THE MINE DISASTER

Evening Star, Issue 23728, 8 November 1940, Page 4

THE MINE DISASTER

MINISTER PERSONALLY CONVEYS SYMPATHY EULOGY OF SENIOR INSPECTOR'S HEROISM [Pek United Pbess Association.] GREYMOUTH, November 7. All the district mines will be idle tomorrow out of respect for the victims of the Ten-mile disaster, and to enable the miners to attend the funerals, which take place in the afternoon. . Messages of sympathy with the bereaved are pouring in from all parts of the Dominion. The aide-de-camp to Lord Galway telegraphed Mr Webb as follows; “ The Governor-General and Lady Galway were deeply grieved to learn of the tragic mine disaster yesterday, and would be grateful if you convey to the relations ,of those who lost their lives in the accident an expression of their Excellencies’ heartfelt - sympathy in their bereavement.” Mr Webb replied: “ Please convey to their Excellencies my sincere thanks for their kind message, and assure thenp that I shall bo pleased to transmit their message of sympathy to the relations.” Mr Webb arrived from Wellington by plane this afternoon, accompanied by Mr G. Duggan, chief inspector of mines, and Mr C. H. Benny, Under-secretary. Shortly after arrival they proceeded to the scene of the disaster, making a thorough inspection in company with the district mines inspectors. To-night, Mr_ Webb visited . the relatives of the victims, conveying the Government’s and his personal sympathy. , The co-operative mines were idle today in consequence of the disaster, and meetings of all the miners’ unions this afternoon decided <not to work to-mor-row. MINISTER’S STATEMENT. The work of Mr Duffy and the rescue brigade, Mr Webb said in a Statement later, was deserving of the highest possible praise. It would be difficult to find a better stamp of men, possessing all the strength and courage that were so essential in work of this kind. The fact that within five hours 40 m|nutos of hearing of the disaster they had made a complete survey of the mine and had everybody taken to the surface, illustrated tha value of these rescue stations. Without the work of the men from the rescue station it would be safe to say that it would have taken at least 24 hour* before the bodies could have been recovered, and had there been any_ mem underground still living the brigade would have rescued them. The senior inspector of mines on the West Coast (Mr W. Parsonage) had displayed great heroism in going into the mine in face of the carbon monoxide to rescue Boote. Experienced as he was, he realised fully the danger of entering themine without being fully equipped with life saving apparatus, and had it not been for his undoubted courage another life would have been lost. This heroism inspired everyone who visited the mine. Soon after Adam (Boots had been rescued, Mr Duffy and Mr L. Hunter arrived and nutdhe Proto apparatus on. going immediately into the mine where there was poisonous gas. with the hope of rescuing others if they were alive. After travelling about five chains they discovered the mine manager. Mr MTntosh, who was beyond relief. They then reported, and on the advice of Mr Parsonage, left the body and made a- thorough search of the mine. On the team’s return they reported that all the men were dead and that there were no fires burning. Arrangements were then made to have the bodies removed to the surface. The Minister said that a thorough inquiry would be made into the cause of the disaster, as the Mines Department was anxious to ascertain the cause, and if any defect could be shown in the legislation it would soon be remedied. A further announcement a* to the form of inquiry would be made later. “ J am more convinced than ever as the result of this sad experience that the price of coal can be measured in blootL tears, and sweat.” concluded Mr Webb.