THE BRUNNERTON DISASTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10919, 30 March 1896, Page 5

THE BRUNNERTON DISASTER.

THE LATEST NEWS. r ' : , RECOVERING! THE BODIES. EXPRESSIONS OP SYMPATHY. MEASURES POR RELIEF. [Per Press Association.] BRUNNEETON, March 28. The work of freeing the entombed men was pushed on with all speed last night, and is being continued to-day by the Westport, Denniston Hill and Brunner miners, who are working in relay shifts under Messrs Landof, Scott, Hard and Bishop. The worst fears are now realised, and the bodies that have been recovered during f&e night are fearfully mangled, and it is only with the greatest care that identification is possible. As the dead men are brought on trollies the scene is one piteous to behold, and moves the stoutest hearts to tears. At midnight three more bodies had been recovered, viz., those of John Allen, William Moonie and W. Henderson. The body of R. O’Loughlan, reported to have been found during the early stages, was not recovered until last night.

Good progress is now being made with the work by the noble band of rescuers. The air is considerably better in the back workings, although a quantity of debris has. ■ been encountered. Between 2 and 3 a.m. the bodies of George Baxter, A. Rowe and Alfred Williams were recovered, badly burned. Richard O’Loughlan’s body was very much charred, and all his clothing was burnt off him, so much so that he was hardly recognisable. Half an. hour later trollies kept coming out at intervals bringing somebody’s loved one to the face, and by two o’clock all that was Left Of William M’Minn, James Scott, F. Frank- , lin S. Roberts, D. Roberts and Josiah Masters was brought to the surface. Scott buried his invalid-wife only a few weeks ago, and had only been hack from Auckland a few days. He had a presentiment that he would soon, join his wife.

BRINGING OUT THE DEAD. "DREADFUL, MONOTONOUS REGULARITY.” THE IDENTIFICATION. GREYMOUTH, March 28. The men continued to work in the min® throughout the whole of last night. About two o’clock this morning the dead bodies commenced to be brought out, and from that time until 8 a.m., the remains continued to come with dreadful, monotonous regularity. The following is the list of those recovered during the night:—R. O. Loughlan, J. MTHinn, J. Scott, P. Franklin, D. Roberta, T. M’Kivor, A. Masters, J. Beeman, J. M’KivOr (doubtful), J. Allan, J. Rowe, G. Baxter, A, Williams, D. Hooley, J. Dunn, W. Henderson, W. Moore, M. Boyd, P. M’Mahon, J. Tuart, J. McDonald, J. Baxter, T. Moore senr., O. Richards, R. Pascoe, J. Langdon, W. Liddle, E. Collins and H. Smith. This makes a total of fifty-two bodies recovered, leaving fifteen yet in’the mine. Many of the bodies were in a very mutilated condition and some entirely beyond recognition were it not for articles of clothing found upon them. In one or two instances the identity has not yet been fully established. Early this morning volunteers were called to carry Hie corpses out of the mine. The call was readily responded to, and one by one the sad remnants of mortality were brought out and placed in the temporary mortuary improvised for the occasion. The saddest sight of all was, perhaps, when the women and children were brought in to identify the bodies. Not a tear was visible, but a terrible calmness prevailed. The bodies were dressed in calico and placed in coffins, the relatives being allowed to immediately- remove them to - their various residences.

Messrs Bishop, Scott, Aitfcen and Cochrane are now (Erecting operations, and it is hoped that the whole of the men will be got out during the afternoon. The air ,in the mine is now good, but serious obstacles, in the shape of fallen coal and rook, have • yet to be overcome. Some of the bodies are being buried this afternoon in the Greymouth Cemetery. .The, general funeral, however, will take place to-morrow, when over sixty bodies will be committed to tneir last restingplace in the Stillwater Cemetery, where it is intended to erect a monument to their , memory. Business and everything is at a complete standstill in the district, over which the most intense gloom hangs. The community is only now commencing to realise , the immensity of the catastrophe. Later.

The following additional bodies have just been brought out:—J. White, H.. Dettert, P. M’Kinnon, E. W. Kear, E-. Pascoe, senr., N. Masters, W - M’Cluskie, E. M’ClusMe. One body cannot be identified. This brings the total up to sixty-one, leaving six bodies yet to be, recovered.

