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1941. NEW ZEALAND.

KAYE'S MINE ROYAL COMMISSION (REPORT OF).

Royal Commission to inquire into and report upon Colliery Accident at Ten-mile Creek, near Greymouth.

George the Sixth, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India : To our trusty and loving subjects : George Galloway Chisholm, Esquire, of Greymouth, Stipendiary Magistrate ; John Watson, Esquire, of Huntly, Colliery Superintendent; Angus McLagan, Esquire, of Greymouth, Secretary ; Thomas Otto Bishop, Esquire, of Wellington, Secretary; John Devlin, Esquire, of Wallsend, Miner : Greetings. Whereas on the 6th day of November, 1940, at the coal-mine at Ten-mile Greek, near Greymouth, known as Kaye's Mine, there occurred a fire or explosion as a result of which five persons lost their lives : And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be issued for the purpose of inquiring into the cause of the said fire or explosion and into the working of the existing law in respect to the prevention of such fires or explosions and for the other purposes hereinafter mentioned : Now, therefore, we, reposing trust and confidence in your knowledge, integrity, and ability, do hereby constitute and appoint you the said George Galloway Chisholm John Watson Angus McLagan Thomas Otto Bishop John Devlin to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the matters hereinbefore referred to, and into the several other matters mentioned in these presents, that is to say : — (1) To inquire in what part of the mine the fire or explosion first started, the nature of the same, and how much of the mine was affected by it: (2) To inquire how the fire or explosion began and spread : (3) To inquire to what extent the provisions of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, and the regulations made thereunder were complied with in the mine, and more especially as regards — (a) The examination of the mine ; (b) Ventilation ; (c) Lighting ; (d) The preparation of shots and the method of firing shots ; (e) The prevention and treatment of inflammable dust: (4) To inquire into the nature and character of the working and the efficiency of the management of the mine :

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