The Colliery Explosion In Durham

The inquest regarding the death of the 20 men and boys killed by the explosion in the Brancepeth pit, Durham on the night of April 13, was continued on Tuesday and yesterday before Mr. Coroner Proud. Mr. J. E. Joel represented the Home Office, Mr. J. Strachan the owners, and Mr. Atherley-Jones, M.P., the miners. Messrs. D. Bain, Hedley, and Walker, her Majesty's local inspector of mines, and Mr. John Wilson, M.P., of the Durham Miners' Association, were among those present. Mr. Greaves, the manager, was examined at considerable length by Mr. Strachan, Mr. Joel, Mr. Atherley-Jones, and Mr. Bain. He explained that, when the explosion occurred, only the stonemen were in the pit preparing it as usual for the miners. Witness was understood to say that naked lights were formerly used, but this had, in certain distances of the mine, been restricted. The explosion seemed to have begun near where, at intervals, the bodies of John Rogerson, master shifter, and Thomas Nicholson, John Dowson, Henry Cook, and Henry Hodgson, stonemen, were found. He had seen indications of a shot having been fired, and he had no reason to suppose it was a blown-out shot. He was not aware of any duty that the stonemen had to discharge that night in the way of firing a shot. It was possible for the men to take powder into the mine unknown, as they took powder home. It was not a fiery or gaseous mine. The mine was well ventilated and comfortable to work in. Rogerson, as master shifter, had no authority to fire a shot without instructions. Mr. Atherley-Jones examined the witness at length as to coal dust. he regarded coal dust as a dangerous element in producing or increasing the force of an explosion. Witness, in further examination, in effect denied that the mine was duly dusty. There were indications that the ground had been watered where the shot appeared to have been fired. Further examination was directed to the point whether some cartridges in the possession of one of the men had gone off and caused the explosion. Witness said he did not suggest this, but, judging from Dowson's body, there appeared to have been some force in addition to the mover force.

Mr. John Dowson, under-manager, and father of one of the men killed, gave similar evidence, and the inquiry was adjourned until to-day.

Mr. Strachan has intimated that expert evidence will be called as to shot firing.