APPENDIX III.

COAL MINES REGULATION ACTS, 1887 TO 1896.

EXAMINATION HELD AT STAFFORD, APRIL 10TH AND 11TH, 1906.

FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATES.

SUBJECT No. 1.
Ventilation.

1. Describe the construction and action of the Root Ventilator and the Guibal Fan.

2. Explain fully pressure Ventilation and exhaust Ventilation.

3. What is the weight of a cubic foot of air at 72° F. and 169° F. respectively in the downcast and upcast shafts each 300 fathoms deep, the barometer standing at 29-7? What is the motive column and the theoretical velocity produced?

4. What would be the amount of rubbing surface with a W.G. 1.25 inch and air passing at the rate of 10,000 cubic feet per minute through an airway of 20 feet area?

5. State in your own words the requirements of the Coal Mines Regulation Act with regard to colliery ventilation.

6. Ventilate the accompanying plan.

Chemistry.

7. What gases are met with underground and to what extent are they dangerous?

8. Explain the effect on a volume of gas by changes of temperature and pressure.

9. Name the properties of each chemical constituent of Bituminous coal.

Lighting.

10. Describe Dr. Clowes' lamp for detecting gas, and give the size of the caps and corresponding percentage of gas indicated by lamp.

11. Describe Mueseler and Marsaut lamps and what are their disadvantages?

Geology.

12. State how Geology is useful to the Colliery manager.

13. What are fossils? Is a knowledge of these any use in Mining? Give reasons for your reply? Ambulance.

14. In a case of Asphyxia, state fully how you would treat.

15. What certificate do you hold (if any) from the St. John's Ambulance Association?

SUBJECT No. 2.

Machinery.

1. For what reasons are Lancashire boilers more largely used for colliery work than boilers of other types? What material is used for boiler construction? In a Lancashire boiler, 9 feet diameter and 30 feet long, with a working steam pressure of 120 lbs. per square inch, what would be the thickness of the cylindrical shell and the two end plates? Give the dimensions of the flues and grates and state the proportion of heating surface to grate surface.

2. Describe, with dimensioned sketch, the stoking platform and slack-boxes of convenient size for a battery of eight Lancashire boilers.

3. Describe a superheater suitable for a 9 feet diameter Lancashire boiler. What are the advantages of super-heating steam, and in its use what dangers should you guard against?

4. What type of pumping engines would you employ for raising 500,000 gallons of water per 24 hours from a shaft 300 yards deep? Give the principal dimensions of the plant required.

5. Give the principal dimensions of a pair of winding engines capable of raising 150 tons per hour from a depth of 300 yards. State what steam pressure you would use and what type of valve you would adopt. What type of drum would you use?

6. On the far end length of a level roadway 2,000 yards long, 20 jigs or gates spaced 50 yards apart are at work. State what method of haulage you would employ, giving your reasons. Give the principal dimensions of the hauling engines for an output of 500 tons per day along such level.

State its

7. What is meant by "two-stage" compression as applied to air compressing? advantages over "single-stage" compression. Show by sketch how you would arrange the inlets and outlets for both air and water through the intercooler.

8. Give a detailed dimensioned sketch of one of the following:(a.) Endless rope haulage clip.

(b.) Endless rope haulage drum.
(c.) Sinking bowk.

(d.) Colliery tub "creeper."

9. Sketch, giving dimensions of, and describe two good forms of capping for winding ropes. How should ropes be tested before and during use, and what precautions should be adopted to prolong the life of winding ropes ?

10. Describe, with sketch, a coal-screening plant capable of dealing with 100 tons per hour. The coal to be divided into large coal (20 per cent.), cobbles (30 per cent.), nuts (25 per cent.), beans (15 per cent.), fine (10 per cent.). What type of tippler should you adopt? State your reasons.

11. Describe a system of signalling for the haulage road mentioned in Question 6. Give particulars as to number of batteries, relays, &c., and draw up a suitable code of signals for same. Strength of Materials.

1. In a shaft 300 yards deep there is a column of pipes 15 inches diameter connected to an underground pump. What is the total weight of water contained in the pipes, what is the pressure per square inch upon the lowest pipe and what thickness of material will it require to be?

Sinking.

1. Describe and show by sketch how you would lay out the surface arrangements for sinking a pair of shafts.

2. What steps would you take to provide for a deep shaft being sunk perpendicularly, and give sketch of the best arrangement for plumbing a shaft.

(a.) A series wound dynamo.

(b.) A shunt wound dynamo.

(c.) A compound wound dynamo.

Electricity.

2. What are the principal causes of sparking at the brushes of a dynamo?

SUBJECT No. 3.

Surveying and laying out a Colliery under various circumstances.

