COAL MINING INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 35, 5 November 1907, Page 6

COAL MINING INDUSTRY.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION. [iIT TF.I.EGKAriI.—OWN COItItESrONnENT.] Auckland, November 4. A judicial decision of importance to tho coal mining industry was given this morning. On March 31 last tho Inspector of Mines gave notice to the Taupiri Coal Minos, Limitod, that he had examined their mines near Huntly, and found them to bp defective, so as in his opinion to threaten or tend to the bodily injury of persons working or being therein or thereon. He asked for the pillars in tho travelling way to be forthwith securely timbered or properly filled up with debris, and that a shaft bo forthwith sunk on the western side of the AVaikato River, so as to connect with the workings in Ralph's mine, and so provide- an outlet in case of emergency for the men engaged in such working. The company objected to the demands of the inspector, except so far as the pillars were concorned, and communicated with tho Minister for Mines on the subject. Tho outcome of this was that arbitrators wore appointed to investigate the matter. Mr. Robert M'Kwan, manager of the Taupiri West mine, was appointed by the Minister for Mines, and Mr. Willi Am Tatterley, manager of tho Union Colliers, Limited, by the Company. Mr. Justice Denniston was appointed umpire by the Governor. An inquiry was held at Huntly in Soptember last, and this morning Mr. Justice Denniston filed an award that tho mine was not dangerous or'defective so as to threaten or tend to tho bodily injury of any person on the grounds, or in respect of tho matters and things set out in the notice from the Inspector of Mines in so far as they wore objected to by the company, and that the company ought not to be required t& comply with the requisitions contained m the said notice so far as the same are objected to by the company. Commenting on the evidence given at the inquiry His Honour said: "Tho whole of the scientific and expert. evidence is to tho effect that the mine, though under the river, is one of the safest in tho world." Counsel in tho case were: for the Minister for Minos, Mr. l>. E: Baumo, K.C., and for the company, Mr. C. J. Tunks!