CHECKING OF EMPLOYEES

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25345, 19 November 1947, Page 8

CHECKING OF EMPLOYEES

RADIO CALL TO REPORT SCENES AT BARRACKS While hundreds of anxious people waited outside in Cashel street, the employees of the firm, responding to a ratuo appeal, assembled in the King Edward Barracks so that a check could be made of those missing. For more than an hour employees, many still dazed by their experience, kept coming into the barracks. At the same time relatives who were seeking news of meemoers of their families arrived, and stepod in little groups, talking in hu shed voices or asking employees if the *y knew what had happened to husbands. wives, sons, or daughters. By ’ 8 p.m. several hundred employees had assembled, and were waiting for the Checking to begin. The manager of firm (Mr S. C Novell) climbed on tcK' ar * Army truck, and asked all einpld-,,yees to form up beside their deheads on one side of the narra-'•’■cks. Then the departmental heads colle.* cted the names and addresses of ’those who had not responded to the appeal to attend at the barracks. These lists were collected, and the departmental heads went with the maraging director Mr R. H. Ballantyne, and Mr Novell, to a lecture-room at the end of the Here the lists were checked and handed to the police. While the names and addresses were being taken, relatives of the missing showed signs of strain. One man whose daughter was missing kept moving round in the crowd asking if anyone had seen her. Finally a soldier led him away for attention. Members of the nursing division of the St. John Ambulance Association were on duty, and looked after several women who were almost on the point of collapse. The Army canteen in the barracks was opened and tea was provided for those Who needed it. Before the employees left the barracks. Mr Ballantyne briefly addressed them “Fellow workers, there is nothing I can say except to express sympathy for the most unfortunate happenings this afternoon,” he said. The names and addresses of those persons who were not present had been given to the police who would make inquiries. “Regarding the future, we will communicate with you.” added Mr Ballantyne. He asked the staff of the furniture factory to report this morning, as it was intact. Mr Ballantyne began to express sympathy for the relatives of the missing, but his voice broke, and he was inaudible. Several cars were available to take employees and relatives to their homes, but the majority went by tram and bus. For some time after the bulk of the employees had left the barracks there were still small groups discussing the fire or waiting in the hope that there might still be some news of those missing.