The Mine Fire.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 128, 17 October 1912, Page 5

The Mine Fire.

FIFTY MEN SAFE. 15 VISIT TO THE 1000 FEET LEVEL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Hobart, October 16. • One member of the rescue party deMended to the 1000 ft. level and conversed with the entombed miners, who •aid all were well. !Fifty men are there, and the rescuers are trying to rescue them through the mullock pass. The fumes are clearing, away, and the levels are nearly clear of deadly gases. Another body has been found, that of a man named Rolfe. A GHASTLY SIGHT. Hobart, October 16. A notice was posted in the office of the Miners' Association at Zeehan, stating that the 850 ft. level was a ghastly sight, with several dead, but there is no official confirmation of this. Many of the rescuers are exhausted, having worked for six hours consecutively.

THE ZEEHAN MINERS. Hobart, October 16. It was rumored that the miners at Zeehan were profoundly stirred, and Would probably take the rescue work into their own hands. It was proposed to meet to 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 for a short distance, but there is no sign of the missing men, and it is surmised that they retreated to the extreme end and are safe except from hunger and thirst.

SMOKE JACKETS FAIL. Hobart, October 16. 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, and a rescue party, numbering three, went down to attempt to reach the 1000 ft. level, whence subsequently a cord was drawn up with a note attached. It stated that fifty men were there alive and well. There were three dead bodies there. The note gave the names of fifty men. Food, clothing, paper, pencils and candles were sent down to the men, who returned notes to their wives, telling Ithem not to worry.

' AX OFFICIAL CONFERENCE. Hobart, October 16. The officials of the Miners' Union, the general manager of the mine, and the three inspectors conferred with Mr. Mahonev, president of the Gormanstown Miners' Union.

Subsequently Mr. Mahoney addressed the crowd, and said it had been believed that the men could be rescued by driving from the Lyell Block to North Mount Lyell at the 'lOOOft. level. The work, it said, could be done in a fortnight if picked men were put on. but a deputation had been satisfied, after inspecting the plans, that the scheme was impossible, as the nearest distance was 160 feet. He was satisfied the company ■was doing the very best that could be done. The officers of the company were formulating a scheme of release.

EIGHTEEN DEATHS RECORDED. Hobart, October 16. A Zeehan message, which is unconfirmed, gives the number known to be dead as eighteen. Numerous messages of sympathy have teen received, including one from the Trades Council in Christchurch.

THE SHAFT BLOCKED. j Received 16, 9.40 p.m. ; Hobart, October 16. The official reason given for the slowness of getting the cage re-working is that the skids are out of repair. It is now understood that the timbering in the shaft is so badly buckled and partially fallen in as to prevent ingress or egress that way.

FOURTEEN SURVIVORS RECOVERED. Received 16, 9.40 p.m. Hobart, October 16. Fourteen of the survivors have been brought to the surface. Six dead bodies were discovered in the 850 ft. level, standing erect round an air drill, as if endeavoring to utilise it for obtaining air. TWENTY-FOUR DEAD FOUND. Received 16, 9.40 p.m. j Hobart, October 16. It is reported that altogether twentyfour dead have* so far been found. FURTHER RESCUES. A DIFFICULT SHAFT. HOSTILE DEMONSTRATION. Received 16, 10.20 p.m. Hobart, October 16. The main shaft being unavailable owing to the jammed cage, communication is being established with the entombed men through the engine winze, to where the rescued are being brought. They are thence hauled in buckets to the surface. There is adverse comment on this medium of rescue not being utilised earlier, instead of wasting time in efforts to release the cage. The bad condition of the air when the winze was holed through is the probable explanation. Brattices had to be erected to improve ithe air, rendering progress very slow The waiting crowds grew impatient, and made a hostile demonstration until assured that everything possible was being done. . The telegraph service is badly overtaxed, and the officials are worn out. SURVIVORS ALL WELL. WANT OF FOOD REPORTED. THE DEATH ROLL. ■ Hobart, October 10. Thirtv-four survivors have been brought to the surface. The majority are in good condition after their long entombment. A want of food is re= ported. Thirty-five more dead nave been taken from the 850 ft. level, making 41 known to have succumbed. The rescuers report that they counted seventeen in one heap there. THE OTHER LEVELS. THE WORST FEARED. Received 17. 12.30 a.m. Hobart. October 16. There, are gloom v forebodings as reBards' the balance of the men. and it is considered unlikely that any more wi be rescued alive. The fumes are stil bad, and exploration work is nsky and -slow The return of the explorers from ftg Other levels is anxiously awaited.

THE 1000-LEVEL MEN ALL SAVED. Received 17, 12.30 a.m. Hobart, October 18. Fifty, all alive, in the 1000 ft. level have been brought safely to the surface, amid great excitement and pathetic scenes_ as each batch arrived. The exploration of the other levels is proceeding.