DIVER IN MINE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1934, Page 7

DIVER IN MINE

■efforts to save PUMPS. HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. WIIA NO ARE!, September 26. Aa 'attempt to salvage pumps and motors from the Hikmangi Coal C'ompvny’s Hooded mine at Hikmangi was commenced last night by Air R. Tew a diver employed by the Auckland Harbour Hoard This is the first time in New Zealand that a diver has been so employed in a coal mine. There are seven pumps and nine motors submerged in the mine, and the total value of this equipment is estimated at £7OOO. In the hope of recovering the more valuable gear located close to the shaft bottom, the direct erts of the company requested the Auckland Harbour Board to .assist, and in consequence Air Tew arrived at Hikuivmgi yesterday afternoon. ,After consideration of the problem he decided the effort was worth attempting. All the necessary diving gear was sent for and arrived yesterday.

WATER STEADILY RISING. In the meantime, Air W. Bodle, engineer at the colliery, erected two landing stages in the shaft a few feet above the rising water level. This was about 280 ft. from the top of the shaft and about 70ft. from' the .bottom. On several occasions to-day the landing stages had to be raised owing to the rising water, which is now estimated to he entering the mine at tlm rate of 160,000 gallons an hour. Efforts were made yesterday to procure submarine lamps from Auckland, but this proved unsuccessful, and Al r Bodle adapted an ordinary light for the purpose. The first descent was made by Air Tew ,at H o’clock last night, hut unfortunately, owing to the extremely dirty water, the light proved of no value and be has .been compelled to work in the dark. His difficulties can be imagined when it is understood that after descending the 70ft. of water in the shaft he had to find his w.av along a narrow passage 15ft. long and turn into another tunnel in which the recently purchased 9-inch pump is housed.

TEAT OF ENDURANCE. This pump is valued at £IOOO and is the main objective of the salvaging (operations. Finally, the diver located ,thi s and after he had worked throughout the night .a snufll portion o the cable was brought to the surface. After coining up for breakfast t e diver again descended the mine and returned at mid-day- He agai.n descended and intended working until late tonight, His feat under the hazardous conditions is one of considerable endurance. , TE S assistant. Air L. Martin, also of the Auckland Harbour Board staff, is supervising arrangements on the two binding stages, where a shift of 10 mm is engaged in pumpine air with a handpump to the diver. This work is very difficult and relays o f two men woi only for a few minute* each. To-morrow, with the rising water, it is expected that an additional air pump will be utilised. The landing stages are being lighted by .a 400 candle-power floodlight at the top of the shaft. LITTLE CLEARANCE FOR PUMP. Crowds of miners and their families wove present at the mine to-day. The entrance to the shaft was boarded oft Ito prevent anything being dislodged into the mine, as the men on the am mg stage some 280 ft. below would otherwise be in danger of injuryIt is the intention of the diver to unbolt the 9in. pump ’to-night and an attempt will be made to-morrow to raise it to the surface by "ofa cable. This wilt be extremely d.ffiuilt as besides haying to be taken round two corners the pump will have n two inches clearance, in the shaft I this is accomplished it is the. objective of the diver to make an attempt to re cover, 1 the Other pumas -and motors However, the rising water m t e mi will have a considerable bearing on operations.