"I AM AFTER HIM."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 161, 2 August 1909, Page 2

"I AM AFTER HIM."

A MIXER'S HEROISM. Details of the which occurred in the Goldfields Consolidated Company's mine, liendigo, u n July la, in which Mr. t'oseph Davis heroically rescued his mate, are given in the official report of -Mr. W. Abraham, inspector of mines at Bendigo. It is a thrilling s i on ., quite justifies the remarks of the' Prime Minister that all Australia was menu" with admiration for the hero of it." In I his report the inspector says: "The company is now engaged sinkin" the main engine shaft below the 750 ft plat. The hauling from the bottom of shaft IS done with a tail rope through the ladder division, tile depth of shaft below the plat being 53 feet. On the liith instant there were three men empolyed on the day shift—J. Allen, J. Davis nnd D. Darecy. About 2.30 p.m. J. Allen and J. Davis charged two stop holes with the usual nitro-glycerhie explosives. Darcey and Davis went up to the plat. Allen remained to fire the holes, which were listing to the western end of the shaft, and just under the centres of the ladder division. The total length of the shaft is 13ft 4in., mid the shaft has four divisions. Allen fired the holes in the usual way, and then went "Mile ladders to the plat. "Just as his head was level with the I plat lie fell. J. Holiday, the shaft lioss, '.ias standing in the plat, and saw him disappear down the shaft, and called ont, 'Jack is gone down the shaft." Davie at once called out, "I am after linn. I!,. Went down the ladders with all possible speed, and found Allen right on thu bunion of the two holes. He at once: got hold of Alleji, and dragged him 1.0 the east end of the shaft against the north side, and laid over him to keep mil still. The first hole explode!. Dayis remarked to me, 'I did not feel hurt, and thought it w#s nol too IliuK , .!?, f™'" 1 I'"'" then exploded. The shift boss was quieklv down to them, and found them m the position stated, lie then found out it was not so bad as they had expected. The tail rope was 1 1 "cklv put ou, and Allen was take:i to the plat, and then in the cage to the surface and was attended by Dr. Frost, Mho ■ ordered him to the hospital. Jv hen they left the bottom of the shaft with A.len, Davis remarked, 'Get I t tail rope oil quickly, ami get Jack up. I un climb the ladders.' lie did «, \ lien he arrived ilt the surface he changed his clothing, and went over the n, I . ""!,'', "" ,Mll 1101 »■»'<• t» «<< tile doctor. Hie doctor called at his home to see liuii before going home and found lie was not injured in the slight-

Hi,, mining manager on]v received »; signals un the 13th inst. IT,, put tliom in use at unce. There was on,. 'tc hanging the plat. The «s],if t expecting tin. worst, knocked 1,5 , ""'"lager sent men for u K . innl ,„; lance, anil telegraphed for t|„. lloelor « nS'" tl '" IUI '" it «.is> not so had they Utiol-U,.,! l|| <h li , ; iiiiiiiag er said: a r..|i,.fi' ,„fi f |,f W f lle ." tl«-'hospital. llis kit iLg 1H broken just above the ankle wil tal-' W llis ai ' ms - It «UI take about three months for him thank my mate tor niy life,' tile way Inline from the mini! I 1 I-' V,?, T. u V-' a ,"' l, shaki »K Imnils |Fivile^^S/so.!i^L^' l |° f |^ , pel formed that afternoon was the bravest that had ever eome under mv notice. I strongly advise thai this /eport he In ought under the notice of the Minister for Minos, and also advise that the limes Department's certificate be given also the king K,hvard medal fur heroism 171 mines or anything else tile Minister for Mines may v. i-lt to confer. My opin™tCt,y^;,>HaH ne v.THb MW r ;