ACCIDENT IN N.S.W. COLLIERY

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 276, 2 July 1889, Page 3

ACCIDENT IN N.S.W. COLLIERY

COLLAPSE OF A NEWCASTLE MINE. Great excitement has been caused at Sydney owing to the collapse of aroef of the Al Company's coal mine, near Newcastle. The scene is the Glebe pit, about two miles distant from the city. From 40 to 50 miners were engaged removing pillars which support the roof when the collapse occurred. Eor some time unpleasant noises and strange rumblings, like the murmurs of an earthquake, have been heard, and an impression got abroad that a portion of the mine was likely to subside. The men held a meeting early in the month to discuss the danger. Many were of opinion that there was no reasonable cause for alarm, and others that the unusual noises warranted some steps being taken for their safety. Ultimately it was decided that a, deputation shonld wait on the' manager of the colliery, and impress upon him the necessity for placing rapper wire in the different districts to warn miners of any immediate danger. On Saturday morning a fall of coal, accompanied by the noises, frightened some of the men working in the mines, and caused them to leave the place, but on the advice of old and experienced miners, they returned to work. The crisis was reached at 9 o'clock on Saturday morning, when mass after mass, with a deafening and bewildering roar resembling heavy cannonade, with blasts of air, dieplaced each fall with terrific force, and the stoppings were overthrown. All the lights were extinguished, and everything was in a state of ohaos JV umbers of men who were below had miraculous escapes, Another fall has taken place, which has driven the rescue party a hundred yards further back. The subsidence extends over a total area of fifteen acres. All hopes of recovering the men alive is abandoned, and even the prospect for obtaining the bodies for Christian burial is small.