HUNTLY TRAGEDY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 September 1939, Page 6

HUNTLY TRAGEDY

GLI-N AFTON MINE DISASTER

SYMPATHY WITH WIDOWS & ORPHANS.

FUND OPENED IN AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, September 25

To assist the dependants of those who lost their lives in the Glen Afton mine disaster on Sunday, the Mayor of Auckland. Sir Ernest Davis, has decided to open a subscription list at the Town Hall. In a telegram to the Mayor of Huntly Mr W. George, Sir Ernest slated: ‘ Citizens of Auckland were profoundly shocked by news of the mining disaster, and, on their behalf, I through you, to the widows and children of those who lost their lives, an expression of heartfelt sorrow in their irreparable loss.” FATHERLESS CHILDREN VICTIMS ALL MARRIED MEN. INQUEST OPENED. HAMILTON, September 25. Many children are left fatherless as a result of the mine tragedy. All the victims were married. Messrs Ireland and Turley had no children and Messrs Blackburn had one, Brown one, Wilcox an adult family of four, Cole four, Marshall two, Bell.three, Peden five. Hunter two. Clark two children and one adult daughter.. The work of' searching for the remaining three bodies, those of Messrs Ireland. Turley and Bell, . continued throughout the night, but it was unsuccessful. The fire has been located about halt a mile from the Glen Afton end, and the work of sealing the shaft is proceeding. This is expected to be com? pleted by midday, and after the fumes have been blown out another attempt to recover the bodies will be made. ,An inquest on the bodies of the eight men recovered was opened before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., this morning, and after evidence of identification by Mr Alexander Johnston, president, and the secretary of the Glen Afton blanch of the Miners’ Union it was adjourned sine die. MESSAGES FROM PREMIER WELLINGTON, This Day. Telegrams of sympathy have been sent to the relatives of the victims of the Glen Afton mine disaster by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, on behalf of the Government. He has also sent messages of sympathy to the mineis organisations of which the men were members. Another telegram has been sent to the Mayor of Huntly, expressing the Government’s sympathy with the town and district in the tragedy.. According to a Press Association message from Greymouth, Mr Savage telegraphed Mr A. McLagan, the United Mine Workers’ secretary, as follows:—“News of the disaster at Glen Afton mine caused widespread sorrow throughout the Dominion, and on behalf of the Government I desire to express deep sympathy with the executive and members of your union in the loss of their colleagues in such tragic circumstances.’’