administer the same, that he will correctly weigh all coal taken
from such mine under existing contracts between the owner, lessee or
agent, and the miners, and give due credit for same; and when
required by existing contracts between the lessor and lessee, he
shall give due credit to such lessor. He shall also give a bond in
the sum of three hundred dollars, with two sureties approved by the
clerk of the township in which such mine is situated, conditioned
for the faithful discharge of his duties, and payable to the state,
with the oath indorsed thereon, which shall be deposited with such
township clerk. (Penalty, Sec. 976.)


Sec. 967. [=Examination of machinery, ventilating current, etc., by
miner or owner.=] The miners employed in a mine may appoint two of
their number to act as a committee to inspect, not oftener than once
in every month, the mine and the machinery connected therewith, and
to measure the ventilating current. If the owner, lessee or agent so
desires, he may accompany such committee or appoint two or more
persons for that purpose. The owner, lessee or agent shall afford
every necessary facility for making such inspection and measurement,
but the committee shall not in any way interrupt or impede the work
in the mine at the time of such inspection and measurement. Within
ten days after the inspection and measurement, such committee shall
make a correct report thereof to the chief inspector of mines, on
blanks furnished by him. (Sec. 906; Penalty, Sec. 976.)


Sec. 968. [=Appropriation of land for mines, how made.=] The owner,
lessee or agent of a coal mine, may, when such owner, lessee or
agent does not own or control suitable surface ground for openings