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quantity of explosives used during 1906, and the estimated number of shots. these returns the following table has been compiled :

PERMITTED EXPLOSIVES.
TABLE (14).

From

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The total quantity of permitted explosives used during the year is, 371,651 pounds, the number of shots, 968,726. This is 25 lbs. less than in the previous year, but 46,393 more shots.

The total quantity of non-permitted explosives is, 61,982 pounds, the number of shots, 131,194. This is 23,490 pounds less than in the previous year but 4,503 more shots.

Personally, I do not attach much importance to the increase or decrease, it probably being affected by the amount of stone work, sinking, drifting, tunnels, &c. Unless the quantity used in the several classes of work were carefully recorded comparisons are of little value. In like manner as to the number of missed shots, I attach very little value to the estimating of the number of missed shots. Especially in connection with the use of detonators is it desirable that careful records be kept of the number of detonators given out, number used, number of missed shots, the recovery of the detonators from missed shots.

In illustration of this point, at the Wigan Coal & Iron Co.'s pits, where very careful record is kept of every missed shot; at the Eatocks pits, 2,060 shots, 4 missed fire, percentage 0.15; at the Hewlett pits, 7,330 shots, 4 missed, percentage 0.05; at the Priestners pits, 7,600 shots, 8 missed, percentage 0·11; at the Sovereign pits, 27,043 shots, 19 missed, percentage 0·07.

At the Bank Hall Colliery, Burnley, the estimated number of shots 2,000, missed fires 100, percentage 5.0.

It will probably suffice if from the returns some examples be given of results. (1) Ashton Moss, 26,648 shots, missed, percentage 0·09. Three detonators bad, could not be fired electrically.

(2) Bower 8,550 shots, 52 missed, percentage 0.61. Every detonator recovered. (3) Chanters (a) 10,933 shots, 18 missed, percentage 016.

5,197, missed 11.

(b) 2,659 shots, 8 missed, percentage 0.3.

In coal, \

In coal,

Low Tension

2,464, missed 2,
Gibfield 3,439 shots, 11 missed, percentage 0.32. In coal, 53,

missed 4.

battery.

(4) Chisnall (a) 33,340 shots, 112 missed fire, percentage 0.33 In coal, 34,696, 0.09 in stone, 6,241.

(b) 7,597

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(5) Clifton and Kersley 38,930 shots, 118 missed fire, percentage 0.3. Charge in coal 4 to 7 ounces, in stone 10 ounces.

(6)

Duxbury Park 37,479 shots, 24 missed fire, percentage 006. Account strictly kept, 22 detonators recovered, 2 not recovered.

(7) Hulton

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All the above were fired electrically.

(8) Bradford 46,970 shots, 213 missed fire, percentage 0,45

These fired by fuse with hot wire.

charge in coal 4 ounces, charge in stone 10

ounces.

The hydraulic cartridge is used at Hulton Collieries, Chequerbent, Bolton. In two mines working the Arley seam, 45,802 holes or applications of the wedge, shots they may be called, were recorded in 1906.

Safety lamps. In connection with the use of safety lamps I would observe that attention has been directed to the importance of seeing the lead rivets used to secure the top part of the lamp to the bottom part have a letter or other recognisable mark impressed on each side of the rivet. In the list of convictions for the year particulars are given of the conviction of a youth tampering with two lamps; this was detected at the lamp house. One of the additional special rules, No. 8, requires that the rivet have a letter or mark impressed thereon, in order that it may be discovered if the lead rivet has been tampered with. I have found that for convenience simple nippers are used sometimes; unless great care be taken these may not sufficiently impress the mark upon the rivet; the nippers should be sparingly used; in the lamp house and at relighting stations where

many lamps are relit, a good lever appliance should be used, then a really good impression can be made upon the lead, the lead rivets should be as large as possible. It is very necessary, in my opinion, that each person should deliver his own lamp to a responsible attendant in the lamp house; this attendant should at once examine the lamp and its rivet, letting the person who delivers the lamp see that this is always done. This may impress the users of the lamps that any tampering with the lamp may be detected. Some persons prefer a magnetic lock to secure safety lamps; no doubt it is better to make it impossible to open the lamp, but I remember 30 years ago at a mine where lamps were locked so as to require a magnet to open, the springs got so weak from constant use it was quite an easy matter to jolt the spring down and open the lamp. If magnetic locks are used the springs should be double and careful examination made to discard weak springs.

I find at some mines the Wolf relighting lamp is used by officials. I hold very strongly that the relighting of a damaged lamp requires close protection; that no attempt to relight a lamp should be made in gas or other than in pure air. The serious accident in France by which three mining engineers lost their lives should be fully considered. It is alleged that a piece of unconsumed phosphorus paste lodged in the upper part of the lamp, on the lamp being put into gas caused an explosion.