SATUEDAY’S WORK. THE FUNERALS. ' .A SOLEMN CEREMONY. AFFECTING SCENES. GREYMOUTH, Marcs g 9. AH Saturday the work of rescue continued, and it was very pitiful te see the wives and mothers identifying and claiming the bodies, of their husbands and sons. A settled melancholy seemed to have fallen on all; everything was calm, and there was no scene of any Mnd. After 8 a.m. on Saturday the bodies were, brought out quickly, and by eleven the same night sixty-four had been recovered. One is yet missing, supposed to be that of Kent, though this is not certain, as one body, thought to be that of Anderson, from the position in the mine were it was found, was unrecognisable. A great many bodies were mutilated, • some entirely beyond recognition, and were' only identified by the clothing or some distinguishing mark. Kent is supposed to be buried under a faji of stone, and there is expected to be 20ft of driving before the body can be reached. Owing to the calamity, business of all kinds and shipping are at a 'sttedsfciU. Telegrams of sympathy and forwarding money to the Relief Fund are coming in fast.

Prom the appearance of the bodies, it is evident that some were killed outright by the shock of the explosion, while others were suffocated by choke - damp. The bodies were found in all kinds of positions, some in holes and crevices in the rook and coal, others with coats on and cane in hand, and some with picks at the face, it is evident that after the explosion some had made a rush to get out, but were overtaken by the gas and suffocated. One man found had his head wrapped in a bag.. Another had the whole body wrapped in canv**. The latter also was much mutilated. Some bodies were completely naked, and others were only half clad. Several horses were killed and completely disembowelled, and the stench arising is awful. Owing to the machinery being broken' by the explosion the pumps are not working, and water is rising rapidly in the mine, If the body of Kent is not found soon it will be covered with water, and then it will not be possible to recover the body till the mine is again worked. Many men had their hand® to their

heads when found, as if warding off a blow. In many places the pillars have been blown but and the mine presents a very wrecked appearance, .while at others there is no evidence of any explosion. When the explosion occurred the telephone bell from the mine gave three distinct rings, which is the danger signal. It is thought that more than one explosion occurred, and that Parsons, who was at the dynamo, heard the first, and gave the signal, and was then immediately killed by the second explosion. 'He was much burnt and mutilated, and was .evidently killed instantaneously. . The clergy of all denominations are continuously in attendance on the bereaved. A large number of ladies went from-Grey to Brunner. on Saturday to make clothes for the sufferers and attend the funeral. One family of twelve, of which the oldest is fifteen years, is doubly orphaned. The following • bodies have been recovered :—J. Allen, M. Moonie,- J. Morris, M. Brislane, John Roberts, Mark Masters, Robert Pascoe, Humphrey Smith, Thomas, Clark, Joseph ’ M’lvor, M. Liddle, Henry Dettert, John Langdon, Joseph Baxter, James Richards, Geoffrey Geogeghan, James Geogeghan, Robert Duncan, James Worthley, John Tuart, Edward Collins, T-- Beaman, W. M’Luskie, Robert M’Luskie,. T. MoOre sen., T. Moore jun., William Hunter, Henry Denniston, James Scott, Charles James, Paul Peillon, W. M’Minn, George Baxter, W. Boyd, John White,-Alfred Williams, James Rowe, John Dunn,-. Robert M’Mahon, D. Hooley, John Watchman, John W- Patterson, John W. Roberts, Josiah Masters, Thomas Heslin, William Henderson, R. W. Kear, T. MTvor, James M’Donald, Richard O’Loughlan, E. Pascoe jun., Jos. Scoble jun., W. MTvinnon, David Roberts, Frederick Franklin, -William Cunliff, Patrick M’Donald, B. Hill, Henry Julian,: Charles Baxter; David Anderson, David .Hall, John Parsons and Samuel Roberts.

