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The lease of a mining sett is co epso valid for 15 years, and may after the ex- 

 piration of that term be renewed ; on the other hand it may also be surrendered 

 before the expiration of the term. 



Abandoned mines must be guarded by fencing &c. in such a manner, that 

 there shall be no danger for the public. 



To engage foreign engineers, even to erect foreign machinery, requires a special 

 permission from the Mining Department. Contracts between holders of mines and 

 foreign engineers must be submitted to the Mining Department for its approval. 



The holder of a mine is under no circumstance permitted to grant a foreigner 

 any pecuniary interest, in the working of the mine ; nor is he under any 

 circumstances allowed to mortgage his mining lease or the future produce of the 

 mine to a foreigner. 



Transgressions of the last-named provisions give the Grovernment the right to 

 confiscate the mine. The structures on the surface, plant &n. may, however, be 

 removed by the proprietor. 



If the holder of a mine is unable to pay his taxes, royalty or fines, then the 

 Government may sell the plant aud buildiugs at public auction and after 

 retaining from the proceeds realized what is due to itself, hand the balance, if 

 any, to the owner. 



All mining operations are to be conducted in such a manner, that the small- 

 est possible amount of the valuable minerals, contained in the deposits, shall 

 be left unworked, and care must be taken, that the underground works do not 

 endanger houses, railways, castle-walls &c. If through infraction of this rule 

 injury be done, then the lessee of the mine shall pay double the amount of the 

 damage caused. 



It is permitted to drive general galleries of a certain area, and the mine- 

 owner, who does so, is entitled to recover from those mines, which thereby have 

 been relieved from their water, a compensation, the amount of which is to be 

 settled by amicable arraugement, or eventually by the Mining Department. 



As already said, this law has many points of contact with the mining laws of 

 European countries, from which it in the main differs in the strict mea- 

 sures, taken to prevent foreigners from becoming interested in mining, and also 

 by the total absence of mining-police regulations for the protection of the work- 

 men in the mine. The facts, that robbing, the prohibition notwithstanding, is 

 carried on in many mines, aud that the stipulated royalty of from G — '2(j°/ has 

 never been levied, show that the law is not strictly observed in all its points. 



In the above remarks we have considered the state of the mines aud mining 

 in Japan, and indicated the outlines of such technical reforms as are desirable ; 

 it now remains for us to examine, what general measures might still be taken 

 with the object of raising the mining industry in this country. 



