Oct. 30.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 1533

Manager.

21. The mining manager must see that the signals for moving the cages are painted upon a board, and placed in a conspicuous position.

Underground Workmen.

22. During the time of the mine-drawing every person in descending the shaft shall be under the direction of the braceman, who shall, subject to the manager’s directions, have full control over all persons employed under him, and in ascending shall be under the directions of the chamberman, who shall, subject to the manager’s directions, have full control over all persons under him, and no other person than the braceman and the chamberman shall give any signals during such time. No person shall get on or off the cage after the signal to go on has been given, nor until it has settled on the bearers or reached the bottom. No person shall take with him down or up the shaft tools, rails, props, sprags, or other bulky material, except for repairing the shaft. No person shall get on the cage after the numbers stated on the board at the pit top and bottom are on. Every miner and boy shall leave the cage immediately when ordered to do so by the braceman or chamberman. No person under the age of eighteen years shall have charge over the pit top or bottom.

Braceman and Chamberman.

23. The braceman or other appointed person shall be at the mine at the appointed time, and shall provide a sufficient number of lights on the bank; and shall before the engine is started, and from time to time during the day, see that the pulleys, ropes, cages, chains, and landing doors or frames are in safe working condition; and he shall not allow any person to descend the shaft until he has put the loaded tubs into the cage, and the ropes and the loaded cages have been run up and down the shaft, and the ropes, chains, cappings, and cages carefully examined by him. If any weakness or defect is found in anything belonging to the pit-top, or in the engine or machinery, he must not permit any person to descend or ascend until it is made secure. The braceman shall also attend to the proper signals.

24. The braceman in charge of the pit-top shall not let a stranger go down the shaft without the authority of the manager. The braceman, when he is informed of danger in the shaft, shall not allow any person to go down unless for the purpose of repairing the shaft. He shall not allow any intoxicated person to descend, or to come on to the brace. He shall himself give the signals, and let no other than appointed persons land the trucks or tubs, or put them into the cages. He shall listen at the pit-top when any person is in the shaft, and instantly signal the engineman to stop the engine in case of alarm. He shall remain at the pit-top until all the men and boys are drawn out, except in cases where a proper ladder-way or other means of exit is available.

25. The braceman or chamberman shall not let a boy under sixteen years of age go down or up the shaft unless accompanied by a man, and shall not permit more than the number of persons stated on the board at the pit top and bottom to descend or ascend at one time. The braceman or chamberman shall not allow a person to go down or up against a loaded cage in the same shaft unless it is centred, and shall not allow any person to take with him rails, props, sprags, tools, tubs, or other bulky materials, or to get on or off the cage until it has settled upon the bearers or reached the pit-bottom. The braceman shall send all tools down the shaft in a tub or tram, and props, rails, and other bulky materials shall be tied securely to the cage or rope by the braceman or chamberman when being sent down or up the shaft. If a rope is working in the shaft for underground planes, no person shall ride in the cage whilst this is running unless the rope be cased.

26. The braceman shall see that the fencing is placed securely round the top of every shaft under his charge when it is not at work, and shall keep the cages and the pit-top clear.

27. The chamberman shall be in the mine at the appointed time. He shall be at his station to give signals and perform his other duties under these rules; and he shall, when required, remain there to see the men and boys all safely into the cage and up the shaft at the close of the shift.

28. The chamberman shall report to the manager any person that gives a signal or disobeys his directions. He shall remain at the bell-handle and give cautionary signals, if necessary, when any person ascends or descends the shaft. He shall allow appointed persons only to put tubs into or take them out of the cages.

29. The chamberman shall see that the water-sump or well is never uncovered when any person is ascending or descending the shaft.

30. The braceman and chamberman shall alone give the signals for moving the cages, which are as follows:—

Signals.

When the cage is to be raised from the pit-bottom the bell is to be struck .. Once.

When men are about to ascend.. .. Three times.

Which the braceman shall answer before men get on to the cage .. .. Once.

When men are about to descend the braceman shall signal .. .. .. Three times.

Which the chamberman shall answer by signalling .. .. .. Once.

When men are ready, the signal to go on.. Once.

To stop the cage .. .. .. Once.

To lower down the cage .. .. Twice.

To raise up after being stopped .. .. Four times.

To call attention of braceman that cage is wanted in any other level .. .. Five times.

Which the braceman shall answer by .. One knock.

After five knocks and a pause the number of knocks shall indicate the level where cage is wanted, as follows:—

Cage wanted in No. 1 level .. .. Once.

" No. 2 " .. .. Twice.

" No. 3 " .. .. Three times.

" No. 4 " .. .. Four times.

" No. 5 " .. .. Five times.

" No. 6 " .. .. Six times.

Adding one knock for each additional level.

31. The braceman and chamberman shall not allow any person to ride on the cage without the cover, unless by special permission.

32. The following special rules shall be in force at any mine where engines worked by steam or other mechanical power are used:—

Engineer.

33. The engineer or some competent person shall daily inspect the engines, boilers, steam-gauges, water-gauges, feed-pumps, safety-valves, indicators, brakes, drums, ropes, chains, cages, and all other machinery used for the purpose of raising men or materials from the mine, and shall cause the same to be in a state of efficient repair.

34. The mining manager or some competent person appointed must daily examine the state of the shaft by which persons ascend or descend, and the guides and conductors therein.

35. The mining manager or some competent person appointed shall see that the bells and signals required by this Act are fixed and maintained in working order, and that the engineman understands the code of signals.

36. The mining manager or some competent person shall see that every cage used for the purpose of raising and lowering persons in the shaft shall have a proper covering overhead.

37. The engineer or some competent person shall see that all ropes are carefully attached to the drum, and when the cage is at the pit-bottom there must not be less than two rounds of rope on the drum, and shall report any breakage or derangement of machinery to the manager.

38. The engineer or other competent person appointed shall see that each boiler is laid off and cleaned when required. He shall make a careful examination of the same and all its connections, and not allow it to work unless in good working order.

39. The engineer shall see that every fly-wheel, and all exposed and dangerous parts of the machinery, shall be securely fenced.

40. When a winding-shaft rope requires capping or splicing, it shall be done under the direction of the engineer or a competent person appointed by the manager.

41. Each engineman shall, every morning before commencing work, examine his engine and all the machinery connected therewith, and immediately report any defect to the manager or engineer.

42. The engineman must run the ropes and loaded cages slowly up and down the pit before any person ascends or descends.

43. No one shall interfere with the engine except the engineman. He shall at all times gently lift the cage from the pit-bottom, and carefully drive the engine, and not leave the handle whilst persons are in the shaft, and shall not allow any person to remain in the enginehouse. He shall pay particular attention to the indicators and signals, and shall stop the engine if any defect is perceived.

44. The engineman shall not leave his work whilst any person is underground until he is relieved by the engineman coming on the next shift, except in cases where a proper ladder-way or other means of exit from the mine is available; and, in case of sickness or lawful absence, he must give early and sufficient notice to the manager, so that a substitute may be provided.

45. The engineman shall make himself thoroughly acquainted, and act in accordance, with the signals laid down in these rules.

46. When work is suspended the engineman shall leave the cages in such a position that they do not impede the ventilation, and so as not to leave the pit-top unfenced.