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Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1925, Page 2

It is typical of the British miner that he should show enduring affection for his companion in difficulty and danger. There are far too many milling disasters on record, but on each and

every occasion no danger or menace has deterred companions of the class from rushing to the succour of the entombed or the endangered. AA'e have had the experience unfortunately here and nearby, and now it is across the ranges at Lake Coleridge. There, as here, the same spirit of true comradeship is shown, and the mates of the men and other experienced labor at call, have hastened to the rescue. The work of relief at Lake Coleridge has been difficult and dangerous. It has proceeded for some days, and was rewarded at the outset by the rescue of two of the entombed. In that case life was saved. There remained three others in the collapsed tunnel way, but though the task was difficult and dangerous from every point of view, the rescue party continued their efforts bent- solely on reeovering the bodie> of their mates, whom it was felt could not be surviving now. This work baft proceeded for days, and it lias ltoon dangerous work. The ground is running. and is treacherous, A deviation drive lias had to be put in, and naturally special care exercised. Tt is altogether to the credit of the work--111011 and their leaders that the work has proceeded without further accident. The men have been bent on recovering the bodies of their mates, and the weekend saw the first hotly recovered. Tll and no doubt the enquiry will lie an extii the primary cause of the accident, and no doubt- the cntiiry will he an ex liauslive one. In the meantime there can he praise and appreciation in the highest degree for the rescue work being so nobly performed. It is a demonstration of that trait in the British character which comes to the surface in a practical way when there is the real call. And we would no! have it otherwise. Faith in the British character in emergency and calamity have been ever the sheet anchor of the nation. In many out of the way places it is exhibited In times of peril. In the Arctic regions facing death ; on the world's battlefields; in the work of the firemen; in peace as in war time; in industry as in commerce, the British spirit to help and succour those in extreme distress is rampant and displayed in practical form in each and every emergency. It is the pride of the race, its greatest asset and adornment.