once hazardous to property and perilous to life. We need not, however, dwell on this point, for the sketch we have given of the actual state of the law proves that the legislature has taken all reasonable precautions within the scope of its jurisdiction for the prevention of accidents to workmen through the parsimony or heedlessness of employers. The scheme now proposed is one of a series of measures, the total effect of which would be to virtually confiscate a large amount of the capital invested in collieries and other analogous undertakings. We believe its only chance of success will spring from a misconception of its real import, and, therefore, we trust that all who comprehend its true character will be at once energetic and vigilant, and thereby procure its prompt and summary rejection.

Mining, Quarrying, and Smelting Accounts and Meetings.

CORNWALL AND DEVON.

At GREAT WHEAL FORTUNE (Jan. 22), a dividend of 10s. per share was declared, and a balance of upwards of £900 in favour of adventurers carried to next account. The report of the agents was an exceedingly satisfactory one.

At the ALFRED CONSOLS MINE (Jan. 27), the accounts for September and October showed-Balance last audit, £279. 11s. 2d.; mine cost, merchants' bills, and sundries, £1,891. 7s. 10d.=£2,170. 198.-Copper ore sold, £1,495. 8s. 8d.: leaving a debit balance of £675. 10s. 4d.

In consequence of the notice given by the GREAT WHEAL ALFRED adventurers to the lords, offering them the materials and the mine, that mine will, most probably, soon cease to work; it is, therefore, resolved that when the result of the answer from the lords be ascertained, that Great Wheal Alfred is certainly condemned, the committee be requested to call a special meeting of the adventurers in this mine, to determine on the future working, and to fill up the vacancies at present in that body. The purser was instructed to take legal proceedings against all in arrear of calls.

At SOUTH CARADON MINE (Jan 28-Mr. R. Kittow in the chair), the accounts for the two months ending October showed-Balance last audit, £3,040. 3s. 6d. ; copper ore sold, £9,122. 12s. 5d.=£12,162. 15s. 11d.-Mine cost, merchants' bills, and sundries, September, £3,135. 14s. 4d.; October, £3,186. 2s. 5d. ; leaving credit balance, £5,840. 19s. 2d. The profit on the two months' working was £2,800. 15s. 8d. A dividend, and bonus together £2,560 (£5 per share) were declared, and £3,280. 19s. 2d. carried to credit of next accuont. Captain Peter Clymo reported—“The new discovery alluded to in my last report has failed, the lode at present being unproductive, but still a very promising one, and I think we must go deeper before we have much ore. This level is called the 100, but it is not, in fact, so deep as the East Caradon 50-fm. level. The other parts of the mine are still looking very well, with every probability of a continuance."

At CRADDOCK MOOR MINE (Jan. 28), the accounts for September and October showed-Balance last audit, £1,584. 11s. 1d.; copper ores sold and carriage, £2,420. 1s. 4d. £4,004. 12s. 5d.-Mine cost, merchants' bills, and sundries, £1,926. 17s. 9d.; November dividend, £369. 5s.: leaving credit balance, £1,708. 9s. 8d. The profit on the two months' working was £493. 3s. 7d. A dividend of £369. 5s. (7s. per share) was declared. Capts. H. and J. Taylor and Phillips reported on the points of operation. They estimate to sell 300 tons of usual quality copper ore in the next two months.

At EAST WHEAL BASSET (Jan. 28), the accounts showed-Balance last audit, £1,155. 19s. 2d.; ore sold, &c., £2,482. 2s.=£3,638. ls. 2d.-Mine cost, merchants' bills, and sundries, £1,156. 16s. 4d. leaving credit balance, £2,481. 4s. 10d. A dividend of £1,536 (£3 per share) was declared, and

£945. 4s. 10d. carried to credit of next account.

At the COPPER HILL MINE (Jan. 28), the accounts for the four months ending December showed-Ores sold (deducting £209. 12s. dues, at 1-16th), £3,144. Os.5d.; sundries, £29. 4s. 4d.=£3,173. 4s. 9d.-Balance last audit, £403. 17s. 2d.; mine cost, merchants' bills and sundries, £2,013. 1s. 8d.: leaving credit balance,

£756. 5s. 11d. The profit on the four months' working was £1,160. 3s. 1d. A dividend of £512 (£2 per share) was declared, and £244. 5s. 11d. carried to credit of next account. Captains J. Davey and Son, Inch and Johns, reported upon the various points of operation.

