a—4.

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[B. BENNIE.

97. Mr. Parry.] Then, under those circumstances, is the suggestion not a good one to have a standard of temperature fixed by the Government?— No. The miners' union and the manager have always consulted one another, and in 70 per cent, of the cases they have decided between themselves. 98. In the event of their not being able to settle the matter between themselves? —I do not know what the}' would do then. 99. What would you suggest, then, in the event of their not being able to arrive at a settlement? Would you not be in favour of something being fixed by the Government ?—As I stated at the Thames, it would be a difficult matter to fix a rule to decide these things, the conditions change so rapidly. In the morning it might be an eight-hour place according to the conditions fixed, and in the afternoon a six-hour place. 100. How are you going to provide for those men who are working, then ? —They must exercise a little reasonableness between the management and themselves. 101. And in the event of their not being reasonable? —I have no opinion to offer. 102. And you cannot suggest anything to get over the difficulty? —No. 103. Would you suggest that power be given to you under the Coal-mines Act or Mining Act so that if you considered a place to be dangerous you could stop work there, and that your decision be final in the matter?—l think there is that power in the Coal-mines Act now for dealing with dangerous places. 104. In any of the Huntly mines have you found during any of your inspections the quantity of air supplied to be insufficient? —Not in either of the mines. 105. Have you found the current of air insufficient in any of the working-places?— No. My last inspection with the workmen's inspector was made on the 7th July, 1911. 106. On any occasion have you found the current of air insufficient?—l have not measured it in every place, but where I have done so it has been quite sufficient. 107. The Chairman.] Have you any reason to believe that it was not so in any places where you did not measure it?— No. 108. Your attention was never drawn to any doubtful place?— No. 109. Mr. Parry .] That being so, it was never necessary for you to speak to the management on the subject?— No. 110. Has your attention been drawn by the workmen's inspector to an insufficiency of air in any places?—ln one of his reports (12th April, 1911), it is stated that he found only 88 cubic feet of air per minute per man in the north section of the Extended Mine. 111. The Chairman.] When was your next inspection made —12th May?— Yes, on that date, in consequence of the workmen's inspector's report, I visited the same section accompanied by the manager, and will give you the figures : No. 6, west dip, three men working, velocity 1,200 revolutions, giving 1,272 cubic feet per minute, equal to 424 ft. per man. 112. Mr. Parry.] But what were the conditions when the complaint was made? Have you those figures?—-No. The check inspector's report does not supply that information 113. There was a month between the inspections? —Yes. 114. Were there not compressed-air jots introduced after the check inspector's visit and before your inspection?—l have no knowledge of that. 115. How was it ventilated when you were there?—l did not visit the whole of the mine. When I visit the mine I take a section at a time. 116. How was it ventilated on the date of your inspection? —By 14 in. air-pipes with compressed air. 117. You do not know when they were installed ? —No. 118. Do you consider this new system of ventilation adequate? —Yes; I have not visited any place which was not adequately ventilated. 119. Do you consider that the man on top gets sufficient ventilation? —Yes. 120. Or would you suggest anything to improve the ventilation for him?—No, I cannot suggest anything. I could if it were necessary, but it has not been necessary. 121. Have you any complaints from the men working there?— No. 122. Does the workmen's inspector give you any assistance so far as inspections are concerned? —No. 123. Do you -think the travelling-way going into Ralph's Mine is in a fit state as regard* the dust there? —There are small sections of it where there is a little dust, but there are also great stretches where there is none. 124. Would you suggest any alteration being made to keep that dust down? —I believe they need it. Is there any particular section to which" you refer ? 125. In different places along the road. Have you had any complaints as to the dust in the travelling-way? —Not in Ralph's Mine. In the check inspector's report of the 11th July a complaint was made, and I saw the manager, who said that if he put water down it would make the place wet and the miners would complain. I have not been in that section since then. 126. Could you suggest anything to minimize the eye accidents which occur when the men are cutting coal?—I have seen goggles and pieces of gauze used to protect the eyes. 127. Is there anything in the way of a difference of system which would minimize that trouble? —What system would do it? 128. lam asking you. Can you suggest any different system of working which would minimize these eye accidents? —If the miners shot their coal out without cutting it they would have to trim both sides and roof, and the danger would then be present just as it is now. 129. The Chairman.] Do you think they can escape trimming by cutting out? —No. 130. Mr. Parry .] But the danger would not be as great to the eyes'?—l am not sure there would be much difference. The shooting would damage the pillare. 131. Was your attention drawn to the signals at Ralph's Mine shaft? —Yes,