The Merthyr Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Iron Districts of South Wales

.r 1 D. o. a- TT IT JSr" 'I to announce to the Public that he continues to supply every description oi ^fmOY CONFECTIONERY AND CAKES i J Jhfaelj, POUND, SEED, LUNCHEON, DUNDEE, &c., &c., suitable for the present season. MINCE, PORK, and MUTTON PIES daily. I No. 89, HIGH STREET, MERTHYR 1 V — — 1 AWateh is certainly one of the most perfect and indispensable machines ever produced by human ingenuity." J. D. L w I L Xi IAM s to call Public attention to his Stock of PATENT LEVER WATCHES, being the -f' mo^t serviceable 1or general use. They combine great accuracy with durability, and will bear hard wear with less liability t)f injury than any other construction. Ere/y watch is manu- xgtiWBk factured expressly for him, and thoroughly- examined under his own supervision, therefore purchasers may with the utmostcflpMence rely on his recommendation. The prices will be ^8^^ found equally low with tho^0ffiy house in the Kingdom, taking quality into consideration Patent Lever Watches, in Strong Si^gf^ses| £ 4 4s. to £ 1010s. # Da. do. in Qol^UtS^Ladkfijfom. £ 10 10s. to £ 15 15s. po. do. in Grff^ases £ 12 13s. to £ 30 Ps. A written Guarantee gpjj^wo Years' trial given with each watch. n ,F Silver Horizontal Watches, from. £ 1 10». Gold do. do. fronwfT. £ 3 8§. t' i Whifkes, Clocks, and Jewellery repaired on the premises in a superior manner. T If J E BEST VjSffCH GLASSES, 6d. Each; COMMON Do., 3d. each. 129, HIGH STEEET. MERTHYR. ^y'.jp MEMORIAL SCULPTURE WORKS, JS xrr I ADJOININGTHfi^BMETERY, nit' THOMA^5WN, MEETHYE; JONES, ..X>EGS-those about getting, and are desirous of enaurmg nefkfcfiess of design in Church and Cemetery Memorials to withhold their orders till the completion ofthia aujjmriSi selection of original designs, now being prepared; also » splendid.collection from the Cemeteries of LandcpfTaris, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other cities, adapted for Marble, Granite, Slate, Freestone, Penant, ancL^drer stone. He has likewise the best published designs, thereby affording atone view, a rare opportunity k>*dHect from, of the neatest models extant. J. E. Jones nas, for the advantage of his Patrons, given considerable attention to the perishable resisting quality of stones, and has satisfied himself of the comparative merits of those in usei by the most approved Chemical methods. J. E. Jones will give himself the pleasure of further intimation of the completion of his designs and thair Estimates, when attention will be eteemed. ■ ■" ■ FAMILY MOURNING. Extensive Stock of Black Coburgs^jpg^SHpacaj^jFrench Merinos, French Twills, T H O E' S GENEEAL TABLISHMENT, YR. Superior Millinery under the management of a fully competent Milliner -A-BT TJISTIOIsr OF HjOIsTXDOIsr. Established for the promotion and diffusion of the knowledge and love of the Fine Arts in the British Empire. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION, £ 11*. WHO that has seen does not remember the magnificent Pahitine^fi#antalIon Castle," valued at £ 200, and won by Mr. W. HOPKINS, of Merthyr, in the year V £ Rj>0^ The public, generally, and ail lovers of Art especiallyjp^lCTeoy informed that equally beautiful Works of Art will be offered for competition in the current ye ar jtaagiflSrwi th several uyfntv, but elaborate specimens of masterly skill and superior genius. Every Member, fry^fflfll^Truinea subscrij<e\ i#eimtled to hold one chance in the distri- bution of Prizes, which consists of the rigfit to select by thelPrize/oJider himself a work of Art of the value of TEN POUNDS TO Two HUNDRED POUNDS, or more, fromJo^wr^s^Ptrblic Exhibitions of the year; also of Statuettes and works in bronze, iron and porcelain, and fine Bliroip^Elthographs and Photographs, produced ex- pressly for the Society. In addition to this, EVERY MEMBER for the currenj^ytfar, ending 31st March, 1862, will receive, for each Guinea an impression of a large and important Line EogrSving, by C. W. Sharpe, from the original picture by Fred. Goodall, A-R.A., RAISING THE MAY-POLE;" besides a chance of one of the Prizes at the annual distribution. Parties wishing to Subscribe are requested to make early application, personally, or by letter, to the Agent for the district, i" Mr. TITUS JONES, AUCTIONBBB, Castle Street, Merthyr. A. Splendid Engraving of the "Raising of the Maypole may be seen at the Angel Hotel, Merthyr GOLDEN BOOT, CASTLE STREET, TREDEGAR, MmaWfHSEIRE.. Z„: MR. JOSE^lf^fejH, BOOT AND SHOBltfSKEE, LI^mggiefiLLEE, &c., &c., THANKS his Friends for the patronage bestowed onhmimng the last 15 years, and will endeavour to merit, by excellent material, good fit, and punctual atteafcitfnto orders, a large extension of his trade. His Work- ing Boot has long been admitted to be the most diffable article in the trade, and he assures his friends that no pains will be spared to preserve that character of tough wear for his Boots and Shoes, (all of which are made on the remises) which is well known. REPAIRS OF ALL KINDS EXECUTED AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE. NEW SPRING DRAPERY, AT THE ■ ANCHOR HOUSE, MEgJHYR. v f JONES respectfully invites the attention ofj|j00^«omers a^dAhgjrf Blic in general!to his 1 J • unrivalled STOCK of NEW GOODSjj^dSfstmg of Sttaw a«>^f Jfucy Hats, Straw, Crino- line, and Chip Bonnets, Flowers, FeathejsK'lxibbons, Stayf, andAJrmolmea, also a first class assort- ment ofGENERAL J. JONES has on this occasion taken particular cajjpwlSSecting the above, so as to give every customer the highest satisfaction as regards taste, style^nd price. NOTE THB ADDRESS: C J. JONES, Anchor House, 98, High Street, Merthyr. WANTED, Three