SAFETY LAMPS AND EXPLOSIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 63, 17 March 1922, Page 11

SAFETY LAMPS AND EXPLOSIVES

CASES AGAINST MINE MANAGERS.

(it iiLMßAra.—rxiit AnocrAnoM.7 AUCKLAND, 16th March,

Alexander Penman, mine manager, was fined £20 and costs in the Magistrate's Court to-day for failing to use safety lamps in the Rotowaru mine. He pleaded guilty. , ■ . j Mr. Meredith, who; appeared for the Department, said that small quantities of gas had been found in the niine, and tho owners were notified that safety lamps ,would have to be used. Subset quently the mine manager notified the inspector, that he proposed leaving the safety lamps out, with the exception of those in one place. He was warned that, if lamps were not put in a prosecution would follow. ■■■■'■ .. V . .-' j Counsel for the defence said that tot four and a-half years naked lights had been used, except, when developing .headings. - Gas had been found from time to time,-but in such small quantities as not to be considered dangerous. I Four informations were laid against Thomas Thomson (mine manager), j Henry Fox, and a deputy (Thomas Yourig) of using explosives other than those permitted in the Waipa mine;.. Mi;. Meredith stated that during the war io objection was raised to the use of gunpowder, as ptber explosives were difficult to procure, but the minel became dangerous under the metTiolfa,, adopted. The Department, therefore, notified that only the permitted explosives should be used. The manager declihed, saying that-there was no necessity for this.

' Evidence for and against a contention that the mine was not wet throughout was heard, defendants pleading not guilty. ' The case, was adjourned.