HUNTLY DISASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15748, 24 October 1914, Page 9

HUNTLY DISASTER.

EVIDENCE IN WELLINGTON.

MINES OFFICIAL EXAMINED

NEED FOR SAFETY LAMPS

[by telegraph— special correspondent]

Wellington, Friday. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the colliery disaster which occurred at Huntly on September 12 resumed its sittings in the (i.P.O. Buildings this morning. The three commissioners— F. J. Burgess, S.M., chairman, J. Brown, and J. Dowgray-- present, Mr. C. J. Tunks appeared for the Taupiri Coal Company, and Mr. T. Wilford for the widows of the victims of the disaster and the coalminers generally.

Percy Gates Morgan, director of the geological survey of New Zealand, and formerly director of the Waihi School of Mines, submitted a long written statement. He said he visited Ralph's mine on September 29, in company with Professor H. B, Dixon, Mr. F. Reed, Mr. J. Bishop, Mr. W. Wood, Mr. M. Langford, and others, and again on October 28, in company with Messrs. Reed and Alex. Penman. Force of the Explosion. The evidences of explosion in the main haulage road, said Mr. Morgan, consisted of broken coal tubs, timber plentifully marked by small pieces of coal or stone, and rounded on some edges, falls of roof, etc. At one place an opening had been blown into a bord at a higher level. The timber thrown down by the explosion had been replaced, and the road had been to a great extent cleared of debris, so that it was difficult to form an opinion concernI ing the degree of violence, but on the whole it seemed to him that tho explosion was not so violent as might have been expected. The facts that in places the haulage rood was wet, and that one portion was driven through the shaly clay underlying the coal would help to explain this. Presence of Fire Damp. At a fall in No. 5 bord, stated to be in part an old fall, tire damp was present in some quantity, both on September 29 and October 2. On the latter date brattice had been brought close to the northwest end of the fall, and a good current of air was passing. It may, therefore, be inferred that tire damp was being emitted in considerable quantity from the roof of the fall. In the adjoining bord, No. 6, which was connected with No. 5 by cut throughs, or stentons, was found the body of Martin. He was present on October 2, when Marti.i's coat was found by Mr. Alex. Penman. He concurred with the opinions already expressed that there was a considerable emission of fire damp from the fall in No. 5 bord previous to the explosion, that this mixed with air was ignited by Martin, and that the resulting gas explosion was continued as a coal dust explosion to the haulage road, whence it reached past No. 6 cabin in one direction and to the top of the main shaft in the other. Large Amount of Gas Present. It was impossible, continued the witness, to determine the amount of explosive mixture ignited by Martin, nor was this matter of great importance. It seemed probable, however, that there was a comparatively large body of fire damp in No. 5 bord at the time of the explosion. At the moment of the explosion some ' fire damp, though not necessarily in large quantities, must have entered No. 4 and No. 6 bords from No. 5 bord. If, however, Martin ignited the fire damp at the point where his body was found there must have been a large amount of the gas present. Tho injuries sustained by Martin were consistent with the opinion that he was hurled a chain or more by the inital explosion, but not so much so with the opinion that he was struck down where he stood. The general appearance of bords 4, 5, and -6 indicated that the explosion was not of intense violence in this locality —the seat of the initial explosion. This was in accordance with experience in other parts of the world. It indicated also that the quantity of air and methane (fire damp) ( mixture that exploded was not large. This was not to say, however, that there was not a great deal of fire damp present. He believed there was a considerable body of fire damp in No. 5 bord, but much of this was mixed with less air than that required for an explosion. Safety Lamps Essential. Evidence, Mr. Morgan remarked, had been given showing that there was a very large accumulation of fire damp in No. 5 section of Ralph's mine six days after the explosion. This alone showed that this portion of the mine must be regarded as "gassy," or "fiery." Hence for the present, at any rate, safety lamps were absolutely necessary. Bords 4. 5, and 6 were on or near the summit of a small dome or short anticline, a structure known to all with oil field experience as favouring tho accumulation of gas in the strata. It was, therefore, probable that the strata immediately over these bords contained a large amount of gas under pressure, and that this was liberated previous to and after the explosion by cracks or fissures communicating with the fall at No. 5 bord. Whether thiS view was correct or not for the particular case under consideration, it was evidence that any similar domes or anticlines in the Waikato coal mines ought to be regarded as potentially dangerous, unless the contrary was proved. The Seismic Theory. Witness said that the suggestion had been made that the Huntly disaster was connected with the eruption at White | Island. Though unfortunately attended by 1 loss of life this eruption was quite local in its effects, and did not give rise to tremors perceptible on the mainland. Suggestions for the Future. The following suggestions for the prevention of similar disasters for the most part did not cover any fresh ground :— (a) Strict and frequent inspection of old or partly abandoned workings, (b) increased ventilation, (c) watering dusty roads and places, (d) use of inert dust (as a dilufent of explosive dust), (e) use of permitted explosives" only, (f) use of safety lamps, oil or electric. He would further advocate experimental tests of coal dusts from all New Zealand mines; frequent analysis of mine air, especially returns; one. or more rescue apparatus stations; increased opportunity of technical education for all classes of miners. i In reply to Mr. Wilford, the witness said that he could not form an estimate of tho quantity of fire damp at the spot at which Martin met his death. There might have been 300 ft or 400 ft of it or more. Use of Explosives. Mr. Wilford: Do you know anything about the use of explosives in mines ? — No, practically nothing, except from outside Knowledge. Do you know that, according to the British official statistics of 1912, there were three accidents through the use of monobel ? —No, Ido not know. You cannot get an explosive that is absolutely safe. Mr. Dowgray: When you take up the position that "no explosive is absolutely safe, are you not speaking as an authority ?—No, not necessarily. That must be a matter of common knowledge. Mr. Tunks: Do you know that about twenty-three million shots were tired with monobel in Great Britain with only three accidents ?—I do not know that. Do you know that the use of monobel was permitted in Great Britain for twelve months after it was taken off the list of permitted explosives '!— No, but I am v quite willing to accept the statement.

