The Mine Fire.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 127, 16 October 1912, Page 5

The Mine Fire.

GOOD TIDINGS. FORTY MEN SAFE. JKX>D LOWERED. 3y Gable—Press Association—Copyright. A( Ilobart, October 15. Alter fearful suspense, the glad tidings were received from the 1000 ft. level that candles should be lowered to forty men in No. 40 stope on the 1000 ft level. The message was signed Ryan, and was accepted as an intimation that forty were alive on that level, though obviously some, if not nearly all, must be in a pretty bad condition, through entombment since Sunday morning. Melbourne, October 15. The message signed Ryan shows that earlier information regarding Ryan's body having been found was incorrect. Later advices state that food was successfully sent to the 1000 ft. level, and a note received from the entombed men that they were in good spirits and awaiting the cage.

PRACTICAL MINERS' VIEWS. EXPERTS INTERVIEWED. Hobart, October 15. A practical miner, who was with the rescue party, states: ''l don't give any hope except as to the men who reach No. 31 cross-cut, at the 1000 ft. level. That is the only place in the mine where they would be safe. They have air pipes there and are able to keep off the smoke. The gases are bad in the mine and are said to be very powerful, even worse than smoke. It is very dangerous work below the 500 ft. level, and men are soon overcome by the gas. and vapor in the stope." Latest reports stated that the cage was not working, as it was impeded owing to the skids. It was hoped every minute to have it free, in order to reach the men in the 1000 ft. level. It was reported that the 1100 ft. level would be flooded, owing to the pumps not working, but it was stated that it was unlikely any men were there. Fire experts would arrive in a few hours, and it was anticipated that then all portions of the mine would be rapidly entered and the full extent of the tragedy revealed. Mr. D. V. Allen, director of the Zeehan School of Mines, visited the scene, and states that, provided the air pipes were intact and the present largo volume of air continuously supplied, the entombed miners, who he assumes have taken refuge in the dead ends, should be practically unaffected by the noxious gases generated by the fire.

EIGHTY MEN MISSING. . Hobart. October 15. When the roll was called it was found that 86 men were missing. Of these, six are known to be dead. THE TIIOUSAND-FOOT LEVEL SURVIVORS. A SCENE OF WILD EXCITEMENT. (MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY. Received 15, 5 p.m. Hobart, October 15. The latest report states that between forty and fifty are alive on the 1000 ft. level. When "the news reached the surface the crowd was wild with excitement, frantically shook hands and cried and embraced each other. Messages of sympathy include one from Mr. Glover, secretary of the New Zealand Labor Federation. EXPERT HELPERS. RESCUE HOPED FOR TO-NIGHT. THE COMPANY CENSURED. Received 15, 9.15 p.m. Hobart, October 15.

The expert helpers at Lyell have been largely augmented, and no effort is being spared to effect the speedy release of those entoinbed.

The smoke and gases? at the workings are still vcrv troublesome.

It is hoped to get the damaged cage working in time to bring those at the 1000 ft. level to the surface to-night. There are no tidings of the balance of the men in the other levels, and the only hope is that they are taking refuge in the dead ends and utilising the compressed air. The body supposed to be Ryan's hap been identified as being a miner named Valentine.

Replying to adverse criticism that the company is not provided with a second get out, the secretary of the Lyell Company declared that there were two outlets—the main shaft and the engine winze. The latter was a fully equipped shaft that was used in the early days. The delay in using it is due to the fact that ten feet had to be sunk and other portions straightened up.

SYDNEY'S TRIBUTE. Received 16, 1.30 a.m. Sydney. October l.i. In the House, on the motion of Mr. Fisher, a resolution of sympathy with the Lyell sufferers was passed, and tributes paid to the heroism of the rescuers. Mr. Fisher stated that the latest information from official sources was that modern equipment to enable the rescuers to effect their purpose would be most speedily secured. The company was hopeful that good results would follow almost immediately.

A SLUMP IN SHARES. Received 16, 1.30 a.m. Sydney, October 15. As a result of the fire the value of Lveil shares shrunk by nearly £200,000 yesterday. They have largely recovered to-day, ami there is an upward fcrent, due to a recognition of the noninflammable character of the ore in the mine. A GENEROUS COMPANY. Received 16, 1.30 a.m. Sydney, October 15. The Lyell Company is granting relatives of those entombed wishing to proceed to the mine free passages and other assistance, THE RESCUE WORK. Received 10, 1.30 a.m. Hobart, October 15. Everything is being done to reach the entombed. The cage is still jammed between the 500 ft. and 600 ft. levels, and cannot be lowered. There are hopes that it will soon be released. Meantime food, blankets and other necessaries are being sent down to keep the men in good spirits. A HEROIC ENGINEER. A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAD. Received 16, 1.30 a.m. Hobart, October 15. One of the rescuers who reached the 700 ft. level states that lie found the body of the engine-driver Cashling beside the engine. He had evidently taken the plug out of the lubricator to allow the air to blow in his face and enable him to keep the winch going. He also

found a pathetic letter from MacCarthy, another of the dead, to his wife when he realised that escape was hopeless.

NEW ZEALAND'S SYMPATHY,

By Telagr&ph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night,

Mr. Massey has sent the following cable re the Mount Lyell disaster: "The Premier, Ilobart, Tasmania, —Please accept the sympathy of the Government and people of New Zealand, and also my personal sympathy, with the sufferers in the terrible calamity which has overtaken them by the disastrous fire in the North Mount Lyell Mine. —W. F. Massey." The reply received was: "Many thanks for kind telegram of sympathy re Mount Lyell disaster.—Solomon, Premier."