DOBSON DISASTER

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 127, 2 June 1927, Page 10

DOBSON DISASTER

ROYAL COMMISSION

FULL INQUIRY ORDERED

WIDE ORDER OF REFERENCE

A Eoyal Commission, consisting of Mr. E. Page, S.M., and Messrs. John Watson, superintendent of the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., Huntly, and William Balderstone, secretary West Coast Miners' Council, has been appointed by the Governrhent to inquire into and report upon the Dobson colliery disaster, which occurred on 3rd December, 1926* and in which nine lives were lost. An announcement to this effect was made to-day by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. G. J. Anderson). It is the desire of the Government and the Minister to make the fullest inquiry into the cause of thtf disaster with a view, if possible, of guarding against anything of the kind in future. To this end the order of reference has been made very wide.

It is hoped that the Commission will be able to commence its sittings next week. The report is returnable by 20th June.

The Commission is charged to inquire into the cause of the explosion and the working of the existing law in respect to the prevention of similar accidents. In detail, the order of reference is as follows:—

(1) To inquire in what part or parts of the mine the explosion first started and the nature of the same. '

(2) To inquire how. the explosion was initiated.

(3) To inquire to what extent the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1925, were complied witli in the mine, and more especially as regards: (a) The examination of the mine. (b) "Ventilation. (c) Lighting. (d) The character of explosives used, the preparation of shots, and the method of firing shots. (c) Prevention and treatment of inflammable dust.

(f) Use of electricity underground. (4) To inquire into the nature and character of working and general man-agemenfr-of the mine, and whether the mine was well and safely managed. (5) To inquire into the efficiency and inspection of the mine by: (a)The Inspector of Mines for the district. :•

(b) The workmen's inspectors. (6) To inquire whether or not the loss of life would have been averted or reduced had the services of a rescue brigade been available immediately after the explosion occurred.

(7) To make suggestions for the prevention, as far as possible, of similar accidents, and for the safe working of this and other mines in the future.

(8) And generally to make inquiry into any matter or thing arising ont of, or connected with the several subjects of inquiry Jiereinbef ore mentioned, or which the Commission is of opinion may be of assistance in fully ascertaining, explaining, and arriving at a fair and just conclusion in respect to the subjects of inquiry; and into the working of the existing law.in respect to the prevention of similar accidents, and to report whether any additional legislation is necessary, and the scope of same, and whether any amendment of the regulations included in the existing law can be made sufficient to provide reasonable and proper safeguards against such accidents.

The last of the bodies of the men killed in the disaster was recovered on 17th May.