MINE TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 8

MINE TRAGEDY

CAUSE OF GAS EXPLOSION CONTACT WITH NAKED LIGHT EVIDENCE OF SLACKNESS (0.C.l WELLINGTON, Aug. 13. A finding that the tragedy at Kaye’s mine, near Greymouth, on November 6. 1940, when five men lost their lives, was caused by an explosion of gas brought into contact with a naked light by one of the victims was given in the report of the Royal Commission which investigated the accident. The report was presented to the House this afternoon by the Minister of Mines, Mr P. C. Webb. The victims were J. Kaye, his son, J. L. Kaye. A. Mclntosh (manager of the mine), F. L. Williams and L. Colpo. The commission expressed the opinion that Williams was probably responsible for the naked light. . . , From the evidence which it heard, the commission came to the conclusion that there was much evidence of slackness in management and a general disregard of the safety precautions. Explosives and detonators were found in three places on the floor of levels. Apart from matches found in the pockets of some of the deceased, matches were discovered in the mine at two places. Tobacco and other smoking materials were found on some of the bodies. Smoking in Mine

One of the survivors admitted that he had smoked In the mine prior to the appointment of Mclntosh as manager, but denied that he had done so since then. He further stated that he had not seen other men smoking in the mine, nor was he aware that they had been carrying smoking material and matches while working. “From the evidence before us,” said the report, “ we are of the opinion that it was a common practice for the men to smoke in the mine, and to do so just when and where theyi pleased.” The commission found that the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1925 and the regulations under it were generally disregarded in the mine, that the examination of the mine was perfunctory and inadequate, and that the volume of air produced by the ventilating fan was sufficient but not properly distributed. The shots were not properly prepared, and the fact that loose explosives were found indicated that the regulations were not complied with. No Search for Matches

No search for matches or smoking materials was ever carried out, the inspectors of coal mines saying in evidence that they bad never required a search to be made, nor had they ever discussed with members of any cooperative party the question of searching. It was therefore safe to assume that the inspectors realised the impracticability of enforcing these regulations. and to the commission it seemed too much to expect that a man holding a nominal position as manager in a mine, such as Kaye’s mine, would submit his own employees to frequent search for contraband material. The commission expressed the opinion that any lease issued by the Mines Department to a co-operative party should require the complete observance of all the safety provisions of the Coal Mines Act and regulations. Then the penalty of cancellation of the lease would be enforceable for any breach of the Act. Comment by Minister

In a statement commenting on the commission’s report, the Minister of Mines. Mr P. C. Webb, said that emphasis should be laid on the fact that the tragedy was not due to any weakness in the existing law. “Unfortunately,” Mr Webb said, “ there is little doubt that failure to comply law was the cause of the accident.” Mr Webb said that the practicability of a more effective application of the law would be examined, but it was obvious that there was a limit beyond which it would not be sensible to go. The urgent need was for inculcating into the hearts and minds of officials and'workmen the importance of unceasing vigilance. The commission had made a number of useful suggestions which were now being examined Referring to the conditions of leases ■issued to co-operative parties, the Minister said the form was revised in July, 1938, and all titles issued since then had contained a clause covering the point made by the commission.