NEW ZEALAND HOPES FOR A "CHILE" ENDING




24 of the 29 Missing Miners in New Zealand's Coal Mine Explosion, November 19, 2010
Please see names at the end of this entry. 

Three weeks ago, I wrote an article about how Chile’s mining rescue gave me pause as it reminded me of a tragic coal mine explosion in my beloved former country of residency - New Zealand. I was talking about the Huntly coal mine disaster in 1914.

Never in my thoughts did I think that a mining explosion would happen in New Zealand so soon (let alone the possibility of it) after I posted my opinion piece on October 28, 2010.

I was disquieted and I rewrote the October 28 piece to reflect the still-unfolding crisis. The Taranaki Daily News in New Zealand published my opinion piece November 23rd, NZ date, and here was the link:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/opinion/4375473/New-Zealand-and-its-mines#share


However, the paper does not archive opinion pieces.  Here is what was published and as you would notice, a rewrite of an earlier entry before the accident happened.


NEW ZEALAND AND ITS MINES

by Joseph Lopez

Will New Zealand celebrate as Chile did in the rescue of its trapped miners? As we await word of the fate of 29 men, ages 17 to 62, in the Pike River coal mining explosion in the South Island, I am reminded of a disastrous mining incident little remembered in New Zealand.

Early last year, I visited the small, out-of the-way, little-known Waikato Coalfields Museum in Huntly – a nondescript town on the banks of the Waikato River. Huntly is one of those whizzing through points on the way to Hamilton, Rotorua or any place south of Auckland. The museum located in a quiet neighborhood is in what used to be a mining manager’s house.

Almost a century ago an explosion was heard at 7:20 am on September 12, 1914 in Ralph’s coal mine in the centre of Huntly. A detailed and well-designed permanent exhibit of the disaster is showcased at the Waikato Coalfields Museum.

It was a Saturday, hence there were only 62 men working instead of the usual 160 men during the weekdays. Unlike the celebrated rescue in Chile where it was a cave-in of a gold and copper mine, the one at Huntly was an explosion caused when the naked acetylene cap-lamp worn by a miner walking into an abandoned area came into contact with the methane gas in the air. A number of miners were able to escape up through the ventilation shaft while others got out through one elevator cage still working. It would take two weeks to finally recover the 43rd body. Those who did survive would suffer from severe burns. The Commission of Inquiry ordered the immediate introduction of safety lamps into the Huntly mines.

But this will not be the last of mining tragedies in New Zealand. On January 19, 1967, a Strongman coal mine exploded in Greymouth, West Coast killing 19 men. In both Huntly and Greymouth, there was one common denominator - the abandoned workings should have been checked for gas.

After reading the horrific accounts at the Waikato Coalfields Museum, including a detailed coroner’s report of every casualty, I paid a visit to the graves of the men at the Kimihia Cemetery two kilometres north of the town shopping centre.

This was a 19th century graveyard – maintained to a minimum. It was not hard to find the tombstones of the miners as the epitaphs in early 20th century prose spoke poignantly of a life and love that should have burned longer, of sons, brothers, fathers and husbands who will forever be yearned for, and an underlying anger at the preventable tragedy.

Although the tree-lined, brick-fenced cemetery was alongside State Highway 1, it was surprisingly quiet and felt secluded inside the graveyard. I remembered the accounts, news articles, pictures, and mementos I saw earlier in the museum. I felt the wrenching pain of a loss of a love one. I also felt the momentary desperation of those men who lived for a while before succumbing to the burns, injuries and inhalation of noxious gases. The youngest was 18 and the oldest was 63.

Though there are echoes of similarity between the 1914 incident and Pike River, there is the chance for survival offered by modern technology. Let us join the country in praying for the men and their families.

Just like in Chile, miracles can still happen.


Waikato Coalfields Museum http://www.coal.net.nz/

To contact the author, please e-mail to: writetojosephlopez@yahoo.com



Photo Details:
Top row L to R: Conrad John Adams, 43, Glen Peter Cruse, 35, Allan John Dixon, 59, Zen Wodin Drew, 21, Christopher Peter Duggan, 31, Joseph Ray Dunbar, 17, John Leonard Hale, 45, Daniel Thomas Herk, 36. Second row L to R: David Mark Hoggart, 33, Richard Bennett Holling, 41, Andrew David Hurren, 32, Jacobus (Koos) Albertus Jonker, 47, William John Joynson, 49, Riki Steve Keane, 28, Terry David Kitchin, 41 Samuel Peter McKie, 26. Bottom row L to R: Michael Nolan Hanmer Monk, 23, Kane Barry Nieper, 33, Peter O'Neill, 55, Benjamin David Rockhouse, 21, Peter James Rodger, 40, Blair David Sims, 28, Joshua Adam Ufer, 25, Keith Thomas Valli, 62. REUTERS/New Zealand Police/Handout


NOTE:  IT WAS NOT TO BE A CHILE ENDING.  ALL MEN ARE PRESUMED TO HAVE DIED IN A SECOND BLAST AND ARE ENTOMBED IN THE MINE SINCE IT IS STILL TOO RISKY TO GO DOWN THE SHAFT.