1236 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [SEPT. 4

head viewer; while progress of their work must be
reported, at the termination of every shift, to the
head oversman, and by him to the mine manager or
head viewer.
16. The head oversman to examine the workings,
roadways, and air-courses thoroughly and minutely
every morning and evening, previous to allowing men
to enter, satisfying himself as to their safety; like-
wise to examine the state of the barometer, it being
provided for the purpose of showing when the pres-
sure of inflammable gas may, more or less, be expected,
particularly at the edge of the goaves in the broken
workings; giving in report of same work before
leaving the workings at night, he being the last man
to leave the pit or mine. To see the head viewer and
manager every night after the pit or mine has ceased
work, and to report to him the state of the workings of
the colliery, and to receive directions respecting the
same, and to see that a record of the barometer and
thermometer readings for the day has been correctly
recorded in the mine daily register, kept in the
Company's office on the works, in charge of the head
viewer and mine manager.
at the end of a shift, and especially when no work is
to be done in the colliery on the following day, care
must be taken by every workman closely to shut all
trap-doors, and thereby allow of the proper current
of air necessary for ventilation being coustantly cir-
culated, reporting at all times to the oversman should
they observe at any time stoppings injured, brattice
knocked down or broken, or any other thing where-
by the ventilation of the mine may be deranged or
obstructed, so that it may, with as little delay as
possible, be remedied.

BACK OVERSMAN.

17. The back oversman to have full charge of the
    pit or mine in the absence of the fore or head overs-
    man, exercising in everything the same authority and
    attention as the fore or head oversman whilst in the
    pit or mine.

18. To report to the fore or head oversman every
    night the state of the pit or mine, and what may have
    transpired during the day, whether of a usual or
    unusual nature. Not to leave the workings at night
    till all the oncost shift men, lads, and tonnage men
    have ridden, and to examine the main air-currents
    and the barometer last thing every night before
    leaving the pit or mine.

FIREMAN.

19. The fireman, when such is employed, shall
    exercise the duties laid down in Rule 16, with the
    exception that he will, before allowing the men to
    enter, report to the head oversman or back overs-
    man (whichever may be in charge, at a place on the
    bank or entrance to the pit or mine), as to the safety
    of the workings. He shall be the first man to enter
    and the last man to leave the mine, at the termina-
    tion of each shift, reporting at night in the same
    way as in the morning.

MISCELLANEOUS.

20. As a matter of common safety, colliers,
    drawers, and all other workmen in the colliery who
    shall observe or who shall come to know of any
    damage to, or deficiency in any road, roof, or air-
    course, or permanent or temporary brattice, or
    other appliances, or work devised for making, main-
    taining, and promoting the effective ventilation of
    the colliery, are to communicate such damage or
    deficiency to the underground manager or oversman,
    or other person in charge, so that the same may be
    forthwith repaired or rectified.

21. In like manner every collier, drawer, and
    other workman engaged in the colliery, who shall
    observe or come to know of any defect or flaw in the
    working machinery and gearing used in and about
    the colliery, whereby the efficiency thereof may be
    impaired, is to communicate the same as above.

22. No workman shall, on any pretence whatever,
    be allowed to introduce into the colliery any stranger
    without the sanction of the mine manager or head
    viewer.

23. Colliers, drawers, and all others in the colliery
    who shall have occasion to pass through any trap-
    door shall thereupon closely shut the same, and shall
    on no account leave it open. On discontinuing work

24. No hewer to commence working in any place
    until it has been inspected by the oversman or deputy,
    or some other authorized person.

25. No workman to commence or continue to work
    in any place where he may consider the timber in-
    sufficient to support the roof of the mine, or any
    other cause that may render the place unsafe, until
    it is put right by the deputy or other person in
    charge.

26. All workmen are especially forbidden to throw
    into, deposit, or leave coal, wood, stone, rubbish, or
    materials of any kind in any air-course or road, so as
    to interfere with or hinder the air passing into and
    through the colliery.

27. All workmen are prohibited from entering or
    remaining in any place throughout the whole colliery
    where not absolutely required by duty to be at the
    time.

28. Colliers and all others are prohibited from
    defacing or removing marks which may be made in
    any part of the workings for the guidance of the
    workmen in their operations. All workers are for-
    bidden to displace, injure, or damage in any way way the
    coal-stoops, props, hutches, rails, or any part of the
    machinery, gearing, or apparatus.

29. No shots to be fired by any workman until
    his place has previously been examined by the
    oversman or other officer in authority, and authority
    obtained to do so.

30. Meetings of colliers and other workmen in a
    body within the workings, or in any of the roads or
    air-courses of the colliery, are strictly prohibited.

31. No workman shall be permitted to enter or to
    continue in or about the colliery or works while in a
    state of intoxication. No intoxicating liquor on any
    pretence whatever to be taken on to the works.
    If any workman lose a shift through intoxication, he
    shall be subject, at the option of the Manager, to
    dismissal from the works, or to be taken before a
    Magistrate to be punished as provided by Part VI.
    of "The Regulation of Mines Act, 1874."

32. Colliers, drawers, putters, or other person or
    employed about or in the colliery are strictly
    forbidden to take or carry away from the colliery any
    coal, lumps, or otherwise. Any persons so doing
    subject themselves to immediate discharge from the
    works.

33. Any person who shall pull down, injure, or
    deface the rules hung up at any of the Company's
    collieries is liable to the penalties set down in
    rules 31 and 32.

34. A copy of these rules will be delivered to every
    worker, which he must attentively peruse, preserve,
    and return when ceasing to be employed at the
    colliery.

LASTLY.

35. The officers whose duties are above enumerated
    shall, at all times, report to the proper authorities
    any individual case of neglect or wilful disobedience
    to these rules, in order that the safe and proper
    working of the colliery may be duly maintained.

36. The violation of any of the foregoing special
    rules subjects the offender to dismissal from the
    works, or to be taken before a Magistrate to be