THE BREMERTON DISASTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10918, 28 March 1896, Page 5

THE BREMERTON DISASTER.

THE LATEST NEWS. BODIES RECOVERED. HEROISM OF THE: RESCtS PARTIES. HOW THE WORK PROCEEDS, [[Per Press Association.] BRUNNERTON, March 27. 2 a.m. The relief parties have driven into the mine about a mile, and are now about ten chains from where the men were working - . Mr Seddon is on the scene at the pit’s mouth, and lias expressed his willingness to work a shift if wanted. Mr LLndofj the manager of the Westport mines, is expected by a special boat with a batch of men to assist. Several of those engaged in the rescue work are brought out almost dead. Hundreds of women still wait at the pit’s mouth. PROGRESS OP THE RESCUE WORK. FIGHTING FOOT BY FOOT. 3.15 A.M. Shifts of sixteen men are now working l , fighting their way foot by foot. Thb shifts last one hour, and the men on being brought into the fresh air become unconscious. The ground gained is very slow. The relief parties have got about a mile and a half into the interior of the mine. Mr Bishop is still confined to his bed, and is in a serious condition. Telegrams are being received from all parts of the colony expressing sympathy. The hope of saving the men entombed grows fainter. Fragments of trucks are met with. Business on the whole of the Coast is at a standstill. All last night the search party continued to work with untiring zeal. Mr.‘ Seddon arrived by special train in the evening, and. went to the face of the workings, but his offer to work one shift was not accepted. Mr Stratford visited the mine Under orders from the Defence Department, and placed Messrs Daniels and Scott in charge until Mr Cochrane, the Government Inspector, arrived at midnight. 1 TEE SCENE AT THE MINE.

BEOEEN-HEAETBD MEN AND WOMEN. , A POPULACE UNHINGED. The scene at the pit’s mouth all night, is one never to be forgotten. There were weary faces and leaden footsteps. Brokenhearted men and women' on every side were asking;, “ Can they be living or ejaculating, “ Poor Jack,” or “ Where's my Harry ?” The air in the ' mine increased in foulness as the approach to tbe'level came nearer, and was so gaseous ns to knock strong,men down. The whole populace seems unhinged, and in passing along the street nothing but the piteous cries of women and children are to be heard. Sixty-itix miners are entombed, on whom two hundred women and children are dependent. ’ At ten o’clock this morning the relief party had fought their way to the bottom level. ’At 4 a.m. the body of Heslin was, recovered, much charred- Shortly afterwards the bodies of J. Patterson and J. Watchman were brought out. Another rash to the pit’s mouth was the signal that still another victim had been found, Paul Pellion, a Frenchman. The bodies did not seem much knocked about, and in each case,the arms were in a defensive attitude, as if the poor fellows were trying to beat the firedamp back. The relief parties are at present engaged in working in the lower part of the mine.

RECO VERING THE BODIES. THE RESCUERS EXHAUSTED. THE WATER RISING. HOPE ABANDONED. GREYMOUTH, March 27. ' Eight additional bodies have tyeen recovered this morning. Mr Bishop has recovered sufficiently to go into the mine again. Work is being' continued unceasingly, but tbe men engaged in thei work of rescue are getting very much exhausted. Fresh men Are shortly expected from Eiimara and Westport. It is hoped that the whole of the bodies will be recovered before night. The water is rising in the dip-working rapidly, all the pumping gear having been destroyed by the explosion. No hope is entertained of any ofthemen being got out alive. *

