BLACKBALL MINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1923, Page 4

BLACKBALL MINE.

I’NSKA UNO SUCCESSFUL. The unsealing of the Blackball mine last Saturday proved a success. The major portion of the underground working* of the mine have been sealed off since November last, by reason of a serious lire which occurred then. An attempt was made to re-open the mine early last month, but it did not meet with success, through unexpected difficulties being encountered after the tire area had been entered. On Saturday. a second effort was made. The operation was in charge of Mr John Watson, now superintendent of the Taupiri Mines, Ltd.. Huntly, hut until recently manager of the Blackball Mine. He was assisted by .Mr ,T. A. C. Bayne, Chief Inspector of Mines, and Mr Wm Parsonage, manager of the James State Mine. The services of these two gentlemen were lent for the occasion by the Mines Department to the Blackball ('ual Company. Operations were begun at d a.m. on Saturday, and by 0 a.m. the first party had penetrated to the seat to the fire. By mid-day temporary stoppings had been erected close up to the fire, on ahe intake side, and by midnight Similar stoppings had been put in on the return side. By this method, the fire area was got completely under control, and the fire was confined to a part of the mine that does not interfere with the future mining operations of the company. To provide permanent security the temporary fire stoppings are now being strengthened. GREYMOUTH, Mrach 26. The mine will be able to resume probably in two or three weeks’ time.