A MINING INCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2501, 21 July 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A MINING INCIDENT.

Tiik occasion was a dinner given by the owner of a large coal mine at S , in celebration of his taking the manager into partnership. Most of the company present were, or had been, connected with the mining industries, and in the course of the conversation several gentlemen gave accounts of the various experiences that had befallen them therein. Presently one of the number called upon the host to contribute a narrative, to which invitation ho respouded by relating the following reminiscence : — " I was once placed in a very peculiar position, that rivals any mining adventure I have read about. It is a long time since it : happened, but I rccollect tbo circumstances as clearly as if it had been yesterday; for it was almost the means of terminating tny existence and that of a companion, to whoso ingenuity at that time I am indebted for ruy presence among yon at this moment. It occurred soon after I bought the pit. Then, as you will understand, there was not the system of winding you see now. The resources of the mine were scarcely developed at all, ithavingonly been worked for the purpose of finding fuel at an adjacent mill. Iu consequence, all the arrangements were of the most, primitive decription ; for such a thing as a visit from an inspector was unheard of in those days. "I will endeavour to give you an idea of the winding arrangements ; for it was in connection with these that I was placed in peril. The cage was an oldfashioned affair, with a counterpoise in the shape of an old flat-bottomed copper or boiler, filled with scraps of metal. This boiler I will term the weight. It was wound in a kind of shaft entirely separate from the cage. This shaft was entered at the bottom by a narrow tunnel a few feet long, closed at the further end by a small door. "One evening a report was handed into the office, stating that the roof of this tunnel was collapsing ; so at 5 o'clock next morning I descended, accompanied by an intelligent young miner, familiarly called Dick. After spending a short time in examining the tunuel, we stepped into the shaft at the further end. Directly after we heard the rattle of fa'ling stones, and 011 trying to re-open the door —which I hail closed for the purpose of stopping the strong current of air that blew through it—discovered that it was blocked by the debris, and our united efforts tu move it did not seem to make tho slightest impression. " It was a serious predicament to be in, as we were the only persons down, for the men did not work during the night, so that we could not get assistance from the surface. "I feared that if wo could not get help, we should probably be crushed to death, as the weight dropped right to the floor. Wc both shouted loudly, but found that it was useless, as the top of the shaft was protected by a small hut, and tho w eight being also at the top, the hole was closed effectually ; for, 111 accordance with iny instructions, the cage was to be left down until live minutes to six, when it was to be wound up, so as to be ready to send down the first gang of men at six. " After finding that there was no response to our shouting, we proceeded to cut at the door with our clasp-kuives, in the hope of making a hole large enough to allow us to remove as many stones as would permit of our opening the door ; but the wood "was tough oak, and we might as well have tried to cut the stone wall away. " Dick then turned his attention to the hinges, and tried to force them olf with his knife, which broke during the effort, cutting his hand and making it bleed rather freely, so he was obliged to desist, and bandage the wound with 'his handkerchief. " For a short time after this we looked blankly at each other by the dim light of tho lamps, when Dick broke the silence by inquiring the time. "Looking at my watch, I replied : " Half-past five ! If we are not released in twenty-five minutes we shall both be crushed. " The thought was a maddening one, so I again went to the door, and pushed at it iu a frenzied manner, but with us little effect as previously, sol lay down on the floor in despair. Something, however, seemed to be running iu Dick's thoughts, as he presently began tapping on the wall, and on my inquiring the meaning of this proceeding, he told me that tho wall was broken at that p irt some time before, and he remembered noticing a hollow upace of moderate size behind it. "Having found what he considerid a weak part he cninmenccd kicking at 1! with his heavy shoes, ai d. after rcpe.ntod efforts, was rewarded by making it give way. '' Ifc was then a comparatively easy matter to break away more stones, which he did as quickly us possible, desiring me to pile them in two heaps, one ou eaoh side of the wall. " When ho ceased breaking the wall, I stepped into the aperture to see what size it was, and found that it W'i:- barely large enough to oontain mo. Even when I

stood as far back us possible ouo of my shoulders was still piojectiug, and I was afraid the weight would catch it. " There wns no time to break away much more, so I was at a loss to under, stand how we should both inanago to escape. " Iu the meantime, Dick had rapidly made a small wall of each of the piles of stones. When hu had finished, ha said— " Now, fir ! 1 think these will support . the weight, so I'll lie down on the floor, \ and you'll stand in the hole ; then climb on the top of t.he weight when it arrives, and go up t'nu->. I'll talce your place in the hole as soon as you quit it, and come up next time." "There was no time for argument, as the noise of winding the cage began just then. " Tho weisrht came slowly down, and just as it reached my shoulder, and began to bear mo down, my companion—to whom I had mentioned my fears—gave me a vigorous push that sent me further buck into the aperture, he himself immediately dropping on tho floor. I then placed my hands against the descending weight, and kept myself clear of it, until it rested 011 tho stones, which supported ifcrerywell. "As soon as the motion ceased I tried to get 011 the top hut was obliged to draw back quickly, as I felt an upward movement in the weight. After rising about a yard it came down again with a sharp bump, and I trembled to think what the consequences would have been had it alighted on us. " I suppose Joe (the engine man) wants to get the cage up another foot," said Diclc, "but I hope lie won't try again, as I don't think tho stones will bear another shock like that." "Fortunately he did not try, and directly, after a second, and this time successful, attempt to climb on the weight, 1 began the ascent cheered by the best wishes from my companion, who, even in that trying position, was quite collected, as was proved by his shouting a warning against coming ia contact with the framework at the top. "When I arrived there I kicked at the door, which was unfastened by Joe, who stared at me in amazement. " I gave him a rapid explanation, and then the weight was let down for Dick, who soon shouted a cheery ' All right,' when he was drawn up, and I welcomed his arrival by a hearty shake of the hand. " Luckily the cut proved to be only a flesh wound, and soon healed. I had escaped with a slight bruise on the shoulder, where the weight struck me, so we were congratulated on getting out of such a perilous position with so little damage. "As you may suppose, I did not forget Dick's noble conduct, and sent him to study and qualify himself for the position of manager, which I granted him as soon as he was capable. " My companion in that adventure—to whom I beg to apologise for any personal allusion that may appear|unscemly—was the gentleman I have to-day tho great pleasure of greeting as my friend and copartner ; and I am sure you will all join with me in cordial wishes for his weW fare."