THE BRUNNER DISASTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5835, 31 March 1897, Page 3

THE BRUNNER DISASTER.

♦ , • . CLAIM FOE. DAMAGES: [Per Press Association."! .. HOKITIKA, March' 3L At the Supreme Court this morning, in the Brunner case, James Rooney was re-called. He stated that -he had left .the' Brunner mine at the time the hands were shortened, and that since the disaster he had refused an offer for employment by the company. George Denson, a miner, deposed that the ventilation in the Brunner mine was insufficient to clear away the smoke and gas, and that sometimes gas-blowers ignited. Damp slack was used for tamping shots. In the presence of the deputies, it was customary to brush out the gas from the faces. Witness was afraid of the mine, . and others had told him that they were also. He did not make any complaint against the management, nor did lie consider the bad ventilation due to neglect. Edward Moore corroborated in the main the evidence of the previous witness. Henry Rutledge, a miner, gave evidence as to gas being found in places in the mine ; and Henry Graham, a shunter, stated that he had seen "blowers" ignited. Geoghegan the plaintiff, was being examined at the luncheon adjournment.