Q. N. JONES.]

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63. As to the idea of having shot-firers, what is your opinion I —lt is a system i would not oare about at all. For my own part, I would rather fire my own shots. I do not see that it ie going to minimize the danger to any extent. Most men prefer to fire their own holes. 64. Do you regard handling dynamite dangerous or risky? —Yes. 65. Do you not think that shot-firing by a large number of men is more risky than it would be if only one man in a district were allowed to fire shots? Would it not confine the risk to that man?— Yes, perhaps; but I was speaking from results. ■ 66. Just from results, and not as to the danger?— Yes. 67. Would you favour the idea of the shot-firer being a qualified man and undergoing an examination ? —Yes, certainly. 68. Mr. Meed.] In reply to a Commissioner you said that 200 ft. was too far apart for levels : which levels at Waihi exceed 200 ft. ?—There are none. 69. Do you know the maximum distance? —About 150 ft. 70. So that the matter had no application to Waihi I—No. 71. At Kalgoorlie what was the distance—About 100 ft. 72. Are you working in the Waihi Mine?— Yes. 73. What is the maximum quantity of nitro-glycerine explosive you take into your place at any one time? —-About two or three packets. 74. How much is three packets, 15 lb. ?—1 do not know the weight. 75. Do you know that the law only permits 10 lb. of explosive to be taken in at once? —Yes, I think so. 76. How much is the maximum quantity you have used in one shift in one place?— Three or four packets on one shift. 77. You have known cases of 15 lb. being brought down? —Perhaps by two men. 78. The Act says nothing about the number of men; it has only reference to the place?— But if two men are working in the one place. 79. Where do you keep the detonators?—ln a tin, with a lid on it. Walt.bb Robinson sworn and examined. (No. 23.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you, Mr. Robinson?—A miner. 2. How long have you been mining i— About twelve years. 3. Where? —In New Zealand, at Thames, Karangahake, and Waihi. I have been at Waihi eighteen months this time, and I was ten months before. i. How long in between the two periods?— Ten years. 5. Where are you working —in which mine? —The Waihi Mine. 6. Have you had any experience of taking temperatures?— No. 7. You do not know the difference between the dry and wet bulbs?—No; but I know the different effects the hot wet and hot dry temperatures have upon me. 8. Have you ever seen the temperature taken in a dry and hot place?—No, not in a dry hot place. In the stope lam working in it is about 70°. 9. Have you experienced any discomfort from working in that temperature?—No, I do not think so—not at 70°. 10. What level are you working in now I—No. 10, Robinson's stope. 1 have worked in places that were a good deal hotter. Ido not know the temperature of them. 11. Have you any suggestion to offer with regard to the temperature?— Well, the foul air and smoke should be drawn up to the surface rather than be allowed to go up into the stopes. Even if we are not firing at all there is a good deal of smoke about all the time; it seems to be drawn from other stopea. 1 think that the air in the levels should be utilized, and the foul air should be drawn away from the stopes. 12. Have you had any experience of accidents from blasting or falls from the roof?— Not personally, but I have known of a few blasting accidents and a number of minor ones caused by falls. 13. In what part of the stope? —Kails from the back of the stope and behind. 14. To what do you attribute that?—To bad ground mostly; at other times it is the result of the stopes being taken too high. 15. So as to prevent the falls, could you not have a system of periodical examinations of the height of the stope?—l consider that the stopes should not be taken higher than a man could feel the roof. I should gay not more than 7 ft. or 8 ft. 16. That is at the highest part? —Of course, it may go higher, but it should not be broken any higher. Another suggestion is that a person should examine these stopes, and not leave the responsibility to the men working there. 17. Some one connected with the management i —Yes, I think that is a recommendation which the Commission might consider. The present practice is for the boss who comes round to ask the men how the stope is, but the men have to test it themselves. The management should take the responsibility. 18. Do you know of accidents caused in any other way —by machinery, for instance?— Only minor accidents, caused through falls of ground. There was one accident when a man was blowft up in firing. In that case I happend to be on the jury, and it appeared that the man had stayed too long. I think that not more than five holes should be fired out by one man at a time. 19. Have you had any experience of firing by electricity?— Yes, the use of the battery is fairly satisfactory. I would recommend the battery for firing in driving shafts and rises over 40 ft., but in stopes it is too severe for safety.