Two men killed by a fall of Earth
By Telegraph, Press Assn, Greymouth. This Day.
A fall of earth occurred at Healey's Gulley last night and buried two miners named Staines and Franklin. The latter was recovered two hours later and the former at 8 this morning. Both were dead when recovered. The men were working in Rackman's claim when the fall took place. -Inungahua Times, 2/12/1898.
Word was received in town yesterday that a fatal accident has occurred 'at Heley's Gully, by which two men lost their lives. It appears that the tributors were at work in their claim, the Rockman's, when without any warning, a large slip occurred in the face, a mass of sand and dirt coming down and completely covering two of the party named Staines and Franklyn. All the miners in the locality were quickly at rescue work, but it was two hours before the first body was recovered, and the second was not got out till some hours later, notwithstanding the eager and energetic efforts of the miners. Both men were dead when recovered. Staines had only been married about a month; Franklyn was a single man. -Grey River Argus, 3/12/1898.
A fatal mining accident occurred at Healey's Gully, near Blackball, on Thursday night, by which two well-known, residents of Kanieri — Messrs H. Staines jr., and Alfred Franklin — lost their lives. From the meagre intelligence to hand it appears that they were on the night shift in a sluicing claim known as Rockman's, and were working near the face when a large fall came down without warning, completely burying them. The alarm was quickly given and the miners in the vicinity assembled to aid in the work of rescue, but fully two hours had passed before the body of Mr Franklin was recovered, that of Mr Staines being got out some time afterwards. Both dead at the time of recovery. It is needless to say this terrible fatality has caused a profound feeling of sorrow throughout the district. Mr Staines, who was 27 years of age, was a native of the district, as fine a specimen of young New Zealand manhood as one could wish to see. He was liked and respected by all who knew him. About two months ago he was married to Miss Isabella Cunningham of the Taipo and very great sympathy will be felt for her as well as for his personal relations. Mr Alfred Franklin, who was 34 years of age, had been in the Kanieri district for many years and had made numerous friends who will greatly deplore his loss. The bodies will be brought down by this morning's train and the funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon. -Grey River Argus, 3/12/1898.
The funeral of Messrs. Staines and Franklin, the victims of the recent mining accident at Healey's Gully, Blackball, took place yesterday afternoon. The procession was a very large one when it left Kanieri and was increased as it went along. There were over thirty vehicles, about 20 horsemen and about 500 on foot, whilst the streets and the cemetery were lined with people. A great many attended from the Christchurch road, Kumara, and the Grey Valley, in fact from all parts of the district. The deceased were taken to All Saints Church, where the first portion of the burial service was rendered, and on arrival at the cemetery the concluding portions were read over each, as they were interred in separate graves; the Rev. W. C. Wood performed the service. Widespread sorrow is felt at this calamity and numerous have been the expressions of sympathy for those so suddenly bereaved. -West Coast Times, 5/12/1898.
Hokitika Cemetery.
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