TEE BODIES RECOVERED. HELP FOR THE DESTITUTE. REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE RESCUERS. The bodies of tbe following were recovered up to nine o’clock. W. Cunliffe J, Morris ■ Geoffrey' Geogehau James Geogehan Robert Duncan William .Hunter Henry Deamiston Charles James Paul Peillon John Watchman John Patterson Thomas Heslln Patrick M’Donald Henry Julian Charles Baxter D avid Hall John Parsons Samuel Roberts John Roberts W. Brisbane James Scoble James Scott A public meeting-was held tp-night to inaugurate a scheme of relief. It was decided to send lists to all bodies in New Zealand. A strong local committee was formed, and over i!100 was collected in. the room. The town will bo canvassed tomorrow, Mr Ziman sent <£loo, Mx T. G. McCarthy (Wellington) 1550, Mrs Mills JB.LOO, and other sums, from .£25 downwards, were received. At the mine the men are working night and day without rest. Twenty-five miners hove arrived from Westport. The Premier, with over one hundred goldminers, has

gone to Brunner by special train to assist in the work. THE ADVANCE OF THE RESCUERS, RECOVERING THE BODIES. TERRIBLE MUTILATIONS. .WORK OP THE DOCTORS AND CLERGYMEN. GREYMOUTH, March 27. The rescue men at the mine continue their work. AH through the clay the work was continued without recovering any but the bodies oi Parsons, Hall, Baxter, M’Donald and Julian, till eight o’clock, when the bodies of Patterson, Hasten, Watchman and Peillon were brought out. The rescuing men worked heroically in their endeavour to rescue those of their feUovvs who were entombed. The further the mine was entered, the mpre apparent it became that the ■force of the explosion was even greater than was surmised. The rails, trucks, and in fact everything in the mine was very much shattered. The gas in tho'mine also got a deal worse as tho men further advanced, and the shifts had to be shortened.. There were not sufficient men for such exhausting work, as they could not long bear up against the overpowering choke damp, which prostrated the most robust in a very short time, and it was a very pitiful sight to. see those who had been overcome by the suffocating, gas once more stagger to their feet to help to rescue their comrades. Tho scenes at the month of the pit increased in sadness, the wives, sisters, mothers and children of those entombed being unable to repress their anguish.

Several of the bodies recovered were much shattered, and one had nearly every bone broken. It wa? with the greatest difficulty that some were recognised. So severe was the explosion that s.rong iron rails were twisted, and iron trucks were smashed to fragments, the wheels being broken and the axles bfent and hurled in all directions. Some of the bodies were so mutilated and torn to pieces that they have to bo identified by their wearing apparel. One man was identified by the • cap he wore being that of the Salvation Army design. The belt of another was taken to several homes for recognition. When the Premier arrived he appointed Messrs Scott and Daniel to take full charge of the work till Mr Cochrane (Government Mine Inspector) arrived, which was about 1 a.m. Mr Cochrane at once proceeded to the face of the brattice-work, which was being pushed on as rapidly as possible, and by his calm exterior and knowledge at once established confidence. Mr Scott then returned to Blackball, after having worked like a hero since his arrival. Several times , was he overcome by the after-damp, but with untiring energy and pluck again and again returned to direct operations. Mr lindop, manager of the Westport mine, arrived at six o’clock this morning, and at once proceeded to the scene. Messrs M’Kenzie, M.H.E.,and Larsen, Mayor, have also arrived.

' By the Manawatu this evening twentyfive coal-miners arrived from Westport to take part in the work of rescue and proceeded to Brunner by the 7 p.m. train. The Eeefton train brought down a large number to assist in the rescue work. Mr O’Eegan, M.H.E., was amongst the number and worked hard at the mine. The Premier and seventy-eight minors from Kumara, twenty-five from Eirau and the members of the Hokitika Fire Brigade proceeded to Britnnerton by special train at 2 p.m. They were all attired in working clothes, and had provided themselves with tools to help in recovering the entombed minor's. Mr Bishop was on the scone to-day, having sufficiently recovered. Dr? Morico and M’Brearty are still at the mind, and have not had any rest since Thursday morning. The clergy of the various denominations stayed at the mine all day and night trying to comfort the afflicted. The local officers of the Salvation Army have been doing their utmost to - soothe those who are so sorely bereaved, and have been on the scene night and day, and also at the homos of many miners. Forty coffins were ordered this morning from Greymouth. Arrangements are being made for the burying of the victims in the Stillwater Cemetery , in one plot, in ■■ order to allow of a national monument being placed over them. Shinning is at a standstill both hero and at Westport, owing to the accident. Nearly every miner ah Blackball rushed to Brnnnerton on Thursday on hearing of the dreadful calamity, and eagerly sought to help in the recovery of those entombed. At nine o’clock the ah' in the mine had somewhat improved, and the work was comparatively less arduous. The Salvation Army, Christchurch, have telegraphed that- they are forwarding .£IOO to'the relief of the sufferers. The steamships Hesketh, Wareatea and Herald have also contributed the sums of £9l3s 6d, £6 7s and £7 3s 6d respectively, made up by the captains and crow. Telegrams have been sent to all the mayors and beads of local bodies in New Zealand asking them to assist in raising

