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offors no special difficulties in construction, and is in overy way suitable as a dam site. The foundation of the lower sito, on the other hand, oxtonds to 60 fect below tidal waters and has an arca of serious weakness at the lowest point, which would have to be cleaned out and grouted to an unknown additional depth, at uncertain but considerable cost. It is true that at the higher lovols the upper site would reqiire a long cut-off wall in part in woathored rock, but rosting on solid rock, but the cost of construction of this would be very small in rclation to the cost and difficulty of securing the foundation at the lower sito.
Control of Mining.
The question of the control of mining oporations on the mainland has occupied the attention of Government for some years. The fact is that at present there is no systematic control; Government has no means of chocking production and of supervising conditions of labour, and it is gonorally accepted that a considerable do groc of illogal mining and loss of rovonuc to Government on royalties, loasos, ctc. is taking place and has taken place for somo years past.
In January of this year Prospecting and Mining Rogulations (1948) wore published in the Gazotto, and in paragraphs 3 (13) (2) (15) the Liconsco is required to carry out certain provisions for safe and efficient working. I agree with the vicws oxpressed in the relative papers that, by the issue of the so Regulations, Government is committed to the appointment of staff suitably qualified to ensure that they are carried out.
A few years ago Mr. Kershaw, of the Malayan Mines Depart- ment, recommended inter alia that a lines Overseer, with three months special training, should be appointed to effect the necessary control. The problems involved seem to me to demand the appointment of an officer of the standing of an Inspector of Mines, such as form most of the staff of any Colonial Mines Department; he would require subordinate staff for examining beacons, checking safety measures,
Should a serious accident take place or a series of minor
etc.