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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th October 1844, Edition 1 of 1, Page 8, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE HASWELL COLLIERY . AEJOUBSTD T ^ QrEST . Wednesday , Otibber Slh , 1844 . On tlw re-assembling of the Jury , at lorn o clock . JiitiiolM Wood , Esq . m sworn- ^ -He deposed , I reside at K * liin $ worth ; I have been extensively en-. g iged for thirty-three y 6 aa as a ' colliery viewer . 1 fc&ve examined , accompanied by Mr . George Hunter , the general state of the ventilation of tee Haswell Mine . J . commenced by examining and ascertaining the quantity of air . goiBg dewn the doTMicsBt shafts , one of them is twelve feet , the other nice and a half feet in diameter , Trbieh I consider a great advantage over many other Collieries "vrhere the diameter of : h ; sl-afta are much smaller . The ventilation in Haswell pit is very good ;

      better than in many oft era , and is assisted by two furisaces in the pit I measured firstly , and found that the little pit had S 7 . 028 cubic feet of air per minute . 3 "he air is split nearly midway between the shaft and the -workings , and of that quantity 11 621 feet is ttken cff , . leaving 26 407 cubic feet a minute fcr the TeaUlation of the-workings of the liSUe pit They consist of tcrce "ways , namely , the Meadows Way , the H 5 gh Brockley Whirs , and the Low Brockley "Whins . At each of those ways the whole of the broke- and the pillars are in constant working ; a system ol working by which the pillars are taken away immediately succeeding the Troiking of the whole mine , The 25 407 cubic feet of air is Dearly divided between Ibis three ways , making about 8 469 cubic feet of air per minute for each of

      those ways . 1 think that a sufficient qj&ntity . Then for the operation of working tbat . qna&ijtj ; pi air is a ^ ain Bnbdivided j isif being taken into the pillars working . and the remainder into the whole ; and this is again regulated tqaally throughc-nt the workings . In the 3 Ieadows drmion the sir into the pillar wot king is taken by a scale or bole , about one foot jquare , and two doors , and the remainder is taktn by a door ( swing dooH , between the sixth and ssventh pillars '; ait 3 spreads ili-elf between the pillars working and the goaf . The reparation of the air bifaetn tte pillars and the whole , is done by brick stoppings ap the mother gate , and by deal ones in the boards , between the face Of tte "Whole ¦ worklcra and the pDlars . Snch is the system also pursued in fliB oiher two ways for their ventilation .

      It was mrt necessary to measure use quantity of an as divided , with ek * s minnteneSB , there being amply suffidtnt for the safety of the men . The remaining hxlf , 37 , 200 cnbic ftet per rornnte , goes into the large pit , making in tie whole 74 , 228 cubic feel per minute ; and th 3 t is the l&rgesl quantity conducted into any pit I know of in the coal trade . I Have not examined the Other parts , but 1 am sufficiently conversant of their perfect state of ventilation . I think tee expiosion baa taken place neiT the goaf in the Meadows way . I arrive at teat opinlcn by the wsy the blast baa evid&nt '> y taken , and the way in which the stoppings are blown over . The greatest ffftct of the fire is against the face of the whole coal , east of the goat I think the explosion extended to the BrockJey Whina

      goaf , and having received additional yaa there , a reaction took place and Eert the fire back again- This is evidenced by the props which are charred , on both sides . I also cme ta this conclusion by the W 3 y in which the stepp 3 ngs were thrown cown ; before lbs * , It was a question with me as to which pit tl e explosion actusaJy commenced ir . The plan I now preduce has the crossings marked the t ? jy Guy xcere ilotcn down in this part- Alx-ui thirty were blown down towards Brockley Whins , wfc cb induces me to conclnde there bad been two explosions . They were thrown down at right angles with Abe others , snd are so far consistent with and even confirmatory of that opinion . A deputation of the wwkmen , Thomas Chambers and others , waited upoTnBeycssXeTd&j : 3 cu&tban Dixon was of

      ore of the others . 1 as ^ nred them my readiness to bear all they had to observe . I wes desirous particularly on ibis point , beyond say own fcelicgs , for the purpose of fulfilling the instructions I bid received from tie owners . One of my reasons for thinking the explosion did not tafce place there is . I think it Tery Diiiikdy there would be an Bcenroelatioa of ga * there on tba : diy . The bottom coal wfcera tbe gas generally conies from had btenrtmuved on the Thursday previous , and tbe gas would thai escape , and I ftel assured there bss-been no eontinuons discharge , having examined it minutely yesterdsj trilh a candle . Had the explosicn occurred there , the disasters cculd not have been m > great , as tfcat could only have b&en produced by tfee cas from the seals , aBd if it had "btea strong enough to

      fcave done that it would have blown the stoppings xa tbe opposite direction . The explosion in my opinion is the result of accident 1 cannot think it could have ieen caused by aoy of the candles nsed in the pit , because the current of air going where the candles are tised ib too powerfni to allow it to take place . At tbe time of the accident there were no whole boards working . I think that Haswell u a well ventilated pit . I thiTit every precaution has b « n tsken that is nsually done in the coal bade . It must have been , I tfcink , by a fall from tbe goaf , and gas being brongbt a ' ong with it , and the flame coming jo contract wish It in a defective lamp . Tbe gas acHuniiiaies at tfcs uppermost part of the soaL A bag ol gas may have burst , k » t

      that is all conjecture . I have known instanjees" ^ where lags of gas have burst in different coilier ^ iut never heard of one at HaswelL Tbje-KSJbling noise 1 cenaidtz to be lather anJB ^ cation of a m ; ss being in a State of resUessnfSs ^ and the drawing ef the jud would assist this '" ! do not think the oidlnary removal of . ^ -fe ^ uoTwould occMion it unless accompanied by a fall from above . 1 do nr-t ¦ h nk the quantity of ga- was large . It had not txtenoed into the Brockley Whins Flat , and the fire iuelf had only extended . about half over the high Broeklfcy Whins wojkitgs . Tbe drawirg of " Williamson ' s jaa" would aid the explosion , but I cannot think the ignition took place until tbe gfia reached the edge of the goaf , which is -wiitia a few yards

      of it By a Government Inspector—3 think the falling cf ths stone might bring down a column of gas to tbe © age of the £ ' »*¦ , and if the lamps were . injured , it ¦ wonzd of course iscite . Tb ? stoppings generally were ofweod , and were replaced before I 83 W them . I received my information respecting t en ; fr . m the men themselves . Where there is snfficient space for the gas to expand , there is but small effect produced at the shaft If the stoppings lid not been blown down , it would have been a more serions calamity . The thickness of the seam is four fee ' , fonr inches , and the bottom cod is one foot flv « inches thick . The depJh of the pit from the surface i » 156 fatisom . I think the deeper ibv mine , tfce more danger , en account of the Ievtl

      elasticity of tbe gas . Those worfcisgs are nearly lrith the shaft : liie incline is only sbcut one one and a half inches in a yard . The pillars and the wcele coal are worked simultaneously . I think that system as afe as aay other , when the mine is properly ventilated . The ventilation of tbe waste is more perfect on this plan than by pillars . The system of ventilation is far more difficult on tbe old plan of pillars than on the new , and , as I consider a mn : b improved p ^ an . It is twenty-one yards to the winnings , sixteen yards are left for the plilsis , and five Tsrds are -worked ont by tWfenty-two yards . I do not considex- the roof of Baawell pit » dangerous one . It is a shale roof , not a sandstone onej which is far mere poroos ; it is very free bom troubles , rents , 4 c

