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Denniston Mine, Denniston. —On 23rd April, 1948, the mine-manager requested the services of atrained rescue brigade owing to a fire occurring in the Extension Section. Six trained men wearing Proto apparatus made the inspection. It was found that three temporary stoppings were required to seal off the fire. The brigade had to erect these stoppings on account of a dangerous percentage of CO being present. Hydro Mine, Seddonville. —On 28th April, 1948, at the request of the mine-manager, a further inspection of these old workings was carried out. Two trained teams wearing Proto apparatus carried out the inspection alternately. Cascade Creek Mine, Burnett's Face. —On 7th July, 1948, the mine-manager requested the services of trained rescue men to deal with an outbreak of fire. Two trained teams of five men in each team were required to seal off the fire. These two trained teams wore the Proto apparatus until the three temporary stoppings were completed. Cascade Creek Mine, Burnett's Face. —On 29th July, 1948, another outbreak of fire occurred. This required the services of a trained rescue brigade of five men wearing Proto apparatus to build two temporary stoppings in order to seal off the fire. Ohai Rescue Station Number of trained men on register .. .. .. .. 33 Number of men trained during year (included in above) .. .. .. 3 Number of individual team practises .. .. .. .. ..113 Refresher courses by trained men were carried out at the rescue station and underground at thevarious mines in this district and were well attended. The absence of any major trouble in the field was gratifying and all heatings were sealed off with the minimum trouble. Nine requests were received for services of trained rescue brigades during the year : Birchwood Colliery, Ohai. —On 24th April, 1948, an examination of the fire area was carried out by one man wearing Proto apparatus for a distance of \ chain in order to ascertain how far the water had risen to seal off the fire. Birchwood Colliery, Ohai. —On 17th July, 1948, an opening had to be made in a stopping for the insertion of a ventilating-pipe. As a precautionary measure one man was on duty with Proto apparatus. Star Colliery, Ohai. —On 24th August, 1948, the mine-manager advised that a heating had taken place in the mine. It was decided to seal the heated area off with two stoppings. Two trained men were on duty with Proto apparatus during sealing operations. Star Mine, Ohai. —On 25th August, 1948, a request was made by the mine-manager to examine a fire stopping. It was found that this stopping was leaking, omitting firestink. The stopping was effectively sealed. One man was on duty with Proto apparatus. Star Colliery, Ohai. —On 27th August, 1948, the mine-manager advised that he had decided to put in a new line of stoppings around the previous heating owing to the crushed nature of thecoal. During the erection of the new stoppings two men were on duty with Proto breathing-apparatus. Birchwood Colliery, Ohai. —On 18th September, 1948, the mine-manager requested the services of trained men to enter the heated area for the purpose of recovering a winch. This was recovered, with four men wearing Proto apparatus. Mossbank Colliery, Ohai.—On 24th September, 1948, owing to heating being discovered, it was decided to seal the area off. Two trained men were on duty during sealing operations. Mossbank Colliery, Ohai. —On 30th September, 1948, the mine-manager requested the services of trained rescue men for the purpose of making an inspection of a fire area which had been sealed off some time previously. The inspection was carried out by two trained rescue men and proved successful, it being found that several pillars of coal could be recovered. Star Colliery, Ohai. —On 26th November, 1948, a heating was discovered, and the mine-manager decided to seal off the area. Two trained men were on duty during sealing operations. Rotowaro Rescue Station Number of trained men on register (including 13 at Benneydale) .. .. 70 • Number of men trained during year— Benneydale .. .. .. . . . • • • ... 5 Rotowaro .. .. .. .. .. . • .. 7 The work carried out in this district has been of considerable importance to the management of the various mines in the Waikato and Benneydale districts. Nine emergency calls were received: — Mangapehi Mine, Maiigapehi. —On 4th April, 1948, the mine-manager advised that a fire had broken out in the main dip and stoppings could not be erected on account of the state of the roof. The turbine pump, motor, pipes, cable, and other electrical equipment were recovered and the dip was allowed to be flooded. Five trained rescue men were on duty.

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