36 
EXPLOSIVES. 
Concerning the effectiveness of the various kinds of explosives and their 
relative safety and economy in use, there appears to he a considerable difference of 
opinion between the miners, mining managers, &c., in Victoria, and their confreres . in 
the mother country. In this colony the miners are almost unanimous in condemning 
the use of dynamite, on the ground that, although it enables the work to be done cheaper, 
the fumes arising from its use are most injurious to the health of the men. In England, 
on the contrary, mine owners and others assert that powder is more economical, but 
that the workmen prefer dynamite. For instance, Capt. Abraham James, of the South 
Frances mine (quoted in British Mining), says — “In this mine we use nothing but 
dynamite, not because we think it more economical than powder, but simply for want 
of good ventilation. The mine will be thoroughly ventilated in a few days; we shall 
then insist on the men using powder in many places where dynamite is used now. We 
consider we pay equally as much now for drivage as when no other explosive was 
used than powder. The workmen prefer dynamite because, in the first place, it is a 
little stronger; it requires no tamping, and makes less smoke. It is a boon to the 
workman, but little or no profit to the adventurer. In my opinion, powder for 
ordinary ground is by far the cheapest explosive.” 
Again, Sir Geo. M. Denys, Bart., of Richmond, Yorkshire, states— “ We 
have, of course, tried various kinds of gun-cotton, powder, and tonite, but prefer 
No. 2 dynamite to anything else, and use it almost entirely. In wet ground it is 
invaluable; it requires no tamping. It is safer than powder or cotton.” 
Mr. Ilort Iluxham, M.I.C.E., writes—“For penetrating the very hard 
silicious sandstone and other hard rocks, especially when heavily watered, the greatest 
economy and efficiency is arrived at when using a quick powerful explosive, such as 
dynamite, with bore-holes of small diameter. For shales and other soft ground the 
slower-acting explosives, gunpowder—used with bore-holes of larger diameter— are 
much superior to dynamite in effectiveness and economy; and for even the hardest 
coal the latter explosive is useless.” 
Mr. A. L. Stephenson, of Durham, says—“ My opinion is that gunpowder 
when used with safety-fuse, and supplied to the men in small cases or in cartridges, 
is the safest, but if carelessly used, or carried loose, or in bags (as was frequently the 
case some years ago), I think it more liable to accident than dynamite. If gunpowder 
be used in the form of a cartridge, with safety-fuse attached, and carefully rammed 
until a copper rammer, with dry clay or other like material, free from grit, there is, 
I believe, no safer explosive in the market. Dynamite, on the contrary, should lie 
used Avithout tamping of any description, other than Avater or fine sand, poured in 
loosely, so as to aA r oid the danger of concussion from tamping Avitli a rammer. . . . 
. . When dynamite is properly exploded, the amount of noxious gases given off 
is small, and by Avaiting a very short time the slight fumes are carried off by the 
ventilating current. If, hoAvever, dynamite is not thoroughly exploded and partly or 
Avholly burnt aAvay, the resulting nitrous gases are considerable in volume, and highly 
dangerous for the men to breathe. Fatal results have, from time to time, arisen from 
this cause, by the men returning before the fumes have cleared. In any unventilated 
pit or drift, or other confined working place, I should consider it dangerous for the 
men to return after an explosion of dynamite, without alloAving a considerable time to 
elapse.” (See “Noxious Fumes,” page 34.) “These,” says Mr. Hunt, “the results 
obtained by practical miners from the actual use of the various explosives named, are 
exceedingly valuable.” 
Towards the close of last year I requested several of the Inspectors of Mines, 
by circular, to state Avhat explosives Avere in most general use on the gold-fields, and 
I invited them to express their own opinions as to their respective merits. From the 
replies received, it appears that, in the Ballarat district, powder and dynamite are both 
in use, but chiefly poAvder; dynamite being only used in sinking hard wet shafts, or 
putting in A\ r et drives. The local inspector is of opinion that there is very little 
advantage in using dynamite excepting that it saves the time and labour of making 
cartridges for Avet holes, and is a little cheaper. The disadvantage connected Avitli its 
use is, he considers, the injurious effect on the miners’ health. In the Sandhurst 
