THE KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 14, 18 January 1898, Page 5

THE KAURI GUM INDUSTRY

ROYAL COMMISSION PRO

CEEDINGS.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DARGAVILLE, this day

The Commission to inquire into the Kauri Gum Industry, opened proceedings at 9.30 o'clock this morning, sitting it the Courthouse at Dargaville. Messrs Tregear and Mueller are the Commissioners, the former being the Chairman. The Secretary read the Commission under the Governor's

hand

Mr Somers, who gave evidence under the Commission in 1893, said that he had nothing much to say additional, but that he could earn only £2 a week now, when in 1893 he could earn £3. He was a settler on Mr Owen's land at Mongonui Swamp, and paid 2s a week royalty to dig gum. There were about ten British diggers on the lease and 25 Austrians. The former , felt the competition of the Austrians very severely. The Austrians were increasing in numbers. Three hundred had arrived in the colony in the last six months and of this number 30 came to Wairoa. They found tbe conditions rather severe in tlie Wairoa, ami so great numbers of the Austrians have left for the northern.fields, principally Mongonui and Marsden and Whangarei counties. Mr E. R. Ellis, who had acted as secretary to the Gumdiggers' Union, and who had also written several letters to the Ministers and the Labour Bureau, also gave evidence, after which the Commission took the luncheon adjournment.