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Newspaper
Sydney Evening News
Location
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Date
Aug 01, 1902
Page
6
News from Wollongong reports a terrible explosion at Mount Kembla Colliery. Doctors were sent, tunnel mouth blocked, and large smoke volumes. About 300 men entombed, one body recovered, six injured, surface workers injured, many more feared entombed. A relief party descends amid grave fears for the miners.
A mining disaster update reports many workers trapped after a mine incident. Rescue efforts continue as authorities raise the toll to about 150 missing, with crews from nearby towns aiding operations and awaiting word on survivors.
Early reports describe a massive explosion at Mount Kembla Colliery around 2 pm. About 240 men were inside. 150 remained entombed as rescuers battled debris and chaos. Families anxiously awaited news as investigations suggested gas accumulation in old workings.
Rescue teams aided by officials and doctors race to reach trapped workers after a mine blast in No 4 or 6 district. By 9 20 p m ten men recovered and about 100 unaccounted for. Names of the dead include Egan brothers Gallagher Blakett Seillian Nelson Bray Pearce.
Sydney stock market and mining circles learned that a terrible explosion at Mount Kembla Colliery on the southern coast trapped 340 miners eight miles away. Initial messages warned of many lives endangered while later reports said rescuers sought medical aid swiftly.
The Mount Kembla coal mine opened nineteen years ago near Wollongong operates with about 240 men underground producing 1100 tons daily. The mine is said to be gas-free and no explosion details or numbers of men below ground are yet confirmed. Australian directors are E Vickery, Dr Robertson, and Joseph Vickery. secretary E G Weyland. Offices are at 38 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Mount Kembla, a post office town near Wollongong, sits 1730 feet up the Alawarra range. The north face reveals coal seams five levels deep with fire clay abundant. The town is split into Kembla Heights and Lower Mount Kembla with about 1000 residents mainly miners and some dairy farming.
The Legislative Assembly adjourned as a sign of sympathy after the Mount Kembla disaster report. The Premier announced 200 miners entombed and pledged action, with ministers racing to Wollongong for information and possible rescue. Opposition leaders expressed shared shock and support for delaying business.
Mr Whiddon stated the resolution should be posed by House members. The Speaker sent the motion with a tremulous voice and it passed as members stood. Dr R H Paton, summoned by the Premier, arrived after adjournment and was told to proceed to Wollongong with full government powers. Ministers Kidd Edden Estell Tegan and Dr Mash have traveled to the scene by special train.
Eleven Bowral residents travelled to Kangaloon for a lawn tennis match winning by four games and then lost in table tennis by twenty five. After leaving at midnight the sociable carrying eight people capsized due to darkness. The driver jumped clear to stop the horses and save lives. A few ladies suffered minor injuries while the remainder were shaken but unharmed. Mr H M Smith and Mr J L Smith aided the party at the scene and housed them for the night. The return journey began early this morning.
Papers on handing Government House Sydney to the Federal Government were tabled. Proposals cover a three to five year occupancy with maintenance, repairs, and a rental structure. Land valued around £582,500 with buildings and fittings estimated at £68,000 and £10,000 respectively. Victoria offered free use if Commonwealth maintained it. NSW followed on similar terms accepted by Mr Barton.
The Full Court heard an appeal by John Black in a betting house case under the Bettiney Houses Suppression Act. Black, arrested in August, argued four procedural and warrant flaws but was convicted and fined £2 with a month in jail. address given as 245 Pitt Street Sydney.
A review of metropolitan troops may be held at Centennial Park on Coronation Day August 9. Arrangements mirror the postponement display due to the King's illness, with a large muster anticipated. Brigadier-General Finn has discussed the matter with the State Governor and plans to confer again with His Excellency for a definite decision.
At Alexandria Council, a Board of Health communication said a water sample from a ground sunk cask on borough premises was unfit for drinking or domestic use. The council advised steps to close the source. Premises would have their water supply cut, though distant from the main supply. The report also notes over 50 cattle slaughtered in the town in the year ending June 30, none were grossly diseased.
The Arbitration Court resumed hearings on the Southern Collieries Miners' Association versus Southern Colliery Proprietors. Key issues included alleged destruction of books by a former check weighman, calls for missing documents, and the possibility of moving the case to Sydney before returning to Wollongong. Proceedings featured David Ritchie for the claimants and C G Wade for the respondents, with witnesses Scott and Young discussed. The judge scheduled Young's attendance by telephone and the adjourned session to reconvene.
