(Press Association Telegrams.)

The Press Association says:—It is now believed thirty-nine lives have been lost in the colliery explosion of yesterday (Tuesday). During the night operations have been almost entirely suspended, but at eleven o'clock today a number of miners volunteered to descend the pit to clear the road and facilitate the removal of bodies, fifteen of which have been recovered. It is impossible to say where the explosion originated.

The cause of the catastrophe at the Clay Cross pit is still a mystery. The number of men unaccounted for is stated at thirty-nine, but up to midnight no bodies have been brought up.

THE PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, LIMITED, AND THE CLAY CROSS COLLIERY ACCIDENT

Yesterday, as soon as the news was received by telegram in London of the above deplorable accident, the Directors by their Secretary immediately forwarded a cheque for £50 to the Superintendent for this district, Mr S Boden, Stonegravels. There are a number of policies taken out by miners employed by the Clay Cross Company, and Mr Boden was instructed to proceed at once to Clay Cross to assure the suffers that the Prudential Assurance Company would immediately recognise all just claims, and that he was authorised to afford any temporary relief required—for which purpose the £50 was sent.