Explosion Wrecks Mine Winch-House

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30051, 8 February 1963, Page 10

Explosion Wrecks Mine Winch-House

(From Our Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH, February 7. An explosion of unknown origin, which wrecked the winch-house at the Liverpod State mine at Rewanui about 6 aan. today, has put the colliery out of production for the time being.

As a result of the wrecking of the winchhouse the hydraulic ropes were broken and this freed the hoppers, which smashed a portion of the viaduct leading to that area.

No-one was injured in the explosion, which was heard by the cabin man who had been on dog-watch duty since midnight. He "as in a shed only about 40ft away from the winch-house, and when he saw the flames and debris being hurled about he lost no time in telephoning for help. Members of the Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade, the police, and representatives of the Mines Department hur tied to the scene

The bursting of an oil drum could have been a possible cause of the explosion, said the district manager of mines, Mr J. W Glendennteg However, the actual cause could not be given. Mr Gteodenning said the whole of the hydraulic winch-buuse had been burned down, and the ropes leading from it had given way. A large gang had been put on repair work, but H was impossible to say when work would oe resumed. Part of the viaduet was still standing. but the work ot restoring this was a big job. The winch-house is situated in what is known as the middle brake. On the lower side of this is the hoist tunnel and the viaduct to where the material has been scattered, aid on the other side, a quarter of a

mile away is the actual mine tunnel.

The Minister of Mimes, Mr Shand, said today that the cause of the fire was as yet unknown, but its occurrence

was being studied by police, fire, and mine officiate, reports ' the Press Association from Wellington. "When the building was vacated on Wednesday everything was in order,*' said Mr Shand.

“There were no open fires alight and the only electrical equipment was the lighting. “Drums of lubricating oil. and grease and transformer oil, with otbsr stores, are kept in the building, but none of it was highly volatile. Apparently the drams exploded because of the heat,” be said.

The mine would be out of Production for several days, out fortunately the users of Liverpool coal were carrying reasonable stocks, and with minor use of other coals should not be greatly inconvenienced; said Mr Shand

Colour Television. The British Broadcasting Corporation hopes to have colour television programmes “as early in 1965 as possible.” the BBC. director-general.

Mr Hugh Carleton Greene, said today.—London, February 6.