The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

RELEASE OF MR. STEAD. On Monday morning, at a quarter-past 8, Mr. NV- T. Stead, who was convicted at the Old Bailey for the abduction of Eliza, Armst.ro; g, and was sen- tenced to thiee months' imprisonment, was liberated from Hollowny Gaol on the expiration of the term. About 30 persons assembled outside the gates, in- cluding several of both sexes wearing the garb of the Solvation Army. There was no demonstration what- sver, and Mr. Stead drove away in a four-wheeler to the Pall Mall Gazette office. In the evening a meeting was held at Exeter Hall to welcome Mi. Stead. Long before the time an- n luncecl fir the c< mmencement of the proceedings every seat WdS occupied. When Mrs. Stead came on I he platfoim leading three children they were giei ted with cheering and waving of handker- chiefs *nd subsequently Mr. Ste«d, who was aiso acc mpained by one of his children, received a most enthusiastic ovation. The Kipht Hon. J. Stansfeld, M.P., presided, and alter the leading of many letters and telegrams, he eulogised the conduct oi Mr. Stead. Ho denied that Mr. Stead had exaggerated the vices and the crimes against which they were bound to act, and their determina- tion was that these vices and the consequential crimes should be continued to be dragged to the light of day. To conceal, to ignore, to pretend to deny them was of itself a crime. There should be no truce with evil or with evil doers. Two testimonials were presented to Mr Stead the first a copy of the teacher's Bible, given by Mr. Kenmdy and other members of the Younsr Men's Christian Association, and an address and a I urse, it being stated that as tiie result of a penny subscription among the women of England over 27.000 had contributed. Mr. Stead, who was received with prolonged cheer- ing, the audience rifcing en masse >■ nd waving their handkerchiefs, first offered up a short prayer. In the course of his remarks, he said that when he arrived at the office that morning he found a letter fiom Tasmania, in which the writer stated that, owing to the public feeling creattd by the Pall Afall Gazette, the age of protec- tion in that colony had been raised from 10 to 15, and similar bi:ls had been passed in Vie: oria and New South Wales. l ie earnestly appealed to them to aid in this new crusade.—A resolution pledging the meet- ing to that end was carried.

LOYALIST DEMONSTRATIONS IN ULSTER. On Monday afternoon a great demonstration was held at Belfast to protest against all concessions to the present criminal agitation in Ireland, to demand that the supremacy of law shall be maintained, and that the union with Great Britain, the safe- guard of our rights, be preserved. The Earl of Ranfurly, who presided, said he felt at so grave a crisis as the present that the day was past for patriotic Irishmen to allow any distinction, by either class or creed, to prevent them meeting in that name for the public weal. Noisy agitators hati long enough spoken, and too long had been allowed to speak in the name of the people of Irdland. Never would Ulster, never would the loyal town of Belfast, submit to be governed by a body, be it Par- liament or otherwise, sitting in Dublin, and elected by the rabble of the land. They talked of guarantees— paper guarantees forsooth Could it be possible— could it be believed that England would crave from rebels the light for her loyal subjects to live No, there was a voice in honest England which would never leave them alone in the coming struggle.—Mr. Thomas Montgomery, J.P., High Sheriff of county Antrim, proposed a reso- lution exprest-ng loyalty to the Queen.—The resolution was supported by Mr. George Allan, High Sheriff of county Down, Major Maxwell, D.L., and Lord de Ros, and passed unani- mously, amid loud cheers. The Venerable the Archdeacon of Connor (Rev. Dr. Murray, of Baliymena) prop 'sed, in a vigorous speech, a resolution protesting against any attempt to sever the Union.—The Rev. Alexander Gray, LL.D., seconded the resolution, which was adopted enthusiast.ically.-The Rev. Hugh Henna: D.D., then moved a resolution condemning any legislation which would extend to Ireland schemes 01 lecal government, which would conter almost supreme power upon a class of the community who are avowedly disloyal. —Mr. Thomas H. Aitken, J.P., of Dungannon, sec. nded the resolution, which was adopted amid cheers.-The Rev. Dr. Kane, Grand Master of the Orangemen of Belfast, moved a resolution denouncing ti e practices of the National League, which was ca. ried with enthusiasm. Another large meeting was held in Ulster Hall in the evening, presided over by S.r James P. Corry.

