NIGHTCAPS MINE DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13996, 31 August 1907, Page 5

NIGHTCAPS MINE DISASTER

ROYAL COMMISSION AT lUVERTON.

VISIT TO THE' ii'lKE ARRANGED.

IBi Oro Special Repobtir.V

myiGRTON, August 30. ; The Royal Commission appointed td inquire into the coal mining disaster which occurred at tho Nightcaps mine on Juno 21, and which caused the' death of three miners—namclj, William Duncan, Patrick alsh, and AVilliam Carson, —met at th© courthouse here this morning. The commissioners are District Judge JJaseldcTl (chairman), Messrs If. J. H. Eliott (formerly Undor-sccrctary of tho Minos Department), H. A. Gordon, and A. Forbes, of Kaitangata (secretary of the Otago Coal Miners lederation). . Thoro were also present: — Messrs Frank Reed (Inspecting Engineer of Mines), E. R, Groen (Inspector of Mines), R. M'lntosh (Assistant Inspector of Mines), William Handysidc (manager of the Nightcaps Coal Company), and. Jolm Lloyd (manager of the mine). . The counsel present wore: —Messrs A. C. Han'.on (representing the company) and T. 'M. Macdonaid, of Invcrcargill (representing the Mines Department). THE COMMISSION.

The sccrctary (Mr L, E. Johnson) roadthe commission, which showed that tho inquiry was for the following purposes: — 1. To ascertain in what part of the mine tho disaster occurred and tho nature of tho disaster.

2. To asoertain how the disaster was caused.

3. To ascertain what lights wore used in the different parts of tho mino at the time of'the disaster. v

■4. To ascertain whether an inquiry into the causo of tho disaster has taken place, and, if sO , what was ■ the naturo of 6uch inquiry? Hov: was the tribunal constituted? What was the vordiot and recommendation of . such, tribunal?

5. To ascertain to what extent the provisions' of " Tho Coal Minos Act, 1905," ami the general rules, tho spccinl rules, and additional rules mado in accordance with the provisions of that act were, complied with in the mine, and more especially m regards (a) ventilation and lighting; (b) the examination of the, mine; (c) the withdrawal of workmen in ease of danger;.and (d) the moans of escapc in caso of aocidcnt. 6. To ascertain the nature and character of working and jreneral, management of tho mine, and whether the mino was woll managed or not,

T 7 - To determine the competency of the Inspector of Mines and the efficiency of tho inspection of the mine.

8. To determine tha compctcnoy of tho mine manager, mine officials, and eervanta, and the management and working of*'the mine. • ~ 9.' To ascertain the number and efficiency of tile stopings, the materials of whieli they were composed, and the conditions they were in immediately prior to the disaster.

I®* To ascertain the nature and efficiency of tho machinery and appliances used in tho working of the mine, and the condition the samo were in at the time of the disaster. 11. To makb suggestions for tie prevention, a3 far as possible, of simitar disasters, and for the safe working of this and other mines in the future. 12. And generally to make inquiry into any matter arising out of or. conncctod with the several subjects of tho inquiry herein aorcment.onetUr which, in the opinion' of tho commission, may bo of assistance in fully ascertaining, explaining, and arriving at a fair and just conclusion in respect to the subjocts of inquiry, and -into tha working of the existing law in respect to the prevention of similar disasters. The commission is requested to report to the Governor not later than the first day of October, 1907. THE ORDJiR OF BUSINESS. Mr Maedonald suggested ' that. the programme should be-mapped out in. such a manner as to allow'of. evidence being taken, first, of the. person or persons or the body i ln jT 0 a^c d 'hat. the commission should be appointed. The oompanv could then call evidence in reply. The Chairman: I do. not'think we can go behind his Kxccllcnoy'6 commission. ,i ,' orl:l - c ' ; * ( '° not suggest that exactly, .the commission lias expressed in detail subjects , into whicji it Jim to inquire and report, my suggestion is that the person who asitcd for tho commission should oomiiicnoc and call evidence on these sub- ■ Somebody should have the carriage of business. \ ' . The Chairman: I honed you would have— Mr Hanlon said be thought the susnrestion made by Mr Maedonald wae a very proper one. The only point was whether It could be ascertained who had asked that the commission should be appointed. That party should be called upon to give evidenoe in support of tho matters mentioned in the commission, and after lliat the company might call its evidence, either with a view of refuting what had -been said or further supporting it as the case niight be. Mr Maedonald pointed out that the Mines Department had not contemplated bavins the carriage of the proceedings. His instructions were to watch the ease on behalf of the Department. The Chairman »'d the commissioners could not, of their own motion undertake to-say what witnesses should be called at present. TK-re were only two parties represented, S..M uilless a third party came in he would ask -Mr MacdonoJd to produce all tho evidence at his disposal. Mr Maoalister, of Invcteargill. was to have represented the Minora' Industrial Union, and if he was prepared to formulate any Ohargo he would, of course, bo asked to open with his witnesses.

It was decided to subpeema sufficient. <tev" CS6CS ocou Monday and succeeding . the commission adjourned to meet again in Kiverton on Monday morniiltf. To-morrow the commissioners will inspect tho mme at Nightcaps.