respectable young Ladies as Out-door Apprentices to the Millinery- JOSEPH H. COm, NOS. 12 AND 15, ST. MARY CARDIFF, f (OPPOSITE TH WHOLESALE P CAL NE EALER, Ij^OR the London Times, and other Daily and Provii^jSTNe^p^K^ All Foreign Newspapers ordered direct from the different Offices. J. H. C is Purcnasei^jlB^, having no connection with any other •person whatever. At No. 12, J. H. C. has an extensive asM^ment of Travelling Goods, manufactured on the premises, consisting of Travelling Trunks, PortmanteaMj^adies' Dress Trunks, Enamelled Leather, Carpet, and Fancy Bags, Hat, Bonnet, and Cap Cases; Kp#Packs, Tourists' Bags, and every description of Travelling travelling and Dress Trunks mad^toorder on the shortest notice. Old Trunks or Portmanteaus .Repaired or taken in Exchange. PARAFFIN OIL. THE PARAFFIN OIL COMPANY beg to inform the public that all the explosions said to have arisen through the se of Paraffin Oil have been proved to have beenc&ueed by the use of imitations of our oil, sold under the name of Paraffin Oil, thus bringing into questigjfrjqflSte undeservedly, an article which we named and introduced ten years ajjo. ^^04^ Dur ug all that time our Paraffin Oil has stood well wifcdbjjffpuolc, and we have never heard of an explosion taking place through the use of it.. All the explosions have occurred within ojut^Srecent xlate, tncryolely from the introduction of spurious articles which have no right to be caHecHttffiimn Oil. We aieo beg to refer the public to the evidence recently K^en byJtMJfors Adling and Hartley, before the Coroner's jury, as to the safety of our oil. OUR OIL CAN BE OBTAINE MERTHYR TYDFIL OF MR, THOMAS THOMAS, IRONMONGER, &c. THE LIVERPOOL AND LOUDOTT FIRE AND LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY- Established 1836. OFFICES: 1, DALE-STREET, LIVERPOOL; 20 & 21, POULTRY, LONDON. The Annual Premiums in the Fire Depart- ment exceed £360,130 The Annual Premiums in the Life Depart- ment exceed j. JE135,974 The Accumulated Life Reserve is X*RR*- £ 762.262 The resources of the Company are by its Invested Funds, WHICLUPI^ED.L^ £ 1.311,905 The liability of ProprietoprfTmiliT|lteJ| 9 WFE.) Merthyr Tydfil. Mr. Hfeniw ^jFatkin Hajws-; Mr. E. RF/Sones, JUMPER Castle, st. Aberdare .VAQJPTR (SE^wdatfoot.) Brecon Vacant. (Jnwnote at loot.) Combnege Mr. NaplRniel Bird, Ironmonger, ^«gh-street TU .JjBvTJaniel Davies, 19, Ivor-street ■WEA"1 • • • • ^fTvacant. (See note at foot.) Fire Policies due at LADY DAY should be renewed on or before the 9th April, 1862. Applications to represent THE LIVERPOOL AND LONDON in places and-Districts where Agents have not yet been appointed, may be addressed to the Secretary, Liverpool and London Insurance Chambers, Liverpool. „ SWINTON BOULT, SECRETARY March, 1864. LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH, MERTHYR TYDFIL. TO SCA VENGEMS AND OTHERS. THE above Board are desirous of rEceiving TENDERS for the SCAVENGING of the D;g&M*WW Merthyr, Dowlais, 1 roedyrhiw, and AbercaHsrftT The Contract to be for two years, from THE^^MI MARCH next. if will be required the Persons Tendering for the Merthyr and JMffiais district* reside within the district of thei^Srotract. 1*^11 ParticulsflPffof Con tract NTIAJHAE VFLI ^FFIEOFFICE of The Surveyor on applicaticp. I Tenders to be sent to ME O^OR before WEDNESDAY, he 19th of March, 1862'ENDORSED, "Tendersfor Sca- venging." "lo The Board do nQVbind themselves to accept any Tender. By Order, J. W. RUSSELL, Merthyr Tydfil, Feb. 6,1861. Clerk. SAMUEL SONS, TAIL 4^7 Park-streeh afajriSTOL. WOTHERSPOON'S VICTORIA. LOZENGES, "DEING made by self-acting niaciiff^fyare free from handling, and are recomjprfaed JFFIF their perfect PURITY, Delicious free ^RC>UI all colouring Sold in Padj^i^fld., 2A, 4<Lk& Jnd lg. 4d. each by Grocers, Z^uggists, andfcoi/eitiondbf'and Whole- sale by Wotherspoon & C<f, Glasaa^fand London.— Agents for Merthyr and Mfghbourhood Messrs MATTHEWS, BBOTHERS, "BJfcClesale Grocers. GLENFIELD PATENTS-STARCH USED IN THE RO AUNDRY. THE LADIES ar^p(J^^uH^| informed that this Starch isexjjJjjalTOly lised mAheJioyal Laundry, and Her MajftflO^s LauntM^ asufoniisdf although she has tried wheaten, rice, a»lylre^j^wder starches, she has found none of them ejiaJ ttt^w Glenfield, which is the finest starch she has used. Wotherspoon & Co., Glasgow & London. ■ £ }N<J uoissaoong ao AOV3DJ 'uoijBJjsimuipy 'AQVQOJJ SUOIJI?RI[B^ •s^u8ui[B^sui paxy Aq 8[qB -ABdaa aaju) jo 10 owuoioj looblly o; dn poTf moaf uins ifuu 8ABr^^0fftOi £ jBuosaad psAaid -de QJIM. ajnsaj puu "uom '^aWliWj^j; 'wmm-fpofi ifif^uB^unosoy pu« 'JAAUOIPNY 'SWVI'RIIOS 'A?BI ASB^ PUBT pus dBaqo B Aa mW^/tOUUOQ. ^UBAI no^ j 1 •jDjgyj.HOjroi WHEN YOU A^fpOE GLENFIELg^pjf^^JT STARCH SEE JJPff*AT t AS INFERIOR KINDS CLFTL QS^IL^UBSTITUTED. WOTHERSPOON & CO., GLASGOW & LONDOII" Register Office for Sex^jjfrfcs^EBituations. TELEGRAP I B, MERTHYR. FAMILIES "requiring DOPESJJJFT^SERVANTS may be supplied from a LISINCEPT at the TELE- GRAPH Oftlce, FREE OF ANY CHARGE.

