THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 225, 2 March 1915, Page 5

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

MINE MANAGER CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER. THE JUDGE'S CHANGE. 'By Telegraph.—Per Press Association, Hamilton, Last Night.' In a charge to the Grand Jury at the opening of the Supreme Court thia mornmg, Judge Cooper traversed .'at £ 1 n £ th th e manslaughter charge against Fletcher, mine manager at Huntly. After placing the broad features of the indictment before them, His Honor said the ease was of great importance, and it was the duty of the jury, to go carefullv ■ ' into' the evidence to see if a prima facie case was made out. The case was of • great importance to the general public. Miners and all underground workerswere entitled to : protection which science had proved could be given to minimise the danger attending such a dangerous occupation. They were entitled to liavc it for their own protection, and to have the duties cast upon those in authority satisfactorily v i performed. There'were indications in . • this case that those duties had not been satisfactorily performed, and. the qucs- ; tion was whether the mine manager was-to be held responsible for the ensuing result. If a'true bill were returned the accused would hare-the opportunity of showing the jury that tluiy i had been properly performed, The case, '■' was one that should be thoroughly in- " ■vestigated in the interest of mine managers, of miners, a»d ; the public generally. If a true bill' were returned a special jury would take the case to see that complete justice was done to all.