THE RADBOD MINING DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 315, 5 January 1909, Page 4

THE RADBOD MINING DISASTER.

m DESPEUATK MOOS ASSAIL PIUNCii EITEL FIUTZ. The arrival of Prince Eitcl Fritz at the scene of tile terrible mine disaster at ltad'bod (in which over 300 men were killed) was the. occasion of angry demonstrations against the colliery administrators, which appears locally lo lie held responsible for the disaster through insulllcient consideration for the welfare of the miners. According to the acoimts of the special correspondents, when the Prince drove up to the managerial ollices in his automolbile a crowd had already assembled numbering more, than 1,5011. They broke through the police lines and swarmed about the car, crying: "We want protection for workmen! Show the I'rin :e our punishment registers so that he can see how we are treated! They have destroyed the registers and hung out black Hags. Let them show they are sorry for the accident! We want help! Down Villi abuses! There are 300 dead!" There was no cheering, only c?l angry roar, the crowd pressing round the Prince in the pouring rain. In the meanwhile the Prince went to the managerial ollices, while outside the crowd began to sing the 'Marseillaise.' Tao manager tried to make a speech, but was howled down. The police behaved in the most exemplary fashion, and by their considerate attitude undoubtedly prevented the outibreak of violence.

Meanwhile, within the oflice, the mani ager was attempting to explain to the Prince the actual state of affairs. A miner had mounted on the window-sill of the office, and was addressing the crowd, urging them to remain calm; hut the uproar kept on increasing till it suddenly became known that His lloval Highness bad consented to receive a deputation of lie' men. Prince Mitel's adjutant first received the deputation anil ascertained what Ihey intended to say, and three men in their working clothes were then admitted to the olliec, where the Prince shook hands wilh them. Their leader. Joliann Pilgrim, said: "We ask your Royal Highness to do something for us. The poor, unfortunate pcophi outside, who sent us her*, beg your Royal Highness to help thein by'o'btiiining for us an Imperial Mines liiw for the protection of miners with control of the workings by the men themselves. Then so many of us will liol lie killed. Your Jloyiil Highness, we J are all comrades, and feel for each other. Two months ago T persuaded my best friend to come, hove to work with me: now he's dead. We beg von to lay our 1 wishes before the Emperor." Prince F.itel Fritz replied: "I will communicate your wishes to my father.

I and will do my best to reduce the accidents in mines." The scenes at the pit-head' beggared description when the [lists of tlie dead were issued. Shrieking women with flowing hair made wild attempts to hurl themselves down the shaft, screaming: "Let us he buried with our husbands." anil the policemen, with tears streaming down their cheeks, had to hold thein hack bv force. —Reiiter. Prince Kite! Frifz proceeded (o the miners' quarter of Hovel, where all the 12ft widows live. His JSoyal Highness i entered many houses, where the most heartrending scenes were witnessed. On his departure for the pit a number of , miners wearing orders pressed round the. Prince and clamored for mure protection for workmen. After an hour's inspection of Die mine buildings. His Rov.il Highness entered the enginehouse, inhere the viclims of (he disaster lav in long rows in (heir open collins. , The sight-aroused deep emotion in the Prince, who subsequently returned to | Hanim after assuring Ihe managing j director of the mine of his sympathy.