THE GETHIN COLLIERY EXPLOSION. i THE ADJOURNED INQUEST. I. THE inquest was resumed on Friday, and at the close of that day's proceedings it was further adjourned till Monday. The following is the additional evidence:- FOURTH DAY.—Friday. William Parry, collier, examined I worked in No. 12 heading at the time of the explosion it broke both doors in my heading, but did not extinguish my safety lamp; I was engaged in driving on my stall, which was the second from the level; I immediately came down from the heading, accompanied by four others, who worked near me the doors knocked down were broken to pieces, and the brick-work on either side I Imow that no fire came up my heading, from the circum- sremap that a horse which was near the 13th heading w&s unipjured; he had been knocked down by the blast offeh** explosion, but when the air was turned upon hinNie got up; I was the first in that part after the exprallku; we were John Davies, Samuel Davies, Thomas EdWards, and myself, whilst Sam Sims ran to the pit's mouth; we put up a door, and then went on to No. 13 heading, where we found Thomas Thomas, the fireman, whom we brought out a considerable dis- tance to the air, and who then recovered I afterwards took him home, and did not again return to the' pit, I think I have worked in this pit about five years, for the last six months in the 12th heading, previously in the dip heading; I have occasionally found gas in these places exude from holes in the roofs; I sometimes worked with naked lights, and sometimes with locked lamp3 the gas has sometimes continued in these places for a week, during which time we have generally worked with naked lights the firemen knew of the existence of this gas, as they desired us not to lift our lights near these holes I was burnt in a stall in No. 14 heading about two years ago; this stall was situated about the second or third from the level; I worked at the time with the naked light; the firemen, if they observed much gas, put up cross-timbers, but in the stall where I was burnt I saw no need of being stopped, but, of course, after I had been burnt, I thought it was dangerous to work in such places I do not know of any stock of gas in the works at present, but it was sus- pected by the workmen, about twelve months ago, that there was an accumulation, and a couple of workmen were appointed by us to search for it; they did so, and found none; we first mentioned our suspicion to the overman, and be told 118 we .were at full liberty to search for it in any part of the works; at the time of my accident in No. 14 heading I had never complained to Mr. Moody or Samuel Jones of the gas in my stall. Benjamin Beddoe, a collier, now working at the Graig pit, the property of Mr. Rees, was called He said that it was three years ago since he worked at the Gethin; he then worked on the yard seam, which contains a good deal of gas, so that sometimes in the course of half-an-hour, if the door was left open, it would accumulate so much that he was compelled to cease working, and leave his stall until it had cleared away; he had known this to happen many times the doors were left open by the boys who accompanied the hauliers, and he complained of this to the overman, who then appointed a boy to attend exclusively to the outer door nearest the level.—By Mr. James I have applied three times for work at this pit since 1 left, and my wife has also applied, but without my knowledge at the time.—The Coroner: It is right for me to say that the two last men have not come here voluntarily, but by summons; I hope, therefore, no injury will accrue to them from their evidence here to-day, as they are unwilling witnesses; it has come to my knowledge that many colliers are prevented from giving full evidence, in consequence of threats held out to them by agents, and I here have occasion to com- municate to proprietors of collieries the injustice of this; with regard to inquiry, I have a conviction that it is the wish of the proprietor that the fullest investigation shall take place, and therefore, all who have evidence to give will unhesitatingly come forward; it is a duty they owe to themselves, to their employers, and to the public at large. Seth Francis, collier, working at Werfa, was called. He said: I worked at No. 1 pit, and left there about two years ago I worked there in Daniel Rees's dip, between Nos. 9 and 10 headings I know nothifig of any other part of the work; there was a little gas there occasionally, but not much it used to fire sometimes about five o'clock, when the air had got warm when 1 say firing I mean it used to flash; I worked in that dip about six months, and I saw it flash about throe or four times during that time; I worked altocwth yr in this pit about three years, and during the whole time I worked with a naked light.-By Mr. Jamts Th* r J was a complaint by Samuel Jones of my having thrown rubbish in the air-way, but I did so at his request; since I have left the work I have twice asked Mr: Moody for employment, and I have also asked Thomas Jones, an overman, for employment; they never as- signed as a reason for not employing me. that I had thrown rubbish in the air-way, but said that the work was too full.—By the Coroner I now work at Werfa my family live at Bryant's-field, and to go to Werfa I have to walk about six miles daily.-The Coroner re- marked that it was exceedingly unfair to presume, as the cross-examination by Mr. James implied, that be- cause the witnesses had been unable to obtain employ- ment at Cyfarthfa, they had come there to give false evidence.