THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1913. Mining Legislation. THE MINING ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 63, 14 November 1913, Page 2

THE HUNTLY PRESS. PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT 1 P.M. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1913. Mining Legislation. THE MINING ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

Legislation in accordance with the recommendations of the Mines Commission appointed over a year ago to take evidence on matters relating to the ventilation of mines and the safety of the underground work rs has been looked for with considerable interest by those connected with the mining industry either as owners of mines or as employees. As a result of that commission the Mining Act Amendment Bill introduced into Parliament last Wednesday proposes to give effect to the varied recommendations of the commissioners, and in so far as these make for the greater safety of the employees, who every time they descend a shaft do so without any certainty of a safe return to the surface, the results of the commission, as embodied in tin bill presented to the House will have the support of all connected with this important branch of the industrial life of the Dominion. Briefly summarised, the hill contains provisions to ensure the strength of the ropes used for raising and lowering the cages; the fitting, in all shafts where cages are used, of safety devices which will prevent the fall of the cage when detached from the rope; and recites the precautions required in respect to ventilation, to machinery, to the use of explosives, and for the supply of water for the purpose of laying dust raised by drills or explosions. The Bill proposes that attached to all mines other than open alluvial mines in 'which more than ton men are employed there shall he bath-houses supplied with hot and cold water. The owner or owners, however, shall not be compelled to erect such bath-houses unless they are demanded by a per-centage of the men employed. In the event of the baths not being used by twenty per-cent, of the workers, it shall he optional with the management whether these bathhouses shall be kept open or not. A considerable increase of p >wor

is given to the check inspectors appointed and paid by the miners’ unions. Should such inspectors, of whom there must be two for each inspection area, declare that the mine, or any portion of it, is dangerous to life, the mine manager must forward copies of such reports to the Government Inspector of Mines for the district, failure to comply with the directions of the check inspectors as to dangerous workings or dangerous practices to constitute an offence, for which the penalties fixed are fines not exceeding £IOO for every day j lon which the offence is continued. Another clause makes it imperative for the men to be immediately withdrawn from workings in which noxious gases are known to exist Such workings must be inspected, and until they are reported as safe, no men shall be allowed to re-enter those ‘ workings. The Minister of Finance is empowered to borrow under the Bill, a sum not exceeding £20,000 per annum wherewith to make advances to companies desirous of developing their properties, the public revenues being the security for sueh loans. Miners who have developed the complaint known as “miners’ disease,” or pneumoconiosis, shall be entitled to benefit from the miners' relief fund equally with miners who have been incapacitated by accident. Winding engineers must be examined every year by a medical practitioner, and no engine-driver may he employed who is subject to heart weakness, is liable to fits, or is defective in hearing or vision. The provisions of the Bill which is humanitarian in its essence, and makes for the betterment of conditions and the greater safety of subterranean workers, should commend themselves not only to the workers but to employers.