C—4c

12

headstocks are very insecure, being attached with a guy-rope to a stump on tlie hill, to make tip for insufficient backstays. On the 6th January last I wrote to the legal and mine managers. 3. Energetic Quartz-mine. —-Abandoned. 4. Wealth of Nations Quartz-mine. —This old-established claim, which formerly paid so well, has of late years done very little. At the time of my last visit only three men were employed below-ground—sinking a winze from a level about 30ft. above the water-wheel. Everything was in first-class order, but no weekly report was kept. On the 18th of .December I addressed a letter to Mr. Watson requesting him to observe this rule, and subsequently a copy was sent to the legal manager. 5. Keep It Dark Quartz-mine. —This mine, which still keeps in the foremost rank as a gold-producing concern, was visited on the 25th November, 1885, when stoping was going on above the No. 2 Level. The shaft was well fenced, and the cages covered. Special Rules were distributed, but not posted up ; weekly report kept; air and timber good; an indicator on the wheel, as required by General Rule 15, but there was no signal down the shaft, neither was there a board with the signals painted on, nor a plan at the mine. On the sth December last I wrote to the legal and mine managers, giving them notice to observe those points which were neglected. 6. Golden Point Quartz-mine. —Not at work. 7. Globe Quartz-mine. —On the 25th November, 1885, the shaft was not fenced, but the manager (Mr. McCallum, who had been recently appointed) had the fence nearly ready to put on. In most other respects the law seemed to be observed, though the portions relating to Special and General Rules had received insufficient attention. On the 6th January notices were sent to the managers. 8. Oriental Quartz-mine.— -Not at work. 9. Welcome Quartz-mine. —21-th November, 1885.—The No. 8 Level, which is the lowest point yet reached in this claim, is 600ft. below the entrance at No. 6 Level, and I,looft. below the surface. The mine seemed, at the above date, to be carefully worked ; and the report and plan were up to date. The shaft, however, requires sliding-gates, and the cage was uncovered. Mr. Rooney stated that the cage-covers were being overhauled. Ventilation for the workings is provided by the air-compressor; but the engine-house is still excessively hot. Dynamite was taken down in 5-pound tins. On the sth and 6th January I wrote to the mining and legal managers, requesting attention to the requisite portions of the Act. 10. Fiery Cross Extended Quartz-mine. —On the 24th November I was at this mine, and inspected the surface arrangements, finding the shaft fenced, but no cover on the cage; neither was the weekly report kept. New head-gear had been erected, but no signal had been fitted down the shaft. Therefore, on the 7th January I wrote to the managers on these subjects. li. Hopeful Extended Quartz-mine Tribute. —Not visited on this occasion. 12. Eureka Extended Quartz-mine. —Not worked. 13. Just in Time Quartz-mine. —On reference to my report of 23rd October last you will observe that the manager of this mine had almost entirely neglected to observe the law. When, therefore, on the 21st of November, it appeared that absolutely nothing had been done to bring about a better condition of affairs, I came to the conclusion that, unless the authoritv of the department was to be entirely abrogated, it would be necessary to take some decisive steps for the purpose of proving to Mr. Wilson that he was amenable to the law of the colony. The condition of the mine was as follows : The shaft was not fenced; no indicator on the engine; no weekly report; no plan on the works; no board of signals up ; no cover on the cage (the covers were lying beside the safety-hooks, rusting, on the brace); no General Rules up, and Special Rules not properly distributed. In the main drive, close to all passing trucks, was a box containing between 40lb. and 501b. of dynamite, and within a few feet two boxes of detonators, one intact and the other just begun, and uncovered. A dynamite-tin in the mine had been used for carrying water to the face. As you will see, there were many points on which informations could have been laid ; but I chose the following: (1) General Rule 6, re fencing of shaft; (2) General Rule 11, re cover to cage ; (3) General Rule 2 (b), re explosives; (4) General Rule 2 (c), re explosives; (5) General Rule 23, re weekly report. And, on the defendant's pleading guilty to the first four, I withdrew the fifth. These prosecutions were not undertaken with any idea of severely punishing the defendant, but merely to teach him—as he appears unable to learn by himself—that " The Regulation of Mines Act, 1874," is a law which cannot be persistently disregarded with impunity. As my solicitor was instructed to ask for a small penalty, the Resident Magistrate inflicted in each case a fine of 55.; costs of Court, lls.; and solicitor's fee, 10s. 6d. I have reason to believe that the effect will be very salutary. At the time of my visit an uprise was being constructed to connect with a winze from an upper level, in which, and in workings adjoining which, was a large body of water. I considered that driving from below, or even boring, would be attended with some danger, and the mine-manager expressed concurrence with this view. On the 14th December, therefore, I telegraphed on this subject, and on the 6th January wrote a letter giving notice to observe the Act in every particular. The newspapers now state that the winze is being baled out. 14. Reform (late Imperial) Quartz-mine. —This claim is under the same management as No. 13, and it is hardly necessary to say that the law was practically disregarded. The air at