§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary for Mines what kind of haulages are used underground in mines and the total horse-power operating the various haulages; whether there are, in the view of his Department, any advantages in the use of electrical power over compressed air as motive power; and the approximate ratio of horse haulage to the total of mechanical haulage employed underground in mines in each of the inspection divisions?
§ Mr. FOOTMineral is transported underground by various forms of rope haulage, by mechanical conveyors, by horse haulage, by manual labour, to a small extent by suitable locomotives, and by manifold combinations of these methods. In some circumstances, rope haulages and conveyors can be operated more economically by electricity than by compressed air, but the question whether electricity may be used is primarily and strictly governed by considerations of safety. The aggregate horse-power of electric motors in use below ground for haulage, at 30th June, 1930, was 400,818, and for conveyors and loaders 22,426. I regret I am unable to give any corresponding figures as to other forms of mechanical power, and consequently unable also to answer the last part of the question. The number of horses employed below ground was 49,243.