121

I.—7a

39. Why ?—Because there are a number of reefs. There might be seven or eight reefs in the short distance of a mile. It is impossible to say where the reefs are; the ground is so heavily timbered, that it would not be possible to find them without going to great expense. 40. If the reefs run to the east or to the west, what direction would be the underlay?— Southerly or northerly. 41. It would be necessary to provide for the underlay so as to have a greater width ?—Yes. 42. You know the Merrijigs country ?—Yes. 43. "What formation is it, well-defined reefs or what ? —The top of the range is a kind of conglomerate. Gold runs right through it. It is impossible to say what gold there is in it in any particular part. [Merrijigs country pointed out on the map as Block 59.] 44. Now they work conglomerate of that kind by quarrying it out in a face ?—Yes. 45. Which of these blocks of country are you more particularly acquainted with ?—Blocks 51 to 63. 46. If you were to receive instructions to-morrow to reserve the land which, in your opinion, was required for mining purposes, and purposes incidental and conducive thereto, where would you mark it? —It is impossible to lay it off—that is, between payable and non-payable, I suppose you mean. 47. I simply say, suppose you got instructions to go and lay it off?— Well, the whole of it is more or less auriferous ; you could not lay it off. At least, I would not like the job. 48. What would you say as to laying the blocks off on the maps ?—That it is all more or less auriferous, and required for mining purposes. [Blocks 51 to 63 referred to.] 49. From your knowledge of the mining interests, are these lands marked on the plan required for mining purposes, and for purposes incidental and conducive thereto ?—Yes, I should think so ; and they have been mentioned by a number of experts who know the district more than I do, because they have been prospecting portions of it. 50. As given to you, was the area small as compared with' the requirements for mining purposes ?—They were larger. 51. What they gave you was much larger than that actually reserved?— Yes. 52. Can you give the names of any of these persons?— The Chairman of the Inangahua County Council, Mr. Irving; Mr. Trennery, Mr. Bell, Mr. Casley, Mr. Collings, sharebroker, and several others whom I have forgotten now. 53. These are well-known experts ?—Well-known. 54. Long resident in the district, and investors in mining-claims, owners of mines, and minemanagers ? —Yes. 55. It has been stated that the Inaugahua County Council considered that the reserves should not be made at all. With the statement you have made just now which would be correct ? —They did not want the reserves when the plans went down at first. They wanted to advertise the same as mining leases, a copy of the applications to be sent in to the County Council, and the applications to be granted if the land was not auriferous. That was for settlement purposes. Then, subsequently, I believe they changed their minds. 56. And went through these reserves with you ? —We did not go through them together as they are now. They were marked off on my plan—that is, in survey blocks. 57. Touching the district of Eeefton : which is the paramount industry, coal or gold-mining ?— Gold-mining. 58. There is little coal there, is there not ?—Yes, a lot of coal. 59. Is it a fact that coal and gold have been found in the same claim ?—Yes. 60. And, in these instances, which in your opinion is paramount, coal or gold?— Gold. 61. Then it would be against the public interest, and against the interest of the district, to refuse gold-mining claims for the purpose of letting anyone take up a coal lease ? —That would depend upon the prospects. 62. Yes, but in cases within your own knowledge, where application has been made ?—One application was made for gold and taken up for coal. The gold was not payable, I was informed by the men working there. 63. Are there any more cases that you know of ?—That is the only case I know of. 64. The gold was there ?—Yes, at one time. There was a claim working right on it. That is, creek claims. 65. Have you seen a lithographed map in the hands of the Midland Eailway Company showing the reserves made some time ago ?—That is the map lam alluding to. It is in my office. 66. From the company? —No ; it was issued to me from the Government. 67. Have you gone into the question of the reserves with either Mr. Scott or Mr. Wilson at any time ?—No. 68. They have been to Eeefton many times when you were there ?—Yes. 69. Did they never come to see you on this question ?—Not with regard to the blocks. 70. What has been the effect of making these reserves in the district ?—I have heard hardly anything about it as yet. 71. In your opinion, what would be the effect—would it be beneficial or otherwise?—l cannot say. 72. Can you say whether it will promote or injure the mining interest ?—lf the company held the ground it would all depend upon how they treated the miners—whether the regulations would be the same as heretofore. I dare say they could get on just the same. 73. What is your opinion as to the result of simply keeping the mining lands as they were before ?—To keep them open for the miners, not to block them up or to sell them. 74. That would be in the interest of the district—that is your opinion ?—Yes. 75. In your opinion,.is the land in these blocks on the map required for mining purposes?— Yes, it is all more or less auriferous. It is impossible to say where the gold is. 16—1. 7a.