THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 43, 7 October 1914, Page 7

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

ASSISTANT-EXAMINER’S SENSATIONAL EVIDENCE. [Pbb Phesb Association.! Auckland, October G. The Coniimssion inquiring into the fatal explosion at Ralph’s mine hi Huntly on September 12th heard further evidence to-rtav.

A man named Young, who declined to give evidence until he was subpoenaed, declared that during the time ho was assistant examiner lie had found large accumulations of dangerous gan. Ho considered the mine unsafe during this time, and presently left it and took other employment. Ho did not report every discovery of gas to his superiors, and did not tell the manager of Ids discovery on one occasion of what he estimated to be 33,000 cubic feet of gas. Severely cross-examined, he indicated that he was afraid to report the discoveries of gas to the principal officials. A number of witnesses testified to having observed an accumulation of gas in the mine on several occasions. William Wood, manager of the Extended Mine at Huntly, said from the position of the body of Martin, who is believed to have caused the explosion, Martin had evidently opened a door loading Co the old workings, and his naked light immediately ignited the accumulation of gas there, which in turn ignited the coni dust. The Commission adjourned until tomorrow.