The Glamorgan Gazette

LOCAL GOSSIP. v John T. Griffiths. D.D., the n-eil-toioinr Carobro-Air.cricalt litterateur, who visœd Wales in the summer of 19uti, contributes an interests articte enumerating his experi- en('e during that visit to the Cambria^' a rrajrasine published1 in Utiea, N.Y. Dur- ir<r mv visit to Wales," the writer states "J visited', among many other noted places, Tyl Gwyu. in the Garw- Valley, tchere I lectn-a on • Morgan John Rhees.' Bunncjirs visit- I was entertained at the homo of the poster, the Rev. T. B. Phillips, who is one cf the noblest men in. Wales. The home of Mr. Phillips is situated between two oi the mo-st historic houses in Wak-s, which were the "birth-places of two veiT noted Welshmen. Cefn was the birthplace of the famous Dr. Samuel Jones, of Philadelphia. Samuel Jones was- torn at this farm house January 14th, 173-5. His father's i:rae was Thomas Jones. who with his family came to Pennsyl- vania in 1737 and settled as pastor of the Tul- húeken Baptist Church, naar Reading, Pa- Titis church is the mother or the Baptist- churches of Reading. Samuel Jones conse- crated himself to the Lord when quite young, and was educated in the Philadelphia Col- lege, where he-graduated in 1762. and the. fol- lowing year was ordained as pastor of the old Peraepek Church, now known as Lower Dub- lin. He was. pastor of th-is church until Iris death, which occurred February 7th, 1814. In his day he was one of the most prominent usera of the denomination, and was a. leader in every movement. When a young man Dr. Jones was sent by | the Philadelphia Association to aid in the establishment of the Rhode- Island College, now known as Brown "University. After the death of Dr. Manning, he was offered the presidency of this college. At the request of the Philadelphia Association, he prepared in 1798 a- new constitution) of discipline to the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. In connection with the Revs. David Jones and Dr. Birrgis Allison, he collected special hymns for the use of the churches. He- kept a school' in his; own home at Lower Dublin for more thirty year.?, in winch many were educated who became prominent in the de- nomination!, and a moms: them Dr. ABisxrn, who kept an important academy at Borden- tov.-n. New Jersey, in which many eminent men were taught. His name stands fore- most in all the movements of the Philadelphia Association for m-cre than fifty years. As I stood' in front of this historic house, the reader may imagine how my mind went back to the early history of the Baptists of Pem- sylva-nia. I had a. picture taken of the old house with myself and the Rev. T. B. Philips, Mrs. B^yliferch Rees, Miss Mary Griffiths and a, Mr. Howell's from London, standing on the It now hangs on my wall in rny home as one of my moist sacred relics. "Ty'n Ten." the writer continue!?, "is the name of a little cottage which stands right across the valley from Gefn Gelli, in which was born in, 1723 a chikl who was named Richard! Price, son of the Rev. Rees Price. That ohild became the noted Th-. Richard Price. Dr. Price occupies a very prominent position: in relation to the American Revoln- tion. November 4th. 1789, he preached a. sermon, being the anniversary of what- is called in England the Revotntion which took place in 1688. Mr. Burkc speaking of sermon s.rv&: The political divine proceeds dogmatically to assert that by the principles of the Revolution the people of England have acquired' three fundamental rights. To choose our own Government; to cashier them for misconduct; arc! to form a Government for ourselves. Dr. Price does not say that the right to do these exists in this or that person-, or in this ov if that description of persons, but- 'that it exists in the whole, flint it is a right resident in the nation.' This shows his principles. "lwl1 the Re voluntary War of America broke out he- published a book, Observations on Civil Liberty and the Justice of the War with America': and it is said that 60.000 copies of it were sold in a short- time, and that in 1778 the American Congress nassed a resolution to communicate with Dr. Richard Price through Benjamin Franklin requesting him to become an American citizen trough living in London. He died in 1701. He and Franklin were great friends. The im- pression's made en the mind of the write" as he stood looking at these two historic cot- tages facing each other at Llangen-nor. Cwm Garw. will remain indelible as long as life will last." Seldom has a. wedding been solem ni-ed in which people in the Vale of Glrmorgan are so interested as that of Mr. Richard Lougher, a. tea planter, in Hawaii, and Miss Gwladys- Hopkins, of Pa across. Llancarvaa. The young lady journeyed out for the event, news has. just arrived that it has taken place. The circumstances which have ended so hap- pily made quite a little romance in which the Vale folk could not help taking a keen interest. A blackbird with many white spots on its feathers has lately spent much time Í;1 the garden of 114 Llwydarth-road, Maesteg. It attracted the attention of the tenants, who watched it dcily. On Sunday morning a eat caught the bird. Mr. Thomas, the school- master, rus'hed forward, but was not in time to saw the blackbi rd's life. The bird, which had twenty white spots on it. is to be stuffed, and will then be offered to the Cardiff Museum. With the renewed1 interest taken, this year in Mari Lwyd some of the rhymes in. use in. Gla- morgan a. generation ago should be welcome. Some Mari Lwyd verses would not bear too close a scrutiny, but others are humorous and scathing, as for instance—■ Y ti yw y gigfran A fytodd y g-a raru Ar for fa Trefych-aa Y gwvla. Mae geavf ft fachszen Mor stouted a derwen, j Fe dy faidda ei bun-an Nos heno. • Y ti yw y gwaela. Fi wrt-h eia Wet cerdd' oddiyma Nos heno.

