IN A QUARRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 12

IN A QUARRY.

RAPID DESCENT. Prince of Wales Visits Slate Quarry. CHATS WITH VETERANS. (Br Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 2.30 p.m.) LOXDOX, June 10. The Prince of Wales at the end of a four days' busy stay in the West Country visited the famous Delabole slate quarry in Oakhampton. He curled himself up in an open truck a bed of stray and sacking, and was let down into the workings. The veteran controlling the lowering of the truck boasts that nobody in his care has ever been injured during 36 years. It was not intended that the Prince of Wales should descend at a faster rate than five miles per hour, but the Prince quickly shouted "faster." then '"faster still," and thoroughlv enjoyed the rapid descent of 500 ft. The quarry has a remarkable record.. It had been worked continuously for 400 years, till it stopped for one week during last year's general strike. Slate-quarrying must be one of the healthiest occupations. The Prince chatted with eight retired employees, whose ages ranged from 70 to 78. 'One of them began to work in the quarrv at the age of nine, and of his eight sons, seven follow his occupation.