At the SOUTH TOLGUS MINE (Jan. 28), the accounts for November and December showed-Balance from last audit, £68. 1s. 9d.; ore sold, £2,753, 10s. 9d.= £2,821. 12s. 6d.-Mine cost, merchants' bills and sundries, £2,267. ls. 3d.: leaving credit balance, £554. 11s. 3d. The profit on the two months' working was £486. 9s. 6d. A dividend of £512 (£1 per share) was declared, and £42. 11s. 3d. carried to the credit of the next account.

At the MINERA MINING COMPANY meeting (Jan. 28), the directors declared a dividend of £3. 10s. per share, from the profits to last Christmas.

At the PEN-AN-DREA UNITED MINES (Jan 29-Mr. Robert Pulsford in the chair), the accounts showed-Credit balance last account, £1,546. 17s. 9d.; tin sold since last meeting, £2,955. 19s. 9d.; copper ore, £279. 3s. 9d.; arsenic, £55. 10s. ; calls received, £1,721. 12s. 10d.=£6,559. 4s. 1d.-September, October and November labour cost, £3,178. 3s. 2d.; merchants' bills, &c., £2,199. 11s. 8d.; leaving balance in hand, £1,181. 9s. 3d.

At the CARN BREA MINING COMPANY (Jan. 31), the directors declared their 112th dividend of £2 per share-making the sum of £271. 10s. already paid on each £15 share.

At DOLCOATH MINE meeting (Feb. 3), the accounts for November and December showed-Balance last audit, £528. 4s.; by copper ores sold, £282. 4s.; tin ore, £11,011. 6s.; extra carriage of tin, £10. 10s. 7d. (less dues, £470. 11s. 3d.; and rates, £50.)=£11,311. 13s. 4d.-By tutwork and surface labour, £4,349.14s. 10d.; tribute, £970. Os. 9d.; merchants' bills, £2,082. 18s. 10d.; making profit on the two months' working, £3,380. 14s. 4d. A dividend of £3,222 (£9 per share) was declared, and £686. 18s. 11d. carried to next account. The agent's report is among the Mining Correspondence.

At WHEAL BASSET (Feb. 4), the accounts for November and December showed→ Balance last audit, £1,549. 2s. 8d.; ore sold and sundries, £4,880. 17s. 5d.= £6,430. Os. 1d.-Mine cost, merchants' bills and sundries, £3,156. 9s. 3d.; leaving credit balance, £3,273. 10s. 10d. The profit on the two months' working was £1,724. 8s. 2d. A dividend of £1,536 (£3 per share) was declared, and £1,737. 10s. 10d. carried to the credit of next account.

At the WEST CARADON MINE (Feb. 5-Mr. Harris in the chair), the accounts for September and October showed a profit of £879. The balance of assets over liabilities was £5,374. A dividend of £1,024. (£1 per share) was declared, and a balance of £4,350 carried to the credit of the next account. Details in another column.

At DRAKE WALLS (Feb. 6), the accounts for the three months ending December showed-Balance last audit, £1,248. 4s. 2d.; tin ore sold, October, November and December, £4,289. 7s. 10d.; arsenic sold, £137. 10s. 10d.; account overcharged by Duchy of Cornwall, £1. 1s.=£5,676. 3s. 10d.-Mine cost, dues, &c., October, November and December, £3,874. 10s. 8d.; extra disbursements, £70. 3s. 11d.= £3,944. 14s. 7d.: leaving credit balance, £1,731. 9s. 3d.

At ST. IVES WHEAL ALLEN meeting (Feb. 5), the accounts showed a balance of only £389, 15s. against the mine at the end of December, 1861, and a call of 7s. 6d. per share was made. The 30, east of Giesler's shaft, is worth £18 to £20 per fathom, and they have had a good lode in this end for the last 12 fathoms; this level is also driven further east than any other below the adit, which looks well. The 10, east of Roderick's shaft, is worth £20 per fathom, and the shaft is about to be sunk to the 20, and a good lode is expected in sinking, The stopes and pitches have improved. They have sold 6 tons 7 cwts. 2 qrs. 20 lbs. of black tin, and in future regular sales will be made, while the costs will be much lighter than hitherto, all the surface work, &c., being complete. The agents state, "The mine is gradually improving, and we believe it will continue to do so."

