DISASTER IN A COAL MINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1908, 25 June 1889, Page 1

DISASTER IN A COAL MINE.

Sydney, June 22. ! Great excitement has been caused here owing to the collapse of the roof of the A,A. Company's coalmine, near Newcastle. So far as is known at present 14 miners were entombed, but eight have been rescued, and, as the shouts of the others can be heard, there is a probability of all being rescued alive. The collapse is believed to have been caused by the removal of'pillars io the'workings about to be abandoned. At the mouth of the mine the scene was most heartrending. A.large number of women, children and friends of the entombed miners surrounded the pit, and eagerly waited tidings of those (Jear to them. The information that has arrived only scant details. Every effort is being made to rescue the others. Newcastle, Jur»e 23. i The soene of the disaster where the roof of a mine c dlapsed is the Glebe Pit, about two, miles distant from the city.' From forty to fifty miners were engaged in removing the'pillars which support the roof when the collapse occurred. For ■ some time unpleasant noises and strange rumblings like the murmurs of an earthquake had > been heard, and the impression got abroad that a portion of the mine was likely to subside. The men held a meeting early in the month' to discuss the danger, Many were of opinion that there was no reasonable cause for alarm, and others that the unusual noises warranted some steps being takon for their safety. Ultimately it was decided that a deputation should wait on the manager of the colliery and impress upon him the necessity for placing rapper wires in the different districts to waru the miners of any immediate danger. On Saturday morning a fall of coal accompanying the noises, frightened some of the men work* ing in the mine and caused them to leave the place, but on the advice of old and experienced miners they returned to work, The crisis was reached at 9 o'clock on Saturday morning when mass after mass fell with a deafening and bewildoriug roar, resembling a heavy cannonade. Blasts of air displaced each fall with terrific force, and the stoppings were overthrown. All lights were ex- | tinguished, and everything was in a state of chaos. Numbers of men who were below had a mitaculous escape. ' Nothing is authentically known as to the actual number imprisoned, but it is believed to have been twenty-five. Of these eleven have been rescued. Relief parties are working continuously to rescue the remainder, Thousands of persons are assembled at the mouth of the pit waiting to hear news of the missing men.