MOUNT KEMBLA DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 899, 23 May 1903, Page 1

MOUNT KEMBLA DISASTER.

A TARDY REPORT.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Sydney, May 22, The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Mount Kernbla disaster find that it was caused by a fall in the thirty-five acre waste, which drove an inflammable mixture of firedamp and air down to the right main level. At the northern extremity the mass reached a wheeler’s light in an over-diluted state, but as soon as the mixture was rich enough to burn it came in contact with the light-flash, and the flame ran back starting a destructive action by igniting the whole body, which was made more violently explosive by the presence of coaldust raised by tho first blast. Thu 3 the centre of tho force showed itself at the centre of the explosion, and not at the ignition point. This conclusion is at variance wi h tho coronial finding. The Commissioners found the work of inspection of the washes perfunctory. Instead of being performed weekly, they were performed monthly. They thought Rogers, whose duty it was to see this done, was deeerving of censure. It was regrettable that this breach of rules bad escaped the notice of the Government inspectors. The use of naked lights was condemned. It could be said with absolute certainty that if they had not been used the disaster would have been prevented.