Coal-mines.

A.—sa.

of the different seams in connection with each outlet in such mine or working. 47. No person shall be precluded by any agreement from doing such acts as may be necessary for providing a second shaft or outlet 5 to a mine where the same is required by this Act, or be liable under any contract to any penalty or forfeiture for doing such acts as may be necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this Act with respect to shafts or outlets. 48. (1.) In every case where vertical or overhanging ladders are 10 used in connection with the shaft of any mine, securely fixed platforms shall be constructed at intervals of not more than thirty feet from each other in such shaft, and such ladders shall have sufficient spaces for foot-holds of not less than six inches; but in no case shall new vertical or overhanging ladders be constructed either in substitution 15 for old ones or otherwise. (2.) Every person who contravenes or does not comply with this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. 49. Every person employed in or about any mine shall satisfy himself of the safety of any tubs, chains, tackle, windlass, ropes, or 20 other appliances he may use before commencing and whilst at work, and in case of any defect or insecurity he shall cease to use anything unsafe; and every such person who witnesses in or about any such mine any circumstance, matter, or thing which may be likely to produce therein danger of any kind, and every person who may be 25 notified by any such person of any such circumstance, matter, or thing, shall notify the same to the person (if any) under whose immediate directions or control he may be; and every such person in , subcharge of and employed in mining operations in any part of a mine shall, on changing his shift, inform the person appointed to relieve 30 him of the state of the workings in the part of the mine in which he has been employed, or otherwise he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. 50. Immediately upon any miner working in the mine making a complaint under this Act to any Inspector, it shall be the duty of 35 such Inspector to make inquiry into the matter of such complaint, and to take such other steps as he may deem necessary to investigate the matter, and the name of the informant shall not be divulged by the Inspector. 51. (1.) The owner, agent, or manager of every mine where 40 there are underground workings shall keep at the office at the mine an accurate plan of the workings of such mine, made by a certificated manager, a duly qualified mining engineer, or by a surveyor authorised as such by the Surveyor-General, and a copy of such plan shall be forwarded to the Inspector once in every six months with 45 the whole of the workings shown thereon up to one month previously. (2.) Every such plan shall be made to a scale of not less than two chains to an inch. (3.) If the owner, agent, or manager of any mine fails, neglects, 50 or refuses to forward to the Inspector a copy of such plan once in every six months, he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty pounds for each offence.

No agreement to bar liability. 1891, No. 46, sec. 41

Shafts with vertical or overhanging ladders to have platforms. Ibid, sec. 42

Persons employed in mines to satisfy themselves and to report as to safety of mine. Ibid, sec. 43

Inspector to make inquiry on complaint of miner. Ibid, sec. 44

Plan of workings of mine to be kept and copy forwarded to Inspector. Ibid, sec. 45

Penalty on default.

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