1.—6.

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

WESTLAND COALFIELDS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND APPENDIX).

lieport brought up 30th August, 1889, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Rexncsentatircs. Wednesday, the 3rd Day of July, 1889. Ordered, " That a Select Committee bo appointed, with power to call for persons, papers, and records, to inquire into and report upon the coal-mines of the Westland District. The Committee to consist of the Hon. the Minister of Mines, the Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Guinness, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Withy, Dr. Newman, Mr. W. P. Reeves, Mr. Fish Mr. Feldwick, and the mover; three to form a quorum ; to report in three weeks."—(Mr. Hutchison.)

Tuesday, the 9th Day of. July, 1889. Ordered, " That there be added to the order of reference in respect to the Committee on the Westland Coalfields ' that it include all coal-leases granted by and under the administration of the Nelson Waste Lands Board.' " (Hon! Mr. Larnach.)

Wednesday, the 17th Day of July, 1889. Ordered, " That the papers relating to the coal-mining leases at Grey, Buller, and Collingwood be referred to the West Coast Coalfields Committee." —(Hon. Mr. G. F. Richardson.)

Tuesday, the 23rd Day of July, 1889. Ordered, " That the names of Mr. Izard and Mr. Turnbull be substituted for the names of Mr. Reeves and Dr. Newman on the West Coast Coalfields Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Larnach.)

Tuesday, the 23rd Day of July, 18S9. Ordered, " That the West Coast Coalfields Committee have leave to postpone their report for three weeks." (Hon. Mr. Larnach.)

Wednesday, the 14th Day of August, 1889. Ordered, " That the Committee on the West Coast Coalfields have leave to postpone their report for ten days." — .(Hon. Mr. Larnach.)

Friday, the 23rd Day of August, 1889. Ordered, " That the West Coast Coalfields Committee have leave to postpone their report for one week," (Hon. Mr. Larnach.)

REPORT. Your Committee have taken a large amount of evidence, which is appended to this report, and now propose to deal with the questions referred to them, by making in the first place separate reference to the three principal coalfields on the west coast of the Middle Island—namely, Greymouth, Westport, and Collingwood. I. Greymouth. 1. Referring to the Greymouth field, there are at present in operation the three following mines, containing in all 3,150 acres, served by the Government railway, and worked by the Grey Valley Coal Company:— (1.) Wallsend, 853 acres, under lease to the Westport Coal Company (Limited) ; (2.) Brunner Mine, 1,280 acres, under lease to the Grey Valley Coal Company (Limited); (3.) Coal-pit Heath Mine, 777 acres, and the Cobden, 240 acres; both under lease to the Westport Coal Company (Limited). 2. The Wallsend, on the south side of the Grey River, is in the Provincial District of Westland; the other two, on the north side of the Grey River, are in the Provincial District of Nelson; consequently the above-mentioned leases were obtained under different administrations—namely, the Land Boards of Westland and Nelson.