RESTORED TO SIGHT. A most remarkable case of restoration of eye- sight is reported from Liverpool. Mr. Louis B. Goodman, of that city, for a period of two yean has been absolutely blind. A large number of London specialists had, after examining the eyes, pronounced the case hopeless. Lately, however, Mr. Goodman was brought under the treatment of a Manchester oculist, and after eleven weeks' residence in the St. John's Royal Eye Hospital in that city has recovered his sight. Tliedoctors, on professional grounds, refuse to give any exact information as to the remedies adopted. Mr. Goodman says that during the first few. days be was in the hospital he was placed under t he influence of chloroform, but of what then occurred he has only the faint knowledge of a large accumula- tion of matter having been removed from his head. After this the patient was put under general treatment, and from the first fortnight began to gradually regain his sight. After being in the hospital for five or' six weeks, such strides had he made towards recovery, and so high were his spirits, that on being visited one day by a friend he was found amusing himself by jumping over the forms in the room. He remained in St. John's Hos- pital for 11 weeks, and left, having the sight in both eyes- He is now in the Convalescent Home in South- port, in almost complete possession of both eyes, having abandoned spectacles.

Itevelff 011 RATS."—The thing desired found a test hit Gheaaicts, grocers, or oilmen, for j" Soagk on Bate." It clears eat rots, naioe, beetles, roaches, ASM, bedbugs, insects, grout* moi«i»*a 7id. m»6 |c WM. >' |c WM. >' I I #

WISE AND OTHERWISE. HE REMEMBERED. "And you pretend to say." remarked a lawyer tok a witness, that you remember the exact words this Ui&n fcaid to you 10 years ago ? "Idn." V, if my memory sf-rves me, I met vou at i-vaiatogo about five years ago. and I should like to know it you can swear to any expresoion which I theu niaoe." I can." Now, Mr. J., I want you to remember that you are under oath. Now, under oath, you swear that you can quote with preat accuracy a remark I made to jou at Saratoga five years »-o ? "lean." ^Ml, what was it ?" You met me in the hotel corridor." "Yes, quite correct." And yon s'-ook hands with me." Naturally I did." Arid you said tome: 'Let's ero and take some- Lhí¡cc, The crier of the court had to callsi1ence for. 10 minutes, and the lawyer ci n'.e-sed that the witness nad a remarkable memory.—Boston Journal. OILING A CRANK. The palatial steamer Mary Powell .was on her daily trip up the Hudson. A number of passengers had gathered arrsund the open door of the engine-room looking with interest ac the movements of the ponderous machinery. Among the passengers was >111 Ioster, a New Yom gentleman who is a practical iokpr. lie va a young man of means, and, was elesranijy dressed. Ha is, moreover, a very good amd.eur ventriloquist. "Now, boys," said Foster, "let us have some fun with the engineer." A creaking, squeaking noise was heard anioiig the machinery. The engineer was somewhat startled, and he lubricated various and sundry parts of the machinery with gieat industry and an oil can. The latter contained half a pint of oil. Foster nudced one of his boon companions in the ribs, and pretty soon the machinery squeaked again. Once more the engineer calmed down a suspected piston by anointing it with his alleviator. The squeak- ing still continued, and Foster pointed out the place that needed oiling. Once more the engineer took his alleviator, and removing the cork, poured the con- tents down the back of the festive Poster, and over his 40 dollar suit, of clothes. "There," said the engineer, "I don't think that crank will squeak again in a hurry."—Tucas Sittings. In the Pesbawur Cemetery, in India, is the follow- ing epitaph "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. ——i Missionary, aged ■—, murdered by his chow-' kidar. Well done, thou good and faithful servant. "How things do grow this weather," said the deacon to Brother Amos. "Yes, they do," replied. ilie brother. Last nijiht I heard you say you caught1 40 tish, and this morning I heard you tell Mr. Smith it was A railway engineer saying that the usual life of a 'o locomotive was only 30 years, a passenger remarked that such a temgh-looking thing ought to live longer than that. "Well," responded the engineer, "per- haps it would if it didn't smoke so much." A butcher was invited recently to attend a concert, but positively declined, even when a free ticket was offered him. Pcesse: for his reason, he replied, "If I went I should see so many people who owe me for meat that it would spoil my tun." Train stopping at small roadside station. Irritable oJd Gentleman What on earth do they stop at a station like this for ?" Objectionable passengers, alighting: "To allow me to get out Irritable old Gentlemen "Ah, I see it has its advantages then." A charitable individual dropped a coin into the hat uf a blind beggar who took it up and felt and weighed it in his hand. Do you think it is not a go"d one ? inquired the donor. It is perfectly genuine," replied the beggar, but these hard times we biind folk