THE NIGHTCAPS DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13997, 2 September 1907, Page 5

THE NIGHTCAPS DISASTER

VISIT TO THE MINE.

FIRE STILL, RAGING.

(From Our Specul RepO!vtf.r.)

RIYERTON, August 31. This morning the Royal Commissioners, accompanied by Mr E. R. Green (Inspector of Mines)', Hr F. liecd (Inspecting Engineer of Mines), MrT. M. Macdonald (who appears for the Mines Department), Mr W. MacAlistcr (representing the Otago' Coalminers' Industrial Union), and Mr Arthur' R. Jackson (secretary of tile Nightcaps Miners' Union), left here by special train at 9.30 a.m. on a visit of inspection to the mine. The party reached Nightcaps about 11 o'clock, and was met by the mine manager (Mr John Lloyd), who Jed the way to' the mouth of tho pit. Here Mr J. Franio (under viewer) and Mr ff. Jardino (deputy) were ready with' torches, and, under tho guidance of the mine manager, conducted tile members of the court in through the main entrance of No. 1 mine. A walk of some 200 yards brought tho commissioners to a halt before this notice: "No naked lights, matches, tobacco, pipes,or any'contrivance, for smoking. to go behind this station.—By order." Before the barrier was removed safety lamps took the place of the flare lamps, and the journey was resumed. Thi6 precaution suggested to tho lay mind an element of danger, but persistent sniffing failed to disclose the slightest change in tho atmosphci'-e. For a. coal mine (he air was comparatively pure, and the only discomfort experienced was the wetness underfoot-. A door was. soon reached, which upon being unlocked allowed a further passage along the drive. About 20 yard 6 distant a barrier necessitated another halt. This was tho end of the passage. The stopping was of wood, plastered with clay to fill in all the cracks and to make the wall airtight. On tho other side of the barrier was the fire—supposed to be about 20 chains distant. The stopping was intact, and a thorough investigation with , tho 6afety lamps failed to find any trace of escaping gas. Everything having been found safe, a return was mado to the tnnncl leading into No. 2 mine. An inspection of tho main haulage road up to tho open cast followed, and between 12 and 14 similar stoppings were carefully examined by the commissioners. Afterwards tome of the working faces in No 2 mine were visited. The mouths of three shafts over the affected districts wore partially uncovered. A safety lamp held over the opening was extinguished by the escaping gases from two of the shafts. A thermometer was inserted und lowered to the bottom of the shafts, registering a tcmperatur.o of 80deg. A small quantity of smoke issued from two of tho shafts. Tho commissioners also inspecicd other parts of the company's Works before returning to Riverton in the afternoon.