MINE DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 8

MINE DISASTER

MINISTER VISITS SCENE MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY FUNERALS OF VICTIMS TO-DAY (Special to Daily Times) GREYMOUTH, Nov. 7. The Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb) accompanied by Mr G. Duggan, Chief inspector of Mines, and Mr C. H. Benney. the Under-secretary for Mines, arrived this afternoon by plane from Wellington, and later visited the scene of the explosion at Kay e and party's co-operative' coal mine. Alter their inspection, the Ministerial party returned to Greymouth. and to-morrow will attend the funerals of the victims, leaving on the return trip to Wellington in the evening. The Minister stated this afternoonthat he would not comment further on the disaster at such an early stage, and he could not state in the meantime whether an inquiry would be held. To-day the inspector of mines. Mr W. Parsonage, and Mr J- McArthur were engaged in an attempt to restore the ventilation in -the mine as a preliminary to a further investigation of the disaster. The fan was completely wrecked by the explosion, and in. the meantime attempts will be made to provide.air by natural means.

Force; of the Explosion ' The mine; which was a comparatively smal} one. had only recently reached stage after a deal of dead work in developing the coal seam, ahd'this is.the-reason for additional men-:-being engaged recently. A further:, investigation :-. v to-day showed that rails, pieces of timber, winch machinery; wheels. -,'-ahd\jdther portions of the--'-'small, coal" trueks...Were hurled varying'distance^ 'UP to'2oo yards from the mine mouth.'": One'-of the props from the mine mp'uth itself was hurled over" a chain;-: while-:a one-inch wire rope down - the mine ; was. cut as if by a giant knife.: .:'.:,.' One mine. employee iri: the vicinity claims that trees on the opposite side of the bluff were scorched by the tongue of flame which suddenly belched out of the pit mouth and the air vent, while small pieces of machinery and articles close up to the , mine mouth ' were carried right oyer to: the opposite - hillside. .; Message -Messages of - sympathy with relatives of the victims of the disaster have been received from all over the Dominion. Mr Webb received the following message from Lord Dormer, aide-de-camp to the Governor-General (Viscount Galway):—" The GovernorGeneral and Lady. Galway are deeply grieved to learn of the tragic mine disaster yesterday, and would be grateful if you would convey to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the. accident an expression of_ their Excellencies' sympathy in, ; -their bereaverrent." Mr Webb replied: " Please convey to their Excellencies my sincere thanks for their kind message, and assure them that I-shall, be pleased to transmit their message of sympathy to the relatives." . • .„ The funerals of all the victims will take place to-morrow afternoon. Native of Central Otago Mr Alexander Mcintosh, the mine manager, who lost his life in the disaster, was a native of Blue Spur, Central Otago. He has four brothers and two sisters in Otago. 'The Grey Hospital reports that the two injured men, Adam Boote and William Burnett, continue to show further improvement. All the district mines will be idle to-morrow out of respect for the victims of the disaster and to enable miners to attend the funerals.

INSPECTION BY MINISTER PRAISE FOR RESCUE BRIGADE INQUIRY TO BE HELD (Per United Press Association) GREYMOUTH. Nov. 7. On arrival at Greymouth Mr Webb, the Chief Inspector of Mines <Mr£; Duggan) and the Under-Secretary (Mr C H Benny) proceeded direct to the mine! Thev inspected the mine as. far as it was possible to get down, the dip and reached a couple of chains past the spot where Adam Boote was found Mr F. Duffy, superintendent of the Dobson rescue station, and Mr J McArthur. Inspector of Mines, were making,an inspection of the working P The' work of Mr Duffy and the rescue brigade. Mr Webb said, was deserving, of the . highest possible praise. It would be difficult to find a better stamp of men, possessing all the strength and courage that were so essential in work of-;this kind. Tne fact that within five hours 40 minutes from hearing of the disaster they had made a complete survey of the mine and had everybody taken to the surface, illustrated the value of these rescue stations. Without the work of the men from the rescue station it would be safe to say that it would have taken at least 24 hours before the bodies could have ..been recovered, and had there been any men underground still living the 'brigade would have rescued them. The senior inspector of mines on the West Coast (Mr W. Farsonage) had displayed areat heroism in going into the mine in face of the carbon monoxide to rescue Boote. Experienced as he was, he realised fullv the danger of entering the mine without being fully equioDed with life, saving apparatus, and had it not been for his undoubted courage another life would have been lost. This heroism inspired everyone who visited the mine. Soon after Adam Boote had been rescued. Mr Duffy and Mr L. Hunter arrived and put the Proto apoaratus on. going immediately into the mine where there was uoisonous with the hope of rescuing others if they were alive. After travelling about five chains thev discovered the miner manager. Mr Mcintosh, who was beyond relief. They then reported, and on the advice of Mr Parsonage, left the body and made a thoroiigh search of the mine. On the team's return they reported that all the men were dead and that there were no fires burning. Arrangements were then made to have the bodies removed to the surface. The Minister said that a thorough inquiry would be made into the cause of the disaster, as the Mines Department was anxious to ascertain the cause, and if any defect could be shown in the legislation it would soon be remedied. A further announcement as to the form of inquiry would be made later.

"I am more convinced than ever as the result of this sad experience that "the price of coal can be' measured in blood, tears and sweat." concluded Mr Webb.