1. An area of coal to be won and worked is in the form of a square, the sides of which are 2,000 yards. At the extreme rise (corresponding with one of the sides) the depths to two seams are, respectively, 50 and 150 yards. The measures dip uniformly at 1" to the yard until, at a distance of 1,000 yards from the crop boundary, and running parallel with it, there is an upthrow fault (towards the dip) of 20 yards. The dip then increases to 3" to the yard for a further 250 yards after which the measures are level to the boundary.

Make section and suggest the position of two drawing shafts for winning and working the seams. The thickness of each of the two seams being 5 feet what life would you estimate for the Colliery, taking an average output of 500,000 tons per annum ?

2. In connecting a surface survey with that of the underground workings how would you insure accuracy when using a Theodolite,

(a) When there are two shafts.

(b) When there is only one shaft ?

3. Show methods of keeping books (introducing figures) when levelling with (a) Dumpy level (b) Theodolite (c) Mason's level.

Only the results of four settings need be given but must be illustrative of both rise and fall. 4. Sketch a surface plan of a Colliery to be laid out for dealing with 1,000 tons per day, confining such sketch to the sorting and screening arrangements and sidings and allowing for the following approximate proportions:-Hand Picked 30 per cent., Screened Cobbles 30 per cent., Nuts 20 per cent., and Pea Nuts 10 per cent. It is not necessary to draw to scale but the length of sidings and other particulars should be given in figures.

5. What is meant by plotting a survey by co-ordinates? When should this method be adopted? Explain briefly the principle and method of calculating and plotting.

6. A seam of coal is perfectly level in a direction running due east, the seam dipping due north at 3 inches to the yard. In what direction would you drive a water level having a rise of 4-inch to the yard; also an incline with a fall of 2 inches 'to the yard?

SUBJECT No. 4.

(Candidates unacquainted with the Staffordshire Thick Coal are not expected to answer
questions relating thereto.)

Underground Management, Practical Ventilation, Timbering, Shot-firing, and General
Knowledge of Explosives.

1. What are your views as to the origin of Gob fires? Give a brief account of any one of which you have had experience and how it was dealt with, or, otherwise explain the general principles on which you would proceed to deal with one.

2. Illustrate, by sketches, any method of systematic timbering in Long Wall workings under bad conditions of roof and introduce some form of Cocker Spragging.

As an alternative question deal with some method of systematic timbering, or explain why not applicable to the mode of working with which you are best acquainted.

3. What are your views as to the distance between Stall roads in Long Wall working?

4. A seam is 3 feet 6 inches in thickness and lies practically level; holing dirt is 14 inches to parting-the roof is bad. Point out the relative advantages of getting by hand and coal cutter, giving approximate estimates of the respective costs per ton.

5. Describe briefly the different systems of working the Staffordshire or Warwickshire Thick coals, and explain why you prefer one of them. What are your views as to the percentage of produce of the Whole Seam by the different systems?

6. Mention the principal dangers incurred in working the Thick Coal. Give your opinion as to the causes and suggest anything which, in your opinion, would tend to prevent such accidents. Does great depth materially increase the difficulties in working, and, if so, why?

7. What are the rules regulating the use of Explosives in Coal Mines? Give a list of the Authorised Explosives and any details with which you may be acquainted connected with the efficiency in use of any one of them.

8. Describe any method of working a seam, say 5 feet thick, having an inclination of 45 degrees or more. Illustrate, with sketch showing ventilation, and describe system of timbering and any details connected therewith, also arrangements for Jigging.

9. The workings in a long wall district are approaching an old and drowned out area of somewhat irregular shape, and, in slight degree, uncertainty exists as to the correctness of old plans which, however, show the workings to have been abandoned in a line nearly parallel to the new workings. Describe the precautions you would take.

10. Mention the conditions which would influence you in determining the best system to adopt in working coal by

Bord and Pillar with or without modified long wall,
Long Wall working outwards,

Long Wall working home,

or any other method of working.

11. Make a sketch plan of the workings in a 5 feet 6 inch seam, there being three districts producing 200 tons each. State the number of men and horses you would consider necessary, the average distance from main road to working face being 440 yards. Assume such conditions as you think fit, and any system of working.

12. Describe different ways of timbering in Main Roads, Gob roads, and Stalls in Long Wall or the timbering in any other system of working including Thick Coal workings.

13. What are the requirements of the Coal Mines Regulation Act applying to Main haulage roads, Gob roads, Self-acting Jigs?

14. Describe briefly the points to be attended to in connection with safety in working at the face in Long Wall or other system of working.

SECOND CLASS CERTIFICATES.

SUBJECT No. 1.
Ventilation.

1. Explain the various causes which produce ventilation.

2. Sketch a furnace, explain its action, state its advantages and disadvantages.

3. Explain the term Motive Column, how is it ascertained?

4. What is an anemometer and a water-gauge? Explain their object and application. 5. Ventilate the accompanying plan.

Chemistry.

6. State what you know of the various gases met with in mines.

7. What causes carbonic acid gas to be found in the air in coal mines?

8. How is the volume of gas affected by changes of temperature and pressure?

Lighting.

