The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 850, 15 August 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1871.

The increasing prevalence of mining accidents in this district calls for some provision to meet the necessities of the men who suffer by them, and, in fatal instances, of those who have become deprived of their natural means of support. Hitherto, cases of distress, arising out of mining accidents, have been sufficiently met by an appeal to public generosity; and, in a recent instance in Charleston, no less a sum than £2OO was subscribed in that district for the widow and family of a deceased miner who met his death while pursuing his daily avocation. As those appeals, however, become more frequent, and we fear that, owing to the greater risk to the individual miner associated with quaitz reefing as a branch of mining industry, they Jmust inevitably become so, we would suggest that some systematic source of aid should be organised to meet cases of distress. The establishment of an Accident Eelief I'und on a similar basis to the society already established in Victoria would be especially applicable to this district. Such a society would be supported by tho payments of miners themselves, and would thus be the means of extending assistance to sufferers, who might be incapacitated either permanently or for a time from pursuing their labours. The Hospital already furnishes an asylum in which the sufferer receives medical aid; but a society such as we now refer to would be the means of extending self-help amongst the miners to an extent such as is not contemplated by snch an institution as an hospital. To the working miner and his family such a fund would prove in timeof needan inestimable blessing,and we hope to see the suggestion taken up and brought to a successful issue. It would undoubtedly be of immense service not alone to the miners themselves but to the community generally. Appeals in behalf of individual instan. ces of distress would be less frequent; and it would prove a welcome support to the District Hospital; as, not alone affording relief to some who otherwise might prove a serious burden to that institution, but in its defraying a portion of the expense of maintenance of many who, during sickness, are left without means, and who must necessarily find refuge in the various hospitals upon the goldfields.