relief ’funds. Tho Government has arranged to transmit all messages in connecthorewith free Of charge. Large numbers from the surrounding districts visited Brunnerton to-day and tonight, special trains being laid on. The body found supposed to he that of Joseph Scott has been identified as that of Thomas Moore, jun. Owing to the charred state in which he was found, it was impossible to recognise him by his features. He was identified by his brother, who recognised his boots, which were newly soled. The body of T. Moore, sen., has also been found. The air is very good. It is not expected that all the bodies will be recovered before ti fow days. __ - , The Denniston miners are giving a day s v/a-.-es for the relief of the distressed families. Over has already been subscribed. Later.

■ The body of E. E. M’Loughlin has been recovered. Throe-bodies are covered with sacks and debris, and it will take some hours to extract them. The gas is again dotting bad. There is still a large crowd at tho pit’s mouth. The Pollard Opera Company will play on Monday for the benefit of the sofforors. ■V ladies’ committee has been organised to do tho necessary sewing to the destitute families, and will go to Bninneiton • tomorrow. . . ■ A SPECIAL ACCOUNT. FIVE HUNDRED ME ST AT WOEK. TWENTY-ONE BODIES RECOVERED. THE CORPSES UNRECOGNISABLE. [s’boji Our Correspondent.] GEEYMOUTH, March 27. Tn response to tho Premier’s call for help eighty miners from Kumara and seventy from Hokitika, Kamen and Buna ■volunteered their services, and wore conveved to the scone of the accident by special train. They were followed by a contingent: of one hundred and fifty miners from Kecfton, and at 7.30 the band of rescuers was further supplemented by the arrival of- twenty-five coal miners from Denniston, These, with the Blackball minors, who have been at work since the calamity occurred, and the other Brunnorton minors, make a total RESCUING FORCE OF FIVE HUNDRED.

They are going on in relays of twenty. It is impossible to work for any length of time at the face as the air is still very bad. Another hundred and fifty came into Eeefton from the outlying mines and offered their services, also fifty in. Kumara and one hundred in Hokitika. The Premier wired, thanking them for the uroiiVrcd service, and said that there were as ' many men on the ground as coaid he employed. It is anticipated that-within twenty-four hours the whole of tho bodies will be recovered. Two men have just recently been brought out, making a total of

twenty-one recovered. Most of tho bodies are quite unrecognisable, and the only means of identification are belts, clothing and boots. Some are fearfully burned and charred, and in most cases the posture or the body and ’tne defensive position of the arms and hands indicate that the unfortunate miners had made a struggle for life before being overpowered. Thef'ivce of the explosion must have been terrific, and in one case knee-boots were blown right oft' the legs of a man. When iron rails and heavy trucks were twisted and shattered in all shapes it can easilv bo understood Jjhat frail mortals were more' - than helplefes. The tension at the pit mouth, is very great, and will soon become more acute, as a large number of bodies are likely to be recovered at any moment now. Numbers of