—Mr. James, in reply, said that the object of the cross-examination was to show that the state of the pit was not such, in their estimation, as to make them afraid of working there. Daniel Phillips, a collier, working at Plymouth, ex- amined I worked at No. 1 Gethin pit about 12 months ago, in No. 4 dip, near the 11th heading I never saw any gas there and the air was quite fresh where I was work- ing. Isaac Jones, collier, at No. 1 pit, in No 6 heading I have worked in the pit about five years and a half I formerly worked between the 12th and 13th level; I went round the whole pit about seven weeks ago, making a collection for a man who had been injured in the pit; there was gas there in No. 15 heading, in James Gwynne's stall; he held up the lamp when I was there and the gas flashed in it; the men meet together often, and it was their opinion that if the wind-way commenced by Mr. Thomas Kirkhouse, had been carried on from the mouth of the pit, all the way to the face of the level, and kept separated from the work- ing parts, and the road watered daily, the air would then be always fresh to the end of the level, and it would afford a means for the men to escape from the headings in case of an explo-ion,-By a juror: There was a wind-way parallel with the level, such as I describe, made from the mouth of the pit to between the fifth and sixth heading by a previous agent, and discontinued by Mr. Moody; it was intended as a means of protection to the men, and to increase the ventilation of the level; it is the opinion of the men that if this had been carried on to the end of the level, the serious consequences of an explosion in a heading would not have occurred.— Mr. Blackwell: The plan you suggest would doubt- lessly give more air in the face of the level, but it would not have been sufficient to have saved the men in it. Mr. Brough: It is dust that kills the most of' them. Mr. Blackwell: There cannot be a doubt of it. Mr. Evans When I went to the pit, I understood the prevalentlopinion of the men respecting the second air- level of Mr. Kirkhouse, and I expressed a wish that they would give evidence, but they then asked me who was to pay them. David Evans, collier, at No. 1 pit,' Gethin, ex- amined I work in the yard vein, the coal being brought out into the four-feet working I have worked five years in this pit, and about twelve months in the yard seam; I have seen no fire since I have been in the yard vein; previously to my working where I do at present, I was driving the 15th heading in company with four others I worked at this until we had driven about 200 yards, and then asked to return to the yard seam, for I disliked working at night; I have never seen any gas in the pit, but I heardjan explosion once, when William Parry was burnt, between the 14th and 15th headings I worked then about sixty yards from him, and had great difficulty in escaping I heard the last explosition, which broke a door at the bottom of my heading, but it did no injury where I was working. -By a Juror I think they could make the place safer by driving a wind-way on the lower side of the level, and by watering the roads to keep down the dust; that is the general opinion of those engaged in the pit; if an explosion had taken place in one of the cross- headings it would not have been so fatal if the air-way had been made as it has turned out. Rees Davies, haulier, at Gethin, examined When the explosion took place I was hauling from No. 17 head- ing, and when the shock occurred I was at the bottom of the 12th heading there were five other hauliers after me, each with a horse and a pair of laden trams we had stopped to oil the trams I was before my horse, about six or seven yards, and was blown, but not off my feet; four of the hauliers behind me, with their horses and doorboys were killed my horse was blown down, but he afterwards got up and brought the trams to the pit's mouth the second haulier from me was killed, but the third was saved I always use a naked light,. but when I drive to those headings where safety lamps are used I leave my naked light at the parting, and go up in the dark there was a fall of seven or eight yards long and two yards high on the Monday before the accident, at the place where the body of Samuel Jones was found, and on the day of the accident they were timbering in this spot; some of the colliers thought the explosion originated in this spot. John Davies, collier I work in No. 12 heading, but did not see anything of the explosion, excepting a quan- tity of dust rising I have worked in several parts of the pit, and the ventilation is as good as I could desire; I have never seen any gas there. John Rees, schoolmaster, said I was employed at Gethin pit, working in the wind-way, until August last; I was so employed for about twelve months about 15 months ago one of the doors happened to be broken in No. 17 heading, and myself and fellow workmen, and Edward Rees, were desirous to see how soon the gas would become inflammable if the doors in that heading were left open Samuel Cox and Samuel Jones went to the top of the heading with the safety-lamp, and it fired in 2! minutes.—(The Coroner here said that he would 2 not have summoned this witness had not Edward Rees said in his examination that he had never seen any gas in the pit).-I considered the ventilation good in No. 17, when the doors were closed. Mr. John Moody examined I am agent over the collieries of William Crawshay, Esq., and the Gethin pit is one of those collieries the quantity of coal worked m both pits in the twenty-four hours is about 365 tons daily the total area of the both collieries is 180 acres, the lower colliery being about 93 acres; the whole of the air for the ventilation of the pits was conveyed through the balance pits; I have two under-tiewers, John Eynon and Thomas Jones; one assistant-viewer Thomas Pearson Moody, my son; eight overmen, one overman being engaged in this pit, (Samuel Jones, deceased); one master wasteman; two firemen and a master labourer the number of men employed at No. 1 pit is about 1GO, about 42 being engaged on the day of the explosion on the east side, and 111 on the west; the quantity of air passing down the No. 1 shaft is about 42,000 cubic feet per minute this splits into four parts at the bottom of the shaft; one split of 3,850 goes down the drift leading to the six-feet vein, where there are nine men working; another split of 4,600 goes down the new drift that is being driven down to some new pits that are being sunk at Pontrhun, where there are ten men employed there is another small split on the back side of the shaft, through a hole six inches square, and the last split of about 21,000 proceeds along the west level where the explosion took place.