G. FLETCHEK.]

19

I.—4a.

300. It was simply a question of men ?—Yes, at that time. 301. That was what you were referring to, was it?— This tunnel that Mr. McKenzie speaks about is being driven now. 302. For what purpose ? —To get into another part of the coalfield, in order to supplement our first incline with coal. 303. To increase your output ?—Yes. 304. The Chairman.] Is your company making improvements at Coalbrookdale now ? —Yes and expending a lot of money. 305. Will they, through these improvements, be able to send out a lot more coal this year ?— I could not tell you. I cannot answer that. 306. You said that there was another doctor at Granity Creek for a time?— Yes. 307. He could not make a living there?—l suppose not. 308. Does not that prove that the doctor appointed by the men was well qualified to do his work, and that it was a wise appointment? Do you know the reason why he did not make a living?—l do not wish to state anything about it. 309. What wages do the men working the machines at the face get ?—Eleven shillings a shift. 310. That is considered very hard work ?—No ; it is not. 311. I understand that the men working at the machines cannot stand it long, and that is the reason why fifty to sixty men leave each month? —No; the machine-men are pretty permanent men. The truckers and fillers are the moving class. 312. Are you aware that over six hundred men on the West Coast of New Zealand —miners at Denniston, Granity Creek, and Mokihinui—have sent a petition to the House in support of this Bill for shorter hours ?—I am not aware of it, but I am not surprised. 313. Are you aware that over five hundred men in the mines in the North Island and Otago have sent a petition to the House for shoiter hours ? —I am not aware of it. 314. Mr. Reid.] Your company is liable for accidents in the mine under the Workers' Compensation for Accidents Act ?—Yes. 315. So you have a vital interest in securing a good medical officer ?—Yes. 316. If he was an inefficient man you might have to compensate the men to a much larger extent than if they were under the charge of a good medical man ?—Certainly. 317. Mr. R. McKenzie.] If your company were insured against accidents in the mine it would cost them only a fixed sum annually, but by taking the risk themselves it is an unknown amount that they may be liable for?— Yes. 318. Mr. Bennet.] Have you had any improved hewing-appliances put into your mine since the last time you gave evidence here ?—No ; we have the same appliances now as we had then. 319. Do any of the men working in the mines insure their lives—that is, outside of the accident insurance?—l suppose so, but I could not tell you. 320. Would they have to pay more than men in other occupations?—l do not think they do now. H. J. H. Eliott examined. (No. 3.) 321. The Chairman.] What is your name?—H. J. H. Eliott. 322. You are Under-Secretary for Mines? —Yes. 323. Mr. J. Allen.] Perhaps, as Mr. Eliott is here, he will tell us about this clause of Mr. McNab's on the Supplementary Order Paper ?—As I understand the clause, it means that there are certain Crown lands held under lease subject to the Mining Act. A man applies to take up a mining privilege —under lease in perpetuity or perpetual lease —and the holder of the lease gets notice that his land is about to be resumed. He goes to the Compensation Court and gets an award by the Warden and Assessors. Then the mining speculator, who has given all this trouble to the Crown tenant, does not go any further. The tenant may lose a season's crops. This provision, I understand, is to make the mining speculator pay to the Crown tenant the compensation awarded him.

APPENDIX.

Thursday, 6th August, 1903. The following telegrams were read by the Clerk : — Mr. Moss, Member of Parliament, Wellington. Ist August, 1903. Miners' Union respectfully urge on you to support McKenzie's Mining Amendment Act, re hours ■of labour in mines. J. Slevin, Secretary, Waihi. Mr. Herries, Member of Parliament, Wellington. Ist August, 1903. Miners' Union respectfully urge on you to support McKenzie's Mining Amendment Act re hours of labour in mines. J. Slevin, Secretary, Waihi. Chairman, Coal-mines Committee, Wellington. 3rd August, 1903. We strongly object to amendment in Coal-mines Bill referring to hours bank to bank. Cannot now compete against Newcastle coals with profit. Any further cost will mean closing down. Northern Company. 4—l. 4a.