WEEPING WOMEN AND CHILDREN throng the approaches to the mine, longing for news of relatives buried within, while others, more quiet, but suffering as much, unite their agony in retired’-placas. The scenes when relatives Are brofight forward to identify bodies are extremely painful. It is quite impossible to permit women and girls to view the CHARRED and DISTORTED REMAINS, of thoir loved ones. The bodies Just recovered were found on the left hand side of the incline or sumpt, and it is thought that there are three more bodies yet entombed in that locality. It is in this part of the workings that-the water has risen, and, therefore, work is being pushed on here in order that all the bodies may be recovered before being submerged. THE RAPID RISE OF WATER in the lower part of tho incline has given colour to the belief that water is coming through from the Coalpitheath workings. A larger body of men are employed in the right hand side, and if the levels have kept intact it is not expected that the ■rescuers will, meet with much difficulty in their exploration. Great trouble is experienced in bratticing to keep up the supply of fresh air as the work progresses into the mine. In connection with the working of the mine, it was the duty of the foreman, whose body has been recovered

to go over tho mine and examine for gas some time previous to the men going on to work. The result of this examination is entered in a book which has been found. No entry, however, was made on the morning of the disaster, and it is supposed that on his return the young man had no time to enter up the record of his investigation. A subsequent examination is also made by the overlooker, but he and his sons are amongst those entombed. So far, there is not the slightest clue to the cause of the accident. There are many

PITIFUL AND' DISTRESSING CASES of bereaved women and children. One is that of a widower with twelve children. The body of this man, who lost his wife some months ago, was recovered to-day. Only a day or two ago an offer was made to adopt one of his baby boys, but it was refused. Ho said: “No, it will alw r ays find a little bit to eat amongst us.” His oldest' girl is only sixteen, and when their home was visited it was found that there was only one bed in tho house and not a stitch of bedclothing. Neither was there any food. At the present moment tho .only bod in the house is occupied by

THE CORPSE OF THE FATHER. There was one almost providential escape. A father, on going to work his shift, found that there was a man short. He sent notice to his eldest son to come, but by some means or other the notice was not received in time, and thus the son has been saved to toil for his sorrowing mother and a large family of brothers and sisters. Other cases are mentioned. Two miners ought to have gone to work; one of them was not very well, and did not turn up; the other overslept himself, and as he was late getting down and his mates were already in tho mine, he did not join then, but decided to wait for the next shift. Later on, when these two mates met they simply looked at each other, shook hands and immediately proceeded to the relief work. One pleasing feature in connection with the rescue work is the way in which tho KEN VIE WITH EACH OTHER to go down into the mine, and those who are moved away when the. shifts are filled are quite disheartened. There is also difficulty in compelling men to come up after they have finished their shift, so eager are they to reach the entombed men and relieve the suspense of suffering relatives. The Blackball miners are now fairly exhausted and all relays of men, strangers to the mine, are accompanied by a couple of Brunner miners, who are familiar with the workings. A party of fifty men were today told off by the Premier to go to Richardson cemetery, where they are now dig-ging a trench forty feet square, in -which the remains will be interred. It was thought advisable to bury the men together in this way, although any relatives who desire separate graves can have them. Those separate graves are being made in many cases, but the greater number of the sorrowers are in favour of, the men being

