C.-15

2

(4) To inquire into the nature and character of the working and general management of the mine, and whether the mine was well and safely managed. (5) To inquire into the efficiency of the inspection of the mine by (a) The Inspector of Mines for the district, (b) the workmen's Inspectors. (6) To inquire whether or not the loss of life would have been averted or reduced had the services of a rescue brigade been available immediately after the explosion occurred. (7) To make suggestions for the prevention as far as possible of similar accidents, and for the safe working of this and other mines in the future. (8) And generally to make inquiry into any matter or thing arising out of or connected with the several subjects of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or which in your opinion may be of assistance in fully ascertaining, explaining, and arriving at a fair and just conclusion in respect to the subjects of inquiry, and into the working of the existing law in respect to the prevention of similar accidents ; and to report whether any additional legislation is necessary, and the scope of same, and whether an amendment of the regulations included in the existing law can be made sufficient to provide reasonable and proper safeguards against such accidents. And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said Edward Page, to be the Chairman of the said Commission. And you are hereby authorized to conduct any inquiry under these presents at such time and places as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and to examine on oath or otherwise such persons as you think capable of affording you information as to the matters aforesaid, and to call for and examine all such books, papers, writing, documents, and records as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on any such matters, and also to use the evidence taken in the course of any inquest or other previous inquiry having reference to the said explosion and the deaths thereby caused. And, using all due diligence, you are required to report to me under your hands and seals, not later than the twentieth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven, your opinion on the aforesaid matters. And you are hereby strictly charged and directed that you shall not at any time publish or otherwise disclose, save to me in pursuance of these presents or by my direction, the contents or purport of any report so made or to be made by 7 ou - And it is hereby declared that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment. And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, and issued under the Seal of that Dominion, this second day of June, one thousand nine hundred and [l.s.] twenty-seven. G. Jas. Anderson, Minister of Mines. Approved in Council. F. D. Thomson, Clerk of the Executive Council,