MOUNT LYELL DISASTER COMMISSION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11805, 14 December 1912, Page 5

MOUNT LYELL DISASTER COMMISSION.

[By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.] (Per Press Association.) Hohart, December 13. The Mount Lyell disaster commission held its first meeting at Queenstown. The Government and all the parties involved are represented by counsel. commissioners descended the niine under expert guidance and inspected the workings. There were evidences everywhere of destruction and desolation by the ravages of the lire. Hobart, December 14. Before the North Lyell Commission, Burns, driver of the electric pumps m the 700 f- and' 1000 ft levels, testified that he left for the 1100 f- level; and returned bv the engine winze. There was no smoke there. He got- within ten feet ot the pump-liouse. He then itoticed thick smoke, and telephoned to the hoist- that -the pump-house was afire. He tried -to telephone the lower, levels, but got no reply. Eventually he got a cage to the 700 f- level, and several men entered ;t. Witness then went to the 1100 ft level and met others there. He told them that there, was no chance of escape by the shaft, but that they might try from below. They replied' that the smoke was just as bad there. Witness knew no other exit than the 700 ft leveL There was no lire extinguishing apparatus in the 700 ft level- —not even a bucket; He considered! that the cause of the fire was some defect in the electrical installation of' the FaradayPlatman fire - ai'arm -in the 700 ft level. He admitted stating that .'the -men did not take the. fire seriouslyotherwise the whole shift could have been; eot ou't. The President asked' whether or not the Company would! admit''that there was only one exit. . The Company's counsel replied': "We willpfove that there are several." - Another : -witness thought that the men failed to take the fire seriously. Tonking's Linseed Emulsion removes all the misery of sneeze and sniffle. 5