At HERODSFOOT Mine (Feb. 4), the accounts showed a profit upon the four months' working to end of December of £2,167. 19s. 8d.; a cash balance of £1,443. 16s. 11d.; and a balance of assets over liabilities, of £3,145. 6s. 10d. A dividend of 35s. per share was declared. Messrs. Loam, Glubb, Caunter, Davy, Hawker and Medland were re-elected members of the committee. Captain T.Trevillion reported on the mine, which was in good working trim, never better at any former time. The qualities of the ores also we e never richer then during the last four months, as the

average price of the two 85-tons parcels realised £27. 16s. per ton; this is very satisfactory, especially when the reserves of orey ground in the mine are not in the least diminishing, but rather on the increase, and they look forward with confidence for regular and continued dividends.

At the TINCROFT MINING COMPANY (Feb. 7), the directors declared a dividend of 5s. per share.

At CHARLOTTE UNITED MINES (Feb. 6-Mr. Alexander in the chair), the accounts for the four months ending November showed-Balance last audit, £2,590. 12s. 2d.; August mine cost, merchants' bills, &c., £1,014. 9s. 4d.; September, £1,144. 5s. 8d.; October, £1,025. 18s. 8d.; November, £1,082, 1s. 9d.; Mr. Pike's lease, £26. 5s.=£6,883. 12s. 7d,—Call, £2,894. 13s. 9d.; copper ore sold £2,322. Os. 3d.; tin, £25. 3s. 9d., leaving debit balance, £1,641. 14s. 10d. The report of the agents, Captains R. Kendall and J. Penberthy, recommend an application to the lords to remit dues until the mines become more remunerative. A call of 5s. 6d. per share was made. It was resolved that a petition in the Stannaries Court be filed forthwith against all shareholders in arrear of call; that the operations recommended by the agents be carried out with vigour; and that an application be made to the lords for a suspension of the dues. The committee of management were re-elected."

At KELLY BRAY (Feb. 13—Mr. J. Field in the chair), the statement of accounts for the three months ending December showed-Balance last audit, £107. 4s. Id.; call received, £486. Os. 6d.; copper ore sold, £753. 3s. 5d.=£1,346. 8s.-October, mine cost, merchants' bills, &c., £429. 17s. 1d.; November, ditto, £419. 4s. 2d.; December, ditto, £425. 15s. 5d.; expenses and loss upon forged shares, £24. 3s. 1d.— £1,298. 19s. 9d.; leaving credit balance, £47. 8s. 3d.

At WHEAL TRELAWNY (Feb. 8-Mr. W. Page in the chair), the following statement of accounts for the three months ending November, showing a profit of £1,265. 6s. 6d. (or 24s. per share), was submitted:-Silver lead ore sold, £6,271, 3s. 3d.; mine cost, £4,243. 7s. 8d.; merchants' bills, £1,288. 16s. 10d.; Royalty, £306. Os. 9d.; interest, £39. Os. 2d.; income tax, £128. 8s. 10d.; incidental expenses, 2s. 6d.=£5,005. 16s. 9d.; leaving credit balance, £1,265. 6s. 9d. The assets exceeded the liabilities by £2,106. 18s. 2d. A dividend of 15s. per share was declared, leaving a balance of £485 to be added to the reserve fund.

At the CLIFFORD AMALGAMATED MINES (Feb. 19), the accounts for November and December showed-Ores sold, £14,273; balance last audit, £1,135; merchants' bills, £2,592; Redruth and Chacewater Railway, £278: on account of coals, £1,550; labour cost, £6,474; leaving credit balance, £2,240. A dividend of £1,862 (12s. 6d. per share) was declared, leaving credit balance, £378.

