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families of deceased miners. This sum is formed by contributions from the owner, the mine officials, the friends, and visitors.

Of all the mines in Japan, Ashio is situated nearest to the capital of the country, and so has the greatest advantage in means of conveyance; and yet, for the working of the mine, as well as for the men and the officials, special measures have had to be taken to insure the supply of necessary articles. For this purpose there were established two special departments—the engineering and the provision. In the engineering department everything relating to the electrical, mechanical, and civil works is dealt with. The manufacture and repair of the mining machinery is undertaken in this department. In the provision department everything relating to forestry, stores, and transport is supervised. Under the head of forestry is included the provision of the necessary timber for the underground workings, as well as the general supply of timber. This timber is procured from far-distant forests, and the question of its transport to Ashio is a very complicated one. Under the head of transport comes the conveyance of the finished copper from the mine, and also the conveyance to the mine of all goods necessary for every branch of work. There is a private tramway which connects the Nippon Railway Company’s lines at Nikko Station with the aerial tramway over the mountains to the mine. In the work of transportation many cattle and horses are employed. In the shops at the mine provided by the mine management are to be obtained all the tools and materials necessary for the work at the mine, besides provisions and necessary articles for the officials and men. These things are sold to the men at the original cost, thus enabling them to live very cheaply and economically. Besides these shops, there are thousands of retail merchants in the neighbourhood of the mine, but they find it impossible to compete with the wholesale prices of the mining shops. The cost of articles thus purchased is deducted from the wages of the miners, and the men thus derive greater benefit than they would under the co-operative system in vogue in Europe and America.