C—4.

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[j. E. DUNCAN.

9. How is your light got? —You have it on your head. We also consider that the check inspectors should have increased powers. Their powers are very much curtailed at present. They should have the power to take action against the company if it is found that the requirements of the Act are not complied with. We consider that each district in a mine where there are not more than four districts should have a fresh-air split. In Ralph's Mine the Little dip section is ventilated from No. 7 north, consequently the air is very vitiated when it comes through the Little dip, having been breathed before reaching the men there. I consider that the quantity fixed per man per minute should be increased. 10. To what extent? —Well, more than it is at present. 1 have gone down the Extended Mine and found that a number of the men employed in some of the working-places did not have a sufficiency .of air, and yet there was 150 ft. per man per minute. 11. How did you know that it was insufficient? —By measuring. 12. Have you any instances where the air was insufficient? —Yes, the north-west dip. 13. That has been remedied? —When I was down there was no compressed air taken in by the pipes. There was 87 ft. of air supplying two men. Subsequent to my visit, and prior to the visit of the Inspector of Mines, there was a compressed-air jet installed in both these places. We consider that the air should sweep the face. Perhaps at the end of the brattice there is a noticeable current of air, but sometimes the brattice is 16 ft. back from the face, and consequently it is very stagnant at the face. Then the bench-bords should be bratticed so that the intake air should reach the top of the bench. At present the air only strikes the back of the bench, and the miner working on top gets only the warmest of the air. If a screen were put up the air would sweep the top of the bench. If the benches were driven about 12 yards apart there would be less bratticing required, and, though the bratticing tends to reduce the current of air because it is congested in these narrow inlets, there is quite a lot of escape. Then we would urge the necessity for change-houses and baths for the use of the miners. 14. Have you none here? —No. Then there is the dust on the travelling-ways, which should be sprayed. They have watered travelling-ways where I have recommended, with the exception of the one between the shaft and the junction of the No. 6 and the Little dip. 15. What is the distance of the dusty way?— About 30, or 40, or 50 yards. 16. You represent the union? —Yes. 17. What is your membership?—At the end of 1910 there were 475 members on the books. 18. Have these matters which you are referring to been discussed by your union? —No, but by a committee set up by the executive. 19. And were they unanimous in regard to these matters, or was there any dissent from them?— The committee decided to place them before the Commission. 20. I want to know generally how many miners you are speaking for ? —The union appointed us to make these representations. 21. Mr. Dowgray.] In connection with that signal from the braceman to the engine-driver, has there been any accident caused through the lack of a signal? —No, there has not been any serious accident, but I believe on one occasion at the Extended Mine the braceman pulled out the clips when men were being lowered, and he thought after he had pulled them out that the engineman was not at his post. Then he pushed the clips back again and they caught the top of the cage, with the result that the men got a severe shock. 22. The Chairman.] Are these signals additional signals?—l will quote from a letter dated the 30th June, 1911, from the Inspector of Mines, on the subject : " Yours cf the 14th instant to hand. The duties of banksman and onsetter are clearly denned in Special Rules 83, 84, 87 of the Coal-mines Act, 1908. Direct signalling to the engine-driver by the onsetter in all things concerning the cages in the pit-bottom is most desirable, and no other means can be allowed. The banksman should have a signal-wire from the bracehead into the engine-room with bell attached, so that he can signal as required by Rule 87, line 11. T shall request the manager to provide such means of signalling, if it is not already provided. , ' 23. Mr. Dowgray.] Is it not a fact that a full box went down the shaft? —Well, the other men who will be giving evidence will be able to speak more decidedly on that point. 24. Has the signal referred to in that letter been installed now? —No. 25. Mr. Parry.] Have you had any experience of taking temperatures?— No. 26. You have taken no temperatures with the dry bulb? —No. 27. Have you worked in any places where the temperature was taken? —Yes, in the Kaitangata Mine. 28. What do you think of a standard temperature : is it necessary to be fixed by the Government?— Well, I consider that 80° is very much "too hot. I would not be in favour of fixing a standard higher than 75° or 70°. I have had experience of a temperature of 80° in the Kaitangata Mine. 29. What was the current of air like there? —It was not a very good one. 30. That would be a dry temperature, would it not? —Yes. 31. Where do you get your drinking-water in those mines? —We carry it into them; the men take it in themselves. 32. Have they to go back to the surface in the daytime if they want more drinking-water? —No, they do without if they do not carry enough. 33. What is your opinion of the necessity for sanitary appliances?—l consider that the sanitary appliances here have been very unsatisfactory, but just recently there have been wonderful improvements effected in them,'and I believe they are now going to provide disinfectants in the mine. The matter was arranged just before the Commission came here. Previously the smell was nauseating in the extreme. Then there was a complaint about the pan in the Extended Mine being close to the return airway near where the truckers were trucking. I mentioned the matter to the management, and it was removed.