Glen Alton Commission Mot Alter Scalps

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1939, Page 5

Glen Alton Commission Mot Alter Scalps

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] HUNTLY, This Day. “I wish to assure counsel that this commission is not after anyone’s scalp; that is not in the minds of the commissioners at all,” Mr J. Dowgray a member of the Royal Commission inquiring into the Glen Afton tragedy which occurred on September 24, said yesterday. The hearing by the commission was continued at Huntly during the afternoon.

Mr Dowgray said that in spite of advanced mining legislation in this country, the fact that the tragedy did occur,, indicated the need for constant vigilance. The way the inquiry was developing at the moment resembled a mystery story. Reluctant to Give Clear Answers, Mr Dowgray’s comments arose from the seeming reluctance of some witnesses to give clear answers to questions. Earlier in the hearing another member of the commission, Mr T. 0 Bishop, told a witness not to fence with him. In reply to questions by Mr C. H, Taylor (for the Mines Department), Alexander Johnston, a miner employed in the Glen Afton Mine, said that before the accident on September 24, carbon monoxide had been found in the pillar section of the mine. He had known men come cut pf the mine with violent headaches and shaking legs. “Found Wall Warm at Time.” Mr J. G. Brown, one of the commissioners:' Would that necessarily indicate the presence of carbon monoxide? —That is what I took it to be.

The chairman (Mr / S. L. Paterson, S.M.); Was it the custom of the men to place their hands on the F wall as they went past?—Yes. The chairman: Were they afraid of it?—Well, they were not too keen on it. I have found it warm at times. David Johnston, miner, of Pukemiro, said he went down the mine after Thomas, the chief engineer, and Mitchell, a deputy-fireman, and found William Brown apparently dead, his body resting against the wall of the mine. Brown’s Position. He said he came across Brown’s body, but ft was lying fiat on the floor of the mine. Mr Bishop: Apparently Brown had moved between the time he was discovered by James Mitchell (who collapsed shortly afterwards) and when you saw him, because Mitchell said Brown’s body was resting in a halfsitting position? Johnston: I do not think he had moved,. I think he was dead when I saw him.

In reply to Mr Paterson, Johnston said he believed Brown’s lamp had not fallen from his hand, but that he had placed it on the ground so that it should be seen by anyone who came from the direction of the mine-mouth. (Proceeding).