THE SIX BURIED MINERS     On 24th May, 1901 a stope collapsed without warning on the 500 - ft level, near the boundary of the South and Central mines.  Four men-John Prideaux, Henry Down, Edward Mason and Samual Havelock - were buried instantly.  Two miners-William Bennetta and John Edwards - called for help, but, before the rescuers could reach the scene, a seconded fall of earth completely covered them.   All six miners perished in the tragedy.                                                         Broken Hill poet,  ALF PALMER, wrote the following description of the event and the Society is indebted to the late Mr. S. G. Edgecombe for providing our patron, R. H. B. Kearns, with a copy of the poem, printed in booklet form by Barrier Daily Truth, Crystal Street, Broken Hill, in 1901.                                                            THE SIX BURIED MINERS  OR THE FATAL TWENTY-FOURTH THE DISASTER. Oh the twenty fourth of May, I shall ne'er forget that day; There was mourning in the Silver City's streets, For the sorrow that that makes one every human mother's son Touched each heart, and lo, in sympathy it beats. Far down 'neath the sunlight fair, 'neath the flower- scented air, Timber structures, mullock, ore in chaos rushed, And six men who left in health to unearth the buried Wealth  In the morning well and strong, are buried, crushed by the stern relentless flight in the mine's perpetual night, Of the struts, caps, legs, and floors, that none could stay. Stilled the busy hand and head, they are lying chilled and dead, On that fateful, gloomy, twenty fourth of May. No man dreamed of death or shock; all were working like a clock, No surge was heard, no timber's warning sound, Not a soul or sign to warn, when upon that fatal morn Six brave sons of toil were buried underground. And a hard unyielding fate strove to sweep away the eight, But mercy reached a pitying hand to save, And beamed a ray of light on the mine's eternal night, And rescued two from fierce destruction's grave. Crib time's spell is drawing on, for the morn has almost gone-  They were looking for noon's smoke-o and repast; Time no premonition gave that each man prepared his grave, That, that morning in this world would prove their last. How the ill news spread apace; you could read it in each face, As it passed from trembling lips by word of mouth; And the gloomy tidings fly as men rush excited by- "There's another sad disaster at the South!" THE VICTIMS See their names in chalk appear on this leaning Plat - sheet here, Victims of the deathly creep, the fatal six. Fancy  sees them lying round 'mid the mass of broken Ground Buried there 'mong hammers, shovels,drills, and picks. As their names we sadly read,oh,we pray that in their need, In the moments brief that ended life's dark strife, They found God to be their friend, safe and constant to the end, That their names are written in the book of life. Down and Prideaux were old mates, passed together through Death's gates, Into heaven's land of happiness and love; Mates they've been on earth so long, now their friend- ship they'll prolong, And enjoy each other's company above. Havelock and Mason too, many a man their faces knew, Many a friend had gripped each warm and honest hand; Side by side they passed to rest in the graveyard in the west, Side by side they passed into the spirit land. Poor Jack Edwards with them fell, whom so many knew so well, Poor Bennetta, who was heard for help to call. Vacant places they have left in the hearts of those bereft; They were kindly, social, homely, one and all. THE SPECTATORS When the news flashed through the town, hearts with grief were stricken down; Bikes,cabs,traps, and human feet excited fly. To the line of lode they go, sad and eager in their woe, Crowd above where fathoms deep the dead men lie. How a day seems like an age! how they watch the iron cage! As the bells the signal chimes, oh, the gloomy anxious time- Ah,'tis weary, weary waiting at the shaft!     CONTINUE