... :: 24 ... ... ... List of quantities and names of explosives used with number of shots ... : : ... ... ... 2275 REPORT UNDER THE METALLIFEROUS MINES REGULATION ACTS. SECTION I-PERSONS EMPLOYED: Mr. Gerrard's Report. Report on the Inspection of Mines and Quarries in the Manchester and Ireland District, for the year ending 31st December 1906 – By John Gerrard. Worsley, Manchester, SIR, In accordance with your instructions, as far as possible, the information is given in tables and otherwise arranged to be as brief as possible. Under the Coal Mines Act in North and East Lancashire there were 44,520 persons employed, 560 less than in the previous year; the production of coal was 11,639,906 tons, an increase of 128,990 tons; the total production of coal, fireclay, shale, &c., being 11,792,358 tons. The value of the coal has differed but slightly from that of the previous year, being one penny and a third more per ton, the average value per ton throughout the whole year being 7s. 10-145d. There has been no alteration in the rate of wages paid. In the latter part of the year there was a marked improvement in the demand, leading to full time being worked. The district has again been free from great disaster; in the Coal Mines all the fatalities were single except one which caused the loss of two lives, 50 accidents causing 51 deaths. This is a very considerable increase compared with the previous year, the very low tide of that year being followed by a very high tide. The increase is largely under the head of falls of roof and side, 14 more lives being lost from this cause, and there were 7 more deaths from miscellaneous causes, and 2 more deaths from surface accidents. From blood poisoning, following slight scratches or cuts, no less than 5 deaths occurred; 2 deaths followed simple fractures of the leg. From this dark side of the year's record it is very satisfactory to be able to again report that no ignition of firedamp or coal dust occurred, not only no fatality, but no one injured. The progresss as regards the use of machinery in cutting coal is still slow; in 1906 there were only 264,805 tons got by the use of 53 machines; in 1905, 216,263 tons got by 53 machines; in 1904, 219,496 tons by 46 machines; in 1903, 151,762 tons by 35 machines ; in 1902, 80,036 tons by 23 machines; in 1901, 60,000 tons by 18 machines. At your direction, I have handed over the Kent portion of my District to the Inspector in charge of the Southern District. The development in the proving of the extent of the Kent coalfield, from a geological point of view, is most interesting; by bore holes, coal measures have been proved to exist from Dover to near Canterbury, a distance of 8 miles. In these measures several seams of coal have been bored through, with indications of thickness varying from 13 feet to 5 feet. Professor W. Boyd Dawkins has every reason to be proud of the fulfilment of his long and arduous labours. It only remains to fully prove the value of the coal seams by the winning by shafts. The thickness of the overlying measures and their nature is now clearly ascertained. There will be some difficulties from sinking through sandy, silty measures containing water, but I am satisfied from close observation extending over ten years that with able direction and the requisite provision of capital, those difficulties will be overcome. Having had the utmost possible courtesy and assistance from every one connected with these undertakings, it is only fitting that I should express my gratitude to all I give my sincere thanks. In Ireland the number of persons employed in the coal mines was 785, the output of coal being 93,662 tons, of which 74,915 tons were anthracite. The number of persons employed and the production is rather more than in the previous year, the value is rather less. In County Antrim, at Ballycastle, there will be a marked development, the main coal, which was geologically disturbed in the shaft, has been proved of full thickness by exploration drift. In County Kilkenny, Mr. Prior Wandesforde is endeavouring to develop the working of the Skehana Seam, and there is every reason to believe that full success will attend his efforts. One accident occurred, causing one death, in a shaft in County Kilkenny. Under the Metalliferous Mines Acts, in North and East Lancashire, 612 persons were employed; the production of rocksalt at Fleetwood is 140,278 tons, rather more than in the previous year; 49,795 tons of sandstone, also rather more. There were no fatal accidents. In Ireland 838 persons employed, an increase of 105. This is due to the explorations in the Copper Mines in the Counties Cork and Waterford. The re-opening of the old Ballycummisk and Coosheen Mines in County Cork, and the old Bonmahon Mines in County Waterford, is being pursued with vigour with every prospect of success. Under the Quarries Act in North and East Lancashire there were employed in and about quarries 4,361 persons; the mineral obtained being 1,758,083 tons; the number of Quarries at work being 242. Six fatal accidents causing six deaths, 44 nonfatal accidents injuring 44 persons. In Ireland there were employed in and about quarries, 4,589 persons; the mineral obtained being 1,157,453 tons; the number of quarries at work being 495. Six fatal accidents causing seven deaths, 24 non-fatal accidents injuring 27 persons. In accordance with your direction, I here report that two docks, wharves or quays are under my inspection; they are simple places for loading vessels with mineral. They have been visited, no complaints in connection therewith have been received; one slight accident occurred at one, a piece of rock salt hurt a man's hand. The regulations are posted, and registers kept of the testing, &c., of chains. In North and East Lancashire the total number of persons employed in and about the mines was 44,520, being 560 less than in the previous year. The number of persons employed underground in 1906 was 33,778, a reduction of 659 compared with the previous year. The number between the ages of 13 and 14 was 239, being 13 more than in the previous year. The number of females employed above ground was 770, a decrease of 3. The total number of persons employed in and about the mines during the year was 785, being 36 more than in the previous year. In County Antrim an increase of 6. In Kilkenny an increase of 11, in Leitrim a decrease of 4, in Queen's Co. an increase of 4, in Roscommon a decrease of 12, in Sligo no change, in Tipperary an increase of 14, and in Tyrone an increase of 17. |