The Express.
London, England, 1864-10-21 00:00:00

REPORT OP TRII 00YETRERONRRIL

This morning wan issued the report of the Com-
missioners appointed by her Majesty to inquire into the
condition of all mines in Great Britain to which the provi-
sions of the Act 23 and 24 Vie., cap. 161, do not apply, with
reference to the health and safety of persons employed in
snob mines. The report oeenpiee upwards of 40 pegs, of
• email blue book.

From a careful consideration of the evidence they have
heard, and of the reports and documents prepared in the
mane of the inquiry, and from the knowledge acquired by
visiting the dirt/tote and by inspecting mines therein, the
commissioaess have agreed to the following resolutions :

"1. That there is agreat sums of airiness and mor-
tality amongst metalliferoui miners, which is mainly Mai-
hatable to the imperfect ventilation of the miner.—How-
ever divines the opinions of medical men may be as to the
cameo of the dimes called • miner's asthma' or mimic's
consumption,' there is • remarkable coacurrence among all
the writers on the subject in this, that the health of the
miner Is greatly influenced by the quality of the air in
which he works. The more extended inquiry instituted by
as under the royal commission give' strength, if not ear-
tainty, to this conclusion. In the cal districts, where, on
account of the dangerous gases, great attention has been
given to the proper ventilation of the mines, the mortality
(accidents excepted) smog the mimes is considerably less
than it is in the metalliferous districts. We have on this
account thought it advisable to make ourselves acquainted
with the systems of ventilation usually adopted in coal
mines, in the hopes that we might thereby be able to offer
some suggestions for improving the ventilation in the metal-
liferous mines. The main object to be kept in view in van-
tasting a mine is to conduct a sufficient supply of pare air
through the mine in order to displace the vitiated air where
the men are at work. Various contrivances have been pat
in practice for effecting this, but they are all applications
of two principles, propulsion and extraction ; by the first
pure air is forced in, by the second foal air is drawn out.
The power used may be either natural or artificial.
Natural force ads when columns of air are, in the
absence of any artificial means, of unequal weight, in which
case the heavier column displaces the lighter, and so causes
movement and change of air. Another natural force acts
when the wind blows in at a level or over a shaft. Artificial
propulsion is effected by various applications of machinery
and other contrivances, such as falling water, the water
blast, or the fan ; artificial extraction, by suction or
by furnace heating. The most simple method of
ventilation is by natural agencies directed and sup-
plemented by engineering skill. Two or more abate or
edits are essential, so contrived that one shall be upcast in
I all states of the weather. A system of trunk ventilation
being thus established the pure air may be guided to any
part of the mine where it may be required, if are be taken
to remove all refuse or ' deeds,' and to claie up all old and
abandoned workings, by which the currents of air may be
interfered with. In cases where natural ventilation is
insufficient, artificial metes must be resorted to, and of
these it appears to us that by far the most effectual,
where it can be adopted, is that glitch is generally in nee in
the coal mines, namely, the ratification of the air in one
of the shafts by the heat of a furnace. The mechanical
means which have been suggested are the introduction of
pure air by a force pump, and the abstraction of foul air
by a ruction pimp. Machines for the latter purpose are in sac-
cereal operation in some collieries and mines in this country.
The foregeiag remarks Wady apply to the maintenance of
a regular system of trunk ventilation. lo small mines, and
in certain parts of large mines, a good supply of air may be
provided by means of contrivances which teapot be econo-
mically applied on a large seals, such as different descrip-
tions of air pumps, water blasts, and fans. These may
answer the purpose when judiciously applied and carefully
attended to. It appears to us worthy of consideration
whether some combination of natural with artificial appli-
ances might not be adopted at a comparatively =all ex-
pense, considering the benefit that would thee accrue
both to the employer and employed. Cases have oome
before us of mines in which, in certain conditions
of the atmosphere, the circulation of air under-
ground is regular and sufficient, while at other
times it varies both in quantity sad direction, consequent
upon the inversion or stagnation of the current of air in
the shaft. This evil might be effectually conquered by the
maintenance of a constant upcast shaft, and where natural
mums fail, this might be effected by an application of
furnace heating. Whatever system, however, may here-
after be adopted, it is essentially necessary that attention
should be paid to driving the levels of sufficient size, to
making more frequent communications between them, to
removing the refuse, cloning up dimmed wines', amps,
shafts, and abandoned workings, and to the judicious appli-
cation of air-tight doors and brattiees so as to control the
direction of the underground currents.

