THE DOBSON DISASTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19969, 10 December 1926, Page 12

THE DOBSON DISASTER.

FLOODING OPERATIONS. MINE NOW SEALED. WORK FOE THE UNEMPLOYED. (Special xo Daily Times.) GREY'MOUTiI, December a. Although the odour of fumes is still petceptible at the mouth of the air drive there was no sign of smoke from the ill fated Dobson mine to-day. As the result of the flooding operations the mine is now completely sealed and patrol duty at the entrance to the air drive has been discontinued. Tumping operations are proceeding and it is expected that tire uooding of the mine will b'o completed bv tomorrow morning. It is estimated that it will take at least two months to remove the ■water from the mine and the time of the recovery of the bodies of the tive entombed men is" therefore uncertain. It was stated to-day that in addition to the 12 miners who have received employment at the Roa mine more men have since found work at the same mine. It is understood that the electrical installation at the mine was given a thorough test yesterday and that it was found to be in perfect order. In reply to representations that employment be found temporarily for the Dobson miners, Mr H. E. Holland, M. 1., has received the following telegram from the Minister of Mines (the Hon. G. J. Andor son): “Employment can be found for about2o Dobson miners at the State mines and instructions have been given accordingly. Mi J. Smoaton (president of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union) stated that, grent credit was due to the Inspector of Mines (Mr J. A. C. Bayne) for the assistance he had given generally since arriving at Dobson, and also the help ho and Mr O’Donnell (mine manager) had given in placing some of the men at the Roa mine. The Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) has sent the following message to Mr F. Williams (Mayor of Brunner): “Wellington, December 9, I have been asked by the Hon. J. G. Coates, in London, who has been shocked to hear ot the Dobson mine disaster, to extend to the relatives of the unfortunate victims an expression of his own and Mrs Coates’s sincere sympathy in the sad bereavement they have suffered. Will you be god enough to convey this message to those concerned. Mr A. H. Kimbell (Under-secretary for Mines) arrived this evening from Wellington. Mr Kimbell will visit the Dobson mine to-morrow. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. BISHOP BRODIE’S DONATION. (Special to Daily Times.) GREY'MOUTH, December 9. The Mayor of Greymouth (Mr W. H. Parfitt) has received the following message of sympathy from the Rev. Dr M. J. Brodie, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch: —“Dear Sir, —I learn with deep regret of the sad loss of life through the explosion in the Dobson mine, and join in the community’s grief at the loss of these fine men. My heart goes out with sincere sympathy to those who have been cast into sorrow by this sad accident. I understand a movement is being promoted to organise a relief fund for the benefit of the sufferers. I enclose a cheque for £2O towards that fund, with my earnest wishes that the appeal may meet with a very generous response.—Believe me, yours sincerely, Matthew J. Brodie, Bishop of Christchurch.”