ACCIDENTS IN MINES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 December 1937, Page 11

ACCIDENTS IN MINES

ii:\vi;u men kim.i:d According to tlie Animal Re-port of ttic Chief Inspector of Mines hi Britain, the number of people killed by accidents in mines in was IPO the lowest figure on record for a year. Ihe number seriously injured was 3.11 1. Of those killed and injured underground, 49 per cent, were victims of falls of ground, the rate being lower in every division except the North Midlands, where it was the highest for seven years. As a result of higher wage rates and more regular employment, miners’ average cash earnings increased from £llß to £l3l. In spite of a decrease of over 2.000.000 tons in foreign shipments. total production increased by fi.000.000 tons. The report attributes this partly to the Government's rearmament programme. Home consumption reached nearly 170.000.000 tons the highest figure since 1927, but f. 000.000 tons less than in 1913. The reduced exports arc attributed to the Abyssinian dispute and to the Spanish civil war. Britain’s production fell from 23.3 per cent, in 1913 to 18.1 per cent, in 193 G. Between 1930 and 1935 the price level of British coal at the mine fell by only 4 per cent., although the figure for Continental countries was lower by more than 30 per cent. In 1930 the British price rose to 3 per cent, above that for 1930 and 8 per cent, above that for 1935. The number of workers declined in the first half of the year, but increased to 771.200 at the end Need for greater effort to avoid accidents. particularly in the North Midlands division, is emphasised. Of accidents resulting from use of explosives the report says: “Such cases are due to foolhardiness or negligence. Given stricter supervision and proper discipline. nearly all of them could be prevented.” Production of petrol from .coal increased by 70 per cent, during the year. Low' temperature earboni-. sation plants increased by 2 to 15.