On Saturday the bodies of Parsons, Brisiahe, T. Moore, sen., T. Moore, jim., P. M’Donald, sen. and J. M’Donald were buried in the Grey Cemetery. The funeral was-largely attended. Eeferences were made in the churches to the calamity, and were very‘touching. Special trains ran all day in connection with the funerals to-day. Over 200 attended from Westport, 600 from Hokitika, 600 from Eeefton, about 400 from the Valley, 250 from Jackson’s and the last train from Grey took about 1000, besides those- that went up in the morning train. There must have been 4000 followers in all. Fifty bodies were interred in the Stillwater Cemetery, one large grave containing thirty-three. On arrival at Brunner a great crowd was assembled at the station, and the procession, headed by the Kumara, Eeefton, Grey and Black’s Point Bands, playing the “Dead March,” was nearly _a mile in length. The order was as follows.First, the bands, then Masons (members of the Star of the West Lodge), Salvation Army (with banners, and singing when the bands stopped), Druids and Oddfellows (all jn regalia). The procession took over half an hour to pass across Stillwater bridge; The train conveyed the bodies to within 200 yards of the cemetery, and there was a special train from Brunnerton to Stillwater for the women and children only. Among those present were the Premier, Hons J. Kerr, M!L.C., and E. Eeeves, M.L.C., Messrs Guinness, M’Kenzie and O’Eegan, M.H.E.’s. There-was a very affecting scene at the burial, ground, the women weeping piteously, the children screaming for their fathers, and strong men overcome, by the violence of grief. It was a. sight never to be- forgotten. Several women fainted at the cemetery, aud one young lady. Miss Baxter, whose father was buried to-day with the others, has been in a faint for over two hours, , and has not yet recovered; At first it was thought that she was dead, and a doctor was sent for. The funeral service was lengthy and touching. The Eevs York, - Stewart, Spence and Dart, the. Eev Father Carew, and the Captain of. th® Salvation Army officiated, and# the mourners sang at different times “ The Sweet By-'and-by,” “Eock of Ages” and “ Safe'in the Arms of Jesus.” At the conclusion ■ a great many wreaths were deposited on the graves, two sent by the Grey Football Club, which had some members tilled in the explosion.

After the funeral at Stillwater was concluded,, the train ran to Grey, where the rest of the bodies were interred. The same bands and ministers of religion attended at both funerals. It was awfulto see so much suffering, and a great many were moved to tears at the solemn ceremony. It was-an awful spectacle to see the thirtythree coffins side by side in one huge grave, and the effectoVas greatly increased by the wailing of men, women and children..,' •

■ When the miners in Westport that the bodies were not all out of the mine -they refused to work till all were rescued, and forty-five left in one batch for Greymonth., , There must have been 120 miners from the Westport district down, besides friends and others, making a total of 200.

The Lyttelt.on Times has sent <£2s, A. M’Kay (Auckland) £6O, a sympathiser (unknown) from Christchurch £SO and Judge Ward.£2s for the relief of the bereaved. Mr Scott, manager of the Blackball mine, is still suffering from his exertions in the mine. He is surprised that more damage was not done in the mine. Mr Bishop is recovering quickly. Both were at the funerals.

TELEGRAMS FROM MR -SBDDON. ' ’ ' ’ KUMAR A, March 29. * The Hon R. J, Seddon communicated as follows to the Mayor of Brunnerton : —“ I regret I did not see you when at Brunnerton ' yesterday, and personally convey to you my great sorrow and sympathy with the Sufferers by the dreadful disaster which has occurred at the Brunner mine. I visited many homes of widows and orphans, and cheered them up as best I could in their great hour of trial. The scenes at the pit-mouth and in the homes of the bereaved were heartrending, and once witnessed, never 'to be forgotten. The mothers of New Zealand will, I feel sure, do their best to assuage the grief of their sorrowing sisters at Brunner, and though the bread-winners are beyond human aid, still the blow may be softened by placing the widows and orphans beyond want, and in this noble work I feel assured you will have the assistance and hearty co-operation of thh women of New Zealand.”

