Accident Relief Fund.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 251, 1 September 1874, Page 6

Accident Relief Fund.

Some time ago, a contributor to these columns urged upon tlie miners the advisability of instituting "Miners' Accident Relief Funds," but we are not aware that anything of the kind has been attempted. In a late issue of the Goromandel News, we notice that, the matter is pressed upon the attention of minters on that field, and they quote the formation of such an association in connection with the Kapanga mine as an instance of the good such a fund accomplishes. The News says : —" The rules observed in their case have been as simple as they have been successful. The proposal to form the association was readily responded to by the workmen, as indeed we feel sure would be a similar appeal to the miners generally on the held, if only some well known representative men amongst them, possessing their confidence und respect, would take the matter in hand. The subscriptions in the case of Kapanga fund were fixed at half-a-crown per month per man, the company subscribing according to circumstances, as the accidents occurred. The payments are made according to the nature of accidents, varying from 15s to 30s per week. The average subscriptions collected since October last amonnted to £3 6s per month, or to £32 altogether. The disbursements have been £2B 2s Gd, leaving a balance in hand of £4 12s 9d. During that period three persons employed on the mine, who have injured, have drawn upon the funds to the extent of £7 10s, £4, and £8 respectively ; a sum of £5 was expended on another employee who died in hospital; and a donation of £3 12s 6d has been forwarded to the subscription in aid of widows and orphans by the Kakanui boiler explosion at the Thames. If so much good has been effected during the short period that this association has been worked in connection with a single mine, how beneficial would be the effect of one established for the welfare of subscribers from all parts of the field. And, after all, what is the cost? will any miner say that he would feel the loss of half-a-crown a month deducted from his wages ? No man employed in the dangerous work of mining, where, careful as he himself may be, he may suffer from the carelessness or recklessness of another, or even from the unsoundness, unfitness, or other imperfection of machinery or material, can say how soon it may not be his case to need such provision. Safety to life and limb hangs upon the breaking of a strand, the snapping of a link, the soundness of timber, in the putting together or selection of which he may have had no hand—on the time which treacherous ground may hold out till it can be properly secured."