The Mines Commission.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 27, 8 September 1911, Page 7

The Mines Commission.

WAIHI EVIDENCE. its sitting at Thames, the Mines Commission proceeded to Waihi, and took evidence in. connection with working of mines in that locality. Rcsord of Accidents. Tho first witness examined was C. McMillaai, ee-creta-ry of the Waihi Miners and Workers' Union, who produced records t<o show that during the past 12. months 17 workers had sustained injuries from falls of stone (mostly in stopes). Thirteen of the accidents had occurred in the "VTaihi mine, several •being of a serious nature, but none fatal. In rather over two years there had been two fatal accidents in the Waihi mine through falls of stone, and in the past 12 months 36 workers in the Waihi mine had contracted bloodpoisoning, and had been incapacitated for various periods, some short, others lorng. Strains, due in witness' opinion, to over-exertion numbered 41 in 12 months, mostly brought about by lifting heavy trucks on badly-equipped lines and lifting heavy weights. Blasting accidents totalled five, of which three were very serious. Fifteen, miners had sustained injuries to their eyes, mainly through spauling, and 116 minor accidents to hand and feet had been recorded. These had all occurred within tho past 12 months, the majority in tho Waihi mine. The fatal accidents, in rather over two years, totalled 12, two of whioli had not been, recognised by the insurance companies holding risks over the workers. Of these, six were in the Waihi mine, and one each at that company's Silver- , ton, Union (Waihi), and Victoria (Waikino) batteries; one had resulted from the fall of a cage, and the remaining two had been in the machinery sections of the mining companies' properTo minimise the risk of minor and blood-poisoning accidents, the witness advocated better travelling ways, to be brought about by the improvement of the grades, the straightening up of the lines, and the keeping of the lines and travelling ways cleaner, by providing for the better drainage of the drives and level workings. District Shot-firers. C Opie and Kearney,* in their evidence, advocated the appointment of district shot-firers, who should be told of to do the firing of explosives in the stations to which they were allocated. This,, in their opinion, would minimise the danger of accident to the men, who had to do the firing in contract parties, as the rushing manner in which the work was dono under the contract system increased the risk of accidents from explosives. Tho witnesses supported the uso of electric firers in the rises, winzes, and shafts. Ventilation in tho Mins. A. Brown, who had worked for some 12 years in the Waihi mine, said he ihad seen the temperature taken where h<3 was working, and understood _ that 81 dry bulb was registered. This he considered excessive to work in for eight hours. He advocated the adoption of means to draw the smoke away from dead-ends after the firing of explosives, and agreed with those who supported the appointment of district shot-firers.

E. Campbell deposed to having worked in the Waihi mine about four years, with the temperature over 80 degrees. Tho heart's action was affected and quickened, and under such conditions six-hour shifts would be sufficiently long. With the temperature down to 75, he thought •eight-hour shifts could be worked.

Cross-examined by Mr. Reed: Witness said that where six-hour shifts were observed, the "bank to bank" system should apply, which nieant that the men would be at their working places five hours and a-Jialf per day or thereabouts. Crib time should also be included in tho six hours, and would absorb from 15 to 20 minutes each day. G. N. Jones advocated the presence of two engine-drivers when the winding of men, to and from the underground working was proceeding, and this view was endorsed by other witnesses, it