9. Explain why the gauze of a safety lamp offers resistance to the passage of flame.

10. Explain fully how you would test for gas with an ordinary safety lamp, and what care would you take to minimise the risk?

Geology.

11. Why is geology useful in coal mining?

12. What is meant by-outcrop, fault, dip, and cleat?

Ambulance.

13. In a case of asphyxia, state fully how you would treat.

14. What certificate (if any) do you hold from the St. John's Ambulance Association.

SUBJECT No. 2.
Machinery.

1. Describe an ordinary Lancashire boiler, and state what fittings are required for safe and efficient working.

2. What precautions should be taken in emptying one of a range of boilers?

What precautions should be taken before allowing any person to enter such boiler?

3. What type and size of haulage engines would be required to haul 100 tons per hour from a plane 1,000 yards long, with a gradient against the load of 1 in 30? The engines to be placed underground, compressed air to be used, the pressure being 80 lbs. per square inch at the receiver on the surface.

4. Describe a method of bringing coal from the working face on to the main level, the inclination of the seam being 45 degrees. What appliances would you employ, and what precautions would you take to prevent accidents ?

Or alternatively, -the inclination of the seam being 11 degrees.

5. Describe fully and give a dimensioned sketch of one of the following:

(a.) Endless rope haulage clip.

(b.) Drilling machine.

(c.) Sinking bowk.

6. Describe the action and give sketches of :

(a.) Bucket pump.

(b.) Plunger pump.

7. Sketch and describe a method of capping a winding rope.

How often should a winding rope be capped?

What precautions should be taken to prolong the life of winding ropes ?

8. Describe a method of electric signalling suitable for an endless rope road 1,500 yards long. Draw up a suitable code of signals for use on such a road.

Sinking.

1. Describe the precautions you would take in fixing

A garland,

Or Water curb to prevent its leaking when fixed.

Give a sketch of a type of garland with which you are acquainted.

2. Describe how you would secure the upper part of a shaft whilst taking out and repairing a defective length below.

Arithmetic.

1. Calculate the royalty value of 5 acres 1 rood 20 perches of a seam of coal 3 feet 9 inches thick, the footage rent being £25 per foot thick per acre.

2. What are the cubical contents of a cast iron pipe 12 inches diameter by 9 feet long, and what would be its weight, apart from flanges, if made of metal 1 inch thick ?

SUBJECT No. 3.

Candidates unacquainted with the Staffordshire Thick Coal are not expected
to answer questions relating thereto.

Surface and Underground Management, Practical Ventilation, Timbering, Shot Firing,

and Explosives.

1. If you have had experience with gob fires describe briefly one of them and how dealt with. Give your opinion as to how it originated. Why is it sometimes necessary to turn as much air as possible and again as little as possible? If you have had no actual experience, give your impressions as to how gob fires can be dealt with.

2. What is systematic timbering? Give an example. Can systematic timbering be applied in gob roads, Thick Coal Workings or Methods of working other than Long Wall?

3. Explain methods of timbering in the Thick Coal of Staffordshire or Warwickshire; illustrate with sketches.

4. Describe in some detail any system of working the Thick Coal with which you are acquainted and mention the other methods. Explain briefly the conditions that determine the method to be adopted.

5. Have you formed any opinion as to the cause of "bumps in the Thick Coal, and have you any suggestion to make as to prevention ?

6. A seam of coal is 5 feet thick and sufficient packing is got from the holing dirt and builders from wastes and road ripping. The Charter price is 1s. 4d. Make a separate estimate of each of the items making up a Charter price of 1s. 4d.

7. What are the provisions of the Coal Mines Regulation Act as to: use of explosives; spragging and timbering in working face; safety lamps?

8. How would you deal with a heavy fall, say 20 feet in height and say 40 yards long, in a main haulage road?

9. Illustrate with sketch a long wall district which has advanced about 500 yards from main road producing 200 tons a day from a 4 feet seam, the roof being fairly good, distances between stall roads to be given. Any other method of working a similar quantity can be illustrated, and this applies to a Thick Coal working.

10. Name some of the safety lamps largely used and sketch section of one of them, explaining the principal features. What are your views as to using safety lamps only in a seam which is supposed to be free from gas?

11. Name the conditions which would determine the working first of the upper or lower of two seams apart from any question of value.

12. Explain your views as to the advantages of coal getting by machinery in respect of safety and economy, and give any actual experience of your own. What conditions are respectively most advantageous for hand getting and getting by coal cutter?

13. As manager or under-manager of a mine what reports would you require daily? Draw up some questions which the overmen should answer daily.

14. There is only one district in a mine from which 500 tons is being worked. The average distance from main engine plane to face is 440 yards, and from the point where coal reaches the engine plane it is 1,000 yards to shaft. The Charter price is 1s. 5d., including ripping of roads.

APPENDIX IV.

LIST of PLANS of ABANDONED MINES DEPOSITED in 1906.