1892

BOARD OF EXAMINATION. COLLIERY MANAGERS.

The Board for the appointment of examiners for granting certificates of competency to colliery managers remains as before, andis composed as follows :—

The examiners are,—

At the examination, held at the College of Science, on January 7th and three candidates only, presented themselves for first-class certificates, one being successful, and of the 46 candidates for second-class certificates 28 satisfied the examiners.

The working out of all questions must be fully shown. No answer giving simply the result will be accepted.

1. Add—

Subtract—

Multiply—

Seven thousand, eight hundred, and sixty-four pounds, six shillings, and eight pence by nine decimal seven five.

Four-fifths of ninety-one by seventy-one and a half.

Divide—

Decimal nothing, nine eight by decimal nothing, nothing, two, nine.

Find—

3/5 of 8/9 of 15 cwts.

2. If a pumping engine, with a 17 in. set 5 ft. stroke, going 3 strokes a minute and 11 hours a day, can clear a mine of water in 4 days, in how many days will an engine working a 13 in. set 4 ft. stroke, going 7 strokes a minute and 19 hours a day, do the same work?

3. Give a description, with sketches, of any system of timbering with which you are well acquainted.

4. Describe the method of measuring air with an anemometer and with powder smoke. Which is the better? How many cubic feet of air is there in a current having a velocity of 382 ft. per minute in a drift 6 ft. 5 in. high by 8 ft. 7 in. wide?

5. Give a sketch of a full sized district—

(1.) Board and pillar,

(2.) Long wall,

showing how the air is taken round the face. All stoppings, crossings, regulators, and doors to be shown.

6. Describe fully, with sketches, any system of underground haulage with which you are acquainted. Give sketches showing how the ropes and tubs are attached and detached, and the method of working a branch way or ways.

7. Give a list of the various officers, men, and boys in a colliery, and describe fully the duties of each and the numbers required for an average sized colliery.

8. What are the different kinds of explosives used in coal mining? Give a description of drilling a shot-hole and putting in the explosive. What should be done if coal dust or gas is present in a place where a shot is required? Describe the cause of a blown out shot, its effects, and what precautions you would recommend to prevent it.

9. What are the regulations of the Mines Act as to —

Hours of boys above and below ground,

Fencing of machinery,

Precautions in approaching old workings.

Signalling.

Refuge holes.

1. Give an account of the various gases met with in coal mines. How are they detected, and what are the results of their presence in the workings ? If the main returns of a pit, ventilated by a furnace, become foul, what means should be adopted to avoid an explosion and to clear the returns of gas.

2. Explain the theory of the ventilation of mines. What is meant by splitting the air, and how does it affect the general ventilation of a mine?

3. Whence arises the danger in using the Davy or Clanny lamp unprotected? Describe some form of safe lamp you are acquainted with. What is the most explosive mixture of gas and air, and the mixture containing the least proportion of gas which will explode?

4. Draw a ground plan showing surface arrangements of an independent average sized colliery fully equipped.

5. Draw a sketch of board and pillar and long wall working for a colliery with one hundred and fifty hewers in each shift, showing number of workmen in each district, the course of air splits, stoppings, crossings, doors, and regulators for it, and give proper dimensions for return airways, also quantity of air in each split?

6. Describe, with sketches, the various sorts of dams used to stop water in mines. What danger is to be apprehended when a fiery colliery having workings to the rise, and which has been drowned out, is being cleared of water by pumping? How do you ascertain the pressure of water behind the dam, assuming you have no pressure gauge?

7. Describe, with a sketch, any furnace or ventilating fan you are acquainted with, and state its advantages.

8. Describe the method of sinking a pit through water-bearing strata, having very soft ground to commence with. Give sketches and dimensions of the materials you would use for a 14 ft. pit; also give sketch showing cages, guides, and pumps.

9. Describe the method of surveying with an ordinary compass and theodolite with the advantages and disadvantages of each system. Plot the following survey:—

Describe the method of levelling with a spirit level, and show how a levelling book is kept.

10. Describe fully, with sketch, the best form of boiler, with fittings and seating.

Source:

Mines Inspectors Report for 1892 (C 6986) for the Newcastle District (No. 3) by J. L. Hedley, H.M. Inspector of Mines, copy held in the Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange, Midlothian.