THE MOUNT LYELL DISASTER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 16 December 1912, Page 5

THE MOUNT LYELL DISASTER.

EVIDENCE THE COMMIS-

SION

(United Press Association.—Copyright.)

HOBART, Dec. 14. Giving evidence 'before (the Commission appointed to inquire into the Mt. Lyell mime disaster, Burns, driver Kxf the eleotrio pumros <at the 700 ft. and 1000 ft. levels, testified thkt he left for the HOOfrt level and (returned by the engjino winze. There was no smoke there, and he got within ten feet of the piwnp house. Then he noticed thick smoke, and telephoned to the hoist -that the pump house was afire. He tried to telephone to the lower levels, !but could get no reply. He eventually got a .'oage'to the 700 ft level. Several men entered, and witness went to the 1100 ft level,.to meet the others there. He told 'them they had no chance by the shaft, but could try from'below. They replied that the smoke was just &s ibiad there. Witness knew of no other exit at the 700 ft level except the main shaft. There was no fire extinguishing apparatus/ at the 700 ft level, except the bucket. He considered the <o'ause of the 'fire.'was some defect in the electrical installation,

Faraday, a plate-man at the. 700£t level, .admitted stating that the <me.n Hid not take the- fire seriously, otherwise the whole shift could have ibeem got out.

The president iasked whether the com;mny would admit that there wias only one exit.

The eomipany's counsel implied: "We will 'prove there are several."

Another witness thought the men flailed to take the fire seriously.