TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 182, 31 March 1896, Page 2

TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE.

EXPLOSION AT BRUNNERTON. SIXTY MEN ENTOMED. Geeymouth, March 27. News was received in town about ten a.m. yesterday that a terrific explosion had occurred in the Brunner mine. There were sixty men in the mine when the explosion occurred, and shortly after smoke was seen issuing from the mouth of the pit. Mr Bishop, mine manager, at once entered the drive, but had not proceeded far when he was overpowered, but is now far recovered.

Shortly after the sad news went round, the mouth of the pit was crowded by men, women and children anxiously watching for a sign of their dear ones.

The rescuers are deserving of every praise for the manner in which they risked their lives in endeavoring to save the unfortunates in the mine. The bodies of the miners who were working in the drive or roadway at the time of the explosion were recovered, and while two of them presented a very scorched and burnt appearance,- the other three seemed to have passed away very peacefully, and probably instantaneously. How the fire damp accumulated so quickly seems to be rather a puzzle, but many hold the opinion that the recent heavy floods filled the coal Pitheath mine, and forced the accumulated gas into the Brunner mine, both being connected. There seems now to be no hope of the unfortunate men being rescued alive.

Mr Scott, Manager of the Blackball mine was sent for when Mr Bishop was disabled, and he arrived, accompanied by a large number of Blackball miners, shortly after n6on, and took command of operations at once. The following is a full list of those at work in the mine yesterday morning when the explosion took place: — M. Brislane, John Roborts, Mark Masters, Robert Pascoe, Humphrey Smith, Thomas Clare, Joseph Mclvor, W. Liddle, Henry Hetterfc, John Langdon, Edward Kent, Jos. Baxter, James Richards, Geoffrey Geogehan, James Geogehan, Robert Duncan, James Worthley, John Tuart, Edward Collins, T. Beaman, W. McLuskie, Robt. McLuskie, T. Moore (senr.), T. Moore (junr.). Wm. Hunter, Henry Denniston, Jas. Scott, Ohas. James, Paul Peillon, W. McMunn, Geo. Baxter, W. Boyd, Johu White, Alf Williams, Jas. Rowe, John Dunn, Robt. McMahon, D. Hooley, John W. Roberts, John Watchman, Johu Patterson, Josiah Masters, Thomas Heslin, William Henderson, R. W. Kear, T. Mclvor, Jas. McDonald, R. O'Longhlin, B. Pascoe (junr.)," Joseph Scoble, (junr.), W. McKinuon, David Roberts, Predk. Franklin, W. Ounliffe, Patrick McDonald, Benjamin Heall, Benry Julian, Chas. Baxter, David Anderson, David Hall, John Parsons, Samuel Roberts.

When the Premier returned io Brunner it was almost known that the miners would not be rescued. There are about 50 men buried, with 200 depending on them, who are wbolly imprisoned. .On arrival at Grey, the Premier held a consultation with the Mayors of Brunner, Hokitika, and Greymouth, and it was decided to open a relief fund. Communications will be sent to all the local authorities and Chambers of Commerce throughout the colony, it beisg assured that in a national disaster the people will respond on behalf of the sufferers. The Mayors of Boroughs and he Chairman of Cqunty Councils heads of local bodies on the coast will be a Provisional Committee. His Excellency the Governor has sent a message of condolence to the sufferers. Relief parties are still prosecuting their duties, and had to shorten the lengths of the shifts, the air being more gaseous, several having to be brought out. The mine was examined as usual in the morning and seemed safe. No report or cause of alarm was experienced in the Coolgardie mine, although it is the same seam of coal as in the Brunner.

On being informed of the escape of the manager, the Premier sent him a telegram condoling with bim on the sad disaster, and expressing pleasure at Mr Bishop's escape. Mr Bishop had recovered sufficiently to send the following note in reply:—"Hon the Premier—Your wire to hand a hour ago. Accept sincere thanks. God alone knows my feelings for the poor sufferers. Your coming must be taken a 3 showing your practical sympathy with all in sorrow. Again thanking you, yours truly.—J. Bishop. Wellington, March 26.

Mr McDougal, General Manager of the Greymouth and Point Elizabeth Coal Company wired as follows to the Premier this afternoon :—" Deeply grieved by sad disaster at Brunnerton. Would like if you could make it convenient to visit scene, as your presence would encourage rescuers, allay excitement, and lead to better direction of energies. Mr Bishop, manager, is incapacitated, and if you could possibly see your way to inaugurate some scheme of relief the company would heartily support the method udopted. I leave for Greymouth to-night if I can arrange for a special steamer. If not, will leave by Grafton on Saturday. Mr McDougall also wired to the Mayor of Brunnorton deeply sympathising with all concerned, and stating the company would do everything in its power to alleviate distress and help the bereaved sufferers, aud sincerely hoping the efforts being made to rescue the imprisoned members would be successful. Immediately on receipt of the new 3 of the BrunnertOn disaster, the Government communicated with the Mayor oi'Brunnerfcon, expressing sytn-

pathy with all concerned ia the accident aud intimating that the Government will be responsible for any steps which might be taken towards the rescue of the men and alleviating the distress.

