STORY OF HEROISM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 10

STORY OF HEROISM

DOBSON MINE DISASTER

VOLUNTEERS FOR RESCUE

WORK

INQUEST OPENED ON VICTIMS,

(By Telograpli.—Press Association.)

GREYMOUTH, (jth December

A siniplo story of heroism was told at; tho inquest on tho victims of tho Dobson niino disaster. Every man volunteered to go to tho rescue of his comrades, and difficulty was experienced in keeping them back. Flooding operations arc in progress. The burning miim is belching out dense volumes of smoke.

No further explosions have occurred al; Mio burning Dobson mino sinco yesterday morning. Water from tho Grey River is being pumped by electrical power into tho miuo at the rnto of h'o,ooo gallons an hour. The adflition-.-i 1 '[>tiiii)> was installed at; an early hour thin morning. Tho distance from tho silo of tho pumps at tho Grey River to the entrance oE tho air-shaft where tho pipe lines aro connected to tho mino is lliO fool.

Since Hooding operations were put in hand doiisu black volumes of smoke and steiim havo boon belching from tho mouth at. tho air-shaft and fanhouse, urtmtitifr a smoke curtain across tho imiiu Grey nuiil, whero it passes the mouth of the drive.

DANGER PROM FUMES,

Whim migiigod in erecting tho second oloi'-lrit'iil pnmp, nt tho Grey River, Mr. Oovilon M'Kay, of the National Elec-tru-ul '.Hiiginooviiig Company, and his assistants; had a thrilling experience. While I lvi work was proceeding at about I.HO o'clock this morning, thick snioko «nd gns fumes suddenly belched out; of the mouth of the- air-drive, complotoly onvoloplng tlio party, who succeeded in making their escape in the direction of Wallaond. The smoke and fumes from tlio burning mine blankoted tlio road and railway line for a couple of hours, during which time the work had to be suspended.

Tho inquest concerning tho - Dobson mine tragedy, was opened at Greymouth to-day by the Coroner, Mr. W. Moldrum, S.M. Senior-Sergeant P. J. M'Carthy conducted the proceedings, and Mr. J. W. Hannan represented the Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd.

John Smeaton, miner, of Dobson, said

that abbut 2.55 a.m. on 3rd December he left the bottom of the main haulage dip and came to the top for another load of nfaterial. On reaching the top he said to his two mates that they could make it "crib" time, as they would not have time to go down with another load. They !?ft th'o mouth of the mine and retired'to a small cabin whero a coal fire was burning. The cabin was about half a chain from the line of dip. They had been sitting in the cabin aiTjut twelve minutes whon they heard a terrific explosion after a flash like lightning. A smaller explosion followed a few seconds later.* He went out to investigate after tho debris stopped falling, and said to his mates: "I think tho boiler has blown up.*' Thoy found the boiler all right, witness then wondered whether the powder magazine had gone. Nimmo reached the magazine first and sang out that it was safe. Witness turned in the direction of the mino mouth and said: "Oh, God, the mine's gone."

INTO THE MINE.

He then sent Nimmo for tlio mine manager, Mr. Hughes, and tlio underviowor. Acting under the instructions of the manager, witness took charge of the mine mouth, and later led a party into tho mine. Witness was tied on the end of a rope with the manager,'- Nimmo, and Watkins ncyt in that order. About half a chain from tho bottom of the stone dip witness heard men moaning. Ho released himself from the rope, and went to the winch-house, whore ho found- Ashton standing up against the drum of tho air winch. He' was fearfully burned, and was groaning and moaning. Witness told Ashton that ho would be all right and asked him to lift his leg over some timber, which was in tho road, as lie was so badly burned that witness, in handling him, would give great pain. The rost of the rescuers arrived, and Ashton was placed on a stretcher antl taken to tho surface. AVitness then went a few feet into tho cabin behind the electric winch and found the driver, Eobert Hunter, lying on his back terribly burned. Two feet further away was John Lindsay, and about four feet away James Bichards, mine deputy, lying dead. The men were all in the winch chamber, where they would have their "crib." Witness later identified the bodies of tho men whom he knew. Senior-Sergeant M'Carthy stated that he did not. intend to call further evidence in the meanwhile, and the inquest was adjourned sine die.

Mr. S eaton, who is president of the Grey Valley Minors' Union, played a heroic part in tho rescue work, and selected the first rescue party to enter the mine afteethe tragic explosion, tho members of the party being Messrs. J. Hughes (mine manager), J. Smeaton B. "Watkins, T. Hallinan, E. Dando and Alf. Edwards.

EVEKY MAN VOLUNTEERED.

In conversation with a reporter, Mr. Sincaton said tliafc every miner on the scene volunteered to enter the mine to assist in the rescue work. He also paid a tribute to the thirteen Italians ongaged at the mine, who willingly caino forward to give-every assistance within their power. Every man realised the danger, but there was not a quitter amongst them. In fact) said Mr. Smeaton, precautions had to be ttiken to keep the gallant fellows from entering the mine-to assist in'the rescue of their comrades.

