THE MINE DISASTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7319, 24 December 1910, Page 5

THE MINE DISASTER

SEARCH FOR THE DEAD WORK IMPEDED BV GAS AND FALLEN ROOFS PATHETIC PIT-HEAD SCENES ONLY.ONE SURVIVOR By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, December 22. Rescue efforts in. the Pretoria mine were continue*! throughout tho night. It was found impossible to penetrate far into tho workings owing to the gas fumes and heavy falls of rock. Many of tho recovered bodies were blown to pieces. Women and girls kept a vigil at the pithead all night. The British Association visited the mine at its annual meeting, because it was one of the best-equipped in Lancashire. The management could have secured coal threepence a ton cheaper by means of explosives, but substituted hydraulic machinery, to lessen tho risk. Tho Mayor of Bolton has opened a fund for 'the relief of the families of tho victims.

President Pallieres of Prance has telegraphed condolences.

TWELVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.

(Received December 23, 9.40 p.m.) LONDON, December 23. Tho only survivor from the Pretoria pit is a boy, who rushed along a tunnel immediately the explosion occurred and was rescued with the men in tho adjoining Arley mine. One hundred and fifty bodies were found yesterday by the rescue parties, but heavy rains impede the work of removal. Twelve hundred and fifty women and children are bereft of their breadwinners by the disaster. The Lord Mayor of London has opened a relief fund at the Mansion House. It is estimated that .£50,000 will be recovered. A WARNING SEISMIC EFFECTS ON FIREDAMP IN MINES. (Received December 24, 0.15 a.m.) VIENNA, December 23.’ Professor Bclor, Director of the Laibach Observatory, prior to the English mine explosion, warned Continental miners that seismic unrest was threatening to liberate firedamp.