MINE CAGE ACCIDENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 10

MINE CAGE ACCIDENT

INVESTIGATION AT WAIHI TESTS OF GEAR MADE SYMPATHY FOR INJURED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORIIESrONDKNT] WAIHI, Thursday Further investigations into the circumstances of tho accident to tho cage in No. 2 shaft at the Waihi Company's mine last week wero conducted yesterday and to-day. The party consisted of Messrs. J. F. Downey, district mining inspector, G. Duggan, chief inspecting engineer of the Mines' Department, C. McLean, Government inspector of machinery, W. Bice, workmen's inspector for the Miners' Union, J. Robertson, advisory engineer of the Miners' Union, H. M. Warner, consulting engineer, of Auckland, representing tho New Zealand Insurance Company. It was officially stated that exhaustive tests wero made of tho brakes and clutch gear of tho winding engine, and statements were taken from eyo-wit-nessos of events prior to and at tho time of the accident. The statements included a history of events from the timo tho relieving engineer, H. Mills, took charge at 3.30 p.m. With the plant under steam, a series of tests wero made with the cage running up and down the shaft, after which the shaft was covered over and a series of tests was made with tho clutch gear. It was added that nothing further would be known of the result of tho investigations until Mr. Downey has mado his official report to tho Under-Secretary for Mines, Mr. A. H. Kimbell. It is understood, however, that tho investigations and tests disclosed no fault in the winding appliances or gear. Reference to the mine accident was mado at a meeting of tho Borough Council, when a resolution was passed conveying sympathy with the injured men and expressing hope for their complete recovery. The Mayor, Mr. W. M. Walnutt, Baid the spontaneous expressions of sympathy from all parts of the Dominion were truly wonderful. He thought a modern miraclo had occurred i which had saved the men from death.