ACCIDENT AT THE MANUKAU MINE.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2149, 16 September 1875, Page 3

ACCIDENT AT THE MANUKAU MINE.

A vbby serious accidcnt occurred in tho Manukau mino about 8 o'clock last night to a miner named John McKee. It appears that McKeo was working in a winzo midway between the two levels of tho mino with a mato named Patrick Griffin, and at tho timo stated a ahot-holo had boon drilled, and McKee, having put in tho proper quantity of powder, was push* ing it homo with a copper-shod tamping* bar. Thoro was no wild nor tamping over the powder, but in somo inoxplicablo manner the powder ignited, and the poor follow was struck by tho fierce fiamo full in tho face, and thrown backwards against tho sides of tho winze. An alarm was at onco given.by his mato, _ and assistance being procured, ho was raised to tho surface and promptly conveyod to tho Hospital, where Dr Fox, was in attendance. Upon examination,- it was found that his left arm had boen broken in two places, and apparently badly shattered. His right arm was also injured, and ho was very dangerously burnt about tho faco and eyes, The extent of thoso injuries cannot yet bo ascertained, but thoro aro somo hopes that tho Bight may not be quito_ destroyed. The injury to his left arm is such that there is no hope of saving it, and amputation will bo performed. Mr McKeo is well known on tho Thamos, and very highly respected. Ho was > a skilful miner, of considerablp experience, and has been in tho habit of taking every precaution to prevent accidents occurring. It i? difficult to coojecturo how tho spark was struck which ignited tho powder, considering that tho instrument used was shod with coppor, but it is just possible that it may have been caused by two pieces of grit or rock rubbing togethor.