have I to keep a sharp look out." An old Scotch lady was told that her minister used n tea she disbelieved it. Said one Go into the gallery and see." She did so, and saw the written sermon. After the luckless preacher had concluded hi" reading Oll the bst page, he said: "But I will- not enlarge." The old woman called out from her lult;, ixjsition:—"Ye canna, ye canna, for your paper's give oot A certain bailie, remarkable among his fellows for his obesity, taking an airing one day withir- the pre- cincts of the barracks situated near the town in which he discharged his magisterial duties, accosted the sentry at the west gite with-" Can T get out by this gate, my man?" The soldier, mentally taking the dimensions of the rotund bailie, replied "I think ye will, for a cart o' hay cam' in by't this moriiing." In a tramcar the other day a woman noticed an old man gazing at her very attentively. During a ride I of a mile or more he kept his eyes fastened on her Lce, and he must at least have seen by her manner tn it she was annoyed, as he bent over her and said, Excuse me, madam, but I can't help looking at. you. You put me in mind of my dead wife; her nose turned off sideways just exactly like ycurn does." How does it happen, Bridget, that there are as many ieet of gas charged for t his month as last, when Mrs. Blossom and myself have been out of town three weeks ?" Shure an' can't tell, sorr, savin' that, whin the gintleman came to luk at the mayther, there was six fate of coal and wood on top of it, an li-- obearved that I needn't bother wid it—he'd take a 1 ik at the pracaydin' nggarp. May be he added the six fate of wood an' coal—I don't know "Will you pay me this bill, sir?" said a tailor in Regent-street to a gentle masher who owed him a pretty long bill. "Do you owe anybody anything, sir?" asked the youth. "No, sir," said the tailor. Then you can afford to wait 1" and off he walked. A day or two afterwards the tailor called again. The masher was not at his wit's end yet; so, turning to his creditor, he says "Are you in debt to anybody I" "Yes, sir," said the tailor. "Well, why don't you pay ?" I've not the money." That"* just my case, sir. I am glad to see you can appreciate my condition give us your hand Mrs. Minks: "I think it is too bad, Mr. Minks !J Why cau't a man be as considerate for his wife a few years after marriage as he was before ? But I suppose it is too^much to expect; men are all alike, and care only for themselves." Mr. Minks: "Really, my dear, I don't know what you are driving at." Mrs. Minks: "Oh, no, of course not! You don't even know that this is my birthday, and yet only a few year* ago the date was engraven on your heart, and you never failed to give me a present. Why didn't NOLI do so to-day?" Mr. Minks: "Because, my dear, I did notvyish to remind you of the painful fact that you were a year older." As one of the Peninsula and Oriental Company's handsomely-fitted steamers was making her way to! her moorings in Southampton Harbour, the officer in charge found the passage blocked by a dirty empty ballast barge, the only occupant of which was sitting; down smoking a short black pipe. Finding he did- not make any effort to get out of the way, the ofiif-er shouted to the man in true nautical style. This, at first, met with no response, but on its being lepe-ated, the fellow rose, and taking the pipe from his un utn, said "Faith, are you the captain o' the ship?" "No," was the reply," but I am the chiefs officer." "Then talk to your aquals," said Pat; "I am captain o' this." Hair-dresser: "Thanks to my system, there are now no more bald heads." Customer "And what is' your new system, pray ? Hair-dressfr Wigs." "Are you a vtiauve of this parish?" asked a Scotch sheriff of a witness who was summoned tot testify in a case of illicit distilling. Maistly, yerf honour," was the reply I mean, were you born inr this parish?" "Na, yer honour. Iwasnaborniut th's parish; but I'm maist a native, for a' that." "You came here when y"ll *v ere a child, I suppose f you mean?" said the sheriff. "Na, sir; I'm just t here about sax year noo." Then how do you come to be nearly a native of the pari.-h? Weel, ye. see, whan I cam' here, sax year sin', I jist weighed eight'stane, an'" I'm fully seventeen wtane noo; saet ye see that about nine stane o' me belangs to this I parish an' the ither eight comes frae Cam bchie." What time does the 3.20 train start ?" demanded I an excited female, waving her umbrella at a bashful t young clerk the other afternoon. And the youngl man was so embarrassed that he blushed up to his I eyes, and meekly stammered, twenty past three, [ ma'am." Legal Caution.—Counsel (for the prosecution You will admit that your client was in London ai! the time the affair occured ? Counsel (for the de- fendant): "No, sir." Counsel: "You will admit, that your client was in London about the time the affair occured?" Counsel: "No, air." Counsel:, You will at least admit that there is such a plaoe4 a« London ? Counsel: (emphatically): No, sir., If the prosecution wishes to establish in svideneei that such a place as London exists, it has get te prove! it. We admit nothing." j 1

