NIGHTCAPS MINE FATALITY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8471, 24 June 1907, Page 5

NIGHTCAPS MINE FATALITY.

By Telegraph—Press Association

INVERCARGILL, June 23,

The Southland Times' correspondent advises that ever since the Nightcaps Mine caught fire over four years ago there, has been more or less trouble in keeping it-in check. About midnight preceding the tragedy the fire became troublesome, and by 6 a.m. had got out of control. Dense volumes of smoke issued from the workings. At 7 o'clock it was reported that four* men were entombed. A rescue party was organised about 7.40 o'clock. They reached the bottom of the dip with great difficulty, and found Jardine (who tried to remove Duncan's body) lying nearly dead between the rails of the road. "Duncan's body was found a few yards away. On a further search two or three members of the search party were overcome by fire damp, and had to be carried out. The search for Welsh and Carson had therefore to be abandoned until air could be pum'ped into the mine. At 7.30 o'clock the search was resumed. Welsh was found lying face down. He was bleeding at the nose, indicating a heavy fall. His trousers were burnt in one place, and one of his legs was slightly charred. Carson's body was found a little further up the dip. Both had evidently been on the way out when the damp overpowered them. Duncan died trying to save the others and Jardine nearly died in trying,to save Duncan. There were pitiful scenes round the pit-mouth, where women and crowds gathered. The fire is still burning, but the workers are hopeful of stopping it.

CABLE NEWS.

United Press Association-By Electric Telegraph Copyright.