Colliery Enginemen's Association. The 74th quarterly meeting of the Mon- mouthshire and' South vV axes Colliery Engine- meni, Stokers, and Suri&ce Craftsmen's Asso- } ciation was held at the Angei1 Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday. 31 r. J. Murphy. Cwm. rrp- eided, and Avas supported by Messrs. W Hop- tins (agent), W. Boslev, D.C. ('general trea- surer), and W. Woosnam (gewrval secretary). The meeting was fully representative of the 57 and 8.225 mem'wrs comprismg the association. The Chairman referred to the loss sustain* <$by the workers of the coun- try in. the death of Mr. W. M. Thompson, editor of "Reynolds's votes" of exwidolen-ce were passed with Mrs. Thomp- son and! with Mr. T. Miles. Pentre, one of the trustees of the association, on the death of his wife. The financial statement for the quarter showed that. the income was the high- est on record, and that an increase of over £1.100 had been made in the value of the as sociation. For the position of additional agent, the names of 12 applicants were voted upon and reduced to three, and these- wiJi be submitted to a ballot of the branches. It was decided that after the appointment one agent should reside in Merthyr, tlse other in Neath, ami! the general secretary in Ponty- pridd. A report was given by the secretary upon* tlie negotiations p-roc-eeding in regard to affiliation with the Miners' Federation, and the same was accepted as satisfactory. 1r. W. Jones. Aberdare. was elected auditor.

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BRIDGEND POLICE COURT. Saturday.—Before Messrs. R. W. Llewellyn (in the chair), W. Llewellyn, R. L. Knight, J. I. D. Nicholl, W. J. Lewis, J. P. Gibbon and Major H. C. Prichara.

A ROW AT BRIDGEND WORKHOUSE. INMATE S NOSE BliOIvEN. Jolm. Emlyn Jones, sinker, now an inmate. of the Bridgend Worizhouse. was c.iiaige.i witu assau i'tiug VV lit ram Aiexaiiiier, an c,,(i ni a. arse an inmate of the Workhcue-e. Mr. D. J. Williams. Workoouse master, said that defendant had attacked Altxander, and' given him two black eyes. The. matter was reoorted to the Guardians, who oxl not consider the punishment he (the master) was allowed to inflict sufficient to meet the case. William Alexander said that he went to the fire. to warm his feet fceicre he went to bed, and Jones resented it, and put a piece of lighted paper into his face. He told Jones he would ten the master, and Jones struck him between the eyes, blacicing them and breaking his noee. Replying to the Chairman, the master said lie could not say why the prisoner did not go to work. The Chairman: Many men would go to work in hr's condition. < lo Jones): hat ar2 you doing in the Workhorse why do you not go out- and earn yonr living? Jones eaid lie had lost his left eye and the tops of three- of his fingers. Mr. Williams said that defendant- had told the Guardians he would go ont and work if they would provide linn with a. glass eye. On-3 was procured him, but he did not go. Defendant was seutenced to seven days' im- prisonment. DOSKEY ILL-TREATED AT MAESTEG. TRIO OF BOYS PUNISHED. Four Maesleg lads—Leonard Wt 10 Tempile-street: "W uiiam Jtf itzge rald, tiO liethanin-strc-et; David Horrigaii, 78 Com- aierciail-street, and Edward White, 25 31 idge-street—were summoned by Inspector Barrack, of the R.S.P.C.C., for cruelty ill- treating a donkey. The Inspector stated that since summoning the defendants he had discovered that White was deaf end dumb, and an imbecile. White, who had not been put in the dock, was at once discharged. Inspector Jelin Sansome said that on :1);(- cember 16th he> examined the donkey, which belonged to a coloured i!i- at 20 Ew eimy-rcad. He found the i.iud legs of the animal covered with blood, and its hind parts were lacerated. It was in all ex- hausted condition, and did not seem likely to live. He subsequently saw the three de- fendants stiili before the court, who admitted that they had been. riding the donkey about. Inspector Barrack stated that the