average section was not iegg ^han 50 square feet it ■Would fill a space of 240,000 cubic feet at least. Fire- damp could not have played any but a very subor- dinate part in this explosion and there is, therefore, 110 alternative but to turn to the consideration of coal dust. All tbe roadways, so far as I travelled along them, wit e exception of 20 or 30 yards on each side of the downcast sbaft, which was damp, were cover-ed-with dry coal dust; and, as there was an ample quantity present to produce all the effects ob- +^npCcoal rb/f K° hesitation in saying that this was a dust most exPlosion. The explosion of the coal namely In- n e .been be«un in one of two ways accumn'lof e .1 £ i511tion and explosion of a small local in tbf> 1011 °* fire<3amp, or by a blasting-shot fired these r>a.esence fire-damp or coal dust. Either of sudden ,ses.Produces a great volume of flame and a in tho f hurricane eaf wind. The latter raises the dust it °* a c^oud in the air the former ignites t»a». f thereafter the explosion becomes self-pr0_ artif; 1D?" 'la;ve> myself, made many experiments in J„„ galleries in which a mixture of air and fire- p Was exploded at one end while the floor was strewn with fine coal-dust to represent the conditions S Vaillng in a dry mine; and I have found that the nn"?e of J110 original fire-damp explosion was taken -fnv d,carrie(i along in the cloud of coal dust as as the latter extended. In this manner I have produced explosions of dust in pure air with flames E1D5 from 100 to 160.feet in Wth, while the fire_ damp flame which originated them did not extend er than 10 or 15 fee • A commission appointed «y the Prussian Government to investigate this ques- tion made many similar experiments with blowQ OHfc shots, and obtained similar results, I found a fine grey Metallic l°o !ng us cong^g £ ing apparently of particles of coked coal dust lyiBg in the timbers which support the roof Be parts of the roadw through which theexplosaon pa9se(L A duBt* f SLrieme There were iu th6 ^"mental galleries. The timhm. cakes of coked coal dust r4"xe »«oo.T d4daiie=peo\to ry; Royal. SOCiety on the Influence of coal dust in colhery larger or smaller alnmnlf^ tfhefilgn,ltlon of a tained in the cavitv fn th^ri f ° ire"da™P' the masons were eL^ed in above *he .ai"c,h whlc £ •west dins at a H;<X s g n constructing in the north junction with thP aboat 350 yards from their very large 00eTmainu west level. This cavity is a about 20ft. wid nS about 25tfc. high above the floor, est* mated dimon'- u^er 20ft' long- 1 give their measured thp °m°,D' subject to correction, not having to within eitrK?' highest part of the arch reached cavity. Jt,, ?r fcen feet °* the highest part of the 'this cavity ? known that fire-damp would collect in "vent its dn" un ss sPecial means were taken to pre- pravided «lD^ 8, and' acc°rdingly, the manager had vcntilatin Btna" air-way and other contrivances for lad I atIng it, and had arranged for its being regu- r°0f of i°r.gas On the day of the explosion the threaten ■18 cavit? aPPears to have b»en uneasy and entlv w to 80 *kat the masons did not appar- ^oulfl i continuously. The former circumstance ■ increase the quantity of fire-damp lafctJr ln,'? *he cavity from the upper strata, the ftbson wo? d favour its accumulation through the mix if06 ■ i. n?ove'.n^ bodies, which would otherwise with the air and facilitate its dispersion and tha?81011' "^e ^his as it may, however, it is certain l(, °f the two masons and the labourer who ended to them were under the arch at the instant the explosion took place while the fo f f °''her mason was found lying at the °t of the ladder which formed their means of access to the top of the arch. It is probable that re-damp collected in the upper part of the cavity unknown to any one and that after the masons and their labourer hac been for some time under the arch, waitmg perhaps for the roof to settle, one of them took the comet, or large naked light, in his hand and ascended the ladder to ascertain whether it would be safe for them to recommence their work; in doing so, he probably raised the comet until it ignited the gas, *ncl that he was then precipitated to the foot of the ladder where his body was found. The timbers at Ooth ends of this cavity were blackened by the action Of flame to a greater extent than any of the other timbers I observed in the roadways through which toft explosion passed; and this circumstance helped to confirm my opinion that this was the origin of the explosion. The ignition and explosion of a considera- ble body of inflammable gas in this position is suffi- cient to account for the whole of the effects observed. It appears from what I was told by the manager and from what has been said in evidence that the dust lyinS roadways of this colliery was occasionally veered in an erratic and somewhat partial manner, Shot Ji? circumstance alone I attribute tbe fact n«.