H.-18

Redpath, D., Coal-merchant, Christchurch (11/6/12 ; p. 85) — Retail prices coal (Newcastle only)—lncreased from 345., 1900, to 375. per ton delivered, 1912—Prices regulated by Coal-merchants' Associxtion—Not binding—Wholesale buying open to any dealers—Railage charges, quarter-ton charges—Different coal-prices compared. Gunn, F. J., State Agent, Dunedin (5/6/12 ; p. 11)— Coal—Retail prices, &c.—Retail Dealers' Association—Harbour dues. Munro, F. F., Shipping Agent, Westport (8/7/12 ; pp. 388 and 429)— Combination of coal-owners with shipping companies—Union Steamship Company and other shipping companies have arranged freights—Outsiders cannot get coal freights (on Newcastle and Westport coal) — Be State coal and order for 1,000 tons—Coal not supplied—Consumers pay more for coal than they should owing to want of competition in freights—Coal-measures hampered in development—lndustrial unrest caused —Remedy suggested—Letters and documents put in. B. Fuel and Light. Stewart, W. F., Secretary Auckland Gas Company, Auckland (21/6/12 ; p. 246) — Balance-sheet handed in—Gas prices 4s. 3d. net —Discounts given to large users—Prices since 1892—Reserve funds and capital—Market value of shares— Re coal-suppliers and comparative cost with Wellington, prices—Coke sold to one contractor. Ferguson, William, Managing Director Gas Company, Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 404) — Re gas prices 1891, 1896, 1905, 1912—Cost of coal delivered at works quoted for years 1901, 1906, 1911 — Wages of workmen increased—Ratio of expenditure to income equals 1891 65-2 per cent., 1911 74-66 per cent. — Gas produced per ton of coal 12,000 cubic feet — Cost of living increased considerably— B subscriptions —Serious matter of expenses. Richardson, S., Tramways and Electrical Engineer, Wellington (8/7/12 ; p. 437) — Cost of current (1900) 9d., 1912 7d.—Municipal control since 1907—Average cost of lighting five-roomed house 1900, 75.; 1912,4s. —Metallic filament lamp responsible—Wage-bill considerably increased—Coal-bill, 1912 —Delivered, &c, 18s. net—Water-power should further decrease cost. Bishop, R. C, Secretary Christchurch Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, Christchurch (14/6/12 ; p. 158) — Capital of company £200,000, shareholders 350—Dividend last year, 10 per cent.—Wages increased in ten years 25-16 per man—Gas cheaper—Rates now ss. 9d. and 4s. for power —Coke and tar prices, &c.— Details of manufacturing-cost not disclosed—Cost of gas to consumers, typical dwellings of workers taken —Average 10|d. per house per week—Mantels, burners, and upkeep maintained free of expenses to consumers—Dates of reduction in gas-prices from 1888 to 1909 given. Chambers, C, Manager Vacuum Oil Company, Christchurch (13/6/12 ; p. 129) — Prices of oil for fuel, &c., regulated by foreign market—Competition free—No agreement with merchants —Wholesale selling-prices fixed—Retail prices open. Scott, J. C, Christchurch City Electrical Engineer, Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 214) — Charges for electric light—Average rate 6d. to 3-|d. per unit for light, 3d. to 2Jd. for power—Wages increases 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, and 1911—Coal-prices increased—Balance-sheet supplied—Lake Coleridge scheme. Timlin, J. W., Accountant Electric Light Department, Dunedin (7/6/12 ; p. 57) — Ruling prices for gas—Net price ss. per 1,000 ft.—Electric light and power charges—Cost to residential consumers—Average 4s. 2d. to 4s. sd. per month—Cost of fitting electric light £1 a point—£lo for fiveroomed house—Electric light cheaper than kerosene. SECTION V.—FURNITURE AND HARDWARE. A. Furniture : Furniture-manufacturers ; furniture-retailers ; Furniture Union Secretary. B. Hardware : Hardware-merchant; hollow-ware-manufacturers ; range-manufacturer. A. Furniture. Garlick, G. C, Furniture Warehouseman, Auckland (27/6/12 ; p. 330) — Cost of furniture has risen considerably owing to wages cost—No combination amongst retailers—No definite information re rise in wages or materials— Be bailments and tariff—No information to give. Bishop, A. J., Cabinetmaker (wholesale), Wellington (8/7/12; p. 437) — Prices of timber, 1892, 1901, 1907, 1912, quoted—All timbers used by cabinetmakers greatly increased in cost —Furniture much plainer—Hence no increase in price—Bevel-plate and silver-plate glass decreased 50 per cent. Collie, E., Furniture-maker, Wellington (3/7/12 ; p. 383)— Timber-prices increased 10 per cent.—Furniture styles completely changed—Better and cheaper now—Men do more work than they used to do although hours less— Be bailments—Practice described—Time-pay-ment system beneficial. Halse, C. W., House-furnisher, Wellington (5/7/12 ;p. 426)— Time-payment system —About half business done on this basis—Deposit one-third generally—Bailments executed—Advantages of system. Atkinson, W. S., Furniture Warehouseman, Christchurch (17/6/12; p. 183) — Re time-payment system —No very definite information—lncreased prices due to extra cost of timber—Rise in twelve years equal 57J per cent.—Labour increased, upholstering 22J per cent., furniture 7| per cent.— Timber-prices given 1900 and 1912— Re hollow-ware and increase in prices—39 per cent, in cheap lines— Linoleums and floor coverings increased 12J per cent.—Those goods " scaled " to the best of his knowledge. Jolly, F. F., Manager, Furniture Warehouse, Christchurch (17/6/12 ; p. 170)— Furniture-prices cheaper in New Zealand than in Adelaide— Re time-payment system—s per cent, added on cash cost—Bailments taken generally—Housekeeping expenses higher in New Zealand than in Adelaide, especially in groceries, fuel, meat, and clothing. Mander, A., Furniture-salesman, Christchurch (18/6/12 ; p. 215) — No increase in prices—Due to improved machinery and greater output—Time-payment system—Custom explained. Moriarty, D., Secretary, Furniture Union, Wellington (4/7/12 ; p. 391) — Wages of tradesmen—Pay increased and hours reduced—Average earnings £3—Auckland and Wellington wages compared—House-rent in Wellington principal increase in cost of living—Tradesmen very efficient —Despite less hours output the same— Re ratton goods and foreign competition.

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