HUNTLY DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2258, 18 September 1914, Page 7

HUNTLY DISASTER

FANS AND PUMPS NOW WORKING DEATH ROLL NOW 36. (By Telegraph—Press AESooiation.) Auckland, September 17. Tho small.recurrent fires in the Huntly mine were completely mastered and extinguished last night at 10.30. The ventilating fans are in full working order, bo that a continuous stream of fresh-air is being sent below. The pumps are also in full -working order, and are throwing a large and continu- ' ous stream. • Another body, that of William Blenkinsopp, shooter, a married man, has been'identified. Tho death roll is now' 85, and there is no hope whatever for . the eight men still' missirig. . It was reported from Huntly to-night that" the body of J. TV. Jones has been recovered, making a, death-roll of 36. The mine is now said to be clear of gases and the work of exploration is proceeding actively. Work will be resumed in the Extended and the other Huntly mine '■immediately,' and in . Ralph's, the scene of the disaster, within two weeks. TO RELIEVE THE DISTRESS. ACTION BY LABOUR REPRESENTATIVES. A meeting of representative Labour men was held in the Trades Hall yesterday afternoon to take steps .to re l lieve'the distress in Huntly consequent , upon the recent disaster. A central committee was set up, and ■ it was decided to establish a national fund, to be administered by the said committee. Those present at' the meef> ing formed themselves into a committee, with pow.er to add, and tho. following were appointed an executive to carry out. the details of the work: — Chairman, Mr'.' A. H. Cooper; joint secretaries, Messrs. L. M.'A. Rearden and J. Reid; treasurer, Mr. F. Cornwell; trustees, Messrs. S. Gordon, and H. E. Holland; committee, Messrs. G. Blatherwick, A: W. Croskerry, P. Hickey, M. Laracy, W. Noot, W'.. Watermoutb. It was decided to immediately appeal to each centre-in New Zealand urging that a similar committee he set up to co-operate with the executive in this centre.. .-•/■■ An appeal is to be made to.the Press throughout the Dominion to open subscription lists on behalf of the funds. .All' Labour organisations are also to be approached with a request for donations. , .Steps have been taken to give temporary immediate relief, and a committee' consisting of the Rev. W. A. Evans and Messrs. F. Knapner and J. Mellings has been appointed to provide immedi-, , ate Telief for urgent cases. Two authorised agents have been appointed to collect funds in Wellington, viz., Mrs. Wicks and Mr.'J. Hutcheson. - The ministers of all churches will be approached for the. purpose of _ taking up a snecial collection for the relief fund as early as, possible. -.'■ / The executive trust .that the public will respond generously to this appeal, as distress is .very acute at the scene of the. disaster. ' ~TKE>.MAVOR'.S FUND.,,, - His Worship tho'Mayor:has headed the list-which he has opened, • with a : donation;of £5.\ •■'•" .''''