THE COAL MINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11399, 17 April 1899, Page 6

THE COAL MINE.

Our Palmerston correspondent supplies the following particulars of. the fatal accident at tho Allandalo coal mine by which John iU'lntosh, the son of the manager, lost his life. There is a double line in the level, the boxes of coal being hauled up by the engine on one line, while the empty boxes descend on ihe other. The- deceased, who was on the night shift, is supposed to have been engaged at the time clearing the boxes, which had got jammed. The windiAjj chain becoming black, caused it. to snap, artel the loaded box, rushing down tlio 'incline', caught the deceased, crushing him against'tiie timber of the drive, and fracturing his sluill. The engine-driver, finding something wr.Qiig with the gear, sung out to the deceased, jto keop clear, but not getting any reply, went down, and found the deceased at tha .foot.of the incline. He was quickly removed, but only lived some two hours after removal. He was a promising young fellow, 20 years of age, and much sympathy is felt.for his parents. An inquest was opened at the Pukiviti Hotel on Saturday, before Major Keddell (coroner) and a jury, of whom Mr A. Goodley was foreman. The jury, having viewed tiie body, Dr Hislop, of Palmerston, deposed that he was sent for about 11.45 p.m. on the 13th, and proceeded -immediately to Ailandale. He saw deceased at the house of Mr Oillanders. He found him in a dying state, suffering from fracture of the skull. No medical skill would have availed. Deceased' must have been thrown against something with great violence. There were no other injuries on the body. No further evidence was taken in consequence of a provision in se'etion 56 of "The Coal Mines Act, 1891," which provides "that unless the inspector of mines or some person appointed by the Minister for Mines be present, the coroner shall adjourn for at least four days." This was accordingly done, the adjournment being to 11 a.m. on the 20th inst. The jurors were bound over to appear. The body having been identified, a warrant to inter was issued by the coroner. The inspector being on duty at Preservation Inlet, could not attend the inquest on Saturday. Section 55. of the 1891 act provides that all work in a mine

whero an accident occurs shall be suspended until tho mine is inspected by an inspector of mines or some person appointed by the Ministor or coroner's jury. As tho mine was idle, and work could not bo resumed, the jury appointed Mr Jas. Cari'iithers, depuly-nuuiagoj of Shag Point coal mine, to inspect the scene of the accident, and on his reporting to the Allandalc manager thai the place was all right, work could be resumed. Mr Carruthers, on receiving his appointment, at once left to inspect tho mine.