Arthur Thomas a 37 year old storekeeper appeared at North Sydney Police Court charged with assaulting his six year old son Ernest on July 24. Dr Devlin testified the boy showed weals from beating. A constable said Thomas beat the child for not going to school. Thomas was fined £3 or one month in jail.
The mother of Thomas Prophitt, a 15 year old, informed Mr Payton at the Central Police Court that he had been away from home since July 18 sleeping out and had been a bad boy for over a year. The judge sent him to the Sobraon and ordered the stepfather to contribute five shillings weekly for his support.
A punt carrying about 150 tons of rails and ash plates from the Brad Loch to Railway Wharf capsized near the bridge. The craft swerved due to tide or wind, struck a pile, and sank. By 3 pm, several rails were recovered. the total property value is reported at £1000.
John Lightfoot, 34, groom, was charged at the Central Police Court with refusing to give Constable William Barnett his name and abode when required. He argued the officers were intoxicated, provoking laughter in court. Lightfoot was fined 10s or in default.
Police press on in the Hawkesbury area chasing suspects possibly near the river between the Windsor railway bridge and town. They fear cross river escape, watch posts at stations and wharves are urged, while officers recap tattoos, hospital sightings, and possible Sydney or Victoria links as twelve days pass since the murder.
A Central Court session shows a man charged with being drunk pleading reluctantly. He has 12s 6d, asks for time to pay, disputes the charge but is fined 6s and departs with a smile, noting 1s 2d change comes to him.
A verdict of accidental death was returned after an inquest into the death of 25 year old Elizabeth Telfer of Marrickville Road Torwood. She died in Sydney Hospital from a fractured skull after possibly fainting while riding on a Sydney tram platform near the railway station.
At Homebush yesterday 16 800 sheep and lambs were penned with late high rates. Warrimoo NZ sheep sold to 35s, Merino wethers up to 24s prime, crossbred wethers to 36s, ewes to 22s 8d, crossbred ewes to 36s, beef cattle yarded about 900 with depreciation noted. Prime and heavy cattle to £19, cows to £12, best beef £435 per hundred pounds. Sales to be held as usual next.
At North Sydney Court Herbert Malcolm Finchey a 27 year old clerk was sentenced to one month imprisonment on a charge related to the Doom of Ge EO Semeeny. The case involved property of James Burrows and matters tied to Victoria Barracks with dates of prise meetings.
The Italian barque Pasquale Lauro arrived from London to the Semaphore and a fire was found aboard. The crew were starving as provisions were inaccessible. Hatches were battened and the deck burned sailors' feet. The fire began seven days earlier, confined to the cargo in the hold. The captain went ashore to arrange harbour-masterly assistance.
The Sydney Irish Home Rule Fund leaders received a letter from the Mayor via the Town Clerk stating that the July 7 Town Hall meeting resolution rejoicing at the King's recovery was cabled through the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. A reply from His Excellency asks that His Majesty convey thanks to the Home Rule meeting chairman.
Australia’s Trumper dominates England with two first class hundreds and the highest score by an Australian in England. He nears the all time aggregate and average records, as he aims to surpass Darling’s marks noted among a list of cricketers who achieved two hundreds in a single first class match.
Thomas Davies, 27, labourer, charged with sealing a sovereign, a shilling, a silver watch, two coins, a compass pendant and two chains worth about £35 8s from Stephen Dower Bricken. Bricken testified at Parramatta River Wharf after drinking with Davies and a girl, watch and chain taken. watch later went overboard. Davies pleaded guilty, was convicted and fined £10 or four months hard labour.
A legislative return explains the consolidation of statutes tallying 124 consolidating acts by August 20 896 and about 1100 repealed and consolidated, rising to 1400 with new bills. It lists barristers and fees totaling £11 604 1s 10d, printing £2813 1s 1d, and overall expenditure £14118 24 9d, noting 1890 Victoria consolidation cost £17000 for 107 acts with 450 repealed in full.
A boy named James Cribb drowned last night at Croes Creek while attempting to cross the stream, two or three miles from Tamworth. The incident occurred during a local outing at The Shades. About 20 participants joined the drive that preceded the tragedy. Agnes Edward, 50, was fined for drunkenness in North Sydney and for maliciously breaking school window panes, with damages set and jail for default.
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