MINE DAMAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20033, 4 September 1939, Page 14

MINE DAMAGE

THE OHAI EXPLOSION TERRIFIC INTENSITY WORK TO LIE RESUMED After examining the Linton No. 1 coal mine at Ohai, where an explosion occurred early last Sunday morning, inspectors agreed that it was an explosion of terrific intensity, anpl that •it' was fortunate no one was in the mine at the time. The inspection was made by Mr. J. Hadcroft, inspector of coal mines for Otago and Southland, assisted by Mr. F. McMillan, on behalf of the Mines Department, and representatives of the owners and miners. Owing to precautionary measures already taken by the company, a limited area only could be inspected. Concrete stoppings have been erected to prevent any further explosion. It was agreed that work could be resumed at No. 1 mine on, Monday. The normal production of the mine prior, to the accident will not be affected. Safer Method Sought A meeting of representatives of the Mines Department, the Linton Coal Company and the Miners’ Union will take place on Tuesday evening, when Mr. A. McLagan, secretary of the National Mine Workers’ Union, will also be present. The object of the meeting will be to discuss ways and means whereby a safer method can 'be evolved, if possible, for coal extraction. and lo eliminate entirely .the possibility of any recurrence of the explosion. The men will have lost a week’s work in No. 1 mine, which provides for a large proportion of the miners employed by the Linton company. Prior to the explosion, the company was trying to catch up with a rush of orders consequent upon the interruption caused by the snow. This further stoppage means an acute shortage of coal in Southland and Otago at present, for the Linton company’s ■output is about half the total for the district.