The Mine Fire.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 5

The Mine Fire.

MORE HOPEFUL REPORTS. THE FIRE SUBSIDING. By Cable—Press Association~-Copyright.

Hobart, October 14. On Sunday there were indications that the fire was being subdued, having burned itself out on the 700 ft. Jevel. A lamp and notice board were lowered to the 1000 ft. level, but nothing was written on the board when it was hauled up again.

This is regarded as a hopeful sign, being an indication that the men are away in the dead ends and places of safety. The light kept burning, which is an additional favorable indication as regards the air in the bottom levels. The manager thinks the air there is good, and that hope may yet be entertained that the entombed men will be rescued. A miner, dressed in a diver's suit, penetrated the 700 ft. level, but found no sign of any men. The fire had then almost burnt out, and the shaft was undamaged.

THE RESCUE OPERATIONS. INTENSE HEAT. OVERCOME BY FUMES. Hobart, October 14. Rescue operations are being feverishly pushed on. Allowing for four rescued yesterday, the number still missing is 89. The rescuers are working against great odds. The heat is intense and the smoke and fumes from the ores poisonous and suffocating. Two men, who penetrated the 500 ft. level, were unable to bring out a dead man, the smoke overcoming them. Attempts arc being made to get ladder connection between the No. 2 and No. 3 levels, so as to reach the lower workings, but they are, so far, futile. Two men named Figg and Scannall, made separate efforts to secure this, but were overcome and dragged out. The Government Geologist and a large staff of Government inspectors and mine managers are directing operations. MEN PRESUMABLY SHELTERING. Hobart, October 14. The chairman of the Mt. Lyell Company states that latest information points to the probability that the entombed are away from the main shaft, probably sheltering in the levels which are wide and high. There is plenty of shelter in the stopes and winzes. ' It is believed that there are supplies of good air in the lower levels, and compressed air is being pumped in. The smoke from the shaft is decreasing.

INSPECTORS ASSISTING.."' ™" Hobart, October 14. The chief inspectors of mines In New South Wales and Victoria happened to be visiting Mt. Lyell to report on th'e mine in connection with the trouble between the management and the men, and they rendered valuable assistance in the rescue work.

Mr. Sawyer, the New South Wales inspector, headed the leading gangs, repeatedly descending till «e was overcome. FIVE BODIES RECOVERED. RESCUERS HEAR VOICES. REPULSED BY THE FUMES. Received 14, 9.30 p.m. Hobart, October 14. A rescue party penetrated to the 700 ft. level and recovered five bodies, whilst a sixth was seen. The names of the four i«covercd are McArthy, McAshland, Ryan .'ind Bourke. The others are unknown.

The rescuers abandoned operations for a time, being driven b»ck by the fumes. They report that they heard voices. HEARTRENDING SCENES. ENTHUSIASTIC RESCUERS. HELP FROM MELBOURNE. Hobart, October 14. Later news from Lyell is coming through very slowly, the telegraph being inundated with private messages for relatives, which are given preference. Many pathetic scenes occurred. Here and at other townships crowds are thronging the newspaper and telegraph offices. The scenes at the mine head are. heartrending, hundreds of weeping women and men anxiously watching the rescue operations.

Everything possible is being, done to reach those entombed. Efforts were feverishly pushed forward throughout last night and to-day. The rescuers are being retarded by smoke and the poisonous fumes rising in the shaft which are permeating the workings. Great care is necessary, and there were many checks during the forenoon. Relays of rescuers managed, by a hole through the engine winze, to reach the 7(loft. level. Subsequently an official notice was posted tha.t five bodies had been found. The men had died of suffocation. Later a number of firemen with fire helmets arrived from Launceston and entered the mine. They report that voices were heard, which lends hope. It is believed by the mine officials that the men in the lower levels may yet be saved. A steamer with fire helmets and other appliances left Melbourne at three this morning, and is expected to reach Burnie a't midnight. A special train will convey the appliancss to the scene of the disaster. Melbourne, October 14.

A big crowd throughout the day waited for news at the Lyell offices. There were many sad scenes.

HOPE DEFERRED. Received 15, 12.30 a.m. Hobart, October 14. Experts cling to tV hope that the men in the lower levMs have taken refuse in the drives. 'Compressed air is still being pumped in, largely to keep the fumes back.

MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. Received 15, 12.25 a.m. Sydney, October 14. Manv messages of sympathy have been sent to the sufferers at Lyell, lauding the heroic efforts of the rescuers, including cables from Lord Den man and Mr. Fisher, noting the further progress of the rescue work. The difficulty and defay in obtaining news adds to the general anxiety, and forebodings are of the w»rst. & ' ~ ' ' ■ i" i The Mount Lyell field is situated in Montague County, of which Macquarie Harbor is the port. The whole of the country is very broken and rangy, and is rich in gold, silver, copper, and other minerals. Mount Lyell is one of the richest of the silver districts, if not the richest, in the world, and is connected by rail with Strahan. Extensive smelting works are in Ml operation. The bullion is sent to Hobart for transhipment by English steamers. On the west coast of Tasmania gold quartz reefs are scarce, the precious metal occurring principally in pyritic and hematite formations. It

is won regularly as a constituent of the argentiferous and cupriferous pyrites of Mount Lyell and the zinc-lead-Bilver ore of the Hercules mine at Mount Read. The blister copper produced at Mount Lyell in 1903 amounted to 6684 tons, containing 6006 tons of copper, 660,091 ounces of silver, and 21,478 ounces of gold. Plant for treating a deposit of copper-bearing clay has also been erected. In 1009 the Mount Lyell output was. 8638 tons of blister copper, which contained copper valued at £516,682, silver £69,736, and gold £56,993. The company paid during the year £315,000 in dividends. The first recorded return from the Mount Lyell field was in 1886.