—(Mr. Brough: Then this would leave about 1,550 cubic feet for the third or smallest split).— The 21,000 split passes through the west level until it comes to the sixth cross-heading where there are two separation doors, and here there is a small leakage of about 1000 feet, which returns by the air-course the remaining air then proceeds to the yard coal measures near the No. 7 cross-heading, and here there is a split of 15,000 feet to supply the colliers in that measure. The remainder passes along till it arrives at two separation doors at No. 10 cross-heading where there is pillar working here there is a further leakage, but I cannot say to what extent; it then goes on to No. 12, where there are again double doors and pillar working, and another leakage; it afterwards jgoes on to No. 5 dip, where are double doors and pillar working, and where there is a leakage again, and then proceeds to an air pit between Nos. 14 and 15, and splits to the yard coal, but I cannot give the quantity for I have not measured i.t at the winch I have measured it at the return wind-way at this spot, and it aumounts in the whole to7,000feet; the quantity passing up the west level beyond this spot is 11400 which goes to the 15th cross-heading, where there are double doors and a leakage, and then on to Nos. 16, 17, and 18, where are double doors and leakages in each place; the air measured between 18 and 19 cross-headings 7,330 feet, and this quantity passes to the 19th and 20th cross- headings, where there are leakages in each, and the re- mainder passes on to the face of the west level, and then returns through the cross-hole into the wind-way. FIFTH DAY.—Monday. (Mr. Moody's evidence continued.) The Coroner said that before continuing the invests gation he might state to the jury that he had received a large number of letters in reference to the inquiry. Some of them contained suggestions as to the cause of the accident, whilst others reflected upon individuals concerned in the inquiry. He had only to repeat what he had said before, that the inquest was an open court, and that whoever came forward to give evidence he should be glad to hear them. Some communications he had received were anonymous, and he did not think he ought to notice them. He could say no more than he had, and he now hoped that if any person could throw any light upon the cause of this sad calamity, or any important circumstances attending it, he afid the jury would readily hear him. Mr. Moody continued his evidence by describing the manner in which the air returned through the various headings and stalls, until it came to the 14th heading, when it passes to the flue. He continued It is a considerable time since I examined the quantity of air going into the west level; my son attends to that part of the work he has been in the service of Mr. Craw- shay about two years the under-viewer keeps a register of the quantity of air entering the collieries, but it is not the viewer.—Mr. Blackwell: Is it not the duty of the viewer to prescribe the quantity of air required for the colliery, and to see that the under-viewer attends to it ? —Mr. Moody I am not aware that it is so a register is kept by my son, who took it on the 25th January but I was not with him he gave me the result of that investigation when I took it last it was upon the No. 6 cross-heading I have been at Cyfarthfa eight years it is the rule of the colliery that where there is any fire discovered all work in that part is to cease at once, and the timbers put up and fire marked.—The Coroner We have it in evidence that fire was discovered in No., 20 heading, and that John Jones was allowed to go with a safety lamp. It was the wasteman's duty, as well as the fireman to go into all the air-ways and stalls when fire is found in a stall the fireman ought to "have put up a board as well as cross-timbers.—The Coroner remarked that this also had been neglected. Was it a right thing to allow John Jones to go in that morning, when it was notorious that there was gas ? or to allow two men to go on working with naked lights, when at the next stall it was necessary to use safety lamps? No answer pressed for. At the time of the explosion 1 was at home I was last in that pit on the 10th or 11th of February; I have about 1,200 men to look after; after the accident I went into the pit, and proceeded up the west level to No. 10 and 11 cross-headings I found the door of No. 10 open and broken then Mr. Laverick came in and joined me, and we,then together wentjto Nos. 17 and 18 at Nos. 19 I noticed half of one of the doors blown down in the direction of the level; I believe the explosion took place in this heading, but 1 cannot tell how two men found in this heading, suffocated, escaped being burnt; still I am of opinion that they might have escaped though the explosion took place near them I am of opinion it occurred in the face of the heading, as the most damage was done there, and about ten yards of the roof had fallen near this place; there were two falls also in the return air-way at the time of the acci- dent, but I cannot tell whether they had taken place before the accident or after; I generally go twice a week to this pit, and sometimes three or four times on the day before the accident, the overman, Samuel Jones, reported to me that all was right in the pit; I was not informed by Jones that any fall had taken place the men had not worked on the day before the accident, as there was plenty of coal in the yard, and