Bbunnerton, March 27. The scene at the pit's mouth all night wiis <•; e never to be forgotten, the wea ••;>• : cos and leaden footsteps of broken-hearted men and women meeting you on every side and asking " Can they be living ?" or " Poor Jack," " Where's my Harry ? " The air in the mine increased in foulness, and as the approach to the hole was neared it was so gaseous as to knock strong men down. The whole populace seems unhinged. Passing along the street nothing but the piteous cries of women and children are to be heard.

At-4 a.m. the body of Heslin was recovered, much charred. Shortly afterwards the bodies of J. Patterson and J. Wotchman were brought out. Another rush to the pit's mouth was the signal of another victim found —Paul Pellion, a Frenchman. The bodies did not seem much knocked about. In three cases the arms were in a defensive attitude as if the poor fellows were trying to beat the fire-damp back.

Later. The following is a list of the bodies recovered :

Geoffery Geogehan, single ; James Geogehan, single; W. Duncan, married, sis children; 3. Morris Wm. Hunter, married, ten children ; Ohas. James, married, five children; Paul Pelion, married, four children; John Watchman, single ; John W. Patterson, married, eight children; Thomas Heslin, single; Patrick McDonald, married, nine children ; Henry Julian, single ; Charles Baxter, single; David Hall, single ; John Parsons, single. The cause of the explosion is unknown, and from the daily report of the mine nothing was known of the escape of any gas or fire-damp in the drive in which the men worked. The overseer had to examine the workings, and this was done. So satisfied were all of the safety of the workings that visitors have frequently been shown over the mine with a naked light. The Inspector of Mines for the district, Mr Cochrane, examined the mine about three weeks ago. He is a very careful officer, and, if anything, errs on the side of safety; yet there was not au inkling at this inspection of the slightest danger in respect to fire-damp. The general indications show so far as examination up to the present stage has been permitted that the explosion took place at what is known as the s unapt, which is to the left hand side going down an incline to the workings. Had there been any gas in the old workings further up and to the left it would have followed the usual course and made its escape nearer the mouth of the iucline. The force of the explosion and the devastation caused in the incline and workings can be guaged by the fact that large blocks of timber a foot in diameter, caps and tops, were shattered as though they were so many matches, while rocks from the roof almost block the incline in places.^ A public meeting was held to-night to inaugurate a scheme of relief. It was decided to send lists to all bodies in New Zealand. A strong local committee was formed, and over £IOO was collected in the room. Mr Ziman sent £100; Mr T. G. McCarthy, Wellington, £SO; Mrs Mills, £100; and other sum 3 from £25 downwards were received. Twenty-five miners have arrived from Westport. A circular issued by the Mayor of Greymouth s f ate3 that 67 men have lost their lives, and 250 women and children are left destitute.

BODIES RECOVERED. Gkeymouth, March 29. Telegrams of sympathy and forwarding money to the relief fund ara coming iu fast. From the appearance of the bodies it is evident that some were killed outright by the shock of the explosion, while others were suffocated by choke damp. Bodies were found in all kinds of positions, some in holes and crevices in rock and coal, others with coats on and cans in hand. Some with picks in the face. . It is evident that after the explosion some had made a rush to get out, but were overtaken by gas and suffocated. One maa was found with his head wrapped in a bag, another with his body wrapped in canvas. The latter was also much mutilated. Some bodies were completely naked, others only ha'f clad. Several horses were killed, and completely disembowled, and the stench arising was awful. Owing to the machinery having been broken by the explosion the pumps had not worked, and the water was rising in the mine.

If Kent is not found soon he will be well covered with water, and then it will not be possible to recover the body till the mine is again worked. Many men had their hands to their head when found, as if warding off a blow. In the mine, at places, the pillars were blown out, and presents a very wrecked appearance, while at others, there is no evidence of any explosion. When the explosion occurred the telephone bell from the mine gave three distinct rings, which is the danger signal. It is thought that more than one explosion occurred, and Parsons, who was at the dynamo, heard an explosion and gave the signal aad was then immediately killed by the second explosion. He was much burnt and mutilated, and evidently killed instantaneously. The clergy of all denominations are continuously in attendance on the bereaved. A large number of ladies

went from Greymouth to Brunner on Saturday, and "made clothes for the sufferers to attend the funeral. One family of 12, of which the oldest is 15 years, are doubly orphans. Sixty seven bodies have been recovered. v

It was very sad at the burial ground, the women weeping piteously, the children screaming for their fathers, and strong men were overcome by the violence of the grief. It was a sight never to be forgotten, aud the mental anguish was too strong to be described in words. Several women fainted in the cemetery, and one young lady, Miss Baxter, whose father was buried to-day with the others, has been in a faint for over two hours, and has not yet recovered. It was at first thought she was dead and a doctor was sent for. The funeral service was lengthy and touching. The Bevs. York, Stuart, Spence, Dart, and Father Carew, and a Captain of the Salvation Army officiated, and the mourners sang at different times " The Sweet Bye-and-bye," " Rook of Ages," and "'Safe in the Arms of Jesus."