H.—29.

62

A. H. MILES.

52. The Harbour Board does that?—But they cannot examine every bale. 53. But the wet goes in such a little way that they are generally able to dry it in the sun?— They do their best, I think the interest is fully protected by the Harbour Board in that respect, and also by the insurance companies if they only know the danger is there, because it is naturally to their interests to recondition a parcel of wool here in preference to having a heavier loss to pay at the other end when the stuff reaches its destination if it is damaged. 54. Do you know anything as to the stowing of wool and hemp on board the ships?—No. 55. And no reports have ever reached you as to stowing tow or hemp in contact with woolbales? —No. 56. Would you imagine that, if a greasy bale of wool and tow were in contact, and the bale had been dumped and there was a certain amount of heat, there would be greater danger?—l should think there would be far greater danger of fire with hemp and wool stowed in the same chamber than if the wool was alone in that part of the vessel. I should say the danger would undoubtedly be increased by stowing wool and hemp in the same chamber. 57. Captain Blackburne] I think in all probability that will be shown to be the case in regard to the " Gothic," as I understand they had both wool and flax in the same hold?—Yes, I think the danger would be increased. 58. I gathered from Captain Evans that in No. 3 hold, where the fire was very severe, they had not sufficient wool to fill up the hold, and consequently filled it up with flax?— 59. Mr. Foster] We were told, Mr. Miles, that at the wool-sales here one buyer found —I think it was a parcel of locks, heated very much, so much so in fact that when it was opened he noticed a flash of fire which did_not continue burning. Do you think that is of frequent occurrence ?—I should say he had exceptional eyesight. 60. Can you suggest any methods of improvement in regard to the inspection and examination of wool? You know the system that obtains at present in the Harbour Board's sheds, that they take every care?—Yes. You have got to face this fact: that you cannot examine every bale of wool. 61. The Chairman] But until you have every bale of wool handled, and if, as we understand, the men who handle the wool do give instructions to mark any bales by reason of their being in a bad condition, then would it not be a wise thing to have somebody whose ipse dixit would be sufficient to prevent that wool being shipped?—Very advisable, I think. Of course, the officer of the ship has that power now ; he would not take a bale of wool on board if he knows it to be wet. That is the general experience we have had of all these ships—the ships will not knowingly take a bale of wet wool on board. 62. But would it not be better to have a man like Captain Bendall to continue as he was doing before? The Harbour Board witness pointed out to us that it relieved them of great responsibility when his attention was drawn to it?—l think the appointment of a man like Captain Bendall would certainly be a move in the right direction. The work at the port at this time of the year is more than one man could undertake, but 1 think the supervision by inspectors of the type of men like Captain Bendall, and Captain Willis, and others at different ports is certainly in the right direction. 63. Mr. Foster] You say the officers on a vessel would not take wool in a wet condition, but on account of the amount of "wool an officer would not be able to inspect it? —That is so. The system of loading a sailing-ship is not the same as loading a steamer with five hatches going. 64. Captain Blackburne] Do you think anything should be done in the way of compelling shippers who ship dangerous kinds of wool, such as locks and pieces, &c.—that such wool should always be marked conspicuously "Dangerous," or something of that sort?—lt is very well in theory but difficult to apply in practice. A man would not, of course, send a bale of wool containing stuff which he considered dangerous. 65. If a man does not mark wool " Dangerous " when it is dangerous, do you think he should be liable?—Well, who is to say it is dangerous. 66. Mr. Foster] In that connection, would you not consider that locks, no matter how dirty, providing they were thoroughly dry, were dangerous? —Certainly more liable to danger than fleece wool or clean dried pieces. 67. As long as they continued dry? —1 think there is a certain amount of danger owing to the dung that is left in the wool. 68. The danger would be in the event of damp getting to it?—Yes. 69. But as long as it continued dry? —It is perfectly safe to ship it then- —as long as it remained dry; but if it got damp by any sweat or anything on board, I think the locks would be the most dangerous of any wool cargo. 70. W T ould your opinion lead you to suggest that the shipment of greasy locks should be prohibited.? —I should not like to go so far as that, because, as I said before, there are locks and locks. There are some locks we see passing through the sale-rooms that none of us would ship. 71. Do vou think the shipping people'should be cautioned against stowing that class of wool in parts of ships with other wool? —1 do not think you could do it in practice. You could compel every man who ships locks and pieces to mark them locks and pieces, and you could give a surveyor power to say that a particular bale of locks is not in a fit state to be shipped with other cargo. 72. But, assuming there is danger in locks, would it not be possible perhaps by some increased rate of freight to separate it from other cargo ?—1 do not think so. 73. Well, in the Harbour Board sheds clips, of course, are put pretty well together?—Yes. 74. So that they could be shipped when the owner or agent required it. Would it not bo possible to classify the wool by the marks on the outside and put locks and pieces in one stack, and so deliver them to the ship that they would not be put together?—The Harbour Board men would be the best people to answer that. I fancy from their point of view it would not be possible in the busy season. 75. 1 suppose it would be practicable by an additional cost? —By additional expense. 76. Would you not consider it right that, if one cargo is more dangerous than another, it should bear that expense?—My answer to that is, Don't ship the locks.