The following telegrams from the Premier were received by the Editor of this journal yesterday:—“ I feel sure you will be pleased to bear that the whole of the bodies of the entombed miners, with one exception, have been recovered. Expect the other body will be recovered by 'midnight. The heroic work of the rescuers is beyond all praise. I feel sure that the people of New Zealand

will do their best to provide for the wa.nts of the widows and orphans. —R. J- Seddon.” “Have just returned from the last sad rites in connection with the Brunner mine disaster. The scene at the cemetery was most touching and pathetic, and was one which can never be forgotten. The funeral was attended by an immense concourse of people, drawn from all parts of the West Coast. Thirty-four bodies were interred in one largo grave, and the others separately or in pairs as in the case of father and son. The services were conducted by ministers of different denominations, and hymns were sung at the graveside. Several bodies of unfortunate miners were buried at Greymouth.—R. J. Seddon.” MEASURES OF RELIEF. In; compliance with the request of the Mayor 0/ Christchurch, our readers are informed that subscriptions in aid of the relief fund will be received at the office of the Lyttelton Times Company, as well as at the City Council office and at the banks. Country residents can obtain subscription lists on application to the Mayor of Christchurch.

The Mayor of Christchurch has received the following telegram from the Post and Telegraph Department: — “ I am directed by the PostmasterGeneral to inform you that all telegrams you may find it necessary to send on business connected with the raising of toy fund for the relief of the families of the miners who perished in the Brunnerton mine yesterday will be accepted and transmitted free.—W. Gray, Wellington.” The Mayor of Lin wood, Mr Marshall, on Friday sent a telegram of sympathy to the Mayor of Brunnerton, and has opened a subscription list for the relief of the sufferers.

On'Saturday Mr G. F. Smith, W.M. of the Ashley Masonic Lodge, Rangiora, remitted five guineas, by telegraph, to the Mayor of Brunnerton, as a first subscription towards the relief fund from members of the Lodge. A movement has been initiated for the purpose of holding a concert and sports at New Brighton to raise money for the relief fund. A well-attended meeting of members of the Christchurch Working Men’s Club was held on Saturday evening, Mr Martin (the President) in the chair. It was decided to vote =£2s from the funds of the club towards the Brunner Relief Fund, and also to open subscription lists. • At a meeting of master bakers,' held at the Shades Hotel on Saturday evening, Mr J. Hirons in the chair, it was decided that those present should form themselves into a committee to canvass the master bakers of Christchurch for subscriptions in aid of the fund being raised for the relief of the sufferers by the Brunner disaster. The children attending the Addington Kindergarten have obtained the permission of their teachers to give an entertainment in the St Mary’s Schoolroom on Tuesday, April 7, in aid of the Brunner Relief Fund. The Mayor of Kaiapoi on Saturday morning telegraphed an expression of sympathy to the Mayor of Brunnerton. Subscription lists have been opened at the Bank of New Zealand, Kaiapoi Borough Council Chambers, the woollen mills and the Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club. ■ The employes of the Kaiapoi Clothing Factory held a meeting on Saturday to discuss the best means of showing their practical sympathy with the sufferers through the late accident. A resolution was carried unanimously that a subscription list should be handed round as soon as possible. It was stated that the directors of the company had offered to head the list with <£2s.

At the Lyceum last night Mr E. Winter, who occupied the chair, alluded feelingly to the recent disaster at Brunnerton, and a resolution, expressing sympathy and condolence, was unanimously passed. A subscription fund was started, and the sum of .£5 14s collected.

At the annual meeting of the Canterbury Eugby Union, held on Saturday evening, a motion was carried expressing tlae sympathy of the delegates with the relatives of the deceased miners, and instructing the executive to contribute the sum of =223 towards the relief of the sufferers. The Garrison Band will play selections, at the rotunda on Tuesday evening, when a collection will be taken up. in aid of the Belief Fund.

The United Ancient ‘ Order of Druids Grand Lodge for the Canterbury District has issued a.circular to all the Lodges under its jurisdiction, urging them to contribute to the relief of the sufferers, and instructing them to forward their contributions to the Board of Management for the district.

