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3321. You do not really know what their councils are?—l do not know. 3322. Mr. Moody.] Do any of the men work with safety-lamps ?—Not of late. 3323. But when they did work with the lamps, was there an extra allowance to the miners for that ?—No, there was not that I am aware of. 3324. In taking out the pillars, when the top comes down is there any gas emitted?—l have not seen a particle in the Brunner, not even in the goaf. 3325. The only coal gas seen was in the experiment in going through the fault?— Yes ; there was when we were working the solid coal. We have had gas in there then. 3326. But none comes down from the top ?—I have not seeu any from the rise. It was from the bottom that they used to meet the gas. 3327. Of course that would release the gas when the bottom heels up ?—Yes. 3328. Mr. Brown.] Are the wages-men quite aware of the easy hours the miners are taking?— They know all about it. 3329. And are they satisfied to lie idle during the strike ?—lt is like this : they are compelled to do it. 3330. Have they not a voice in the councils ?—Yes. 3331. The Chairman.] In a ballot to go to work?— There has not been a ballot taken on it. If you talk to them individually they will hold with your views on the subject; but as soon as they get before the whole body of men you know they are up in arms directly. 3332. Mr. Moody.] They change their tone? —They change their tone directly. 3333. Mr. Broivn!] So that you think the decisions of the council are not really the feelings of the men ?—They are not, judging from talking with them outside. 3334. Mr. Moody.] Intimidation is the cause ? —Yes. 3335. You say there was no ballot taken. Is it not in the rules that there should be a ballot ? —Yes. 3336. They have done away with the ballot lately?— They took a ballot for something up there. 3337. Mr. Brown.] There have been some negotiations lately as to resuming work, have there not?— Yes. 3338. Do they come from the union?— Yes. 3339. Or was it initiated by Mr. Dunn?—No; I think there was a deputation from the union last night to Mr. Bishop. 3340. Is the secretary.of the union here at present?—No ;heis at Westport, I think. 3341. That is Mr. Andrew ?—Yes. 3342. Is Mr. Newton one of the leading men?— Yes. 3343. Is he away too?—-Yes. 3344. Then the officers of the union are not all here?— Those are the only two away just now, I think.

Mr. John Moeeis sworn and examined. 3345. The Chairman.] You are a coal-miner?— Yes. 3346. You are at present a deputy and fireman in the Brunner Mine ?—Yes, I have been for a number of years. 3347. For how many years ?—For twenty-four years. 3348. Are you in the mine pretty well every day ?—Yes. 3349. You must have been in the mine under the old Ballarat Company?— Yes, under Mr. Taylor. 3350. Were they the first to open it ?—lt was opened a few yards in previously, but they were the first company that worked the mine. 3351. Were you afterwards under the Nelson Provincial Government?— Yes. 3352. When they worked the mine?— Yes. 3353. Who was the manager then ?—Mr. Dent. 3354. How long did that last ?—I could not say. 3355. And since then?— Under McCarthy, Hughes, Scott, and Croker, Mr. Dent being still manager. 3356. Then after them came?— Then under Mr. Kennedy. 3357. And then the amalgamation?— Yes. 3358. Mr. Brown.] Who were managers during that period ?—Elliott was first manager after Dent, then Harrison and Lees. 3359. Aud who came after Lees ?—Mr. Bishop. 3360. Was there not one between him and Bishop ?—Tatley was there a few months. 3361. And then came Mr. Bishop?— Yes. 3362. Do you remember the old rise-workings on this side of the main fault? —Yes ; I used to travel them every morning. 3363. When did you see them last ?—lt is a good while since I saw them last. I have been nearest the fault all the while. 3364. Do you know if much change has taken place in these old workings between the fault and the river? —I could not say what change has taken place for several years, as I have not been in there. 3365. Was there much change between the first day you visited them and the last? Were the workings falling in ? —No. 3366. Do you think they are still open?— There has been a pillar-working since in that part.