EXTENDED MINE "CREEP."

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1919, Page 3

EXTENDED MINE "CREEP."

CHIEF INSPECTOR'S REVIEW

RESUMPTION LIKELY TO-

MORROW

HUNTLY, This Day,

A report has been submitted to the executive of the Taupiri Miners' Union by Mr Frank Reed, Chief Inspector of Coal Mines, on the subsidence and underground falls at the Taupiri Extended Colliery on the 23rd August, 1919. Mr Reed says in his report:—"The surface cracks above the north-west and east boundaries of the tail-rope section of the workings in the lower seam are due to drag, by reason of the coal pillars of inadequate dimensions becoming crushed by the superincumbent weight which has fractured the lower strata, which wag in tension, and bent the upper strata j which was in compression. As this section is several chains from the Waikato River, no danger from irruption of water into the mine exists. As regards No. 6 rise section of the workings under the Waikato River, falls of coal and fireclay from the roof have occurred in six bords. There falls have ascended to, and are at present pressed by the upper coal seam at a height of about eight feet above the floor of the lower coal seam. Above the upper coal seam there is about 347 ft of cover to the river-bed. Som e of the cover is of ex-cement impermeable clay stone, and som c of fireclay, gravel and sand, which is but poor cover. At the present time there is no danger from irruption of river water into the mine, as such could not, in my opinion, occur without giving ample warning underground, by means of collapse of the upper coal seam f allowing the fractures to ascend, also by the crushing of pillars, and by percolation of water into the mine. It is possible that dangerous conditions may thus eventually develop slowly. The area should be carefully watched. Under the river bords should be driven narrower in future, and the pillars should be larger. Concrete mine dams may eventually be required as a guarantee of safety." The men held a mass meeting yesterday afternoon to consider the foregoing report. It is improbable that work will be re-started to-day, but it is generally supposed that the men will resume to-morrow.

The trustees of the Hokitika Savings Bank have voted the sum of £1000 towards a new wing and nurses' quarters at the Westland Hospital. The building scheme involves an expenditure of about £12,000 for partial completion, and an additional £8000 for total completion. The Hospital Board is now arranging to undertake th e commencement of the scheme as soon as the plans are prepared.

Wanganui is at present experiencing a butter famine, a fact that has been forcibly brought home to a good many households. "No butter" is a familiar sign on grocers' shop windows, while the merest rumour that a fortunate purveyor has some in stock leads to an immediate rush setting in. Shopkeepers have taken to the broad principle of supplying a pound only at a time, with preference to regular customers. It is reported that fresh butter has been retailed locally as high as Is lOd per lb.