MINERS’ COURAGE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20114, 7 December 1939, Page 6

MINERS’ COURAGE

GLEN AFTON RESCUES BEST TRADITION UPHELD SAFETY APPARATUS COMMISSION EVIDENCE (Ter Press Association.) HAMILTON, this day. The conviction that the best traditions of the mining community had been upheld on the day of the accident and afterward in the Glen Afton mine, was expressed by Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., chairman of the Royal Commission, when the evidence of the last witness had been taken. “It is a very old and valued tradition among miners that they shouk forget personal differences and rally to the support of the men or people in trouble," he said. “Even some o, the men who subsequently lost thenlives did not hesitate a momen, when called on. but went along to tiie mine and, without stopping to ask questions, went, straight into the mine. They well upheld the traditions of the miner. As for those who came from neighbouring mines to help with the rescue work. I do noi need to pass any comment for they too maintained the best traditions ot the miners." Rescue Stations Needed

Evidence of the desirability of having established a rescue station in the district, was commented upon by several witnesses.

Reginald Hugo Sehoen, inspector oi mines at Huntly, who was with an early search party on September 24, the day of the disaster, said lie was in favour of rescue stations being established. While lie did not consider that such a station woun have saved lives at Glen Avon, it should make for a wider margin of safety in future and do much toward preventing Ross of life and give the miners a deeper sense oi security. Moreover, the training oi a rescue brigade at each mine would result in greater efficiency and safety in the rescue work. The witness said he did not think that the miners would constantly carry self-rescue emergency apparatus with them while they were working underground. However, from his own experience, he would have liked to have one with him on several occasions. The canister type, about Tin long, 4in wide and 2in deep, carried on the hip would, in emergency, give a man a good chance of getting out of dangerous situations. It was good for half an hour. i Respirators Needed

"I think that if depots were established in each mine section and supplies of the self-rescue type kept there, it would be a better way than providing each man with a respirator to take with him wherever he went,” the witness concluded.

The other type, similar to military gas masks, would give men confidence when, for instance, they were working on stoppings which might blow out and release gases. George Duggan, chief inspector oi mines, who was the final witness, confirmed the evidence given by Mr. Sehoen. He had been concerned in the establishment of the rescue station on the West Coast, he said, and he considered it desirable to have one in the Waikato. Ten years ago he had recommended the use of self-rescue apparatus in all mines. He believed that ultimately a stage wtould be reached when each miner would wear one on his bell while he worked.

The commission opened its deliberations in Hamilton to-day and will later adjourn to Wellington for the convenience of members of the committee as further evidence is expected when the sealed portion of the mine is opened probably in the Christmas holidays. It is not expected that the commission’s report will be released until some time in January.