C—2

Fatal Accidents On 21st May, 1947, Edward Colin Lapwood was killed at Smeed's Quarry, Pukekawa. A motortruck driven by the deceased overturned when backing to a stock pile to tip rock dust. On 13 August, 1947, Hiiritanga Kaiawe was killed by a fall of ground in a quarry at Te Tii, Bay of Islands. On 17th October, 1947, Stanley Thomas Port, a prisoner, was killed at the Mount Eden Prison Quarry through falling from the face. A safety rope and belt were available, but the deceased had failed to secure himself to the rope. Serious Accidents On 6th February, 1947, W. Seymour sustained a broken left leg and injuries necessitating the amputation of the right foot. The accident occurred at the Punaruku Quarry, Te Araroa, which is operated by the Department of Maori Affairs. The injuries were caused by the tilting of a large rock in the course of barring down. Seymour was at the time attached to a safety-rope, which probably saved him from fatal injury. On 12th February, 1947, Gordon McDowell sustained injuries to his left arm and head whilst working at Stevenson's Quarry, Runciman. McDowell was struck by a piece of rock falling from the wall of an excavation which was being made for the foundation of a new crushing plant. The accidents of Port and Seymour occurred at places which were not quarries within the meaning of the Quarries Act, 1944, but were inspected and reported on when news of the accidents was received. Prosecutions under the Quarries Act, 1944 Eight informations were laid during the year for breaches of the Quarries Act, 1944 : On 16th January, 1947, at the Waverley Magistrate's Court a quarry occupier was convicted and fined for operating a quarry without there being a qualified manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On 22nd April, 1947, at the Fielding Magistrate's Court a quarry occupier was convicted and fined for operating a quarry without there being a qualified manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On 23rd May, 1947, at the Auckland Magistrate's Court a contractor was convicted and fined for •operating a tunnel without there being a manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On 23rd May, 1947, at the Auckland Magistrate's Court a manager in charge of tunnelling was ■convicted and fined for failing to make a true report of his daily inspection, contrary to Regulation 51 of the regulations under the Quarries Act, 1944. On 15th May, 1947, at the Waverley Magistrate's Court a company was convicted and fined for operating a quarry without there being a manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On 18th July, 1947, at the Auckland Magistrate's Court a quarry-manager was convicted and fined for failing to take reasonable prevautions to prevent rock flying from blasting operations, contrary to section 16 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On 18th July, 1947, at the Auckland Magistrate's Court on occupier was convicted and fined for operating a quarry without there being a manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944. On Bth December, 1947, at the Napier Magistrate's Court a quarry occupier was convicted and fined for operating a quarry without there being a manager in charge, contrary to section 8 of the Quarries Act, 1944.

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