22G 



COALFIELDS AND COLLIERIES OF AUSTRALIA. 



skip lias passed. A block of wood is also used to throw skips 

 clear of the line in case of a break-away, as shown in Fig. 145. 

 The up-coming skip pushes the block on one side, but as soon 

 as the wheels have passed, a weight draws it back^ again across 

 the rail. On the down line a throw-off switch is worked by 

 means of a set of levers by the man at the brow of the incline. 



Fig 145 Throw off Switch. 



If he sees a skip running away, he turns a lever (Fig. 146), 

 which causes a block of wood to be placed across the outer rail ; 

 when the skip comes up to this, it is thrown off the line. Some- 

 times the manipulation of one lever is made to work two throw- 

 off switches, some distance apart ; the second one being used in 

 case the skip passed the first before it could be put into action. 





Fig. 146 Thow off Switch. 



The upper switch is not far from the brow of the incline, as a 

 skip is more likely to escape down hill before it is fastened to 

 the rope than it is to break away from the rope. 



No pumps are used at this colliery, in fact the mine being 

 dusty the haulage-ways have to be watered. This is done by 

 means of a water-tub, which is a closed-in water-tight tank 





