ENTOMBED MINERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1572, 16 October 1912, Page 7

ENTOMBED MINERS.

FORTY STILL ALIVE.

MESSAGES.SENT UP TO THE SURFACE. - NO FURTHER RESCUES EFFECTEDBr Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright , Hobart, October 15. After fearful suspense, glad tidings have been received from the thousand feet level of the North Mount Lyell mine in which eighty men are entombed. A cord was pulled up with a message attached, asking that candles should bo lowered to forty men ill No. 40 stopo at the thousand feet level. It was signed "Ryan," and has been accepted as an inlimntion that there are forty alive on that level, though obviously some, if not nearly all, must bo in a pretty bad condition through having been entombed since Saturday morning. The niessago shows that the earlier information regarding Hyan's body being found was incorrect. Later advices state that food lias been successfully sent to the thousand feet level, and thnt a note has been received from the entombed men lo the effect that they are in good spirits and awaiting the cage. When the roll was called eighty-six were found to be missing. These include the six known to be dead. A practical miner who was with a rescue party states: "X don't give any hope except for the men who reach No. 31 crosscut at the thousand feet level. That is the only placo in- the mino where they would be safe. They have air pipes there, and are able to keep oft the smoke. The gases are bad in the mino; they are said to bo very powerful, even worse than the smoke. It is very dangerous work below the five hundred foet level, lien are soon overcomo by the gas and vapour in the stope." Latest news shows that the cage is not working. It is impeded owing to the skids, but it is hoped overy minute to liavo it free in order to reach the men at the thousand feet level. It is reported that the eleven hundred feet level will be flooded owing to the pumps not working. It is unlikely that there are any men there. s The fire experts will arrivo in a few hours. It is anticipated that then all portions of tho mine will be rapidly entered and the full extent of the tragedy revealed. Mr. D. V. Allen, director of the Zeehan School.of Mines, has visited the scene. He states that, provided the air pipes are intnet at present a large volume of air is being continuously supplied to the entombed miners, who, he assumes, have taken refuge in the dead ends, and should bo practically unaffected by tho noxious gases generated by tho fire. CROWD WILDLY EXCITED. RESCUE HOPED FOR LAST NIGHT, COMPANY CRITICISED. (Rec. October 15, 9.15 p.m.) Hobart, October IS, Latest advices from the North Mount Lyell mine slute that between forty miil fifty men are alive nt the thousand feet level! When the news reached the surface, the crowd went wild with excitement, and frantically" shook hands, cried, and embraced. Tho messages of sympathy received include ono from Sir. Glover, secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour. The number of'expert helpers at Mount Lyell has been largely augmented, and ■ no effort is being spared to ■effect tho speedy release of the entombed miners. The sinoko and gases in the workings are still very troublesome, but it is hoped to get the damaged cage working, in time lo bring those at the thousand feet level to tho surface to-night. There are no tidings of the balance of the men in the other levels. Tho only hope is thnt they have sought Tefuge in the dead-ends, and are utilising the compressed air. The body supposed to be Hyan's has been identified as that of a miner named Valentine. Replying to adverse criticism on tho gi-ound that the company was unprovided , with a second way out of the mine, the Secretary of the North Mount Lyell Co. declared that there were two outlets—the .main shaft and the engine winze. The latter was ai fully-equipped shaft, and was used as such in the rj.rly days. The delay in using it was due lo the fact than ten feet had to be. sunk and other portions straightened up. THE WORK OF RESCUE. A PATHETIC LETTER. (Re?. October 18, 1.10 a.m.) Hobart, October 15. Everything possible is being done to reach the entombed men. The cogo is still jammed between the 500 and GOO-foot levels and cannot be lowered. There are hopes that it will soon bo released. In the meantime food, blankets, and other necessaries have been sent down to keep the men iu good spirits. Ono of tho Toscners who reached tho 700-feet level states that he found, the body of the engine-driver, Cashling, beside tho engine. He had evidently taken tho plug out of the lubricator to allow the air to blow on his face, and thus enable him to keep the winch going. He also found a pathetic letter from M'Carthy, another of the defld men, written to his wife when ho realised that escape was hopeless. Melbourne, October 15. In the Commonwealth House of Representatives, on the motion of Mr. Fisher, a resolution of sympathy with the sufferers by the North Mount Lyell disaster was passed. Tributes were paid to the hcrdisni of the rescuers. Mr. Fisher stated that the latest information from official sources was that modern equipment to enable tho rescuers to cffect their purpose most speedily had been secured by tho company. He was hopeful that good results would follow almost immediately. As the result of the fire, the value of North Mount Lyell shares had shrunk by nearly ,£200,000 yesterday, but this largely recovered to-day. The upward trend is due to the recognition of the 11011inllammablo character of tho ore in the mine. The North Mount Lyell Company is granting the relatives of tho entombed men wishing to proceed to the mine free passages and other assistance. NEW ZEALAND SYMPATHY. In the House of Representatives yesterday the Hon. W. F. Masscy (Prime Minister) read a cable message'which he had sent, on the previous day to the Prime Minister of Tasmania ii'i regard lo tho Mount Lyell disaster, and a replv which he had received. Following are the messages:— "Premier, Hobart, Tasmanin—Please accept Hip sincere and heartfelt sympathy of Hie Government and peoplo of New Zealand, and also m.v iiersonal sympathy with the sufferer; in the terrible calamity j which has overtaken them bv the disas"trous fire in the North Mount'Lvell mine. ' —W. F. Massey." "Mimv thanks for kind telegram of ?rm. I puthy Mount Lyell Dist&tor.—A. E, Solo* ' .man, Premier,"- J.'