A.—sa

Coal-mines.

Manholes in self-acting or engine planes.

Spaces in horse - roads.

Keeping spaces clear.

Fencing off entrance to shafts.

Horizontal bar to be provided where fence or cover is temporarily removed.

Securing of shafts.

Drives and excavations to be proteoted.

tions by the use of a spray of solution of sulphate of iron before the miners are permitted to return to the sites of such blasting operations: (It.) Mining companies or persons employing miners in blasting with nitro-glycerine compounds shall supply 5 such miners with the means of thawing such compounds, and with the means of producing sulphate-of iron spray. _ (3.) Every underground plane on which persons travel which is self-acting or worked by an engine, windlass, or gin shall be provided (if exceeding thirty yards in length) with 10 some proper means of signalling between the stoppingplaces and the ends of the plane ; and shall be provided in every case, at intervals of not more than twenty yards, with sufficient manholes for places of refuge. (4.) Every road on which persons travel underground, where the 15 produce of the mine in transit exceeds ten tons in any one hour over any part thereof, and where the load is drawn by a horse or other animal, shall be provided at intervals of not more than one hundred yards with sufficient spaces for places of refuge, each of which spaces shall be of suffi- 20 cient length and of at least three feet in width between the wagons running on the tramroad and the side of the road. (5.) Every manhole and space for a place of refuge shall be constantly kept clear, and no person shall place anything 25 in a manhole or such space so as prevent access thereto. (6.) The top and all entrances between the top and bottom of every working or pumping shaft shall be properly and securely fenced or securely covered, but this provision shall not be taken to forbid the temporary removal of any 30 fence or cover for the purpose of repairs or other operations if proper precautions are used. Every abandoned or disused shaft shall be fenced or securely covered in by the lessee or registered owner thereof, and its position indicated on the. surface by_ a 35 post or cairn of stones, or such other permanent distinguishing mark as the Inspector shall think sufficient. (7.) When a fence or cover has been temporarily removed from any entrance to a shaft to admit of the performance of ordinary mining operations, a strong horizontal bar shall 40 be securely fixed across such entrance, not less than three nor more than four feet from the floor of the bracechamber or drive, as the case may be. (8.) Where the natural strata are not safe every working or pumping shaft shall be securely cased, lined, or otherwise 45 made secure, for which purpose an ample_ supply of sound good timber or other necessary material shall be kept on the ground ready for immediate use. (9.) Every drive and every excavation of any kind in connection with the working of a mine shall be securely pro- 50 tected and made safe for persons employed therein.

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