THE PELORUS GUARDIAN, AND MINERS' ADVOCATE FRIDAY, 29th MARCH, 1907. “FOR VALOUR.”

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 26, 29 March 1907, Page 4

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN, AND MINERS' ADVOCATE FRIDAY, 29th MARCH, 1907. “FOR VALOUR.”

We often hear of terrible explosions taking place in coal mines, gold mines, and similar places, with a corresponding loss of life, and while our sympathy goes out to the poor sufferers or their families the gallant conduct of the brave men who imperil their lives in the attempt to rescue those entombed is often passed over with but slight notice from the general public; no demonstration is made to show approval of the daring men who thus venture underground “ with their lives in their hands.” These remarks are induced on reading of the heroic and persistent efforts of the miner named Hughes who dived down the shaft of the Westralia East mine and conveyed food and water to the unfortunate miner who was entombed in a portion of the mine. Surely such a manly man as that deserves some honourable distinction, for a man cannot make a greater sacrifice than to risk his life. Soldiers on the field of battle who perform some daring service receive recognition suitable to the deed, but seldom do wo hear of adequate reward being made of gallant conduct by members of a Fire Brigade or by miners. In most instances their deeds 1 of heroism are even more notable than are those of the soldier, for the latter is spurred to excitement by the thunder of cannon, the clash of sabres, and the galloping of horses; whereas the heroes of everyday life act on the spur of the moment, and in “ cold blood.” The system of rewards and recognition for bravery seems to require careful review, for while we have no wish to detract from the meritorious records standing to the credit of the army and navy we think the heroes of our Fire Brigades and our mines, and of boating and swimming accidents, should also have their special Victoria Cross —“for valour” on land, or sea, or river, or in the dark tunnels of mines. Just as noble is the terrible struggle of the brave fireman, fighting, inch by inch, against the fierce flames; or the amazing efforts of the miner who, through the intricacies of a mine’s shafts filled with water, fights his way to carry succor to an imprisoned mate.