TERRIBLE DISASTER AT THAMES. Two Men Killed by Foul Air. (BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT).

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 153, 8 May 1886, Page 6

TERRIBLE DISASTER AT THAMES. Two Men Killed by Foul Air. (BY TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT).

Thames, April 29J About 3 o'clock p. m. ; yesterday, a terrible fatality, occurred } in the Caledonian Company's mine, by which two men named Thomas Casely and Hugh Hill have lost ! their lives. It appears that the men were engaged working on the Red Queen lode [at No. 3 level, < and about ,1 o'clock it was noticed that gas began to make its appearance in other workings in the vicinity. ! Fears were therefore entertained for the safety |of Caaely and Hill, who .were working at* the lowest level, and search parties were at once organised and despatched to endeavour to rescue the unfortunate men. About 20 miners were engaged in this work, which was one of great personal danger, as the gas was very bad, and time after time they were driven back. At length, ho wever,Casely and Hill were reached, and found lying pn the ground insensible and apparently lifeless. Meanwhile, a jet of water had been played down the shaft, which had the effect of greatly improving the air and mitigating the effects of the gas, so that it was possible to convey the unfortunate fellows to the chamber of No. 3 level, and from thence to the surface by means of the cage. Both presented a terrible spectacle, the blood oozing, from the nostrils of Hill, while it could be plainly seen that it was scarcely possible for either to recover, They were both Bpeedily conveyed to the Hospital, where they expired a few minutes after four o'clock, Both were well known and greatly respected, and the sad occurrence has cast quite a gloom over the whole community. An inquest will be held to morrow.