18 
Mr. Inspector Charles Stewart (Ballarat) reports :— 
Tlie amended Act lias now been in force twelve months, and, so far, it lias been most beneficial. I 
am pleased to say that mining managers generally show a willingness to assist in carrying out its provisions, 
the greatest trouble being witli co-operative parties of working miners, the men for whose especial benefit 
the Act was passed, but who are the least inclined to comply with its provisions. While the Mining De¬ 
partment is doing everything possible to make the miner's life less hazardous, many of the latter show a 
great indifference to their own safety, as is plainly shown by the number of preventive accidents which are 
continually occurring. 
At the commencement of the year, having been supplied by the department with copies of the 
Amended Act, I distributed them gratuitously amongst mining companies throughout my district, more 
particularly amongst small parties of working men. I also marked and explained those rules which would 
most directly affect themselves. The value of this is clearly shown by the small number of accidents 
occurring amongst this class of miners. 
Safety Appliances .— During the past year safety cages have proved their usefulness by the saving 
of a large amount of valuable property, and my experience of their value convinces me that they should be 
retained in use and kept in good order. I am sorry to say, however, that there are a number of cages in 
use called “ safety ” cages, but which are perfectly useless, either to save life or property, and at present 
legislative power is wanting to condemn all such useless articles. 
Self-acting Catches .—The usefulness of these appliances between the brace and poppet-heads has 
proved the wisdom of their compulsory adoption. I have known several cases of overwinding, when the 
detaching hook having acted, the cage was perfectly safe and no damage resulted. These catches are par¬ 
ticularly valuable with some makes of cages, especially Pryor’s. I would here suggest that all safety 
hooks attached to cages should be so constructed as to suspend the cage after slipping the rope, thus giving 
additional security in cases of overwinding. There are three such hooks at present working in my district, 
viz.: —Middleton's, Williams’, and Humble and King’s. The fallacy that ropes are neglected in con¬ 
sequence of the use of safety cages is not borne out by facts, for there has not been one case of ropo 
breaking (i.e> 9 through actual wear) in my district during the past year. 
Boilers . — The enforcement of the clause relating to the testing of boilers lias been beneficial, as it 
Las been the means of several old ones being condemned. 
Ventilation. — Throughout the mines in this district the ventilation is generally good, but where the 
natural ventilation is not sufficient. Root’s blowers are coming into general use, and proving a valuable 
addition to our raining appliances. 
Flooding. —Early in the year, the water in the New Australasian Company’s mine suddenly stopped 
running from the old ground in the No. 1 claim, causing very great uneasiness. The men were all withdrawn 
from the mine except a sufficient number to construct escape drives. It remained stopped for fen days, 
breaking away again at its old running place, and it has continued running steadily ever since. Nothing was 
left undone by the company to ensure the safety of the men, who have now escape drives, placing them beyond 
the reach of danger. The New Golden Belt Company’s mine, at Springdallali, lias been several times 
flooded, and, from the dangerous position of the men, it was considered advisable to direct the company to 
construct an escape drive, but, on their showing no inclination to do so, an Order in Council was passed in 
August last to enforce its construction. Even in the face of this, the company have, under various pre¬ 
tences, systematically evaded the order; but the Department of Mines has now finally and positively 
given them instructions to at once carry out the work. 
Prosecutions. — I am pleased to say I have had but few occasions to resort to the police court to 
enforce compliance with the Act. Mining managers, as a rule, are now willing to carry out any reasonable 
suggestions I may make to them, and to co-operate generally with mo in carrying out the duties of my 
office. It only requires the miners themselves to exercise a little more care in pursuing their arduous 
avocation to ensure the number of accidents being reduced to a minimum. 
Blasting.— In connexion with blasting operations carried on in mines, a total disregard to lhe pro¬ 
visions of the Act is often shown by miners, especially in returning to boles supposed to have missed fire 
before the expiration of the time allowed by the Act, viz., one hour. Although numbers of miners have 
lost their lives, and many have been rendered totally blind or are otherwise maimed, it does not appear to 
have the effect of deterring others from continuing the practice, as witness four accidents from this cause 
during last year in this one district alone. The first of these was in April last, at the New North Clunes 
mine, thet result being the almost total blindness of the sufferer. Three others occurred during the month 
of October; in one of these the eyes were also completely destroyed, besides other injuries, and in the other 
two cases the Mining Department prosecuted the sufferers, as their injuries were not severe. It is as well 
that the miners should understand that in all such cases prosecutions will take place, unless they are very 
seriously injured, and I have requested mining managers to report to me every case of neglect on the part of 
their employes. 
Additional Inspector.— Through the appointment of an additional inspector, the department has 
relieved me to such an extent (by taking Blackwood and Ararat out of my district) that I shall be able to 
make at least one additional visit to every mine during the year. 
Suspensions of Work. —Very few mines have stopped during the past twelve months; but several 
shafts previously abandoned have been taken possession of and mining operations carried on by co-operative 
companies. This shows the value of general rule 36 of section 8 of the Act, in not allowing any shaf ts to 
be destroyed without the consent of the Minister of Mines. Applications, which have been°wisely refused 
■were made for permission to draw slabs from some of these shafts now being successfully and profitably 
worked. 
In conclusion, I may say that nothing of any serious importance has occurred during the year calling 
for special attention. Everything in connexion with the mines in this district in in fair condition and 
with careful attention, by all parties, to the proper aud faithful carrying out of their respective duties 
accidents should be few in future. 
