New Zealand Disasters

Lesson 4: Mining Disasters, Disease & Fires

Key Content

• Brunner Mine disaster 1896
• Influenza Pandemic 1918
• Ballentyne's Fire 1947

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Outline the sequence of events leading up to each disaster.
• Describe the impact of the disaster on people.
• Describe how people increased or decreased the effects of the disaster on them and their communities.

9. Epitaph Series III: Fire at the Coal face (Exctracts) DV, Greenstone Pictures, 2001

Fire at the Coal Face (2001)

The Brunner Mine on the West Coast of the South Island was once New Zealand’s largest mine. It was also the site of New Zealand’s worst mining disaster in 1896.

a. How many died on 26 March 1886 at the Brunner Mine? 65

b. What was the cause of the disaster?
Some debate about the cause, but it seems that there was a massive explosion of gas that had not been cleared by the mine’s ventilation system.

c. 6000 people attended the funeral of those that died that day. What does that tell you about the impact that the disaster had?
Huge impact affecting many people on the West Coast. Many widows and orphans who had no other income than what their husbands or sons brought into the family.

d. Who did mine management blame for the disaster?
The miners/victims. They accused them of illegally setting of a mining explosive in the shaft which ignited coal dust. A Royal Commission of Enquiry agreed and the mining company refused to pay any compensation. After many court appeals, mine management were found to blame for not ensuring adequate ventilation of the shafts. Some compensation was the awarded.

Influenza 1918

10. The World Population 1300, City Associates, 1982

The World Population (1982)

Locals talking about the impact of the Influenza Pandemic on the township of Martinborough.

a. The influenza epidemic occurred at the end of which twentieth century war? World War One.

11. Good Morning 15/08/2002 (Extract)

Good Morning (TVNZ, 2002)

A woman talks about the impact of the influenza pandemic on New Zealand, and about her great grandfather who died from it.

a. Where did the pandemic begin? America.

b. How many died from it world wide? 25 million.

c. What were the symptoms?
Rapid onset. Fluid in lungs. Skin turns black.

d. How many people died from the pandemic in New Zealand? 6700

Ballentyne's Fire

12. Weekly Review 325, National Film Unit, 1947

Ballantyne's Fire Weekly Review 325 (1947)

Ballantyne’s Fire, Christchurch: Fire fighters attack the blaze in Ballantyne’s Department Store in Cashel Street November 18th 1947. 41 people, all members of staff, died in the blaze. A few common sense fire safety practices may well have averted the fatalities.

a. What types of common sense fire safety practices might have prevented such a tragedy happening during the Ballantyne’s Department Store fire?
Adequate fire escapes, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, evacuation plans and practices.

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