GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. Geo. C. BLACK, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930 Session I, I-04

I—l. 4.

I.- 4

1930. NEW ZEALAND.

GOLDFIELDS AND MINES COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. Geo. C. BLACK, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be -printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House' of Representatives. Wednesday, the 23rd Day of July, 1930. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to whom shall be referred all matters relating to mining and all Bills relating to mining ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Black, Mr. Bodkin, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Hawke, Mr. H. E. Holland, Mr. Martin, Mr. Munns, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Waite." — (Hon. Mr. Murdoch.) Thurdsay, the 7th Day of August, 1930. Ordered, " That paper No. 95 (Mining Act, 1926, Amended Regulations under the, relating to Subsidies in Aid of Prospecting) be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Murdoch.) Tuesday, the 26th Day oe August, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of A. J. Whiteside and others be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Mr. Samuel.) Ordered, " That paper No. 144 (Coal-mines Act, 1925 : Assignment by way of Sale of all Interest in Coal Lease of 31 acres from Alexander Smith to William Edgar Dennis) be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Hon. Mr. Murdoch.) Wednesday, the 27th Day of August, 1930. Ordered, " That the Coal-mines Amendment Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. H. E. Holland.) Wednesday, the J 7th Day oe September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petitions of N. Mudgway, W. Vosper, J. Hayward, Louisa P. Brown, W. L. Davies, R. Thorburn, and Ethel M. Ashby be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."—(Mr. Samuel.) Ordered, " That the petition of Anne Rasmusson be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. H. E. Holland.) Ordered, " That the petition of H. E. Stevens and others be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Bodkin.) Ordered, "That the petition of H. V. Taylor bo referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."(Mr. Savage.) Tuesday, the 23rd Day oe September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of P. Jones be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. H. E. Holland.) Thursday, the 25th Day oe September, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of Alice McLoughlin be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Samuel.) Ordered, " That the petition of W. Smith and others be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Bodkin.) Friday, the 26th Day oe September, 1930. Ordered; " That the petition of T. Falconer and others be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. McDouoall.) Ordered, " That the petition of E. Mellett and others be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. H. E. Holland.) Thursday, the 16th Day oe October, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of L. C. Harvey be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Broadfoot.) Ordered, " That the Kawarau Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Hon. Mr. Murdoch.) Monday', the 20th Day of October, 1930. Ordered, " That the petition of L. C. Harvey be referred direct to the Goldfields and Mines Committee."— (Mr. Broadfoot.)

L— 4

2

INDEX.

REPORTS. No. 79. —Petition of William Mitchell, of Reefton. Praying that he be granted a compassionate allowance in lieu of a miner's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 84. —Petition of R. Mclntosh, of Reefton. Praying for inquiry into circumstances of his resignation from the Mines Department, and for reinstatement, compensation, and issue of first-class mine manager's certificate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 25th October, 1930.

No. 97. —Petition of Harold Victor Taylor, of Auckland. Praying that a recommendation of the Goldfields and Mines Committee be given effect to. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 144. —Petition of A. J. Whiteside and 113 Others. Praying that the Government make provision to treat quartz or gold-dirt won by prospectors or tributers at 10s. per ton. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th October, 1930.

No. 178. —Petition of Percy Barrow. Praying that his miner's-phthisis pension be restored to him or that he be granted a compassionate allowance in lieu thereof. I have the honour to report that, as the subiect-matter of the petition has been acceded to, the member in charge of the same has asked for leave to withdraw the petition. The Committee recommends that the honourable member be allowed to do so. Bth October, 1930.

No. Petitioner, Ac. Page. p__ 192 Ashby, Ethel M. .. .. .. 3, 5 178 Barrow, Percy .. .. . . 2 191 Brown, Louisa P. . . . . . . 3, 5 Coal-mines Amendment Bill . . . . 5 194 Davies, W. L. .. . . 4, 5 213 Falconer, T., and 6 others .. 3 Final report .. . 6 Harvey, L. C. .. .. 4 195 Hayward, John .. . . 4, 5 j 200 Jones, Percy .. . . . . 4 Kawaru Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill 5 84 Mcintosh, R. . . . . . . 2 211 McLoughlin, Alice .. .. 4, 5 215 Mellett, E., and 35 others . . 3 79 Mitchell, William .. . . . . 2, 5

