DOBSON MINE DISASTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19967, 8 December 1926, Page 10

DOBSON MINE DISASTER.

| FLOODING OPERATIONS. py€HT if T® MINERS. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. (Special to Daily Times.) GREYMOUTH, December 7. Dense volumes of acrid smoke continue to emerge from the air drive and fanhouse of the ill-fated Dobson mine, giving evi derice that the water, which is steadily pouring into tho mine, has reached the seething lire which is blazing in the underground workings. Although all the force of the explosion from tho mine has come through the main entrance, there is no smoko emerging from that direction. FLOODING OPERATIONS. Flooding operations were further expedited this afternoon when water from the Dobson mine dam was divertec. into tho main entrance, with the result that the mine is now being flooded from both ends The heavv rain which fell to-day has caused tho Grey River to become swollen Provision has been made for this emergency, and if tho river becomes flooded the electric pumps will require to be lifted above tho level of the flood waters. This work will cause the flooding operations to be considerably delayed. RESIDENTS’ LOSSES. Although tho descriptions of the disastei have chiefiy dealt with tho fatalities and damage to tho mine, the explosions have also caused heavy losses to numerous residents in tho mining township who have had their homes partially wrecked. Roots have been torn off and from the homes of several families m bumblo circumstances. . . • , . All those residences in the vicinity ot the mate entrances have been abandoned W, To-daVs d caused further havoc to the affected residences. One house near the min© bathhouse was visited by a r practically ruined.. In other homes^overytaking their hurried departme. TOUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION. That truth is stranger than liction is exemplified in the niirac uloU3 e=cape of Jedn Patterson, a n eignt-ycar-o d _ ol Mr s\ Patterson, puAmastei, at iVL . ur r < r , son when the big explosion occurred, ihe child was staying with her grandmother Mrs L. Thomson, whose house is about half a chain from the Dobson mine bathouse, and in almost a direct ana with the mouth of the mine. After the fatal explosion Mrs Thomson and the child took up their quarters with her son > r)obson Thomson, engine driver at the Dobson mine, whose house is situated on a hill close to the main entrance. The explosion which occurred on inday considerable damage to Mr Thomsons house, one big stone crashing through the roof and grazing the bed m which the child was sleeping. The house vacated by the child and its grandmother was visited to-dav by a reporter where tho bedroom occupied by little Jean Patterson had also suffered serious damage. A large stone had crashed through the ceiling, falling on the child’s bed. Alongside her doll at the foot of the bed lay another large stone. The ceiling boards through vunch the stones were hurled were shattered to atoms. Jean is now described by the Dobson women as the little girl with the charmed life The women and children residing in the' damaged houses were brought to Greymouth on Friday night. SHOCKS TO THE NERVES. Further shocks to the nerves of the stricken residents have been caused through reports of slight explosions in the township. Inquiries were made by Constable J Rodgers, of Brunner, to-day, who discovered that the disturbances were caused by an iresponsiblo person firing on a shotgun When asked for an explanation uie man said that his oat was hungry and he had shot a blackbird. The constable took possession of the shotgun and tho sensatiop monger will probably have to maJt© further explanations at the Police Court. - WORKLESS MINERS. The disaster has thrown about 150 employees out of work. With a view to finding employment for the men until tho min© resumes operations Mr J. Smeaton (president of the Grey Valloy Miners Union) and Mr W. Balderatone (secretary of the West Coast Miners’ Council) telegraphed yesterday to the Minister of Mines (the Hon G. J. Anderson), and Mr H. E. Holliamd, M.P., requesting assistance in finding employment for the men. Mr Smeaton to-day received the following telegram from tho Minister ot Mines: “Your wire received and representations noted. Inquiries are being made to ascertain what works are available on which the services of the men can be engaged. The following. telegram was received from Mr Holland: “Have wired Ministers of Public Works and Mines urging that the men be given work on the BlackballBrunner road. Please advise by letter how long the mine is likely to be idle. Mr Smeaton told a reporter this afternoon that 12 of the men have been engaged by Mr A. O’Donnell (manager of the Roa mine). He also expected that a good number of the men would get empjbyment at the State mines. Mamed tiro would be given preference. VENTILATION OF THE MINE.

