Page:The Economic Journal Volume 1.djvu/581

 NOT:ES AND MEMORANDA 559 Mies--1890. Su,mris of the Statistical Portion of the Reports of Her Majesty's Insloectors of Mines (C--6302). THIS publication shows that during the year 1890 the total number of persons employed in and about all the mines in the United Kingdom amounted to 674,434, of whom 5,890 were females above ground. The number of fatal accidents was 899, and the total number of deaths thereby 1,206; being a decrease of 13 in the number of fatal accidents, and an increase of 78 in the number of lives lost compared with the totals of the preceding year. There was one death for every 543 persons employed, which is more favourable than the ratio 1 in 538 of the preceding year. The total quantity of mineral wrought in the different districts was 194,605,887 tons as compared with 189,633,656 tons in the preceding year. Over 181 million tons was coal (an increase of 4,697,664 tons over 1889), over 8 millions iron-stone, and the remainder fire-clay, oil, shale, and other minerals. The ratios of the fatal accidents and the deaths to the number of persons employed in and about mines under the present and former Coal Mines' Act are given in averages for the periods covered by the first three Acts, and in detail with averages since 1872. These show that the occupation of the miner is now more than twice as safe as it was at the commence- ment of the Mining Acts, the average ratio under the first Act being one death in every 233 persons employed, under the second Act one death in 258, under the third Act one death in 312, under the fourth Act one death in 466, while for the present year it is one in 528. The summaries are accompanied by lists of inspectors of mines under both Mines Acts, of the secretaries to the boards for examinations under the Acts, and particulars of examination boards and examinations. Mines and Minerals. Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with the Isle of Man, for the Year 1890 (C 6364). IT is stated in the introduction to this return, which is prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines, by direction of the Secretary of State .for the Home Department, that it contains an account of the quantity and value of all minerals wrought in mines, the value of all ninerals obtained from openworks, brineworks, &c., a table of the mines inspection districts with the names and addresses of Inspectors, Assistant Inspectors, Secretaries to Boards for Examiners, and the Clerk of Mineral Statistics. There is also an appendix showing the production of minerals in the British Colonies and Possessions. Tabular statements are given showing the imports and exports of each of the principal minerals, furnished by the Board of Customs, and in certain cases information is also added as to distribution, supplied by railway and navigation companies.