THE WEST COAST MINING DISASTER.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 229, 31 March 1896, Page 2

THE WEST COAST MINING DISASTER.

(Per Press Association.) j Brunnebton, March 30. '■ j Mr Aifcken, of the Reefton School of Mines, has secured three bladders full ; . of the Brunner mine gaseors air, which j will be forwarded to Wellington for ] analysis. ' Mr Gordon, Inspector of Mines, arrived 1 this morning, and in company with } Messrs Cochrane, Lindop, Brown, Scott, j ; and Bishop, went into the interior of the j ( mine, making a full examination. Steel plates, three-quarters of an inch thick, are bent over as if made of paper. Kent's body has not yet been found. It is a pitiable sight to see the widow i patiently waiting at the pit's mouth. This Day. The last shift has just come off without finding fcbo missing man Kent. Grave doubts are now entertained as to his correct identity. Many people that his body has really been mistaken for that of Henderson. His wife is of opinion that her husband has been baried as Henderson, and that Henderson is the remaining man. Mrs Kent remains patiently at the pit's mouth", and is repeatedly sent away, only to return ond wait. The whole town resembles a cifcy that has been forsaken. Christchurch, March 30. Subscriptions are coming in freely in aid of the relief fund. The press listsshow a total of about £300. The Canterbury Rugby Union voted £25, Lancaster Park Trotting Club £50, Chrystall aad Co., £25, Aulsebrook and Co., £25. Reefton, March 30. At a pnblic meeting a strong committee, comprising Messrs O'Regan, R. Reeves, chairman and members of the County Council, and other citizens, was formed. £500 was collected at once. The district is thrown into a state of oousternation, and little or nothing has been done at the mines since the disaster. Fully 5000 persons left to attend the funeral and by the time the train reached the cemetery, there must have been close on 10,000 on board. Wellington, March 30. At a meeting of representative citizens held this afternoon a committee was set up to arrange for the collection of funds in aid of the Brunnerton sufferers. The strong opinion was expressed that the families of those miners who had been thrifty and had insurances on their lives should not be allowed to suffer loss by this act but that all share alike in the distribution of the relief fund. The suggestion was also made that the sufferers should be removed from Brunnerton to the neighbourhood of a large centre in order that the children should have every facility in the way of education and be properly fitted to fight the battle of life and have a better opportunity of obtaining employment as they grow older. Mr Duthie expressed the opinion that a representative committee for the colony should bo set up to administer the fund. Surprise was expressed that nothing would be available from the Kaitangata relief fund, and some of the speakers Baid an explanation should be forthcoming as to the increase of beneficiaries under that fund from seventeen (date of transfer of fund to the Public Trustee) to forty-five at present time. Dunedin, March 29. At a public meeting of citizens called by the Mayor, resolutions were passed, expressing profound sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives in the Brunner mine, and in the appreciation of the heroism of the men who were engaged in endeavouring to rescue the entombed miners, a committee was appointed to raise relief funds, and £138 was subpenbed in the room, the Times and Witness Co., heading the list with £25. At Tokomairaro Presbyterian Church yesterday though no preyious notice was given, a collection for the fund amounted to £15. The Federated Seamen's Union has voted £20 towards the Brunner Fund. Gisborne, March 30. The sum of £106 has been wired to Brunnerton. Lyttelton, March 30. At a public meeting on Saturday night, the sum of £50 was subscribed. Sydney, This Day. The Druids' Gala Committee have decided to devote part of proceeds of the sale of tickets to the Brunner Relief Fuud. The Mayor of Melbourne has offered to start a fund, while the Mayor of Adelaide has called a meeting for a similar purpose.

The following subscriptions have come to band on behalf of the Brunnerton sufferers :—

Mr Ransom has been appointed by the Mayor of Greymouth to receive subscriptions in Campbelltown for the Brunnertou disaster. A list is at Mr Darragh's store and at Mr Ransom's house.

£ a. a. Kirton and Curtis ... 110 J. C* Thompson ... 10 6 James Scott 1 0 0 E. G. Wilson 10 0 J. S. Milson 5 0 J. Darragh 5 0 A. Eade 10 0 J. Dunlop 110 W. T. Watts 10 0 T. 11. Jtiines 10 6 An old Geordie 2 6 James Mackay 2 0 0 Mrs Hastie 110 W. W. Gorpe 10 0 D. P. Buchanan ... 10 0 Mrs D. P. Buchanan ... 10 0 D. Entwisle 10 6 Scottie 10 0 Splints 3 0 K. H. Garlick 5 0 C. Wickham 10 0 J. Beckley 10 0 W. Man&on 2 2 0 Isabolle Mauson ... 110 Mr Walsh 2 6 A. Dermer ..» ... 10 0 W. Hunter 110 H. Mortensen 10 0 A.Clark 5 0 Brennan & Marshall ... 10 0 S. Sidet 10 6 J.B.Hamilton 10 0 S. Svendsen 5 0 C. AJ. Levett ... ... 10 6