JAN. 23.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 83

Notices under the Regulations Act, 1936.

NOTICE is hereby given in pursuance of the Regulations Act, 1936, of the making of regulations and orders as under:—

Copies can be purchased at the Government Printing and Stationery Office, Lambton Quay, Wellington. Prices for quantities supplied on application. Copies may be ordered by quoting serial number.

E. V. PAUL, Government Printer.

Royal Commission to Inquire into and Report upon Colliery Accident at Ten-mile Creek near Greymouth.

[L.S.] GEORGE THE SIXTH by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India :

To our Trusty and Loving Subjects: GEORGE GALLOWAY CHISHOLM, Esquire, of Greymouth, Stipendiary Magistrate; JOHN WATSON, Esquire, of Huntly, Colliery Superintendent; ANGUS MCLAGAN, Esquire, of Greymouth, Secretary; THOMAS OTTO BISHOP, Esquire, of Wellington, Secretary; JOHN DEVLIN, Esquire, of Wallsend, Miner: GREETINGS.

WHEREAS on the 6th day of November, 1940, at the coal-mine at Ten-mile Creek, near Greymouth, known as Kaye’s Mine, there occurred a fire or explosion as a result of which five persons lost their lives: and whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be issued for the purpose of inquiring into the cause of the said fire or explosion and into the working of the existing law in respect to the prevention of such fires or explosions and for the other purposes hereinafter mentioned:

Now, therefore, we, reposing trust and confidence in your knowledge, integrity, and ability do hereby constitute and appoint you the said

George Galloway Chisholm,
John Watson,
Angus McLagan,
Thomas Otto Bishop, and
John Devlin

to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the matters hereinbefore referred to and into the several other matters mentioned in these presents, that is to say,––

1. To inquire in what part of the mine the fire or explosion first started, the nature of the same, and how much of the mine was affected by it.

2. To inquire how the fire or explosion began and spread.

3. To inquire to what extent the provisions of the Coal-mines Act, 1925, and the regulations made thereunder were complied with in the mine and more especially as regards––
   (a) The examination of the mine:
   (b) Ventilation:
   (c) Lighting:
   (d) The preparation of shots and the method of firing shots:
   (e) The prevention and treatment of inflammable dust.

4. To inquire into the nature and character of the working and the efficiency of the management of the mine.

5. To inquire into the efficiency of the inspection of the mine by all or any persons who are responsible for such inspection.

6. 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.

7. 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 prevention of similar accidents, and to report whether any additional legislation is necessary and the scope of same, and whether any amendment or addition to the regulations included in the existing law is required to provide reasonable and proper safeguards against such accidents.

And I do further appoint you the said

George Galloway Chisholm

to be Chairman of the said Commission:

And you are hereby authorized to conduct any inquiry under these presents at such time and place as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and 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 accident and the deaths thereby caused:

And, using all diligence, you are required to report to us under your hands and seals not later than the thirty-first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and forty-one, 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 us in pursuance of these presents or by our direction, the contents or purport of any report so made or to be made by you:

And it is hereby declared and this Commission shall continue in 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 declared that these presents are issued under Letters Patent dated the eleventh day of May, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, and under the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908.

In witness whereof we have caused this Commission to be issued and the Seal of the Dominion of New Zealand to be hereunto affixed at Wellington, in the said Dominion, this nineteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty, and in the fifth year of our Reign.

GALWAY, Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command––
P. C. WEBB, Minister of Mines.
Approved in Council––
C. A. JEFFERY, Clerk of the Executive Council.