THE ALLANDALE MINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 29

THE ALL AND ALE MINE.

OPERATIONS SUSPENDED. MINERS DISCHARGED. On Thursday morning a* the Allandalo mine the improved method of vtr.tikrticn suggested by the Inspector of Mines (MiGreen) and Mr Hayes, a mining engineer of Wellington, was given a trial. The exhaust fan was set in operation, and after allowing some time for the foul gasca accumulated in the mine to dcepeieo the rnina manager, accompanied by three of ilio ixuzn, entered the mine and approached ths seat of the fire. The air -eurreavt was extremely gocd, and preparations were at ones made 1o extinguish tho fire, ike water being turned en the burning face abcut 10 a.m. Dens© clouds iof steam and suffocating black t-rnoke ah once aro.se, and the men v>cze reluctantly compelled to retreat, reaching the main drive with considerable difficulry. Whsn they reached the surface and reported th. ; e tlie managing director (Mr M'lnice.h) at once ckci<le'i to finally ck*<> down the " lcuij dip" or the principal working poiiion of the mine, as wa«- at first proposed. This now.* \\a-> rcceiied m the district with considerable alaim arA consternation whsn it became knevin that except for two cr three n.cn removing portable apparatus from the mine operations had been entirely jaupendeil and a big majority of tho hands notified tha f their ser\ ices would not be further required. We are informed, however, that a _ lit s-eam of really good f-ca.l run 3at right angles to the dri\e which tearis to the ?eat of the fiie, and which could be worked with perfect ■saf* ty. Mr M'lntc-Ti expects to have some half dozp-n men at work upon it in the cour-p of the r-rcsen* week. whsn at is anticipated rhar sufficient ccal to supply at least the district -will at or.es bo forthcoming.

A constable in Sydney arrested two boys who confessed to having broken into a fchop in George street. The two boya were aged nine and seven, and at the time of committing the alleged offence- were in the company of another boy aged five years. The two boys were dealt with at the Children's Court.