C.—2

Quarry Accidents The following is a summary of serious accidents during 1943 at quarries under the Stone-quarries Act:—

One fatal accident occurred in a North Island quarry during 1943, and there were two fatal accidents causing three deaths in South Island quarries. Of the three serious but non-fatal accidents which occurred during 1943, all were in North Island quarries. STATE AID TO MINING (1) Subsidized Prospecting A total sum of £43,043 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 £9,506. (2) Government Prospecting Drills During the year the Department's drills were hired out on six occasions to various companies and parties. 234 holes were drilled for a footage of 14,572 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 £621, as compared with £3,968 during the previous year. LEGISLATION AFFECTING METALLIFEROUS MINES There were no amendments to the Mining Act, 1926, during 1943, 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 Fatal. ; Serious. Killed. Haulage Machinery Explosives .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 1 4 1 Palls of ground .. .. .. .. .. . • •. 1 • • 1 Miscellaneous .. .. . . .. .. .. . • 1 • • 1 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 4 3