      Bj Mr . Boberis—1 did Dot examine the -whole mine ; only those parts of it I deemed necessary to enable me to form a correct opinion . I examined the Meadows Flat , where the candks bad b&en ased . I then went to aad examined the pillars and the goaf , and particularly that part vrnere Wiihamson " woiked . I th * B came back through the pillars and tried the face of the High Brockley Whins with candles , and then inlo tbe High Brockley Wbins ¦ vrortins 8 . I did not £ 0 inio the Low Brockley Whins : "but I am certain that I examined

      sufficiently to enafcls me io form as good a judgment as if I had f one farther , If tbere bad been accumulations of g& 3 in the other pans , they would have Ebewn themselves at the explosion . I could perceive no accumulation of # a 3 at the reinrn at the furnace , ior any indications of gas having been present there . From what 1 saw of tbe pit 1 &hon " : d have no objection to setting it to work to-morrow , and being in it myself . I consider I could do this with perfect safety , and 3 think the parts 1 have not examined ire equally safe . I think 1 could not suggest any improvement whatever in tbe ventilation of ihe pit .

      Air . ItobErtB here called Mr . Wood's attention to the evidence be gave hefore a committee of the House of Commons in 1835 , and proceeding to shew the coktrabiett of bis opinions then aid at the present time , when the Queen's Coroner interposed , and requested Mr . RuDerts to de-i&ij as he considered the matter irrelevant to the present inquisition . Of course his desire was complied wiih 4 heh ; but , as we have elsewhere announced , it is Mi . Roberts' intention to publish a report of tbe proceedings verbatim ; and there is little donb ; but of th

      he will embrace that opcen unity placing » - -oplnions of Mr . Wood in 1835 aad in 1844 in jux'a-¦ position before the public . The examinaxion of Mr . Wood concluded at halipast seven o ' clock . The comtwas then ordered to ' be cleared , and on our read mission , we found that the Inquest stood adjonrned -to Friday mormn * at ten o ' clock : no doobi for the purpose of afforoinj ; time to Mr . Farraday and Mr . Lyall , the two gentlrmen deputed bj the Home Office , to make a pusonaj inspection of the Mine .

      Fbidat , Octobsb 11 . The Inquest wss-tresmned on Friday morning , * U 11 th instant . Thsbcur appointed for the commeD cement of business was ten o ' clock . It "was , however , commenced soon after nine . On our entering the room . ire found that ilr . Hunter had given kis deposition , f . r > a -was then undergoing a cross-examination ty 31 r . CSongh . Mr . Boberts requesteil that the Coronor wou ' -d oblige fti ' m by allowing that part of the depositions thit hs . & been taken-before be sniffed , to be read eta-. Tbe QoroBor saw no nason for wasting dsj time of as Coart in fktf Easptr .

      MtBoberts repeated his eatfiest Hqaeat that the faTonr might be txtended to him , The Coroner , howerer , wonM not yield , and the cross examinstion of MpHunier , by Sir Clcngh , was continued a * fodowa : ¦ ASSSoi or . topdooiB in your opinion the beat eoH ^ mc ted fo r tie piapow of directing the au ? I ntekthT&y doors are equal to the trap doers f oi direct

      Untitled Article

      considere-i unsafe by the majority of j » iu > ien on Tyne , Wear , and Tees . Did yon hear if tke new bond which the men propased to the masters ? ( Tbe Coroner in-: e rposed . He would not allow irrelevant questions to be introduced . ) It is very possible , but I » m not positive , that a clause was in the new bond requiring that trap doors should be substituted for fly doors . ( Mr . . Roberts requested again that the Coroner would condescend to sffjrd him aa opportunity of knowing what had passed « iuringthe morning , but to no purpose . ) I am not quite sure that they ( the fly doors ) are liable to be thrown down , while they have the advantage of not being neglected by the boy going to sleep instead of minding them . Cannot say when fly doors were first introduced ; does not recollect how long It is since . The common trap door was used before the fly-door was introducedmany years before , cannot recollect how many . A bey was always employed to watch the trap door . Tbe fly door requires no such attendance . Does not know whether the fly door is preferred on the score of

      economy . By the Coroner . —I consider the fly by itself , and ihe trap-door with a boy equally sife ; I could give the preference to neither of them * By Mr . dough—I do not considtr there ought to Lave been a trap-door where the fly-door is , in Baswell pit- It Is as safe aa a trap-door attended by a boy : in tume respects I think more so . I would say that a bt y—a sta&dy boy , of ten or twelve y-ara of age , is quite as competent to attend the trap-door as a man , with the exception of perhaps some situations when tbe pressure of tbe air upon tbe separation doors is very great , ana the boy ' s strength inefficient to resist it . I do not know that a by would ba more lubl > to sleep than a man . I have Been a boy asleep , but if be did so ,

      the door would be in its proper position—shut . He wuull b 9 sure to shut it before he went asleep ; it is possible that I may have had complaints made to me respecting . fly-doors being propped open ; but I cannot now recollect any particular time when such complaints were made . The lighter the pressure of tbe atmospheric air the nurd readily the gsa will escape from the goaf ; ai least 1 ihink so ; it seems to me so . I do not conjdd-_ r it unsafe io use & candle in tbe Moa > 'OW 0 Flat , the enrr . n . of air is bo extremely great , tbere is no dangtr in using % naked candle there . I do not think it possible to make a calculation of tie definite quantity of gas given t > ff fr . ' -m from the goaf or the broken . Sometimes there is no appearance < -f gas for weeks together , and at other times it will show itself on the lamp in

      great quantities , and for a considerable time . Experience and practice teaches us to know to what extent the gts m :-y shoot itself from the goaf . I know of no sci&ntif c weans of ascertaining that distance . I cannot tell whether the explosion was caused by the Injury of tiie lamps , or whether the lamps were injured by the explosion . Great responsibility is always attached to the person having the care if the lamps . 1 do not think at all that we liave a right to expect gaa to exude in drawing a broken jnd . It does nut come from there . 1 m&an in the fall from the roof . Gas is forced frem the top of the goaf H it bs therein working pillars , the Btok ^ rs arid all the coal possible is taksn away so as to leave as little cavity in the eoaf for tbe accumulation of gas as possible . The

      Button seam in Haswell pit is not generally considered prolific in tte generation of gas , especially on the North side of it . I do not know that either the South East or West sides of it are more 80 . I have not been present during : the wbole examination of the mine ; but , from what I have seen on the return , I should say that bnt very little hydrogen gas exists in Hutton Beam . I know of no better system of working m ' : nes than the cne at present in use . I am of opinion tbat the present sys ' . tm is equal to any other in every respect , and in some points superior Tbe wbole and the broken should , 1 tbink , be wrought together to produce the best ventilation , for it was not wrought so , the air would have to travel six miles , and by the plan only two miles , before it came iu * of the pit . I have known

      an exp ) oaioD take pbee in the broken in the plain fit , in 3 S 23 ; after the whole bad bten wi ought in 1823 . It was prodnced iy a candle . Cantlles were uot allowed to be carried in the plain pit ; still It was done ; and tbat fj = q ^ efiUy by tbB men , unknown to any one . Cannot recollect whether fly doors were used there , oi tr .-p doors , er whether a boy minded them or not . It was conjectured some one had gone with a candle beyond where they ought to have gone , and thus caused the explosion . The greater the space or distance betwetnthe broken and the pillars workings , ihe safer it is for the men , who have to work there ; In fact , for all tbe men working in the pit The fnrtber candles arv kept from tfee broken , the better and more discreet it is . By right they should never be taken there at alL

