a—2,

42

(/) Prosecutions. There were four prosecutions by the District Inspectors during the year. On the 7th March the manager of a mine was prosecuted for being absent from the mine without having notified the Inspector, as provided in section 59 of the Coal-mines Act. The case was dismissed. On the 16th July a shot-firer was prosecuted and fined £3 and costs* for a breach of Regulation 228. On the 27th November two truckers were prosecuted and convicted for riding on trucks in contravention of Regulation 63. SECTION V.—LEGISLATION AFFECTING COAL-MINES. By regulations gazetted on the 2nd February, 1928, provision was made for keeping a better check on the issue of safety-lamps to workmen, on the issue of detonators and the number of miss-shots, and on the results of the examination of dust on roadways underground ; while a further amendment to the regulations provided for standard preparation of working-places prior to shot-firing. There was no amendment to the Coal-mines Act during the year. I desire again to acknowledge the efficient help and co-operation which I have received from the District Inspectors. Of particular interest is the work done in recent years towards getting methods of working adopted which would give greater safety and at the same time reduce the excessive loss of coal. I have remarked on this in previous years. In the reports of the District Inspectors for the past year details are given of what has so far been attained. The progress made is striking, though much still remains to be done. It is noteworthy that ill all cases the change of method, besides giving increased safety to the mine and a better percentage extraction of coal, has been accompanied by a reduction in the cost of production. Inspector 0. J. Davis resigned from the position of Inspector of the West Coast District to take up the position of manager of the Briandale Colliery. He was succeeded, by Mr. C. J. Strongman, who had been Inspector between 1923 and 1926. I have, &c., J. A. C. Bayne, Inspecting Engineer and Chief Inspector of Coal-mines.