Amongst those who rendered valuable assistance aftor tho explosion were Mr. A. Whittlestone, Mr. J. Hughes (manager of the Dobson mine, who has been directing operations at the niino since the disaster), and many other helpers, who have been affected in health as the result of the severe nervous strain which they have undergone. Mr. W. Leatch, general manager of the Dobson mine, who has been visiting Hotorua on account of indifferent health, will return to-morrow.

MESSAGES OP SYMPATHY.

The widespread sympathy aroused by the disaster is shown by tho numerous messages being received from all par.ts of tho Dominion. Among them the following were received by Mr. J. O'Brien: —Prom Messrs. H. E. Holland, M.P., W. E. Parry, M.P., H. T. Armstrong, M.P., D. Sullivan, M.P., J. M'Combs. M.P., B. J. Howard, M.P., P. Fraser M.P., E. M'Keen, M.P., W. J. 'Jordan, M.P., M. J. Savage, M.P., J. A. Lee, M.P., H. G. E. Mason, M.P., and tha Eov. J. K. Archer, Mayor of Christchurch. Others received by Mr. V. Williams, Mayor of Brunner, were i'rem Messrs. B. M'Taggart, Mayor of Eimanga, H. M. Coulaon, Deputy-Mayor of Hokitika, W. Jeffries, chairman" of the Westland County Council, H. L. Michel, M.L.C., and W. Troughoar, Gleniifton.

The following reply from the Mayor of Brunner has been received by the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr. \V. 11. Fmn'tt): "I appreciate, and ;uu ploasocl to convey, your kind message to tlic relatives of tho victims of Friday's <!isaster, and residents of this district."

Mr. Parfitt has also received messages from tho Mayors of Cliristchuroli and St. Kilda, Dunediu.

The following messages wore among

tlioso received by Mr. F. Williams, Mayor of Bruhner: "On behalf of tho citizens of Ruuanga pleaso accept deepest sympathy in tho catastrophe that has occurred in your district. Kindly convoy condolence to tho bereaved ones. —Mr. M' Taggart, Mayor.''

"On behalf of the citizens of Hokitika, I desire to express sympathy with tho relatives of tho victims in the terrible Dobson mine calamity. Tho tragedy has shocked this district. In ;i>iy relief movement Hokitika will bo glad to co-operate. —H. M. Coulaou, DeputyMayor." "I desire to express the fullest .sympathy with all involved in yesterday's sad disaster at Dobson. If any assistance is required will endeavour to cooporatc. —W. Jeffries, county chairman."

RELIEVING THE DISTRESS,

At a preliminary meeting held at Grey mouth this morning proposals were discussed regarding relief for tho dopendents of tho victims. Those present were: Mr. W. H. Parfitt (Mayor of Groyiuouth), Mr. F. Williams (Mayor of Brunncr), Mr. J. W. Groenslaue (chairman of the Grey Power Board, and Deputy-Mayor), Mr. J. O'Brien (member of the Greyinouth BorougH Council and Grey Power Board), find Mr. G. Smoaton (president of the Grey Valley Miners' Union). It was decided to make preliminary arrangements, and to issue subscription lists, and that a public, meeting be convened to arrange for the administration of the funds raised.

It was decided to circularise all the bor.Ough and county councils throughout New Zealand appealing for assistance for the relief fund. Tho Town Clerk (Mr. 1\ H. Denton) was appointed secretary and treasurer pro tern.

At a meeting to be convened at an early date the trustees for the relief fund will be appointed. The Public Trust Office undertakes the safe custody and administration of the benefit and relief funds' free of charge in such cases. Every care is takeu to ensure that the money is used to the best advantage of dependents. If so desired, local committees can be associated as advisory trustees in the administration of th.o^funds. -i The following telegram was received to-day by Mr. J. O'Brien from Messrs. W. D. and H. 6. Wills (N.Z.), Ltd., Wellington:—"Would like to send a chequo for 50 guineas as a contribution to Dobson relief fund. To whom shall wo send it?"

Mr. O'Brien replied as follows: —"On behalf of the dependants of the victims of the,-Dobson disaster, wo wish to thank you for your magnificent offer. Send cheque to F. Denton, Town Clerk, Groymouth, who has been selected as secretary of the Dobson disaster dependants fund." Tho stoppings used for sealing the mine at both entrances have been removed. It is improbable, in the event of further explosions, that any serious surface, damage will occur. The scene of the disaster continues to attract a largo number of visitors. Both entrances to the mino are guarded to prevent curious spectators from venturing too close to the danger zones. Smoke and-steam wore hissing from the mouth of the air shaft this evening, whilst dense clouds of smoke, issuing through the fanhouse, gave the locality the appearance of a thermal region.

Although it is impossible to estimate the havoc wrought by the explosion to the underground workings, the mines on the Brunner field are noted for their solid roofs, and it is generally believed that the damage to the underground sections has not been very serious.

Bandmaster- W. Garth, of the Greymouth Municipal Band, which took part in the funeral of the four victims of the explosion yesterday, was a member of the band which officiated at tho funeral of the victims of the Brunncr disaster.