THE BLACKBALL COAL MINE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 January 1901, Page 3

THE BLACKBALL COAL MINE.

We are pleased to bo able to inform our readers that operations vritli reference to the extinguishing of the fire at the Blackball Coal Mine hare been most successfully carried out. The opinion expressed in some quarters that there was no fire in the mine is entirely erron\eous, as the fire was seen by several, and even noV there is abundant evidence of its work. The fire, however, has been overcome, although extensive traces of its existence are still to be seen. The water is now being drained off from the mine through two boxes, with a measurement four "feet by one. The mine was tapped yesterday morning at half past ten, ami it will likely take a couple of day's to run dry. The furnaces have been burning for the past two days, and it is hoped that as soon as the mine is drained work will be resumed without much further delay. Of course .some weeks must elapse before the full output capacity can be again attained. All the circumstances considered, Mr Scott and ; those under him are to be congratulated upon she success of their efforts, and it is to be hoped that no like misfortune

will overtake them again. At the same time it is well to remember that the min must for some considerable time to come be regarded as one which will require a great "deal of care and attention. A pleasing feature, however, is the fact well known, that in Mr Scott the company has a most capable and careful manager, who can always be relied on to work the mine in the safest possible manner.