COLLIERY DISASTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 3

COLLIERY DISASTER.

FUNERAL OF VICTIMS. AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION SYDNEY. Sept 3. l- iiliy 2C.0 >!) people attended the funeral of the Bellhird Mine victims. All the schools, business places and places of industry at Maitland were closed, the latter being draped in mourning. The bodies were i-olleeted by lu-at'ses at the various homes, taken to the Memorial Hall, where a service was belli, alter which two motor lorries cell coved the coflitis to the t--nn-r.ery. The- scene was the most pitiful - nc ever witnessed lot-ally. I lit- entire route to the cemetery,, a distance of two miles was thronged. Tin- Government has decided to make available immediately £2-)!) lor '. he 'eliof of the distressed. The “Sun" and “Evening Net's" newspapers have both started funds. The miners’ lodges in the Ci-ssilo. it district have deided that all their employees shall give one fortnight’s shut pav to a distress land. \ further explosion. SYDNEY. Sept. :L A fresh explosion occurred in the j Bellhird Mine to-day. dislodging some seals, which later were reinforced. Men had to work in relays, owing to the . fumes, which oozed'out. Further explosions are possible. During the night, a number cl explosions oeeured in the mine one ol which damaged the fan drilt buildings.

CORRECTED Iff ST OF VICTIMS. SYDNEY. Sept. 3. The following is a corrected list of the bodies recovered from the mine:--Richards. Grill'.m, Mills. Locking. Hynes. McLaughlin, Stewart, Gruber, Morgan. I (yarns, Sneddon. Rom-rts, Kellv. Chapman. Lambert. Tlie bodies still in Hie mine are imce Of Corns. Hartley. Font-. Ladcv. Moody, and Brown. SYMPATH ETIC MESSAGES.

THE QUESTION OF RESPIRATORS

(Received this day at 12.2-) p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 1

Sympathetic messages have been received from all directions at (essnock iron, the Govenmt-Oeneral, Governors. Mr Bruce and the Premiers

of the various States. Tlu- absence of respirators is [ormjn„ the Pubiect of criticism, many contending that the rescuing parties would, at least, have been assisted if respirators had been available. Owing to the disaster the Chinese footballers suggested a postponement of to-dav’s match, hut the Maiiiano officials preferred that the match he played am! the gate receipt- he donated to the distress funds.