I.—G.

to have been forwarded for some time past. The Chief Commissioner of Railways reports that " there is really no check on the output of the mines." 3. The supervision of mines has also been conducted with great laxity. Recommendations by the Inspector, under the Coal Mines Act, as to breaches threatening human life have been ignored by the department. Prudence and humanity alike require a strict enforcement of the provisions of the_ Coal-mines Act, and of those clauses in the leases having for their object the prevention of accidents. Summary. In brief, the Committee desire to report that.by a series of assignments practically the whole of the present workings in the Westland District have been allowed to fall into the hands of two coal companies associated in business, and acting in accord with a steam-shipping company. The consequences threatened—if not incurred—by this monopoly would appear likely to be mitigated by a strict enforcement of the output clauses, by extending communications with other portions of the field, and by continuing to improve the harbour-accommodation at Greymouth and Westport. , The recommendations of the Committee may be summarised as follow : — (1.) That the output clauses of the leases should in every instance be rigidly enforced. (2.) That, in the interest of coahniners, as well as to guard against monoply, the amalgamation of leases should not be permitted unless the public interest is fairly and fully conserved. (3.) That an efficient check on the amount of output should be arranged with a view to the royalties being paid on all coal specified as subject to royalty under the several leases. (4.) That any mining in the past outside leased areas should be made the subject of payment, and that such mining should be restrained in future. (5.) That the clauses of the Coal Mines Act directed to the prevention of accidents should be strictly enforced. (6.) That no further leases should be granted until a form, generally applicable, has been settled_ by the Law Officers of the Crown, after reference to the officers of the Geological and Mines Departments, and so as to reserve access to areas lying at the back. (7.) That new Harbour Boards should be formed by Act so as to give representation to the various interests of the coal districts, while reserving to the Crown a preponderating authority by nomination of members. (8.) That the administration of the land-endowments of both Westport and Greymouth harbours should be withdrawn from the Land Boards and transferred to the Harbour Boards when reconstituted. (9.) That the harbour-works and shipping facilities at Greymouth and Westport should be carried on with much greater despatch than heretofore. (10.) That the Government, while insisting upon the observance of the terms and conditions of all leases, should give every encouragement to opening up new coal mines, by providing extra shipping facilities and railway accommodation. (11.) That the undoubted superiority of the West Coast coal must create a large foreign demand, which should be supplied by making the harbours accessible to vessels of large carrying capacity and deep draught. _ W. J. M. Larnach, Friday, 30th August, 1889. Chairman.

iv