buried together as they died together. On tho arrival of one of. the trains from Greymouth to-day a gruesome sight wa« witnessed, thirty coffins being carried across the Brunner bridge to the scene of the disaster. It is expected that the majority of the men will be buried on Sunday. Mr Warden Stratford commenced the inquest to-day, took some evidence and then adjourned. The action of the Directors of the Blackball Company in suspending work at their mine till the bodies have been recovered is deserving of all praise, and this practical sympathy is heartily appreciated by all at Brunner. AID IS COMING IN FREELY from all parts of the colony, and to-day the Premier received from Brigadier Hoskin, of the Salvation Army, a cheque for £IOO, to bo applied to relieve immediate sufferings. Many telegraphic communications of sympathy, also, have been received from all parts of the colony, and amongst them the Premier received an intimation from the head master of the Ngaruawhia school that the scholars had opened a subscription list, and suggestingthat this example should be followed by schools throughout the colony. Mrs Seddon has been at Brunnerton all day, paying house to house visits to the afflicted women. A committee is being formed and is attending to the WANTS OP THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Ihe Premier has sent for Mr Brown, manager of the Denniston mine, and Mr Hayes, manager of the Hokonui mine, to examine the mine so that they may o-, yo evidence as experts. Mr Bishop, manager of the Brunner mine, was sufficiently recovered to be at the mine most of the day, and, together with Mr Scott, of -the Blackball mine, and Mr-Lindup, manager of the Denniston mine, is directing the rescue operations. Mr Cochrane, Inspector of Mines, and Mr Aitken, water-race manager, are also assisting. The arrangements at the mouth of the pit are under the direct supervision, of the Premier. Mr Seddon left the scene of the disaster at eleven o’clock. There was then only one body to be recovered in the lower working.

AN APPEAL POE AID. GOLD-MINING VOLUNTEERS. KUMAIJA, March 27. The Premier received the following- wire from the Mayor of Brunaerton at nine o’clock this morning:— “ Three more bodies have just been recovered, but they are not recognisable. There is no hope for any. The water is rising in the dip. Energetic efforts are being made to reach the men before the water rises. Aid is required at once.” On receiving this, the Premier sent up to the miners on the lead, and arranged for a special train to take them from the Kumara Station. At 11.30 the train left with between thirty and forty men for rescue work at Erunnerton. The banquet which was to have been held this evening has been postponed. This morning the Premier also received a wire from Mr Cochrane, the Inspector of Mines, stating that ho had entered the mine at 2 a.m., and saw that the rescue work was being rightly carried forward, Mr Bishop being ill. Mr Cochrane also felt the effects of the after clomp, and is now suffering. He states that all is being done that can be done. He said he urgently wished to see Mr Seddon if possible. On this the Premier arranged to proceed again to the

scene of the disaster, with plenty of rescue men from Kumara.

THE MAYOR OF BRUNNERTON’S APPEAL. FORTY-SIX WIDOWS AND TWO HUNDRED CHILDREN DESTITUTE. HELP WANTED IMMEDIATELY. [Per Press Association.] BRUNNERTON, March 27. The Mayor of Brunnerton, on behalf of forty-six widows and two hundred children left destitute through the awful calamity in the Brunner mine, asks earnest co-oper-ation in getting subscription lists issued and an energetic canvass made at once throughout the colony to relieve the destitution which has happened here. The Mayor and Councillors, the, Managing Comrnittoo of the relief fund, suggest that donations should ho scut to the Bank of New Zealand, Greymouth.