it was the commencement of the month, and they wished a holiday; the fall in the level was seven or eight yards long and eighteen inches high, tapering to the siues; when I first when to Cyfarthfa, I cannot say to what extent the works in this pit had been carrried on, to about the 4th heading; perhaps they may have extended to the 5th heading previously to my coming here I had been at Clydach for about two years, under Mr. John Strick, and previously at Killingworth when I took the management of this colliery the system adopted was the same as now the level to the left of the main level was then stopped this was discontinued by my orders; I didn't see any necessity for it I sup- pose it was intended as an extra air-way, but I cannot say whether to convey it in or convey it out; when the south level was discontinued I depended entirely on the main level for the conveyance of air into the workings the extent of the level £ s about 1 mile and 60 yards, which is the only means of in-eakeair; all the coal is obliged to be brought out by means of this level; I do not think it is objectionable that the traffic of the coal should be in the only in-take air-course I don't think it would be better for the ventilation if the level on the left side of the main level had been continued to the face of the workings I was never told by the overman or the employer that in the first laying out of the work- ings the small level on the left was intended to secure a better ventilation I do not think that if the second in-take air-course had been continued it would have prevented the deaths from suffocation if the bays had been blown away if the bays were to remain standing after an explosion I cannot say what would be the effect of such an explosion on the lives of the men. Thomas Thomas, re-examined The fall was in the face of the wind-way, just above No. 20 heading this fall took place on Tuesday night; I did nothing respect- ing it, but the overman put a man to clear it away and repair the roof; there was no fall near the 15th heading, but the roof was bad, and there had been a fall there the week before it was intended to take the air into the main level by the second small level, as Mr. Thomas Kirkhouse said, that the horses mightn't warm it when the hauliers drove them hard I think this second air- way would be of advantage. Mr. Moody recalled (in answer to Mr. Blackwell) said The book (produced) I think contains the registry of the air going into the pits of the Cyfarthfa collieries at the times specified I cannot say whether it is accu- rate or not, as I did not write in that book there was no record kept except in that book I cannot say how many times the air has been measured in the west level No. 1 Gethin pit since 1858; I believe it was measured on the 25th of Jan. last, but I didn't see it; I think it was measured then at about No. 6 cross-heading, but where else I cannot say; I think the quantity found was 22,000 cubic feet; No. G cross-heading is about 600 yards from the bottom of the shaft; I am not aware there were any measurements taken in any of the working places of the level on the 25th January; I do not know what quantity of air traversed the working places on that date: I can't say when the air was measured in the working places of the west level; I have measured the air once in the end of the level during the last year, but can't give the date it then measured about 12,000 feet; I then took the measurement between the air-pit and No. 15 cross-heading from No. 15 to the face of the level is about 460 yards I have never within the last 12 months taken the trouble to ascertain the quan- tity of air going to the face of the west level; I have measured the air there many times, but kept no record it does'nt appear by the air registry book, that more than two measurements .have taken place since the 10th September, 1858 in the book there is a measurement given on the 10th September, but it does not indicate where the measurement was taken the quantity re- corded is 4,320 feet; this disagrees with the quantity I have previously stated to-day; the book describes the superficial area where the measurement was taken at 48 square feet; I do not mean to say that the west level, in all parts, exceeds 48 feet; the particulars are not such as to lead me to conclude that the quantity noted was taken in the main level; It has never mea- sured less than 20,000; I think the measurement, 4320 feet, recorded in the book, must have been taken in one of the splits I never found it less than 20,000 on the main level. SIXTH DAY.—Tuesday. (lIfr. Moody's evidence continued.) By Mr. Blackwell: I have never found less than 20,000 feet at No. 6 cross-heading, and never found so much as 20,000 feet beyond this heading the sectional area of No. 1 shaft is 143 feet; the sectional area of the west level at No. 10 cross-heading is 12ft. by 6ft. it is not that size except at the mouth of this cross-heading about fifty yards farther than this the size of the level is 9ft. by 6ft. I think I can walk along that level without stooping.—Mr. Blackwell: Well I cannot walk along that level without stooping and I am not six feet high.