138

C—l 4.

[f. reed.

1302. And you yourself are not prepared at the present moment to make a pronouncement upon it % —Not a complete pronouncement, without full consideration. 1303. Then, I suppose I may take it that you do not suggest that Mr. Fletcher should have made any pronouncement upon it or done anything very definite ? —He is the responsible man. 1304. But lam asking you the question ?—I hope he is getting to work very quickly. It is not for me to suggest the best methods. If I make an impromptu suggestion without mature consideration it will go down in print, and I do not desire that. 1305. I understand that you have been considering this question ?—lt is a peculiar case. I would have to examine your old workings to see how much dust was created, and then as to whether your roofs and sides would be effected by watering. Altogether there is such a variety of phases of the matter that to venture an opinion prematurely would not be wise. 1306. Is there any provision in the new Bill which enables you to deal with the question of inert dust ? —I do not know, but I think there is. There is a section empowering regulations to be drawn up dealing with the allaying of dust. 1307. Were you present when I read the report of this New South Wales Commission of Inquiry as to the best methods to be adopted to remove dust or to render it innocuous ?— No, 1 was not present. 1308. This is the paragraph to which I refer : " Having regard, however, to the enormous extent of the roadways and working-places of a modern colliery, the increasing depth of cover, and in some cases the temperature of the strata, it is not, in our opinion, practicable to maintain a dusty mine throughout all its ramifications in a constant state of safety in relation to coaldust explosions. We emphatically recommend, therefore, a remedy such as stone-dusting of a permanent character in preference to watering, which by evaporation may become useless within a few hours if not renewed. In no case within our experience where the seam is dry and dusty have we observed any mine so thoroughly treated by watering as to prevent a coaldust explosion being carried through the workings ; and while thorough treatment by watering would undoubtedly ultimately arrest an explosion, the impracticability of doing so is fully recognized by many authorities ; and, in effect, therefore, to look upon watering alone as a remedy for coaldust explosions is to lean upon a broken reed." Do you agree with that ? —lt seems sound and logical, and in accordance with accepted opinion. 1309. Your Bill is a little bit defective in regard to coaldust ?■■ No, there is provision in section 8 providing for regulations dealing with certain matters. We can make provision in the regulations, I think, regarding stone-dust and watering. 1310. Can you suggest any dust which can be obtained that is innocuous to breathe ?—Yes, 1 have had a good deal of experience regarding miners' phthisis (pneumoconiosis). If you could get indurated shale or fireclay it would serve as a perfectly safe dust. I wrote that portion of the Royal Commission's report which deals with miners' phthisis. Quartz-dust is most injurious to the lungs, and anthracite coaldust is also harmful, but the clay or shale dust is practically harmless. 1311 Have you had any analyses made of that fireclay dust ? —No, but lam taking two samples to Wellington with me for analysis. 1312. Have you known of a jet of water being used in connection with coal-cutting machines ?— Not with coal-cutting machines, but with rock-drills in quartz-mines. 1313. Is there any means of learning the testing of gas in Huntly ? —The Department has obtained for the Huntly School of Mines a Hailwood gas-testing apparatus, but the difficulty is in getting town gas at Huntly. lam inquiring whether compressed gas can be brought here, but lam afraid it is difficult to obtain. The Railway Department only have a compressor for filling cylinders. When you are ready in Huntly for the machine it will be sent to you. They are installed at the Thames, Whangarei, Westport, Greymouth, Invercargill, and at Wellington. 1314. Do I understand that while the machine is available there is a difficulty in regard to gas ? —Yes, but we may be able to get it in cylinders. Immediately you get your gas-supply here the Department will do the rest. 1314 a. Further, in regard to this Coal-mines Bill, in clause 6 there is a provision for official inquiries in regard to accidents ; the Court is to consist of a Warden and two assessors. Do you object to that % —-It depends upon the two assessors. 1315. One is to be an experienced miner and the other a mine-manager ; that Court would have the power to deprive the manager of, a mine of his certificate ?—Yes. 1316. This is a matter upon which perhaps you can express an opinion. Do you think that a tribunal is satisfactory which consists of one certificated mine-manager, an experienced miner, and a Warden, which can sit in judgment on a manager, and possibly take away his certificate ? The Warden has the privilege of the casting-vote. I think the tribunal is a competent one. Who selects the two assessors ? 1317. The Warden ?— Then I think it will be satisfactory. 1318. Do you suggest that a miner, however experienced, should have the power to take away the certificate of a mine-manager and to sit in judgment upon him ?—I do, under the conditions previously stated. 1319. That does not happen at a nautical inquiry. There you have a Magistrate sitting with two assessors, both of whom are certificated officers ?—Yes. 1320. You are putting yourself in the same position as would obtain if a Magistrate, an experienced A.8., and an officer were allowed to cancel the certificate of a captain of a ship. lam suggesting that the proposed tribunal is not a fair one ?—I think it is fair if we can have a Warden such as we have here to-day. If the Warden chooses the assessors you may be assured they will be suitable men. 1321. Then it depends upon the choice of the Warden ?- Yes. 1322. And if the Warden is able to constitute a good Court you think the tribunal is a fair one ? —It would be fair enough for me if I were on trial.