OPEN COLUMN.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10354, 1 May 1911, Page 2

OPEN COLUMN.

LETTERS TO EDITOR.

VENTILATION IN MINES.

Sii', —While fully aware of the necies'sity of providing adequate venti-: lation in miners, I am of opinion that the "Mining Act :Rfegulia,tions" on this question are uii\voi Jkalble as fan" as gold-mining 1 in this field is concerned, and if enforced as prescribed in tha. Warden's Court to-day, the companies now struggling against the slump tide must collapse, and then what good 1 will this "inspection raid" have done far the working miners and the goldfield. The Mining Inspector informs me that he has no option feit to enforce the supply of 100 cubio feet of air per minute pcr 1 man into all mine working's. Tha.t being the case, I should sa,y_j many a prospecting worik will hare to> Hbte- stopped and gold mining here- be a thing 1 of the past. It has been predicted tliat Thames will eventually become a "fishing town," and if anything will hasten that prediction it is the sudden enforcement of the present mining regulations, ■which have teen amended and re-amended untiil the book is a puzzle ta mining men and ai study for the sjolioitons. I was always under tlie impression that a Mine Inspector's duties wcro to assist the mine managers with "advice in thei Working of thfl minea for safety of life and 1 limb," and as managjer I have always done my utmost to cany out any instructions or advice given, and! in the present caisfef had raised the ah" pressure to 110 ciubic fee* pier minute exclusive of ah< entering through thei level. I therefore: feel severely the stigma of having (bfaen! dragged! intoi dourt over a matter which could halve Ween settled otherwise. By all means let us try to better 1 the conditions of things for the* bbhiefi* of all classes, tat where possible let it bio done apart from the la-w court.—l am 1, etc., Ei. A. BALDY, ! Mine Manager New Sylvia Mma Thames, 28th April, 1911.