Diagnosis or cause of accident
Mr G W Hall, Manager of the North Star Gold Mine, Malcolm, was informed of the accident which had taken place below the 300ft level on 5 June, which resulted in the loss of life of Mr Matthew Cobley and Colin McInnes. Down to that level the cages are provided with the usual appliances to prevent them from falling, even in the event of the rope breaking, but below 300ft, the shaft is only in the course of sinking. The rope, however, is said to have been a new one. Mr Hall says that the men killed were two of the very best he had on the mine, one of them—Mathew Cobley—having been brought by.him from South Wales.

A police blunder in putting an employee of the North Star on the coroner's jury to inquire into the accident at the North Star Mine, resulting in the deaths of Mathew Cobley and Colin McInnes, a blunder which was not discovered until nearly the end of the inquiry, caused the inquest to be adjourned indefinitely. The whole proceedings were feared to be illegal and the bodies of the unfortunate men were expected to be exhumed and reviewed, and the evidence re-heard. Cobley was in the cage when the robe broke and crashed on top of McInnes, crushing him. Both men were dead when pulled out and McInnes badly crushed. At the final inquiry, the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death, adding to their verdict that no blame could be attached to the company.

MSW
Single