TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BALCUTHA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 46, 22 February 1879, Page 2

TERRIBLE COLLIERY EXPLOSION AT BALCUTHA.

THIRTY-FOUR LIVES LOST. Kaitangata, Friday night. Twelve bodies have been recovered from the mine, nnd no hope is entertained of any being alive. All possible efforts are being made to obtain the remaining men, and those engaged in the drive are suffering from foul air and exhaustion and when brought out are in a semi mad stale. Saturday. Further particulars of the colliery explosion came to hand late last night. Thirtyone bodies have been recovered, and three more are still inside. The fire-damp v bad still, and the searchers are carried out insensible. In all there are 34 dead, and of all the strong men, nearly every one of whom was in his prime, who went into the mine this morning, not one remains alive to tell how the accident occurred. Nearly all were married, and many have left large families. An eye-witness says nearly every one in the township was at the mine's mouth, and the air was filled with the lamentations of women and children. It was a sad sight to see dead men brought out one by oue and laid on stretchers, then out on to the train which took them to the Bridge Hotel. All the faces excepting two looked as calm as if they laid in sleep. The two young fellows who had the horses were battered about the head, having been blown some distance. The flight of sticks and stones at the time of the explosion -was tremendous, and a thick green smoke hung like a pall over the tunnel's mouth for about ten minutes. The mine is entered by a main drive or tunnel. The workings rise as they penetrate the hill, and the fall, which assists the drainage, causes foul air to accumulate in the upper end of the mine. The ventilation has to travel all rouud the mine aud oome back to the air shaft, which is about 150 yards from the mouth of the tunnel. The workings extend about 500 yards from the entrance. The greater part of the men appear to have escaped the first effects of the fire damp, and were making for the mouth of the mine when they were overpowered by the "after damp." Some of them must have run from 100 to 200 yards before they fell. At one place 13 bodies were found in a heap. Regarding the cause of the explosion there is nothing but surmise at present. It is supposed by those who know best that au overseer named Archibald Hodle was in the waste workings in the highest part of the mine inspecting, and that his light caused the explosion. Where his body is found will determine the question. There had been a slight explosion the night previous at the mine when the men were on night shift. The matter was reported in the morning to the foreman, who considered, however, the mine was in good working order. Ho has paid for his error with his life. The number of children left fatherless is said to be 100