^i„ereXPl081°? ^as confi?ed within comparatively saved and that the lives of so many men were tfcBy 'he Coroner The statement that the roof of no arch beoame uneasy was an opinion he bad rme The force of the explosion would not ,show itself so much where it ignited aa further Iola. Mt Abraham: Seeing that Mr Galloway has found by experiments that a flame has been propa- gated by coal dust and the volume of air, would bot that at once show that any naked light in a '1Itea.rn coal colliery is dangerous ? Witness No, you cannot get an explosion of U8'an<* a'r without some violent disturbing ly. small naked light would not do it. air Abraham A "comet," would that do it ? ^od .Dess without a large admixture of gas }r' -It would take one per cent, of gas at fco render coal dust explosive. r ■KAidall; There would be no oap on the '68; "^he flame from a blown ont shot on FjVe °r -a open lamp would not latRe a U8' without the presence of gas and a dost. depending upon the quality of the coal eoal^rt^? There would be a good deal of to carry the flame. It coald shot oi- «'?, without the force of a blown-out ur a fall, or something of the kind. OF THE ASSISTANT INSPECTOR OE MINES. "■4 tl^ \x' assistant inspector of mines, B Colliery was well laid oat and well 4he » ile believed the explosion occarred at in Goal dust P^yed an impor- «tation8 v lfc* Would have preferred the lamp- would be at the top of the pit, thoHgh that -any r..o d'Ilicult.-By Mr Simons = Had not made Did not thinky ion respecting the lamp-stations, iad been 8hot^e bore-hole in the hard heading We used a c«y Mr Abraham He would not opening in the to^&ht where there was a large on the Btage at tb^' Ifka person took the comet lim a judicious he should nob consider "»ever seen a man fire Mr Liddell Had face." He thought wifcb a fall tram in the shot-firing should be provision as to EVIDENCE OF THE GOVE^^ MINES. NT INSPECTOR OF MrT. E. Wales, Inspector o £ -^h Wales and Monmoatbshire di~J^es for the run.' jtion afc this colliery was well conl1'-8^ Shot-firing was permitt^08^^ and 200 men ?nring the night, when there only all0JJ,5h.e colliery> but durin- ,t,he day ifc dip district in the hard heading m the north-We8t oerons pra«f To his mind thi8 was a mOBt1 General rulelCe' and c|early a violation of the plosion, be wa„ f8 to fche cause or origin of the ex. chiefly or entit6,Je°,dedlJr of °Pinicn that it was lyiDg in the roaa 6 to the ls;nifcio11 of coal dust *nd the north-weI^-betWeen the doWBca8fc shaf5 Ihe open lights Wal?up- In a11 probability one of ^ast being raised bv l! c?use of the ignition, the tity of gas or the conf.„ 1.gnifcl0n °! a sma11 ^uan' Be had from time to ^,on shot-firing, failed attention to after these ■expiosions, regretted to add that u-tter °f shot-fring' bufc thi, matter had not Uenhl\ "commendations on ^here should be a strict 6nadoPfced- thought gunpowder or 0^tmen prohibiting the *»«es, and prohibiting the' ,.1°these «?pt a few yards o £ °aJ?d 1.1?ht«ex; Pvte should be watered T L.tj and directmg thftt l! other ineans^o long the ad°Ption J-— -lowed coald o. "'SUZ fe"; My ^°io; i. that tta hole re- By'ltr I^ n a.n<* fired. deil: In m7 °P1Mon the fireman com- z-_ mitted a breach of the rules in not reporting a blue-cap on the limps My opinion is-but, it is only an opinion-that the shot caused a concussion which raised the dust, and that it was ignited by the comet. The Coroner said this closed the evidence, un- less someone else wished to pall witnesses. The inquest was then adjourned. TUESDAY. There was naturally greater interest taken in the proceedings on this than on any previous day, THE CORONER'S SUMMING UP. The Coro er said it was unfortunate that the Royal Commission appointed to report upon acci- dents in mines bad not yet reported, for such report would undoubtedly deal in an exhaustive manner with the question of shot-firing in mines and the subject of coal-dust and its contingent dangers. It wa3 only a few years ago since the explosive character of coal dust was publicly ignored, and. where accepted, only received very qualified acceptance. Now, however, scientists and owners, and managers of collieries appeared to be agreed that COAL DUST played a most important part in connection with explosions underground. In fact it had been proved to demonstration that if coal dust was set in motion violently, and was thus diffused in atmospheric air, f\Il that was required to produce an explosion was contact with a flame, and that where a pit was charged with coal dust in excep- tionally large proportions, and was also charged with gas in such small proportions as to be unob- servable by the tests usually employed to detect the presenee of gas in mines—Mr Galloway said from 1 to 3 per cent of gas-simple contact with the flame was all that was required to produce a. like result. Again, it was invariably found that when an explosion took place in a coal mine falls of the top occurred, and gas was released and discharged itself in far larger quantities than usual. These remarks were, he said, general. They would now proceed to consider the evidence given in the case which they were then investi- gating. He would simply direct their attention to what he conceived to be the most pertinent points for them to discuss and deliver judgment upon. The explosion, which occurred on the 23id of December, in the Mardy Colliery, was of an exceptional character, from