I.—4a.

16

[henry BETTS.

84. On the West Coast we will say there are twelve mines, six or seven of them are large ones, and there are some small ones. Now you know the Nelson District ?—I am not well acquainted with it, but I know the district about Collingwood. 85. Coming north, are there any other large mines that have to be inspected by Mr. Tennent and his Sub-Inspector ?—You might class the Puponga Mine as another one, but I do not think you could take the Taitapu Mine. 86. We have got to the thirteenth mine, and you know the districts the Inspectors have to visit. According to your evidence we have nine big mines, three or four small ones about Reefton, and the Puponga Mine—that is about thirteen mines ?—Yes. 87. Is that too much for two Inspectors to look after ? —No, I do not think so; because three is no occasion to visit the very small concerns at short intervals : but these large mines should be visited at shorter intervals. 88. Then if the Inspectors were more energetic there is not too much for them to do ? —No. 89. How do you account for the infrequency of these visits ?—Waste of time, I should think, chiefly. But I might be wrong in making a statement of that kind. They may have clerical work to do for the Department that I know nothing about. 90. Can you tell us how they put in their time at all ? Before the men are condemned I want to get some evidence from you as to how they spend their time ?—I could not say. Of course they do not stop very long at Reefton —either of them —not so long as they should stop there. What they do when they are away I do not know. 91. Have there been any formal complaints lodged with the Inspector of Mines by the unions regarding the infrequency of the inspections ?—I do not think there have. I think we have written the Inspector of Mines as to the infrequency of his visits. 92. But for some time past there have been no complaints ? —No; I have given it up. 93. Have the miners made any complaints and asked you to bring them before the authorities ? —No; I go round the mines myself. 94. Do you not think that if there was anything wrong the miners would be the first to " kick " ? —Yes, but the miners have complained to me frequently about the ventilation. 95. Of what particular mine ?—The chief mine is the G-olden Fleece. There should be artificial ventilation there. 96. With regard to the men's inspectors, do you not think that if these inspectors were paid by the Government they would consider themselves more Government men than workers' men ?—No; I think that by being elected by the workmen they would be trusted to look after their interests, and, being in the pay of the Government and perhaps being compelled to report to the Government, they would be much more particular in carrying out their duties. 97. Do you not think it would have the effect of giving them the Government " stroke " ?—I do not think so. The members of the workmen's union would soon get some one else who did not have the G-overnment stroke. 98. Have you not found that a vigorous man when working for himself, the moment he has become engaged with the Government, has allowed his energy to depart ?—That has not been my experience. I may say that many years ago I worked for the Government myself, and I always worked as hard as I could. 99. Where was that ?—lt was on the co-operative works. 100. Mr. Hemes.] You gave an answer to the Premier in regard to accidents in quartz-mines : you stated that the number of accidents had increased since the English companies had taken over the mines ?—Yes. 101. Have you any statistics to support that statement, or is it only your own opinion ?—lt is from my own personal knowledge. 102. What is the reason of that ? Is it the system of working ? —I do not think the system of working the mines is quite so good as it was under the local companies. It has not been so good since 1897. 103. Do they work under the contract system in those mines or by day-labour ?—Generally it is day-labour. 104. Then you think that during the time the companies have had the mines and have been working them on day-labour, the number of accidents has increased ? —Yes, compared with the previous management of the local companies. 105. You say there are enough Inspectors on the West Coast ?—Yes, providing the powers of the workmen's inspectors are increased and that they receive remuneration for their services from the Department. 106. Then you mean to say that there are not enough Inspectors I—l1 —I think there are enough Government Inspectors. That is my personal opinion. 107. If they all did their duty, or what the miners consider to be their duty, there are enough Inspectors ? —I think it is absolutely necessary that there should be workmen's inspectors in addition to Government Inspectors. 108. Do you think there are enough Government Inspectors on the Coast ?—I do. 109. Do you think their inspection is efficient ?—No. 110. Do you think it would be more efficient if there were more Inspectors?—No; unless the new Inspectors appointed were different men of course. 111. You mean that the present Inspectors are not well qualified ? —I do not mean to say they are not qualified, but my opinion is that they could do more in looking after the health and safety of the men than they do. 112. Do you think that is owing to the instructions they get from the Department or through their own inability ? —I do not think the Department would instruct them to be lax in their duty.