BURNING MINE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 62, 7 December 1926, Page 10

BURNING MINE

CLOUDS OF SMOKE AND STEAM ■FROM DOBSON AIR SHAFT INQUEST ON VICTIMS OPENED DISCOVERY OF FOUR MEN IN WINCH CABIN Dominion Special. Greymouth, December 6. No further explosions have occurred at the burning Dobson mine since yesterday morning. Water from the Grey River is being pumped by electrical power into the mine at the rate of 80,000 gallons an hour. An additional pump was installed at an early hour this morning. The distance trom the site of the pumps by the Grey River to the entrance of tin; air shaft, where ■the pipe lines are connected to the mine, is 100 feet: Since flooding operations were put in hand, dense volumes of smoke, and steam have been belching from the mouth of the air shaft and fan house, creating a smoke curtain across the main Grey Road, where it passes the mouth of the drive. When engaged in erecting the second electrical pump near the Grey’ River Mr. G. McKay (of the National Electrical Engineering Company) and his assistants had a thrilling experience. The work was proceeding at about 1.30 o’clock this morning when thick smoke and gaseous fumes suddenly belched out of the mouth of the air drive, completely enveloping the party, who succeeded in making their escape in the direction of Wallsend. The smoke and fumes from the burning mine blanketed the road and railway line for a couple of hours, during which time the work had to be suspended. Inquest Opened.

The inquest concerning the disaster was opened at Greymouth to-day before the Coroner, Mr. W. Meldrum, S.M. Formal evidence of identification was taken. Senior-Sergeant P. J. McCarthy conducted the proceedings. The Grey Valley Collieries, Limited, was represented by Mr. J. W. Hannan. The only evidence taken was that of John Smeaton, miner, who stated that on the night of December 3 he went to work at 11 o’clock, and was taking rail points into the mine. About 2.55 a.m on December 3 he left the bottom of the main haulage dip and came to the top for another load of material. On reaching the top he satd to his two mates that they could make it crib time, as they would not have time to go down for another load. They, left the mouth of the mine and retired to a small cabin, where a coal fire was burning, about half a drain from the line of" the dip. They had been sitting in the cabin for about 12 minutes when they heard a terrific explosion after a flash like lightning. A smaller explosion followed a few seconds later. He went out to investigate after the debris stopped falling. He said to his mates: "I think the boiler has blown up.” He found the boiler nil right, however, and then he wondered whether the powder magazine had gone. Nimmo reached the magazine first and called out that it was safe. Witness, after looking in the direction of the mine, sent Nimmo for the mine manager (Mr. Hughes) and the underviewer. The First Search Party.

Acting under the' instructions of the manager, witness took charge of the mine mouth, and later led a party into the mine. Witness was tied on the end of a rope, with the manager, Nimmo, and Watkins next in that order. When about half a chain from the bottom ol the stone dip Witness heard men moaning. While Mr. Hughes was instructing the rest of the party to erect a temporary brattice, or stopping, to turn the whole of the air through the west level, witness released himself from the rope and went to the winch cabin, where he found Aston standing up against the drum of the air winch. He was fearfully burned, and was groaning and moaning. Witness told Ashton that he would be all right, and asked him to lift his leg over some timber in the road, but he was so badly burnt that witness handling him would give him pain. The rest of the rescuers then arrived, and Ashton was placed on a stretcher and taken to the surface. Witness went a few feet into the cabin behind the electric winch and found the driver, Robert Hunter, lying on his back, terribly burned. Two feet further away was John Lindsay, and about four feet away Jame's Richards, mine deputy, was lying dead. The men were all in the winch cabin, where thev would have their crib. Tlie senior-sergeant stated that he did not intend to call further evidence in the meanwhile, and the inquest was adjourned sine die. Heroic Rescuers, Mr. Smeaton, who is president of the Grev Valley Miners’ I nion, played a heroic part in the' rescue work and selected the first rescue party to enter the mine after the tragic explosion, the members of the party being Messrs. J. Hughes (mine manager), J. Smeaton, B Watkins, T. Hallinan, E. Dando, and A. Edwards. In conversation with a reporter Mr. Smeaton said that every miner on the scene volunteered to enter the mine to assist m the rescue work. He also paid a tribute to the thirteen Italians engaged at the mine who willingly came forward to give every assistance within their power. Every man realised the danger, but there was not a quitter- amongst them; in (act said Mr. Smeaton, precautions had to' be taken to keep the gallant fellows from entering the mine to assist in the rescue of their comrades. Among thbse who rendered valuable assistance after the explosion was Mt. A. Whittlestorie, Mr. J Hughes (manager of the Dobson mine, who has been directing operations at the mine since the disaster), and many other helpers who have been affected in health as the result of the severe nervous strain which they have undergone Mr. W. Leatch, general manager of the Dobsoti mine, who has been visiting Rotorua on account of indifferent health, will return to-morrow.

