C—4

84

Te. r. green.

59. And they would thus gain that practical experience which we all wish them to have ?—Yes. 60. And that the managers should take the samples also ? —Yes, if the- samples were properly taken and analysed. A good deal depends on the collection of the gases in the first place, and the samples must be handled carefully. If a manager is to collect a sample of air and happens to be a little careless in not properly sealing it and so forth, some of the contents might escape and the results mightread less dangerous, thereby giving a false sense of security to the management. 61. Still, they would gather experience in the taking of samples ?—Yes, it would be an advantage. 62. And then your samples would be a check on them ?—Yes. 63. So you would suggest that such a provision be embodied in the Act, and that the sample be taken in the return airway ?—Yes, I agree with that in gaseous mines.

Alexandra Codethouse.—22nd September, 1911. Edwin Ridley Gkeen—examination continued. 64. The Chairman.'] Have you the tables in connection with the Nightcaps Colliery ?—Yes, I produce three tables, showing the fatalities at the Nightcaps Colliery from 1900 to 1911, the non-fatal accidents for the years 1906 to 1911 inclusive, and the barometrical, thermometrical measurements and analyses of air taken by me since 1908. This does not include the analysis of the last sample taken by me, the report on which has not yet been received from the Dominion Analyst. [Exhibit 15, copy of analysis of air now submitted, put in.]

Kaitangata Courthouse, 26th September, 1911. Edwin Ridley Green —examination continued. 65. The Chairman.] You have some tables relating to the Kaitangata Mine to produce, I understand ?—Yes, I produce (1) list of fatalities in Kaitangata Colliery since 1900, (2) list of fatalities in the Castle Hill Colliery since 1900, and (3) barometer and thermometer readings, and measurements and analyses of air, from Kaitangata Colliery. [Exhibit No. 17, put in.] James Norton sworn and examined. (No. 22.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you ?—A coal-miner. 2. Do you hold any office in any union or in the mine % —-I hold the position of local secretary of this branch of the Otago Coal-miners' Union. 3. Well, as secretary of the union, or as a miner, have you anything to lay before the Commission, either by way of suggestion for the improvement of the mining conditions, or as a remedy for matters requiring attention?— The only suggestion I have been asked to place before the Commission is that in the event of the Inspector requiring the manager of a mine to attend to any matters, a list of those matters should be handed to the local secretary to see that the same are attended to before his next visit. 4. Is there any other matter you wish to refer to ? —No, I think that is all. 5. Mr. Dowgray.] Do you find that in this district it is commonly known when the Inspector is s coming to visit the locality ?—Well, we are always aware a few days before he comes that he is coming. 6. Can you attribute that to any particular cause ? —No, it seems to be generally known in the town that Mr. Green is going his rounds—not to any particular person. 7. Do you think it would be any benefit if his visit were kept secret ?—No, I do not see that it would make any difference—not, at any rate, to the work of our mine. 8. The Chairman.] You have no conditions to complain of ?—-No. 9. Then it does not matter whether he comes openly or secretly?— No. 10. Mr. Dowgray.] Can you tell us how you know he is coming ?—Everybody in the town seems to know. We do not know the day definitely, but it is generally known that Mr. Green will visit the district shortly. 11. Is he looked upon as one of the notable persons who come into the district ?—No ; I could not say as to that. 12. Mr. Cochrane.] Are you aware that the Inspector of Mines has other duties to perform, such as roadworks and subsidies ?—No. 13. Would it not be that his visits become known as the result of these local-body works ?—lt may be. Ido not know. 14. Did you ever make a,ny attempt to trace as to how his visits became known ? —No, it has never affected us, and we have never gone to any trouble to find out. William Crowe sworn and examined. (No. 23.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you ?—A miner. 2. Do you hold any office in the mine ? —No. 3. Do you hold any office under the union ?—No, except that I am on the executive. 4. How long have you been mining ? —About twenty years. 5. Where did you get your mining experience ?—Mostly in Kaitangata, also a little in Western Australia. 6. You hold no certificates ?-r-Ne.