The Rev F. W. Isitt intends to give his lecture on “ The Black Hero of Hayti,” on behalf of the Brunner Relief Fund on Wednesday next in the Opera House, if the building is not otherwise engaged. It is probable that a lecture in aid of the Relief Fund will be given under the auspices of the Navy League. The children of the Christchurch Catholic schools have promised to make a contribution, to be forwarded in a special manner, as a mark of their sympathy with the fatherless children of Brunnerton. A meeting of citizens will be held at the City Council Chambers at 4.30 p.m. to-day, to arrange matters in connection with the Brunner Relief Fund. A meeting of wine and spirit merchants, brewers and hotelkeepers will be held at the Empire Hotel, at 2.30 p.m. to-day, with a similar object. The committee of the Pioneer Bicycle Club invites delegates from all athletic, cycling cricket, football and swimming clubs, and members of the Christchurch fire brigades and bands to attend a meeting at the Club Rooms, at eight o’clock this evening, to make arrangements for holding a monster sports meeting in aid of the Relief Fund. A meeting of Catholics will ba held in the Hibernian Hall af 8 p.m. to-day, for the purpose of raising funds for the relief of the families bereaved by the disaster.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 28. Mr R. S. M’Kay, secretary of the Brokers’ Association, wired £SO for the Relief Fund to-day, at the same time expressing sympathy. The Mayor of Auckland has convened a meeting for the relief of the Brunner sufferers, The Auckland Stock and Shareholders’ Association has wired £3O. Mr Towsey has offered to provide a concert, and Mr Bosco Wilson, circus proprietor, has offered the proceeds of a performance. WELLINGTON, March 28. All the banks in the colony will receive subscriptions at their branches on behalf of the sufferers, and transmit the amounts at par to the Central Committee. The executive of the Railway Officers’ Institute is taking steps to open a subscription list on every section of the Government railways.

The employes of the post and telegraph office are also collecting a special fund. , The employes of the Government carpenters’ workshop under the Public Works Department have each contributed a day’s pay. March 29. In connection with the Brunner disaster, the Premier suggested that to-day there should be special services held in every place of worship throughout the colony. The message, however, which should have been disseminated in Saturday evening’s papers, was delayed several hours in transmission. NELSON, March 29. A public meeting on Saturday night arranged for the collection of funds to relieve? the sufferers by the Brunner disaster. Amongst the cheques presented in the room was one for .£2O from the Volunteer Eire Brigade, the members of which had arranged to hold their annual picnic with their wives and children next Wednesday. For this purpose they had £2O of private

money, and the members unanimously resolved to forego the pleasure and give the money. At the meeting a resolution was adopted with cheers that high appreciation of the heroic conduct of the rescuers should bo communicated through the member for Greymouth. TIMAEU, March 28. A well-attended public meeting to-day appointed a strong committee to canvass for subscriptions, and the sum of =£4-3 10s was collected in the room. A motion of sympathy for the widows and orphans was passed. INVERCARGILL, March 29. At a preliminary meeting in the Council Hall last night, it was resolved to take up the matter of collecting money for the sufferers by the Brunner explosion. A committee was formed, and the meeting will bo resumed to-morrow, when arrangements for an active canvass will be made. The Garrison Band will give a benefit concert to-night.

THE SALVATION ARMY. Brigadier Hoskin, of Christchurch, on Saturday morning received the following telegram from the Hon E. J. Seddon, in acknowledgment of the remittance of =£loo sent yesterday : —“ Deeply grateful for your prompt and practical assistance. Rescue work proceeding vigorously. A hundred and fifty men came with me from Kumara and Hokitika, and one hundred and forty are on their way from Eeefton. Eighteen bodies have been recovered. No hope for entombed men. Hope to get all out in the course of a couple of days. The water is rising in the dip. On behalf of the women and children I thank you for your practical sympathy.” Commissioner Coombs, who holds com-mand,,-in Australasia, cables from Sydney: —“ Convey deepest sympathy and prayers of Commissioner and staff to the Brunner sufferers.” Next Sunday the Salvation Army will hold special memorial services throughout New Zealand. OPEN-AIR MEETING. About eight hundred people attended the open-air meeting in Cathedral Square on Saturday evening, convened by Mr W. W. Collins, M.H.R., for the purpose of assisting in. raising funds for the relief of the relatives of the miners who perished by the explosion in the Brunner mine. A drag, lent by Mr Jabez Lukey, served for a platform, and light was supplied by a number of torches lent by the Christchurch Fire Brigade. The proceedings were opened by Mr E. Winter, who briefly introduced Mr Collins, and asked for a liberal response to his appeal. ' Mr Collins said that a few years ago he had addressed a similar meeting on the same spot, when he appealed for relief for the sufferers through the floods in Queensland. That appeal had been heartily responded to, and some <£B had been subscribed. He had taken upon himself to ask them this time to extend their sympathy and practical assistance to their own fellow-colonists. He made a stirring reference to the heroism always displayed by miners. They often, he said, heard of the unreasonable demands of the mining population, and were told how they should submit to the current rate of wages and allow the reward of their toil to be regulated by the law of supply and demand, but were these men paid as they ought to ’be considering the arduous, dangerous and miserable character of their toil? That, however, was hardly the side of the question he wished to dwell upon; he simply wanted to show that these men earned their bread in a dangerous manner, that they were heroes, and that their remuneration was not great. ' He earnestly appealed to the workers and all the people of Christchurch to show in the most practical manner their sympathy with the sufferers. Four members of the Brigade then went among the crowd with collecting plates. The total amount collected was <£l7 2s Id. Mr Thomas Kelly mounted the drag and mo v e( this meeting desires to express its heartfelt sympathy with the sufferers by the terrible disaster at Brunnerton, and that Mr Collins be requested to forward the expression of opinion at his earliest’conveniencce.” The motion was seconded and carried by acclamation.