Mr. Tunks: The fact can be verified if the commission attaches any importance to it.

Mr. Wilford: Are you satisfied that it would be unsafe to work the Taupiri mines without safety lamps ?—I would not like to be responsible for. them being worked without safety lamps. If you had the authority would you prevent them being worked without the use of safety lamps ?—I can hardly say what I would do in such a case, but to be on the safe side I would certainly use safety lamps. Would the use of a saftey lamp have saved Martin's life ?—Probably. Is there any doubt about it ?—Yes, but the doubt is not very great. It is possible for some safety lamps, if carried carelessly, to cause an explosion ?— That is quite possible, but, humanly speaking, it may be said that there would not have been an explosion if Martin had had a safety lamp and had used it intelligently. What Caused the Explosion. Mr. Tunks: You are not prepared to say that it was impossible for a fall to have taken jlaee and for an emission of gas to have occurred within an hour before the accident?—No, I would not say that. It is not impossible, but the odds are agi.inst it. You cannot say that the mine was "gassy" or "fiery" before the explosion? — know nothing about the state of the mine before the explosion. Would not very slight seismic tremors be sufficient, to liberate the gas'—The fall might have been thus caused, but I do not think so.

What would cause the fall?— The weight of the strata above.

You admit that the disaster at White Island and that at Huntly must have been almost coincident in date?— Yes, they were probably within two days or 30 hours of each other.

The Chairman: Would any sudden changes in the barometer have any effect? —\es, it would have a certain influence.

Mr. ilford : Are vou aware that during the recent exposure In the House of Commons by Mr. Philip Snowden, it was shown that 76 of the shareholders in Nobel's were Germans, and that amongst the shareholders were three German banks and five German army officers?—l do not know, but I know that there are many German shareholders.

