MINER'S DEATH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 17, 31 October 1933, Page 7

MINER'S DEATH.

BURIED IN MULLOCK. COMMENT BY CORONER. (Per Press Association). THAMES, October 30. An open verdict was returned by the Coroner, Mr Bongard, at the conclusion of tiie inquest into the deatn of Athol George John Connelly, aged 28, who was killed on October 19 by falling down a cut in the hillside at the liuranui (Golden Hills) claim. The medical evidence was that death was caused by suffocation through compression of .the chest, the. result of being buried in mullock in a hopper at the top of the mill. . The evidence of the workmen was to the effect "that safety ropes were not employed. The work of sluicing and moving material do\v|n the cut was very dangerous. Connelly, as was the common practice, dug his pick into the hillside to lever himself out, but stnick rock and slipped. He was carried down and released about 10 minutes later, dead. ... John Francis Downey, mining inspector, ' stated that the claim was a mine, but he had not treated it as such under the Mining Act because there were insufficient men to require a qualified manager. It was therefore treated as a quarry under the Quarries Act to ensure a certificated foreman. Ropes were not compulsory under the Mining Act. The Coroner commented that it ropes were kept it appeared that they were kept in the store rather than for rise. Four men had previously fallen, but it was treated as a joke. Apparently no measures had been taken to prevent recurrence. The men were inexperienced miners and quarrymen. Therefore the management should have considered the matter. The general practice of men entering a hill to clear a stoppage with picks was a most dangerous procedure. It was gratifying to know that the company had now taken safeguarding precautions. It was regrettable that a fine young man had lost his life before enough commdnsense was apnlied for the mens safety. '