TELEGRAM PROM THE PREMIER. A TRIBUTE TO THE RESCUE PARTY. PROVISION FOR THE DESTITUTE. [Per Press Association."! WELLINGTON, March 27. Mr M’Dougall lias received the following telegram from the Premier in reply to the telegrams sent by him : “ I was away at Kokatahi, and beyond reach of the telegraph till three o’clock in the afternoon. I received the news at Hokitika, and set out immediately by special for Brunner. I have been at the mine and down to tiro face where the rescuers are doing their noble work. These men are deserving of all praise. While I was there four of them were carried out having succumbed to the fumes and after-damp. I am of opinion that there is no hope whatever of rescuing any of the entombed miners alive. In a calamity of this kind I have no- doubt the people in this and the other colonies will come to the rescue and make provision for the widows and orphans who have lost their breadwinners. I will confer with the Mayor of Greymouth and heads of local bodies and initiate steps to enlist, public sympathy, on behalf of the sufferers. I have seen Mr Bishop, the manager. He is a little better, but still very ill. The accident is unaccountable. There is little or no trace of gas. The Government Inspector visited the mine about three weeks ago. He and the overseer are very careful men. The general opinion is that the explosion took place in the face of the sumpt on the left side of the incline. If anyone is saved it will be a miracle and it will be those on the right-hand side on the higher grades. — R. J. Seddon, Greymouth.” THE K AIT AN GAT A RELIEF FUND. NO MONEY AVAILABLE FOP BEUNNERTON. [Per Press Association.! WELLINGTON, March 27. Inquiries made from the ■ Public Trust Office show that the Kaitangata Relief Fund now consists of ,£5050, which is out ou mortgage, and £2675 which is in the hands of the Public Trustee, and bears interest at the rate of 4 per cent. In addition to this there is a property in Dunedin belonging to the fund which is leased for a rental of £IOO per annum. The Department explains, however, that on one of the mortgages, amounting to £4375, there is likely to bo a loss of something like £2OOO. The total fund earns about £SOO per annum in interest and rent, while the annual payments to the beneficiaries amount to about £BOO. The capital sum is therefore being entrenched upon at the rate of about £3OO per annum, without taking into consideration the fact that a considerable loss is expected on one of tho principal mortgages. From these figures it appears that none of this fund is available for present requirements in connection with the Brunnerton disaster. DUNEDIN, March 27. From particulars obtained from the Public Trustee’s local representative it anpears that tho capital fund of the Kaitangata relief fund, any surplus from which is now available for coalmine accidents, is valued at £9BOO. The approximate estimate for the current year’s income is £546 7s 6d. The disbusements last year were heavier than in the previous twelve months, through the assistance given in cases of accidents in coal-mines. Apparently there is little or nothing available out of the fund for the Brunner disaster.

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. . . FPek Press Association.] DUNEDIN, March 27. The colliery disaster has cast quite a gloom over the city. The Mayor of Dunedin to-day sent the following telegram to the Mayor of Enmnertou: —“All in Dunedin tender to Brunuerton, and especially to those deprived of their breadwinners, our heartfelt sympathy in your present calamity. Shall be glad to co-operate in any scheme of relief for those left unprovided for.” NAPIER, March 27. The Mayor to-day telegraphed. to the Mayor of Brunner Lon : —“ The deep and heartfelt sympathy of the people of Hawke’s Bay goes out in one voice to the bereaved and suffering ones by the sad and dire catastrophe that has overtaken them. Depend upon it Napier and Hawke’s Bay will do their share in the way of relief and assistance.”

Yesterday morning his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch sent the following telegram to the Mayor of Brunuerton: —‘ “Citizens of Christchurch deeply sympathise with sufferers from terrible disaster. Propose to open subscription lists in aid of distressed.”

. Mr J. Stinson, Mayor of Lyttelton, telegraphed to the Mayor of Brunnerton yesterday morning, expressing the deep sympathy of the residents of the Port. A public meeting is to be held in theColonists’ Hall this evening to take steps to start a relief fund. The following telegram was sent from E ingioratothe Mayor of Brunuerton yesterday morning : —“ The inhabitants of Rangiora deeply sympathise with sufferers by mining disaster. —T. Keir, Mayor.” Yesterday Mr J.- Brown, Mayor of Sydenham, received a telegram from the Mayor of Grey mouth, asking for assistance on behalf of the sufferers. His Worship replied, expressing the sympathy of the burgesses of Sydenham, and promising to do what he could in the matter. A list for the receipt of subscriptions in aid of the fund has been opened at the Sydenham Borough Council Office. Yesterday the Very Rev Father Cummings, Y.G., telegraphed to the Rev Father Carew, expressing the sympathy of the Catholics of this district with the people of Brunuerton' in regard to the disaster. At the services to-morrow the prayers of the congregation will he requested on behalf of the sufferers. At the meeting of the Progressive Liberal Association last night the following resolution was passed:—“The Committee of the Progressive Liberal Association wishes to express its deep sympathy with the bereaved ones in connection with the deplorable accident which has occurred at the Brunner mine, and would urge the Minister of Mines to institute a rigid inquiry, at an early date, into the cause of the disaster, with the object of minimising the risks attending mining.” At the meeting of the Christchurch Prohibition League last evening it was resolved to send a telegram to the Mayor of Brunnerton, expressing the League’s sincere sympathy with the relations and

