C.—4

2

(1.) The prevention of accidents in mines; (2.) The ventilation of mines; (3.) The underground sanitation of mines; (4.) Change and bath houses for miners; and more particularly as to (a.) What steps could be taken for the better prevention of accidents, particularly those from the use and firing of explosives, falls from roof and side, also accidents in shafts and from machinery; and whether any improvement can be made in the present system of investigation and inquiry into accidents : (b.) Whether any, and if so what, steps should be taken to lay down an improved standard of ventilation in mines : (c.) What steps should be taken to guard against the disease known as miners' phthisis : (d.) Whether any, and if so what, fresh legislation is necessary to give effect to your recommendations. And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you the said James Sim Evans to be Chairman of the said Commission. And, for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places in the said Dominion as you may deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and from place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law any person or persons that you may think capable of affording you any information in the premises; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, maps, plans, or records as you judge likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject of this Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever; and also to use the evidence taken in the course of any previous inquiry touching the premises. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me under your hands and seals your opinion resulting from the said inquiry in respect of the several matters and things inquired into by you under or by virtue of these presents within three months from the date hereof, stating in such report what steps (if any) it would, in your opinion, be expedient to adopt under the circumstances which you find to exist, and in what manner effect should be given to such recommendations. 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 by adjournment, and that you, or any four of you, shall and may from time to time proceed in execution hereof, and of every power, matter, and thing herein contained. 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 Right Honourable John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion, .at the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-eighth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eleven. R. McKenzie, Issued in Executive Council. Minister of Mines. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.