coke, and firewood. ' '