JUNE TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 1, 26 September 1939, Page 8

JUNE TRAGEDY

Many Children Left Fatherless GLEN AFTON DISASTER By Telegraph—Press Association. HAMILTON, September 25. Many children arc left fatherless as a result of the mine tragedy. All the victims were married. Messrs. Ireland and Turley had no children and Messrs. Blackburn had one, Brown one, Wilcox an adult family of four, Cole four, Marshall two, Bell three, Peden five, Hunter two, Clark two children and one adult daughter. The work of searching for the remaining three bodies, those of Messrs. Ireland, Turley and Bell, continued throughout the night, but it was tuisuccessful. The lire has been located about half a mile from the Glen Afton end, and the work of sealing the shaft is proceeding. This is expected to be completed by midday, and after the fumes have been blown'out another attempt to recover the bodies will be made. An inquest on the bodies ot the eight men recovered was opened before Mr. AV. 11. Freeman, S.M., this morning, and after evidence of identification by Air. Alexander Johnston,’president, and the secretary of the Glen Afton branch of the Aliiiers’ Union it was adjourned sine die. (Pictures on Page 5). SAFETY MEASURES Rescue Outfit Equipment APPARATUS SENT TO 'MINE Details of tlie measures taken by tlie Government to prepare for such disasters as that, at Glen Afton were given in an interview yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Mines, Mr. AVebb. lie described the establishment of the rescue' station at Dobson, which was fully equipped and in readiness for emergency at the beginning of this year. The full cost of the station with all equipment was £3562. “The question may be asked why the rescue station was not established in the AVaikato district,” said Air. AA'ebb, "but it has to be remembered that it is necessary to have a jumping-off place for this work. As the greatest potential danger was considered to be in the Grey district, it was decided to commence the scheme in that area, and later to draft the men to other districts to assist in the establishment of rescue stations in other selected areas. “it is miestionable. of course.

“The question may be asked why the rescue station was not established in the AVaikato district,” said Air. AVebb, "but it has to be remembered that it is necessary to have a jumping-off place for this work. As the greatest potential danger was considered to be in the Grey district, it was decided to commence the scheme in that area, and later to draft the men to other districts to assist in the establishment of rescue stations in other selected areas. "It is questionable, of course, whether if there hud been a rescue station at Huntly, the disaster could have been avoided, but possibly it could have been minimized. Every effort has been made by the department. to meet the situation that has arisen. Spare tubes for the carbon monoxide detectors in use by the inspectors of mines in the Huntly district have been sent up by plane to Huntly with several half-hour rescue outfits. Inquiries were also at once made in Auckland for other spares, and arrangements were made with the importers of rescue apparatus for the use of any spare apparatus they may have in stock, should it be required.” Arrangements were at once made -to bring from Greymouth by air a fullyqualified rescue team, but that was found to be unnecessary, said Air. AVebb. It would be seen, he added, that the Government had endeavoured to anticipate such a disaster, and could only regret that it bad occurred. He expressed the very great sympathy of the Government and himself with the relatives of the men who had lost their lives, some of them no doubt in a vain effort to rescue their mates. Mr. G. Duggan, Chief Inspector of Alines, left by air for Huntly yesterday, and will submit a report to the Government. FUND OPENED Help For Widows And Fatherless By Telesranh —Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 25. To assist the dependants of those who lost their lives in the Glen Afton mine disaster on Sunday, the mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, has decided to open a subscription list at the Town Hall. In a. telegram to the mayor of Huntly, Mr. AV. George, Sir Ernest stated: “Citizens of Auckland were profoundly shocked by news of the mining disaster, and, ou their behalf, I tender, through you, to the widows and children of those who lost their lives, an expression of heartfelt sorrow in their irreparable loss.” MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY Telegrams From Mr. Savage Telegrams of sympathy have been sent to the relatives of the victims of tlie Glen Afton mine disaster by the Prime Minister, Air. Savage, on behalf of the Government. He has also sent messages of .sympathy to tlie miners’ organizations of which tlie men were members. Another telegram has been sent to the mayor of Huntly, expressing the 'Government’s sympathy with the town and district in the tragedy. According to a Press Association message from Greymouth, Air. Savage telegraphed Air. A. McLagan, the United Aline AA'orkers’ secretary, as follows: — "News of the disaster at Glen Afton mine caused widespread sorrow throughout the Dominion, and ou behalf of the Government I desire to express deep sympathy with the executive and members of your union in the loss of their colleagues in such tragic circumstances.”