THE LINTON DISASTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 7

THE LINTON DISASTER.

REPORT OF COMMISSION. SPENT MATCH FOUND. WELLINGTON, January 10. ‘ The Royal Commission appointed to ; investigate tire explosion in the Linton coal mine last November, when three lives were lost, has submitted its report to the Government, and it has been handed to the press by the Minister of Mines (Mr W. A. Veitch). The commission comprised Mr W. H. Woodward, stipendiary magistrate, and Messrs W. Carson and J. Smeaton, and its report contains a number of recommendations for improv- i ment in the methods of conducting operations in the mine, as well as a statement as to the probable cause of the disaster. “The explosion originated,” states the report, “ in the jig leading to shaft C, at or very near the place where the body of Antonio M‘Coy was found.” M’Coy, the report states, had been engaged just before, with his mate Ross, in drilling a hole for a shot in the rise shaft. Ross, who was the older man, had left him in order to go to the surface to ascertain how much further the rise shaft had to be driven upwards. M’Coy was for the time being alone. He was a cigarette smoker. Matches and cigarette papers were found in a burnt cardigan jacket which was taken off his body, and had lain for some time outside the dressing station. There were indications that he was not at work at the time when he fell. “ While the origin of the explosion cannot be stated with certainty, no likely ex- . planation has been advanced, save that M’Coy was in some way responsible for igniting the "body of gas which had collected in his vicinity.” On December 24 the chairman of the commission reported to the Mines Department, further to the commission’s report, that when the commision had concluded its proceedings the members examined the mine, and that he (Mr Woodward) picked up a spent wax match in the presence of his colleagues within a few feet of the jig where the body of M’Coy was found, and where the explosion appeared to nave originated. “ The incident was not referred to in the report,” added Mr Woodward. “ but it supports the conclusion arrived at therein.” “ The commission considers that the explosion was propagated and extended from the jig into the other workings by coal dust raised by the violent disturbance of the air. Had no coal dust been present, or had it been rendered harmless by a sufficient mixture of inert dust, or by dampness, we think that the explosion would have been more restricted to the area where the gas had collected, and that the lives of Kitto and Johnston at least would not have been lost. It will be seen from the above that there were three conditions pre-requisite to the ex-plosion:—-A collection of fire damp: an igniting agency to explode this; insufficient precaution against the propagation of explosion by coal dust. Dealing with the examination of the mine, the report states that on the day of the explosion a relieving deputy examined a portion of the rise shaft for gas, but owing to the debris from a shot fired the previous evening he was unable to ascend the whole of the 70ft of the rise shaft. “ The commission considers that it was the deputy’s duty to have reported to the underviewer his inability to reach the top of the rise shaft, which should have been inspected and cleared before any work was done that morning. Except for this, the examination of the mine appears to have i been regularly carried out. The commission considers that there should be more efficient ventilation to places driven to the rise, but the quantity of air in the main current was well above the statutory requirements, and quite ample if properly distributed.” The company admitted that the regulation with reference to the preparation for shot firing bad not been obeyed. For some time after a visit of the chief inspector in July this regulation was obeyed, but the commission states that the dangerous practice of “ gruuching ” had again become common in Linton mine. Shot firing had been done by a miner who was not a holder of a shot firer’s certificate, and the commission reports that the number of shots fired by the shot firer daily proves that there was insufficient time carefully to examine the places and supervise charging operations. “ There are numerous references in the notices issued by the inspector of mines from August, 1926, onwards regarding stone dusting, but no test had been made to determine the percentage of incombustible dust and water necessary to

counteract the inflammability of Linton coal dust. The commission considers that the disaster throws some doubt on the sufficiency of the percentage required by the regulation, and that, until the scientific advisers of the Mines Department rtre satisfied on this point, that proportion should be raised from 50 to 60 per cent , and that the chief inspector be empowered to order an even higher proportion if he considers it necessary. The commission considers that there has been a somewhat long delay in providing a permanent system of ventilation. The present emergency exit is circuitous, involving the climbing of several ladderways and steep inclines. Thus men blinded by smoke would find great difficulty in making their way out by this route. A shorter route which had been proposed should be immediately provided. The commission is satisfied that the inspectors of the Mines Department have called the attention of the management to all, or nearly all, of the matters on which the commission has commented, and the chief inspector has also shown by his communications his full appreciation of the dangers in this mine, and don.* all in his power to remedy the defects brought to his notice by the district inspector, and by his own ol*servation. As to the question whether rescue brigades and apparatus could have lessened the severity of the disaster, th ? report states that the evidence on the point is somewhat conflicting. “ Whether a trained rescue brigade could have saved lives or not. we are satisfied that it would be better to be without a brigade than to have an inefficient one. It is recommended that the latest information on these organisations should be obtained, and that the department confer with the Coal Owners’ Association and the united mine workers as to the benefits to be derived from establishing rescue brigades and apparatus in the chief coal mining centres.”

The commission recommends taat the regulations for search for prohibited articles be strictly complied with, and that workmen be liable to search, not only when entering, but also at any time in the mine. If the law is amended in respect to search and the increased proportion of stone dust, the commission considers that the existing law, if strictly enforced, will ensure safety in coalmines. ” e cannot stress too strongly the necessity for strict enforcement of the law and regulations.”

The report states that the commission is satisfied that the persons who engaged in the rescue operations c.id so at the risk of their lives, and deserve the highest commendation.