THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 112, 5 October 1914, Page 4

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

EVIDENCE BSPOBB THB OQM-

By Telegraph.-fl> w Press Association. _■ /v . Aurikland, Last Night. twL^T 1011 oi.VBV*? tato the iwatly disastur continued the hearina ot evidence at Huntly yesterday Professor H. B. fiixon was recalled. He produced a sample of coal dust from Ralphs mine. He had analysed this in, Wellington with the Go'vemmont Analyst, X>r. J. S. iMaelauriu In reply to Mr. T. M, Wilford, MP representing a section of (An New Zealand miners, the .professor said he had not taken to Wellington a sample- of the coal from the coal scuttle in a Huntly hotel. His report to the Minister waa made four days before he tested the sample. Up to tha time of tfie report lie had only seen the dust in the mini!. Coal in the mine waa probably not so inflamimaible as the sample analysed. To Mr. Brown (Commissioner): In watering mines, the roof, sides and floor should be thoroughly wetted throughout. Air zones were not nearly so effective in preventing Explosions as universal watering. The examination of Boyd Bonnie, Inspector of Mjhes for the Auckland district, was; continued. Witness said his reasons for inspecting the Taupiri mines more frequently than, usual, in the year prior to the disaster were the reports of ga3 in the old workings. In his letter of August 7 to the Under-Kecre-tary for Mines, witnessf statement that stricter supervision of the Taupiri mines waa needed was Ibased on the burning .of Kelly in July. Gas in the old workings would ever present little dangers, and there was also danger from blownout shots, which might causa disaster and danger to individuals working in places 10ft to 18ft high, where tho light from safety lamps was too weak to jenetrate to the roof. He also considered the manager migjlit have employed two under-vieVcrs instead of one ib so bag a mine. His efforts were really directed to the reduction of carturetted hydrogen in the mine and the appointment of shot-firers to obviate the risk of Wown-out shots. He thoujjht inspectors should have authority to insist on safety lamps. Their powers w<*re inadequate for the propor carrying out of their duties.

The Oommrtßsion resumes on Monday afternoon.