C.—2

STATE AID TO MINING (1) Subsidized Prospecting A total sum of £31,847 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 £13,842. (2) Government Prospecting Drills During the year the Department's drills were hired out on six occasions to various companies and parties. 33 holes were drilled for a footage of 12,928 ft. J (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 £5,752, as compared with £621 during the previous year. LEGISLATION AFFECTING METALLIFEROUS MINES AND QUARRIES Section 3 of the Mining Amendment Act, 1937, debars any person from being employed trucking, timbering, or winning ore in a level or place off a level unless there is at least one other person working in that level or place or other place off that level. Section 42 of the Statute Amendment Act, 1944, empowers an Inspector to grant complete or partial exemption to a mine from compliance with this provision. The Quarries Act, 1944, in which many new provisions are embodied, replaced the Stone-quarries Act, 1910, and which consequently was repealed. I have, &c., George Duggan, Inspecting Engineer of Mines.

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