      I think the deal stoppings proper ones , to prevent the communication of air between the broken and the whole ; and separate the two currents . Strength is not required there . I think tbe deal stopping would be equally soon blown out as brick ones , but they are much more readily repaired . I thick one as safe as the other . The pressure that would destroy . t £ s-one would alao destroy tha-eSit ! r" A fresh current of air ia preferable t o lie " thrown on the goaf , er on the broktin , to ? ne already charged with obnoxious gases . It ia not possible in all cases to obtain it It is in many parts of the workings attended wiih difficulty . 1 cannot think tbat n jn ' xfcd air would be so -well as a pure one . It is best , -where practicable , to throw a column of fresh air direct on te the workings . It is not practicable to sink Bhafts for the purpose of throwing fresh air on

      the goaf . If this expense is to oe bcrne , I am quite sere that two-tbirdB of the collieries would not be able to defray it ; in fact , they could not be worked Bt all 1 do not consider , in the Haswell Collitry , there should be a third shaft sunk ; the ventilation ia too strong already . It is the expense alene tbat I consider weuid not be complied with by the owners generally ; and here 1 consider we have more than a sufficient quantity cf air in tbe two shafts ; in ftctj .. Haswell Collifery is the beat ventilated colliery I know of anywhere . I kcow several 4 K ) Hifcries that have additioual ahafta for -rentilatjon , and I do not consider them generally superior to this one in that resptct TbB safety Of tbe pit depends upon tbe quantity of air sent down , the quantity of gas to contend with , and the sizs of the workings .

      By a Government Inspector—Is there any other material circumstance tbat ought to be taken into con-Bidi-raticn with regard to the safety of the pit ? No . A six feet seam would require more air than a three feet one , independent of doub . e the quantity for its double height . I dont think the dip or incline to hffect it at all . —is there a fifth ? you bavt mentioned four circumslAncES thai reqoire attention . — I cannot think of a fifth circumstance that it quires to be taken into consideration . 1 do think in my jaigmtnt th * t all these circumstances have been atte . Jtd to in Haswell Colliery ; tbey have , to the btst of iaj knowledge . Nothing tbat I can snggf st at present would improve tbe ventilation in Haswell pit I thii . k it more easy to ventilate a iserjly level eeam than a much inclined one . I did not go beyond a certain point of the pit in my examination of it .

      By Mr . Clongh—Gcnerr-. Tly speaking I would sink more shafts for . ventilation , bot not at HaBwelJ , whe n * tbera is a superabundance alrcicy . I b 3 ve every reason to consider the Davy ' mp a safe one . I have never ussd any other , lamp , i have full co ' . ifHence in it I accompanied S . r Humphrey D ^ vy in 1816 to Walls End p t . where he mnde his experiments , and was subsequently under Mr . Ba ^ ole until his death , and never used any other than the Davy lamp . I never saw tbe G . OTdy lamp : I believe theTe is a glass tu \» B in the interior of it . It is questionable with me wheth&r a ptTson could light bis pipe through tbe gauaa of a Davy lamp : I never taw it done . If it was done at all it wcnld be by a Budden cocensaion . By a GovernTue : t Inspector . —Cannot say whether a man could light bis pipB without the fl ime coming through . I think he might , tot I am by no means certain . Tbe gas coula not be ignited without the flame coming through -he gauze .

      By Mr . Ck-ngn—I have seea an oily-gsczsd lamp , tut do not th-. nk the gas liable to igii : e on that score ; otherwise accidents would happen every day from that csusr a ^ i e . I never saw a current iu a pit passing even at three to feni f : * t a second , able to drive the flame through the wire gauze . I ciunot think danger cmld arise from ilia Bource , even in an explosive atmospttre . I am not awaio particularly that Mr . Buddie ever m 3 de this experiment . Many experiments have been made , but 1 am quite satisfied with the D * vy lamp . I i Inuld not h-ive cun * fidence in any other . I bav .: frequently , dr y b 7 day , teen the whe-gauza red hat from fte flame inside . I am quite satisfied ol the ss > it \ j of a Dav > Ump in tint stute , acd of ite efficacy in all cjscs when it is necessary to use it . The

      diameter of "he cylicdbr is nearly double iB a Geordy lamp to that of tbe D _> vy lamp , and if the glass wero to break in that lar . er cylinder , it would not l-o nearly so safe as a Davy lamp with iu smaller cyliiidvr , and frosi the greater body of flame w .-. uld be raore likely to cause an explosion . It is , I LUr . fc , impossible to light a pipe through tbe gauss of & I > . iv 7 1-iEp , acd tqujlty iniposrHjie for a current of air , oi Eudden outbnrst , to force the flime through the Ktcte . A current of air will drive the foul air to the top of tbe mine , and keep the pure air at the bottom of it Cinnot speak to the direction given by Sir H . Da ? y to Mr . Buddk—cot tfce precaution he gave aa to tbe use of bis lamp . My authority for speaking thus of tte Davy lamp is my experience practically with

      it , not other \* ee . If anything could be elicited by a committee , with reference to the future safety of the A-rkisg Miner , I should be most happy to assist all in my power ; it is a work in -which every good man ought to assiit . Do not know of any suggestion at present tbat 1 could make Io prevent a similar calamity . Cannot form nn opinion how maBy Davy lamps are used in the districts of Tyne and Wear and Tees , but sure there are thousands , not merely hundreds , of them altogether . 1 do think Vhat paris of mines are worked now that would not be worked at all on account of tbe existing danger , bnt fer the faith that is put in tbe Davy twothirda of

      Isap . I should say that - tbe coal tbat i » now got would be passed by but for the nse of the Davy lamp . I thick caadles ttouM nol be taken where tke Davy lamp is now used . Candles would not be ailo-red to be used in many parts of the mine now explored by the D ^ vy lamp . I dcTnot think the lamp has put the candles at * H bad from the scene of danger , they ase hot ? taken sanear to it aa ever . —( Great sensation amongst the crowd « f owners , viewera , &c )^ -By their Tise we are enabled to get into the watte and render the ventilation more perfect I mean by the use of the Davy lamp . The steel mill gave so imperfect a light that "we could not jkzelrate the working * with it ,

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      as we now cati with the Davy lamp . I tnw ol do dhflnite rule by which the qmntity of gas in tht whole o ? broken can be calculated or in any way ascertained . I can judge by the indication of my lamp how great a cnirent of air is « quiKd in each situation of tbe workings .: Upon the correctness of that judgment depenfla the lives of tbs men and boys employed in the mine . Cannot say whether that responsibility generally devolves upon Ignorant and and unscientific men . The Viewer adjusta the regulation of tbe current of ai * to the workings , and upon his judgment depends the sAfttj of the ¦ wbot * mine and all employed in it Tne

      Under viewer bea to atfeid to tho ventilation of the mine in the absence of the Viewer . It is generally the Ovennan aa well as the Deputy ' s duty to ate the parta of tte workings of the mine safe before the men are permitted to rrjeeed to tbelr labour . Good might * arise from committees of scientific men discussing the matter and laying down rulea for general guidance . By a Government Inspector—Ganeral orders ate givemwfeen aymptoms of gas—which every pitman ia aware , of , appear ^ immediately to come up ant ! cooi-Hiualcate that intelligence to the Viewer , TJnder Viewer , at Daputy , whoever he may first meet .

