T. WILLIAMS. 1

115

C.--4.

29. What about the spontaneous combustion of the coal ?—Well, it is impossible to get that coal. 30. By your system would there not be a great deal more left than is left at the present time ?—No. 31. What is the maximum height you work now ? —You generally take a lift now. 32. So that they are doing it as you suggest ?—No, they are not splitting the pillars. 33. Will you show me where you would put the split in this sketch ? [Sketch submitted to witness, and explained.] 34. Do you favour leaving ribs on pillar-work % —You do not need them. 35. You would specially have to fall up your coal ? —Yes, but you would in any case. John Hendry sworn and examined. (No. 42.) 1. The Chairman.] What are you ? —A coal-miner. 2. With how many years' experience ?—Thirty-one. 3. Where ? —Mostly in Scotland, but nine years in New Zealand—in the Westport Coal Company's employ. 4. Where ?—At Milleiton. 5. How long ? —Nine yeans. 6. Do you hold any position in the mine or in any union ?—Not in the mine, but 1 am treasurer of the Granity Miners' Union. 7. You hold a deputy's certificate ?—Yes. 8. Have you acted as deputy here ?—I have been out for a day now and then, but only occasionally, when they have been a man short. 9. What matters do you wish to bring before the Commission ? —Ventilation, sanitation, and the prevention of accidents. 10. You have heard the evidence of previous witnesses: have you anything further to say, or do you merely corroborate it ?—Well, there could be a lot said on each side, but I contend that the ventilation should be carried through splits. If there are four or five sections in a mine and so-many men in these splits, the air should be taken in at the intake and passed through each of these splits into the separate sections, sweeping round about the faces. You will always find that any coal-mine which has these splits for, say, three or four sections is better ventilated than one which has not. 11. Then you agree generally with what has been said by previous witnesses ? —As to the fan business", I agree that there should be a man stationed at the fan. At times I have been called out because of the fan stopping. That proves that there should be a man as convenient to the fan ac possible. 12. Now as to accidents I—Well,1 —Well, in connection with the prevention of accidents I would recommend, in regard to the fireman's duties, that he should report at the mine-mouth. A cabin should be erected there, and there should be a board marked "Mine not examined," so that the men could see it. When the fireman returns to the entrance he should turn the board to the other side showing " Mine examined," with the date and his name. I contend that is a safe way, and would prove a great preventive of accidents, because working in our own mine here we have thirty minutes to walk from the entrance to the mine to the deputy's report, and we never see the deputy. If you were early enough you would, but you would require to be half an hour earlier than usual. I contend it would be a great preventive to have this board and to have the deputy there, and be able to speak to him and see if your place was safe. That is the usual method in the Old Country, and it is in the Act here too. I also consider that it would be well to have knockers and stop-blocks on all jigs. The present system of shouting " Eight " is not a good one —men have lost their lives by it. 13. What do you suggest ?—I would suggest that all face-jigs should have stop-blocks and knockers. In regard to pillar-work, the system here is very bad. There are generally five or six pairs of men in these pillars, and they open up both ways, which leaves a big space of ground. We contend that this is a very dangerous system. A safer method would be to open out on one side only. A still safer method would be to split the pillar and bring back everything. Then you would have the closed ground to fall back on. The place should be 9 ft. or 10 ft. at the most, and 8 ft. high. You would have a good safe retreat then. Further, I want to say, in regard to pillar-workings, in a place like NewZealand, where there are a great many men travelling, and where every Tom, Dick, and Harry can be a coal-miner, every precaution should be taken. You might have a soft bottom, and you are trusting these men, with the result that perhaps it comes down on top of you. I would suggest that, in connection with prop-drawing, the safest method would be the Sylvester or chain-and-lever system for drawing props. They are drawn now with an a"xc and pick, which is not a safe method. A man simply walks in and draws the props, and does not know anything about it. They are pretty well decayed, with the result that it all comes down on top of them. As to sanitation, I think the time has arrived when steps ought to be taken to provide sanitation systems for mines. The present state is disgraceful. 14. Can you suggest a remedy % You have heard the idea of the truck suggested by a previous witness ? —Yes, I approve of that. 15. As to these check inspectors, what is your opinion as to these increased powers which are asked for ? —I quite agree that the check inspectors should have more power. 16. What about their qualifications % —Well, as far as the matter of qualifications is concerned, you may take any trade : when a man has served his time you reckon him as qualified to take charge of any branch of that particular trade. I consider that when a man has been working in a mine two years, and a certain part of the time with a practical miner, he is quite qualified. 17. Do you not think he should have studied ?—Yes, it behoves every man to advance himself, but I say that a man who has the practical experience is just as good as those who hold tickets.