THE MINE ACCIDENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2882, 3 January 1891, Page 2

THE MINE ACCIDENT.

TJIE INQUEST

[uV OL'll SPECIAL HEPOKTUK],

Hcnti.y, Thursday. At ten o'clock this morning tho inquest on the body of Alexandra Harris, which had been adjourned from December 2-lth, was resumed, before Mr W. X. Searancke, J.!'., Coroner, and a jury consisting of Messrs Kansome, Barclay, Harry, George and Wells. Messrs O'Neill and Tolo appeared for M essrs Ralph Bros., and Mr W. M. Hay was present on behalf of the relatives of Messrs Treacy and Smith. Mr George Wilson, Mining Inspector, represented his department, and Constable White conducted the enquiry representing the police. Or. Broom was the only witness called, lie deposed that he examined tho body of Alexander Harris and found that death was caused by suffocation. There was also a slight bruise over his left eye, A verdict exactly similar to that returned in the case of John Casby was brought in by the jury. The next inquest held was that on the body of James llowan Smith. Or Broom again certified that death was caused by suffocation, and a verdict exactly similar to tho two previous ones was returned. The fourth and last inquest was on the body of John Treacy. Dr Broom, the only witness called, certified that in this case death was caused by suffocation ot else by the pressure of a rounded piece of wood which hud fallen across his chest, there being two bruises there, but no bones were broken. The jury in accordance with tho medical evidence returned the following verdict, which is only slightly different from theotheis:— "That on the nifcht of Monday, the 12:>ud inst., at Ralph's mine, at Huntly, John Treacy was killed or came to his death accidentally from suffocation, caused by a fall of earth in the mine, and that no blame can be attached to the owners or the mine manager, or to anyone connected with the

mine." . The Coroner, beforedi'chnrging the jury, thanked thorn for the careful attention they had paid to tho voluminous evidence, and expressed himself as concurring in tho verdict returned by them. Ho assured them that he would use his utmost endeavours to represent the inconvenience and loss of time they had been subjected to, to the Justice Department in such a way as to obtain for them some compensation. The jury were then discharged, having been engaged on the various cases for six days, extending from Wednesday, the 21th December. . On Wednesday night when it became known that the jury were deliberating on their verdict, a crowd soon assembled outside the hall, and in little knots the probable verdict was being discussed, many of the miners being able to form a good opinion having beard the evidence from the beginning. < >r, the Court being re-opened a large number quickly took their seat-, among them being Messrs liilph, and the contractors for the dip, as well as relatives of the deceased men. Mr Collins, the mine manager, had gone home at the live o'clock adjournment and had not returned. Very general satisfaction was expressed as to tho verdict by many who were almost as competent to form an opinion as the jury. The work of fixing the Tanaye puinp in position where tho pnlsometer is now placed and removing the ijulsometer to the f;:Qj will be commenced by the Messrs Ralph Urns. on Friday. The contractors will go on shift on Sunday night, and as soon as the water is pumped out the work of picking up the old dip will be continued. Under suggestions from the Mining Inspector extra procautions will be taken in securing tile timber while driving through the present ground so as to obviate the likelihood of a recurrence of such an accident. The members of the Tailor-esses 1 Union in Auckland, who contributed towards the expenses of the strike, and of the men who were tried for " faking," the Tangye were invited by the branch of the Miners' Union at Huntly, to come up to that place 011 January 2'Jtli, where a picnic was to be held on the river. Owing to the late lamentable accident, the picnic has been postponed. Mr Montgomery, one of the contractors for sinking the dip, in conversation with our reporter to-day, said lie could not express sufficient thanks towards the miners and managers (Mr Ord, of tho Taupiri Reserve Company's Mine, in particular) for the manner in which they had worked in assisting to recover the bodies of the unfortunate victims.

At t.lw cxiclnsii.il r 'l Uio inquest, and litter the jury were 'li.-niiMr 1 liomas Carless, the lirst witness examined, 11 statement to the coroner in substantiation of tlia reasons lie had for making the remark about tin; dip not being safe. Messrs \V. J. lUlph and J. -V. Tolo, letnrned to Auckland by this morning's train, and Messrs Hay, O'Neill, and Wilson left in the afternoon for Waikato, the latter gentleman going on to the Thames, via. To Arohn.