the fact that it was confined to a limited area in the main-intake, and did not extend to any of the working faces or return airways. In fact, it was confined to the south-west headings, north-west dips, and the entrance to the main east level. To his mind there naturally arose out of the evidence adduced THREE THEORIES, The first was that it occurred at the bottom of the downcast shaft; the second, that it occurred in the ( hard heading to the 4-ft. which was being driven off I the north-west dip and the third was, that it oc- curred at, or near to, the arch which was being erected on the north-west dip near the entrance to the hard heading of the 4 feet. All that appeared to him to have beea advanced in favour of the first theory was that at the downcast shaft were found evidences of the greatest force of the explosion, together with the most distinct evidences of burning. This reasoning must, however, be based upon the assumption that the greatest force was exercised at the point of ignition but past experience and the evidence of Mr Galloway and Mr Randall negatived that assumption. The only suggestion offered as to that was one by Mr William Thomas, Brynawel, in reply to Mr Simons, and that was thp t a blower might have appeared suddenly and unexpectedly just previous to the explosion, but it was not shown that such a blower had been found or even searched for. Passing on to the next theory, that the explosion oc- curred in the hard heading to the Four-feet, and originated by the fixing or blowing oat of a shot, it was a theory which only found favour with Mr Wales, who contended that it was impossible to say, from subsequent examination, whether a shot-hole had been charged and blown out, and suggested that the shot-hole now found was charged and blown out, raising the coal dust and occasioning an explosion there. The hard heading was driven in a distance of 50 yards to the north west dip, and on that roadway there was little or no dust, and the shot-hole referred to was drilled at such an angle as to necessitate the force of a blown out shot being expended upon the bottom, at a point near to the face; and Mr Gallo- way had told them that the flame from the same would not extend more than 12ft. The witnesses called were against Mr Wales in regard to the shot- hole in question. Then, to be taken for what it is worth, was the finding of the tram, boring tools, pow- der tin, and powder close up in the face, a spot where no sane person would permit them to be whilst firing a snot. In regard to the third theory, that the explosion originated at or close to the arching in the north-west dip, where there were cavities in the roof which were the places to be dreaded, and where excep- tional precautions were necessary, it appeared that at the point of arching there were some considerable falls, and some six months ago the arching there was com- menced, and at the time of the explosion the cavities in the roof extended upwards for a distance of about 30 feet frem the rails. In fact, the stratification at tnis point was disturbed, the Four-feet seam being thrown up a distance of 25 yards. That which was being done at this place was undoubtedly the proper thing to do, but THE WORK WAS OF AN EXCEPTIONALLY DANGEROUS CHARACTER. After the explosion it was found that all the masons, masons' attendants, and labonrers were more or less severely burnt, and the clothes of some of the deceased, hanging up near, were more or less severely burnt, and also some clothes hanging up near the mouth of the hard heading, so it was clear the fiery blast was present at this spot. A little on the outer side of the arch was found the body of the overman (Daniel Williams), whose death they were now sworn to investigate; near him that of Benjamin Phillips, the ropeman, and, still nearer the arch, the body of David Jones, the repairer, who all died from the effects of minor burns and suffocation. From the evidence it would appear that gas had only been found on one occasion above the arch, and that was by the fireman, David Edwards, some considerable time prior to the explosion. But he (Edwards) re- garded it as of such pmall importance that he did not report it, and his superior officer did not seem to have been made acquainted with the fact. Gas was found above the arch the day after the explosion, and the fireman, being informed of it; went and saw it for himself. It also appeared that on the 31st of December, from the workmen's special report, a strong blower was found on the top of the arch, firing in the lamp 23ft. 8in. from the rails. It further ap- peared faom the fireman's report books that a small blower was found in the first west level for some days previous to the explosion. The arches referred to had been turned some 16ft or 17ft in heighth, and the staging was about 6ft from the ground. It ap- peared that the masons and those actually engaged in the arching had locked safety lamps, and that the masons'attendants and labourers were in the habit of using a comet light, as it was alleged to facilitate unloading material and to better judge the security of the roof. But the directions given were that