rates. Apparently that time is fast approaching, and, notwithstanding a certain amount of restriction, the output is again equal to, if not in excess of, the demand. The iron trade which exercises so important an influence upon the coal trade of this district is again showing signs of langour. The shale works are also dull, and I believe in some cases barely remunerative. Such a state of things, coupled with an increased mining population of at least 3,000 more than in 1871, to a certain degree foreshadows a nearer assimilation to prices such as ruled in that year.

The following statement illustrative of this, shows the quantity of coal put out during each of the last three years, the number of persons employed, and the rate of output per man:

It does not appear that the diminished rate of output per man has had the effect of lessening or checking the number of accidents, and the casualties which took place during the past year in every description of mine amounted to 287. Of these, 63 proved fatal, 49 in mines of coal, and 14 in mines of ironstone. They are classified as heretofore, in schedules 1 and 2, where the manner of each accident is briefly described, and of which the following is an abstract :

Under the head explosions three fatal accidents happened in this non-fiery district. The first took place in a part of a mine which from some cause had become untravellable; the ventilation was weak, and firedamp had collected in it. The deceased, for the purpose of making some temporary alterations with the view of improving the ventilation, attempted to go in to it without a light, but unfortunately ventured beyond the limit of safety, and before he could be extricated had succumbed to the noxious gases with which the place was filled. The second was occasioned by sheer carelessness; the victim was the regular fireman, whose duty it was to descend the pit and examine the working places before the workmen were allowed to enter to their work. It is supposed that in making his round of examination he had, with the utmost apparent indifference to results, used an open light, and on coming unexpectedly in contact with an accumulation of gas it exploded, and he was fatally injured. The third, which took place near the bottom of a pit in the act of being opened up, and where fire-damp was freely given off, proved fatal to a bricklayer's assistant, and was evidently occasioned by blundering with mixed lights. The special rules now in cperation at eight tenths of the collieries in this district, provide for a careful examination of the working places every morning by a competent fireman. These rules compel him to leave proof of his visit by marking with chalk the day of the month upon the face of each working place. This is a judicious arrangement. It has been proved over and over again to be necessary, and if the following statement, extending over the last four years, showing the number of non-fatal explosions of fire-damp from every description of mine, furnishes a fair comparison, a further reduction of these preventable accidents may be anticipated.

The non-fatal explosions of fire-damp in 1870 were 69.

The falls of coal and roof are for the past year 18 in number, which is comparatively a favourable return, and I have only once had an opportunity during the last 18

rates. Apparently that time is fast approaching, and, notwithstanding a certain amount of restriction, the output is again equal to, if not in excess of, the demand. The iron trade which exercises so important an influence upon the coal trade of this district is again showing signs of langour. The shale works are also dull, and I believe in some cases barely remunerative. Such a state of things, coupled with an increased mining population of at least 3,000 more than in 1871, to a certain degree foreshadows a nearer assimilation to prices such as ruled in that year.

The following statement illustrative of this, shows the quantity of coal put out during each of the last three years, the number of persons employed, and the rate of output per man:

It does not appear that the diminished rate of output per man has had the effect of lessening or checking the number of accidents, and the casualties which took place during the past year in every description of mine amounted to 287. Of these, 63 proved fatal, 49 in mines of coal, and 14 in mines of ironstone. They are classified as heretofore, in schedules 1 and 2, where the manner of each accident is briefly described, and of which the following is an abstract :

Under the head explosions three fatal accidents happened in this non-fiery district. The first took place in a part of a mine which from some cause had become untravellable; the ventilation was weak, and firedamp had collected in it. The deceased, for the purpose of making some temporary alterations with the view of improving the ventilation, attempted to go in to it without a light, but unfortunately ventured beyond the limit of safety, and before he could be extricated had succumbed to the noxious gases with which the place was filled. The second was occasioned by sheer carelessness; the victim was the regular fireman, whose duty it was to descend the pit and examine the working places before the workmen were allowed to enter to their work. It is supposed that in making his round of examination he had, with the utmost apparent indifference to results, used an open light, and on coming unexpectedly in contact with an accumulation of gas it exploded, and he was fatally injured. The third, which took place near the bottom of a pit in the act of being opened up, and where fire-damp was freely given off, proved fatal to a bricklayer's assistant, and was evidently occasioned by blundering with mixed lights. The special rules now in operation at eight tenths of the collieries in this district, provide for a careful examination of the working places every morning by a competent fireman. These rules compel him to leave proof of his visit by marking with chalk the day of the month upon the face of each working place. This is a judicious arrangement. It has been proved over and over again to be necessary, and if the following statement, extending over the last four years, showing the number of non-fatal explosions of fire-damp from every description of mine, furnishes a fair comparison, a further reduction of these preventable accidents may be anticipated.

The non-fatal explosions of fire-damp in 1870 were 69.

The falls of coal and roof are for the past year 18 in number, which is comparatively a favourable return, and I have only once had an opportunity during the last 18