87

a—3

Summary of Dredges in Southern Mining District at 31st December, 1905. Working— In Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 95 In Southland .. .. .. .. .. 50 — 145 Standing— In Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 In Southland .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 — 16 Removing— In Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 4 In Southland — 4 Dismantling — In Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 7 In Southland — 7 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 172 Decrease of working dredges— Otago .. '.. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Increase of working dredges — Southland .. .. .. .. 4 ?:* Accidents, Gold Dredges. Fatal. 12/1/05. —Charles Maddock, winchman, Rise and Shine No. 2 dredge, Cromwell, was drowned in the dredge-paddock. The dredge was well fenced, and there was no evidence produced to show how he had got into the water. 5/5/05. —William Stewart, winchman, Muddy Creek dredge, Waikaia, was found drowned in the dredge-paddock. The dredge was well railed in, and there was no evidence to show how he had got into the water. 13/7/05. —John Hosking, fireman, Rising Sun dredge, Cromwell, while attempting to release a belt in an improper manner, was caught by the arm and whirled round the screen driving-shaft, being instantaneously killed. 14/7/05. —Alexander MacGregor, winchman, New Golden River dredge, below Alexandra, was leaning against a railing (which had been previously weakened while repairing), when it gave way, and he was precipitated into the river and drowned. 12/8/05. —.John Luck, fireman, Waikaka United No. 1 dredge, Waikaka, was found drowned in the dredge-paddock. The dredge was well railed in, and there was no evidence to show how he had got into the water. 21/11/05. —James Johnston Burns, dayman, McGeorge's Freehold No. 2 dredge, Waikaia, was found drowned in the dredge-paddock. He was last seen alive on the bank, and there was no evidence to show how he had got into the water. Non-fatal. 11/3/05. —M. Harliwich, winchman, Endeavour dredge, Roxburgh : Right hand injured by winchbrake strap breaking. —/5/05. —Alexander Thomson, blacksmith, Moa dredge, Alexandra : Eye struck by splinter of wood, necessitating removal of the eye. 2/9/05. —John McKenzie, winchman, New Halfway House dredge, below Cromwell: Slight scalpwound, through sheer-legs of coaling appliances giving way and striking him on the head. 22/11/05. —Edward Ryan, winchman, Mill Creek Freehold dredge, Gore : Fracture of arm by being jammed between the rope-barrel and the framing of the winch. 22/11/05. —A. Dickson, winchman, Mill Creek Freehold dredge, Gore : Toe crushed by ribs of winch-barrel. Six fatalities occurred in connection with gold-dredges during the year. Of these, five were drowning cases, and the other was occasioned by an act of bravado on the part of deceased. It is somewhat remarkable that only one of the drowning cases could be accounted for (that of MacGregor), leaving four cases in doubt as to how the men got into the water where they were found. In each of the latter cases the dredges and appliances were examined and found in good order and according to the regulations, and the causes leading to the men being in the water are wrapped in mystery to this day. The non-fatal accidents on dredges do not call for comment, being such as are incidental to the calling. There were no boating accidents reported to me during the year. I have, &c, E. R. Green, Inspector of Mines. The Under-Secretary, Mines Department, Wellington.