COAL MINES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1925, Page 4

COAL MINES.

rroi-osli) legislation

AY ELLINGTON. July 10

to addition to consolidating the former statutes, the- Coal Alines Act Amendment Bill introduced by the If, nK (I. .1. Anderson contains a numhcr of new provisions particularly relating to .sale working and competency of officials.

The filia tions of the hoard 1 examiners under the Alining Act are extended to include the issue of certificates of competency after examination of underviewers, firemen, and deputies. Tu addition to tho former power to grant mine manager’s certificates, it will bate power to cancel certificates for gross negligence or incompetence aftoi this Inin been proved by public inquiry ho-le,-e a Magistrate and one or more as-

A new uivvision is that a mine manager shall exercise daily personal supervision of the mine. The safety provisions in elude prohibit inn in a mine where safety lamps are required of matches and smoking contrivances, power being given to search a workman. A number of new clauses specify precautions for support of roof and sides. A complete set of signalling or telephonic communication must ho proevideil. No oil or gas engine shall he used underground, anil where there is risk of explosion of gas or coal dust, electricity shall not- lie used. Full power is given to regulate the use of explosive.*, xvhu.li. if paid for by workmen, must lie charged at actual net lost to the mine-owner. Barometers may be placed at any mine where required by the inspector, | who may also direct installation ot a main return airway, and ft record of the readings to be kept. Sick and accident relief funds, maintained from payment of a halfpenny per ton on marketable coal mined, may tie administered by grouped miners’ associations under distinctive district names. Tf the mine is not included in any such district, the money may be paid to tlie Public Trustee to the credit of a coal miners’ relief fund accountoperated by tho trustee in accordance with the regulations. Belief is payable to any person employed in or about a mine, this definition having been ex-

tended. The Bill makes provision for the constitution of miners’ medical clubs, whose members will determine their contribution by resolution anil permit its deduction from wages. The Minister of Alines is empowered to enter into contracts for winning coal at State mines, or grant co-opcratrvo workers the right to mine. Where it appears desirable to the Minister, or is required by the workers or mine-owners the Minister may issue special regulations for a mine, drafted by a special committee, including the warden of the district, the mine manager, anil representatives of the owner and workmen. QUART!YING REGULATION. An amendment to the Stone Quarries Act. introduced by the Minister of Alines, applies the provisions of the main Act to quarries having a fifteen foot race instead of the twenty feet originally specified, excluding road or railway cutting tor excavations for buildings. Tho employment of hoys under fourteen years is prohibited, and i,o youth under eighteen years shall be employed in connection with powerdriven drills. Power to make regulations is extended to authorise the licensing of quarries, and the payment of an annual license tee or gts.