NORTH MT. LYELL FIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 45, 16 October 1912, Page 3

NORTH MT. LYELL FIRE.

. NEARLY FIFTY ALIVE. WILD EXCITEMENT AT NEWS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.) Hobart, October 15. The latest report states that between forty and fifty are alive on the 1000 ft. level. When the news readied the Surface the crowd was wild with excitement, frantically shook hands and cried and embraced each other. : • • Messages of sympathy, include, one from Mr Glover, secretary of the New Zealand Labour Federation. NOTHING FROM OTHER LEVELS. The expertV'helpers at Lyell havebeen largely augmented, and no effort' is being spared to effect the speedy, 'relfease of those- Cyiitombed.J V' ' ~-,,.]. The smoke and gases at the workings are still very troublesome. It is hoped to get the damaged cage working in time to bring those at the 1000 ft. level to the surface tonight. There are no tidings of the balance of thc ; meii'in the other'levels, '•a'nd'Hlie" only hope is that they are taking re,fuge in the dead ends:and utilising the compressed air. ' : ' ! : ■ '■ The body supposed to be Ryan's has been identified as being a miner named Valentino. THE COMPANY CRITICISED. Replying to adverse criticism that the company is not provided with a second get out, the secretary of the Lyell Company declared that there were two outlets—the main shaft and the engine winze. The latter was a fully -equipped shaft that was used in the early days. The delay in using it is due to the fact that ten feet had to be sunk and other portions straightened up. TRIBUTE FROM SYDNEY. Sydney, October 15. In. the House, on the motion of Mr .Fisher, a resolution of sympathy with tho Lyell sufferers was passed, and tributes paid to the heroism of the rescuers. Mr Fisher stated that the latest information from official sources was that modern equipment to enable '■tho rescuers to effect their purpose would be most speedily secured. Tho company was hopeful that good results would follow almost immediately. |. VALUE OF THE SHARES. As a result of the fire the value of Lyell shares shrunk by nearly £200,000 yesterday. They have largely recovered to-day, and there is an upward trend, duo to a recognition of the noninflaiiimable character of the ore in the mine. COMPANY'S GENEROUS OFFER.

p The Lyell Company is granting rela- §■ tives of those entombed wishing to ■ proceed to the mine free passages and ~ other assistance. CONTINUING RESCUE WORK. Hobart, October 15. ■ | ■ Everything is being to reach ' the entombed. The cage is still jammed between the 500 ft. and 000 ft. | "■: levels, and cannot be lowered. There b | are hopes that it will soon be releasy ed. Meantime food, blankets, and | ' other necessaries are being sent down j to keep the men in good spirits. | j A PATHETIC LETTER. I One of the rescuers who reached the 1 700 ft. level states that he found the IJ body of the engine-driver, Cashling bell side the engine. Ho had evidently P taken the plug out of the lubricator |i to allow the air to blow in his face || and enable him to keep the winch go- || ing. He also found a pathetic letter || from MacCarthj, another of the dead, N to Ids wife when he realised that esk\ cape was nopelcss. :i ' J NEW ZEALAND'S SYMPATHY. Wellington, October 15. ' Mr Massey has sent- the following

cable re the Mount Lyell disaster: "The Premier, Hobart, Tasmania,— Please accept the sympathy of the Government and people of New Zealand, and also my personal sympathy with the sufferers in the terrible calamity which has overtaken them by the disastrous fire in the North Mount Lyell Mine.—W. F. Masscy." The reply received was: 'Many thanks for kind telegram of sympathy re Mount Lyell disaster.—Solomon, Premier." ALL'S WELL. (Received 0.10 a.m.) Hobart, October 15. One member of the rescue parly descended to the 1000 ft. level and conversed with the entombed miners, who said all was well, and that fifty men were there. The rescuers are trying to rescue through the mullock, and have to pass through the funics in clearing the levels which are nearly clear of deadly gases. Another body found is that of a man named Rolfe. A notice has been posted in the office of the Miners' Association at Zeohan stating that the 850 ft level is a ghastly sight with several dead bodies lying about. Of this report there is rno official confirmation. MINERS PROFOUNDLY STIRRED. Many of the rescuers are exhausted having worked sixty hours consecutively. It Js rumoured that the miners of Zeehan are profoundly stirred, and will probably take the work of rescue into their own hands. They proposed to meet and consider this, but the meeting was postponed on the advice of the president of the Union. A message from Queenstown states that the 850 ft level has been penetrated a short distance with no sign of the missing men. It is surmised they retreated to the extreme end, and are safe, except from hunger and thirst.

THE SMOKE JACKETS. The smoke jackets from Hobart failed utterly, carrying only sufficient air for half an hour. A party ■ from Melbourne, including two firemen, conveyed jackets carrying two hours' 'supply of air. RESCUE PARTY REACH MEN. If'Ai 1 rescue : >party, numbering three, went down in an'attempt to reach the 1000 ft level, whence ' 'subsequently : a cord >vas drawn up with a' note attached, -which s|ated : that fifty men were' there alive and'well. 'There 'were three flead bodies'there. Tho note gave fifty i i i i; . •■ .u :i. " J '''"' i names.' ' WRITING HOME. Food, clothing, paper, pencils and candles were sent down to the men who, returned the notes to their wives, filing jtliem, not t6\vorryV''| u ,,, ( ,„ ' COMPANY'DOING. !# BEST.' ' '] The Miners' Union officials, the general manager of the mine and three inspectors conferred with Mr Mahoney, President of the Gormanstown miners and subsequently with a: crowd on No. 2 level. They said it was believed the men could be rescued by driving through tho Lyell block to North Mt. Lyell at the 1000 ft level in a fortnight if picked men were put in, but the deputation was satisfied after an inspection of the plans that the scheme was impossible, as the nearest distance was IGO feet. They arc satisfied the Company is doing its very best. The officers of the Company are formulating a scheme of release.