Obituaries Australia

At about half past 9 o'clock yesterday morning a fall of coal occurred in the Wickham and Bullock Island Colliery, by which Mr. Thomas Dix received fatal injuries. He and a miner named Stevenson were working together taking the side coal from a cut through, when about a ton and a half of mineral came away from a sooty back, and almost buried Dix. Assistance was speedily procured, and the sufferer was taken to the surface, and thence to the hospital, in what appeared to be a dying state. Upon being admitted it was found that the patient had sustained a compound fracture of the pelvis and ruptures of the bladder and intestines. Everything that medical skill could suggest was done, but without avail, as the sufferer died at a quarter past 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. G. C. Martin, district coroner, will hold an inquest at Ralph's Family Hotel, Watt-street, at 10 o'clock this morning.

The deceased, who resided at Islington, leaves five children, the eldest being 14 years of age. Mr. Dix filled the office of general secretary to the Miners' Association for nearly three years, prior to the last appointment of Mr. James Curley, and was well known throughout the district. Unfortunately for the children Mrs. Dix died 12 months ago, and the father leaves but very little money or property. The deceased, who arrived from England some eight years ago always took a keen interest in politics, and at the last general election was announced as a candidate for Newcastle, but at the last moment he retired. For three years prior to his election as general secretary of the Miners' Association in 1889, Mr. Dix worked in the Greta Colliery, and represented that lodge on the delegate board for some considerable time. After being defeated by Mr. Curley for the secretaryship in March, 1892, he went to work as a shiftman in the Wickham and Bullock Island Colliery, and remained in that pit until his sad end yesterday.

Greta, Monday.
Telegrams were received to-day by Mr. Thos. Guy and Mr. M. H. North, informing them that Mr. Thos. Dix, late miners' general secretary, had been hurt in the pit, and had since died in the hospital. Much sympathy is expressed here for the five children who are now left without father or mother.