THE COALMINES COMMISSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 January 1901, Page 4

THE COALMINES COMMISSION.

The Eoyal Commission appointed, to enquire into the working of the various coalmines in the colony returned to Wellington from the north on Saturday evening. On leaving Wellington towards the end of 1900 the Commission proceeded to Auckland, and thence to WTiangarei, where it enquired into the coal industry generally, visited the mines at Hikurangi and also inspected sundry workings which have more or less fallen into disuse. Thence the Commissioners drove to Ngunguru, where they visited the several mines in the locality, and saw the means employed for the shipment of coal. I’cturning to Whangarei they took the evidence of the working miners, working managers, under-viewers, together witli those connected with the general management and control of the mines. Next they returned to Auckland, and from there visited the Waikato mines, which are chiefly situated at Huntly. They also personally inspected the underground workings, and took the evidence of the miners, managers, and ollicials, afterwards visiting the coal areas in which prospecting operations were going on, returning again to Auckland, where they took the evidence of the owners and Directors resident there. The Commission then came on to Wellington, and it is now making arrangements for its enquiries in the South Island. If possible the Commission will visit the Mokau this week, but it seems doubtful whether it will not he necessary to postpone the Mokau visit until after the enquiries in the south have been completed.