23

I.—lo.

J. TALBOT.

sack. If they liked to run the risk of mixing them on the farms, they could get them still. I may say, Mr. Chairman, that I will undertake, if it would help in any way, to have this information that we have collected forwarded to you. 47. The Chairman.] We should like very much to have it. You had experience, I think you said, of the lighter sack for a time? —Yes. 48. And you found that the work was done expeditiously, and that the people were getting into the use of the lighter sack ?—Yes. I had it on my own place, and .although the bagmen said they did not know how they would stack the smaller sacks, they found they could do it as well as they did the larger ones. 49. On the question of width, you would let the width be such as would hold the 2001b.? —I would let the people look out for that themselves, to adjust themselves to it. All that I think the legislature is concerned about is that the sack does not contain more than a certain weight. 50. Mr. Flatman.] Referring to the question put by Mr. Bollard re the 200 lb. bags, do you think the 100 lb. bags would be as suitable on a farm as those which contain 200 lb. ?—No, certainly not; I would not go so far as that. I think it would create a good deal of disappointment. I think the 2001b. sack would be accepted without much trouble, and we should all work into it; but lam afraid that if you went to the 100 lb. bags—well, there would be trouble. That is my own personal opinion.

EXHIBITS.

1. Telegram from Mr. Laurenson, M.H.R., to Mr. Geobge Voyce, Lyttelton, 29th August, 1907. George Voyce, Stevedores' Union, Lyttelton. Post to me, to-night's mail, list of those injured and incapacitated through carrying grain. George Laurenson. 2. Telegram from Mr. Reed to Mr. Laurenson, ;iOth August, 1907. Men disabled—Hunter, Trehearn, Woods. Deceased—Kelly, Gower, Thompson. Reed. 3. Telegram from Mr. Laurenson to Dr. Upham, Lyttelton, 29th August, 1907. Please post, to-night's mail, letter giving your opinion of carrying present large sacks on men on wharves; also instances of injuries. Also your opinion of Lyttelton lumpers' physique. George Laurenson. 4. Letter from Dr. C. H. Upham to Mr. Laubenson, 29th August, 1907. Dear Mr. Laurenson, — Lyttelton, 29th August, 1907. In reply to your telegram,— 1. I am of opinion that the carrying of the present large sacks is extremely injurious to the men. I have frequently attended men for the consequences, principally heart-strain. When such a man oomes to me, I can advise him to knock off inhaling cigarettes, drinking beer; and in most cases he does so, but he cannot earn his living unless he raises and carries these enormous loads. 2. At the time of their deaths I attributed the fatal illnesses of Christian and Penny (Pini, a Frenchman) to this heavy work. They both died of aneurism of the aorta. 3. Your last question as to the physique of Lyttelton lumpers enables me to record my observation that in nearly every case the heart is enlarged; and it is because of this that I inquire as to cigarette-smoking and beer-drinking, but often get the answer that the man is a total abstainer and smokes a pipe; occasionally he is a non-smoker. I also find them the subjects of high arterial pressure, attributable to straining work. This, of course, would considerably shorten a man's life. Another point is that men of all sizes are engaged at this work—many little frail men of, for instance, my build ; but the load is the same for all. And I am convinced of the truth of the complaint, for carrying a fully packed Gladstone bag a quarter-mile makes me feel ill for days, although organically I am quite sound Yours sincerely, C. H. Upham.

EXHIBIT A A letter was sent to the Chamber of Commerce: The following is the copy, appearing in the Lyttelton Times: — The British Medical Association, New Zealand Branch ; Canterbury Section. Sir,— 21st August, 1899. A deputation from the Lyttelton lumpers waited on us at a recent meeting, requesting us to use our influence to have the weight of sacks of wheat reduced. Two of the deputation were suffering from aortic aneurism, a condition which is directly caused by prolonged muscular effort,