THE NIGHTCAPS DISASTER

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13732, 22 August 1908, Page 7

THE NIGHTCAPS DISASTER

The Nightcaps mine disaster cost tho Government £1122 — at least, that is the amount required to cover the expenses of tho Royal Commission which inquired into the case. Speaking about this matter in, tho Houso this evening, Mr. J. C. Thompson said that the Otago Coulminors' Union had employed counsel at the inquiry at a cost of £300. The inquiry was carried out entirely for the public interest, and this sum should be paid to tho Miners' Union by the Government. A Minister while in tho South had as good as promised that it would be, but, so far as tho sp«akor knew, not a single penny had reached the Union. 'Die mining company had also expended £300 in legal costs, and it had been shown at the inquiry that everything possible had beo-u done to render the mine safe. Ho thought the company should also Tj'o reimbursed by the Government for the expenditure it had been put to. Mr. Thompson also pointed out that eight men had 'displayed conspicuous bravery vlien tho accident occurred, and tho Commission recommended that they should be rewarded in some way. Did tho Government intend to recognise tho brave actions of these men? Tho Minister said ho would look into both matters. Mr. Hanan wanted to know whether the Government could not carry out the recommendations of tho Commission. Othprwise it was simply useless to have net up a commission. However, he elicited no definite information.