27

a—4.

The large quantity of evidence taken necessitated some delay in the transcription of the shorthand notes, and we have, in preparing our report, had to rely in a great measure upon our own notes. When quotations are made from witnesses' evidence they are taken from our note of what the witness said, and not from the reporter's shorthand note. We append a return showing the official statistics of workings in coal-mines for 1900. Given under our hands and seals, this 31st day of May, 1901, at Wellington, New Zealand. (1.5.) W. R. Hasklden, Chairman. (1.5.) Joseph Proud, (1.5.) John Lomas.