      By Mr . Marshall—Tobacco is not allowed to be used in the mine ; nevertheless it iB Bometiinea done , and means should be devised if possible to prevent it Wherever the fact has been established the man 8 b transgressing haa tein punished by fine , or forthwith discharged . Mr , Roberta put a question to the witness , but was interrupted by The , Coroner—Cannot allow the evidence to b ? tb . ua proceeded with . We must confine ourselves to the gul'jt ct before the court , Y . u may ask Mr . Hunter two or three questions but they must be relevant ones , and strictly to tha point of the enquiry . By Mr . Roberts—Ventilation would not have been Improved , if Davy lamps had not been invented . By Sir . Marshall—I understand the question , and I roeaiit to say ventilation might not have been improved . I cannot &ay it would not .

      By ill . Roberts—The dally accumulation of gas is what , la most difficnlt for us to contend with . I know ,, of nothing better than iron wire gauzj and brass lamps ti > compose the Davy lamp of . I do not know whether some material less brittle than glass , yet as transparent might not be invented , and applied to these purposes , Not aware of any attempt to combine in one lamp tbe advantages of all the other lamps now kntwn . Not aware of a premium having been offered by any society for such a production . I might have heard of such an offl-r having been made , but have no recollection of it noir . The current of air of tea feet a second would ba sufficient to draw the fl ime through the wire gauze of a Davy lamp . I have never seen a current of twenty feet a second . We have currents of eight miles an hour . A current at

      five-and-a-half miles an hour ia ten feet a second ; and eucb a current ia not dangerous , or likely to ignite from the light . The air has to travel , after leaving the surface and before reaching the goaf , 1 , 200 yards , or thereabouts . The object of tbe current is to attract and take off all noxious vapours flouting in the atmosphere . It is not always tbe case tbat the longer or farther it travels the more foul it has become ; that depends upoH tbe state of tbe mine at tbe time . It takes up no gas , in the first 1 , 200 yards . I could almost swear it I feel quite certain upon tbat point I do not know that more accidents occur in Northumberland and Durham than in other coal districts . Da not know the system of ventilation successfully adopted in Staffordshire . Do not know that it ia infinitely superior to the one generally praotiaed in Northumberland and Durham .

      Mr . Ryan , as a friend to humanity , requested permission to detail the Staffordshire system of ventilation ; but The Coroner would not allow him to do so . He would not have the time of the coutt taken up with the observations of strai . gers . Witness . —No candles would be used in the workings , only in the rolley vrayB and other parts of the wine whici . would be quite aafe to do so . Cannot recommend at this time any suggestion of my own for

      improvement In this particular mine . I am perfectly aatisfi&d with the present state of ventilation in Huswell pit Were Mr . Buddie bwe himself , I think he could not improve it ; he never ordered awing doors . The instructions given to trap boys is ta open and shut the doors—( a laugh ) . I am aware that some time ago an accident happened at Thornley colliery . I was called up en to examine into its cause on tbat lamentable occasion , and I think that that explosion occurred by the trap door beint ; neglected by the boy who ought to havo minded it

      Mr . Roberts . —Exactlt so . Witness . —Yes . 1 also recollect tbe Acciclejt in April , which occurred at the Wellington pit , when thirty-two lives ^ jrs low . I recolleot that—H-re the Coroner interrupted Mr . Roberts , and desired him to confine hli attention to Haswell . Witne 3 a . —I do not know whether that accident happened—The Coroner again interrupted tbe witness ; the question fee considered an improper one . Witness . —Dj not know that 180 men bad been lost ia the two counties since the publication by tbe Committee of tbelr Statistics on Mines in 183 S , up to Aug . 1841- It ia difficult to ascertain tbe rate ef the currents of air . We aeceitain them by a candle and gunpowder ; By Mr . Marshall—It would not have been prudent to have tried the current of air at Williamsons jud by these means .

      By a G > vernment Inspector—Not from the actual presesca of gas , but aa a measure of precaution , ilmpossible to ascertain what the rate of a current of air will be in future . By Mr . Roberta—Depth of the mine to WilHamsou ' a jud may be 300 yards , or thereabouts . Sometimes the props are required to be fixed -very close to each other , at Other" timfes V « y few Will do . Sometimes 10 O oro used In a jud ; it depends entirely upon tbe state the superstrata is in . I would leave no props if I could get them ; I would draw them all , because those props will bs useful afterwards . The men are obliged to look vigilently fot falls of the roof—carefully . I do not know that it is possible for the propa to be drawn away by machinery . I think it is quite impossible to apply machinery for such a purpose . I have sot considered the tbirg . in fact I know nothing about it . lam not

      aware that more deaths have been cauaed by tbe gas firing than by the falls of the roof . — [ The Government Inspector here asked Mr . Roberts a question , the purpose of which we did not distinctly gather . ] I have beard of a door of Mr . Buddie ' s recommending at Hebburn , and saw another at Wallsend . It was a swine duor , but ICnever knew any other introduced at any of the numerous collieries Mr . Buddie was connected with . Do not think Dam doors to supply spontaneously the place of stoppings when blown away , would be practicable . I am not aware that tbe flip-door at Thornley Colliery saevd ninety-three lives in cne part of the mine , when nine other men in the other part were Bac * i ficed . 1 Baw it ; the force had extended to the trapdoor , and I tbink no farther . Cannot say that any general impression ia iu favour of awing do ira ; I am but little acquainted with them .

      By Mr . Mnrshali . —I decidedly and undoubtodly think tbat if such a trap-door bad been at the Meadows Fiat , in this calamity it would have been blown away , and of no use whatever . By Mr . Roberts . —It is not impossible to fix , I think , a dam-door aa you have proposed , but I doubt much its efficiency- If in an explosion like the one which bra latt ly taken place , each door bad been fixed , they would have been of no use- Do not know whether an explosion , ceneiullj' speaking , is spontaneous or continuous . Tbs Coroner again interrupted Mr . Hubert ? . He could not allow tht time of the Court to be wasted . All Mr . R , 'a questions were assumptions , and many of them of the most vague and indefinite kind , quite foreign to the subject , » nd had nothing to do with their duty on this inquisition . They were met to ascertain the cause of the death of ninety-fiva men and boya Another inquiry must be instituted , and before another tribunal to suggest measures for the future . It formed no part if their present duty .

      By Mr . Marshall . —What would have been the effect if the stoppings had been 11 > wn down a&d tbe crossings not blown down ?—Much tbe same , I think , as now . By a Government Inspector—I have not seen a gauZJ lamp filled with fl ime these eighteen years past I have seen them bed uot . By Mr , Roberts — No difference exists between one gas and another ; the same effects arise from both . 1 think red-hot iron gauze would not set fire to a surrounding foul atmosphere . I am not aware that Sir Humphrey Davy gave it as bis opinion that a verdict &t Manslaughter ought to be returned . Do not recollect

      complaints were made by tbe Sunderland Association . Cannot say whether or not it would be better for ecientiflc gentlemen to be appointed by the Government to inBpect mines and all matters connected with them . There would be no harm , but perhaps good arise from the institution of Normal schools for the education of those instructed with the care of mines . Not aware of any such effects aa the late txploBiou arising from ignorance . As far as I know Viewers are generally well educated men , and uudei-viewers too . Do not know tbat I am well educated , nor that a new gas , at present unknown , may not be discovered .

