45

C.-2

Wairio Mine, Nightcaps. —l9th April: Spontaneous combustion noticed in old pillar workings ; was built off with stoppings. Mossbank Mine, Nightcaps. —3oth April: A spontaneous fire discovered. The workmen were not permitted to enter, and the mine was sealed to prevent fire spreading. Mount Torlesse Mine, Avoca. —16th June : A spontaneous fire broke out in the return airway from the dip section. Stoppings were inserted and the fire damped down. Kaitangata No. 1 Mine, Kaitangata. —l4th October: A spontaneous fire was discovered on McGhie's level, south extension workings. Workmen were not admitted other than those required for erection of stoppings on intake and return airways. Serious Non-fatal Accidents. Nightcaps Colliery, Nightcaps. —26th January : Thomas Prior, 43, roadsman—injury to back ; struck by a rake of runaway boxes on haulage-road. 23rd August: John Dallow, 29, miner—fractured left leg below knee, and injury to right loin due to fall of coal and stone from roof in low working-place. 23rd August: Henry Livingstone, 22, miner— injury to ankle by fall of coal and stone from roof in working-place. 2nd December : Arthur Pennack, 50, horse-driver —fractured right leg below knee ; struck by full box which was oil the rails. Mount Torlesse Mine, Avoca. —Bth March : John Donovan, 39, miner—injuries, mostly shock, due to concussion from explosion while deepening a hole in which he thought the shot had exploded. Wairaki No. 2 Mine, Nightcaps. —l4th March : Robert Harding, miner—burns of left forearm, duo to ignition of half-plug powder which he had in his hand while firing a shot. Ooaldale Mine, Nightcaps. —6th June : Horace Talbot, 18, rope-attendant—extensive bruising ; struck by a runaway box on haulage-way. Homebush Mine, Glenlunnel. —6th July : Lawrence Workman, 34, miner —contusions of leg and abdomen ; struck by a piece of clay fallen from roof. Femhill Mine, Abbotsford. —2nd August: George Ritchie, 40, trucker—broken arm (left) due to drum brakehandle flying up and striking his arm while lowering rake on short jig. liossvale Mine, Wailcaia. —10th August: James Henderson, 56, miner—injury to foot; caught between buffer and rail while lifting full box on to rails. Lauderlane Mine, Cambrian. —20th August: Samuel Ciarkson, 62, mine-manager—fracture of right thigh ; foot caught in stirrup, and kicked by horse while dismounting at the mine. Burndale Mine, Nightcaps. —24th August: James Phillips, 53, miner—injuries to right foot and sprained ankle ; struck by piece of stone fallen from parting in roof. Waronui Mine, Milton. —29th September: John Jardine, 30, pit-head-man—injury to right knee-joint; slipped on stairway, thus aggravating an old war injury. Saddle Hill No. 1 Mine. Saddle Hill. —2nd November : John Stratton, 33, miner—burn of left hand, arm, and face. Had charged a hole, when, igniting the fuse, half a plug of powder which he held in his hand exploded. Taratu Mine, LovelVs Flat. —3rd November : James Morris, 28, trucker —fracture of left log below knee. After pushing the rake over the rise, timber-trolly kicked back, striking his leg. Evidently brake on haulage-drum in action with too much slack rope. Steventon Mine, Ohai. —18th November: George Brookie, 40, miner—concussion of spine. Having ridden to work, girth of saddle gave way, and Erockie was thrown from his horse at the mine. Prosecutions. On the 22nd April, G. Gray, labourer, was convicted for a breach of Regulation 126 (4) by neglecting to see that all persons in tho vicinity had taken proper shelter before firing a shot in the opencast workings at Linton Coal-mine, whereby Frederick Reid, miner, was fatally injured on the 28th February, 1921. Fine, £5, and £7 11s. 6d. costs. D. Baird, Gray's workmate, was convicted and discharged. On the 14th June, William Lloyd, rope-attendant, Nightcaps Mine, was convicted for a broach of Special Rule 57a (3) —viz., neglecting to attach the back-stay or trailer to an ascending set of tubs on an inclined haulageroad. Fined £5. Thomas Prior, roadsman, was seriously injured by the runaway set, the rope-coupling chain having broken. Lloyd had been cautioned previously by the underviewer for not using the trailer. On the 25th August, T. F. Slowey, owner and manager of Chamberlain Mine, Albury, was convicted of failure to exercise control and supervision of the mine on the occasion of the death of James H. Robertson, by fall of coal on the 17th May, 1921. Fined £3, and costs £8 10s. 4d.