On the motion of Mr Winter, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Collins. After the close of the meeting Mr A. Loughrey met Mr Collins, and made a donation so as to bring the amount raised to £2O.

PUBLIC MEETING AT LYTTELTON. In response to the request of the Mayor of Lyttelton, Mr J. Stinson, a public meeting was held in the Colonists’ Hall on Saturday evening to take steps to start a relief fund. There was a good attendance. It was decided, on the motion of Mr A. ’Chalmers, seconded by Mr G. Laurenson, that steps should be at once taken to organise a systematic canvass of the town for contributions. Mr H.N.Nalder, in speaking to the motion, said that he had roughly estimated that to make any adequate provision for the widows and orphans of the poor fellows who had met such an untimely end, would require between £30,000 and £40,000. Of this sum, he hoped Lyttelton’s contribution would certainly not be less than between £2OO and *£3oo. The Mayor stated that during that day ho had collected about £35. The following committee was elected: —Messrs J. Ashley, A. Chalmers, S. R. Webb, J. Joyce, H. N. Nalder, F. Beverly, W. G. Shepheard, H. N. Hiskens, G. Laurenson, J. Madden, J. Dempsie, E. Just, J, M’Gregor, G. A. Lewin, T. Dyer, G. Jenkins, G. Dimond, A. M’Merohie, T. C. Field, W. Radcliffe, Dr Pairman and the Mayor. At a meeting of the committee Messrs H. N. Nalder and J. Stinson were appointed joint treasurers to the fund, and Mr O. A, Lewin was appointed secretary. Messrs F. Beverley, W. G. Shepheard, J. Dempsie, J. Madden, A. M’Merchie, T. C. Field and J. Ashley were selected as canvassers, Arangements were made to call a meeting of ladies for Tuesday, at 3 p.m., to invite their assistance. Before the meeting closed the. Mayor’s list had swelled to about £SO. The committee adjourned till Monday evening. REFERENCES IN THE CHURCHES. At all the churches in town reference was made yesterday to the mining disaster at Brunnerton. At Christchurch Cathedral yesterday the offertories at both services were devoted to the fund for the relief of the relatives of the miners who perished through the explosion. There were large congregations, and the preachers—the Rev Canon Harper at matins and the Rev Canon Knowles at evensong —made appeals on behalf of the fund. The response was a very liberal one. The amount of the offertories could not be ascertained last night, but it was estimated that it would be over £4O. At St Michael’s Church the vicar, the Rev A. W. Averill, referred at both services to the disaster. On account of the offertories having been allocated to the Church mission, a box was placed at the church door for contributions to the Relief Fund, and the vicar announced that any members of the congregation could have their donations to the offer to ry set apart for the same purpose if they marked them in some way. By these means about £lO was raised. At 7.30 p.m. to-day a memorial service will be held iu fet Michael s Church. The Rev H. E. Ensor, who has had practical experience of mining on the West Coast, will preach. Special music will be given, and the offertory will -be ■ devoted to the Relief Fund. At St Lake’s Church the vicar, the Yen Archdeacon Lingard, preached at both services, in the morning from St Mark viii., 31-32, and in the evening from Isaiah Hi., 5, and appealed on behalf of the sufferers. Music appropriate to the occasion was given, and the offertories

were devoted to the Relief Fund. The total amount realised was .£2O 19s 3d.

