C—3.

condition of the mines it is not at all surprising that they do not pay, and, as for reductions, they want as many reductions as they can get. When the available coal is worked out, and no new works opened out for such a long period, it will become more expensive to open up newworks. There will be a necessity to undergo great expense to open out and prove the faults. Nothing of any consequence has been done during the last two years. 969. It will have to be done all at once then, I suppose?— Yes. If it had been done I presume the cost would be charged against the working in the past. 970. The Chairman.] Have you any suggestions to make about the want of storage for the coal ? You said there was sometimes short-shipping ? —ln regard to these matters, I think that the owners themselves can best judge as to whether the storage of coal would injure its quality for sale. Undoubtedly, if the value of the coal were not deteriorated the storage would be a great advantage :it would keep the men going more regularly. I cannot say, however, whether it would be an advantage to the company. 971. Is there anything else you have made a note of?—I have noted down one thing—where we objected to so many men being employed. I will read the letter dated the 4th November: " I have been instructed to request you not to employ any more men while the depression of trade continues until there is a reasonable amount of employment for the men now engaged." 972. Was there any answer to that letter? —No. The letter continues: "The Association will not admit any more members." 973. Do you remember any reply to that ? —No ; but, in reply to a similar communication, the following reply was received :— Sic, —I am agreeable that, in the case of new hands starting, they should be informed that, in the opinion of other men, old employes being out of places in any of the mines, the new hands should be removed to make room for those having a prior claim. —James Bishop. 974. Is there anything else you can think of ?—No.

Tuesday, 21st Octobee, 1890. Mr. Alfeed Benjamin Lindop sworn and examined. 975. The Chairman.] What do you describe yourself as, Mr. Lindop ?—I am a mining engineer, and am at present manager of the Blackball Coal Company. 976. Are you certificated in New Zealand ?—Yes. 977. You hold also an English certificate? —Yes. 978. You are manager of the Springfield Coal-mine?— Yes. 979. How long have you been in New Zealand '! — Seven years. 980. What experience have you had in New Zealand ?—I have reported upon a good many coal-mines in New Zealand, both for the Geological Department and also privately. 981. How long have you been connected with the West Coast coal-mines? —Off and on for the last six years. 982. What mines are you particularly acquainted with on the West Coast?— Most particularly withourown Blackball Mine, which is not developed yet. The last one upon which I reported was the Koranui —that is, to the north of Westport. 983. Can you describe the Blackball Mine?— The lease is 1,957 acres, which is well selected, being about 170-J chains long by X\A\ chains wide, and is situated on the north side of the Grey Biver, about sixteen miles from Greymouth, and nine from Brunnerton. The coal dips at lin6 to the S.E. 984. How many outcrops ?—Seven in a distance of 80 chains. The average thickness of the coal-seams is sft. and 12ft. respectively, or a total thickness of 17ft. 985. There is a stone band, is there not ? —Yes, there is Ift. of band. It seems to get thicker at the north-east end of the lease, being there 6ft. In some places it disappears. 986. Whereabouts is that ?—At the top end of the lease. 987. And the coal is all together? —Yes. 988. It is 17ft. thick ?—Yes. 989.'Without the band at all?— Yes. 990. Then the band is not replaced by coal?— Not at all. The 17ft. coal keeps standing, and the band wedges it apart. 991. What proof have you that it goes to the dip?—We traced it as a cross-section. 992. Did you put in pits ? —lt has been traced to the dip. 993. For how far ?—For 20 chains, and a tunnel has been put in. 994. What is the height of the outcrop ?—The altitude is 603 ft. The tunnel that is being put in is 920 ft., and we expect to cut the coal daily. 995. Is there any indication of the country being faulted? —There are no signs of fault within the strike. 996. Have you made any estimate of the quantity of coal ?—Yes ; I estimated the coal-bearing part will be 1,700 acres ; that is, within the lease. 997. Will you be able to work it all out, or will you have to pillar-and-stall it ?—I take 16ft. thick for the coal on an average, and I have reckoned it at 1,000 tons per foot; that is, 16,000 ft. per acre ; that is a total of about 27,000,000 tons. Then I estimated at that time that we could get 11,000,000 tons of coal from the present levels; that was, in the absence of any survey levels. The new tunnel will win about 7,000,000 tons of level free coal. 998. That is what you intend it to give ?—Yes; we will be able to command that. 999. What is the quality of the coal ?—lt is a hard bituminous caking coal. 1000. Does it make a good coke ?—Yes; it is very clean and makes good coke ; in fact, we took the first prize at the Dunedin Exhibition with it.

86