health of the miners, and their reports deal with the matter in detail. On the whole, the ventilation and sanitation of our mines are fairly good; one or two exceptions as regards ventilation are engaging attention, and a remedy is being sought. In one or two respects the necessity has been disclosed for amendations of the Act. One of these is that all lessees should be subject to Part VIII., which is the part of the Act dealing with the working and regulation of mines. The administration of varying rules and regulations under different Acts in one and the same district is excessively difficult, and imposes needless tasks on the Inspectors. Another is in connection with the duty placed on the mining manager of reporting the return to work of persons sustaining accidents which seem to be merely trivial. What is required is simply that their nonreturn within a stipulated time (fourteen days) be notified to the Inspector. It is only to be expected that in the working of such a comprehensive Act modifications of the working rules will suggest themselves from time to time. With a view of checking gold-stealing, by making it more difficult to dispose of stolen gold, I venture to suggest for your consideration the initiation of legislation making it unlawful to sell or consign gold otherwise than through bankers, such bankers to furnish periodical returns of purchases or consignments of gold. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, W. H. TWELVETREES, W. H. WALLACE, Esq., Secretary for Mines, Hobart. |