Coal Mines Act 1854 No 32a (NSW)

No. XXXII.

An Act for the Registration and Inspection of

Coal Mines in the Colony of New South

Wales. [30th November, 1854.]

sively worked to satisfy the increasing demand for Coal it is expedient	WHEREAS the Coal deposits of New South Wales are now being actively sought after and many of the known seams are exten­
for the interests of the public and to prevent accidents that a record
should be kept of all pits levels shafts tunnels and borings made for the extraction of Coal Be it therefore enacted by His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof as follows :—
1. The Governor of the said Colony may appoint any fit person to be an Examiner of Coal Mines and from time to time to remove such
Examiner and appoint another in his stead.
2. All persons working Coal Mines shall keep or cause to be kept plans of their workings and furnish certified copies of the same to the said Examiner of Coal Mines or shall permit such Examiner either by himself his assistants or such persons as he may duly authorize to enter upon and examine all such workings for the purpose of duly recording the same by plans sections and descriptions as he may deem needful.
3. The owners of Collieries may demand of the said Examiner copies of all such plans sections and. descriptions of their works as may be recorded in his office upon payment of a reasonable fee for the same.
4. Every owner or agent of any Coal Mine or Colliery who shall refuse to the Examiner the means necessary for making at all reason­ able times any entry inspection examination or inquiry under this Act and every person who shall wilfully obstruct any such Examiner in the execution of this Act shall for every such offence be liable to a penalty of not less than ten nor exceeding twenty pounds recoverable in a summary manner before any two Justices of the Peace.
5. The term "owner" of a Colliery or Coal Mine shall mean the immediate proprietor or lessee thereof and the term " agent" of a mine shall mean any person having on behalf of the owner of any mine
the care and direction thereof.