DOBSON TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1926, Page 5

DOBSON TRAGEDY

MR E. ASHTON DIES. f FUNERAL OF FOUR VICTIMS. With the death of Mr Eric Ashton, the victims of Friday's tragedy in the Dobson Mine now number'hine-. . The case of Ashton was regarded rts hopeless, owing to his injuries and the shock he had revived, but he lingered at tho Qreymouth Hospital until shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, never fully recovering consciousness. His father and brother arrived from Ashburton, soon after Ashton died. He was 26 years of age, and a native of Digby’s Bridge, Ashburton.. IMPRESSIVE SERVICES. The funeral of the four men, Messrs Richards, Ashton, Lindsay, and Hunter, who were brought but of tile mine by the first first search party, took place at Karorh yesterday afternoon. Probably no incident in the life of the district has ever brought so many people together in the bond of silent sympathy at one time. It Wilß estimated that between two and three thousand were present at the funeral. In addition to the local residents, special trains from Blackball, Brunner, Wallsend, and the State Mines brought over 600 from the mining towns. The spectacle was imposing, and will long remain in the memory of those who witnessed it. On arrival at the cemetery gates, the passengers alighted from the train, and, with those who had previously arrived at the cemetery by motors, formed into procession, and with the coflins of the four victims, borne by pall-bearers who were comrades of the deceased men, the cortege moved to the graves, three, those of Ashton, Lindsay, and Hunter, being side by side, while Richards was interred not far distant.

The Grey Municipal Band headed the procession, and was followed immediately by the Runanga Band. The members of the Masonic fraternity from Brunner, Greymouth, and Runanga followed, and behind them were the members of the Druidic Order from Brunner, Greymouth, and Ruflanga. Following, came the four coffins, the relatives and chief mourners, and then the general public. The procession moved off to the strains of the “Dead March,” played by the Runanga Band. As the' band completed the march, the Grey Band took up the strain.

On arrival at the graves, a general service was held Archdeacon Carr (Holy Trinity), Rev. J. F. Martin (St. Paul’s Methodist), Ensign Friberg (Salvation Army), and.Mr L. K. Collins (Cobden), taking part. Archdeacon Carr completed the burial of Richards, and he, Mr Martin and Ensign Friberg, the burial of Messrs Ashton, Lindsay and Hunter. The Masonic service for Messrs Ridhards and Lindsay was taken by Bro. Hubert Hart (Brunner),' and the Druidic service by Bro. Thos. Morgan (Brunner). During the service, the band played “Rock of Ages,” “Nearer My God to Thee,” “O God Our Help” and “The Garland of Flowers.” The members of the Masonic fraternity sang “Abide With Me” at the conclusion of their service.

Among those present were Messrs J. A. C. Bayne (Chief Inspector of Mines), O. Davis (Inspector of Mines for West Coast), I. James (General Mailager of State Mines), T. Seddon M.P., Messrs F. H. Hogarth, Jos. Catchpole, and Allan Smith (Directors Grey Valley Coal Coy. Ltd.).

Among others, wreaths were sent by the Mayor and Mayoress of Greymouth, Grey Valley Colieries, Ltd. (4), McClatcie and Co., Christchurch (4), and Advance Lodge No. 61, Brunner. Special references to the tragedy were made at church services last evening. At Holy Trinity Church, Archdeacon Carr referred to the disaster, special hymns were sung, and Miss M. organist, played the “Dead March.” INQUEST OPENED. EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION. The inquest concerning the tragedy was opened at Greymouth to-day by the Cororier (Mr W. Moldrum), when formal evidence of identification was taken. Senior-Sergeant P. J. McCarthy conducted the proceedings, and Mr J. W. Hannan represented the Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd. John Smeaton, miner, Dobson, said that on the night of December 2, he went to work at 11 o’clock, and was taking rail points into the mine. About 2.55 a.m., on December 3, he left the bottom of the main haulage dip and came to the top for another load of material.' On reaching the top he said to his two mates that they could make it crib time, as they would not have time to gb down with another load, They left the mouth of the mine and retired to a small cabin where a coal fire was burning, about half a chain from the line of the dip. They had been sitting in the cabin about 12 minutes when they heard a terrific explosion, after a flash like lightning. A smallei’ explosion followed a few seconds later. He went out to investigate after the debris stopped falling. He sriid to his mates, “I think the boiler has blown up.” They fbund the boiler all right, however, arid 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 mine mouth, and said, “Oh God, the mine’s gone!” He then sent Nimmo for the mine manager (Mr Hughes), and the uriderviewer. Acting under the instructions of the manager, witness took charge of the mine mouth, and later led a party into the mine. Witness was ■ tied on the end of a rope, with the manager, Nimmo and Watkins next in that order. When about half a chain from the bottom of the stone dip, witness heard men moaning. While Mr. Hughes was' instructing the rest of the party to erect a temporary brattice, or stopping, to turn the whole of the air through the west level, witness released himself from the rope and went to the winch cabin, where he found Ashton standing up against the drum of the air winch. He was fearfully burned, and was groaning and moaning. Witness told Ashton that he would be all right, and asked him to lift his leg over some timber in the road, as he was so badly burned that witness handling him would give him pain. The rest of the rescuers then arrived and Ashton was placed on a stretcher and taken to the surface. Witness then went a few feet into the cabin, behind the electric winch, and found the driver, Robert Hunter, lying on his back, terribly burned. Two feet further away was John Lindsay, and about four feet away, James Rich-' aids, the mine deputy, was lying dead. The men were all in the winch cabin, where they would have their crib. Witness later identified the four men, whom he knew. The Senior-Sergeant stated that he did not intend to call further evidence meanwhile, and the inquest was adjourned sine die. DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT.- ■ ' I • Two members of the Company s I Directorate. Messrs F. R. Hogarth I (Chairhiahj. and J . Catch pole, spejtk- | ing to a reporter to-day, staled that I when the news r.r the disaster reach-

