FIRE IN MINE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 7

FIRE IN MINE.

Not Notified Within Proper Period. (Special to the “ Star.*’) GREYMOUTH, This Day. In the Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr H. Morgan. S.M., on the information of C. J. Strongman, Inspector of Mines, Valentine Armstrong, manager of the Hilltop mine at Ten Mile, was charged with failing to notify the inspector forthwith in writing of a fire below ground in the mine on or about October 30, as provided by regulation 82 of the Coal Miners Act. The inspector stated that the report book of the mine showed that the fire or heating was first noticed in the mine on October 30, but it was November 8 before the manager verbally reported the fire, and next day notice was given in writing. Inspector John Hadcroft told the Magistrate that failure to comply with the regulations increased the danger to workmen. In this case several had been overcome by fumes. The defendant did not appear. lie wrote stating that he had not desired to evade the regulation, but had overlooked reporting through stress of work in the mine. A fine of £2 and costs 11s was inflicted.