C—4.

(13.) That all boilers over ten years of age shall be subjected to an hydraulic test. (14.) That pawls and ratchet wheels shall be fitted to all mine windlasses (see Appendix No. 5). (15.) That windlasses or other suitable mechanical appliances shall be erected in stopes for the purpose of raising and lowering tools and timber (16.) After careful inquiry into the suitability of the code of shaft signals specified in the amended and additional regulations, dated the 6th September, 1911, Regulation 1 (sb), we are of opinion that such code can with advantage be improved upon, and would hereby submit, a code which is practically the same as that in use in the Commonwealth of Australia and the Transvaal. For signals between levels a system, hereinafter referred to as the "ward" system, is introduced; one ward shall be understood to consist of five consecutive levels in the one shaft: — Code of Signals for Coal and Metal Mines. 1 bell ... ... Stop or hold cage. 1 ~ ... ... Raise cage. 2 bells ... ... Lower cage. 3 ~ ... ... Men about to ascend. 4 ~ ... ... Change to hoist from a different level. 12 ~ ... ... Accident. In no case shall any person enter a cage or other conveyance until back signal, 3 bells, has been received. To meet local requirements additional signals may be used, but same must be approved by the Inspector of Mines. In addition to the ordinary winding signals the ward system must be used when ringing the cage from one level to another level. No. 1 Ward. Present No. No. of Level t. „ t> „ of Level. in No. 1 Ward. aelL ±sell - -1 ... 1 ... 1 • pause 1 2 ... 2 ... 1 ~ 2 3 ... 3 .... 3 ~ 3 4 ... 4 ... 1 ~ 4 5 ... 5 ... 1 ~ 5 No. 3 Ward. Present No. No. of Level - „ -on of Level. in No. 2 Ward. Bell - Bell - -6 ... 1 ... 2 „ 1 7 ... 2 ... 2 „ 2 And so on. When ringing the cage from a level to another level the number of the ward must be rung first, and then the number of the level in that ward. It must always be understood that there are men on the cage in the inter-level ngnals. 3. Miscellaneous. (1.) The Commission recommends that regulations be framed under the Mining Act and the Coal-mines Act providing for the supply and maintenance of ambulance appliances at mines, and is in favour of men being given facilities for practice with same; also that first-aid lectures be instituted in all mining centres. (2.) We also recommend that the constitution of the Court of inquiry (into accidents) be amended as follows : — The Warden, with one mine-manager and one representative of the miners as assessors, under both the Coal-mines and the Mining Act. 3—C. 4.

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