MT. LYELL MINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 179, 16 December 1912, Page 5

MT. LYELL MINE.

t:i>: enquiry commission. KVIDEXCE OF THE MEN. I!y Cable —Press Association—Copyright. llobart, December 14. Before the North Lyell Commission. Burns, driver of the electric pumps on the 700 ft. and 1001)1 1. levels, gave evidence that he left for the 1100 ft. level and returned by the' engine winze. There was no smoke there. He got within ten feet of thepput;m t ; aouse and then noticed thick smoke. He telephoned to the hoist that the pump house was on lire, and tried to telephone to the lower levels, but got no reply, lie eventually got the cage to the 700 ft. level. Several men entered, and witness went eleven times to the 1100 ft. level, and met others there. He told them Ihere was no chance by the shaft, but that they should try from below. They replied that the smoke was just as bad. Witness knew of no other exit from the 700 ft. level except by the main shaft. There was no fire extinguishing apparatus in the 700 ft. level, not even jackets, lie considered the cause of the fire was some defect in the electrical installation. Forady, platman at the 700 ft. level, admitted .stating that the men did not take the fire seriously; otherwise the whole shift could have been got out. The president asked whether the company would admit that there was only one exit. The company's counsel replied that the company will prove there are several. Another ' witness thought the men failed to take the fire seriously.