44 
In this case the boiler, an old one, should certainly have been tested up to one 
and a half times the maximum possible steam pressure, namely 75 lbs., and the flue 
and all visible portions of the boiler carefully examined for deflection whilst under the 
test. 
Mr. Grainger is quite right in assuming that the tensile strength of iron is 
greater when hot than when cold, and that therefore the hydraulic test is a more severe 
strain than an equivalent pressure of steam would be; but I think the ratio of increase 
is not so great as he supposes. 
It should not be forgotten in the applying of tests of this kind that, whereas 
the test strain is applied for a moment only, so to speak, the working strain is con¬ 
tinuous, and that the strain the boiler might easily withstand for the short period of 
testing might rupture it if continued for a protracted period. 
FLOODING IN MINES. 
One of those fearful accidents in connexion with mining, against which human 
foresight cannot always provide, occurred at the Working Miners* United Claim, 
Homebush, at the beginning of last year, but, unlike the lamentable disaster at the 
Australasian Mine in 1882, it was fortunately unattended with any fatal consequences. 
Only a few hours before the accident Mr. Nicholas, the Senior Inspector of Mines, 
visited Homebush, and found the mine in question in efficient working order, and the 
workings apparently free from all risk of danger. 
The accident, which occurred on the 19th January, was entirely owing to the 
treacherous nature of the ground. It appears that the drift, which was of the 
consistency ol quicksilver, broke through the pug overhanging the washdirt, and 
swept everything before it up to the spot where the miners were at work. A glimmer 
of light fortunately revealed an opening in the barricade formed by the debris, and by 
means of this opening the miners, thirteen in number, after wading a distance of about 
600 feet, up to their armpits, through drift and water, escaped, and were hauled to the 
surface in safety. 
Senior Inspector Nicholas, writing on the subject of this accident, on the 23rd 
January, states:— 
I have the honour to forward an interim report on my inquiry into the circumstances connected with 
the inhurst of driit and water into the mine of the Working Miners’ United Company, Lower ITomehush. 
I found a fresh subsidence from tlio surface, at a short distance northwards from the subsidence which 
occurred in May last. It extends over a small area. The heavy rainfall since the 20th inst. has filled tip 
and covered with water the immediate locality of the subsidence, and prevents a more exact description of 
its extent. Below, I found the main level clear; and work at the faces of the main and eastern levels 
going on as usual. In the branch drive leading towards the No. 0 block from the main level there is still a 
large quantity ot drift, which will occupy the men about two days to clear. None of the timbers of the 
main level or the branch drive were displaced by the inburst. At the engine and pumps there is considerable 
reserve power to deal with any increased influx of water. 
I held a consultation with the manager (Mr. Andw. Bobertsou) on future inbursts, and providing for 
the safety of the men. lie will bring the subject before the directors at their meeting to-day. I will 
complete my inspection on Friday, and report more fully immediately afterwards. 
Writing on the 29th January, Mr. Nicholas reports:— 
I completed my inspection of the Working Miners’ Uuited Company’s mine at Lower Iloinohush on 
the 2oth insl.; and now have the honour to send you my report on the flooding of the No. 6 section of that 
mine; and my suggestions for preventing accidents by future similar floodings. 
On the surface, about 1,000 feet from the main shaft, I found the fresh subsidence extended from 
the edge of the depression caused by former subsidences over an area of 40 feet in diameter, which is filled 
with water and “ slum.’’ There is no perceptible drainage of this surface water into the mine. The mark 
of the line of floating debris and water shows a fall of two inches only since the rains ceased. 
Underground, I got access in the usual manner, by the main and branch levels, and the No. 0 jump- 
up, into the No. G section of the works. I found the part of the block where the men bad been working 
was standing intact. I ho sets, ceutres, and laths were in the same condition as when I saw them on 
Saturday, the 19th inst., a few hours previous to the inburst. Part of the water and sand from the inburst 
had passed through this blocked-out ground; but the place of the inburst was about 100 feet southwards. 
It was at first supposed that the ground had fallen in where the men had been blocking, but I found the 
timbers there were as erect as when I saw them on the Saturday. The men finished their blocking soon 
after I left, and had started to “ horse-up” (close) the entrance to it as a precautionary measure against 
inbursts of the same kind. 