Widespread Sympathy. The widespread sympathy aroused by the disaster is shown bv the numerous messages being received from all parts of the Dominion. Among them are the by Mr. J. sages from Messrs. H. E. Holland, W7 E. Parrv, H T. Armstrong, D Sub livan, J. McCombs, E. J Howard, P Fraser R. McKeen, W. J. Jordan, M. I Savage J. A. Lee, and W. Mason, M p’s P Rev J. K. Archer (Mayor of >*■ ” Coulson (Deputy Mayor o I W. Jeffries (chairman Westland Count Council). H. L.Mid?’. . M- LC ” anCl W. Trotichear (Glennfton). Belief Proposals. . At a preliminary meeting held ■ Grevmouth this morning proposals were

' discussed regarding relief for the denendents of the victims. Those present were Mr- W. H. Parfitt (Mayor of Greymouth), Air. I*. Williams (Mayor of Brunner), Mr. J. W. Grcensladc (chairman of the Grey River Power Board and Deputy Mayor), Mr. J. O’Brien (member of the Grey mouth Borough Council and Grey Power Board), and Air, J. Smeaton (president of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union. ... It was decided to make preliminary arrangements to issue subscription lists, and that a public meeting be convened to arrange for the administration of the funds raised. It was decided to circularise all the borough and county councils throughout New Zealand, appealing for assistance for the relief fund. The. Town Clerk (Mr. F. H. Denton' was appointed secretary and treasurer pro tern. At a meeting to be convened at an early date, trustees for the relief fund will be appointed. The Public Trust Office undertakes the safe custody and administration of benefit and relief funds free of charge. In such cases every care is taken to ensure that the money is used to the best advantage of dependants. If so desired, local committees can be associated as advisory trustees in the administration of the funds. . The following telegram was received to-dav by Mr J O’Brien from Messrs. W. D and H. O. Wills (New Zealand) Ltd., Wellington" Would like to send cheque for SO guineas as contribution to Dobson Relief Fund. To whom shall we send it?” Mr. O’Brien replied as follows:—"On behalf of dependants of victims of Dobson disaster, we wish to thank you for your magnificent offer. Send cheque to F. Denton, town clerk, Greymouth, who has been selected as secretary for Dobson Disaster Dependants’ Fund.” Danger Zones Guarded. The stoppings used for sealing the mine at both entrances have been removed. It is not probable in the event of further explosions that any serious surface damage will eventuate. The scene of the disaster continues to attract large numbers of visitors. Both entrances to the mine are guarded to prevent curious spectators from venturing too close to the danger zones. Smoke and steam were hissing from the mouth of the air shaft this evening, whilst dense clouds of smoke issuing through the fanhouse gave the locality the appearance of a thermal region. Although it is impossible to estimate the havoc wrought by the explosion to the underground workings, the mines on the Brunner field are noted for their solid roofs, and it is generally believed that the damage to the underground sections has not been very serious. Mr. S. Kirkcaldie, one of the directors of the Grey Valley Collieries Ltd., will arrive from Wellington tomorrow. Bandmaster W. Garth, of the Grevmouth Municipal Band, which took part in the funeral of the four victims of the explosion vesterdav, was a member of the band which officiated at the funeral of the victims of the Brunner disaster. TEMPORARY WORK FOR IDLE MINERS SOUGHT Ry TELEGRAPH.— PBBSS ASSOC!-.TT'" Greymouth, December 6. About IGO men are employed in the Dobson mine, of whom 111 are in the meantime rendered idle. To-day the president of the Grey Valley Miners Union telegraphed to the Minister of Mines asking if temporary employment could be found for the idle miners at the State collieries and elsewhere. It is anticipated that coal production at Dobson will not be resumed for about a couple of months. SMYPATHY FROM NEW SOUTH WALES The Minister of Mines (Hon. G. J. Anderson) has received the following cablegram from the New South Wales Minister of Mines (Mr. J. M. Baddeley) “I am deeply grieved to learn of the disaster at the Dobson coal mine. Please convey my sincere sympathy to the bereaved.” An appropriate answer to the message was dispatched yesterday.