Biography

Alias John Nella was employed at the North Star Mine working between the 3rd and 4th level in a stope. He said it must have been a bad piece of fuse because he lit two charges. When he lit the second, the first one exploded. His workmate went back to Nella and found him lying in the stope just under the face with his clothes blown off. He was injured about the legs. Nella was conveyed to the surface and then to hospital. An operation was conducted on the day following the accident and although he rallied somewhat for a time, he gradually sank and passed away. Nella had been employed there for a considerable period and was considered to be a careful and practical miner.