Coal dust.-Probably the most urgent matter before the mining world is that of the coal dust question. In this district at only a few mines have steps been taken to meet the danger. The prevention of dust arising may be said to be the first step, one step may be that of using such close-fitting tubs that small coal shall not be shaken on to the haulage roads; at some of the mines iron tubs are universally used, they are dry mines, very little corrosion of the iron takes place. At one mine the dust made in the screens which are close to the downcast shaft is collected by a small fan into a chamber, thus preventing the dust being taken into the mine; passing from screens where there is no attempt to collect the dust and where dense clouds of dust surround those working at the screens, to this mine where the dust is collected and where no dense clouds of dust are to be seen, one cannot but be struck by the greater comfort to those employed at the screens. At a new mine, the screens are placed 45 yards from the downcast shaft, in a completely covered over building, the diminution in the amount of dust descending the downcast shaft is most marked. Of course, where the surface configuration interferes with the screens being placed at some distance from the downcast shaft, it is still open to collect the dust.

At one mine elaborate arrangements for laying the dust by water are in operation; water pipes taken along the main haulage roads, having stand pipes for attaching hose there, so that water can be thrown on to the roof and sides. If this be regularly done, it may not involve such an amount of watering as to cause the roof or sides to fall.

Dustless spaces or zones have not yet been established in any mine; probably we shall soon have one of our advanced owners or mining engineers showing us what can be done in this direction.

In August last I found at one of the mines of the Astley and Tyldesley Collieries, Limited, when investigating an accident from fall of roof, by which four persons were injured, the fall had occurred on a main haulage road, 150 yards from the downcast shaft. The men were engaged charging a hole with explosive, a shot was about to be fired in the stone which fell upon the men. It was 11 a.m., a number of men were at work in the vicinity. The roadway contained much of the finest coal dust. The mine is the Trencherbone, one of the most fiery in the district. True, there was a tub containing water close by, and probably the water would have been splashed about. The explosive to be used was ammonite, a permitted explosive. If I could have my way, such a shot as is here described would not be fired until the manager himself had seen the place, and seen that all the conditions which the Coal Mines Act, in addition to the Explosives in Coal Mines Order require, were observed, had this been done no attempt would have been made to place a shot in such conditions.

Ankylostomiasis.-In connection with the precautions to be taken to improve the sanitary conditions of the roadways in mines, I am pleased to say that at a number of mines pails are used to deposit excrement in, and that these are regularly emptied. In other places proper sanitary conveniences are established, regularly emptied, kept in cleanly order.

I have been struck by an article in the "Medical Journal" for August 18th, 1906. "Ankylostomiasis in Porto Rico.-The widespread prevalence of ankylostomiasis is now a matter of common knowledge. Apart from the Arctic countries, it may be said to be practically world-wide in its distribution. But, common as it is in many places, especially in warm

countries, it is probable that few parts of the world are more affected than Porto Rico, where some six or seven thousand persons are annually carried off by the so-called island anæmia. The Commission for the Suppression of Anaemia, as it is entitled, originally started in 1904, showed by its investigations that the task in hand was far more formidable than supposed, accordingly a fresh grant was made by the island Government in March last year, and thereafter the Commission carried on its operations on more extended lines. The results, which have recently been published, are sufficiently instructive to be summarized here. The disease (which the American medical officers prefer to term "uncinariasis ") is due to the new-world form of the parasite, known as Ankylostoma duodenale var. americanum of Styles. Though found all over the island, it is most prevalent in the mountainous interior. Here accordingly, at Aibonito, was established the central station for the campaign, while ten sub-stations served the districts most in need of assistance. It was thought advisable for the doctor to take the patient into his confidence, and in pursuance of this idea the latter was shown specimens of the parasite, told how he contracted the malady, and instructed as to the avoidance of re-infection. Pamphlets were distributed everywhere by the police to the same effect, and the construction of proper latrines was strongly counselled to all. In the part where the work was chiefly carried on negroes were not very numerous, but the race becomes just as heavily infected as the whites and half-breeds, though possessing a relative immunity to the effects of the parasite. The tables show that of the 18,865 persons treated, 14,661 were whites, 3,340 mulattos, and 682 negroes. With regard to age, 72 per cent. were persons under 30 years of age. Some 16,300 were practically cured and 67 died, but in the latter death was often due to concurrent maladies. The Commission concludes that at least 99 per cent. of those affected contracted the disease from the direct penetration of the skin by the parasite while the barefooted labourer is in contact with soil loaded with the larvæ, in other words that "mazamorra," or ground-itch, is the invariable precursor of the malady. Only 4 per cent. of those treated denied having suffered from it, and no doubt some of these either forgot the circumstance or did not wish to mention it. The coffee plantations, shady and moist, are described as offering the most suitable conditions for the hatching and preservation of the larvæ, and they and the hut surroundings were found to be the cause of mazamorra infection in 12,759 cases. Drying is far more destructive to the ova than to the fully developed larvæ, and the latter thrive exceedingly in decaying vegetation, especially in the rotting banana stalks and leaves. Coffee picking generally goes on during the rainy season, and this increase of moisture constitutes, of course, an added source of danger. The Commission dwells upon the necessity of making the owners of all plantations responsible for the construction of proper latrines. Out of the 1,000,000 inhabitants of the island no less

than 800,000 are believed to be affected, and from year to year things are getting steadily worse. It is recommended that there be established seven central stations, ten sub-stations, and twenty dispensaries, which, with a proper staff of medical men and sanitary inspectors, would entail the expenditure of about £20,000 annually."

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REPORT UNDER THE METALLIFEROUS MINES
REGULATION ACTS.

SECTION I.

PERSONS EMPLOYED.

NORTH and EAST LANCASHIRE (except the detached part).

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