PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. Ixxxv 
was determined that the miners themselves should be examined as to 
their practical experience and knowledge. This has been carried out, 
and I believe there is not a coal miner working to-day, except perhaps 
in a few mines open only a few months in the winter, who is not the 
holder of a certificate. After a certain period of employment under 
ground as loader, driver, etc., he is permitted to assist in cutting coal. 
The miner, however, in charge of the place in which he works and 
assists, is the holder of a superior certificate secured by examination. 
These examinations and the issue of certificates is effected through local 
boards appointed at each colliery and paid by a small fee. 
These boards also examine applicants for the position of shot firers, 
These are men who are, under certain conditions of the mines, appointed 
to supervise the firing of the charges of gunpowder or other explosive 
used in blasting the coal. I may say these examinations of miners and 
shot firers are vivd voce, all the others being by written answers. 
While the business connected with these examinations has added 
materially to the work of the Inspector of Mines, it is a satisfaction to 
know that the results so far have been encouraging. The standard 
exacted from the candidates compares well with that required in other 
countries. The Government and people of Nova Scotia may feel pleased 
that in this respect we have gone ahead of other countries, and have 
made a successful attempt to place within the reach of every coal miner 
in the Province the means of his advance to a state of education, and 
an opportunity of fitting himself for responsible and _ respectable 
positions. 
While explosives are permitted in coal mines, and while work is 
necessary in dangerous atmospheres with lamps liable to accident, even 
with the greatest care in manufacture and use, so long must the recur- 
Tence of disasters be expected. I will not dweil upon this subject, but 
wish to point out that the mining authority of the Province has taken 
every -tep possible to minimise these dangers by its examinations of men 
and officials 
The thanks of the Institute were presented to the PresrpEnt for his 
interesting address. 
The report of the TREAsuRER was read and approved. The accounts 
had been audited by Messrs. Morton and O’Hearn and found correct. 
