DOBSON MINE.

Grey River Argus, 30 November 1927, Page 2

DOBSON MINE.

Effects of Disaster. COMPANY RECOVERING, IJROM SET-BACK. The annual general meeting of Grey Valley Colleries, Ltd. was held at . -’e Company’s office. Hereford {Street. The Chairman of directors (Mr. Allan Smith) presided., and those present included Messrs R. B. Bell, J. Catehpolc, C. C. Davis, F. R. Hogarth, J. M. A. Hot, and Sidney Kircaldie (directors), and several shareholders.

The annual report and balance sheet u ere adopted on the motion of the chairman and Mr Catch] o:e.

‘ln moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,” said th? chairman, “I should like to make a few remarks particularly referring to the unfortunate disaster that overtook the company on December of last vear.

“The explosion occurred in the early hours of the morning, and the cause will never be known, as unfortunately some of the men that were employed, were killed outright, and those who were brought to the surface died without regaining consciousness. Needless to say the loss of these valuable lives was greatly to be deplored. I cannot give too much praise to those who. as soon a-s they heard of the explosion, hastened to the scene and formed a rescue party. Aline officials and workers from all mines in close proximity quickly congregated at the scene of disaster, and in conjunction with our own staff, twice bravely entered Ihe pit, likely to explore again at any time, and did all that was possible to make sure that nothing further could be done to save lives.

“To endeavour to extinguish the fires the mine was sealed, but this method was unsuccessful, and acting on the advice of the Inspector of Alin es and Alanagers, flooding was resorted to, which ultimately put the fires out. The mine was filled to the point of five chains from the top of the main dip drive. Flooding the mine was not a ’difficult task, and if the unwatering had been so easy the mine would have been producing some months before it did. Only those that wore closely associated with the unwatering known the difficulties of such an undertaking. Suitable plant was not procurable within the Colonies, and at one period the directors thought the only thing to do was to procure plant in the Old Country, which would have meant a long wait cf many months before the unwatering could be commenced. However, by persistent effort. a scratch plant was procured in New Zealand, and as soon as it was erected, continuous pumping night and day was carried out until the unwatering was completed, and the bodies of tlm unfortunate men recovered. ■ I would like to mention the great work done by our manager. Air. Hughes and the staff associated. Thier efforts to keep pumping* continuously going wore unsparing, and they all struck manfully to the job right to the end.

‘‘Alining operations were rcs*umed in July of this year ,and production has gone steadily ever since. The output has steadily increased, and we are now producing much larger output than before the explosion. Speaking of the mine itself, it is now well equipped. At the surface and underground it is in a clean and methodical condition, enabling work to be carried out in an efficient and economical manner. The Inspector of Alines on his visits has expressed himself that the mine is conducted in a safe manner, and he has no fault to find. “As shown by the balance-sheet, the explosion has been a costly business, and is a great set back. This is Aery regrettable especially so as just prior to the explosion wo were getting as it were on our feet and reaching the dividend state. To finance the cost of the disaster the directors issued £25,000 of debentures, and practically all this amount was subscribed, thus enabling the directors to again thoroughly establish and equip the mine.

“Under careful management, T consider the future prospects of the mine should be good. Very soon it will be possible t> produce a much larger ou:put of first-class bituminous coal Wherever our coal is sold we receive good reports, and if sales can be maintained for a large output w;> shoul I soon place ourselves on a good financial toting. Every effort is being made to keep costs down, and as output increases good results in this respect are apparent. “Whilst mentioning coal sales, I would like to see the New Zealand Railways, who are the largest consumers of coal in New Zealand, stop importing the Australian article. These remarks also apply to other largo importers, the competition of oil and electricity is having a decreasing effect on coal sales, and it is tip to all who have the welfare of the Dominion at heart, to burn only the New Zealand produced article. By using our own New Zealand coals, apart from keeping the money in the country, the coal industry employs a great number of men, anil this employment

assists in the prosperity of the Dominion to a large extent.

“At the Coal Mine Owners’ Association ’s annual conference lately, I noticed the chairman made reference

to new 1 companies made reference to new companies forming, advising the danger of over—production.

“In my opinion ihc Government should not grant further leases. I am satisfied with the number of mines now producing that more coal is lx ing turned out than can be consumed. In this class of industry, to mine on a payable basis, the wheels of indn-try must be continuously moving. Broken time is costly both to owners and the public public alike. Tn England the mincowneis, owing to decreasing demand. have co-operated together and closed a- number of pits.

“Ta conclusion, on behalf of the directors. 1 wish to thank the lion. Minister for Mines and his officers for their valuable assistance to tWe company through its trying time; any

assistance and advice they could give us was readily given.

I also wish to thank our manager and staff for the w*ay they have cooperated to bring the mine back to its present productive position, and perhaps at this present meeting it is not out of place to state that your directors have had a strenuous time and have put in a very large amount of valuable work in their endeavours to place the mine in its present favourable position. The retiring directors—Messrs C. C. Davis and F R. Hogarth—were declared re—elector! unopposed. , Alessrs Stewart Beckett? and Co., were reappointed auditors for the ensuing year.

A cordial vote of thanks to the directors for their work during the past year was carried on the motion of Afessrs George Ross and Walter Leitch.