I.—4a.

4. What state of repair is Holmes's race in ?—The portion widened from the Second Bells Creek downwards for a mile is in good, clean, fair condition. The piece below that is only carrying eleven heads, Ido not think has been cleaned for years, so far as I could see; but it is in fair condition. 5. "What would be the probable additional number of men that would be likely to obtain employment, supposing that Holmes's race was introduced into the Government race? —I think it could be done with our present staff. 6. Ido not think you have understood me. I mean, What additional number of miners would be employed ?—No more, because Holmes is at present selling a quantity of water. It would increase the number of Government consumers, but not the number of miners on the field. 7. You say that turning Holmes's race into the Government race would not increase the number of miners on the field ? —I do not think it would. 8. Is there much of the area that Holmes's race commands worked out ? —About the same proportion as is worked out of the Government. Taking Holmes's and the Government races together, I think there would be an equal proportion of each worked out. 9. Is there much ground remaining that Holmes's race commands ?—Yes ; there is a large area of poor ground. 10. Poor ground ?—Yes. I mean poorer ground than has hitherto been worked at Kumara. 11. Would this ground be worked if the Holmes's race is turned into the Government race ?— In any case it will be worked some day. 12. I mean, if you take the water from Holmes's race that commands a certain amount of poor ground, will that poor ground be worked ?—At present we send a great deal of our water on to the low-level ground—quite as low as Holmes's. 13. Can your race and Holmes's race command the same area of ground ?—That part of the Government race at the mouth of the tunnel into which Holmes's race can be put is the highest water coming into Kumara. 14. Hon. Mr. Larnach.] By the junction of these two races, I understand from what you have said, the volume of water would not be increased ?—The volume of water would not be increased on the field ; it would be increased in the Government race. 15. I mean, so far as the field is concerned, the volume of water would not be increased ?— The only increase that would take place would be by enlarging the portion of Holmes's race I have referred to. 16. lam coming to that. I was going to ask you whether it would be easy to increase the capacity ? Presuming there was a junction of these two reservoirs, would it be difficult to increase the carrying-capacity of the main race? If Holmes's race was run through the Government race and the two made one, would it be difficult and expensive to increase the total holding-capacity ? —Our race is large enough at the present day to do all that is required. 17. I want to know if it would be expensive or difficult to increase the carrying-capacity? —No ; that could be increased by a reasonable expenditure. 18. Then this poor ground you have spoken of, which has been fed by both the Government race and Holmes's race, is really the principal kind of ground they have to work there at present? —No ; there are good patches in it besides. For instance, the present Town of Kumara—underneath it — will be undoubtedly worked some day. 19. Yes ; but this poor ground? The miners are anxious to work it if they can get water at reasonable prices ?—Yes ; that would be all worked. There is a great deal of it that lam calling poor ground by which I mean that it is poorer than the people have been accustomed to in years past. Ido not mean it is not payable. 20. Yet in all this poor ground there are occasionally better patches ?—Yes. 21. Do you think it would be a desirable thing in the interests of the field that this work should be carried out ?—lf I were a private individual, I do not know what I would do ; but, under the circumstances, and from the Government point of view, I think it would be better that the whole of the water should be under one management. 22. Mr. A. B. Guinness.] You mentioned to-day that McConnan, the sawmiller, used certain water that overflowed ?—He uses all the water that Holmes sends down to Kumara. It has to go through the mill. 23. He has to pay for it ? —Yes, he pays so much a month. 24. It is part of the income of the race ? —Yes. 25. How was it that the race was in a fair condition below that mill, and it had not been cleaned ?—lt had not been cleaned or widened. 26. Would it cost much to clean it out ?—Do you mean simply to clean it out, or clean and widen ? 27. Can you give an estimate of the cost of widening and cleaning it out? What would be the cost of widening it for two miles and a quarter ? —About £2 per chain—that is, £160 per mile. 28. If the Government were to become the proprietors, would you recommend that to be done? —Yes, certainly. 29. Do you know that Holmes has a freehold along the banks of the Teremakau River?— Yes; 40 acres. 30. Do you reckon that it would be necessary if any one purchased Holmes's race that property should go with it ?—I would not purchase the race at all unless those 40 acres went with it for tailing purposes. 31. I want to draw your attention to something the Miners' Association say here. You know the Miners' Association appointed a committee to investigate this petition received by them in favour of the purchase of Holmes's race? —The only petition I know of is the petition sent here. 32. Yes ; but that stated that thirty-five miners now using Holmes's race sent a petition to the Kumara Miners' Association urging the purchase of it ?—I never saw that. 33. Are you aware that, as the result of that petition, they appointed a sub-committee to examine and inquire into the whole position ?—I know there was an inquiry.

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