ed them on Friday, they.were horrorstruck. “I immediately wired to Mr Allan Smith, ihG'local, director,” said Mr Hogarth, “telling-him to spare no expanse in assisting'to effect a rescue. At that time we had 'no -details concerning the explosion. When I received particulars later in’the day, . I decided to .come to the Coast and see whether anything - ' could Upon my arrival, however, 1! ‘I ; found' that the question of 'relief, and the' direction of operations • were In faf 1 better hands than mine,” Mr Hogarth added that it Whs ihipdssible to make any further statenient meanwhile, un-‘ til the mine was opened and an 'investigation made. . 11,11 Mr S. Kirkcaldie, another director,' will arrive from Wellington by to-mor-row’s express. Messrs Hogarth and Catchpole will probably leave Greymouth on Thursday.

ANOTHER EXPLOSION. The expectation that further explosions would occur in tho mine was realised between five and six o’clock yesterday morning, when for nearly an hour, the roar of igniting ga> could be heard. The stoppings had not been replaced at the mine entrances, and. therefore the force of of the explosion met no resistance, and caused no further surface damage. It is not improbable, however, that much havoc has been caused in the lower levels of the mine, where the five entombed men are located, but this poinf cannot be settled until an investigation is possible. FLOODING THE MINE. The decision to flood the mine, as the only effective method of extinguishing the fire, was carried into effect as quickly as possible, and the Grey Power Board’s staff made the necessary wiring arrangements for the electric pump. This was in action yesterday, and was pouring water into the mine from the adjacent Gi‘ey River. Another pump, of equal capacity, was installed last evening, and it is expected that the two pumps will put in, about 50,000 gallons per hour. An approximate estimate places the’ amount of water required to flood the mine at eight million gallons. When the fire is extinguished, the mine will be dewatered, and an effort to recover the bodies will be made as soon as possible. The shock of the previous explosions, which affected the Grey Power Board's supply, put the electric pump at the Wallsend mine out of action, with the result that the mine com menced to flood. The pump has now been restarted and is coping with the water.

Mr W. Leitch, manager of the Grey Valley Collieries Ltd., is expected to return from Rotorua to-morrow. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. The widespread sympathy aroused by the disaster is shown by the number of messages being received from all parts of the Dominion. Among them are the following: — Received by Mr J. O’Brien: Messages from Messrs 11. E. Holland, M.P., W. E. Parry M.P., H. T. Armstrong, M.P., D. Sullivan, M.P., J. McCombs, M.P., E. J. Howard, M.P., P. Fraser, M.P., R. McKeen, M.P., W. J. Jordan, M.P., M. J. Savage, M.P., J. A. Lee, M.P., W. Mason, M.P., Rev. J. K. Archer (Mayor of Christchurch). Received by Mr F. Williams (Mayor of Brunner): From Messrs R. McTaggart (Mayor of Runanga), H. M. Coulson (Deputy-Mayor of Hokitika), W. Jeffries (Chairman Westland • County Council), H. L. Michel, M.L.C., A. and W. Troughear (Glen Afton). The following reply from the Mayor of Brunner has been received* by the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr W. 11. Parfitt)— :“I appreciate and am pleased to convey your kind message to the relatives of the victims of Friday’s disaster and residents of this district.” Mr Parfitt has also received messages from the Mayors of Christchurch, and St. Kilda (Dunedin). The following messages *vere among those received by Mr F. Williams, Mayor of Brunnerton: — “On behalf of the citizens of Runanga, please accept deepest sympathy in catastrophe that has occurred in your district. Kindly convey condolence to bereaved ones. —R. McTaggart, Mayor. “On behalf of citizens of Hokitika, desire express sympathy relatives of victims in terrible Dobson mine calamity. The tragedy lias shocked this district. If any relief movement, Hokitika will .be glad to cooperate.—ll. M. Coulson, Deputy Mayor. “Desire express fullest sympathy with all involved yesterday's sad disaster Dobsori. Any assistance required, will endeavour co-operate. W. Jeffries, County Chairman. FUNDS FOR RELIEF. At a preliminary meeting, the Mayors of Brunner, Runanga, and Greymouth, discussed the matter of relief for the dependents of the victims. It was stated that several offers of assistance had already been received, and that enquiries had been made by others, as to whether assistance was needed. It was decided that preliminary arrangements be made 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 Borough and County Councils throughout New Zealand, appealing for assistance for the Relief Fund. The Town Clerk (Mr F. H. Denton) was appointed secretary and treasurer pro tern. At a meeting to be convened at an early date, trustees for the Relief Fund will be appointed. The Public Trust Office undertakes the safe custody and administration of benefit and relief funds free of charge. In such cases every care is taken to ensure that the money is used to the best advantage of dependants. If so desired, local committees can be associated as advisory trustees in the administration of the funds. A GENEROUS DONATION. The following telegram, marked urgent and reply paid, was received today by Mr J. O’Brien, from Messrs W. D. and, H. O. Wills (New Zealand) Ltd., Wellington:—“Would like to send cheque for 50 guineas as contribution to Dobson relief fund. To whom shall we send it?” Mr O’Brien replied as follows: — “On behalf of dependents of victims of Dobson disaster, we wish to thank you for your magnificent offer. Send cheque to F. Denton, Town Clerk, Greymouth, who has been selected as secretary of Dobson Disaster Dependents’ Fund.” AUSTRALIAN SYMPATHY. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, December 6. The Minister of Mines (Mr Baddely) expressed regret at the news of the Dobson mine disaster, and said he had requested the Minister cf Mines in New Zealand to convey an expression of sympathy to the bereaved.