45 
The rush ol water and sand swept the trucks aud timbers before it down the No. G branch level to 
the point marked D on the plan, and there they formed a barricade, and checked the further flow of the 
sand into the main level, in the direction of the shaft. 
The inburst continued at its full flow for about ten minutes only. The men were shut in by the 
barricade. The air-pipes were uninjured, so the ventilation was good. There was a largo extent of drives 
in a safe condition leading from the jump-up into the block. Tbe men were cool and collected. Where it 
was necessary they finished the timbering of the faces, and commenced to “ horse-up ” a drive which they 
thought might bo daugerous. 
The alarm signal is made on the air-pipes, no other signal is permitted on the pipes. This signal 
is rapid, distinct, and definite. It was used on this occasion, but the escape by the branch level was closed 
almost immediately on the discovery of the danger. 
Two instances of self-sacrifice of the highest kind are worthy of mention. Angus McDougal and 
Michael McLean were the first aware of the inburst. They were apart, but, actuated by the same motive, 
turned their backs ou the safe means of escape which were open to them, and performed tho duty of 
warning their fellow-workmen at the peril of their lives. In doing so they also were shut in. 
The cause of this short but dangerous inundation is clearly traceable to the surcharged water of a 
drift bed forcing its way through a layer of “ pug” clay, and suddenly emptying the water and sand into 
the mine. I cannot attribute it to the overflow from an accumulation of water in the No. 1 mine. 
The collapse at the point C on the plan is identical with the fresh subsidence on the surface. 
The inbursts which took place at A and B were in each case followed by subsidence on the surface, and 
those inbursts happened when the engine was pumping at the No. 1 shaft. 
The late suspension of pumping at the No. 1 shaft will lead to a dangerous accumulation of water 
in tho old workings of the southern part of the mine; and, as the best safeguard against this accumulation 
becoming dangerous, I must recommend the resumption of pumping at the No. 1 shaft. 
I do not anticipate any objection will be raised by the company to the adoption of this recommenda¬ 
tion. If it is opposed, I would suggest that the power conferred by general rule 38 be resorted to, and an 
order from tho Governor in Council obtained to enforce tho carrying out of this necessary work. 
To prevent accidents to the men from the inbursts of water and sand from the drift beds, which 
will occur so long as this mine is working, it is advisable that all points of communication with the blocked- 
out parts of No. 6 section should be cut oil, and securely “ horsed-up” across the lead on tho line from E 
to F shown on the plan. It will be seen that a large portion of tho ground on this line consists of 
unworked strips, and these strips will greatly help to form a thoroughly effectual barrier against future 
inbursts. 
The main level is being driven northwards through a partly decomposed granite which is impervious 
to water. Tho blocks to be next opened out on the lead will bo northwards from No. G. The barrier 
across from E to F, and the pumping at the No. 1 shaft, will protect the men from danger in the rear. 
They will then have to contend with it in front, in the faces, aud thus reduce the risks to those of tho 
ordinary working of the mine. 
The Working Miners’ United is one of the most strongly timbered mines in Victoria. The system 
of timbering hitherto carried out attests the amplitude of the supply provided by the company, as well as 
the ability of the manager and men to make good use of it. It has been suggested that an escape drive 
should bo constructed from G to //, but the very drifty nature of the ground at H has compelled tho 
manager to horse it up in the face. Escape drives which must be driven through beds of drift gravel and 
sand would, because of the water contained in and always flowing into those beds, become a source of 
danger rather than of safety. It would be the case at this mine, where the whole of the 160 feet from tho 
surface to the bed rock consists of alluvium deposits in the form of beds of drift gravel, sand, and clay. 
Tho beds of drift above the clay are reservoirs of water. 
With regard to the further necessary provision for safety in working the lead when it comes down 
to and passes below the main level, and is worked by an incline, I recommend the extension of the main 
level. It would be a reef drive and an escape drive, and should be connected with the incline workings by 
short cross-cuts and jump-ups. 
I have consulted with Mr. Robertson, the manager, on the provisions recommended for the safo 
working of his mine. He is possessed with the full knowledge of his position and its surroundings, and I 
am persuaded that his intelligent experience and forethought will provide all necessary means for carrying 
on the works of the mine with the least possible risk to his men’s lives. 
Writing on the 4th April, Mr. Nicholas remarks— 
I was at the Working Miners’ United Company’s mine on the 2nd instant, and now have the honour 
to report, in reply to your inquiries, that the requirements recommended for the prevention of flooding of 
the mine have been duly attended to, in so far as they apply to the working of the mine up to the present 
date. 
1st. Pumping was resumed at the No. I shaft. It was found that there was only sufficient water to 
supply the pump working slowly for about three hours daily. There has been a considerable increase of 
water flowing into the No. 2 shaft, and it would appear from that circumstance that the water from tho 
upper part of the lead has found a course to the No. 2 shaft. To prove that this is the case, and also to 
ascertain whether there is any increased accumulation of water at No. 1 shaft, I will, with the manager, 
make measurements periodically of the depth of the water in that shaft. 
2nd. Cutting off' communication with the old blocks by “horsing up” the drives, and leaving 
unworked the strips indicated on the plan by the line E to F, has been observed. 
3rd. It will bo a considerable period yet before compliance with this requirement will be necessary. 
The wash drift is still between 5 and 6 feet above the floor of the main level, and that means an extension 
from the present face of from 500 to GOO feet on the course of the lead before any loss of levels will com¬ 
mence, and several months before providing for the special means of escape required where mining is 
carried on below levels will be necessary. 
The Inspectors of Mines have instructions to bring under the notice of 
this department any instance of neglect on the part of mine owners to take proper 
