Regulations for granting Assistance towards Prospecting at
Deep Levels, the Use of Diamond Drills, and the Construction of Water-races and Storage Reservoirs.

GLASGOW, Governor.
ORDER IN COUNCIL.
At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-ninth day of November, 1894.
Present:
His Excellency the Governor in Council.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities vested in him by the second section of "The Mining Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894," His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby make the following regulations—(a) Prescribing the mode of application for assistance towards prospecting of deep levels; (b) the method of determining the site of any mining operations towards which assistance is sought; (c) the terms and conditions subject to which assistance may be given; (d) the definition of "deep levels," and the number and locality of deep levels that may be assisted; (e) the conditions as to the use of diamond drills in boring operations; (f) the requirements, capacities, and method of construction of water-races and storage reservoirs towards which assistance is sought—that is to say:—

REGULATIONS.
Mode of Application, and Method of determining the Site.

1. Any person desirous of obtaining assistance for prospecting deep levels shall make application in writing to the Minister of Mines (hereinafter called "the Minister"), stating the locality and nature of the work proposed to be done. The application shall be accompanied by a plan of the site of the intended prospecting operations, and a statement in detail showing (a) the mode in which it is proposed to carry on such operations; (b) the amount of money proposed to be expended; (c) the character and value of the machinery proposed to be erected; and (d) the total amount of assistance required. Should mining operations have been previously carried on in the ground proposed to be prospected at deep levels, the applicant shall also state (1) the amount of money already expended on such operations; (2) the character and value of the machinery already erected on the ground; and (3) the quantity and value of the gold extracted from the mine up to the date of application.
2. Before any application is granted the applicant must satisfy the Minister that the applicant's proportion of the total amount proposed to be expended is available; and upon being so satisfied the Minister shall, if he deem it advisable, obtain a joint report of two or more qualified officers

of the public service as to the probability of the operations proving successful, and that the proposed site is in the best locality for testing the deep levels in the district. The Minister may grant assistance not exceeding one-half of the total estimated cost of the proposed operations, or he may decline to grant any such assistance.
3. Progress-payments on account of assistance will be made from time to time as the work proceeds, on the certificate of an Inspector of Mines.
The Definition of "Deep Levels," and Number and Locality of Deep Levels that may be assisted.
4. A "deep level" to prospect quartz lodes shall mean any prospecting operations which may be undertaken to prospect auriferous lodes down to a depth of not less than 1,500ft. below the level of the natural surface of the ground.
5. A "deep level" in alluvial drift shall mean any prospecting operations which may be undertaken to prospect alluvial drifts at a depth of not less than 250ft. below the natural surface of the ground, where it is necessary to erect pumping machinery to lift not less than 250 gallons of water per minute.
6. The number of deep levels to which assistance may be granted shall be confined to three mining districts—namely, one in the North Island, one in the west of the Middle Island, and one in Otago; and not more than one deep level shall be assisted in any such district at one time.
Conditions as to the Use of Diamond Drills for Boring Operations for testing Auriferous or Argentiferous Lodes, or Strata where such Lodes are likely to be found.
7. Every application for the use of a diamond drill and its appliances shall be made in writing to the Minister, showing for what purpose it is required, and shall contain an undertaking on the part of the applicants, to the satisfaction of the Minister, to make good all damage to the drill and appliances, and all losses of diamonds, to keep the drill and appliances in good order and condition, and to return them to the Mines Department in a perfect state of repair whenever required by the Minister so to do.
8. On any application being approved by the Minister, the drill and appliances shall be handed over to the applicants, who shall undertake such removal thereof as may be necessary, and also the careful supervision of the boring operations.
9. A diamond drill shall not be worked except under the direct charge and supervision of a competent foreman holding an engine-driver's certificate. Such foreman shall be paid by the applicants, but shall be approved by and be under the control of the Minister, who may remove or dismiss him if in the Minister's opinion he be considered to have worked the drill or appliances in an improper manner, or to have been guilty of any misconduct in the