the comet was to be used only below the staging. The management appeared to have appreciated the dan- gerous character of the work by providing an airway over the arch, but still a considerable space was left °ver the archway. Two daily inspections of the 'Pace above the arching appeared to have been made y the fireman, but- having regard to the height, the aifatl8 employed were far from satisfactory. It was taclSi? a stick was used, the lamp being at- that e* hat he left them to judge to what extent for the u^^tion could be regarded as satisfactory, v,ofwppn tf'otn of the lamp would necessary interpose of vision and the flame of feha lamp. JrpcrnWi0 136 admitted that the comet light was used g y at the archway, and was in use at the time oi and it did not appear that any of the ma up on the arches when the explo- sion happenea. The body of Griffith Scourfield, masons T^dly burnt, was found at the foot foot of the laaaer. -Lhe natural inquiry upon this was WHERE IS THE COMET ?" It was alleged that it could not be found. The fire- man's walking atick was found, and Benjamin Phillips', ropeman's, lamp was found. Everything asked for was forthcoming except this p»rtio.nl^r comet. They must draw their own conclusions. Now, it became hi* duty to direct *"ei* att«ntjipn to that ifhieh was offered in oppo#itW* *9 t&oory tHat the -• gas was fired at that point. It was argued that if the explosion took place there greater damage would be manifest, whereas the archway, although unkeyed, remained intact, with the ladder of the stage occupy- ing its wonted position that the hod of mortar rested balanced against the side, filled with mortar; that the workmen's tools were found in the positions in which they had evidently been placed bv the men. This might appear strange at first sight. But it had been conclusively explained by Mr GtJlowav and Mr Randall that they would not expect evidences of violence at the immediate point of contact with the flame. But, on the other hand, let them not forget the man lying close by, badly burnt, timbers charred and the absence of the comet, which could not have disappeared of itself. Now, it seemed to him that, the jury had to decide between the several proposals which he had attempted to enunciate, and, of course, if they thought that the evidence indicated that some other was the scene of the explosion, let them say so. It was only right to say taat Thomas Evans, haulier, was badly burnt near the lamp station in the south- west heading, and two or three others were slightly burnt near the same spot. There was, however, one very IMPORTANT PIECE OF EVIDENCE which he wished them to bear in mind, and that was the evidence of Daniel Howells, collier, who was in the face of No. 9 heading, main west level. He said he felt a check in the air only, although this level was, in direct line with the bottom of the pit: and he said that on his way out he saw William Williams, the rope-changer, who sa.id There's fire in the North Dip." In confirmation of this they had the general evidence that the doors were blown towards t je return air course. There was also the evidence of David Davies, who attended William Williams in his illness, and to whom Williams said he saw light coming up from the north-west dip and that the fire caught him and tumbled him towards the pit; and that he was then at the crossing where they change the ropes, and from the plans and evidence it appeared that from that spot he could have seen what he alleged did occur. What possible object could he have had in telling falsehood in the presence of death ? It was true that David Lewis, with whom Williams lived, said deceased was not in a condition to know what he was sayiag. The jury must judge of this, remember- ing that he made the statement to two others. Then proceeding, the Coroner said Now, gentlemen, if you come to the conclusion that the explosion emanated from below the down- cast shaft I don't see how the occurrence can be regarded as other than A PURELY ACCIDENTAL OCCUBKENCE that no human foresight could have forestalled. If you think it occurred in the hard heading by reason of shot-firing, then, if the shot was fired by the fireman, with the knowledge (I mean the general knowledge and assent) of the manager (which. he admits) I don't see how they can, in the face of the provisions of General Rule 8th of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, be exonerated from the dire consequences of this disaster. If you think a. shot was fired by one of the men working in the heading, causing the explosion, he and they have already paid the penalty of death. If you think the explosion originated at or near the arches, by reason of the open comet light being used there, it is for you to say whot' er, under all the circum- stances of the case, the management (by which term I include the agent, certificated manager, and fireman), were leasonably justified in permitting its use there. And, in considering this, you will have to bear in mind the admitted fact that the persons (masons' attendants and labourers) for whose use it was especially provided were men who would not be so familiar with the