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6. Each candidate will be examined separately, and not in the presence of other candidates. 7. A fee for the examination will be payable by the candidate in accordance with the scale appended. 8. The Act provides also for further certificates as to eyesight and hearing to be obtained by a fireman, examiner, or deputy, at intervals of five years. The object of these further certificates is to ensure that a fireman's eyesight continues to be such as to enable him to make accurate tests for firedamp, and that his hearing continues to be such as to enable him to carry out his duties efficiently. The first of these certificates will not be required until the expiration of five years from, the date on which he got his fireman's certificate as above. A fireman, examiner, or deputy will be able to get his five-yearly certificate either from one of the schools, institutions, or authorities approved by the Secretary of State or from, a doctor selected by himself. The fee for obtaining this certificate will be payable by the fireman's employer. SCAM*; ok Fees. (I.) For the full examination (i.e., gas-tests, air-measurements, and hearing), 7s. (id. (This will only apply in the case of new firemen appointed after the passing of the Act.) (2.) For candidates taking two parts only of the examination (e.y., gas-tests and hearing), ss. (This will be the fee for most existing firemen — i.e., firemen appointed before the passing of the Act.) (3.) For candidates taking only one part (i.e., existing firemen employed in mines in which gas is unknown, who will be examined as to their hearing only), 2s. 6d.

SAFETY-BLOCK FOR INCLINES OR JIGS. To prevent the accidental return of a car or skip that has been hoisted to the top of an incline and detached, the device shown in the accompanying drawing is recommended by the State Mine Inspector, Albany, N.Y. It consists of two almost upright timbers A, fastened to the square shaft D by the straps C. The shaft is turned in two places to fit the boxes E. The, bottoms of the timbers A are bolted to a transverse piece B. The hoisted car hits the timbers A, which revolve with the shaft, permitting the car to pass. The weight of B then brings them to the upright position and the cross

Automatic Safety-stop for Top of Incline.

piece F prevents their swinging in the other direction. To release the car, the lever, which is attached to a square portion of the shaft, is used to force the timbers down below the level of the axles. The specification of material for installing the device on an incline with a track of 3 ft. gauge is given in the table. Speoiijioation of Materials itob Safity-blook. Timber. Iron. A 2 pieces ♦> in. x 8 in. x 4 ft. 4 in. 4 bolts \ in. x2O in. IS I piece 8 in. xlO in. x 2 ft. 2 in. 2 bolts Jill, x 14 in. If 1 piece 8 in. x 8 in. x oft. 2 bolts | in. xl 7 in. G 2 pieces 8 in. xlO in. x 4 ft. 2 bolts | in. x2B in. H 2 pieces 8 in. x 8 in. x 3 ft. 2 in. 2 bolts f-in. x 34 in. I 2 pieces Bin. x 8 in. xlO ft. 4 bolts Jin. xlO in. J 2 pieces Bin. x 8 in. x 5 ft. 2 bolts \ in. x 18in. X 1 piece fl in. x 6 in. x I ft. I in. I shaft I j,: in. x I ',;": in. x 4 ft. 4 in. 1 piece I in. x ] \ in. x 5 ft. 2 clamps for shaft. 2 boxes 2 J in. x 8 in. x 2 in. bore. The above drawing and specification will, of course, require amendment to suit the gauge of our New Zealand colliery truck-roads, but with such an automatic appliance in use accidents could not happen by neglect to put the stop-block in position, and no tub could descend until the attendant pulled the lever. It would cost a little more to fix than the primitive block and bolt in use here, but would save life.