HUNTLY MINE DISASTER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 131, 30 November 1914, Page 3

HUNTLY MINE DISASTER

INSPECTORS' POWERS. (IT TKLEORAPH —PRBBB ASSOCIATION,) WANGANUI, 29th November*. In connection with the Huntly dl* aster, the Prime Minister, in the course of his speech at Hawera on Friday even* ing, read the following extracts from a letter received by him from a former inspector of mines in the Mines Department : — "On reviewing the debates in the House on the Coal Mines Bill, I notice Mr. Wilford, the member for Hutt, makes the assertion that Inspector Binnie pointed out that when an inspector had closed a mine on the West Coast he lost his job, These remarks I take to refer to myself. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only inspector to close a mine on the West Coast without reference to the Urder-Secretary, The, mines referred to were Billett's, Reef ton, also Job Lines, Buller Road. Both mines, to the best of my knowledge, remain closed. For these actions I did not lose my job, as asserted, but, before proceeding to inform you what led up to my retirement from the position of Inspoctor of Mines for the West Coast district, I may advise you that in the year 1910 I insisted on the exclusive use of safety lamps throughout No. 1 State colliery, Greymouth. Previous to my taking action, the system of lighting in this mine was that known as ' mixed light,' and that in ite worst and most dangerous form. "In these actions I took advantage of section 58 of the Coal Mines Act, which section, in my opinion, gives any inspector of mines who has confidence in himself all the power that is necessary to close a mine or otherwise, without consulting anyone. " The Hon. _R. M'Kenzie ie certainly correct in his contention as far as out mining laws are concerned. He evidently has a thorough grasp of the equation. Further legislation would not have prevented tho Huntly explosion."