THE WALLSEND MINE EXPLOSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1854, 3 June 1887, Page 9

THE WALLSEND MINE EXPLOSION.

Greymouth, May 26.

The inquiry into the Wallsend mine accident was reopened to-day before Major Keddell. Inspector Binns appeared for the Government, Mr Jones for the miners, and Mr Kitchingham for the mine owners. The only witness examined was James Dunn, miner, who was working below at the time of the explosion. A plan of the mine was produced, and by the aid of that the witness made his evidence clear. He said Elliott, the overman, tried the place Dunn was working in before firing his shot. Elliott put big Clayey lamp into the cutting and said, " I think she's clear," meaning clear of gas. Witness remarked, " It is the first time I have ever se^n gas tried with a Clayey, and I would rathm yo:i wcul 1 toke my Davey." He answered, " Oh lad. \ can just tell as well with a Clayey as I can with a Davey." Witness remarked, " You're a doctor," meaning he had charge of the place. He did not try any other part of the heading for gas. While working in the drive the roof was making gas all the way. Elliott did not try if there was gas in the holes in the roof. Elliott fired the shot prepared by 'witness with a fuse. While sitting down they heard the shot go off. On the explosion, Elliott said, " What is that ?" Witness sakl, " She has fired ; she's there," meaning the gas. Elliott said, '•' I don't know where she has come from." Witness rolled over on his knees and covered his face with his hands. Thinking the gas had gone over him, he got up, intending to make for the stenton, when the gas caught him and knocked him against the roof of the drive and he fell on his back. He got out to a flat. He was burned severely over the neck, head, and both hands, and one hip, had a severe contusion on the head, and was blind for five days. He bad been coal mining for 20 years and had worked' in mines where miners were ordered out when gas was present. The fireman would drive the gas out and then fire the shot. They did not do this in the Wallsend mine. Elliott lit the fuse with an open light. - It is the usual practice in the Wallsend mine. The ordinary plan elsewhere is to light touchpaper, heated by the Davey lamp. He had never saw this done in the Wallsend minei- He had. seen light .explosions in the Wallsend "through 'firing shots, but,' not serious. .He, saw- them six. times in three months. In' .other gassy mines they, always try suspicious places; in the Wallsend they only try the immediate face. The Davey lamp will show when gas is present; the Clayey will not show until it is put out. There was coaldust in the face that day, but only what witness caused by holing, and it had time to settle. Elliott used a crook. He considered it dangerous. They would hang a man at Home for using a crook. He. was not satisfied with the way Elliott examined the, place, or he would not have asked him to take his (witness') Davey lamp. The height of the place he was working in is 10ft or 14ft. The inquiry was adjourned till to-morrow morning.