I.—4a.

[APPENDIX.

Scotland. Publican ... ... ... ... 2,308 j Printer ... ... ... ... 988 Hawker ... ... ... ... 1,839 Coal and shale miner ... . 973 Dyer, bleacher ... ... ... 1,775 Commercial traveller ... ... 964 Ironstone-miner ... ... ... 1,664 Cabinetmaker ... ... ... 958 Mason ... ... ... ... 1,441 Blacksmith ... ... ... 950 Dock labourer ... ... ... 1,385 Plumber ... ... ... ... 908 Cabman ... ... ... ... 1,271 Grocer ... ... ... ... 907 General labourer ... ... ... 1,218 Solicitor ... ... ... ... 901 Earthenware-manufacturer ... ... 1,213 Quarryman ... ... ... 889 Shoemaker ... ... ... 1,201 Draper ... .. ... ... 872 Law clerk ... ... ... 1,176 Joiner ... ... ... ... 848 Carter, vanman ... ... ... 1,157 Railway porter ... ... ... 818 Painter, glazier ... ... ... 1,116 Cotton-manufacturer ... ... 783 Physician ... ... ... 1,109 Fisherman ... ... ... 770 Butcher ... ... ... ... 1,098 Schoolmaster ... ... ... 649 Tailor ... ... ... ... 1,091 Gardener ... ... .. ... 581 Jute-manufacturer ... ... ... 1,091 Clergyman ... ... ... 581 Slater ... ... ... ... 1,053 Agricultural labourer ... ... 532 Commercial clerk ... ... ... 1,005 Farmer ... ... ... ... 529 Baker ... ... ... ... 1, 000 Railway-engine driver ... ... 481 All males... ... ... ... 1,000

From the Thames Miners' Union. We agree with the first portion of Mr. Guinness's amendment re striking out the words " exclusive of meal-times" in clause 5 of the proposed amendment of 1901, as this would agree with the award of the Arbitration Court, which provides for eight hours per day inclusive of meal-time; but we beg to point out that there is also a provision in the awards for a reduction of these hours on Saturday to six, making the week's work forty-six hours. The words "exclusive of meal-times " would be unworkable, as it would mean that the men would require to work the eight hours at a stretch without any meal at all, seeing that when a mine is in full work it is worked continuously for three eight-hour shifts in the twenty-four hours. The latter part of Mr. Guinness's amendment is, we beg to point out, in contradiction to the awards of the Court, as Mr. Justice Cooper has ruled that the word "miner" includes all men working in or about a mine, with the exception of surface labourers only.

From Repeesentatives of Miners' Unions. Wellington, 30th July, 1902. We, the undersigned representatives of the various miners' unions, cordially concur with the proposed amendments of the Coal-mines and Mining Act Amendment, 1901, as provided in the Bills introduced by Mr. Guinness, now under the consideration of your Committee, for the following reasons, viz.:— (1.) The underground workers' employment is of a very laborious nature. (2.) The employment is very injurious to the health of the worker, caused through inhaling nitro-glycerine and powder-fumes, dust, and impure air. (3.) The causes that go to make impure air are many, and, in addition to reason (2), all mines are subject to black and white damp, effluvia arising from excretions, and decaying matter, such as timber, &c. (4.) The employment is also a severe strain on the health of the worker, because of the cramped and contracted positions a miner has to work in. (5.) A miner is also subject to rheumatics at an early age, caused through dampness, being often compelled to lay on his side, and also frequently in kneeling positions. Another cause being the change of temperature. (6.) The occupation is also a severe strain on the eyes through dust and dimness of light, more especially when safety-lamps are used. (7.) Ladder-climbing in quartz-mines, and steep inclines in coal-mines, is also very injurious to the worker, causing dilated heart, which is a common complaint among miners. (8.) The ingress and egress to working-places is, in many instances, more laborious and severe on the worker than the actual work at the face, caused through having to ascend steep inclines, ladders, low roadways, and having also to carry tools, &c. (9.) The amendments proposed are absolutely necessary, as we contend that a miner's work should be deemed to commence when he leaves the surface and end when he again reaches the surface, as while he is underground he is in the employment of the mine-owner, and subject to the orders of the mine-manager and deputies or shift-bosses, and compelled to observe the provisions of Mining Acts. (10.) It has been contended that the relief of shifts should take place at the faces, but this is unnecessary, as anything of a dangerous nature coming under the notice of a miner has to be reported to the person in subeharge or the manager of the mine (see section 43, " Coal-mines Act, 1891," and section 212, " Mining Act, 1898 "), whose duty it is to acquaint the relieving deputy or shift-boss of the matter, who takes precautions accordingly. (11.) It has never been the custom amongst miners to change shifts at the face, either in coalmines or quartz-mines, but usually at the chamber, brace, or level.

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