C—2

MINING AND QUAERY ACCIDENTS Fatal and serious accidents in the mining industry during the year 1948 were :

MINING PRIVILEGES The following table shows the numbers and descriptions of mining privileges granted through the Warden's Court during 1948, 1947, and 1946 :

LEGISLATION The Coal Act, 1948, in addition to amending the Coal-mines Act, 1925, provides for the acquisition by the Crown of the property in all unworked coal. All privately-owned coal existing on or below the surface of any land is declared to be the property of the Crown. The Act makes provision for compensation to be paid for privately-owned coal and sets up a Coal Valuation Commission for this purpose. In addition, Part 111 of the Act provides that certificates of title may be issued to His Majesty, that the Minister may generate and supply electrical energy, and that the Minister may acquire and dispose of shares or stock in companies. The Mining Amendment Act, 1948, contains provisions fixing the royalty on mineral licences by weight or quantity, restricting the right of renewal of mining licences, determining hours of work underground not to exceed seven hours a day, and restricting employment of youths underground. The Westport Coal Company Act, 1948, provides for the vesting in the Crown of the assets of the company and for the dissolution of the company.

29

— Men Killed. Men Seriously Injured. Men Ordinarily Employed. Coal-mines Metal mines Quarries 5 39 1 2 5,582 1,058 2,215 Totals 5 42 8,855

— 1948. 1947. 1946. Claims 33 30 23 Prospecting licences 134 62 83 Water rights 25 38 22 -Residence sites 61 56 29 Mineral licences 12 7 8 Miscellaneous 7 13 10 Totals 272 206 175