three boys told1 him that they got on the back of the donkey war the Oakwood coal tip, -and then- motioned to "White the Dummy." who was on the top of the tip. to come down a'nd make the donkey go. White then beat the dorkev with a long stick and poked it. The donkey ran through the river and White followed it. beating and poking it 3d the time. Witness saw the animal at M; iesteg three days after the ill-usage-, found it suffering from extensive injuries. It had evidently been; beaten by jagged in- struments, and the affected parts were greatly swollen. The owner of the donkey, John Barkniis. deposed that it was in no way injured when lie saw it in the fie-ld near the Xo. 9 Colliery some time prior to the ill-treatment. Inspector San-some informed the J5; •ic-li that the boys were very much neglected. The. Magistrates ordered that- Welsh and Fitzgerald should receive eight- strokes with the birch, and Horrigan s-ixstrokes. On hear- ing the decision, the lads caused some- com- motion in Court by their cries, and the Chair- man suggested that thov shr; 11] c1 think of bow tire d;;nkey felt. (Laught- r.) The Chairmant ssked Supt. Davis to make inquiries as to whether White ought to be placed under restraint. LLAXHARRAX MAX GETS OFF. Thomas Pcle, Llanharran, shoemaker, was y'ln'inoned for being drunk 0:1 Christmas evening. Mr. T. P. Priehard (Barry) was for the defence. P.C. Bend ill gave evidence in support of the charge, stating that as defendant left the Constitutional Cinb he fell owing to his in- toxi c ru d state. Mr. Friohard: Sin.te you served the moni have yüll tried to induce him not to come to the Court?—Xo. h, yon him that he would probably fet off lighter if he stayed -way?- No. Supt. Davis-: This summons was return- able for a fortnight ago, and you went to h:m. that it was to be adjon rned Y( s. Defendant, who is a c; iotle. denied that he was under the influence of drink. He could not stancil without, the- aid of a stick. As he was leaving the club on Christmas evening he lost hold of the stick consequently fell. He asserted that the constable had repeatedly urged him not to turn ud at the Police-court in answer to the, charge, saying that he would have to pay tie? same in any case. Mr. Priehard What did you tell him ? --I told him I had some other bu.-ine"- in Bridg- end'. and he offered to bring any parcel I re Til red. By Supt Davis: He was a doorkeeper at the Club on Sundays. Defendant said he was old Militia nan and produced his discharge, "hidl was markcel "Conduct good." The Chairman said there might have been a mistake. Defendant woukl be given the benefit of the dOllu,. UXDUTIFCL SOXS SUMMONED. J,) it* Beynon (married) and Richard Eey- non (single), both of Kings-terrace, Xantv- ffyilon-, were summoned with respect to the support of the: mother, who is chargeable to the common. fund of the Bridgend and Cow- bridge Union. William David gave evidence and the Beit.ch ordered each of the sons to contribute 2s. per week and pay the costs, 8s. e,d. The. Bench, ordered Daniel Anthony, 13 Caerau-rcw. Maesteg, engine. driver, and David Anthony, 34 Princess-street. Maesteg. haulier, to contribute 2s. each per week to- wards the. support of their father, together with 8s. 6d. costs. Thomas Anthony, of 44 Princess-street, coHier, another son, was or- dered to pay Is. per week and 8s. 6d. costs. ST. MARY HILL MAX'S DEFAULT. Harriet Beekwith, St. Mary Hi 11, single, summoned Albert Ameryst Bater, P'enygare, St. Mary Hill, for disobeying an order of the magistrates to contribute 2s. a week towaids the support of her child. Complainant stated that the arrears amounted to £ 3 10s., though the order was made as recently as Xovember 16th. Defendant: I will pay it if you will give me time; I can't pay it nt once. Aft en- seme discussion, defendant offered to pay £1 then, and the Bench said he would be let off if he Avould continue to pay £ 2 a month until the arrears were wiped off. He undertook to do this. MISCELLAXEOUS CASES. The following were summoned for being drunk and disorderly:—John Ford, Caeraii, collier, fined 1;36., inclu-din-g costs; John Bad- man, Bridgend, labourer, 25s. Mary Aim Murphy, Cue ran. married, 2:,)s.: Thomas Thomas. Garth, collier, Job a Llewellyn, Gar-c-ii, collier. 