No. Petitioner, Ac. Page 197 Mudgway, Neville .. . . .. 4, 5 187 Murray, G. A. .. . . .. 5 185 O'Donnell, Walter .. .. . . 3 Parliamentary paper No. 95 C (Amended 5 Regulations under the Mining Act, 1926) Parliamentary paper No. 144 C 5 214 Pfahlert, E., and 151 others . . . . 3 190 Rasmusson, Aune .. .. . . 3, 5 212 Smith, William, and 53 others .. 3 Special report .. .. .. 6 Special report on miner's-phthisis petitions 5 184 Stevens, H. E., and 1,056 others .. 3 ,89} Ta y Ior ' H - v { 1; 5 193 Thorburn, Robert . . . . 4 196 Vosper, William .. . . . . ; 4, 5 144 Whiteside, A. J., and 113 others ., j 2

3

L—4

No. 184.—Petition of H. E. Stevens and 1,056 Others, of Clyde (and 4 other similar Petitions, as per Schedule attached). Praying for assistance to the gold-mining industry. I am directed to report —(1) That in the opinion of the Committee the question of the granting of a bonus on gold produced should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration ; (2) that the Postal regulation which permits of £100 worth of bullion only being transmitted by post adversely affects the mining industry, and such limitation should be abolished forthwith ; (3) That the gold-mining industry offers an opportunity for the employment of unemployed miners, and that men so employed will render a more valuable aid to the State than is rendered by many men who are employed on relief works,; and that the Government be requested to formulate and bring before the Employment Board proposals for assisting the gold-mining industry, with a view to relieving unemployment. 25th October, 1930. SCHEDULE. No. 212.—William Smith and 53 others. j No. 213.—I 1 . Falconer and (5 others. No. 214.— E. PfaJilert and 151 others. | No. 215. —E. Mellett and 35 others.

No. 185. —Petition of Walter O'Donnell, of No. 1 Onslow Road, Mount Eden, Auckland. Praying that a miner's pension be granted to him notwithstanding absence from Dominion during the last five years. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the Pensions Department should arrange for the petitioner to be medically examined, and that, if the experts certify that he is a sufferer from miner's phthisis, the petitioner should be granted a compassionate allowance in lieu of a miner's-phthisis pension. 25th October, 1930.

No. 187. —Petition of Geoege Anderson Murray, of Auckland. Praying that he be granted a miner's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 189. —Petition of Harold Victor Tayloe, of Auckland. Praying for a miner's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 190.—Petition of Anne Rasmusson, of Westport. Praying for a miner's widow's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be dealt with in the discretion of the Minister of Pensions and the Minister of Mines in terms of the general clause recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 191. —Petition of Louisa Patricia Beown, of Waihi. Praying for a compassionate allowance in lieu of a miner's widow's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be dealt with in the discretion of the Minister of Pensions and the Minister of Mines in terms of the general clause recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 192.—Petition of Ethel Margaeet Ashßy, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's widow's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be dealt with in the discretion of the Minister of Pensions and the Minister of Mines in terms of the general clause recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

2—l. 4.

1.—4

4

No. 193. —Petition of Robert Thorburn, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's pension or compensation. I a,m directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 194. —Petition of William L. Davies, _of Waihi. Praying for a miner's pension or compensation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 195. —Petition of John Hayward, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's pension or compensation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 196. —Petition of William Vosper, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's pension or compensation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. J sth October, 1930.

No. 197.—Petition of Neville Mudgway, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's pension or compensation. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be referred to the Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 200. —Petition of Percy Jones, of Waiuta. Praying for a miner's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that this case should be referred to Dr. Foote, of Westport, and Dr. Conlon, of Reefton, as experts, and that the X-ray plate in question should be made available to them, and that the decision of these two specialists in the disease should be taken as final by the Minister of Pensions. 15th October, 1930.

No. 211. —Petition of Alice McLoughlin, of Waihi. Praying for a miner's widow's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, and is one that should be dealt with in the discretion of the Minister of Pensions and the Minister of Mines in terms of the general clause recommended by the Committee in its special report on these petitions. 15th October, 1930.

Nos. 237 and 239.—Petitions of L. C. Harvey, of " Inverleith," Oriental Bay, Wellington. No. 237. Praying for a payment to cover loss incurred in visiting New Zealand in respect of low-temperature coal-carbonization, and No. 239. Praying that a contract be authorized for smokeless briquetted fuel for railway purposes at Invercargill, and for relief in respect of costs incurred in an endeavour to incorporate a carbonizing company on the Ohai coalfields. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these petitions should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 25th October, 1930.

