Mining Accident—A PERILOUS DESCENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 130, 9 May 1883, Page 2

Mining Accident— A PERILOUS DESCENT.

[Auckland Herald.] ■ Four men narrowly escaped from being drowned m the Winding Assocition'a shaft, Thames. At four o'clock, Dunstan, Kane, Coan» and Trebilcock, took position to proceed under ground. The single cage was workiog. As they proceeded downwards the velocity increased, and enginaer Harrison endeavoured to pat the brake on but m vain. Watte, manager of the Mariner, and Hill, manager of the Queen of England,rushed m and bore on the brake, but the united efforts of the three were unavailing. The engineer tried to turn on tho steam against, but was urisuc* cessful m that also. Down rushed the cage, now practically without control, until its occupants were submerged m the water, which happily was not higher than their head. They managed to scramble to the leader, up which they came, being met by others who were coming down to their assistance. There were only temporarj guides ia the shaft undei water, and fortunately Waite had nailed a cross-piece at the end, which stopped the descent of the cage, otherwise it would have prone to the bottom and the men would have been, drowned m 60 feet of water, the surface of which is a short distance below l^q. 4 level. This level is 320 feeb from the top of the shaft. The engine is very unsatisfactory, especially tin brake and requires overhauling. The wood of the brake was charred with the friction caused by the pressure of the three men, and the Cage was eaten into by the wheel. The miners seem little worse of their ducking.