1.-6.

1254. When are you likely to come to a determination on that ? —Within a few weeks. I have all the data I want with respect to the coke-ovens: the erection of the smelting-works is a much larger question. 1255. Have you had it in contemplation to put up smelting-furnaces at Westport ? —Oh, yes; that is a part of my mission. 1256. Mr. Withy.] For gold-ore ?—For lead-ore :it is sometimes called silver-ore, but virtually they are lead-ores. It would assist the coal business if we could fill the steamers both ways : we could get the coke and coal carried cheaper. It is also a question whether we can get the fluxes we require in sufficient quantity on the spot. In effect, the whole question is whether it is cheaper to bring the coke to the ores or the ores to the coke. 1257. You say you will require 80,000 tons a year for your purposes ?—Yes ; we will always require to have a large amount of coke at Port Pirie : we cannot supply any other place than the Barrier from Port Pirie. If we make the ovens at Westport it would give us the command of the market of the colony. 1258. You are forming a railway, are you not, from Ngakawau ?—Yes; it is about finished. 1259. What is the distance ? —About half a mile. 1260. Are you going to put up modern coke-ovens ?—lt is a flue-oven—a very excellent oven in my opinion. We have been making coke some time from Westport coal :we have tried all kinds of coal. 1261. What did you find as to their quality?—The only coal that is most suitable for our purpose is the Westport coal. 1262. Is it superior to the Grey coal?—lt is far superior to the Grey, which is more sulphurous and dirty. 1263. The Chairman.] Is the coke made from Westport coal equal to that imported from England?—Yes, in every respect; the only question is in respect of its strength—that is, its power to resist fracture—but there is no question as to its heating power and purity. In these two particulars it is fully equal to the best English coal. It is, however, not equal to the English coal in strength— that is, in its power to resist fracture or breakage. 1264. May not that occur through the process of manufacture ?—I do not think that is the case. The difference, however, is not very great; as far as the ash is concerned—from this we judge of its purity —it is better as regards purity than the English coal. 1265. That is to say, the whole of it is consumed ?—Yes. 1266. You said, I think, that you had a difficulty in getting all you could use '? —That is our great difficulty, and it still exists. 1267. You told the Committee that the main question was as to freights and shipping facilities for carrying coke and coal ?—Yes. 1268. Is it sufficient for the present?—l dare say for the present production it is sufficient, but I think you ought to be prepared for a very large trade, and a demand for an increased production. If you get vessels of 2,000 tons to carry your coal you would get the whole of the California and South American trade. 1269. Can you suggest any improvement?—l think the main thing wanted is more trucks. I do not think that the use of staiths is a good method for Westport. You would do better with trucks, as thev do in Newcastle. 1270. That is, trucks that lift off?—Yes. 1271. I thought they had staiths there?—Yes, they have; but they have no cranes ; everything goes through in shoots. 1272. Staiths are stationary?—Yes. 1273. The tide rises and falls considerably?—Yes. 1274. They tell me they can work except at high water? —Yes. 1275. At low water it breaks the coals? —It does not do the coals any good. 1276. The trucks, you think, are better ?—Yes, for Westport. Ido not think they are any more expensive. 1277. But in any case your company will be doing a very large trade in coke and coal ?—Yes. 1278. Immediately?—Yes. 1279. What would be the requirement for the Port Pirie ovens during the present year?—lt would be about 600 tons a week; but it is a matter of great importance to increase the depth of water. If bigger steamers could get in you would double the trade. If you take the " Ohau," which carries 700 tons, and the " Pukaki," which carries 1,400 tons, you will see the effect. Both steamers carry the same number of hands, and burn the same amount of coal. Thus you could get twice the quantity of coal, and the cost of carrying it would be just the same in the " Pukaki " as in the "Ohau." At Newcastle there are sometimes forty-one ships waiting for coal for San Francisco alone. They would take 70,000 tons. I was informed when over there that one mine had an order for the immediate supply of 50,000 tons for San Francisco—that is, from a single colliery. All that trade would belong to you, for you have far better coal; but at present you have not the shipping facilities to send it away. I have no doubt that you could have the California and South American trade if you had the means of supplying it. Coal is £2 a ton there ; coal at Newcastle costs lis : the balance is freight. Until you can get vessels drawing 21ft. of water you cannot get all that trade. 1280. Mr. Hutchison.] You do not contemplate mining except for the purposes of those two companies you have mentioned s? —Oh, yes ; we will mine as soon as possible for the purpose of opening up the seam of hard coal. 1281. To get a market where you can ?—Exactly. 1282. Have you any arrangement with any line of steamers to carry coal for you?—We are negotiating with the Union Steamship Company at present for freight—that is, simply for coke-

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