BRUNNER COLLIERIES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1927, Page 6

BRUNNER COLLIERIES.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln your paper of June 30 you make reference to the issue of a second prospectus of Brunner Collieries, Limited. The object of the issue of this prospectus being to secure public support to the funds now required to meet expenditure on mining machinery, railway sidings and buildings. Following on you give what is purported to be information gleaned by one of your staff from an interview with Mr Sydney Fry, in which he gives prominence to several phases of mining work, starting with: (a) work in gassy mines; (b) hydraulic filling of inines following the extraction of coal ; (c) minimising dangers from coal tlust; (d) problems relating to small coal.

The first of the above has been and is still the subject of much study in all countries where coal mining is carried on ; and in many of them there exist volumes of regulations which, if fully observed, would appear to meet a]l chances of accidents from explosions of either gas or coal dust or in combination. Unfortunately, perfect observance of rhe regulations is seldom secured. The second reference refers to hydraulic filling of coal mine workings. Mr Fry states that from his experience of the handling and transport of sand in cyanide operations and ; n hydraulic sluicing, he has been shown ways and means by which he has elaborated a complete scheme for filling suited to Wallsend ; the filling material to be obtained, it is understood, from the sand collected in the Grey River, at which point is not stated. This is a very interesting statement, coming from a man of so much practical experience fortified by study. There is, however, some difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to why Mr Fry as a director of the Brunner Collieries, Ltd., did not prior to the issue of the second prospectus lay his scheme before his fellow members on the Board, and hear their opinions regarding it. Had they approved it might have been referred to in the prospectus completed only a lew days prior io the interview now being referred to. Instead of the course which seems to the writer a. reasonable one, Mr Fry proceeds to circularise the shareholders in Brunner Collieries by sending out to each a reprint of his interview, accompanied by a proxy form, to be used, it is supposed, for his support for re-election to the Board of the Company, of which he is now a member. It is to be feared that Mr Fry’s effort will .act detrimentally as regards the company’s interests, and it is difficult to see how it could be otherwise.

It only remains to notice Nos. 3 and 4of the headings. (3) The minimising of danger from coal dust. This subject has been earnestly studied for a long period of years, and it is now thought that if stone dust is liberally applied to the underground passages of collieries, the risk of explosion being extended by ignition of coal dust will be verv remote.

(4) The problems relating to small coal. It is true that in some countries the use of powdered fuel has become common and is economical in steel manufactures, etc. This market does not exist here, and other means must be found ; and it is hoped Air Fry will continue his study of the several phases of coal mining hinted at. in his interview, and in introducing them to the public he will accompany his description with some practical data calculated io be enlightening to his readers. —I am, etc., OLD MINER.