1.—4

5

Special Report on Miner's-phthisis Petitions (as per Schedule attached). I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee has considered the several miner's-phthisis petitions referred to it by the House. These petitions which were dealt with by the Goldfields and Mines Committee set up by the House last session fall into two classes : (1) Cases where the pension applied for has been refused not because of doubt as to whether or not the miner was suffering from the complaint within the meaning of the Act; and (2) cases where there is a conilict of medical opinion as to whether or not the applicant is actually suffering from the complaint within the meaning of the Act. When considering the petitions which come within the first class several anomalies in the existing legislation were disclosed. The Committee therefore recommends that a general clause should be inserted in the Finance Bill giving power to the Minister of Pensions and the Minister of Mines jointly to determine in cases where there is no conflict of evidence as to whether the applicant miner is suffering from pneumoconiosis, or, in the case of an applicant widow, where her late husband was suffering from or died of miner's phthisis, if they in their discretion so determine. In considering the petitions in the second class, it was apparent to the Committee that cases of conflict of medical opinion as to whether or not the applicant miner is suffering from phthisis are not infrequent. The Committee therefore recommends that a Miner's Phthisis Pensions Appeal Board should be set up, consisting of a radiologist, a chest specialist, and three doctors who have had local experience on the several goldfields of the Dominion, to consider any case where the Department is in receipt of such conflicting opinions in respect of the health and condition of any applicant miner. 15th October, 1930. SCHEDULE. No. 79.—William Mitchell. | No. 193.—Robert Thorburn. No. 97.—Harold Victor Taylor. j No. 194. —William L. Davies. No. 187.—George Anderson Murray. ! No. 195. —John Hayward. No. 189. —Harold Victor Taylor. j No. 196. —William Vosper. No. 190.—Anno llasmusson. No. 197. —Neville Mudgway. No. 191. —Louisa Patricia Brown. j No. 211. —Alice McLouglilin. No. 192.—Ethel Margaret Ashby.

Parliamentary Paper No. 95 C (Amended Regulations under the Mining Act, 1926). I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned parliamentary paper, has carefully considered and approved of the same. Bth October, 1930.

Parliamentary Paper No. 144 C. I have the honour to report that, as the above parliamentary paper was referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee in error, the Committee has no comment to make thereon. Bth October, 1930.

Coal-mines Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, to which was referred the abovementioned Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that, in view of the assurance given by the Minister of Mines to the member in charge of the Bill that the subject-matter of clauses 2 and 4 thereof will be discussed by him with the miners' representatives on the occasion of his forthcoming visit to the West Coast of the South Island, the Bill be not allowed to proceed. Bth October, 1930. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, when considering the abovementioned Bill, came to the following resolution : That it be a recommendation to the Government to give effect to clause 3 of the said Bill in so far as it is not already operative, by providing by regulation or otherwise that every working-place where rock-drills are used shall, if any Inspector so directs, be furnished with an adequate water-blast or other suitable appliance for laying the dust, and no person employed underground shall be permitted to return to any end, rise, or other close place until and unless the air has become reasonably free from dust. Bth October, 1930.

Kawar.au Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill. I am directed, to report that the Goldfields and. Mines Committee, to which was referred the abovementioned Bill, has heard evidence on and carefully considered the provisions of the said Bill, and the Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed with amendments shown on copy of the Bill attached hereto. 21st October, 1930.

1.—4

6

Special Report, I have the honour to report that the members of the Goldfields and Mines Committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the ability and attention shown by the Chairman, Mr. G. C. Black, in his management of the business of the Committee during the session. It is further desired that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Committee, and also be reported to the House. Fred Waite, 25th October, 1930. Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have th.e honour to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee, consisting of ten members, has during the session held six meetings. Parliamentary paper No. 95 C (Amended Regulations under the Mining Act, 1926), and parliamentary paper No. 144 C were referred to the Committee, and the same were carefully considered and reported upon to the House. The Coal-mines Amendment Bill and the Kawarau Gold Mining Amalgamation Bill were also referred to the Committee, and the same were carefully considered and reported upon to the House. Twenty-five petitions were referred to the Committee, all of which were finally dealt with and reported upon to the House as follows : Favourable consideration, 21 ; no recommendation, 1 ; inquiry, 2 ; withdrawn, 1. Geo. C. Black, Chairman. 25th October, 1930.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (375 copies), £5 17s. Od.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93o.

Price 6d.]