MESSAGE TO MINES DEPARTMENT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 807, 3 May 1910, Page 6

MESSAGE TO MINES DEPARTMENT.

THE ACCIDENT DESCRIBED, According to a wire received by the Mines Department yesterday afternoon, a length of tho tunnel, some two or threo chains from the mouth at tho Bealey end, fell whilst it was being enlarged for lining. As a result of tho fall five men who were engaged in the work were bnried. IHvo other workers immediately went to their assistance, but when they had rescued three a second fall took place, entombing, in addition to tho two mon who had not been recovered, the .five rescuers. When the telegram was dispatched two of the 'rescuers had been got out, leaving five men entombed. All tho rescued men. woro injured more or less; one had his legs broken, and the others were injured in different ways. The message added that of the five men entombed threo were known to he altvc. PLENTY OF ASSISTANCE. Upon inquiry at tho Mines Department yesterday, a JDoimuoN reporter was informed that in tho construction of a tunnel an opening of Bft. x Bft. was first of all made. As the head works proceeded tho tunnel was enlarged in the present instance to 18ft. high by. lvft. wide. Whereas the head works at the Otira end were in over a mile, those at tho Bealey end had been driven only a matter of 10 or 12 chains. Altogether there were 300 men employed in connection with the tunnel, about 60 being engaged at tho Bealej end. Ihere would be plenty of assistance available, as the two ends of tho mine were only iive miles distant.