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Further on they say, — Watering as a means of preventing coaldust explosions has been practised in some mines in this country for a large number of years, and has generally been considered, where practicable, the most effective method of dealing with the danger. We recommend — (1.) That the use ot.' water should be compulsory in all ways in a dry and dusty mine where the dust cannot otherwise be conveniently removed, with the proviso for an exemption for return airways. (2.) That the provisions of section 6 of the British Statutory Rules and Orders of the Explosives in Coal-mines Order of the 17th December, 1906, be incorporated in the New Zealand statute, namely : — 6. In this order the term " permitted explosives'' means such explosives as are named and defined in the First Schedule hereto, and the term " permitted igniter fuse " means such igniter fuses as are named and denned in the Second Schedule hereto : Provided that, where the composition, quality. or character of any explosive or any igniter fuse is defined in such schedules, any article alleged to be such explosive or such igniter fu.se which differs therefrom in composition, quality, or character, whether by reason of deterioration or otherwise, shall not be deemed to be the explosive or igniter fuse so defined : Provided further that an owner, agent, or manager shall not be iesponsible for the composition, quality, or character of an explosive or igniter fuse if he shows that he has in good faith obtained a written certificate from the makei , of the explosive or igniter fuse that it complies with the terms of the schedule, and that he has taken all reasonable means to prevent deterioration of the explosive or igniter fuse while stored. (3.) That only " permitted explosives " of the British schedule for the time being be allowed in (i) pillar-workings where safety-lamps are compulsory, and (ii) in coal-mines where firedamp has been found within the preceding three months. (4.) That such permitted explosives shall only be fired by safety igniters, or, provided that inflammable gas in the air-currents in the place of firing or part of the ventilating district of the mine does not amount to one-half of one per cent., then electric exploders may be used. (5.) That sections 32, 33, and 34 of the British Coal-mines Act be adopted, mutatis mutandis, viz. : — 32. (1.) No lamp or light other than a locked safety-lamp shall be allowed or used— (a.) Tn am' seam where the air-current in the return airway from any ventilating district in the seam is found normally to contain more than one-half per cent, of inflammable gas • (6.) In any seam (except in the main intake airways within two hundred yards from the shaft) in which an explosion of inflammable gas causing any personal injury whatever has occurred within the previous twelve months, unless an exemption be given by the Minister on the ground that on account of the special character of the mine the use of safety-lamps is not required : (c.) In any place in a mine in which there is likely to be any such quantity of inflammable gas as to render the use of naked lights dangerous : (d.) In any working apmoaching near a place in which there is likely to be an accumulation of inflammable gas : (c.) In any place where the use of safety-lamps is required by the regulations of the mine. (2.) Where, in pursuance of the Coal-mines Act, or the Special Rules, or the Additional Special Rules, the use of safety-lamps has been introduced in any part of a ventilating district, it shall not be lawful to use naked lights in any other part of the same ventilating district situated between the place where such lamps are used and the return airway, except when the use of safety-lamps in that part of the district was introduced as a temporary precaution, and the conditions are not such as to render necessary the introduction of the use of safety-lamps throughout the district. (3.) Where, in pursuance of the Coal-mines Act, or the Special Rules, or the Additional Special Rules, the use of safety-lamps has been introduced otherwise than as a temporary precaution against apprehended danger in any part of a mine, no lamp or light other than a safety-lamp shall subsequently

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