'I ho Chairman: What do you gather from that? Mr. Wilford, laughing: Oh, I want someone else to gather something from it. (Laughter.) Fresh Evidence Forthcoming.

Mr. Tunks read the following telegram from Mr. Fletcher, mine manager at Huntly: Deputy Magill says that Gowan, under-manager, travelled from Bond's Dip to the section where Martin was found, on Friday, the day previous to the accident. I am posting you a letter.'' Mr. Tunks said that he had telegraphed for Magill to come to Wellington, and he asked that the commission should not close its sittings until he arrived, in order that he might give evidence. Mr. Wilford: This is a most extraordinary application, and one which I ask the commission to carefully consider before acceding to. Here is a mine deputy, whom it is proposed to call to prove that a particular part of the mine—where Martin met his deathwas traversed on the day before the explosion by a man who is dead. The inquest was sitting at Huntly for some days, and the commission also sat there for eight days, right alongside the mine. The Taupiri" mine people knew that any proof of the route in question having "been traversed just prior to the explosion would not only be of importance, but of the utmost value., A fortnight has elapsed since the commission concluded its labours at Huntly, and now suddenly comes a telegram stating that a man—who has hitherto remained silent on the subject—can make this statement, and the commission is asked that he be allowed to come here to give this most important evidence. This is a matter which, I submit, the commission must look upon with grave doubt. Here we have a man who is employed in the mine coming to tell us something that a dead man told him. If the Taupiri Company is allowed to do that, it is a very serious thing, so far as the miners are concerned, and I ask the commission to carefully consider the application. The Chairman: This man gave evidence at the inquest. Mr. Wilford: That makes my objection all the stronger. Mr. Tunks: It is a matter that rests entirely with the commission. The Chairman (to Mr. Tunks) : We understand that it is only on this one point that you wish Magill to be examined ? Mr. Tunks: That is so. Commission Decides to Hear Witness.

After the commissioners had held a brief consultation, the chairman stated that a majority of the commissioners were of opinion that the commission had no right to shut out the evidence. "We are prepared," he added, " to take the evidence for what it is worth."

Mr. Wilford: That is a very fair way to put it. sir. Mr. Tunks: I am quite satisfied with that.

It was agreed to take Magill's evidence at five o'clock, and the commission adjourned until that hour.

Evidence of Magill.

The commission resumed st five o'clock, when John Magill, deputy in Ralph's mine, was examined by Mr. Tunks. He slated that during the "week prior to the accident he received instructions to get some rails out. To do this it was necessary to go through No. 5. He was unable to get them out. He did not know for certain whether anyone was told off to get them out on the Saturday. He last saw Mr. Gowan at half-past three o'clock on Friday a f ternoonthe day before the disasterwhen he asked witness if he could spare two men to get some rails out. Mr. Go .van was carrying an ordinary acetylene lamp.

Theory Regarding Martin's Death.

Mr. Timks: If the rails had been got out during the week while you were in charge would you have considered it necessary to have made an examination of that part of the mine. Witness: Yes. It would have been part of my duty to do so. I am of opinion that Smith was on his way to do so when the explosion occurred. He could have had no other object in going the way he did. Mr. Wilford : Are you of opinion that Martin got into No. 5 bord before Smith had time to make an inspection?— He. got ahead of Smith. There is no question about that. Was it part of Smith's duty that morning to make an inspection prior to the workmen going in?— Yes, or to tell his deputy to do so. Then he failed to mnk° the inspection before the men went in? Well, he allowed Mart ; to get in ahead of him. D.i you know whether Smith had a safety lamp?—l cannot say. We have not cleaned up that portion of the mine yet. Are you cleaily of opinion that Smith cojld not have got ahead of Martin?— Yes, I am quite certain about that. The Door Without a Lock. Witness stated in answer to Mr. Wilford, that the door opening into No. 6 bold in which Martin's body was found had no lock on it. He did " not know the reason. He had nothing to do with tliat matter. He was not asked any question at the inquest on the subjects" of which he had just spoken. He was of opinion that Martin went in to get rails on the morning of the disaster. He had not made any statement regarding the story he had just told until Wednesday last, when he made it to Mr. Fletcher. * Mr. Wilford: If the door had been locked Martin could not have been killed. Is that not so?— Yes, that is so. In reply to Mr. Timks, witness said that the door had existed for about six months, and that it had been used regularly in connection with the movement of rails and other material. Gas In the Mine. .Mr. Wilford : Have you ever seen gas in Ralph's mine ?Yes. It was my duty to clear it away. How many times have you cleared it away from the old workings ?—Five times. I do not knpw of any occasions of seeing

