Goal-mines.

A.—sa

10.) Safe and suitable lights, approved of by the Inspector, shall be provided for the use of miners when travelling in the main drives or roadways of any mine, and the upper entrance to every shaft or blind shaft in use, while 5 open or unfenced, shall be illuminated by a fixed light. (11.) Where one portion of a shaft is used for the ascent and descent of persons by ladders or a man - engine, and another portion of the same shaft is used for raising material or pumping, the first-mentioned portion shall be 10 cased or otherwise securely fenced off separate from the last-mentioned portion. (12.) Every working-shaft in which a cage is used, and every division of such shaft in which persons are raised and lowered, and every shaft in which appliances worked by 15 steam or other machinery are used, shall be provided with guides and some proper means of communica/ting distinct and definite signals from the bottom of the shaft and from every entrance for the time being in work between the top and the bottom of the shaft to the top, and thence to 20 the engine-room, and from the engine-room and top to the bottom of the shaft and to every entrance for the time being in work between the top and the bottom of the shaft; and no verbal signals or communications shall be made up or down a shaft exceeding fifty yards in depth in 25 which cages are used, except through speaking-tubes or telephones in the pump compartment of such shaft. Every person employed in a mine shall make himself acquainted with the system of signals used in such mine. A line or some other appliance shall be provided in 30 each shaft to admit of danger-signals being communicated to the engine-driver from any portion of such shaft. (13.) A clear view shall be kept for the engine-driver between i his station and the shaft at the surface brace. (14.) All methods of signalling in mines to indicate that persons or . 35 material are to be raised or lowered in shafts shall be clear ] and distinct, and shall be posted in a clear and legible form on framed boards, one of which shall be placed at the chamber at the bottom of the workings in the shaft, and the other at the brace at or near the top of the shaft. 40 Such methods shall be subject to the approval of the Inspector, and shall also be subject to such alterations and amendments as may from time to time be indicated by the Minister on the report of the Inspector ; and any neglect to carry out such indicated alterations or amendments 45 shall be an offence against this Act. (15.) A cage shall have a sufficient cover overhead when used < for lowering or raising persons in any working-shaft. Such cage-cover shall be constructed of iron not less than onequarter part of an inch thick, and shall be securely hung 50 on hinges and fitted with sloping sides, so as to be readily lifted upwards by persons within the cage. Wherever practicable, all persons working in shafts shall be protected

Protected lights to be used in main drives.

Division of shafts.

Signalling.

Clear view for engine-driver.

All modes of signalling to be clear and distinct.

jover overhead.

19