At St John’s Church, Latimer Square, the Ven Archdeacon Allnutt referred in feeling terras at both services to the Brunnerton disaster, and special hymns were sung. The offertories were in aid of the Relief Fund, and realised £8 16s. At St Mary’s, Merivale, the vicar, the Rev C. J. Morton, made special reference to the disaster, and the organist, Mr Clarence Turner, played the “ Dead March ” in Saul. The offertories realised the sum of 11s Bd.

At St Mark’s, Opawa, the Rev A. S. Cox referred in feeling -terms at the morning and evening services to the explosion in the Brunner, mine. The offertories were devoted to the relief of the sufferers, and realised ,£l3 Is 3d.

A memorial service was hold in St Mary’s Church, Addington, yesterday evening, and the vicar, the Rev W. S. Bean, preached in reference to the disaster, from I. Corinthians, xiii., 12. The church was draped in black, the “ Dead March ” was played and appropriate hymns were sung. On account of the short notice, however, the church officers decided to take, the offertories for the Relief Fund on the first Sunday after Easter. At all the services at the Catholic-Pro-Cathedral the Very Rev Father Cummings, V.G., ■ read. the telegram sent by the Premier to the Right Rev Bishop Grimes relative to the disaster,, and spoke' in a touching and sympathetic manner of the calamity. He urged the congregation to show their sympathy in a tangible manner, and his appeal was generously responded to. After high mass and vespers the "Dead March” in Saul was played. At St Mary’s Catholic Church, Manchester Street north, the Rev Fathers Marnane and Malone made touching reference to the disaster, and appealed on behalf of the sufferers. The “ Dead March ” was played, and a liberal offertory made for the benefit of the relatives of the dead miners.

At St Andrew’s, yesterday, the Rev Gordon Webster, at both sendees, appealed to the congregation to do their utmost for the bereaved.

At the evening service in St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, ■ the “ Dead March ” was played, and hymns appropriate to the sad occasion were sung. The Rev Dr Elmslie preached a sermon from the words “ Oh,my God! take me not away in the midst of my day,” Psalm cii., 24. During his discourse he made a powerful appeal for the members of the congregation to manifest their sympathy with the bereaved in a generous and practical manner. At the Durham Street Wesleyan Church the Rev Sidney Baker in the morning, and the Rev W. J. Elliott in the evening, made feeling reference to the catastrophe, and urged the members of the congregation to show their sympathy with the bereaved families in a practical form. At the evening service the “ Dead March ” was played on the organ by Mr Hayes, of Invercargill. At the St Albans Wesleyan Church the Rev J. A. Luxford preached in the morning, and music appropriate to the occasion was rendered.

At Trinity Congregational Church the Rev George Soltau made appropriate and touching reference to the catastrophe at Brunnerton, and appeared for help for the bereaved.

The Rev J. J. Doke, preaching at the Baptist Church, Oxford Terrace, last evening, urged his congregation to open wide the hand of practical help, and announced that next Sunday evening a special service would be held and the entire collection devoted to the Brunner Relief Fund. Reference was made in all the churches at Lyttelton yesterday to the deplorable disaster at Brunnerton.. At Holy Trinity the whole day’s offertories wore devoted to the fund, while it was intimated that the offertories at St Saviour’s on Good Friday would be given towards the same object. At the Wesleyan Church last night, J,-he Rev P. W. Fairclough preached a spoefal sermon on the disaster.

MISCELLANEOUS. The Government Insurance Department holds insurances on the lives of eighteen of the miners, aggregating =£3ooo. The Commissioner has instruOted'the ag'eht at Gssymouth to visit BrunnerthjPiit once, andgive’every assistance in tip preparation of claims, with a view to the inmost expedition in settlement.

The Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society had risks on Pellion (.5200) and R. Parsons (=£lso). ‘'The manager at Wellington has telegraphed to the agent to make prompt settlement. The Mayor of Brisbane has telegraphed to the Mayor of Auckland, expressing the sympathy of the citizens with the sufferers by the Brunnerton disaster. The following telegrams have passed between the Blackball Coal Company and Mr Scott, the mine manager:—“Christchurch,. March 28. Scott, Brunnerton. Continue your noble rescue work; all else is of secondary importance. Will you convey to the men our admiration of their brave conduct? We cannot thank them enough. —Blackball Co.” “ Brunnerton, March 28,, 12.20 p.m. Blackball Co., Christchurch. Sixty-one bodies recovered. Expect to get all out to-night.— Scott.” The Premier has sent the following message to Mr G. G. Stead:—“G. G. Stead, Blackball Coal Company, Christchurch. Your action in stopping work at Blackball mine, so as to enable miners' from your mine to go on with rescue work, is heartily appreciated. I thank you very kindly for this practical sympathy. The men have worked incessantly, as has also Mr Scott, manager, and their action is, deserving of all praise. They have now been working incessantly for thirty hours. — E. J. Seddon, Greymouth.”

CHEISTCHUECH SUBSCRIPTIONS. The following subscriptions to the Eelief Fund have been received: —

Lyttelton, Times Company ... 25 0 0 The last three sums were telegraphed to the Mayor of Brunnerton on the morning following the disaster.

. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —I see by your paper that a huge athletic gathering under the auspices of the various Cycle and Athletic Clubs of Christchurch, in aid of the Brunner Disaster Fund, is announced for April 9. Will you kindly allow me space to suggest that a gigantic entertainment (concert, &c.) be organised to take place on the evening of the above demonstration, or if that is not practicable, then on some other evening at an early date. I feel sure that a handsome sum could thus be raised, and that many who can only afford a shilling or two, and, therefore, do not care to put their names on a subscription list, would willingly take tickets for the entertainment. I might mention, in support of my suggestion, that the takings at a concert 1 had the pleasure of organising in aid of the Nurses’ Homo in June, 189-1, and which was worked up by the Catholics of Christchurch at a week’s notice, amounted to =£99 15s, of which =£9o was handed to the institution. The admission charged was

Is. I merely mention this to show that an entertainment, worked up by delegates from all denominations and all classes of the community for so deserving a cause as the “ Brunner Fund ” could not be other than a gigantic success. The musical artists, the , newspapers, the theatre proprietors and others have always been most generous for charitable objects, and I feel sure they would'willingly forego their charges for an entertainment to assist the widows and orphans of Brunnerton. ’ As I shall probably be unable to attend the meeting called by his Worship the Mayor for this afternoon I ask you to publish this suggestion. I shall of course be happy to assist the movement in any way that I can. —lam, &e., J. P. KELLY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — The terrible disaster at Brunnerton has evoked a universal feeling of sympathy. It is desirable that this should be utilised promptly and effectively for the benefit of the sufferers. In the cities it will be easy to collect subscriptions. In the country districts some existing organisation should be availed of. I had proposed endeavouring to set up;in the Riccarton constituency a means of making a systematic canvass for subscriptions, but .in visiting Halswell to-day I learned that- there the School Committee and the master, Mr Foster, had already set to work. They have determined to raise not less than =£2o, and as much more as they are able. The idea is so excellent a one that I crave space in your columns to suggest that the other country school committees should imitate the example of Halswell. No doubt entertainments will be a prime factor in raising the money, and I trust the School Committees in country districts will take upon themselves this work of charity. —I am, Ac., G. W. RUSSELL. Christchurch, Sunday.

£ . s. d. The Christchurch Press Company 25 0 0 R. Hall ... 1 0 0 H. B. Sorensen ... 1 1 0 Mrs C. Deal 1 1 0 C. Deal 1 1 0 P. W. Thompson ' 5 5 0 Dalgety and Company, Limited 20 0 0 Wairere ... ... 2 2 0 J.L.C 1 0 0 Thomas Turner 1 0 0 J.A 0 10 0 Thomas Wake 1 1 0 Sympathiser 0 10 0 W. M. Lewis 5 0 0 Whitcombe and Tombs, Limited 10 10 0 Sarah Vaughan Jones 0 10 0 Elizabeth Birch Brown... 0 10 0 H. P. Reece 5 0 0 Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, Limited ..K‘ 25 0 0 Hubbard, Hall and Co. ... 3 3 0 Pire. Brigade Demonstration Committee' ... ■ ... 100 0 0 C. Louisson ... 50 0 0