—The dimensions of the west'^Levelin the stone arching between 14 and 15 headiiKSv are 7ft. by 5Aft. the length of the stone arching at that point is from ten to fifteen yards there is also another length of stone arching, a little beyond, 7ft. by 5Mt.; the dimensions of the west level, between Nos. 17 and 18 are about 8ft. by 6ft. it is that size clear of the timbers I think a man six feet high could walk in that part without coming in contact with the timbers the dimensions of the air-way at the back of the brattice at the face of the west level were 6 ft. by 3 ft. the dimensions of the air-way on the west side of the waste in No, 20 heading are 6 feet by 5 feet; the dimensions of the air-way extending from the level air-way to the stall in No. 19 cross-heading are about the same the dimensions of the wind-way be- hind the brattice at the face of No. 19 cross-heading are 6 feet by 3 feet; the dimensions of the wind-way on the west side of the waste in No. 18 cross-heading are 5 feet by 3 feet; all thmaju-talce air which enters the west level, except that lost by-leakage at the doors on both sides of the level, and the two scales to the yard coal, does not. pass through Ihese wihe^ways, of which I have now given the dimenaons there- are 11,400 feet out of the 22,000 at No. 6 heading, going », at th<j bottom of 15 cross-heading, and between Nos. 18 ted 19 cross-headings 7340 feet pass there is no air passing through the works except this all the in-take air that enters the three cross-headings at the extreme end of the workings, except the leakage at the doors on both sides of the level, and the splits to the yard-coal, passes through the wind-way all the air that passes into the workings in the three westerly headings, except the leakages, has to pass through a sectional area of 18 feet; the sectional area of the" wind-ways in the three stalls near the bottom No. of 17 cross-heading ia 5 feet by 4 feet; I am aware tliat it is already given In fevidenfce that some of these wind-ways are only 4 feet square, and I say now, all the air has to travel through them except what leaks at the doors; the area of the wind-way at the 4 stalls at the bottom of 16 cross-heading is 4 1 feet square; I am satisfied that this is the correct measurement, though the wasteman has said it was only 4 feet square the measurement of the air-way in 15 cross-heading is about the same as that of No. 16 they are liable to be ob. structed a little by occasional falls all the air which passes through the working places in the stalls in 17, 16, and 15 cross-headings, except what leak, at the doors, passes through the wind-ways of which I have given the dimensions the sectioaal area of the retufn air-way, in its smallest parts, whidll maintain throtigh the old stalls on the extreme rise Ç1 the old works; is 4 feet by 4 feet; the main return air-way is caMed through the abandoned stalls to 'the rise of the old works for the whole of the distance of No. 1 pit; this return air-course is not, in my opinion, liable to be obstructed by falls several falls do occur in that air. course, but when I said that it was not liable to be obstructed, I meant that it was not liable to be wholly closed up; I have never learnt by inspection of large collieries, or Parliamentary reports, or any other means, what are the usual proportions of air maintained in the main air-ways, as compared with tie shaft, and, in pro- portion, the distance the air has to travel; I am awsjrJS that this subject has occupied the attention of the prin- cipal mining engineers in the country, I have considered and read on the subject myself; I consider the sectional area of the air-ways ought to be increased and not dimi- nished as they extend in length; the sectional area of the wind-ways in the Gethin pit have diminished from 50 feet to 18 feet, or 16 feet at the face of the level; at No. 6 cross-heading there were 21,000 feet, and from there to the end of the level there are 600 yards; at No. 15 cross-heading there is a loss of 10,000 feet of air, which has gone by a leakage, through five pairs of doors and two scales; from the point where I have lost 10,000 feet, and where I have but 11,000 feet remaining, I have still conducted (that air to pass sixjnore ofpairs separation doors, before it reaches the west face of the level, and enters the working places I have seen the air measured inside the 15th cross-heading once before and once after the accident; it was measured before the accident near the 16th cross-heading, but I cannot give the date the quantity found there was, I think, about 10,000 cubic feet; the air was measured after the accident between the 15th and 16th return air-ways, by Messrs. Evans and Brough, the Government inspectors, but they did not give me the measurement; they also measured the air in the return wind-ways between 19th and 20th headings, but I do not know the quantity taken, nor was I told by them what it amounted to I had suffici- ent interest in the condition of the pit after the accident to ask them, but I didn't like to interfere with them I do not know that I was told by any person what the measurement was as taken by them; they measured on Tuesday after the accident; I think you asked me the question, but I did not tell you that I thought it was about 5,000 feet; when I mentioned that quantity I meant that it was where they 'first measured, between the 15th and 16th headings; I have not obtained any knowledge from any source of the quantity found by those gentlemen, passing between the 19th and 20th headings, but I thought it would be about 5,000, but this was a mere guess; supposing that I was correctly informed that the quantity of air passing through the return air-way, between the 16th and 15th headings was only 5,000 feet, 1 think, as a mining engineer, that 3,000 feet would be about the portion that had reached the face of the level and through the working places as a mining engineer I do not consider that 3,000 feet per minute in such a place sufficient to work with safety with naked lights; on the 25th of February, when the men were not at work, the quantity of air that would reach the face of the west level and enter the working places, would not, I think, be larger that