Foul Air.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 230, 7 April 1874, Page 7

Foul Air.

An occurrence of. a most serious nature happened on the 18th ult., in the Cornelian Gold Mining Company's claim, Walhalla, through the striking of a cavity of gas of the foulest description, by which Thomas Mathewson and John Williams, contractors, were so affected that for some hours their recovery was despaired of. Several other suffered in a minor degree. The' two men wont below at 8 a.m., and it was not until the relieving shift at 4 p.m. that the state of'the shaft became known. A man named Joseph Oolites was the first to <r<i below, and when he reached the plat at the 178 feet level h'«i perceived the foul air, and saw two nuui lying down ...in; a statcpf insensibility. He hailed to the to;i. —" Eonl ajr, send at once for a doctor." Mi Fincher, the manager, and a miner named Graig went below, and on reaching the plat, Coates was found to be ru a very exhausted -state. Coates; contrived to ascend by the ladderway, in which there are several re'stingI places/and getting into one he fell back com pletely overcome,, but recovered in a few minutes. Mr Fincher, with the assistance of Craig, lashed Mathewsou to Hie windlass rope, and had him raised. Williams was smit up'in like manner, and it was with great difficulty the other men ascended by 'ihiThulThe galvanic battery was applied, ''anil about 10 p.m. signs of returning'consciousness appeared, and, shortly after the men were pronounced to be out' of danger. Had- it not been for the 'wire rope which "Mr Fincher. had recommended the company to add to the shaft, where the ladderway ceases, j the men's lives mast inevitablyhave been los;.