INQUIRY BY COMMISSION.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13595, 9 October 1914, Page 4

INQUIRY BY COMMISSION.

[United Press Association.]

Auckland, Oct. 8

At the continuation to-day of the sitting of the commission which is inquiring into the Huntly mining disaster, Frank Reed, Inspecting Engineer,.. Mines Department, under cross-examin-ation by Mr. Napier (counsel representing Ralph's mine), said that the explosives used in Ralph's mine were not permitted as safe explosives under the English Act. Counsel asked, Dogs not the Coalmines Act permit the use of these explosives ? Mr. Reed replied: "It is an obsolete and absurd' Act." He added: "Ten Idays ago, the Inspector of Mines gave3'ou notice not to use the flame system of producing explosions, and you are defying that notice by continuing to use it in the Extended mine." Mr. Napier pointed.out that the inquiry did not concern the Extended; bxtt Ralph's mine. . - At a previous sitting of the Commis- # . .sion, - A man named Young, who declined to • give evidence until subpoenaed, declared that during the time he was assistant examiner he found a large accumulation of dangerous gas. t He consider- - ed the mine unsafe during this time, and presently left it, and took other employment. He did not report every discovery of gas to his superiors, and' did not tell the manager' of his discovery on one occasion of what he estimated to be 33,000 cubic feet of gas. Cross-examined, he indicated that he1 was afraid to report the discoveries of' gas to the principal officers. A number of witnesses testified tohaving observed accumulations of gas in. the niine on several occasions. William Wood, manager of the Extended mine, said that from the position of the body of Martin, who is believed to have caused the explosion,. Martin had evidently opened a door leading into the old workings, and his • naked light immediately ignited the accumulation of gas there, which in turn ignited the coal dust.