EXPLOSION IN MIXES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15750, 27 October 1914, Page 4

EXPLOSION IN MIXES.

Sir.—l have read with interest the remarks of Mr. J. McCombio in reference to mine explosions; but 1 disagree with him in reference to his remarks, viz., " Plus carelessness on the part of employees." If gas is known to exist in dangerous quantities places containing these accumulations should be sealed oft, and not, as is usually the. case, protected bv an ordinary fence, which does not always state the danger. If an employee is not aware of this danger, he is not quite to blame for his ignorance. As regards Mr. McCombie's remarks regarding safety lamps, these are all right in mines subject to outbursts of carburetted hydrogen : but, unless the mine conditions are so that a safety lamp is not allowed to continue to burn in an explosive mixture, or that tho velocity of the air is suitable and safo to travel in through a current of air of an explosive nature, safety lamps do not prevent the explosions which arc frequently occurring nil over the world. I quite agree to Mr. McCombie's remarks that a good ventilation is essential in all mines. If this was more attended to and accumulation of gas not allowed to exist in the mines unless properly sealed off, I think that mine explosions would not be so frequent as they now are. Wm. Arundel, Mine Underviewer. Hikurangi, October 21, 1914.