DOBSON MINE.

Grey River Argus, 9 December 1926, Page 5

DOBSON MINE.

FLOODING OPERATIONS. Pumps Re-started. The work of flooding the Dobson mine continues effectually, thg proof of its progress being a decrease iu the volume of smoke emitted at the fanoutlet, which, however, is the result probably as much of eliminating the draught from the end of the mine, as of the extinction of the combustion. The river fell to about normal level yesterday and consequently one of the pumps was put into action again late in the afternoon. Consequence upon the rise of the water to th c , foot of the haulage road, the main entrance is now practically sealed, and it is x partly as a result of the absence of \draught, that the smoke has teased to jjour through the fan shaft. The reach Jtng of the fire to the higher levels * v. ill increase the task of extinguishing it. The township of Dobson presented a somnolent appearance yesterday There were few women and children to be seen about the place, while hero and there a few miners were still discussing their enforced leisure, and the details of the tragic explosion of Fi iday morning last. It was stated that three explosions occurred °n Tuesday. It is now alleged that the sounds were caused by an unbalanced individual indiscriminately discharging a shot gun. The pumping had to Ixi discontinued for about 24 hours after the rise of the river on Tuesday evening. A word of praise is due to Mr. Gordon McKay for the speed and efficiency with which he has installed and operated th© pumps of the mine. WORK AT STATE MINES. FOE 20 MEN ONLY. (Special to 1 ‘Argus.’’) WESTPOET. December 8. To-night. Mr IT. E. Holland received Ihe following wire from the Minister t f Minos: “Employment can he found for about twenty Dobson mon at the State mines, and instructions have been given accordingly. The Relief Fund. OVER £3 IO SO FAR. The Dobson Disaster Relief Fund ha s already begun to grow, totalling last evening the sum of ,£338 ss, which includes two £lOO donations and one ol £5O. Local subscriptions should b l ‘ sent to the Secretary of the Provincial Executive, Mr. F. H. Denton, Town Clerk, Greymouth. The subscriptions so far are as follows :— .£ B d Grey Harbour Board 105 0 0 Westport Coal Coy. 100 0 0 yi D. and H. 0. Wills 50 0 0 / McClatchie and Co (ChCh) 50 0 0 '-nLeymouth Star Coy. 26 5 0 John Burns and Co., (ChCh.) 10 0 0 Messrs Bing and Inkster 2 0 0 Total 5 " A SUBSTANTIAL DONATION. The second £lOO donation to the Fund Ims come from the Westport Coal Coy., from which the Mayor, Mt W. H. Parfitt, yesterday received the following wire.—“Dunedin:—The directors of tile Westport Coal Coy. Deeply regret the sad disaster at Dob son mine, and have voted the sum of £lOO to th e fund for the relief of distress among thc dependents. (Signed) Westport Coal Coy.” WELLINGTON - CONTRIBUTIONS. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. Mr R. Semple will head a deputation to the Mayor (Mr. C. J. B. Norwood) at 11 a.m. to-morrow with a request that steps be taken at once to afford some measure of relief to the widows and families to the men who lost their lives in the colliery clsaste: at the Dobson mine last week. Similar action was taken on the occasion

of the Brunner disaster, and it is felt that Wellington should not be backward in affording som e tangible relief to those who have lost their breadwinners. WELLINGTON FUND. A £52/10/- DONATION. WELLINGTON, Dee. 8. Deputations representing the various Labour organisations in Wellington waited on the Mayor to-day, asking om to appeal to the citizens for contributions to assist the distress consequent upon the Dobson disaster. The Mayor said that ho would immediately open an appeal. lie was com fi.lent that the people would welcome the opportunity to assist. fi< s lie es earc would be taken to secure hat th. sums contributed were handled m the best manner to afford thc giea es <. gree of relief. i . Two donations were immediately an nounced, one of fifty guineas it Messrs J Hott and Co., and the other if five guineas from Messrs Ambury and Semple. CHRISTCHURCH CONTRIBI TIONS r CHRISTCHURCH, December 8. y ' Citizens arc being asked by the \ I City Council to subscribe I'b' W erally to the fund which is being raised to. assist the widows and orphans of those who lost their hves at Dobson mine. Subscriptions may be sent to the Town Clerk, Mr. J. S. Neville. The Mayor of Christchurch, des’res to acknowledge with thanks receipt of a contribution of £5O from Messrs G. McClatchie and Co., towards the Dobson Disaster Relief Fund.