dangers atten dant upon its use on and above the staging as practical colliers are. You will, doubtless, have observed that I have made no special reference to the sufficiency of the ventilation of the mine. I have purposely avoided doing so, inasmuch as it ig admitted on all hands that the volume of air was ample and that the workin a were so laid out as te utilise it to$he best advantage, and the percentage of the bnrnt to the suffocated, which is less than one in three, indicates that there could not have been any large accumulation of gas in the mine. This involves some other CONSIDERATIONS ON COLLIERIES GENERALLY. Of course, I am only authorised to make comment upon the arrangement of this colliery, but I think it right to state that the remarks L am about to make are equally applicable to other collieries in the district. Dealing, therefore, with this particu- lar colliery, it is unquestionably a well ventilated and well arranged colliery. But what does this condition of things almost naturally beget ? It is so in every department of life. First, there is a sort of self-satisfaction of immunity from danger and risk which is calculated to degenerate into laxity or comparative inattention, and this could not be more clearly indicated than by the evidence of Mr Wm. Thomas, the agentf who now says something must be done, and I am prepared to advocate a system of periodical removal of coal dust and watering of mines." The evidence in this case has clearly indicated that the removal of coal dust and watering of the mine was left to, if I may be permitted the expression, hap-hazard. The fire. man, David Edwards, stated in evidence that he was not sure that he had watered the coal dust six times in connection with shot-firing during the pre. ceding 12 months. Nobody was special y appointed to clear the dust or water the mine and neither operation was performed systematically or periodi- cally. The appliances used for watering have been described to you and I was much struck with the contrast between their primitive character and the elaborate modern appliances for raising coal to the surface. I would again call attention to the specific provision of General Rule 8 of the Coal Mines Regulation Act. It was, as I previously ob- served, contended that that rule bore the construc. tion set forth in one of the Special Rules, but it has now been judicially determined otherwise and, as Mr Wales very pertinently put it, firing shots in the hard heading, so frequently referred to. jeo- pardised the lives in the day-time of no less than 700 persons in this colliery. With reference to the POSITIONS OF THE LAMP STATIONS, I am afraid that that is a matter that must be left to the Inspectors and managers, as tie Act of Parliament does not deal with the subject. But I fail to dee why the smoking of tobacco should in- fluence the selection of the sites of such stations. Absolute discipline is positively necessary for the security of those engaged in the mine, as it is in the power of one, for self-gratification, to endanger the lives of all. It also appears from the evidence that the barometer was absent from the top of the pit for a fortnight, in direct violation of Rule 26 and without justifiable excuse. I was astonished to hear the manager say that he had omitted to look at the barometer on the day of the explosion, that he was in a hurry, having overslept himself. Again, it appears that the fireman, David Edwards, omitted to report gas which he found above the arches some considerable time previous to the ex- plosion, and which was indicated by a blue cap on the lamp. This was an omission of such a charac- ter as to render the report-book useless and tended to deceive his superior officers. He explains that the biue cap soon disappeared, but, in my mind, this was no justifioction for his omission to enter the fact in the report-book, particularly when the character of the place is considered, coupled with the fact that the comet light was to be used at this point. The Coroner thanked the jury for their attention and directed them to consider their verdict. THE VERDICT. The jury consulted for about an hour, and then returned the followiag verdict We find that an explosion of gas occurred in the Rhondda dis- trict of the Mardy Colliery, on the 23rd of Decem- ber, 1885, whereby Daniel Williams, overman, lost his life, but how or where the gas igaited sufficient evidence has not been produced to enable us to de- termine. We are, however, convinced it did not ocour from shot-firing in the hard heading. The jury would append the following suggestions1. That efficient means be taken to allay and then re- I move coal-dust from mines Exonerating explo- sive gaae-<.—2. That boys attending the Elemen- tary Schools of a colliery district be instructed in he rulesof tbe colliery or collieries uear which theschool is situated -The same verdict applied to the other cases, but the deaths were divided into three sec- tions-viz., those from burning, suffooation, and s.-i other injuries.—Mr Simons thanked the coroner for the care and attention he had shown during the inquiry. This brought the proceedings to a close.