MINE INSPECTION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20921, 28 September 1939, Page 9

MINE INSPECTION

SCENE OF DISASTER TWO WORKINGS STILL IDLE REPAIR WORK PROCEEDING (Times Special Reporter) HUNTLY, Thursday With the exception of the Glen Afton mine, the scene of the tragedy which took the lives of 11 men last Sunday, and the McDonald mine, all the mines in the Huntly coalfields were operating today. Work in these other mines will re-commence next Monday. At Glen Afton today Mr G. Duggan, Chief Inspector of Mines, was conducted over the mine in which the disaster occurred, after meeting Mr P. Hunter, superintendent of Glen Afton Collieries. Union officials accompanied Mr Duggan on the inspection. Arrangements were made for an inspection of the McDonald workings also, and the chief inspector will continue his survey tomorrow. Unless he considers it inadvisable, the men will enter the mines again on Monday. An inspection of the Glen Afton mine was made yesterday also, when Mr Duggan, Messrs R. Schoen and P. Dale, district inspectors of mines, Mr A. McLagan, miners’ national inspector, Mr J. Glendenning, manager of Denniston Collieries, Mr W. Woods, mine manager, and a number of other mine officials comprised the party. Fire Stoppings “The inspection disclosed that the Glen Afton nxine is not yet ready for resumption of work and will not be ready until the present temporary fire stoppings have been backed up by stoppings composed of permanent material,” said Mr McLagan in a statement. “The erection of permanent stoppings is to be commenced immediately and it is hoped that they will be completed by the week-end. After the permanent stoppings have been completed another inspection of the mine will be made. That inspection will determine when coal production can safely be resumed.” The superintendent, Mr Hunter, expressed his gratitude toward all colliery managers and men in the surrounding districts for their assistance and co-operation following the recent tragedy at the Glen Afton mine. “Everyone did magnificent work,” Mr Hunter said. “The police officers who came to our assistance lent invaluable aid at a time when it was urgently needed, and we received most sympathetic consideration from officials of the Mines Department. Everything possible was done, and the mining community here is very grateful.” RELIEF FUNDS

The fund of the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, for the relatives of the mine disaster victims now stands at £3 5s 6d. Additional donations are from the Atta Cab Company, £1 Is, and Anonymous, 2s 6d. The fund opened by the Mayor oi Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, stands at £268 19s.