A.—6a.

II

Section 20: The section has been broken into two sections with numbered subsections. "For mine-managers' certificates" is inserted after "to conduct examinations" in order to avoid conflict with the Inspection of Machinery Act; "one of whom" is altered to "one of the members of the Board"; "any certificate" is altered to "a mine-manager's certificate." The paragraph commencing "There shall be two grades of mine-managers' certificates " and the first paragraph of section 21 have been recast without in any way affecting the existing law; "or of service" is omitted as the power to grant service certificates has expired. Section 22 : In this section, and also in the subsequent sections, " winding " is inserted before "engine," to accord with the definition of "engine-driver" in the interpretation clause of the Act, also with section 48 of " The Inspection of Machinery Act, 1902"; "issued by the Board under the compiled Acts," &c, is added at the end of the first paragraph, to give effect to the existing law; the second paragraph is altered to give effect to the Inspection of Machinery Act. Section 23 : The reference to engine-drivers is omitted as being no longer in force. Section 24 is omitted as lapsed. Section 25 : The second paragraph is recast to give effect to what is presumably the real intention —viz., that in the case of the engine-driver his disqualification shall relate only to winding-engines or winding-machinery. Section 26: The section is recast to secure accuracy of expression and meaning, and to give effect to the real intention; " winding-gear or machinery "in the second paragraph is altered to "winding-engine or winding-machinery as aforesaid," for uniformity of expression. Section 28: In this section, and also in sections 31 and 32, the reference to boys is omitted as being inconsistent with section 27. The second paragraph is omitted as having no meaning. The section does not create the offence referred to. Section 33: "On to each working-face," &c, is added to the second paragraph of subsection (1), to give effect to section 11 of the Act of 1903"; "man and youth" is altered to "workman," and "which" to "and the air." The correct year of the Inspection of Machinery Act is inserted in subsections (29) and (32). Subsection (46) is omitted in favour of section 3 of the Act of 1901, with the necessary verbal alterations. Sections 34 and 35 : " Appendix " is altered to " Second Schedule " ; and in the latter section " any Act hereby repealed " is altered to " any Act repealed by ' The Coalmines Act, 1891.' " Section 36: The section is made to apply to general, special, and additional rules, such being the manifest intention. Section 40: The paragraphs are numbered, and one or two verbal alterations are made. _ Section 45: The paragraphs are numbered, and in the last paragraph "have" is altered to " has." .. Section 59: The necessary alterations have been made to give effect to this section as a clause of the compilation. Section 60: The proviso is omitted in favour of section 9 of the Act of 1901. Section 63 : The paragraphs are renumbered. In paragraph (3) of the Act, verbal alterations in language are made for uniformity in style of drafting, and "be liable to a fine " is substituted for " forfeit and pay a sum." Section 65 : The subsections are renumbered, and verbal alterations made in the language for clearness. _ Section 69: The subsections are renumbered, consequent on subsection (1) being divided into two subsections. General verbal alterations in language are made for clearness and uniformity. Moreover, effect is given to the amendments made by section 4 of the Act of 1901. Section 70: In the last subsection "of the mine" is inserted after manager tor clearness. , ti ~ . Section 72: The section is divided into numbered subsections, and Kesident is omitted before "Magistrate's Court." Section 74: The year of the Weights and Measures Act is correctly stated. Section 75: The section is divided into three numbered subsections, and verbal alterations in language are made for clearness and uniformity. Section 86 (Appropriation): "Part of this" is inserted before "Act" to prevent conflict with the appropriation clauses of Part 11. of the compilation. Section 87 (Repeals): The first paragraph is omitted as spent and unnecessary. The second paragraph is altered so as to apply to the Acts compiled and the compilation. A Schedule of the Acts compiled is inserted, and the Appendix of the Act becomes the Second Schedule of the compilation. ~',--, -, In the special rules contained in the Appendix " workmen " or " persons used throughout instead of the indiscriminate use of "men," "miners," "colliers, &c. In paragraph (1) "the Coal-mines Acts" is inserted for convenience of reference, and the term is subsequently used where necessary. In paragraph 77 the reference to "boys" is omitted as conflicting with section 27 of the Act, which expressly forbids the employment of boys.