The Short Title of this Act is “The Drainage of Mines Act, 1884.”

Sections seventy-one and seventy-five of “The Mines Act, 1877,” are hereby repealed.

The owner of any efficient machine or appliance which is employed in raising, lifting, or draining water from any mine shall be entitled to receive contribution for the expense of raising or draining water from such mine from the holders of, or persons working adjacent mines benefited by such machine, or which adjacent mines, from the mode of working the same, shall have added to the volume or quantity of water to be raised.

On hearing the case the Court, if satisfied that the plaintiff’s machinery is efficient, shall first determine whether the mine of the defendant is benefited by the machinery of the plaintiff, or whether such mine has contributed to the volume of water raised or to be raised by the machinery of the plaintiff, and, if the Court determine that the mine of the defendant is so benefited or has so contributed, the Court shall proceed to determine the amount of contribution which it would be reasonable under all the circumstances of the case for the defendant to pay to the plaintiff, and the time, mode, and conditions of payment, and the period, not exceeding twelve months, during which such contribution shall be continued.

This Act shall be read and construed with “The Mines Act, 1877,” and shall be deemed and taken to be part thereof.