MINE DISASTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1939, Page 7

MINE DISASTER

i THE GLEN ALTON INQUIRY EVIDENCE OF MANAGER’S WIFE. I HUSBAND LOSES LIFE IN RESCUE I EFFORTS. I <By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAMILTON. December 1. The Royal Commission inquiring at Huntly into the mine disaster at Glen Afton on September 24 is in progress, with 32 witnesses to'call. The inquiry is presided over by Mr Paterson, S.M. Up to the present the most important evidence heard is that of the wife of the manager of the mine, one of those who lost his life in the disaster. The witness. Mary Jane Blackburn, said that her husband left home on Sunday morning. September 2.3. saying he was just going to look round tile mine and would not be away long. Some time later she received a message over the mine telephone from her husband who said "For God’s sake go over and get Thomas (the mine engineer). Get him to start the fan at once as there are two deputies in the mine, and I can’t find them." The next message she got was from Mr Cole, who said, "Start, fan." there be-j ing a distinct break between each word. Then he said. “Carbon monoxide.’’ She went over to Mr Thomas and told him of the message from Mr i Cole that there was gas in the mine. I find he said he had started the fan. Subsequently she received a message over the telephone from her husband, who said, "Have got Wattle Cole out. I’m going back to get the others. My God. it is awful." That, was the last she heard from him. David William Thomas, chief engineer to the Glen Afton Collieries, said he started the fan as requested. On going into the mine he became affected after passing section F. He saw a light about 30 yards away and found Brown dead. He himself was able to get out only with difficulty, and at another section he telephoned the mine inspector, warning him not to let anyone into the mine in any circumstances. The chairman commended the witness for telephoning the message, which was the best tiling to do and probably was instrumental in preventing further loss of life. Other witnesses considered that the mines in the Waikato were not gaseous, and that fire was the principal danger. It is expected that the commission will not conclude till Tuesday or Wednesday.