Despite the contradictory reports in circulation regarding the ventilation of the Dobson mine, it is authoritatively stated that the mine was well ventilated, and that there was an abundance of air in the working places. The alleged reason why some of the men spent crib time in the winch cabin was to take shelter from the cold rush of air coming through the main drive. In addition to the electric safety lamps in use at the Dobson mine, Bifold’s double-burner oil safety lamps were supplied for gas testing purposes. These lamps wore given out in response to representations made by the Miners’ Union, which asked for the oil safety lamps as an extra safety precaution. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. One of the theories advanced as to the cause of the explosion is that one of these lamps may have been left burning until the flame penetrated through the gauze, resulting in the ignition of accumulated gases. Experienced miners who have witnessed colliery disasters in England and Wales allege that the report from the Dobson explosion was the worst they have ever heard. SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS. From information that can be gleaned among the mining population it is likely that sensational developments may be expected when the inquiry concerning the disaster takes place. MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. Numerous expressions of sympathy continue to arrive from all parts of the Dominion and some from further afield. The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr W. 11. Parfitt) received the following telegram from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. K. S. Williams): — In connection with the recent regrettable mining disaster wjll you please convey to the relatives of the deceased men my deepest sympathy with them in their sad bereavement. Further messages received by the Mayor of Brunner (Mr F. Williams) are as follow : “Please convey to the bereaved families of the Dob-on mine accident my deepest sympathy. The memory of the Brunner mine disaster is still Jresh.” —Jeannie Seddon. “Please convey our council's sincere sympathy in the sad calamity at Dobson.” —S. Evans, Mayor of Ross. “Regret exceedingly to hear of the sad disaster at the Dobson mine. Please convey the heartfelt sympathy of the people of Kaitangata to the bereaved relatives of those who lost their lives.” —J. W. Fenton, Mayor of Kaitangata. “On behalf of the people of Cobdcn accept the deepest sympathy in the catastrophe that has occurred in your district, and convey' condolences to the bereaved ones.”—Charles Uddstrom, chairman of the Cobden Town Board. “Please convey to the sufferers in the present sad disaster at Dobson t’ Westport citizen’s very sincere sympa'..,y and condolence.” —Greenland, Mayor. “With deep regret I send this message of sympathy, which is shared by the members of the Greymouth Waterside Workers’ Union on tne deplorable and ijpart rending accident at the Dobson min®.”—H. lark, secretary.

The secretary of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union (Mr G*. Roberts) has received messages from Messrs H. E. Holland, M.P., P. Fraser, M.P., R. Semple, W. Nash, J. Thorn, T. Whittle, and Hayward, Mrs Gault, and Mrs Fraser. Mr D. J. Davis general secretary of the Australian Miners’ Federation, also sent a message of sympathy. A message has also been received from tho Hon. E. W. Allison (managing director of tho Taupiri mines). Mr Holland received a wireless message from Mr Bartram, M.P., en route to England on the liner Tamaroa. Ensign Friberg (Greymouth), leader of the Salvation Army, has received from the Dominion leader tho following telegram; “Please express my heartfelt sympathy with all the bereaved and the sufferers from the mine disaster. (I Thcssalonians v, and 10 and 11.) —Commissioner Hay, Rotorua.” The verses referred to are as follows: (10) Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Archdeacon Carr has received a letter from Bishop Sadlicr, of Nelson, expressing his sympathy with the victims and dependents of the Dobson tragedy, and with those who were endeavouring to develop the district. The bishop would have come to Greymouth on Saturday last, but had to keep an engagement at Picton. AN INTERESTING INCIDENT. An interesting incident concerning the opening of the Dobson mine is recalled by a Greymouth photographer who attended the official opening ceremony in March, 1925. When the official party, which included the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Mines) went down into the mine the photographer was requested to take a flashlight photograph of the party “1 was in the act of doing so, ’he said, when the general manager (Mr W. Leitch) arrived and just stopped me in time. 1 had an invitation from another coal mining company recently to take a flashlight of the interior of a new mine, he added, “but I turned it down promptly.” BEREAVED FAMILIES. APPEAL FOR RELIEF. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, December 7. 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 of the men who lost their lives in the colliery disaster 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 ‘sonm tangible relief to those who have lost their breadwinners.

THE RELIEF FUND. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. HARBOUR BOARD VOTES 100 GUINEAS. (Special to Daily Times.) GREYMOUTH, December 7. At this evening’s meeting of the Greymouth Harbour Board a motion of condolence was carried with the widows and relatives of the victims of the Dobson disaster. The board also voted 100 guineas to the relief fund.