2690
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 76

enabling me in this behalf, constitute and appoint you, the said

WILLIAM REEVE HASELDEN,
HUNTLY JOHN HARRY ELIOTT,
HENRY ANDREW GORDON, and
ALEXANDER FORBES,

to be a Commission for the purpose of making inquiry into the matters hereinbefore referred to and into the several other matters mentioned in these presents, that is to say,—

(1.) To ascertain in what parts of the mine the disaster occurred, and the nature of the disaster.

(2.) To ascertain how the disaster was caused.

(3.) To ascertain what lights were used in the different parts of the mine at the time of the disaster.

(4.) To ascertain whether any inquiry into the cause of the disaster has taken place. If so, what was the nature of such inquiry? How was the tribunal constituted? What were the verdict and recommendations of such tribunal?

(5.) To ascertain to what extent the provisions of “The Coal-mines Act, 1905,” and the general rules, the special rules, and additional rules made in accordance with the provisions of that Act, were complied with in the mine, but more especially as regards,—

(a.) Ventilation and lighting,

(b.) The examination of the mine,

(c.) The withdrawal of workmen in case of danger, and

(d.) The means of escape in case of accident.

(6.) To ascertain the nature and character of the working and general management of the mine, and whether the mine was well managed or not.

(7.) To determine the competency of the Inspector of Mines, and the efficiency of the inspection of the mine.

(8.) To determine the competency of the mine-manager, mine officials, and servants, and the management and working of the mine.

(9.) To ascertain the number and efficiency of the stopings, the materials of which they were composed, and the condition they were in immediately prior to the disaster.

(10.) To ascertain the nature and efficiency of the machinery and appliances used in the working of the mine, and the condition the same were in at the time of the disaster.

(11.) To make suggestions for the prevention, as far as possible, of similar disasters, and for the safe working of this and other mines in the future.

(12.) 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 disasters.

And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said William Reeve Haselden, to be Chairman of the said Commission.

And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places in the said colony 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 such person or persons as 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 disaster.

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 not later than the first day of October next ensuing, 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 recommendation.

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 two 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 Commissioners Act, 1903.”

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven.

JAMES McGOWAN,
Minister of Mines.

Issued in Executive Council

ALEX. WILLIS,
Clerk of the Executive Council.

Volunteer Regulations amended.

PLUNKET, Governor.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred on me by “The Defence Act, 1886,” and its amendments, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby amend, in the manner and to the extent set forth in the Schedule hereto, such of the General Regulations of the Defence Forces of New Zealand, made on the eighth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six, and published in the New Zealand Gazette of the same date (including all amendments of such General Regulations made prior to the date hereof), as are set forth in the said Schedule; and do hereby declare that such amended regulation shall come into force on the twenty-third day of August, one thousand nine hundred and seven.

SCHEDULE.

The following addition to regulation is hereby made:—

Regulation 473. Add,—

“(v.) This medal will also be granted to officers and non-commissioned officers of the Permanent Staff who in one or more branches of the Defence Forces have an aggregate of sixteen years’ continuous or twenty years’ broken efficient service.”

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-third day of August, one thousand nine hundred and seven.

ROBERT McNAB,
Minister of Defence.

[D. 07/2395.]

Volunteer Regulations amended.

PLUNKET, Governor.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred on me by “The Defence Act, 1886,” and its amendments, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby revoke and amend, in the manner and to the extent set forth in the Schedule hereto, such of the General Regulations of the Defence Forces of New Zealand, made on the eighth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six, and published in the New Zealand Gazette of the same date, with amendments thereto, as are set forth in the said Schedule, and do hereby also make the additional regulations set out in such Schedule; and I do hereby declare that such revocation shall take effect, and such amendments and additional regulations shall come into force, on the twenty-fourth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and seven.

SCHEDULE.

Regulation 367.—Delete portion from “The following examination” to “ten words per minute,” and substitute—

“The following will be the necessary qualifications for non-commissioned officers and men to earn personal payments and efficiency badges:—

First year: Send and read messages, Morse code, at four words per minute, or send and read messages semaphore at six words per minute.