MINING ACCIDENT AT KUAOTUNU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8698, 15 October 1891, Page 5

MINING ACCIDENT AT KUAOTUNU.

Our correspondent writes Last Thursday, Bth October, Mr. M. O'Connor, a brother-in-law of Mr. Duncan Murphy, met with a serious accident. It appears that just before going off" shift in the Red Mercury Mine, on Wednesday, a quick ehob missed fire owing to defective fus<£ On resuming werk on Thursday morning Mr; O'Connor, after repeatedly trying to get the fuse to burn, decided to put in a new hole, about eighteen inches higher up, bul inclined towards the miss-fire. This holo was charged and fired successfully, but unfortunately did not send tho other off as expected. After the atmosphere had cleared a little, O'Connor went into the face, and was looking at the spot preparatory to picking the debris out, when suddenly the old charge went off right in his face, blinding him for the time, and inflicting nasty wounds on the face, neck, and chest. Mr. T. Blair, manager of the mine, had. tho injured man taken home, and wired for Dr. Bedford, who promptly attended to tho call. On examination, it was found that the patient's eyes had escaped altogether, and that the wounds were riot no serious as might have been expected. Tlie shook to the system and the fumes from the explosion wero tho worst. > Dr. Bedford deeorvcj great praise for th« prompt way he answered tho telegram in person, and not only in this case, but on nil other occasions where he has been sent for. To-day (Monday, 12th) Mr, O'Connor is about again, but of course his head and hand are in bandages,