At PROSPER UNITED (held at the company's offices, Bishopsgate-street Within, Feb. 21, Mr. F. Hill in the chair), the accounts showed-Balance last audit, £7,885. Os. 5d.; mine cost, Sept. to Dec., and subsist for Nov. to Feb. inclusive, £2,897. 7s. 3d.; merchants' bills four months ending Dec., £3,130. 7s. 11d.;= £13,912. 15s. 7d.; calls received, £5,906. 15s.; arrears received, £110; copper ore sold, £596. 4s. 2d.; tin sold, £415. 12s. 7d.=£7,028. 11s. 9d.; leaving debit balance, £6,884. 3s. 10d. A call of 23s. per share was made.

WALES.

At the Vigra and Clogau meeting, January 24, the sum of £100 was awarded to the directors for their services to the end of last year, and it was resolved that £5. 5s. should be allowed as attendance fees for each future board meeting; the sum of £50 was voted to Mr. Gillman for past services, and his future salary as secretary was fixed at £100 per annum; Mr. Goodman was awarded £20 for past services and advice, and his fee as auditor for the present year was fixed at £10. 10s. The shafts suggested by Captain Paull in 1860, and subsequently by Captain Pascoe, for facilitating the profitable working of the copper lodes, have, from serious impediments, been abandoned, and two deep adits, under the advice and to meet the views of the Government surveyor, have been opened, one at Vigra and the other at Clogau Mountain, and negotiations are pending for effecting these cuttings by machinery. During the past year only 25 or 30 tons of copper ore had been dressed, and, as it does not pay to raise the ore by the present mode, the prosecution of the same has been suspended. The gold is obtained from the St. David's lode, worked under a license from the Crown, distinct from Vigra and Clogau. Capt. John Parry reports that during the year 37 fathoms of ground have been removed. The quantity of auriferous ore carted down from St. David's lode and

passed through the large machines was 449 tons 18 cwts., yielding 580 ozs. 10 dwts. 7 grs. of fine gold, and the visible gold that passed through the small machines was 6 tons 2 cwts. 32 lbs. yielding 2,303 ozs. 11 dwts. Capt. Pascoe thinks there is plenty of auriferous quartz above the level for the present machines for many years.

COLONIAL AND FOREIGN.

At the Scottish Australian Mining Company meeting (Mr. W. H. Dickson in the chair), it was stated that the company was established with the immediate object of purchasing eleven specific properties in New South Wales-one of which was known to contain copper and others coal-and of acquiring any other mineral properties, having great promise, that those entrusted with its management might from time to time have it in their power to secure in the Australasian colonies; and, having obtained them, either to work them, or, after more or less exploration, to dispose of them as may appear most beneficial to the company. That it was. also confidently anticipated that the company, having a fruitful and constantly widening field to work in, would by degrees and in due time become a mining association of an extensive and important character, not only general in its objects but very successful in its results. That the procedure by which the directors desired to make a commencement to carry out the objects of the company was confined to the development of the copper mine in the Good Hope property, and to the stablishment of a colliery near the port of Newcastle, perhaps the most rising town in the Australian colonies. The Chairman stated that the operations at Good Hope Mine during the past twelve months had been mainly directed to the sinking of the shaft below the 30-fathom level, and exploring to intersect the lode at that depth. The whole of the work had been economically conducted, and although a large amount of work had been done, the cost did not exceed £3,457. The most satisfactory results were anticipated from this property. With regard to the Cadiangullong Mine, which comprised an area of 564 acres, it was situated 14 miles from Orange, 40 from Bathurst, and 160 from Sydney. The terms upon which a 21 years' lease has been obtained were simply a royalty of 1-12th of the ore to be raised. A commencement of mining operations on the property was made at the end of July last, and though no machinery nor expensive appliances had been used, 600 tons of ore were brought to grass by the middle of November. Copper ore was found at 18 feet from the surface, where a lode was found 68 to 70 feet wide, and extending for at least half a mile in length. From all the data that could be collected relative to this property, there were abundant reasons for believing it would prove of great value, and become a permanently paying property. Of the 600 tons brought to grass in the short period above referred to, one-fourth yielded an average of 40 per cent. of copper, and the whole was estimated to average upwards of 20 per cent. The 600 tons was computed to be worth £12,000, while the cost of obtaining it did not exceed more than £2,000. The smelting works were probably completed by the present time. The company also had several coal properties, and the lease had been executed of 2,560 acres of coal producing land, situated near Newcastle. It had been fully proved to contain several seams of coal of the very best description. The lease of the Good Hope property was freehold. The Cadiangullong Mine was held upon a lease of 21 years, on a royalty of 1-12th; and the 2,560 acres of coal property was held upon a lease for 50 years. A Proprietor enquired if there was any truth in the rumour that five men in two days raised £400 worth of ore from the Cadiangullong Mine? The Chairman replied there had been a rumour to that effect, and he believed the rumour to be true. A Shareholder enquired as to the cost of carriage of ore or copper from Cadiangullong to Sydney? It was explained that it would not be comparatively heavy, as the roads in New South Wales (unlike the other Australian colonies) are excellent, having been made long ago by the labour of convicts. The road from Sydney to Bathurst was said to be as good as could well be desired. The report and accounts were then received and adopted, and the retiring directors and auditor reappointed. A special resolution was then unanimously passed, to the effect-That the capital of the company be, and hereby is, increased by the creation of 40,000 additional shareholders of £1 each, to be offered rateably, in the first instance, at par to all existing shareholders; and that the sum of 10s. per share shall be payable on all such additional shares on or before March 31st next; the holders of the additional shares

