C.—2

Quarry Accidents The. following is a summary of serious accidents during 1942 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act: —

Two fatal accidents occurred in North Island quarries and one in a South Island quarry during 1942. Of the seven serious but non-fatal accidents, all were in North Island quarries. Prosecutions Six convictions were obtained during 1942 against four quarry foremen in the North Island for breaches of the Stone-quarries Act and regulations. STATE AID TO MINING (1) Subsidized Prospecting During the year ended 31st March, 1943, individual gold prospectors were assisted from the Mines Department vote to the extent of £2,689. This sum includes all payments made in respect of subsidies, wages, and equipment connected with the Department's subsidized gold-mining scheme, but does not include salaries and allowances paid, to mining engineers and supervisors. The average number of men employed under the scheme was 62, but this scheme was discontinued on the 30th June, ■ 1942, except for a very few men in the Marlborough District, where the scheme was continued until the 27tli February, 1943. In addition, a total sum of £34,382 was advanced by way of subsidy, loan, or other form of financial assistance to companies and individuals engaged in prospecting and/or mining for gold, coal, and other minerals. The Department has also undertaken surveys, prospecting, mining and development work in selected areas at a cost of £4,562. (2) Government Prospecting Drills During the year the Department's drills were hired out on seven occasions to various companies and parties. Forty-one holes were drilled for a footage of 4,762 ft. (3) Subsidized Roads to Mining Areas The expenditure in the form of subsidies; and direct grants upon roads and tracks to mining areas amounted to £3,968, as compared with £1,283 during the previous year. LEGISLATION AFFECTING METALLIFEROUS MINES There were no amendments to the Mining Act, 1926, during 1942, nor were any of the regulations under that Act amended. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

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Number of Accidents. Number of Sufferers. Cause. j I . . Fatal. Serious. Killed. Ynj'S Haulage .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 1 • • 1 Machinery .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 ~ 1 Explosives .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 1 • • 1 Falls of ground .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 Miscellaneous .. .. .. . . . . . . . • I ■ • ' Totals ... .. .. .. .. 3 7 3 7 '