THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 194, 21 September 1914, Page 3

THE HUNTLY DISASTER.

TWO BODIES MISSING. Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 2(). * The work of rescue, and exploration is steadily .proceeding at Ralph's mine, Huntly. Men from Waihi and Hikurangi are equipped with the , latest Draegar life-saving apparatus. Two bodies are still missing, those of William Smithy a deputy, and another miner. ' Two or three bodies were recovered last week in an unrecognisable condition, and were buried, and while it is certain that Smith has not been recovered, the other'man may be any* one of or four missing men. The mine is reported to be absolutely safe now, and work will probably be resumed as soon as, the ventilation system "has been fully restored. . GOVERNMENT Mr McCullough, the chairman of the local Huntly Relief Fund, received a telegram yesterday from the Prime Minister, stating that the Cabinet had voted £2OO to the fund. AID FROM WAIMATE. W AIM ATE, September 21. Two children sold ildwers on Saturday in aid of the Huntly fatherless children, and raised £2.

APPEAL TO CITIZENS. DEPUTATION TO MAYOR. ■LOCAL FUND SUGGESTED. A deputation waited on the Mayor today v to ask him to take steps to invite the citizens to help the wives and children of the men, who were the victims of the mining disaster at Huntly. The deputation consisted of Messrs. J. McCullough, G. R. Whiting, F. Ellis, and F. Woodliam.

Cr Hunter, who introduced the deputation, said that everyone should cooperate to help the sufferers. Immediate relief was required. He believed that the citizens of Christchurch would willingly respond to the appeal. » The Mayor said that he had tele-

graphed to the Minister of Mines, asking for information. He understood that there were balances available from tlie Brun nor and Kaitangata funds. There would also be payments under the Compensation for Accidents Act.

Mr McCullough said that a widow would receive £4OO as compensation, irrespective of the number of children she hiad. Where there were large families the compensation was not a large sum. The committee appointed recently by Labour unions had. received a telegram frotn the Government, stating that £2OO had been granted to relieve immediate 1 distress. That was not a large sum, in view, of the nature of the calamity. . • ' Mr Ellis said that the money raised in connection with the Brunner and Kaitangata disasters was tied up. That was not right. If there was anything left over in the present case it would be immediately available for use on anyfuture occasion. The committee wished to deal with the matter «on the broadest basis.

The Mayor said that he was anxious to help. He had no doubt that there was need for immediate relief. As soon as he had received a reply from the Minister he would decide what to do. Probably he would call a meeting of citizens for next day to form a citizens' committee.

Mr MeCullough pointed out that representative citizens in Huntly were co-operating with the Auckland committee. .