MIMES COMMISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 209, 2 September 1911, Page 10

MIMES COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE AT KARAIfGAHAKE ADJOURNMENT TO AUCKLAND. (Br Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, Friday. The Mines Commission held a sitting at Karangahake to-day. Following is a summary cf evidence: M. Mar.an (acting sccretarv Miners' Lnion) oaid that 136 aecidents'of all dehad occurred between .Tune 10 100!) and June 30. 101!. The last fatal' accident had occurred in 1009. VV. Smith, a miner with a first-class mine manager's certificate and working in the Talisman mine, said that bad ventilation was responsible for a great many .accidents caused by inhaling various gases. Where large quantities of explosives were used (causing carbon dioxidu and carbon monoxide) a sulphate of iron or lime spray should be used in the faces. Witness oonsiderc,; that the value of deep breathing should be impressed upon the men working underground. By such exorcise gases could be expelled from the lungs. All temperature readings should be taken at noon, and under ordinary working conditions. A standard temperature of 75deg should be fixed, and the air tested. He urged that the Government should investigate the question as to whether the disease known as ankvlostomeosis or hook worm had made its way into New Zealand. Braeemen and ehambermen should not be allowed to do any other than their own work. He recommended appointment of shot-firers when a large number of holes had to be fired. David Leech emphasised, from the friendly society point of view, the large b mount of sickness and accidents resulting from mining as compared with other industries. Lung trouble was a serious consideration, and the age of the miner was being reduced. The night shift was conducive to accident. An extra enginedriver should be appointed at the change of shift in the event of accident. Joseph Murray advocated the appointment of a "powder monkey," having control of explosives, and that all miss-fires be recorded in a book to be inspected by tiie incoming shift. No man should bo allowed to go back after tiring within half an hour. Witness added that it was easier to do this under the wages system than tinder the contract system. (Laugh - tor.) The practice of -bulling" holes was detrimental to health. I'. Challis. another miner, considered that the night shift should be abolished altogether. H. Marshall (chairman of the Ohinemtiri branch of the Thames Miners' Union! read a number of proposals as pa.-sed by the union, which were covered generally by previous evidence. Witness also considered that the contract system was jcsponsible for the major portion of ccidents. Tn answer to Mr. Reed. Mr. E. Paul (miiiinT inspector) said that practically all the = fatal accidents last year had occurred on day shifts and uot on night shifts. This concluded the sittings for the district, and the Commission adjourned to Auckland, when evidence from Coromandel will be taken and also medical evidence. .