H.—lB.

B. Rent. Ewington, F. G., Land and Estate Agent, Auckland (25/6/12 ; p. 298)— Land-values Auckland and district greatly increased in value—Workmen's rents dearer by 20 to 25 per cent. over 1902—Higher prices of land and building-material mainly responsible—Advocates extending railway system and opening up more land. Gellatly, A. A., Land Agent, Wellington (10/7/12 ; p. 467)— Land in Wellington greatly increased—Slightly receded last five years—Rents on various tram sections— Rents average 15 per cent, reduction last five years. Longmore, A., Land and Estate Agent, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 442) — Rents on down grade during last five years —Land-values in suburb drop—Ground values too high in city— City sales quoted. Hislop, H. W., Land Agent, Christchurch (10/6/12 ; p. 61)— Marked increase land-values in Christchurch in last ten to fifteen years—lncrease depends on locality—Rent of house cheaper than purchasing—Over £1 per week rental value—Rating on unimproved value not affected prices but cause more subdivision—Tenants less careful with rented houses than formerly and demand more comforts —Hot and cold water, sewer-connections, &c. Bowling, W. A., Land Agent, Dunedin (6/6/12 ; p. 30) — Re land-prices—lncrease mainly fashionable quarters—Distinct increase all round. Scurr, Thomas, Land and Estate Agent, Dunedin (5/6/12 ; p. 19) — Be rents—Not materially increased. Washer, A., Land Agent, Roslyn (6/6/12 ; p. 27) — Re rents — Increased 20 per cent, to 30 per cent., ten to fifteen years — Land-values increased 200 per cent. —Materials, house building, increased 25 per cent.—Labour cost heavier. Young, Herbert, Land Agent, Dunedin (6/6/12 ; p. 31) — Land-values increased 100 per cent, in some localities in five years, 200 per cent, in ten'years—Rents, Mornington, &c.—lncrease in materials, &c, equals £25 or £30 for four-roomed house. SECTION IV.—COAL, AND FUEL AND LIGHT. A. Coal : Chairman, mining company; coal-merchants (wholesale); coal-dealers (retail); coal combine (Westport). B. Fuel and Light : Gas companies; coke ; oil (kerosene); electric light. A. Coal. Alison, E. W., Chairman Directors, Taupiri Coal-mines, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 332) — Wholesale prices of coal, 1907, 1908, 1909—Discounts given according to quantity taken—Wages of miners quoted, 1903, 1910 —Considerable increase granted, hours reduced—Not possible to supply coal to small consumers —Company's trade in Auckland confined to dealers. Craig, E. A., Carrying and Coal Merchant, Auckland (28/6/12 ; p. 342)— Spasmodic increase in carrying-cost—Labour legislation reduced margin of profits—Labour-cost increased— Output decreased—Men slowing down—Reasons given for rise in cartage rates of 6d. per ton— Re freights coastal and intercolonial—Flour from Victoria 10s. to 12s. 6d., and chaff 15s. to 17s. 6d. per ton—Newcastle coal 9s. 6d. a ton to Auckland—Prices for Taupiri coal fixed by dealers—Selling-prices quoted, 1900,1906, 1908, 1910, 1912, for Taupiri coal—Profits very low, equal 6Jd. per ton—State could not compete— Extravagance and high standard of living of workers responsible for present affairs—Pleasure first— Loyalty to employers follows. Winstone, G., jun., Coal-merchant, Auckland (26/6/12 ; p. 316) — Cost of distribution increased considerably — Items given — Wages increased, but men not so efficient— Socialistic teaching responsible—Association of coal-dealers—Fixed fair price for fair article—General objects of association outlined —Wholesale prices of coal—2l4 members of association—Excessive freights on railways—Huntly prices quoted 1900—Wellington and Auckland prices compared—Prices in Auckland bound to rise—Newcastle coal and Taupiri coal—Demand 50 to 1 in latter's favour—Statement re average quantity of coal delivered by carter. Flavell, W. A., Branch Manager, Coal Company, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 437) — Re Westport Coal and Union Steamship Company—Cost of screening Westport and Newcastle ooal compared —Retail price 345. a ton cash, wholesale 25s.—Delivery-charges heavy. Joachim, George, Manager Coal Company, Dunedin (4/6/12 ; p. 5) — Be Westport coal—Prices retail—Freights—Union Steamship Company—Household expenditure. Bines, W. F., Coal Dealer and Carrier, Auckland (29/6/12 ; p. 358)— Coal prices fixed by association— Be efficiency of men—Less work turned out nowadays—Cost of coal to merchants, 235. 3d. net—To dealers, 245. 9d. net —Dealer delivers tariff rate 31s. per ton—Twelve years ago prices were 245. per ton. Carpenter, J. M., Coal-merchant, Auckland (21/6/12 ; p. 250)— Retail charges for coal—Taupiri charges, 1902, 1905, 1908, 1909—Difference of 4s. a ton between yard price . and selling-price to-day—Objects of association of coal-merchants—Prices fixed—Wholesale merchants members of this association —Prices for various quantities—Causes of increased cost of coal—Details of cost of handling given—Coal weighed before sold to public. Brown, S. S., Timber, Coal, and General Merchant, Wellington (9/7/12 ; p. 444)— Costs of coal detailed ex wharf to consumer—How coal is sold—Thirty-two dealers in Wellington—Prices of Westport coal in 1906 —Retail business not paying— Be bad debts—Details given. Quinlivan, T., Manager, State Coal Depot, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 376)— Business increasing steadily—lncreased in six years from 14,000 to 28,000 tons output—Coal-prices, 1906 285., 1912 295., in city—All trade on cash basis —Local association in existence twelve years—Demolished by Westport Company —Delivery-charges increased. Brown, Thomas, Managing Director, T. Brown (Limited), Coal-dealers, Christchurch (15/6/12); p. 168)— Increased prices of coal due to labour-cost and inefficiency of men compared with previous years—Cost of discharging coal-trucks and of delivering coal quoted— Be short weight of coal—All weighed before delivery.

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