if the men were at work, and the level not obstructed by men, horses, trams of coal and all the doors constantly closed; I have never found any difference between the measurement taken at night and those taken in the day when the men were at work I have made these comparisons at the 6th cross-heading 9 but I cannot say when; the main working places are about 1,000 yards beyond the 6th cross-heading, and therefore my reply has no bearing upon the air in the workings the horses and trams passing through arches of 35 feet sectional area would not almost stop the quan- tity of in-take air; if they were driving against the air I do not think it would even then be affected 1 have heard that the fireman, Thomas Thomas, was obliged to put up a door in the middle of No. 20 cross-heading to drive fire-damp from a hole in the roof at that place, but I do not think this a proof that the air was extremely weak on that day that fire-damp was driven with the current of air passing the working places, where the men were working with the naked lights, which 1 think, considering the small quantity of gas emitted, was per- fectly safe 1 am aware that fire-damp has frequently been found to accumulate in some places in No. 1 Gethin pi t; I am not aware that it has been proved that gas has been found at night where the men had been work- ing on the day previous, excepting in the one instance in No. 20 heading I have heard the evidence that it has been found repeatedly in the morning, but I doubt its accuracy I am not aware that the air becomes slacker in the afternoon than in the morning 1 have never heard it complained of the quantity of air going through an aperture 4 feet square is about 11,000 cubic feet per minute; I do not know what ve. locity the air must acquire the first second in order that such a quantity might pass in a minute; I think I can calculate it, but I cannot do so now; I cannot tell you now the rule by which this calculation is ascertained; I have observed how very rapidly the in take air di- minishes as it progresses through the west level of the Gethin pit; I do not see that if I extend the level much further I shall have no air at all at the face. (Mr. Moody here intimated that he was now able to give an answer to the question as to the velocity of the air, which was eleven feet the first second, through an area of four feet). There is no part of the air-wa* where there is such a velocity as 11 feet per second witl our present ventilating furnaces, I cannot say wha quantity of air passes through the workings, as I hav only measured in one or two places; referring to tl accidents in South Wales, I have not examined in) the circumstances attending them, further than what have read in the public papers I am not aware tit the Gethin pit is in the same position, with regard 0 the unworkedi,measures, as were all the pits of Sofa Wales where great explosions have taken place; le west level is approaching the Aberdare district, wbe so many accidents have occurred; I do not consbr that the close proximity of the yard vein to the four ot vein is a cause of danger; I am not aware that the N 1 Gethin occupies a very dangerous position the Itsls of No. 1 Gethin pit are the deepest in the west sic of the Merthyr fall in this district; I have no reascto think that the fire-damp from the unworked meares to the deep of No. 1 pit would have a tenden< to drain into these' levels I am aware that fire-imp exists inj deep unworked measures in a state of preure; it might escape by a vent, but I have never seeit; I am not aware that the immediate cause of all thereat explosions in South Wales has been the use ofaked lights the Risca and Cwmpennar explosions we not caused by naked lights, for in both of these locke.amps were used.— (Mr. James: Of course to say thatie gas ignited without coming into contact with a nail light resolves itself into the denial of an ackncledged truism), 1 am aware that the great de-uction in these explosions has been, not from thtnjuries received from the fire, but from the dttuction of the separation doors throughout the pit, SOlat the ventilation was suspended; about 35 out < the 47 that were killed at Gethin appeared to have dii of suf- focation I am not aware that in consequel] of the extreme danger arising from the system of drs used in this level there is any particular daer, and some of the best arranged mines are being n( laid out without doors at all, except what are called aring-up doors, the destruction of which would not dfroy ven- tilation I am aware that it is now the syan to lay out the working of such mines in isolated stricts or panels, the ventilation of each of which is karate I am aware that such a system it^oaltflfated 'limit the loss of life in case of an explosion suchs that at Gethin; if such a system had been adopted this pit I do not think it likely that the loss of life "ld be les- sened in consequence of this explosion, aJthe break- ing of the doors, the ventilation was destyed for 375 yards from the face of the west level, wheithere were 45 persons killed.—By a juror I think minimum quantity of air that should pass the faCl)f the level should be 5,600 cubic feet to secure its sa working.— Mr. Moody begged to remark tha| Whepke inspectors made their measurement of the air in tM)th and 20th headings the doors in Nos. 10 and 125 aithe 5th deep, as well as the stopping between the 14thid 15th cross- headings, were not repaired after'the plosion, also when the same gentlemen made their sasurement in the 15th and 16th cross-headings; Ibtained their measurement, but not when they insured in the air-way.—By a Juror; I have neveiiscertained the quantity of civrbocic acid gas exhale by certaiij