THE TASMANIAN MINE DISASTER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10479, 15 October 1912, Page 5

THE TASMANIAN MINE DISASTER.

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Hobart, October 14, A rescue party penetrated the 700 ft. level and recovered five bodies. A sixth body was seen. The names of four arc McArthy, McCashliug, Ryan and Bonrke. The others are unknown. Tiie rescuers abandoned operations for a time, being driven back by the fumes. They report that they heard -voices.

Later news from Lyell is coming through very slowly. The telegraph office is inundated with private 'messages of relatives, which are being given preference. There were many pathetic scenes here and in other townships. Crowds are round the newspaper and telegraph offices. The scenes at the mine-head are heartrending. Hundreds of weeping women and men are anxiously •watching the rescue operations. Everything possible is being done to reach the entombed.

Efforts were feverishly pushed forward throughout last night. Today the rescuers were retarded by smoke and poisonous fumes rising from the shaft and permeating the workings. Great care is necessary. There were many checks during the forenoon. Relays of rescuers managed to get through the engine winze and reach the 700 ft. level. Subsequently an official notice was posted that tire five men found had died of suffocation. Later a number of firemen, with tire helmets, arrived from Launceston and entered the mine.

Tho report that voices wore heard leads hope to the belief of the mine officials that the men in the lower levels may yet he saved. A steamer with fire helmets and other appliances left Melbourne at three o’clock in the morning, and is expected to roach Burnie at midnight. A special train will convey the appliances to tho scene of tire disaster. Melbourne, October 14. A big crowd throughout the day awaited news at tho Lyell offices. There were many sad scenes. Sydney, October 14. There have been man#’ messages -of sympathy with tho sufferers by the Lyell disaster, and landing the heroic efforts of the rescuers. They include messages from Lord Denman and Mr Fisher. There is nothing further to state regarding the progress of rescue work, owing to the general delay in obtaining news. This adds to the general anxiety and makes fore-' bodings worse.

GLAD TIDINGS. Received October 15, 10 a.m, Hobart, October 15. After fearful suspense glad tidings •were received from the 1000 feet level. A cord pulled up a message .attached that “candles should be lowered to forty. The meii *umber forty on the stope of the 1000 feet level. Signad, Ryan. ■ ’ This is accented as an intimation that forty are * alive on that level, though obviously seme, if not nearly all, must be in a pretty bad condition through their entombment since Saturday morning. Tho Melbourne message, signed Ryan, shows that earlier information regarding Ryan’s body being found was incorrect. Later advices state that food was successfully sent to tho 1000 feet level, and a note was‘received from the entombed stating that they are in good spirits, and awaiting the cage. . A practical miner who is with the rescue party states: “I don’t give any hope except for the men who reach number 31 crosscut at the 1000 feet lev||L as that is the only place in the line where they would be safe. They have air pipes there and are able to keep off the smoke. Gaseslare bad in the mine and said to be" very powerful, even worse than smoke. It is very dangerous work below tho 500 feet level, and men would soon bo overcome by gas and vapour in the stope.’’ The cage is not working, it being impeded owing to skids, but it is | hoped every mimito to have it free in order to"ieach the men at the 1000 feet lavol.

If is reported that the 1100 feet level will ho flooded, owing to the pumps not working, but it is stated that it is unlikely that any men are there.

The fire experts arrive in a few hours, and it is anticipated that then all portions of the name will be rapidly entered and the full extent of "the tragedy be revealed.' - Mr D. Y'. Allen, director' of tho Zeehan School of Mines, visited the scene. .'He states that provided the air pipes are intact and the present large volume of air is continuously supplied, the entombed miners, who he assumed have taken refuge at the dead ends, should be practically unaffected by noxions gases ganerated by the fire.

THE ROLL CALL. EIGHTY-SIX MISSING. Received October 15, 2 p.m. Sydney, October 15. When the roll was called eightysix were missing. These include the six known to be dead.