MINE TRAGEDY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3959, 28 January 1930, Page 33

MINE TRAGEDY.

FATALITY AT KUROW. MRS D. G. MATHESON KILLED. OAMARU, January 2L A distressing accident on Dr Matheson's property, Kurow, yesterday afternoon, resulted in the death of Mrs D. G. Matheson from a heavy fall of earth near the entrance of the coal mine at

“ Roseneath.” Mrs Matheson was always keenly interested in the working of the mine, and on 'Thursday afternoon she took afternoon tea to the men, who came out of the mine to partake of the refreshments. She then walked a short distance into the mine shaft tend was about to return when a heavy fall of earth occurred. Those at the mouth of the shaft heard a cry, but the fall of debris completely blocked the shaft.

An immediate appeal for assistance was made to the Waitaki hydro-electric works. This was promptly responded to. and a party of 100 men under the engineer in charge (Mr R. H. I’ackwood) rushed to the scene of the accident. Dr Al’Alillan, of Kurow, also joined the

rescue party. The scene of the accident is situated near the main road from Ku row to Omaratna. and is about eight miles from Kurow. The hili seems to be a mass of coal, and the fall occurred about two and a-half chains from the mouth of the shaft.

The rescue party worked in relays throughout the night, but further heavy falls and the dangerous nature of the work prevented progress, and necessitated the timlieriiig of the shaft as clearing proceeded. Finally the whole hillside tell in, and the loose rock made the task one of great difficulty.

A miner entered the rear of the shaft through an air shaft, but was unable to find any trace of Mrs Matheson, and though the body was discovered at midnight it was not recovered until (1.30 this morning. 'The bracing of the shaft with limiter as the work progressed was carried out under the supervision of Mr Packwood, mid but for properly organised relief work the lives of the men must have been endangered. It is believed that Airs Matheson was killed instantly, as a heavy beam was lying across her body ami many tons of earth had fallen on her.

Before her marriage Mrs Matheson was a Miss Lane, of Sydney, and was educated at the Sydney University. She was of a cheerful disposition, and was well liked by the residents of the Kurow district. She had a son attending the Timaru High School.

An inquest concerning the death of Mrs Matheson was opened to-night at " Roseneat h before Mr M’Phail, J.P., ami a jury of four, and after formal evidence of identification was adjourned.