FLOODING OPERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 10

FLOODING OPERATIONS

IDLE MEN DESIBE WOBK.

GREYMOUTH, This Day

The pumping of the water from the Grey Eivor into the Dobson mine has proceeded since Sunday afternoon, and since the second pump started 50,000 gallons por hour has been pumped. It is estimated that 8,000,000 gallons will bo required. Soon the water will rise to tho level of the foot of tho main dip, stopping any air entering from there, and lessening the combustion within. In the meantime volumes of smoke continue to issue from the fan on tho air shaft, indicating tho meeting of water with fire in the burning portion of the mino. Some fear that when the water seals up the main dip a fresh explosion may result, but the only damage likely from this would be below.

Normally about 160 men are employed at tho Dobson mine, and of these 141 are at present idle. Yesterday the president of the Grey Valley Miners' Union, Mr. J. Smeaton, telegraphed to the Minister of Mines asking if temporary employment could be found for the idle miners at the State Collieries and elsewhere.

It is anticipatedg that the working of the mine will not be resumed for about a couple of months.

Some of the directors, Messrs. Hogarth, Catehpole, and S. Kirkcalclie (Welli]»-;ton) are visiting the mine. They state that it is impossible yet to mako any statement on the explosion until the mine is again opened and an investigation made.