i.-6.

404. That is, they get there a more constant demand for coals?—Yes. 405. And consequently steadier work?—Yes. 406. Mr. Feldwick.] There is no restriction on the number of bottoms ?—No ;no restriction. 407. The Chairman.] You were once connected with the Greymouth Harbour Board ?—Yes. 408. Are you still connected with it ?—No. 409. Mr. O'Conor.] You were kicked out?—l think I might say there was a pair of us in that case. 410. Is the harbour being improved?—Yes. 411. It is still going on being improved?—Yes. 412. Is the improvement being carried on as energetically as under the old reTjime ? —No ; the southern training-wall will require further extension. There is a training-wall from Cobden Bridge which is not being completed, and there is a breach; that must be seen to at once. 413. Since the Public Works Department have had the control, has the thing been allowed \o drift ?—The work is not carried on so energetically. 414. Will you be good enough to state how the harbour is controlled now ?—lt is controlled by the District Engineer. They have several dummies there. Besides the Engineer there is the Postmaster, the Resident Magistrate, and the Traffic Manager. When the Engineer, at their meetings, reads what he is going to do they assent, and its all right. The proceedings are the most amusing of the kind I ever saw. 415. The same applies to Westport?—lf the District Engineer is not there they adjourn. 416. Have the persons not received instructions to the effect that they were members of the Harbour Board in order to indorse the views of the Engineer ?—Yes, 417. They were told that?—They were told that. 418. Who are the members of the Harbour Board at Westport?—The Resident Magistrate, the Clerk of his Court, I believe, the Postmaster, the Commissioner of Customs, the Engineer, and his Assistant. 419. Are they not going in direct violation of the W Testport and Greymouth Harbour Acts ?— Mr. Hutchison: So far as they are concerned, they are the instruments of some higher authority. 420. Mr. O'Conor.] Are they not selling debentures ? —They are issued by the Engineer with the sanction of the Board. The other members of the Board are sensible men enough. I would strongly urge the Committee that the Miners' Association should be asked to give evidence. As far as details are concerned, they will be able to give some excellent information as to the cost of hewing coal: and, as to all other matters, they will be able to show the Committee where the shoe pinches. Mr. Kilgour also would be able to explain to the Committee the difficulties he had to contend with.

Tuesday, 16th July, 1889. Mr. T. J. Waters examined. 421. The Chairman.] You are engaged with the Westport Coal Company as engineer?—Yes. 422. Will you kindly state to the Committee how long you have been connected with the company, aud what is your experience of the coal-trade ? —I have been connected with the Westport Coal Company four years. When I first came there the output was 300 tons a day, working steadily. Our highest output has been 1,040 tons —that is, we have put out as much as 1,040 tons in one day. 423. Your operations are chiefly confined to Westport ?—Yes, entirely confined to W Testport. I should say that I have nothing to do with the coal after it leaves the colliery. 424. Did you ever superintend the Greymouth mines? —I did formerly. I have nothing to do with them at present. 425. Is there much difference between the cost of winning coal now and formerly ?—lt has been reduced in respect of haulage. 426. I refer to the cost up to the present time ?—We formerly had an endless chain, which we have replaced by endless rope. Ido not think the cost has been otherwise reduced. 427. Is the price paid for winning the coal as much?—lt has not been much altered. Formerly 3s. lOd. a ton was given for round coal; now the price is 2s. lOd. for everything the miners send out. 428. That is irrespective of royalty ?—That is the wages at the mine. 429. Are the freights the same as when you went there—freights by rail?—-Yes; they have not been changed, to my knowledge, up to the present time. 430. That is, 2s. 6d. per ton on the Government line.—Yes. 431. What length is your line?—A mile and a half. 432. Irrespective of the Government line—ten miles ?—lt is just within the ten miles. 433. Have you any experience of the charges made in Australia?—l made inquiry on the subject when I was over there. 434. What parts of Australia did you visit ?—Sydney and Newcastle. 435. Could you tell the Committee what the haulage per ton is there ?—Most of the collieries there own their own trucks. The charge is 6d. for the first mile, lOd. for seven miles, and Is. Id. for ten miles, in their own trucks. 436. Have the Westport C<3al Company no trucks of their own? —No ; not of their own. The company some time ago had a correspondence about getting their own trucks, but it made such a small difference in the reduction of the freight that it would not be worth while. 437. Was the Government willing that the change should be made? —I cannot say from memory ; it is some time ago.

15