31

a—4

Dr. E. H. Scott, in general practice at Reefton for seventeen years, stated that— As regards particular instances [of tuberculosis] in the Reefton district, the number of cases is very small for scientific purposes, and broad conclusions drawn from individual cases are apt to be very misleading. A number of deaths from the disease in Reefton have been those of Cornish miners, who have really been damaged in their constitutions and their lungs by working underground at too early an age. I have not noticed an increase in Reefton since 1 came there. We have had a number of cases of tuberculosis, but several of them are direct importations from Australia. Men come here simply to recuperate. I know of cases in which men have come and died here as the result of tuberculosis contracted in Australia. I do not think the men here now stop long enough at mining to contract pneumoconiosis. Dr. W. Grattan Guinness, of Auckland, formerly in practice at Waihi, stated — I have not been in practice at Waihi during the last five years, but I will say that during my five years and a half's residence there I had more cases of pneumoconiosis from the batteries (i.e., quartz-mills —dry crushing) than from the mines, though there were also a number of cases from the mines. I think the disease was fairly evenly spread over the whole period. Dr. W. A. Conlon, Medical Superintendent of the Reefton Hospital for thirteen years, stated that— During the ten years ended 31st December, 1909, fifty-five men in the Reefton district died of miners' disease; for the two years and a half ended 18th October, 1911, sixteen died from miners' disease. According to the evidence of Dr. Conlon it would appear that miners' phthisis in the Reefton district existed to a greater extent than elsewhere in New Zealand. From the foregoing evidence it is apparent that the disease has not in New Zealand assumed such proportions as indicated by the returns from Cornwall, Bendigo, Queensland, West Australia, and the Transvaal. In proof to the same effect it should be stated that during the period between the 10th October, 1908, and the 21th December, 1909, when pneumoconiosis (a term which formerly was used to classify a group of diseases all similar in character, amongst which miners' phthisis is included) was a disease in contracting which a miner was entitled to compensation under the Workers' Compensation Act, not a single claim was made for compensation in respect of the disease. The preventive measures considered by us, and which have been generally recommended by other Royal Commissions elsewhere, are as follows : — (1.) The compulsory use of dust-preventing appliances, such as sprays, waterblasts, and atomizers. (2.) Improved ventilation of mines. (3.) Use of bath and change houses at the mines. (4.) Prevention of indiscriminate spitting, and the destruction of tuberculous sputum. (5.) Definite treatment of those affected with tuberculosis of the lungs in an advanced form. (6.) Improved housing conditions and disinfection of work-places and living-quarters. (7.) The exclusion from work underground of all persons infected with tuberculosis of the lungs. The use of dust-preventing appliances is provided for under section 19 (m) of the Mining Act Amendment Act, 1910, viz. :— There shall at all times be used in and about the battery or place where such crushing or drPHnsj is done an adequate jet or spray of water, or such other appliances as in the opinion of the Inspector will effectually keep the air pure and prevent dust circulating in the place where such operations are being carried out, and for this purpose an adequate supply of water shall be provided. In addition to which it would be advisable that an approved waterblast be used immediately after blasting in mines, a provision made compulsory in Transvaal for the purpose of allaying the noxious gases, smoke, and dust caused by blasting in close ends. The use of a waterblast of the James type is recommended