JOHN FRANCIS KIEBY.I

17

I.—o.

8. Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones.] You say that after six months these men get used to their work?— Yes. 9. What about the time before they get used to their work ?—But these men have a little idea of it when they reach us. This class of cards is the only one of a similar kind that I know of in the world. There is no ship in the world that I know of where every man and boy on board has a detailed station. We have young people joining us from the country as trimmers, but we do not put too many of these in one ship. We have to carry two boys in some of our ships, but we only put one on who has not been previously at sea. 10. Mr. Laurenson.] How often do you have these drills ?—lt works out about once a month in each ship. The return shows what has been done. It shows if there have been any absentees, and the condition of the boats and gear. The officer in charge of each boat has to sign the card and is responsible for the people in his boat, and I enter the particulars up in the register, and also the condition of the gear. 11. Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones.] You say that some of your boats have over the number required by the statutory manning scale ?—Yes. 12. Will you let the Committee have a list of these boats ?—Yes. I have it here roughly ; but I will submit a list made up in a different and more complete form :— Manning of Union Steamship Company's Steamers, as per Company's Schedule. Steamers. Net Tons. A.B.s O.S.s Boys. Steamers. Net Tons. A.B.s O.S.s Boys. Moana ... ... 2,414 *15 1 2 Koonya ... ... 663 7 ... 1 Mokoia ... ... 2,154 11 2 1 Takapuna ... 472 8 ... 1 Monowai... ... 2,137 11 2 1 Botorua ... ... 576 7 ... 1 Waikare ... ... 1,901 10 2 1 Penguin ...' ... 517 7 ... 1 Mararoa ... ... 1,381 10 2 1 Janet Nicoll ... 496 6 ... 1 Wanaka ... ... 1,572 9 ... 1 Bosamond ... 462 6 ... 1 Bakanoa ... ... 1,393 8 ... 1 Haupiri ... ... 474 7 ... 1 Talune ... ... 1,370 9 11 Wainui ... ... 411 6 ... 1 Eotokino... ... 1,304 8 ... 1 Warrimoo ... 2,076 11 2 1 Manapouri ... 1,288 8 ... 1 Whangape ... 1,901 9 ... 1 Tarawera... ... 1,269 9 11 Moura ... ... 1,247 9 11 Waihora ... ... 1,269 9 11 Waipori ... ... 1,229 8 ... 1 Hauroto ... ... 1,276 8 11 Kamona ... ... 903 7 ... 1 Wakatipu ... 1,258 9 ... 1 Kotuku ... ... 662 7 ... 1 Botomahana ... 901 9 ... 2 Herald ... ... 370 6 ... 1 Hawea ... ... 1,114 8 ... 1 Omapere ... ... 352 611 Oonah ... ... 945 9 11 Wareatea... ... 288 4 1 1 Taieri ... ... 1,071 8 1 ... Mahinapua ... 239 5 1 1 TeAnau... ... 1,028 9 11 Orowaiti ... ... 283 4 1 ... Taviuni ... ... 910 8 ... 1 Kawatiri ... ... 322 4 11 Pukaki ... ... 917 7 ... 1 Corinna ... ... 820 7 ... 1 Kittawa ... ... 820 7 1 ... Flora ... ... 838 7 ... 1 Ovalau ... ... 767 7 ... 1 Pateena ... ... 550 7 ... 1 Mapourika ... 718 8 ... 1 Poherua ... ... 749 7 1 Botoiti ... ... 630 8 ... 1 Upolu ... ... 700 7 ... 1 Kini 702 7 ... 1 1 would like to add that the local shipowners, what with the increased manning scale and' the Acts of Parliament they are working under as compared with foreign shipowners, are to a very great extent handicapped, and we think that Parliament should do something to ease them. We have the Workers' Compensation Act, the Employers' Liability Act, and the Public Health Act to work under, and these give them a lot of trouble, and cause a good deal of expense. 13. The Chairman.] It has been represented to us that in some of the very large cargo-carry-ing boats the manning scale here is too low ?—I do not hold with that. On the contrary, I think ten men in ships up to 4,000 or 5,000 tons are quite enough to secure the ship. That is all you have, practically to do when they come into port. At sea their duties are light—such as steering and keeping the ship clean. 14. What about the boats in case of accident ?—Two boats would be more than sufficient. In ships of that class the average size of a lifeboat is about 350 cubic feet, which would carry thirtyfive persons. 15. What about the " Takapuna " ? —That is a passenger-steamer. We had to increase the number of men on that steamer because she is of small tonnage and carries a large number of passengers. We put eight able seamen on her —two more than the minimum scale provides for. We found that the scale for passenger-steamers in some cases was low, but is all right as a minimum. 16. What scale would you propose ?—I am prepared to go into the matter with experts and make suggestions. I also submit a schedule for your consideration, which would be the minimum:—

* Carries four men extra for coaling bunkers whilst in Vancouver trade.

Note.- Under the heading of " A.B.s" boatswains and lamp-trimmers arc included. 3—l. 9.