15s.; William Thomas. Hlan- garw. haulier, 15s. Go-mer D a vie s, Blaen- garw, hardier, Stephen. Crouin, Biaer<- garw, labourer, 15s.; George Bailey. Ponty- rhil, collier, 15s. For usinaig improper language William Davies, Porityrhil. collier, and Richard Tiiilev, Poiitycyaimer, labourer, were fined Ics. Margaret Evans. Maesteg, married, had to pay 5s. for allowin-g her chimney to get on fire. A temporary transfer of the license of the Tbreo Horse Slioe-s^ South Oorixe lly, was granted to Lewis Powell from Samuel Jones.

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DEPUTATIOX TO THE ERIDGEXD EILNXH. A large deputation, headed by the Rev. H. Eynon Lewis, and represcmting the parishes of Bryncetliin, Brynmenin, Bryncoch. Heoi- iaetiiog, Hcoiycue, and C'city, aitendea at the Bridgend Police-court on baturdsv, alia presented a petition signed by residen-ta in those districts calling tuo .attention of Bench to the..Sunday Unnlung -in tuot»> ar.d "to tiie manner m wiiii-.i t!.e ,>uh-uay is being disturbed eUirnig tnc grcatt r pare, of | the year, and especially daring: tne summer liiontiis.' c Tho petition ran •' A very large numoer ot people from the populous adjoining valk-» visit (I i distric t Sunday after Suiraay jnainiy for the purpose of obtaining drills. During the creat part of most Sun-aays people, mow or under the influence of drink, are to be seen on our roads and we fed that it ic a great lmidship that our ch-iulien and young people in going to and from services should have to witness men ill such condition lying about a.nd hear the filthy language ofte n use*, by them. It is not long since a number of these isffians attacked, aiiy provoca- t1011- whatever, one or two of the young men or one. of the -villages, white they were cii way to a service on Sunday evening. Ihere is also evidence that some of these characters had robbed orchards and, approached the doois of some of our homesteads-—especially those which aiv i little removed from the vil- lages—and in a threatening manner deman- ded food. It is thus Hot oafo for whole fami- lies to attend a Sunday service together dur- ing the summer months i:or is it safe for c-no person, to remain alone at home. The pub- lic-houses in our district are visited on Sun- days almost exclusively by the men. common,ly k'lowii as bona fides and wo Vi-o strongly of thie opinion that wo should) be 3aved from wit- nessing Sunday -aiter Sunday the abomina- tion. referred to. May we, without appearing to be in any way dictatorial, most respect- fully suggest to your worships a way by which we belie.v,iJ our griovp.nces can be effectively removed. We are convinced that if your worships lIld see their way clear to do for us what they have already done for Bettws and oLiev.here, namelv, grant six licenses to all the public-house. you woukl c; nfe r a great boon and blessing oil tlie dis- trict in which we reside." Speaking in suooort of the. petition. Mr. Lewis raid the feeling was almost ouaufimous in the districts named, and if tliev only had loc-il veto they would deal with the problem nTY soon, iXo less than. 556 persons over the age of 18 years h«id signed the petiti-c-n-. r:id there wcie only 21 refuse!s. The Bench had the power h comply with the request of t!'i C Llic, jl(,Pe- tli,, v cise it. Mr. J. C Bird (schoolmaster) next spoke, "ol L remarking that the villages had become tlie reserving place, of ruffians. Rev. G. R. Griffiths (Coityi supported the petition. The C-h'-airrnr.n assured the deputation that tho. petition should receive the careful con- sideration of the Bench.. The first part of it. he said, referred to police matters, and he therefore directed the clerk to send in the first place to the Chief Constable.

