FIRE IN MINE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16210, 7 December 1926, Page 8

FIRE IN MINE

FLOODING DOBSON WORKINGS. • 8,000,000 GALLONS NEEDED. (Per Press Association.] ÜBEYMOUTH, last night. The pumpiug of water from the Grey river into the Dobson mine, has proceeded since yesterday afternoon, and since the second pump started 50,000 gallons per hours lias been flowing in. It is estimated that 5.000.000 gallons will lie required. Soon the water will rise to the level of the foot of the main dip, stopping any air entering therein. and lessening combustion within. 'Meantime, volumes of smoke continue to issue from the fan on the air .shaft, indicating the meeting of the. water with the tiro in the burning portion of (he mine. There are some fears that when the water seals the main dip a fresh explosion may result, hut- the only damage likely therefrom would be below. Normally about 160 men are employed in the Dobson mine, of whom 149 arc in the meantime, idle. To-day the president of the Grey Valley Miners' Union, Mr ,T. Smeaton. telegraphed the Minister of "Mines asking; if temporary employment could lie found for tiio idle miners at the State collieries, and elsewhere. A relief fund had been opened, n donation, of 15 guineas coming from W. I), and H. 0. Wills, N:Z., Ltd. Messages of sympathy from the Australian miners' organisations, New Zealand unions, and mayors and many others are being- received. ft is anticipated that coal production at Dobson will not be resumed for about two months. The directors, Messrs Hogarth, Catchpole, nnd Kirkealdie, are visiting the mine, They state that it is impossible yet to make, any .statement- on. the explosion until the. mine is again opened and an investigation; made."