      Tfce Coroner again interrupted Mr . RobertB , and could not allow Buch speculative questions to be put Witness—Not aware of any gas more dense or heavier than tbe atmosphere- Do not ki : ow tbat gaB will explode with a red-hot iron . Haswell is not a large colliery , but the oest ventilated one 1 know of . Other pits have not so much air as Haswell , but they have all a sufficient quantity ot it for ventilation . I think that when pouring oil from one lamp to another , the oily gauza is not liable to take the flame , or we might have accidents daily . I do not know that tbe men are ordered not to take oil from one limp to another . I don ' t say it would be better to lock up tbe plug &B well as tbe lamp , but the greater the security the better ; do not tbink it desirable to draw the jud when but few men are in the pit ; it would he a waste of time . The juda cannot be drawn at all times ; I do not consider there is any danger to the other men working in other parts of the pit when a jud is drawn , if tbe lamps are kept safe .

      By Mr . Marshall—On some occasions it is necessary to dtaw the juda instantly . It is better for the fall of the roof to be complete at once . There ia then less cavity for the accumulation of gas than if the timbers were left in . ^^^

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      1 KQUEST RESUMED AT TWO O ' CLOCK . James Scott , underviewer , recalled—The pit is io tbe same state now as before the explos » a . There has been no alteration whatever made ia it in any re-Apect . It Was precisely in the same state as when examined by Mr . Wood , and Mr . Stutchbury . Samuel Stutchbury sworn—I reside in Somersetshire I am a viewer of the mines of the Prince of Wales , as Duke of Cornwall , and supervisor of Ridman ' a mines in Semersetshire , belonging to the Earl of Waldegrave , and other mines in that county . I have been sent to examine Haswell pit by the Government . I examined it yesterday . I did net know any of the circumstances attending the recent exploaion when I examined it . Mr . Farraday accompanied me on my examination ,

      Mr . Lyall , Mr . Foster , the viewer , Mr . Taylor , and a number of subordinate officers and workmen . It was T J . Taylor who was with me . My opinion is entirely dependant upon my own examination . My opinion was formed before I read any of the evidence . I have since then read tha three first day ' s evidence in tbo Times . Park of tke fourth day ' s evidence has been read io me , and I have heard the evidence of to-day , all of which very nearly confirms my previously formed opinion . In the course of my examination I may uae technical terms that may not be thoroughly understood ; if euch should be the case , I hope you will require an explanation as I proceed . I was taken along tbe Mothergate from the shaft to tbe Meudow-fUt , where th ° > lamps were used . I made a close examination by the appearances to ascertain where precisely tbe explosion took place , until we arrived at what is called

      Williamson ' s jud , tbe evidence of the t-xploBion having increased until we arrrlved there . After the examination of various boards , I camo to the csnclunoa , from the face of the whole c al , tbe propa , and along to the Brocklsy Whins , tbat the explosion had radiated from a poii t that would carry me back to Williamson ' s jail . I next examined the goaf of the High Brockley Whins I there found upon the timber coal-dust fired , but not charred as it was upon Williamson ' s jud . proving to Die tbat tbe force of tbe explosiou had reached thus far , carrying with it fire , or the dust which hud been fired , in the neighbouring parts . Williamson ' s jud , as my utteuti&n was called to it , I particularly examined , aa to whether tbere was a second explosion at the goaf in the High Bvocki&y VVbins ; and my opinion is tbat there was nol . It is my opinion tbat the explosion was tbe result of accident—of such an accident thut could not bo foreseen . 1 did not discover

      that anything had been neglected which ought to have beeen ateaded to . I draw those conclusions from observing traces along the ways till arriving at that point , that the whole of tbe work had been carried on bo perfectly as to show that no proper espence to carry on the works of the colliery had been spared . Tbe ventilation in tbe main ways I found much stronger than any I ever saw before , and after passing various splits tbere was still a good and sufficient air course — quite sufficient fur the safety of the mine . I examined also the two boards betweun the High Brockley Whins and the Meadows Flat . Ia fact , I examined tbe whole so closely that I should not like to distinguish one part from another as being preferable . I found a continuance of the same evidence I bad seen

      before ; it was a radii from the focal point . The explosion had certainly not originated there . There had , in my opinion , been an accumulation of g is in the goaf of the Meadows Fiat . I consider that the goaf would be tbe best receptacle or reservoir for tbe gas you could have in the mine . The falling of the roof gives a hollow noise , and forewarns the men of danger . The cau 3 e of tbe explosion I consider to have been a sudden escape of gas from the undsr level of the ceiling , passing under the edge of the goaf to the ceiling . How it became ignited , of course 1 cannot tell . The lamps found there , if injured before the explesit , n took place , would be certain to produce the explosion . If an Injured lamp came in contact with the gas it would of course cause tbe explosion . If there was a neglect , it would

      be with the person who had tbe lamp , unities it was an accidental one over which be bad no control . I have seen no evidence at all of anything having been left undone that ought to have been done . I think that every possible precaution had been taken ; consequently I do not attach blame to > Ir . Foster or any other person connected with the p't , savo and except the unfortunate man , whoever he nii « bt be , who caused tbe explosion . By Mr . Lyail—The trap-door iB nearly gone out of use in the Bristol district , almost entirely . I kuow of not more than aix , and they are attended by boys . The fly-doors are considered safer than trap-iio irs , not on account of their being less expensive , but because , if

      the doors are not hoard to " slam , " then the want of air on tbe return Would be prtjudicial to the men ' s own comfort , independent of any other fealinp . I have compared tbe South Wales and Gloucestershire mines ; thp former vary with the mines of Somersetihire altogett er , while the latter ia very similar in many lespeots . I have not been connected with the mines in the north of England professionally or otherwise . I had studied geology , especially ceal strata , long before I bscime practically connected with mining operatl ' OES . Shale roufa are' safer from gas than sand-stone roofs ; they are firmer , and not so poreus . I found the ceiling differ in Haswell Mine : the main-way ceiling was tbe best one I bad ever seen in a mine . I never saw so

      large an extent with so few dyfcts er troubles . I couaider it a very safe mine : if I had seen it before tbe explosion I should have pronounced it tbe safest pit I ever saw . Examined by Mr . Faraday—I tbink I examined all that part of the pit where the explosion took place , and I found tbe ventilation good in the h'gb . put of the Brockley Whins . Under all circumstances , I consider the mine ia one that muy be taken care of without difficulty or dangnr , in consequence of the extreme fiatnetia of tbe iruaiures . I wns quite surprised at the expense the owners had been at ia every part to ensure good ventilation , much more so tbat stability and perfection appears to havu been their only object Every car * has , I tbink , been taken in tba working of the pit tbat could possibly ba taken , both in the settings out and the working of the pit . Equal care has been taken as though it had been a known dangerous pit .

      By Mr . Roberts—I should not like to siy that everything bad been done for tbe safety of tbe men that might by possibility be suggested . My thoughts are too vague , crude , and . not sufficiently digested to give an opinion upon so important a subject now . I will turn my inlnd to the subject , aad give It my best attention . I think tbat Ventilation is n vc ry natural point to be intended to for tbe safety of a mine . We are not much troubled in the mines of the South West with explosive gas ; more so with cb » ke damp in tbe Collieries with which I am more immediately connected . The least depth of any of those mines ia seventy-four fvthom *; the greatest i& 348 fathoms ; that ^ s , to the bottom of the engine shaft The workings go off at 248 fathoms the bottom of tbe Suuip . I have known them fourteen years ; but professionally only about five years . I think life has not been lost in Sjntb Wales or Somersetshire , to my knowledge .