friends of the miners who had lost their lives through the mining disaster. PROMPT ASSISTANCE. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 27., His Excellency the Governor has telegraphed to the Mayor of Greymouth consenting to become patron of the Brunnerton Miners Relief Fund, and giving a first subscription of ,£25. Tho Mayors of Auckland and Parnell have opened subscription lists, and are also placing them in the banks. WELLINGTON, March 27. The Mayor has convened a meeting to discuss the question of assistance to .the sufferers by the Brunner disaster. A subscription list is already out in the town. Tho Working Men’s Club has voted .£2O. DUNEDIN, March 27. The committee of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Executive passed a resolution of sympathy with the • Brunner sufferers, and voted £o to. tho relief fund. The various branches throughout the colony are to he asked to do everything jiossible to alignment the fund. Tho Mayor of Thnaru, in response to a request from tho Mayor of Brunnerton, yesterday telegraphed that he will he glad to take steps to solicit aid for the relief of the distressed, and subscription lists will bo circulated to-day. The Garrison Band promply offered to render any assistance they could. The Christchurch Working Men’s Club will hold a special meeting at 9.30 this evening to consider what steps shall he taken for contributing towards the Brunner Disaster Relief Fund. The master bakers of Christchurch will hold a meeting at the Shades Hotel at eight o’clock, this evening, to arrange for subscriptions to the Brunner Disaster Fund.

The people of Christchurch have certainly not been slow in sending help to the sufferers by tho disaster. Yesterday morning .£IOO was sent to the Mayor of Brunnerton through the Bank of New Zealand by tho Fire Brigade Demonstration Committee. Superintendent Smith spent most of the morning interviewing the members of tho committee, all of whom at once assented to the money being devoted to the purpose, and the bank transmitted it free of exchange. It has been -placed to the credit of the Mayor of Brunnerton in the Bank at Greymouth, so as to bo immediately available. Shortly before the committee sent its donation, Mr Charles Louisson, a member of tho committee, forwarded £l5O in the same manner. Tho sum of <£2s has been wired hy the manager of the Lyttelton Times Company. His Worship tho Mayor has convened a meeting of citizens to bo hold in the City Council Chambers at 4.30 p.m. on Monday, for the purpose of taking steps to raise funds for the relief of the sufferers. Mr W. W. Collins has convened a mass meeting of citizens, to be held in Cathedral Square at eight o’clock this evening. He will address the gathering, and will make an appeal for practical sympathy. His Worship the Mayor has initiated a public subscription for the relief of the sufferers, and subscription lists have been placed at the City Council Office and the banks.

Professor ■ Bickerton has offered to deliver a lecture on “ Coal and Coal-mining ” in aid of the Relief Fund ; and his sons have offered to give a display of fireworks in Market Square, or to give one of their lecture entertainments in aid of the same object. At the meeting of the Linwood, Football Club last night, it was decided to open a subscription list. Mr E. J. Pegg was appointed* to receive subscriptions. The Richmond Swimming Club has opened a subscription list for the relief of sufferers by the disaster. Subscriptions will be received by the honorary secretaries, Mr G. Milne, Lyttelton Times Office, and Mr K. Bassett, Messrs E. Reece and Sons.

At a meeting of the committee of the Pioneer Bicycle Club last evening it was decided to abandon the autumn race meeting, advertised to take place to-day. Mr Lowry moved—" That this club inagurate a monster benefit gala, to be held at Lancaster Park on or about April 9, in aid of the sufferers by the sad mining catastrophe at Brunnerton, and that all the local cycling, athletic, cricket, rowing, football and swimming clubs, bands and fire brigades be asked to co-operate in carrying out the arrangements.” Mr Brown seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. It was decided to call a meeting of delegates from the various clubs, to be held in the Pioneer Bicycle Club’s rooms on Monday evening, at eight o’clock.