40

[JOSEPH HOLLOWS.

I.—4a.

194 Mr R McKenzie.] When you said, in answer to Mr. Allen, that you never knew a mine where the conditions were good, you did not mean that all the mines of the colony were badly ventilated ?—No. ... . „ , ... . u „ 195. Is it a fact, from your experience, that the air in a mine generally changes with toe weather outside? —Yes. 196. A close, muggy day outside means bad air inside?—Yes. 197 You meant that the conditions may be all right in the morning, and in the afternoon you may have bad air—in anv mine ?—Yes. Most mines are subject to atmospheric changes. 198. You did not mean to imply that the conditions were always bad m all mines ?—No. _ 199! With regard to the question of competition, are you aware of the rates paid for hewing coal in New South Wales ?—They vary. 200 As compared with the rates paid in New Zealand, which are the best paid—the Newcastle colliers or those in any part of New Zealand ?—I have no figures to substantiate my statement, but from what I can gather the rates paid to miners at Newcastle are m advance ol those paid here. . , . 201 They have an Arbitration Court there also ?—Yes ;it has recently come into vogue. 202. Practically all the competition in regard to coal in this colony comes from New South Wales?—Yes. . „ „ -, 203. Mr. Colvin.] You worked in the Denniston Mine about six years ago I— lwo years and 204 What were the hours that the men used to work at the face before the Arbitration and Conciliation Act came in ?—Eight hours was the limit. The men knocked off when they were tired. v 205. A man could knock off though the rope was working a'—Yes. 206. Mr. R. McKenzie.] Is one of the effects of bad- air in a mine a feeling of sleepiness or Hvfiwmnpss y— — Ygs 207. Until you faint away altogether, if it becomes bad enough ?—Yes, you become uncon'°2oB. U So that this tired feeling is really the effect of bad air and over-exertion ?—Yes, the two 209. Mr. Gilfedder.] You say that you are working seven hours at the face now at both Kaitangata and Castle Hill ? —Yes. . 210. Under the proposed measure you reckon you would work only six hours and a halt I— 65 '211. Do the miners as a whole consider that the time they are underground should be computed out of the working-time—i.e., from bank to bank?—Yes. 212 Is it also the impression of the miners that the output would not be seriously affected bv the reduction of half an hour in the working-time?—That is our impression. ~...., 213 The amount of coal produced would be the same ?—lt would not be seriously diminished. 214. Consequently, if it were not diminished, you would expect to get the same remuneration for day-wages ?—That is right. , 215. Do you think those on piecework would make the same money under the altered conditions as they are making now ?—Yes. _ . 216 You are working only one shift ?—Two in one mine ana one m the other. 217. Mr. Guinness.] What number of miners are in the union that you represent ?—bpeaking approximately a ort ■ &q[ meaBUr6j have the minerB taken into consideration that the inclusion of the meal-time in the eight hours from bank to bank may have the effect of lessening the wages to some slight extent ?-I could not say that the question has been considered by every branch in that way. I got instructions to attend to the matter, and to assist, as far as I could, towards the passing of the Bill. .. ~. ~ T 219. What do you think is a reasonable time to allow the miners for crib or meal time >—1 reckon, hour necessary to state in the Bill that meal time should be taken out of the working-hours, " not exceeding half an hour" would be a reasonable provision to PUt WITmI' Herries.] How manv branches are there in the union thatyou represent ?—Seven 222'. You said, in answer to Mr. Guinness, that you received instructions to support this Bill ? -Y< 223 Who did you receive them from ?—From the various secretaries of the local branches. _ 224! Has the Bill been before all the branches ?-Evidently so, because I got the communications without anything going from myself. 225 That means that they have considered the matter? —They must have done so. There is'one thing I should like to add. Apart from the question of the impurity of the air, there are other conditions attached to mining, such as working in a very wet place, that make it unhealthy. ProvisionTs made in nearly all the awards for six hours' work m those places. Then, here are persons who get very wet from perspiration. I could, if necessary have brought workmen s clothes which would seem as if they had been dragged through a nver-that is, through working in heated places Then in respect to the time allowed for travelling, I might say that in some of the mines travelling is v'erv hard and laborious owing to the crouched and cramped position that you have to ifluml in walking through the low places. That is why we consider the time taken m travelling should be included. . . 226. The Chairman.] Included m what?—ln the working-time. • 227. Mr. J. Allen.] Should the time taken in going down a shaft be included too ?—Most decidedly.