The Flooded Colliery

All the bodies except that of James Oliver, aged 42, have now been brought from the workings of East Hetton pit. Although six bodies were found at an early hour on Wednesday morning, the difficulties with which the explorers have had to contend have prevented them from being brought to bank as quickly as was anticipated. Mr. Crofton Maynard, the coroner, yesterday morning opened an inquest at Kelloe Schools on the bodies of nine men who met their deaths by the disaster at the colliery. The coroner said that he would make the inquiry into the cause of the accident a thorough and exhaustive one, and would leave no stone unturned to clear the matter up to the satisfaction of all. He would simply have the bodies identified that day, and would adjourn the inquiry until June 29 next. Mr. Stanton, solicitor, on behalf of Mr. Scott and other owners, and also of Mr. Tate and the other officials of the colliery, said that every opportunity would be given in the way of assisting to a right conclusion as to the cause of the accident by all the officials at the colliery. Mr. Foster, men's representative, spoke of the consolation which the bereaved families had derived from the many letters of condolence which kept coming in from public bodies and lodges throughout the country. After the jury had viewed the bodies Dr. Simpson was examined, and gave his opinion that death had resulted from drowning, a very short time, he thought, after the water broke into the pit. The coroner then adjourned the inquest to the date named. The burial of the bodies took place yesterday afternoon. The coffins were supplied by the colliery owners, this being customary at Durham pits when fatal accidents happen.