      More necessary there to guard against cnrboiiio acid gas , ( choke damp ) than against the explosive gaB ( carbarreted hydrogen ) . I think it may exist tbere , but to a very trifling extent only . Must have a great ventilation to get rid of carbonic acid gas ; leas sufficient means might do when Cirburrelted hydrogen only is present . It is a proof that thu own era have guarded against Curburretted hydrogen to the utmost of their power , by the raeu bting supplied , each of them with a lnmp in those parts when they are not positively nqqired . It in evident thit their minds lave beeu directed to the safety of Hw luon . I did think it a mine where such an uccideut vras unlikely to happen . I could not , of COime . iu tlio face of thu late accident , consider tbat it is unlikely to happen agaiu . I cannut suci ^ st at the present moment any idea for th > j future impravement of the pit by rendering the- ventilation less liable to be incorporated with foul air .

      By Mr . Marshall—I mtan that gaa having accumulated ouce , it may a second time ; g « s might accumulate again , and should it come in contact with » broken lamp may cause another explosion . By Mr . Roberta—If jou can prove to me th : it the flame can pass through the meehes of the gauze I should say—yes ; an exploaion might take place ; but unless you prove tbnt fhme can psas through the meshes of the wire gauza , I should say—no —( laughter ) . I think nothing short of mtchanicil pressure , making every pore a blow-pipe , could force tbe flame through tbe gauze ; uo current of air could do it . I have never seen any other lamp but those invented by Sir Humphrey D * ry . ; The Coroner again objected to Mr . Roberta's r ; queBt that be should write down tlio last answer uf the

      witness . Mr . Ryan again attempted to obtain a hearing by the Coroner , and siid—I have attended here as a friend of humanity , and trust thut thb Coroner and Jary will allow every information possible to be Tba Coroner , interrupting Mr . Ryan , peremptorily objected to tbe inttrfereuci ! of all strangers . By Mr . Roberts—I think mtchauical means are practicable in removing a jud , disregarding expense , but not desirable for that reaeon . The men must go into tbe pit to affix tbe machinery , ami a fall might take place at that moment , as it did ia fact yesterday ,

      when Mr . Farraday had a narrow escape . We were obliged to return one way and hu another , iu consequence of the fall . I supposfa I was about six Lours altogether examining tbe mino ; I canuot tell whether any person accompanied us selected on the part of the men ; I supposed that the mejority of us wure on behalf of tho men . We were guided or accompanied by Mr . Foster and Mr . Taylor , but I , of course , took whatever direction 1 pleased . Those gentlemen were extremely courteous , and showed much anxiety to consult and promote xuy desires throughout the whole of the examination .

      The Coroner . —I will not have such observations here , ( To Mr . K ., in reply to a question he put to witness ) . Mr . Roberts—1 cannot suppose anything tbat could atop the explosion I havo seen evidenced . You may have ideas which my obtuseneBs cann&t discover . How a door could be mad « in the roof teyond tbe force of the ) explosion to descend immediately after and thus preserve the air courses , I cannot see . [ Mr . Roberta . In tho way of a portcullis ] I do thins it worth the thought of all good men . It is worthy their consideration . fc ' UCII A CONTRIVANCE MIGHT PREVENT jieK being killed bv choke damp , but I do not think it would prevent their being killed ; for I think the pit would have fired . I cannot say whether the xae / a would have been saved or not , if the pit were fireM it might last ( Ot days , WEEKS , OB MONTHS ^ i

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      cannot say ! how loni ? it would take to ma ! e non-wire gauze red ] bot , or whether , when in > b * t state a probability ofi ignition would be created . I am not aware that B ' t Hnmphryjr Davy cautioned his friends that his lamp would not be Bafe -with a current of air of more than three ; feet per secoDd . I am not aware that no explosions . ! have taken place in Staffordshire since the adoption of Mr . Ryan's ByBtem . It might lead to good for Government Inspector * to be appointed , bat I cannot speak as to the working of such a plan . It could do no barra . { The examination of mines by scientific per-Bons , met In a proper spirit , might effect good . I really do not think the expense which would be caused by tbe lots of time , for moBl of the men being ont of the

      mine when the jads are drawn , ought to be incurred . I do not think it necessary , for the aifety of the men , it should be so . Patting all expence oat of tbe question , I think there is no necessity tor such a sacrifice ol time . It would not be worth the matters' while to send the men into the mine if tbey did not profit by sending them there . Such an innovation as you propose would cause ths stopping of a majority of mines in the South ; tbey would nut jield profit sufficient to meet such i an enormous outlay . I am not aware that any of those who accompanied me in my examination of ( he mine were deputed by the pitmen belonging to the colliery . )

      At this juncture , one of the jurymen intimated tbat they had heard sufficient evidence to enable them to give their verdict ; an opinion in which the other jurymen appeared to join . The Coroner , therefore , immediately ordered the Court to be oleared . Mr . Reberls applied to the Coroner , and said he bad several witnesses to examine , and emphatically requested the Coroner to allow them to be examined . The Coroner refused to do so . Ot the Court being cleared , The Coroiier said . — Gentlemen of the Jury , your foreman has intimated that , after hearing Mr . Stutchbury ' s evidence , y 6 u are satisfied . May I ask is it your opinion that further evidence would be acceptable ? The Jury ; ( several of them ) replied—No ; they were xatssfleri . All tno Jury expressed their opinion that all had been done that could be done . The Cumber—Is there any one of you who wishes further evidence to be beard ?

      The Jury ; appearci to ba unanimous in their opinion tbat all had ) been elicited that couid be , and would not trouble the Coroner to sum up the evidence . The reporters were then required to withdraw . In about ten minutes tbey and the public were again admitted . \ The Coroner then called over the names of the Jurymen , ¦ which wire respectively responded to j after which , he said—G « ntU > nien of the Jury , how do you find that Thomas Dryden , George Dryden , Robert Dryden , James ] Dryden , and Edward Nicholson . came to their death ? The Foreman—Purely by accident . The Coroner—By that you mean that you do not attribute blame t ' o any one ? The Foreman—No , not to any one .

      Tbe Coroner tfien recorded their verdict : —" That Thomas Dryiflen , Gaorge Dryden , Robert Dryden , James Dryden , ami E'iward Nicholson , together with ninety other men and boys , were accidentally , and by misfortune , kiiied by an explosion and by fire-damp , in the I / ttle Pit atjHaswell Colliery , on tbe twenty-eighth day of September last ; and , further , that there is no blamo attributable ; to any one connected with tbe said colliery . " ¦;

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      m all , will receive less than nine-pence doday ( if colliers are to eat ou Sunday a ) or W , than a penny a head per day I When tho accider& or rather the " visitation" occurred , a boy , Josei * Low fifteeen years of age , was driving a horse oi the roily way , not far from the Bhaft , and about tw miles from the " goaf" whsre the pit fired . HiV candle was blown oat ; and he went immediately to the Back Overman and told him he thought & » \ exp 2 oslqn" had taken place , as his candle wig blown out . He was severely reprimanded by the Overman , and told to go about his business , as TUB PIT WAS PKRFFCILV . SAFE' ! On Toeadftw

      morning , the men went in a body to Mr . Xyd ' delL the viewer , and represeated to him the impropriety of trusting so many lives to inexperienced deputies . « nS « ^ . i ! Iu * e T « wer ' s answer , and then judge wnethet the " visitation" was a dispensation of Providence , or of Mr . Lyddell ' s procuring . Ha admitted that the men were not qualified for the office towhtch HL had appointed them ! and proN mised to remove them to other Work , where no snob responsibility would devolve on them ! At the tiraa that I visited the victims , none of those in whose service their lives were naked and their injurie received , had even called to ask after them 1

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      Newcastle . —Mr . O'Connor will deliver an address in the lecture room , Nelson-street , on Saturday , ( this day ) , on the recent Colliery explosion at Haswell . Chair to be taken at eight o'clock . W . P . Roberts , Esq ., Attorney-General to tha Miners' Association , will preside . Huddehsfield . —A meeting of the Huddersfield district will be holden in the Chartist meeting room , Lock wood , ob Sunday next , thu 20 ch , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , when friends from Almondbury , Holmfirth , Honley , &o M are particularly requested to attend . Arrangements are to be made for Mr . O'Connor ' s visit to Huddersfield , on Sunday , thff 27 vh , and to Holmfirth during the same week .

