MINERS KILLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22429, 27 May 1936, Page 18

MINERS KILLED

COLLIERY EXPLOSION LOSS OF FOUR LIVES PROMPT RESCUE WORK FIRE IN OLD WORKINGS [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY. May 21 Four men, attempting to cut off a 'fierce fire which was burning about 1800 ft. dow;'n a coal mine at Blackstone, near Ipswich. Queensland, were entombed and killed when there was s sudden explosion. Their workmates at the pit-head made immediate efforts to rescue them. It was nearly two hours, howe,ver, before a passage could be cleared, and then it was found that the four men were dead. The bodies were badly burned and mutilated, but it is thought that they died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The bodies were found together, and it is believed that the victims were having a meal when the explosion knocked them unconscious. and that the flames then swept over them. The dead are:—Christopher Yeoman, 65; Edward Turner, 45; Edward Binnie, 52; and Albert Perry, 50. The explosion was severe. Clouds of Sense smoke and dust arose from the pit-head. The rescue party, aided by respirators and modern mine rescue gear, fought their way over fallen timber and 'through dust and blinding smoke, and eventually located the bodies.

No Warning of Danger

The fire had been discovered earlier in the week in the old workings, but it did not appear dangerous at the lime and had not interfered with the working of the mine. Three shifts had been worked to clear away coal and stone to get to the seat of the fire and deal wjth it, and, as the space available was small, only four men could work' at a time. The rescue party could see no fire, but they could not go beyond the point at which they found the bodies. A new door was built across the bottom of the tunnel and sealed oif. It has been impossible so far to determine the, cause of the explosion, but it is believed to have been caused ( by inflammable gas generated by old fires in the mine.

Closed lor Forty Years

The colliery was opened 60 years l ago. It caught fire and was closed down for 40 years. About six years ago it was reopened, but a fire broke but, and it had to be sealed off for several months about five years ago. Since work was resumed there has been no serious trouble, although fires jhave Been smouldering in the old 'iworkings, as in several other Ipswich 'district mines. The mine was not considered dangerous, and miners had always been permitted to work in it ■with naked ■ lights. On this occasion the four men who were killed had done so. A seal, consisting of Bin. by 2in. planks covered with earth and bags, over the top of the ventilator shaft 250 yards from the mine entrance, was blown off by the explosion. Earth and bags were scattered far and wide, and bags were found in the tops of tall trees.

OLYMPIC GAMES TEAM AUSTRALIAN HOSPITALITY DEPARTURE BY THE MONGOLIA [FROM OTTR OWN CORRESPONDENT] MELBOURNE, May 20 Members of the New Zealand team for the Olympic Games shared the rousing farewell which Melbourne gave to the Australian athletic contingent for Berlin when the Mongolia sailed from Port Melbourne yesterday. The New Zealanders arrived from Sydney by the Mongolia on the previous day, and when the vessel berthed she was flying the Olympic flag—five coloured rings on a white background—which Was presented to the ship by the Con-sul-General for Germany at Sydney. The New Zealanders attended a farewell tendered to the Australian ;<seam in Melbourne. The principal Speaker was the Prime Minister, Mr. 'Lyons, who came specially from C'anIberra, where Parliament is in session, to attend the function. Whimsically ihe remarked that when he left for England recently he did not get the magnificent farewell which was being given 'the Olympic team. "Perhaps," he added, /'that was because the people of Australia can more easily spare politicians than athletes." The health of the New Zealand team was proposed by the president of the Victorian Olympic Council, Mr. G, E. Xangford, and was seconded by the secretary of the Australian Rowing Council, Mr/ E. Kenny. In the absence of the captain, Mr. T. Arbuthnott, the response was made by Mr. C. H. Matthews, who is remembered in Melbourne for his success in distance running events at the Centenary Games nearly two years ago. The New Zealanders were also present at the civic farewell in the Melbourne Town Hall on the day of the Mongolia's departure. Good wishes and advice were accepted gracefully by the athletes; champagne and cigars, which traditionally figure in the hospitality of the Lord Mayor, Mr. A. G. Wales, were firmly refused. Toasts _ were honoured in soda water. Sirens sounded vociferously as the Mongolia, watched by several thousand well-wishers, edged out from a maze of streamers, bearing two of the 52 teams which will measure paces in world competition at Berlin. Ah amusing touch was given by a uniformed policeman on duty at the wharf. Reprovingly he shook a'truncheon at members of the New South Wales police rowing crew, who have forsaken their official uniforms for a few months for Olympic bla7X)rs and sports wear. The police athletes cheered derisively the comrade left at the post of duty, and went through the motions of a racing eight rowing at full pressure.

NAVAL APPOINTMENT [FEOM Otril OWN COUBESPONDENI] By Air Mail LONDON, May 9 - Captain V. A. 0. Crutchley, V.C., D.S.C., has assumed command of H.M.S. Harebell and of the Fishery Protection dud Minesweeping Flotilla, based on Portland, in succession to Captain H. G, D. Acland, D.S.O. Captain Crutchley was promoted to his present rank while serving in the Diomede, of the New Zealand Division. The Harebell, which is now of an obsolete typo, having been built during the war, will subsequently be relieved by the sloop Hastings, which was completed in 1930 WkL has been employed in the Red Sea.