BEST TRADITIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 8

BEST TRADITIONS

CONDUCT OF MINERS GLEN AFTON TRAGEDY j TRIBUTE BY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN [ Ter Fiets Association,] HAMILTON, Dec. 7. The conviction that the best tradi tions of the mining community hac been upheld on the day of the ac cident and afterward in the Gier Afton mine was expressed by Mr. S L. Paterson. S.M., chairman of th« Royal Commission, when evidence o. the last witness had been taken. “It is a very old and valued tradi tion among miners that they shoulc forget personal differences and ralb to the support of men or people ir trouble,’’ he said. “Even some of th( men who subsequently lost their live: did not hesitate a moment when callee on. but went along to the mine am without stopping to ask question: 1 went straight into the mine. They I well upheld the tradiitons of the miner. As for those who came frorr neighbouring mines to help with the rescue work I co not need to pass any comment, for they too maintained the best traditions of the miners.” Evidence of the desirability' of having established a rescue station in the district was commented upon by several witnesses. Reginald Huge i Schoen, inspector of mines in Huntly who was with an early search party on September 24, the day of the disaster. said he was in favour of rescue stations being established. While he did not consider such a station would have saved the lives in Glen Afton it I should make for a wider margin of safety in the future and do much toward preventing loss of life and give the miners a deeper sense of security. Greater Efficiency. Moreover, the training of a rescue brigade at each mine would result in greater efficiency and safety in rescue work. Schoen said he did not think miners would constantly carry self-rescue emergency apparatus with them while they were working underground. However, from his own experience, he would have liked to have one with him on several occasions. A canister type, about 7in. long, 4in. wide, and 2in. deep, carried on his hip. would, in an emergency, give a man a ng out of dangerous situations. It was good for half an hour. “I think that if depots were established in each mine section and supplies of the self-rescue type kept there, it would be a better way than providing each man with a respirator to take with him wherever he went,” Schoer concluded. The other type, similar to the military gas mask, would give men confidence when, for instance, they were working on stoppings which might blow out and release gasses. Rescue Station Desirable. George Duggan. Chief Inspector of Mines, who was the final witness. confirmed the evidence given by Schoen. He had been concerned in the establishment of a rescue station on the West Coast, he said, and he Considered it desirable to have one in the Waikato. Ten years ago he had recommended the use of self-rescue apparatus in all mines. He believed that ultimately the stage would be reached when each miner would wear one on his belt while he worked. The commission opened its deliberations in Hamilton to-day and will later adjourn to Wellington for the convenience of members of the committee, as further evidence is expected when the said portion of the mine is opened, probably in the Christmas holidays. It is not expected that the commission's report will be released until some time in January.