NORTH MT. LYELL MINE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 93, 14 December 1912, Page 6

NORTH MT. LYELL MINE.

EVIDENCE AT THE COMMISSION

(Received 10.25 a.m.) Hobart, December 14. At the North Mount Lyell Commission, Burns, the driver of the electric pumps at the 700 ft. and 1000 ft. levels, testified that he left for the 1100 ft. level and returned by the engine winze. There was no smoke theie, but when ho got within ten feet of the pump-house then he noticed a thick smoke, and telephoned to the hoist that the pump-house was afire. Ho tried to telephone on the lower levels, but got no reply. Eventually ho got the cage to the 700 ft. level, and several men entered. Witness went to the 1100 ft. level and met others there, and told them there was no chance by the shaft, but to try from below. They replied that the smoko was just as bad. Witness knew no other exit at the 700 ft. .level except the main shaft. There was no fire-extinguish-ing apparatus at the 700 ft. level, not . even buckets. He considered the cause of the fire to some defect in the electrical installation. Farady Platman, who was at the 700 ft. level, admitted stating that the men did not take the fire seriously; otherwise, the w'hole shift could have nobeen got yntimi v.-w • iy\ «.? / '■; The President asked whether the company would admit there was only one exit. The company’s counsel replied: “We will prove there are several.” Another witness thought the men failed to take the fire seriously. LYSOL POISONING. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, December 14. Ernest Butler, aged 59 years,, was found dead in bed this morning with an empty lysol him.