HEROIC SACRIFICE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20053, 27 September 1939, Page 3

HEROIC SACRIFICE

COALMINE DISASTER GAVE LIFE FOR ANOTHER LAST OF BODIES FOUND FIRE NOW ISOLATED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. The fire which was burning in Glen Alton coalmine lias now been isolated, and is under control. Yesterday afternoon searchers recovered the bodies of Richard Ireland, aged (;4, William Bell, aged 31, and Raymond Turley, aged 34, three of the 11 men who were overcome by gas on Sunday morning. These three men had gone further into the mine than those whose bodies were found earlier. Search parties found unmistakable signs that Turley had sacrificed his own life in an endeavour to save Bell. A subscription list was opened by the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, yesterday in aid of the dependents of the men who lost their lives in the Glen Alton tragedy. Tiie total received on the first day was C 155 10s. FAMILIES OF VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROVIDED ACTION BY COMPANY (l’or Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Assistance for the widows of tiie victims of tiie Glen Alton mine tragedy is to be given by the Glen Alton Collieries, Limited, according to advice received last night by the acti'.ig-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, from the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. Webb. In addition the Dominion Breweries, Limited, is making a donation to each of the widows.

"I am very pleased to advise you that Glen Alton Collieries, Limited, has undertaken to meet the whole of the funeral expenses of the victims of the recent disaster, and in addition the company is arranging to pay the widows full wages for the next three months,” Mr. Webb said in his telegram to Mr. Fraser. "I am also pleased to inform you that Messrs. H. J. Keliiher and L. J. Stevens, representing the Dominion Breweries, Limited, have announced that their firm is donating a cheque for £2O to each of tiie widows to meet immediate financial needs of their families.”