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30 ft. high, when a slide of loose coal occurred and a large lump came through between the timber, striking the box and turning it over on its side. The injured man had a cut on the side of the head and ear—this was later -revealed as a slight crack of the skull —abrasions to shoulder, forearm, and back of hand, with a fracture of a small bone at the base of third finger. On 4th May in No. 10 Section of the Linton No. 1 Mine, George Bryant, a miner, received a compound fracture of the lower left leg when struck by the shackle of a face jig-rope. Bryant was preparing to jig the box, had cleaned the end of the rails for the ascending tub to land, and had removed the safety chain, when the full box ran down the jig. The place was 12 ft. wife by 8 ft. high and the grade 1 in 6to 1 in 3| approaching the face. At the bottom of the jig, 80 ft. in length, a lay-bye with points and crossings at the out-bye end required the empty box to be shunted after the removal of the full box, and it was at this time that the full box descended. Bryant, when he observed the box depart, was concerned for the safety of the trucker, and, failing to observe his own danger, was struck by the loose end of the rope as it swung round the jig wheel, for he had ample room and time to get clear. On 21st June J. English, a trucker, twenty-two years of age, single, and employed in Wairaki No. 3 Mine, while moving full tubs in No. 5 lay-bye, was struck by four full boxes brought out by the trucker from the inside places and knocked down, causing a fracture of one of the small bones below the right ankle. Dangerous Occurrences Star Mine. —The Manager advised that on 27th January a pillar fall in the top section made contact with an old place that had apparently been driven across the barrier from the worked-out section and used as a former spoil dump for a stone tunnel. A considerable volume of CO 2 was met, and after an examination of this place, not shown on the mine plans, the area was sealed off. Mossbanlc State Mine.—A heating occurred in the Aylward Dip section on the 15th March, and three temporary stoppings were erected, followed immediately by permanent ones. Barclay's Mine, Fairfield. —On 4th May the manager reported that while making his morning examination a fire stopping was found to be burned out, requiring a further six stoppings to isolate this old Walton Park section. The pillars in this area are very narrow, although the workings are in good condition, but difficulty is experienced in preventing air drawing through crevices. Mount Somers Mine. —On 9th May the manager reported that heating occurred in the goaf adjacent to the pillar section to the west of the main heading. Temporary stoppings were erected, and on the 25th May further advice was received that five reinforced-concrete stoppings had been put in and everything was satisfactory. Birchwood State Mine.-—The manager reported that owing to a heating in the gob of the rise pillar section the area was sealed on 29th August by completing the three preparatory stoppings and erecting a further two, the mine being idle during the following day. Mossbank Stale Mine. —The manager reported a local heating in No. 2 Section on 25th September. Following the application of water under pressure, conditions became normal, and no further trouble was experienced. Blackburn Mine, Mount Somers.—The manager reported that while making his inspection on the morning of Ist November he found evidence of heating in old workings adjacent to the main cuddyroad in No. 1 Mine. The material was withdrawn and the small area yet to be extracted was sealed. Linton Mine.—On 18th November, owing to a haze in the goaf, No. 7 Section, No. 1 Mine, the area was sealed. On 2nd December the manager reported that evidence of heating in the goaf of No. 8 Section, No. 1 Dip, No. 1 Mine, resulted in the sealing of the area on Friday, and a further report advised that the deputy while making his inspection on Sunday, 4th December, observed a slight trace of smoke leaking from the return stopping No. 8 Dip Section and the erection of concrete stoppingswas started immediately. Ohai Rescue Station The Superintendent and teams have rendered valuable service on several occasions, and it ispleasing to report that the managers, particularly in the Ohai district State mines, make use of the rescue brigade or men on any doubtful occurrences requiring investigation. A record of calls and services is as follows : 14th January : Examination of fire area, Mossbank Mine, with a view to reopening this area. 19th January : Examination of a surface well, after ignition of CH 4 . This was work of a private nature, "and not in connection with any of the mines. 27 th January : Sealing of .fire area, Star Colliery, as a precautionary measure. sth February : Establishing ventilation circuit in reopened area. 7th February : Sealing fire area, Star Colliery, as a precautionary measure. 14th March : Sealing fire area, Mossbank Colliery, as a precautionary measure. 15th March : Examining sealed area as a precautionary measure. 19th March : Erecting stoppings behind a crushed stopping to facilitate permanent sealing. 25th June : Examining fire area, Mossbank Colliery, to obtain information. 30th July Sealing collars of two shafts in sealed area, to facilitate reventilation. 29th August: Sealing fire area, Birchwood Colliery. 6th December : Sealing fire area, Star Colliery, as a precautionary measure.

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