41 
employed for the purpose of effecting the removal of the ground, both in levels and shafts. A clever miner 
will take advantage (it may bo a limited one) of faces, joints, and lie of the ground, so as to minimize the 
number of the shot-holes and weight of explosive necessary. He will bore the shot-holes as deep as 
possible, or, in other words, as deep as the explosive is likely to produce a satisfactory result, so as to quicken 
speed and lessen the dead cost. He will seek to get out his cut or wedge in a part of the face where 
resistance is least, and acquaint himself fully with the mechanical conditions of the machines, and the 
stands to which they may bo attached. 
The general tendency of recent practice is to bring into use larger machines for boring; to increase 
the diameter of a part, if not of the whole of the shot-holes; to lessen the number of holes in a given area 
of rock, and to employ a greater proportion of dynamite per hole. 
ELECTRIC FIRING, ELECTRIC LIGHTING, ETC. 
From reports made to the Department by some of the Inspectors of Mines on 
these subjects, I make the following extracts:— 
Mr. Nicholas, the senior inspector (Castlemaine district), states that “ Electric 
firing of blasts was, some time ago, adopted at the Eaglehawk Union mine, Maldon. 
The manager, Mr. E. C. White, regarded it with favour, and he states that the only 
drawback to its general adoption was the necessity for educating the miners how to use 
the wires. When I inspected the method of electric lighting of the Ellenborougli 
Company’s mine, at Eaglehawk, 1 noted that, on the question of comparative cost, the 
electric light is cheaper than candles. I also noticed that the electric light possesses 
the special advantages of giving a pure, unvarying, strong light under the worst con¬ 
ceivable circumstances, such as on the surface in storms of wind or rain, underground 
in strong draughts, or in a sudden rush of air from an explosion, or other causes, in 
the wettest of wet mines, or in the impure atmosphere in which a candle will not keep 
alight. These are advantages of no common order, and, after consideration, I decided 
to recommend the introduction of electric lighting in all extensive mines, more 
especially in alluvial mines.” 
Mr. Grainger (Sandhurst) reports:—“Electric firing is used at the Shamrock 
Company, the Empire Amalgamated Company, Lansell’s No. 222 and No. 180 mines 
(Sandhurst),and at the Butter’s and Alabama Company’s mine, Heathcote. It answers 
well, and I consider it is one of the safest modes of firing. Electric lighting is used in 
the Ellenborougli and St. Mungo mines, Eaglehawk, and gives satisfaction.” 
In June last, Mr. G. W. Davis, of Eaglehawk, brought under notice a light for 
use in mines which consists in the substitution of kerosene oil for candles. For this 
purpose he has made brass tubes of the size and shape of a candle, which, when filled 
with oil and the wick in, are claimed to be air-tight, so that there is no danger of 
spilling, and the new lamps can he stuck up with a piece of clay in the same way as 
ordinary candles. The lamps hold a supply of oil sufficient for four hours and a half, 
and larger lamps will hold a shift’s supply. It is asserted that the oil used only costs 
a penny per shift, whereas candles cost fourpence per light per shift. The greatest 
advantage claimed for the new light is its resistance of water. Ordinary water 
drippings falling directly on the flame will not, it is said, put it out. Mr. Mining 
Inspector Grainger examined the light, but he does not report favorably of it. 
Although it is very much cheaper than candles, it is not so convenient to use, and 
miners have an objection to it on that account. It is, however, used in the engine- 
houses of a few of the mines. 
Mr. Stewart (Ballarat) states that he is not aware of any in 
electricity has been used for firing in his district. Electric lighting wa 
instance in which 
o o r as tried for some 
time at the Band ot Hope and Albion Consols Company’s mine, but was discontinued 
on account, it is said, of the expense. 
Respecting the economic results of electric firing, as compared with safety-fuse, 
Mi'. Hunt, the author of 13riti.sk Mining , quotes the opinion of a practical miner 
(M r. Joseph 1 hall), who states :—“ With safety-fuse the men have often to fire the centre- 
cut holes two or three times over, with electric fuse only once. The harder the g" r’ d 
the greater is the saving, consequent on the use of electric fuses. With safety-fuse, 
the whole number of holes can only he fired in three operations; with electric fuses, 
two operations are sufficient.” 
F 
