DOBSON MINE DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 65, 10 December 1926, Page 10

DOBSON MINE DISASTER

NO SIGN OF SMOKE FINDING WORK FOR IDLE MEN MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER Dominion Special. Grcymouth, December 9. Although the odour of fumes is still perceptible at the mouth of the air drive, there was no sign of smoke from the Dobson mine to-day. As the result of the Hooding operations, the mine is now completely sealed, and patrol duty at the entrance to the air drive has been discontinued. Pumping operations are proceeding, and it is expected that the Hooding of the mine will be completed by to-morrow morning. It is estimated that it will take- at least two months to unwater the mine, and the time of the recovery of the bodies of the five efitombed men is therefore uncertain.

■lt was stated to-day that in addition to the twelve miners who have received employment at the Roa mine, more men have since found work at the same mine. It is understood that the electrical installation at the mine was given a thorough test yesterday, and that it was found to be in perfect order. In reply to representations that employment be found temporarily for the Dobson miners, Mr. H. E. Holland, M.P., has received the following telegram from the Minister of Mines (Hon. G.' Anderson): —“Employment can be found for about 20 Dobson men at the State mines, and instructions have been given accordingly.” Mr. J. Snieaton, president of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union, stated that great credit was due to the inspector of mines (Mr. J. A. C. Bayne) for the . assistance lie had given generally since arriving at Dobson, also the help.he and Mr. O’Donnell (mine manager) had given in placing some of the men at tlie Roa mine.

The Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. W. D. Stewart) has sent the following message to Mr. F. Williams, Mayor of Brunner:—“Wellington, December 9. I have been asked by Hon. J. G. Coates in London, who has been shocked to hear of the Dobson mine disaster, to extend to the relatives of the unfortunate victims expression of his own and Mrs. Coates’s sincere sympathy in the sad bereavement they have suffered. Will you be good enough to convey this message to those concerned?” Mr/A. H. Kimbell, Under-Secretary for Mines, arrived this evening from Wellington. Mr. Kimbell will visit the Dobson mine to-morrow. KAITANGATA FUND STILL AVAILABLE. A correspondent writes regarding the Dobson mine disaster relief fund:— “Perhaps the public is not aware that a portion of the old Kaitaugata disaster fund is still available, having been diverted as the beneficaries became automatically discharged from the need for benefits. A levy of something like l-Bd. or id. per ton is also collected from every ton. of coal to meet such cases as the late disaster.” At a meeting of the Wellington Tramway Union, the following resolution was passed, and a telegram in the same terms forwarded to the relatives of the victims of, the mining disaster- at Dobson’s:—“That this meeting of the union tender ’their sincere sympathy with the relatives of the victims of the recent disaster, and convey their condolences and sympathy with them in their bereavement.” The Mayor of Grevmouth (Mr. W. H. Parfitt) has received a message of sympathy from the Rev. Dr. M. J. Brodie, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, enclosing a cheque for £2O towards the relief fund, with earnest wishes that the appeal may meet with a very generous response. Sympathy with the, relatives of the miners who lost their lives in the Dobson mining disaster was expressed at the annual meeting of the Civic League last evening, those present standing in silence for a few minutes. The league subsequently decided to donate £lO 10s. towards the Mayor’s relief fund.