distinct and definite signals from the bottom of a shaft and from every entrance for the time being in work, between the surface and the bottom of the shaft, to the surface, and from the surface to the bottom of the shaft and to every entrance for the time being in work between the surface and the bottom of the shaft.

A sufficient cover overhead shall be used when lowering or raising persons, in every working-shaft, except where it is worked by a windlass, or where the person is employed about the pump or some work of repair in the shaft, or where a written exemption is given by the inspector of the district.

A single-linked chain shall not be used for lowering or raising persons in any working-shaft or plane, except for the short coupling chain attached to the cage or load.

There shall be on the drum of every machine used for lowering or raising persons, such flanges or horns, and also, if the drum is conical, such other appliances, as may be sufficient to prevent the rope from. slipping.

There shall be attached to every machine worked by steam, water, or mechanical power, and used for lowering or raising persons, an adequate brake, and also a proper indicator (in addition to any mark on the rope) which shows to the person who works the machine the position of the cage or load in the shaft.

Every fly-wheel, and all exposed and dangerous parts of the machinery used in or about the mine, shall be, and be kept, securely. fenced.

Every steam boiler shall be provided with a proper steam gauge and water gauge, to show respectively the pressure of steam and the height of water in the boiler, and with a proper safety valve.

After dangerous gas has been found in any mine, a barometer and thermometer shall be placed above ground in a conspicuous position near the entrance of the mine.

No person shall willfully damage, or without proper authority remove or render useless any fence, fencing, casing, lining, guide, means of signaling, signal, cover, chain, flange, horn, break, indicator, steam gauge, water gauge, safety valve, or other appliances or thing provided in any mine in compliance with the act.

Every person shall observe such directions with respect to working as may be given to him with a view to comply with the act or the special rules. A competent person or competent persons, who shall

be appointed for the purpose, shall once at least in every twenty-four hours examine the state of the external parts of the machinery, and the state of the head gear, working places, levels, planes, ropes, chains, and other works of the mine which are in actual use, and once at least in every week shall examine into the state of the shafts by which persons ascend or descend, and the guides or conductors therein, and shall make a true report of the result of such examination, and such report shall be recorded in a book to be kept at the mines for the purpose, and shall be signed by the person who made the same.

The persons employed in a mine may from time to time appoint two of their number to inspect the mine at their own cost, and the persons so appointed shall be allowed, once at least in every month, accompanied, if the owner, agent or manager of the mine thinks fit, by himself or one or more officers of the mine, to go to every part of the mine, and to inspect the shafts, levels, planes, working places, return air-ways, ventilating apparatus, old workings and machinery, and shall be afforded by the owner, agent and manager, and all persons in the mine, every facility for the purpose of such inspection, and shall make a true report of the result of such inspection, and such reports shall be recorded in a book to kept at the mine for the purpose, and shall be signed by the person who made the same.

The books mentioned in the General Rules, or a copy thereof shall be kept at the office of the mine, and any inspector, under the act, and any person employed in the mine, may at all reasonable times, inspect and take copies of, and extracts from any such books.

Nines

BIENNIAL REPORT.

DES MOINES, Iowa, August 13, 1885.

To his Excellency, BUREN R. SHERMAN, Governor of Iowa:

SIR-In compliance with chapter twenty-one of the laws of the Twentieth General Assembly, I herewith submit my second biennial report of the Department of Mines for the two years ending June 30, 1885.

In this report I will give an approximate estimate of the coal output of the State, a list of fatal accidents, together with the decision of the coroner's jury of the county in which the accident occurred for the two years, a brief statement of the labors of the Inspector, and recommendations for the perfecting of the present mining law, with such other matters as I have deemed of importance to the mining industry of the State.