      HubDEiisFiELD . —Mr . O'Connor will visit thia town on Sunday , Oct . 27 th , and lecture in the Hall of Science , in the afternoon , on " the present positioa of the Repeal and Chartist agitations " : and in the evening on " the power of Trades Unions to accomplish labour ' s redemption without strikes / ' TilO time for visiting Holmfirth will be announced next week . The Members of the Lambeth and South London locality are requested to meet on Monday evening next , Oct . 21 st , at the Globe , Borough Road , Southtvark . Spitalfields . —A public meeting will be held at the Standard of Liberty , Brick-lane , Spitalfields , at six o ' clock on Sunday evening , to elect two delegates to the Metropolitan delegate council .

      A General meeting will be hold at seven o ' clock , of all persons favourable to centralising the Organization in the Tower Hamlets At eight o ' clock the adjourned discussion on Phrenology will be resumed . Rochdale . —Mr . Wm . Bell , of Heywood , will deliver two lectures next Sunday , at two o ' clock in the afternoon and six in the evcuiog , at the Association room , Mill'strcet . Nottingham . —Miss Eliza Blatherwick will deliver an address on Sunday evening , at six o'clock , ia tho Democratic Chapel , Rice-place .

      MANCHESTEn . —P . M . Brophy will lecture in the Carpenter ' s Hall on Sunday evening / the 20 tbinst « at half-past six o'clock . The adjourned members ' meeting will be resumed at ten o ' clock on Sunday morning , in the large Anti room , Carpenters Hall . —A public meeting will be holden to memorialise her Majesty for the release from transportation of John Frost , E ? q ., and his fellow-martyrs , Williams and Jones , with that of William Ellis , the victim of tho Anti-coru Law League plug plot of 1842 . Chair to be taken at eight o'clock . Hebdenbridge . —Mr . John West , from Sheffield will lecture in the Democratic Chapel , Hebdoabridge L * ne , oa Tuesday , the 22 nd , at eight o'clock in the eveniug . Sheffield , Fig-Tree Lane . —On Sunday even * ing tho above room will be re-opened with a lecture , and on Tuesday evening there will be a grand ball . Harmonic meetings will be held every Saturday

      evenings . Halifax . —A lecture will be delivered in the Chartist Room , Bull Close-lace , on Sunday evening at half-past six . Leeds . —Mr . John West will deliver two lectures to-morrow ( Sunday ) afternoon , at half-past two , and in the evening at half-past six , in the Bazaar Briggate . The Council will meet to-morrow ( Sunday ) afternoon , at two o ' clock , in the Committee Roots Bazaar ,

      Bradford . —A camp mesting will be held in Stanningley , on Tuesday , at tVTO o ' clock in ( he after * Eoon . Messrs . White , Alderson , and Smyth will address the meeting . A lecture will be delivered on Sunday at six o ' clock in the evening , in the large room , Buttcrworth ' s-buildings . The Chartist * . of Little Horton will meet in their room , Park-p lace , on Sunday morning at ten o'clock , and six in the evening . The Chartists of the central locality will meet in the Council Room , on Sunday , at two o ' clock in tho afteroon . The Chartists of Daisy Hill will meet in their room on Sunday , at , ten o ' clock in tho morning .

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      Friday , Oct . I 8 th . —We have again to report a heavy arrival of Wheat , the sale of which has been dull to-day upon barely so good terms as last wees Barely also meets a slow sale , best samples nearly support last week's prices , but-middling ^ antif » must be noted lower . Oats and Shelling in hmitea request , also at lower prices , bat Beans dearer , t ^ i

      Leeds-.—Printed For The Proprietor, Feabfl^^ O'Connor, Esq. Of Hammersmith, Co^' \£_

      Leeds-. —Printed for the Proprietor , FEABfl ^^ O'CONNOR , Esq . of Hammersmith , Co ^ ' \ £ _

      Middlesex , by JOSHUA HOBSON , at Mb-JOT ? , ^ ing Officea , Nos . 12 and 13 , Market-street , Briggswi a ^ and Published by the said Joshca HOBSOW > ; ^ ( for the said Feabqus O'Conkor , ) » tbia V **' - ' ^ Ung-house , No . b , Market-street , Briggatei . -J » . 01 internal Communication existing between the " ^ "Mf-H No . 6 , Market-street , and the said Nos . U . / "Jfel : 13 , Market-atreet , Biiggate , thaa conrtita £ |* l j whole of the « aid Printing and Publishing os one Premise * . ' ''^ mMl ( Saturday October i » U 4 M ^ 01

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      ANOTHER COAL PIT EXPLOSION . ( From our own Co respondent . ) Newcastle-on-Tvne , Oct . 15 . —I have only a moment to communicate the intelligence that has just reached Newcastle of another coal-pit explosion . U is now past twelve , and the podt leaves at one , therefore I can merely prepare you for further particulars upon my return from the scene of thia second catas > trophe . I shall express my communications if the matter is ofi sufficient importance . The colliers of these two counties are not an ungrateful , though an oppressed class ; aud they still cherish the recollection of your ] advocacy of their cause while on strike ; and they , therefore , look to your journal for a correct r-port of all matters connected with their movements and their interests . I shall Tito you full particulars ou my return from the pit .

      JURTHBR PARTICULARS . I have ju $ t returned from tho scene of the explosion , of which I informed you in my previo-uB communication of this morniug ; and from the interest created by the recent catastrophe at Haswel ) , I deem it prudent , & 9 well as right , that the public should be put in timely possession of all the circumstances connected with this recent event . The two counties of { Northumberland and Durham , being what may ba termed the stronghold of cullierism , three distinct classes connected with that important branch of trade have long existed in both ; the colliery owners constituting the aristocracy ; the viewers andl overmen , the middie class of society ; and tho working men the third class .

