Sir,

In accordance with your instructions we have the honour to report upon the circumstances attending an explosion which occurred in the workings of the West Stanley Colliery, in the County of Durham, about 3.45 p.m. on Tuesday, the 16th February, 1909, whereby 168 lives were lost.

The Colliery is situated in the North-West of the County of Durham, about six miles to the west of Chester-le-Street, and was worked by "The Owners of West Stanley Colliery."

Immediately on hearing of the explosion, Mr. Bain, the District Inspector of Mines, accompanied by his Assistant Inspectors, Messrs. Walker and Charlton, proceeded to the mine, and they were there more or less constantly throughout the time that the bodies were being recovered and the workings subsequently explored. Mr. R. A. S. Redmayne, the Chief Inspector of Mines, and Mr. R. Nelson, the Electrical Inspector of Mines, arrived at the colliery on the day after the explosion, and took part in the explorations in the mine from time to time.