MINES. 
109 
that neither hookworm nor malaria is responsible. Col. Gill also pointed 
out defects in diet and a complete absence of sanitary arrangements. 
At the time of our visit, conditions seemed to be much as this report 
presented them, and we have been unable to find that any action had 
been taken, on it. Health conditions in the mine are no more satisfactory 
than in the settlement itself and the inadequacy of the sanitary arrange- 
ments and the pollution of the atmosphere underground may be re- 
garded as contributing to the low standard of health of the com- 
munity. A special obligation lies upon the Government of India, who 
own and work this mine, to see that health standards and working 
conditions are improved. We recommend that, in addition to the ap- 
plication of our general recommendations as to health, early steps be taken 
to correct defects and to bring the sanitary conditions of the workings 
and the settlement up to a reasonable standard. We also recommend the 
provision of latrine accommodation near the entrance to the mine and 
improved latrines underground. A small sanitary staff should also be 
provided and placed under the supervision of the medical officer in charge 
of the hospital. We understand that a system of electric haulage in 
the main gallery is awaiting sanction, and this, with a more effective 
method of ventilation, would greatly improve the health of the mine. 
Lead and Silver Mines. 
The only lead mine of any importance in British India is the 
Bawdwin mine in the Northern Shan States in Burma, situated nearly 
600 miles from Rangoon and far from any other centre of population. 
Its own railway covers the fifty miles between the mine and the main 
line, and, with its ore mills, smelter and subsidiary plant, the mine forms 
a large self-contained settlement. There are sixteen thousand workers 
In employment, with an unknown number of dependents. The mine 
itself is a highly organised concern working on three 8 hour shifts. 
Six thousand men are employed, 85 per cent of them underground. 
Wages are paid on a system of contract bonus. Eighty-two per cent 
of the stopes are let on contract to a crew of normally 15 men, (5 on each 
shift) and the rate per “set” of ground is agreed between the company 
and the three leading miners. The work is measured up at the end of 
each month to ascertain the amount earned. During the month éach 
miner is paid half-monthly at a daily rate and the difference between the 
amounts so paid and the contract earning is distributed pro rata amongst 
the crew, less 10 per cent which is divided between the three leading 
Miners in addition to their share. This balance is paid with the second 
half-month’s wages. The lowest daily rate paid in the mine is Re. 1-4-0 
and, in the case we saw, men on this rate received Rs. 20 each as their 
share of the monthly balance. Apart from workers who come from India, 
mainly from hill districts, there is a substantial number of Chinese from 
Yunnan in the mine. The company provides free housing, an excellent 
hospital, to which the inhabitants of the surrounding country also come, 
clubs and stores for the sale of food. 
The Bawdwin mine and the works dependent on it at Namtu 
are unique in more ways than one. The local administration of this