"2. That several other causes, both general and local,
largely contribute to impair the health of the miner—
namely, expcenre to cold and wet, and to sudden alterna-
tions of temperature ; wowing wet clothes • inhalation of
gritty particles ; and the exertion of climbing ladders from
great depths.—Ainoeut the mum enumerated b
the medical men as tending to impair the health
of the miner, exposure to sudden alternatioes of tempe-
rature and to wet and cold is much initiated upon. The
miner is peculiarly liable to these dangers, either from
imprudence on his own part or from want of proper Kr.
rangemeots ou the part of his employers. Another ranee
moat injurious to the health of the miners is the exertion
of climbing ladders continuously from great depths. The
evidence of the medical witness and of the miners
themselves leaves no doubt on our minds as to the
pernicious effects of severe climbing typos men
whose constitutions are, perhape, impaired by the
conditions under which they work, and the severity
of the work itaelf. This evil Is occasionally enhanced by
the impure state of the air in the ladder ways, and asps.
vated by the indiscretion of the WOWS themselves, espe-
cially the younger ones, in mounting the ladders with too
much haste. In those mines where the man engine has
been in operation the improvement in the health of the
miners is stated to be evident. In most coal mine* work.
men are cooveyed up mid down the shaft in the 'cages.'
This arrangement appears to us to be expeditious and safe,
when due attention is paid to the construction and super.
vision of the machinery ; and we think it might be &dus-
ter/rawly introduced in many of the metalliferons mines.
We therefore recommend—l. That every mine should
be provided with proper houses conveniently situated in
which the men can cheese and dry their clothes. 2. That
surface work should, as far as peacticable, be carried en'
under shelter, and that suitable places should be provided
is which the women and children employed at the mimes
might take their meals. 3. That In order to avoid the evils
consequent on climbing ladders, mechanical means should
be provided to convey the men to and from the surface
whet, the mines are of great depth.
" 3. That accidents are of frequent occurrence in metalli-
ferous miues, and that they principally result from misers
falling from ladders and *temples, or from one level to
another ; from falls of the rock or staff ; from want of
caution in blasting ; from defective gear and imperfect super-
vision of machinery ; from sudden irruption of water or
foul air, and from the bursting of boilers.—To obviate as
far as possible the various accidents to which miner' are
ex , we recommend,—l. That no ladderway should
be allowed in a drawing shaft without the shaft being
properly divided or brattioed off from the foot-
way, and that efficient sollars should be fixed at
moderate distances in all footways, whether the ascent or
descant be by ladders or stemples. 2. That shafts, winces,
sumps, and shoots should be more carefully guarded.
3. That more stringent rules should be enforced in
regard to blasting, with • view to preventinogg
accidents, and that bronze tamping rods
prickers should be supplied to the men. 4. That
the persons having charge of the footways and
other works underground should daily enter in • book •
report of their condition to the agent or captain of the
mine, which should be produced in case of hiquiry. 5.
That the boilers sad other machinery should be periodically
examined by the mice engineer, and that a monthly report
thereon should be given in to the captain or agent, to be
produced by him should occasion require. 6, That the men
should not be allowed to change in the boiler house, which
none but those in charge should be permitted to enter.
7. That all boilers should be provided with two safety •
valves and a water gone or a steam whistle. 8. That
plans and working sections of all mines en their being shen-
dosed should be deposited at the office of the clerk of the
peace for the county, sad at the Government Mining Re-
cord Office in Jermyn-street, for reference in case of working
being resumed, or new mines opened up in the immediate
vicAnity.

" 4.. That abandoned shafts, and old works unprotected
at the surface, are a mum of serious danger, not only to
the miner, but to the public.—The accidents ooesequent
upon the practice of leaving abandoned shafts and works
iusufficieetly guarded or wholly unprotected, are en nume-
rous that we think it very desirable that an efficient and
easily available legal remedy should be provided is order to
guard the public from this prolific source of danger.
"5. That the employment of boys underground at an
early age contributes to produce diaease and premature
death.—We therefore think it desirable that, as a general
rule, Do boys under the age of 14 yews should work below
the surface.

" 6. The system of mine clubs as at present in general
operation is unsatidaotory, sa sot proudieg for cane of
siokores as well es of accident.—We therefore suggest the
adoption of such a system of nave clubs as would afford
the men sufficient maintenance during Oakum as wall as
while suffering from the effects of aocident.

" All which we humbly submit to your Majesty's most
gracious cousideratios.
" As witness our hands, this 4th day of July, 1864 :
ICDINAIRD. P. K ClatY &IRETON, NICHOLAS
KENDAL, F. LLTESON GOWER, JOHN T. MIRTH,
Darla, E. LIZADLA-11 O*znnow, P. H. HOL-
LAND.
" J. F. chateaux., Sserstagy."