DOBSON DESERTED

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 64, 9 December 1926, Page 10

DOBSON DESERTED

FIRE IN MINE NEARLY SUBDUED PRIVATE CONFERENCE OF OFFICIALS Dominion Special, Greymoutli .December 8. The little township of Dobson presented a deserted appearance to-day. Apart from a few little groups of miners gathered about the road in the vicinity of the mine, a patrol man guarding the air-drive, and a few motorists, there were few signs of activity. The absence of the noise of moving trucks and the clatter of machinery which have been associated with the township serve to remind the visitor of the grim disaster that has befallen it, and scarcely a woman or child is seen on the streets. Following yesterday’s rains, which melted snow that had recently fallen on the ranges inland, the Grey River rose seven feet in a few hours, and last evening there was a substantial flood in the river. This threatened to submerge the electric pumps, which were flooding tlie mine, necessitating the cessation of operations and the removal of the pumping machinery to a higher level. Fortunately the rain ceased last evening, and tlie flood waters rapidly subsided during the day, enabling pumping operations to be resumed this evening. One of the pumps was put into action at 5 o’clock, and it was expected to hav<the other one working early to-night. One Entrance Sealed. A test made at the mouth ot tlie main tip to-day proved the mine to be sealed at that entrance. In contrast to the dense volumes of smoke that were emerging yesterday from the air drive and fan house, only faint wisps of white vapoury smoke came from the fan house at intervals to-day, whilst the mouth of the air drive was perfect!}’ clear. Nothing definite can be ascertained as to what extent the fire in the mine has been subdued, but it is believed that the water has reached the inner workings and is extinguishing the fire. The absence of smoke is also attributed to the sealing of the main drive, with the result that there is no air draught to force the smoke out of the mine. The water has penetrated the top of the coal measures on the. main stone drive. Provided there is no further interruption in pumping operations, it is hoped to have the mine flooded bv this week-end

Although no further explosions have taken place since Sunday morning, the main road at the mouth of the air drive is being continually guarded and curious spectators who linger too long in its vicinity are given a sharp command to “move on please” from the patrolmen.

A conference was held at Dobson this afternoon which was attended by the directors of the company, the general manager (Mr. W. Leitch), Mr. J. A. C. Bayne (Chief Inspector of Mines), Mr. O. J. Davis (district inspector), Mr. J. Smeaton (president of the Grey Valley ■Miners’ Union), Mr. G. Roberts (secretary), and Mr. W. Baldcrstone (secretary of the miners’ council) The conference lasted for a couple of hours. In response to an inquiry from a reporter. the general manager said that he had no information to give in connection with the conference.

Relief Organisation.

The Greymoutli “Evening Star” Ltd. has donated £25 to the relief furicl and has opened a list in its columns. The provisional executive formed in connection with the relief fund includes the following:—Messrs. H. F. -Holland! and T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P’s, F ( . Williams (Mayor of Brunner), T<. McTaggart (Mayor of Runanga), J. Smeaton (president of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union), J. O’Brien, D. Baybutt (County chairman), W. H Parfitt (Mayor of Greymoutli), J. W. Greenslarle (chairman of the Power Board), C. Uddstrom (chairman of the Cobden Town Board), j W. Hannan (chairman of the Grey Hospital Board), J. Steer (chairman of the Harbour Board), D. M. Robertson (chairman of the Progress League), P. J. McLean (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce), and F. H. Denton (town clerk), who is secretary. The provisional committee will function till a permanent board is set up. Owing to the vast amount of preliminary work that has to be done before the mine is available for inspection, it will be some time before the inquiry into the disaster is undertaken. There was a noticeable reticence among the miners to-day, several of them remarking that tliev w’ere not prepared to say anything until the inquiry was opened. Numerous reports continue to be circulated to the effect that the proceedings at the inquiry are likely to be sensational. It is understood that the conference held at Dobson this afternoon was mainly for the purpose of discussing proposals regarding the employment of the men who have been thrown out of work through the disaster. Mine to be Reopened. The company has already spent ap- , proximately £lOO,OOO in the develop-

ment ot the Dobson mine, which would have been a profit-producing concern in another few months had the disaster not occurred. It is authoritatively stated that the mine will be reopened. THE RELIEF FUND. BY TBLEOUAPH. —PEES? ASSOCIATION. Greymouth, December 8. The relief fund now totals £343, including donations of £lOO from the Westport Coal Company and £lO5 from the Grey Harbour Board. DEPUTATION TO MAYOR SUBSCRIPTION LIST OPENED Representatives of various Labour organisations waited upon the Mayor yesterday morning with a request,that lit should make an appeal to the citizens to assist in relieving those who have suffered by the recent disaster in Hit Dobson colliery. The deputation was introduced by Councillor J. Glover, who intimated that there was a general desire among tlie Labour organisations in the city that'tlie Mayor should make an appeal. . Mr. R. Semple (president of the New Zealand Labour Part,-) said that if the Mayor as Chief Magistrate of the city would agree to the request, he was sure that independent of class, creed, or colour, the citizens would show a ready sympathy with the widows and dependants of the nine men who had lost their lives at Dobson. There had been four or five mining disasters in New Zealand during the last forty years, and the people of New Zealand had responded magnificently to the appeals made, and such a response would be made in this case.

Mr. J. Roberts (secretary of the Alliance of Labour) and Mr. F. W. Cornwall (president of the Trades and Labour Council) also spoke, promising assistance from all the Labour organisations. ,

In replv, Mr. Norwood said he would immediately make the appeal, and open a subscription list, being quite confident that the people of Wellington would welcome the opportunity to assist. He knew that the unfortunate people concerned in the Dobson disaster and their Labour friends in Wellington would welcome small contributions as they would larger ones for the spirit that vvent with them. He assured the deputation that the money subscribed would be handled in a manner to secure the greatest degree of' relief.

Two donations were immediately forthcoming, one of 50 guineas from J. Hott and Co., and one of £5 ss. from Messrs. Ambnry and Semple, of Cambridge Terrace. Contributions will be received by the Mayor or city treasurer, and will be acknowledged in due course.