shall be entitled to participate in the profits and advantages of the company on precisely the same footing as the holders of the said 80,000 shares; in issuing the additional shares no fractional part of a share shall be allotted to any person, but all such fractional parts shall be offered for sale for the benefit of the company. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and directors terminated the proceedings.

Metal Markets.

THE character of the market during the month has been marked by extreme dulness. Very little business has been doing, even at reduced rates, and many second-hand parcels hang on hand notwithstanding the low rates at which they are offered. Shipments to America and the Continent are on the increase; and for the former there are many orders on hand, which, under present circumstances, shippers are unwilling to execute without cash.

IRON.-The market for railway bars has remained without alteration during the month, and no improvement can be expected until the rate of production, now so far in excess of the demand, is reduced. Merchant bars have been in good demand, but no advance has been possible, nor likely to be, as long as railway orders remain so scarce: price. £5. 2s. 6d. to £5. 5s. at the works; and £6, f. o. b. in London. For Staffordshire makes there has on the whole been rather more enquiry, and they seem to be recovering from their long-continued dulness; but there has been no alteration in prices. Swedish bars have been quiet, in fair request at quoted prices. Scotch pigs have slightly fluctuated during the month, having in the early part advanced about 1s., being quoted 49s. 3d. to 49s. 9d. mixed numbers; later on they declined from 49s. to 48s. 9d.

COPPER. On the 3rd of the month, the smelters of English announced a decline in fixed rates of £5 per ton on raw, and d. per lb. on manufactured descriptions; making the official rates £102. 10s. for cake, tile and ingot, and 11 d. for sheet and sheathing. This reduction had been anticipated, for the fixed rates had been for some time nearly nominal. Indeed, in some quarters a greater drop was expected; for the selling prices are still much below the fixed rates, numerous orders, particularly for India, having been executed at 10 d., or d. under price. The continued fall in the standard necessarily depresses the market, and cake and tile can be purchased very much under fixed rates. Foreign has been dull, Burra Burra having changed hands at prices ranging from £98 to £97; Kapunda, £100 to £98; Chili, £90 to £88, and Spanish £88 to £90. Yellow metal was lowered, with copper, to 9 d. but is selling at 1d. under that rate.

TIN. The demand for English has been quiet but steady, smelters adhering pretty closely to fixed rates. Foreign has been very dull, but has recently slightly rallied. Straits have ranged from £119 to £116; Banca, £124. 10s. to £123. During the month Tin plates have been in good demand, principally for shipment to America, to anticipate the expected increase in duty.

LEAD. This metal has, on the whole, been firmer during the month. In the early part there was a slight tendency to an advance, but later it has been rather the other way. Still sellers are tolerably firm.

SPELTER.-The Spelter market has been quiet, and in the early part of the month sales were made at £18 to £18. 2s. 6d. This quotation, however, has scarcely been maintained, sales having been made as low as £17. 10s. Zinc steady through the month at £23. The following is from the last report of Messrs. Berger Brothers :-" Since our last nearly 800 to 900 tons