      Tho " inferior orders , ' as the lat'er are termed , hare been born , bred , and trained in complete dependancy onjtheir superiors . Representation , Grandjury duties , Magisterial duties , and all of what may bo termed the most important concerns , have devolved , as if ; by prescriptive right , on the first class ; while all local ofiLuos are filled by tho second . Thns situated , it is not by any means wonderful , that ihe superior power should have been put into requisition for the government and management of the inferior . Of late yeari , however , as our manufacturing , operations have extended , the working men have conceived now and very proper notions of their own

      utility , which , added to a very great advance in knowledge , ha 3 sot them thinking very industriously oa the question of distribution ; the result of which is , a greater ! reliance on their own energies , and a more searching enquiry as to the manner in which their superiors have discharged their respective duties . Formerly , an ocourence similar to the one the facts of which 1 am about to detail , would have been hushed up , and would have merely served as a little village gossip , the feeling pervading tho two superior classes being very much akin to that which had no pity for the skinneoalive-eols , as they were used to it . '' r

      I shall now proceed with the details off my sad narration . At five o ' clock , p . m ., on Monday last , the Cox lodge Pit , about two miles and a half from Newcastlo , had its " visitation "; and from the Sequel your readers will learn whether it was of divine or human origin . The Coxlodge Colliery is the property of Mr . Bell , MP . for the county , and Mr . Brandling , one of the coal aristocracy . Mr . Matthew Lyddell is t » je viewer , and a person of the name of Stewart theioverman . During the recent strike a man named Browne , one of the sufferers , a relation of Stewart ' s ^ refusea to joia his comrades in their righteous struggle ; arid from buios ; a mere novico , evtn in the art of hewing , he was , in consequence of hii' treachery to his fellows , promoted to the . rank of deputy-viewer , together with another"b . ackleg " named Hopper , who had " abandoned the Union , " and returned to work . Browne was what is . termed a coun'rymaii , and had not been more thaa four

      or fivo yoars in the pit ; while tha men consider rhe qualification for the post of deputy-viewer should bo not only a long but continuous service in the trade . Hopper , likewise , was an inexperienced person , and was objuoteci to by the men . However , the Coxlodj-p Pit being now discovered to have beon thu very : " best ventilated and best-managed pit " in the whole county since tho Haswell " visitation " it was supposed that no accident could possibly occur ; and thus tho lives of more than one hundred good , honest , and industrious men were consigned to the guardianship of those two ignorant tools of tho masters . The explosion took place at five o ' clock , p . m , on Monday , the Uih , as 1 have stated ; and on Tuesday morning , I visited every one of the sufferers , and shall proceed with a minute account of the injuries sustained by each , in tho order in which I visited them . At the time of the

      visitation , " or explosion , there were nearly one hundred men at work in the pit . The explosion was caused by John Browne , the deputy , going into tho " goaf" wiih a naked candle , although requested by the aiEN not to do so . The moment he entered tho " goaf " tho gas fired , and had not the tubs at the Waterloo fiat offered an impediment to the rushing Ere , every man iu the pit must have perished . ] The names ; of the sufferers are : William Collins , shifter , dreadfully burned in the face , head , knees , and hands ; pot married ; aged 55 years . James Anderson , bhifter , frightfnily burned in the face and hands ; aged 53 ; wife and two children . John Browne , deputy , a awful speotacle ; head , face , and

      hands shockingly burned , and manglea ; aged 43 ; wife and one child . Joseph Kichardson , much bruised in tho side , slightly burned , and suffered much from ihoke damp ; age 46 ; wile and ten children , youngest , in arms . William Bainbridge , hewer , thi ^ li broke , slightly bruised , and was speechless for four hours , being nearly stifled from choke damp ; age 43 years ; wife and seven children ; two youngest twins , one month old . George Keatl , hewer , arm dreadfully fractured , and a frightful cut on the top of tho head , more than two inches in length and one inoh in depth ; age twentyone years ; vvifo and two children . It would be wholly out of ] my power to give your readers any thing like an outline of the heart-rending spectacles that were presented to me by tho asenized wives , upon entering ihe several homes where the eufftrer 3

      lay . Collins , ; Anderson , and Browne , the deputy , lay on their backs speechless , with oiled linen over their faces , that had holes cut for the nose and mouth . Their poor hands were also wrapped up and shockingly mangled . Their lipu we * e swollen to four times jtheir natural size , and the eyes completely oloaed . The poor wives took the cloths off the wounds much against my wish ; and never in my life was I bo much horrified . My God it was a shacking " visitation . '' The poor hands that had done such service to the state ; to see them with the marks of toil fresh upon them , literally skinned ^ and insensible to the touch 1 1 fear that some , if not all of these three poor fellows will die . Richardson , with his wife ; and ten children , and Bainbridge , with his wife and seven children , will receive 5 a per week each , from the " smart fund" while unable to work ; that is , Richardson with eleven ia family , twelve i

      Untitled Article

      Anotheb Murdeb in Ibejund . —The Kilkenny Journal of yesterday contains the following : — A shocking murder occurred on Friday morning last about six o ' clock . The victim was Matthew Brennan , who had been in possession of a farm in Cool * cullen , the property of Lord Frankfort , since March last twelve months from which two brothers named Purccll had been dispossessed for non-payment of rent . The unfortunate man ' s throat was cut from ear to ear , the windpipe and arteries separated , threo wound inflicted on the head and one under tha left breast . The victim of the demoniac assassin or assassins had several gashes in his hands , as though lift had endeavoured to ward off the deadly blows . An inquest sat on the body on Saturday last , whea a verdict of wilful murder was returned against soffit ptrsou or persons unknown .

      Attempt at Mdrder akd Suicide—At Cheltcn * ham , on Saturday , a man named Young , a cowdealer , stabbed his wife while in bed , and afterwards cut his own throat . Tha wounds in neither case were mortal .

      Untitled Article

      Colliery Explosion , near Wakxfield . —Two Lives Lost . —On Wednesday night , about nine o'clock , the village of Newton was thrown into a great state of excitement , an alarm being given that the pit belonging to Messrs Micklethwaite and Co had fired , and that four men were at work at the time . Mr . Carter , and his son William , the bottom steward , were speedily in attendance , and dc scended the shaft in the hopo of rendering assistance to tho poor sufferers . Providentially , however , the cupola man and a boy , who were at work near to the other two men , had made their way to the pit ' s eye , and were with the greatest dispatch landed on the surface . The man had not sustained the Isaat in . jury , but the boy was much burnt about the kneea

      having also received a severe cut in the forehead . After Carter and bis son had remained some length of time , two other men also descended , and at fiva minutes to ten o'clock one of the men returned , hut without any tidings of the unfortunate sufferers . He , however , again descended , taking with him the necessary articles required to enable them to con . tin tie tbe search , which lasted until a quarter past eleven o'clock , when the two Carters ascended the shaft in a complete state of exhaustion , bringing the melancholy tiding 3 that the two men were found , and both . dead . The other two men were also brought to the top equally exhausted , when after administering some restorative , they began to re « emit their strength , and prepare for a second des cent to bring out the sufferers . A little aftar one o'clock , the bodies were brought up , and a truly

      horrible picture was presented to view , the flesh on their arms and faces being literally burnt to a cinder , the skin hanging about them like so many rates ;—they were immediately laid upon stretchers , and conveyed to the adjoining Inn . No particulars have as yet transpired as to how the ex _ plosion originated , but it is to be feared that the iuflimablo air must have ignited at the lamp of one of the sufferers , tha same not having yet been found . The other two lamps are in a perfect state . The names of the sufferers are John Whiteley , a lad , residing at Bragg lane , and Beverely burnt ; James Brown , Wesfgate Common , a married man , aged about thirty , dead ; and George Wild , of Potovens , aged seventeen , also dead . Browa has left a wife and one child to moura his untimely end . At the inquest held on Thursdayj a verdict of " Accidentally killed in a coal pit" was relumed .

      ,^Ovt?)Comma Cijsrw Fl&Mlino&

      , ^ ovt ?) comma CijsrW fl&Mlino&

      Wakefield Corn Market.

      WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET .

      Untitled Article

      $ ^ THE NORTHERN STAR , , October 19 , 1844 .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 19, 1844, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1285/page/8/