THE MINES COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 211, 5 September 1911, Page 7

THE MINES COMMISSION.

The Mines Commission concluded taking evidence at Auckland yesterday afternoon. James Collie deposed that braeemen should have eighteen months' experience under ground before being appointed, also that managers should take the temperature of the mine at least once a week. In small mines he did not think a shot firer was wanted. Frank Shepherd, manager of the Old Hauraki mine, said he had no complaints to make, was quite satisfied with present conditions, and was ready to answer questions. The Chairman said it was for the witnesses to bring before the Commission what they wished to lay beiore it. -Mr Shepherd said the mine was well ventilated, a-nd there were remarkably few accidents. The evidence, of the men ho had heard required no evidence from him. Me quite agreed with the men that the man who had a miss-hole should be the one to go back to it.

In answer to questions, Mr Shepherd said he had 22 years' experience in mining. He considered haif-an-hour was h-mg enough to wait for a "hang fire" hole. The sanitary arrangements in the mines, he did not consider satisfactory. He ■wondered if a septic tank could be worked satisfactorily. He did notthink a shot firer was necessary at Coromandel. The most senious accident in his mine was that a man's leg being broken by a piece of falling rock. H& saw no objections to taking temperatures once a week in the mine, and posting them in the change house. By Mr. Cochrane: He thought it would be * wise measure for engineers to be examined medically every one or two years to ascertain the state of their heart. By Mr. Parry: He never had any conflict with the men regarding six hour shifts. If the men asked for a six-hour shift on account of a wet place, he gave it, for they were good judges. Dr. English said he knew very little about miner's disease. Since 1908 there had been two casse of phthisis of miners in the hospital, and 36 others gave their occupations as labourers. None were discharged cured. Miner's complaint was due to particles of dust being inhaled and blocking the air passages of the lunfs. Some such cases became chronic and lasted for years. Samuel Carlyon, manager of the Kapanga mine, deposed that he agreed with the suggestions made by the previous witnesses from Coromandel. He said a tremendous amount of money had been spent in the Kapanga mine, and the shareholders had so far not got any return. By Mr. Parry: The well hole was nine feet" He considered that sufficient, even if a rush of water was met with. The Commissioners then adjourned to Huntly, where it is understood Mr. Barry and Mr. Grace will be heard on Wednesday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, on the question of adjacent mines being joined to the nearest shaft.