DOBSON MINE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3629, 23 April 1927, Page 1

DOBSON MINE

DAMAGE NOT AS SEVERE AS EXPECTED.

Reports received from the West Coast by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) indicate that the Dobson Mine, the scene of the explosion tragedy some months ago, is not as seriously damaged as was 1 bought.

The Minister received advice from the Chief Inspector of Mines (Mr. C. .J. Bayne), who is on the spot superintending the somewhat dangerous work, on account of gases, of dewatering the mine, to I he effect that the underground machinery has not been much damaged, but that all the roads have been badly knocked about, and jittered with broken tubs, rails, etc. Mr. Bayne states that the main ventilation of the mine has now been restored, and that the rise wordings have been temporarily sealed off, to be recovered later. A pump has been lowered, and men are now engaged in three shifts in cleaning Up the bottom of the main drive preparatory to relaying the road in the main level and installing a pump in the coal dip below.

The isolation of the rise workings apparently has been deemed necessary to prevent,the likelihood of any further outbreak of tire in those workings. Pumping operation will be continued until the dip workings are de-watered and the bodies of the victims of the explosion are recovered.