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ANNEXUEE B RESCUE STATIONS : ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1948 (F. Duffy, Superintendent, Mines Rescue Stations) During the past year the Officers in Charge of all the rescue stations again performed valuable service to the coal-mining industry. Trained rescue brigades rendered good service in making inspections of suspected heatings in the various mines and dealing with mine fires. At several of these fires the brigades were the means of saving a fairly large amount of coal and mine plant. The rescue stations were kept in good order, both inside and outside, and the whole of the mine rescue equipment was well maintained. The mine rescue vans were kept ready at all times in case of emergency calls. Dobson Rescue Station Number of trained men on register .. .. .. .. 72 Number of men trained during year (included in above) .. .. .. 7 Total individual man practises during year .. .. .. .. 338 Number of team practises during year .. .. .. .. .. 58 Number of emergency calls during year .. .. .. .. (5 The following were the emergency calls received during the year : Liverpool Mine, Rewanui. —On 16th February, 1948, the mine-manager reported the occurrence of a heating in Kimbell West Section. No Proto apparatus was worn, but two trained rescue men were on duty until the heated area was sealed off. Terrace Mine, Reefton. —On 3rd March, 1948, at the request of the mine-manager, a trained rescue brigade dealt with a fire which had broken out on the main jig. Six temporary stoppings were ■erected. The Proto breathing-apparatus was not used during the building of these stoppings. The seal proved effective. Terrace Mine, Reefton. —On 31st May, 1948, at the request of the mine-manager, the services ol trained rescue men were given to deal with a fire that had broken out in a pillar on the main road. The fire could not be dealt with owing to the roof collapsing. An attempt was made to fill the fallen roof away to get at the fire, but it was found this could not be done, and it was sealed off by erecting three stoppings. Proto apparatus had to be worn by seven trained men using the apparatus alternately. The seals proved effective. Liverpool Mine, Rewanui. —On 11th June, 1948, the mine-manager reported that a heating had been discovered by himself and the underviewer on the outbye side of No. 2 Bank, Morgan East Section. Two trained rescue men were on duty until the sealing was completed. Hillcrest Mine, Reefton. —On 18th June, 1948, the mine-manager reported by telephone that a fire had broken oiit in the mine. Stoppings were erected and the fire sealed off effectively. No apparatus had to be worn, but two trained rescue men were on duty. Blackball Mine, Blackball.- —On 22nd November, 1948, the acting-mine-manager reported that one of the fire stoppings in the goaf was leaking. This was in the Sump Section. The stopping was repaired and replastered by two trained rescue men wearing the Proto apparatus. Buller Rescue Station Number of trained men on register .. .. .'. .. 37 Number of men trained during year (included in above) .. .. 28 Number of refresher courses carried out . . .. .. .. 38 Refresher courses were carried out every two months by each brigade. The majority of these practises were carried out underground at all the principal mines in the Buller district. , Emergency calls were received from the following mines during the year, the number being seven : Millerton Mine, Granity. —On 11th February, 1948, an outbreak of fire occurred in the Old Dip Settlement Section. Three trained men wearing Proto apparatus made an inspection of the fire area and found that the area would have to be sealed off. The fire was effectively sealed with concrete Blocks. Hydro Mine, Seddonville. —On 14th February, 1948, at the request of the mine-manager, an inspection of the old fire area was carried out by a rescue team with a view to ascertaining how much coal could be won from the pillars. Six trained men wearing Proto apparatus carried out the inspection when large concentrations of blackdamp were encountered. This was considered good training for the rescue men. Coal Creek Mine, Seddonville. —On 27th February, 1948, the mine-manager asked for an inspection o be made of some old workings with a view to recovering some pillars that had been sealed off owing to a fire occurring many years ago. An inspection was carried out by six trained men wearing Proto apparatus. It was not very successful, owing to the brigade encountering large falls of roof.

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