C—4.

214

[b. bennie

122. You recommend electrical firers where there are more than four shots to be fired?—No, I did not say that. 123. Then what would you recommend when there are more than four shots to be fired?—l said that not more than four shots should be fired in a series by fuses, and that in shafts, deep winzes, and long drives electrical apparatus should be used. 124. Do you consider that should be made mandatory under the Act?— Yes. 125. The Chairman.] Does that apply to all shots unless in shafts?—l think that electrical apparatus only should be used in winzes, shafts, and long drives using rock-drill machines. 126. Mr. Cochrane.] Then, as to manholes in long drives for the protection of men from pieces of flying debris, what is your opinion I —Take the case of the Waitangi : when a round of holes is being fired no miner would like to be nearer than from 800 ft. to 1,000 ft., for the concussion. 127. The Chairman.] Is it advisable generally, in the interests of the miners, to have safety chambers? —Yes, at a distance of not more than, say, 200 ft. from the face. 128. Mr. Cochrane.] Would that not impose a very heavy cost on the companies? —Well, in some cases they are only small holes —say, 4 ft. deep by 4 ft. wide and 6 ft. high. 129. Would you insist upon these where there are sets of timber?— They are preferable to timber. ■130. Would you insist upon them?—lt depends upon the size of the timber. At Waihi the timbers are 15 in. by 15 in.; they would give adequate protection. Timber 9 in. by 9 in. would not, and where that size is used manholes should be provided. 13.1. The Chairman.] Would it meet the case if manholes were provided when required in writing by the Inspector of Mines? —Yes, I think so. 132. Would you suggest that it would be a workable plan to have the provision of manholes made compulsory on the request in writing of the Inspector; and should the workmen have the right to apply to you for manholes, leaving the Inspector to decide the matter ?—Yes, I think that would be the better way. 133. Mr. Cochrane.] Would electrical firing not give much better results than blasting?— Some authorities on that point differ, but, for my own part, I prefer a cut to be shot out first with fuse or by electricity, as permissible. 134. Would it not promote better results in blasting to use electricity? —No, I do not think so. 135. We have heard some evidence regarding the interference with managers by superintendents : what is your opinion as to that ?—I consider that the superintendent ought to confine his attention to the commercial side of the business, but the manager should have the full control of all matters concerning mining. 136. You think that he should be the captain of the shit) and have full control?— Yes. 137. Then, in case of accident, you report to the Mines Department and request permission to summons : do you not think in this matter you should have full control and be captain of your own ship ?—[Question ruled out by Chairman as being outside the scope of the Commission's inquiries.] 138. In regard to the height of stopes, your opinion is that they should not be more than 8 ft. high, so that the men could sound the rock? —Yes. 139. Would you put a specific provision to that effect in the Act? —As a stope rises the height should be fixed. 140. Now, as to the difficulty of taking samples of air : supposing the place is very warm, and you were not in the district, would it not be a simple matter if a hygrometer were hung in a place for a manager and miner to see, and automatically decide without calling you from a distance? Would that not relieve you of a great deal of trouble?—l have no desire to be arbitrator in the matter at all. 141. Would not the fixing of a standard temperature relieve you also?—lt would depend as to whether I was made responsible to arbitrate or not. If there is a disagreement there must be a man to settle it. 142. How can they disagree as to the reading of a hygrometer? —They could not disagree on the reading, but the hygrometer might possibly be interfered with. 143. And would that be your reason against fixing a standard, as an experienced manager?— As an experienced manager I know the many difficulties that are always arising. The miner is so insistent on getting as much as he can, and the manager is so insistent on getting the work done as cheaply as he can, that there are bound to be disputes. 144. Are you of the opinion that the matter should be referred to you?—l have no desire to have it so, but do not see how it can be avoided. 145. But, in the event of a dispute between the manager and the men, is it not at present referred to you?— Not unless they are working under an arbitration award. 146. Would the other way not relieve you of that trouble?—lt would, but somebody else would have to arbitrate. 147. You said that where the air was bad in dead-ends and elsewhere, where the anemometer would not work, you then tested by breathing and candle as to the quality of the air?—No, as to the quantity and quality. The deflection of the light would give me the quantity, and the effect upon the light would give me the quality. 148. And if you had both would the candle burn quite normally? —Yes. 149. But the candle will also burn brightly in bad air when certain gases are present: how, then; would you test it? —By taking a live bird or a mouse into the air of that place and observing the effect upon the animal. 150. But lam talking about the presence of carbonic acid? —I would take samples of the air and submit them to the analyst.