THE MINING DISASTER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14396, 31 December 1910, Page 3

THE MINING DISASTER.

HEAVY DEATH ROLL. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 30. The victims of the Bolton colliery disaster number 344, whereof 190 were single. Married men leave 153 widows and 276 children. Two bodies have been recovered in a better state of preservation which suggests that some lived a day or more after the explosion. Mr. Gerard Crowt, Inspector of Mines, states that it is impossible that the electrical coal cutter could have caused the explosion, as the electricity was disconnected at the time of the disaster. He has satisfied himself that electricity must be eliminated from tho possible causes. The relief funds aggregate £57,510, including Manchester £13,000 and Liverpool £12,900. Sir George Reid forwarded the Commonwealth’s £2OOO. The Daily News, commenting thereon, says this signal exhibition of brotherly feeling will strengthen the tics binding Great Britain and her colonies in the far south.

THE, EFFECTS OF LEGISLATION. (Received Lee, 31, 9.10 a.m.) • LONDON, Dec. 30. The death roll at the Bolton mine is fixed at 344. A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette states that claims under the Compensation Act will amount to £60,000, and adversely criticises the appeal to the public for funds. The Times says that the average rate i of explosions in collieries has boon rising sihee 1900. It declares that tho Eight Hours Act has stimulated “speeding up,” and possibly led to the dismissal -of the slower order of workmen : and their .replacement by younger and more careless men. Tho Workmen’s Compensation,Act has produced a multiplication of certain classes, of accidents and fosters carelessness.