47

C.—4

17. Did you get anything extra or work shorter hours ?—No. 18. Mr. Proud.] Do you lose much coal when working the pillars?—We ose a few trucks sometimes. The biggest loss was about thirty skips. The only thing I do not like is going through two falls to get a pillar where the pillars have been taken out. 19. Do you do your own trucking ?—Yes, to 50 yards; we get Id. a truck after that. 20. Are there any of the thin seams worked by day-work ?—Mostly by piecework. I believe some are now done by day-work at 95., but only during the last week. It has not been the regular thing. George Windess, Miner, examined. 1. The Chairman.] You have been present during the time Mr. Cadman gave evidence ?— Yes. 2. And you are one of those chosen by your fellow-workmen to represent them here ?—Yes. 8. Do you agree with him in what he has told us ?—Yes. 4. Can you give us any information on your own account? —No, not at present, I think. [N.B. —For additional evidence re this mine, see the evidence of Ernest George Robert Ford, Auckland, 7th January, 1901.]

KIRIPAKA. Wednesday, 19th December, 1901. George Clemo, Working Manager of the Kiripaka Coal Company (Limited), examined. 1. The Chairman.] How long have you been employed here in the capacity of manager ? Since the beginning of operations in 1898. 2. What does the mine and property consist of? —We have 45 acres held under Native owners. 3. What rent do you pay ? —Bd. per ton royalty. 4. You have driven on the coal what depth from the face ? —5 chains back into the hill. 5. At what height above the creek-level?— About 90ft. 6. About how much on the top of the hill?— About 100 ft. to 120 ft. below the crest of the hill. 7. You carried a seam with you all the way, of what thickness?— Running from 7ft. to 23ft. and perhaps over, as we have not stripped the roof to the covering. 8. What class of coal do you call it?— Bituminous. 9. How much have you taken out ?—About 12,000 tons. 10. You estimate the remainder in your mine at how much ?—I dare say there is 100 000 tons. 11. How and where do you sell it?— The secretary in Auckland does the selling business. It is sent to Auckland. 12. Have you any trouble as to ventilation ?—No. 13. Have you had any trouble with water?—We have had no trouble yet. 14. Is there no pumping required?— The headings are dipping a little'now, and we may have to put in a small pump. 15. What do you pay the hewers ?—lOd. per skip. The men make 10s. to lis. a day and average full time—that is, for the last three months. 16. How many men do you employ ?—Ten hewers, one trucker, and one tipper. 17 How do you get the coal away? —We lower the coal by means of a self-acting incline, tip it into barges,'which are towed by a steam-launch about six miles down the river, where it is put into sailers, which carry from 44 tons to 100 tons. The incline is 18 chains, and rises about 90 ft. 18. Have you had any accidents in the mine?—No; we have been free from accidents in any shape or form. 19. Have you au underviewer ? —No. 20. Do you examine the mine every morning?— Yes. 21. And make a written report?— Yes. 22. And actually enter the report every morning?— Yes. 23. What is the capital of the company?—lo,ooo shares of £1 each, ss. paid up. 24. Are you a shareholder ?—Yes. 25. Did you prospect the mine ?—Yes. 26. There was a private syndicate first ?—Yes, of three men. 27. And they sold the mine to a company ? —Yes. 28. Did they get paid in cash?—No, shares. 29. How many shares did you get ?—1,333 shares paid up to ss. 30. Have you any idea of what the other shareholders have paid up ?—I think £500 was paid up in cash. 31. What did the work cost, in round numbers, to open the mine?— About £500 for opening the mine. 32. Do you know what thi3 coal sells for in Auckland ?—No. 33. What is it mostly used for? —All steam. 34. Is there any more coal outside your 45 acres ?—There possibly might be, but I do not know of any myself. 35. Have you done any prospecting ? —No. 36. Will you be able to work the whole of the 45 acres from this tunnel ?—I think so. 37. Mr. Lomas.] Have you worked any of the pillars at all ? —No.