DOBSON DISASTER

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 8, 7 December 1926, Page 11

DOBSON DISASTER

OPENING OF THE INQUEST.

STORY OF FINDING OF MEN.

Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, Dec. 6. The inquest concerning the Dobson tragedy was opened.at Ureymouth today by the coroner, Mr Meldrum. Senior-Sergeant P. J. McCarthy conducted the proceedings, and Mr J. W.

Hannan represented the Grey Valley Collieries, Ltd.

! John fcimeaton, miner, of Dobson, said' that about 2.50 a.m. on December 3 he left the bottom of the main haul-, age dip and came to the top for another load of material. On reaching the top he said to his two mates that they could make it crib time as they would not have time to go down with another load. They left the mouth of ' the mine and retired to a small cabin where a coal fire- was . burning, about half a chain from the lino of the dip. They had been, sitting in tie cabin about twelve minutes when they heard a terrific explosion, and after a flash like lightning a smaller explosion followed a few seconds later. He went out to investigate after the debris stopped falling. Ho said to his mates: “1 think the boiler has blown up.” They found the boiler all right. Witness then wondered whether the powder magazine had gone. Nimmo reached the magazine first and called out that it wag sale. Witness turned in the direction of the mine mouth, and said: “Oil, God the mine’s gone.” He then sent Nimmo for the mine

manager and underviewer. Acting under the instructions of the manager, witness took charge of the minemouth and later led a party into the mine. Witness was tied on the end of a rope, with the manager, Nimmo, and Watkins next in that order. About half a chain from the bottom of the stone dip witness heard men moaning. Witness released himself from the rope, and went to Die winchhouse, where he found Ashton standing up against the drum of the air winch. Ho was fearfully burned, and was groaning and moaning. Witness told Ashton that lie would be all right and asked him to lift his leg over some timber in the road as he was so badly burned that witness handling him would give great pain. The rest of the rescuers arrived and Ashton

5 was placed on a stretcher and taken to the surface. Witness then went a ] , few feet into the cabin behind the . electric winch, and found the driver, Robert Hunter, lying on his back ter- , 1 ribly burned. Two feet further away, , John Lindsay, and about four feet away James Richards, the mine--1 deputy, was lying dead. The men were all in the winch chamber, where they j would have their crib. Witness later identified the four men, whom ho knew. The senior-sergeant stated that he did not intend to call further evidence meanwhile, and the inquest ,was. adjourned' sine die.

FLOODING THE MINE. SMOKE ISSUING - FROM SHAFT. GREYMOUTH, Dec. 6. The pumping of water from the Grey river into the Dobson mine has proceeded since yesterday afternoon, and since the second pump started ■jO.ooo gallons per hour has been pumped. If is estimated that eight million gallons will be required. Soon the w r ater will rise to the level of the foot on the main dip, stopping" any air entering therefrom, and lessening combustion within'.

Meanwhile, volumes of smoke continue to issue from the fan on the air-shaft, indicating’ the meeting of the water with the tire in the burning portion of the mine. There are some fears that when the water seals the main dip fresh explosions may result, but the only damage likely therefrom would be below. Normally about 160 men are employed in the Dobson mine, of whom 141 are in the meantime’rendered idle. To-day the president of the Grey Valley Miners’ Union (Mr J. Smea-

ton) wired the Minister of Mines, asking if temporary employment could be found for the idled miners at the State collieries and elsewhere. A ; relief fund has been opened, a donation of fifty guineas coming from W. D. and H. 0. Wills, New Zealand, Ltd. Messages of sympathy from the Australian miners’ organisations, New Zealand unions, Mayors, and many others are being received. It is anticipated that coal production at the Dobson mine will not be resumed for about a couple of months. The directors, Messrs Hogarth, Catchpole and Kirkcaldie, are' visiting the mine. They state that it is impossible to make any statement on the explosion. until the mine is again opened and investigation made.