THE ACCIDENT AT ALLANDALE COAL MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 40

THE ACCIDENT AT ALLANDALE COAL MINE.

Our Palmerston correspondent supplies the following particulars of the fatal accident at tho Allandalo coal mine by which John iVTlntosh, tho son of tho manager, lost his life. There is a double line in tho level, tho boxes of coal being hauled up by the engine on one line, while the empty boxes descend on tho other. The deceased, who was on the night shift, is supposed to have been engaged at the timo clearing tho boxen, which had got jammed. The winding chain becoming slack, caused it to snap, and the loaded box, rushing down the incline, caught the deceased, crushing him against tho timber of the drive, and fracturing his skull. Tho engine-driver, finding something wrong with the gear, sung out to tho deceased to keep clear, but nob getting any reply, went down, and found the deceased at tho foot of the incline. He was quickly removed, but only lived some two hours after removal. lie was a promising 1 young fellow, 20 years of age, and much sympathy is felt for his parents. An inquest was opened at tho Pukiviti Hotel on Saturday, before Major Keddell (coroner) and a jury, of whom Mr A. Goodley was foreman. Tho jury, having viewed the body, Dr Hislop, of Palmerston, deposed that he was sent for about 11.45 p.m. on the 13th, and proceeded immediately to Allandale. Ho saw deceased at the house of Mr Gillanders. 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 o^her injuries on the body. No further evidence was taken in conHeqvience of a provision in section 56 of " The Coal Mines Act,' 1891," which provides "that unless tho inspector of mines or some person appointed by the Minister for Mines be present, tho 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 where an accident occurs shall bo suspended until tho mine is inspected by an inspector of mines or some person appointed by the Minister or coroner's jury. As tho mine was idle, and work could not be resumed, the jury appointed Mr Jas. Carruthers, deputy-manager of Shag Point coal mine, to inspect the scene of the accident, and on "his reporting to tho Allandale manager that the place was all right, work could be resumed. Mr Carruthers, on receiving his appointment, at once left to inspect the mine.

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