THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 192, 18 September 1914, Page 10

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

• FIRES EXTINGUISHED. PUMPS NOW WORKING. , ■ ■ . Press i Association. AUCKLAND, September 17. The small recurrent " fires in the Huntly coalmine were completely mastered and extinguished last night at 10.30 ■ o'clock..' The ventilating Jans are in full working order, so that a continuous stream of fresh air is •being sent below. The pumps are also in good working order, and are throwing out a large and continuous stream. Another body, that of William Blenkinsopp, shooter, married, has been identified. The known death roll is now thirty-five, and there is no hope whatever for the eight men still missing.

ANOTHER BODY RECOVERED. It' is reported from Huntly. to-night that-the 1 body of J. W. Jones has been recovered, making a known death-roll of thirty-six. The mine is now said to be clear of gases, and the work of exploration is proceeding actively. Work will be resumed in the Extended, tlje other Huntly mine, immediately, and in -Ralph's, the scene of the disaster, within two weeks. THE RELIEF FUND.

WELLINGTON, September 17. A meeting of representative Labour men wasMicld in the Trades Hall : to take steps to relieve the distress in Huntly, consequent upon the disaster which occurred there* last week. . ; A central committee was set up, and it was decided to establish a Rational fund, to be administered by the committee. The following executive was appointed:—Chairman, Mr A. .11. Cooper; secretaries, Mcss.-y. J. Read and L. M. A. Reardon; treasurer, Mr F. Connoll; trustees, Messrs S. Gordon and H. E. Holland; committee, Messrs G. Blatherwiek, A. W. Croskery, M.

Laracy, P. H. Hickey, W. Noot and W. Waterwortn.-

It was resolved to appeal immediately to each centre in New Zealand, urging that a similar committee should be set up to co-operate with the executive in this centre. An appeal is to be made to the Press throughout the Dominion to open subscription lists on behalf of the fund. All Labour organisations are also to be approached with a request, for donations. Steps have been taken to provide temporary relief at once, and the following committee has been appointed in Huntly to disburse funds for all urgent cases:—Eev. Evans, Messrs F. Knapper and J. Millings. Two. collectors, Mr Wick and Mr J. Hutchison, have been appointed as authorised agents to collect funds in the city. Ministers of all churches will be approached for the purpose of .taking up special collections. The central committee expresses the hope that the public of New Zealand will respond generously to this appeal, as the distress is very acute at the scene of the disaster. The committee passed a vote of sympathy with the relatives of the victims. .

A cheque for £2l has been forwarded to the Huntly Relief Fund, being a donation of £5 5/- from each branch of John R. McKenzie's business.