H.—ll

18

good, and air good. A boy, aged twelve years, was engaged above ground driving a horse, and worked eight hours every day, including Saturdays. Twenty-seven men were at work below ground and eleven over. Dynamite taken down in original 5-lb. packages. At that time new ladders were being made, and were to be properly put in ; but the place required a thorough overhaul, and on the 21st November I wrote to Mr. Wise, the legal manager, enclosing a copy of the Act, and, as to a general review of the requirements thereof, adding : " Your shaft, not being by any means adapted for a permanency, will require some attention, and I should be glad to hear from you what course the company intend to pursue with regard to it—whether to retimber the old winze, sink a new shaft, or make other arrangements. I am anxious not to unduly press your company, but at the same time cannot regard the present arrangement as at all satisfactory or conducive to safety." The " other arrangements " alluded to were a project for joining the Just-in-Time Company at the shaft described in the report on that mine. On the 7th January, 1883, I telegraphed from Dunedin, asking how Hall was, and what was to be done with the old shaft. On the 10th Mr. Wise replied that the only work then going on was for the purpose of securing the mine, that negotiations were proceeding with the Just-in-Time Company for joint use of the new shaft, and that Hall died on the 16th December, 1882. There was no inquest. lam not acquained with the law of inquests in the colony, but it seems an extraordinary thing that one law—the Eegulation of Mines Act —should make such careful and exact provisions for carrying on inquests in mining cases, and that, as is usually the case, no inquiry should be held. Within the last seven months four fatal accidents in or about mines have occurred, and there has been no public inquiry. One was at Westport, one at Eeefton, one at Lovell's Mat, and the other at Shag Point. In the first case (an account of which will be found in the Eeport on Coal Mines) I was unfortunately present, and desired no inquiry ; in the second case the man's death was no doubt due in some measure to defective plant; in the third case, reported elsewhere, an inquiry would have probably done but little good ; in the last case I have not the slightest idea what could have prevented it, except the fear that a rational jury might bring in a verdict adverse to the incline-man. Last year I had to report that three fatal coalmining accidents had not been reported by the Coroner, and that two of them, where strict investigation was most necessary, had been unattended by an inspector. This year the case stands thus : In the case of two fatal coal-mining accidents, one fatal quartz-mining accident, and one on coal-mining premises, there has been no public inquiry. The fact is to be much deplored, as, so far as I can see, this is much the best way of arriving at a knowledge of attendant circumstances. These remarks do not belong particularly to the report on this mine, but I desire to make them, and may as well do so here. 15. Hopeful Extended Quartz Mine. —(2oth November, 1882.) —This is an old mine, recommenced about three months before my visit. The Welcome No. 5 level is used, and about 400 feet in. Stoping was being carried on. Six men were employed below ground and four above. As the Act was not observed, I explained it, and on the 15th January, 1883, sent the usual notices. 16. Caledonian Quartz Mine. —(22hd November, 1882.) —This is an old and formerly rich claim, which in November last was only prospecting. The arrangements of the shaft, &c, are as follow : Shaft, 8 feet by 4 feet (divided into three), and 180 feet deep. Water-wheel, 22 feet diameter and 3 feet wide, working the winding-drum (which is 3 feet diameter) with a band. Eope steel wire. The ladders are sloping for 36 feet, and then vertical for 43 feet. At this point is a landing, but no platform, and there is not 6 inches foothold; besides which, the ladders are not in good repair. Four men only are employed. Pumps, worked by the same water-wheel, are 8-inch barrel and 3-foot stroke. Shaft unfenced. The drive, which extended 700 feet to the south, through very hard ground, was ventilated by water-pressure, and the air was good. Dynamite taken down in original 5-lb. packages. No signal up the shaft or cover on the tub, but in future no men will be raised in the latter. A section was at the mine, but no ground-plan. I went over the Act with Mr. Edwards, the mine manager, and subsequently sent the usual notices. 17. United Victory Quartz Mine. —(Ist December, 1882.) —This mine is at New Creek, near the Lyell, in a very inaccessible locality. The reef is very thin, in hard ground. Act not observed. Air good, except in No. 1 south level. Thirty-two men are employed stoping, 2 underground captains of shift; total below, 34; above 2, and 6at battery ; total, 8; grand total, 42. Timbering good, but ladders not so. Dynamite taken in in 5-lb. packages. The mine is worked by levels. Talked over Act with Mr. Bray, mine manager, and sent usual notices. Special Eules. In November and December, 1882, while at Eeefton, I made arrangements for establishing special rules for the quartz mines. The method adopted was this: A draft set of rules was laid before several meetings of mining managers, two of whom (Messrs. Trennery and Watson) were appointed to confer with me with a view to coming to an agreement. Mr. W. Faler acted ably as secretary, and to his assistance is due, in a great measure, the satisfactory result of our negotiations. After minor differences of opinion had been removed, I met the whole of the managers, who, after the rules had been carefully considered, unanimously decided to adopt what may, I venture to think, be considered a very good set of special rules. In March, however, you informed me that several companies had not yet sent up copies for approval, and on arriving in Eeefton found that there existed a certain amount of anxiety on the part of directors lest the adoption of these rules should le^ theminto additional and unnecessary expense. The mention of "chamberman, engineman, braceman," &c, in mines where no person was employed solely for such duties had given rise to a not unnatural impression that special appointments would be necessary. This had been, however, provided for by Eule 52 : "In case of any of the duties denned by these rules being temporarily performed by any person not specially appointed thereto, the said person shall be subject to these rules in like manner as if he were specially appointed." After a little further negotiation the matter was left in what appeared to be a satisfactory condition; but, in order'to insure rules of some ,sort being forwarded (in. case any company were still unwilling to adopt the set referred to), I sent,