gas beyond these five times. The gas appeared to have been due to " bleeding" after falls.

Have you ever seen gas in the face when the men were at work ?—No. How many times do you know of men being burned in Ralph's mine Only once, shortly before the explosion.' Mr. Tunks: To whom did you make your first statement of the evidence that you afterwards gave at the inquest ?— the police. Did you see me before the inquest, or at all prior to to-day?— Inspector's Reports Put In. Before the inquiry was cloeed Mr. Dowgray asked permission to put in some official reports of inspections of the mine made by Inspector Bennie which he (Mr. Dowgray) had obtained from the Department. r Mr. Tunks said that these reports should nave been put in when Inspector Bennie gave his evidence, so that he could have been cross-examined in regard to them. Mr. Dowgray : It is not my fault, -Mr. 1 unks: I am not suggesting that it is your fault. Mr. Wilford : I take it that the Commission will take notice of what is in the report*. The Chairman: I do not think we can exclude these reports. At the same time, it would have been better if they had been put in before. In one of the reports which was written o.Y inspector Bennie on August 4 of this year it was stated that gas had been ound in various parte of the mine. It had been found, the report stated, on July 1 m Nos. 1, 4, and 5 bords of No. 5 section but it had been cleared up and made quite safe on the same day. Fire-damp was found in the old and new workings, the report also stated that gas was found °n July t m No ' 7 ]evel on the 60llth de 01 the old workings, on the north side of the main haulage road, as well as in the winch level of the old workings. This being all the evidence, the chairman declared the inquiry closed, and said that the commission would now prepare its report. ' ALLEGED VICTIMISATION. INQUIRY AGAIN ASKED FOR. STATEMENT BY PREMIER.

[BT TELEGRAPH.— SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.}

Wellington, Friday. The Prime Minister was again asked in the Hnise this afternoon bv Sir Joseph Ward whether the Government had decided whether it would extend the scope of the Huntly Commission to an inquiry mtthe i all€ K atio, >? of victimisation. He said he had received a further communication on the subject to-day. The Prime Minister said that the positioi had not changed since he made I Jus reply to a similar question yesterday, I there was no meeting of the Cabinet today and if a meeting had been held this I matter could not have been dealt with I owing to the unavoidable absence of the Minister for Mines, who was attending an important meeting of the Mines Committee, at which the new mining Bills were being considered. He did not know j whether the matter could be dealt with Dotore the commission reported I The Minister for Mines (the Hon. Mr i-raser): The present inquiry must be Kept to the commission's order of reference When this inquiry is concluded it can be decided whether the commission shall mate a further inquiry and report regarding the charges of victimisation. It is quite possible that before the commission is dissolved its order of referen£T will be extended in this direction. The Prime Minister said that a dastardly attempt had been made to manuI facture political capital out of the Huntly ! disaster whilst the commission was sitting j par, hear.) He was not referring to j the Leader of the Opposition in saving I this ' The Government has absolutely : nothing to hide in the matter" Mr j Massey added. "We hope that the whole truth and nothing but the truth will 1 come out about this verv sad matter .Sir Joseph Ward : That' is what we all hope.