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COAL MINES ACT
in operation to-morrow
The Coal Mines Act, paused by Par
liament Jasl before Christmas, and
whkfh was assented to on the 4th Inst.,
comes into operutlun to-morrow. Tho
aci generuny reguuitcs tne worKing of
con! mines in thu State, and authorises
the establishment of State coal mines.
Tho State mines may bo opened up by
tho Mines Department, but when so
opened up must be handed over to tlie
Hallway Commissioners to be worked. .
As already announced, Uio Cabinet has
selected Mr G. 11. Broome, manager of
tho Western Stockport Company, Now
Zealand, to be general manager of tho
Htiitri mlnn nl nlvop nti.t I ti'lll
bo competent after to-morrow for tiho
Governor-ln-Councll to confirm tho ap
pointment.
Ono of tho most important provisions
of tho new Act is that providing for tho
"bank to bunk" principle. The section
(No. 7) Uenling with the subject pro
vides thut "no person shall bo employed
below ground in any, mine for more
than eight cousountlvo hours, Inclusive
of 30 minutes as crib time, or for more
than 48 hours in any week, except in
cases of emergency."
After stating Uhat an Interval of at
least eight- hours shall elafiso lietwccn
"one period of being below ground und
the commencement of tho next." the
section gors on to state thut "u person
shall be deemed, and is hereby declared
to bo employed below ground in thu ser
vice of the owner of thn mine, within
thu meaning of this Act from (tic Umo
thnt he commences to descend tlie mine
until he returns to the surface."
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