Colliery Examiners' Association. A meeting of the South W ahs and Mon- mouthshire Colliery Examiners' Association was held on- Saturday evening at the Park Hotel. Cardiff, Mr. John H. Evans, Forth, the president, occupying the chair. A. re- view of the year's work was given by the pre- sident, ami also by Mr. E. C. Howell, vice- president. and Mr. J. Rees Pew ell. general secretary. It was of a highly satisfactory nature, showing tlie, assoc-i-ation had1 increased in membership beyond expectations. Hearty votes of thanks were tendered to the officers and Council for their excellent services dur- ing the past year. Mr. E. C. Ho well was elected president for the ensuing year; Mr. D. J. Prico (Tylorstown) general secretary, and Mr. Andrew Richards treasurer. An in- teresting function took place at the close of tiie miceti.rg, all illuminated address being presented to the. retiring secretary, Mr. John Rees PoweLl (Atxrtillery), who has given up the post after nine years' splendid service on account of his promotion. The presentation was made by Mr. John H. Evans, the retiring president, and he and several other speakers spoke enthusiastically of the services the re- tiring secretary had given to the association. Appreciative reference was also made to his social qualities and his cirara-cter. Acknow- ledgmenit was also made of what he had done to establish the association, formulate its aiid increase its membership, and it was pointed out that through his efforts the well-being of the members and the conditions of their employment bed \'<H materially im- proved. Mention was also made of the fact t ii -,i lie was one of the deputation of the as- sociation, to the Home Secretary and one of the witnesses bc-fo-re the Royal Commission on Accidents in Mines, and that he had done much to place their claim to an eight hours day within- the region of practical politics. The address, which was suitably acknow- ledged by Mr. Powell, was signed by Messrs. J. H. Evans Coresident), Tom Morgan (tnea- surer), E. J. Bryant (Monmouthsliiire district secretary), Edward C. Howell (vice-presi- dent'). D. J. Price (ororanising secretary), William. Rowland', and W. From an (Council- lors).

GILFACH EXPLOSION. EXQUEST ON THE SEVEN VICTIMS. THEORIES AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. COXFLICTiXG OPIXIOXS. The inquiry was resumed on Monday into the circumstances attending the deaths of the seven victims of the Din-as Main Disaster, Giifach Goch, which occurred en. December 14th. The inquiry was held at the Bhindv Hotel before. Mr. S. H. Stockwood, coroner for the Manor of Ogmore, and M'r. David Rees, coroner for East Glamorgan, four bodies being in the district of the former and three in the area. Mr. Edward Poweill, of NHlth, appeared for the Home Office, and the following inspectors of mines were present:—Mr. W. X. Atkinson, chief inspector for South W'ales; Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, inspector for the Swansea. district; and Mr. R. G. M. Priehard, assistant inspec- tor. Mr. W. P. Nicholas (Messrs. Waiter Morgan, Bruce and Nicholas, solicitors) ap- peared for the South Wales Miners' Fede-ra- tion, and there were also present Mesa's, Fred Hall, M.P., Yorkshire, and S. White- house1, Somerset, representing the Miners' Federation, of Great Britain Messrs. C. B. j Stanton and Watts Morgan, South. Wales Miners' Federation; Mr. Torn Lucas, miners' agent for the Ogmore and Giifach district, and Mr. J. H. Gaidiier, checkweigher of the colliery. Mr. J. ilopkin, agent, represented the .hnginemen's and Stokers Association. Tne company were represented by Mr. C. Kensliole (Messrs. C. and W. Kenshole, Abel- ciaivj, Mr. D. Howen Joik-s, the manager of the colliery, and ether officials. There was a large number of people waiting to gain admission, and on tne application of )1r. W. P. X icholas, as many workmen of the coliiiery as could1 be seated were admitted. The first witness called was Mr. David i Bowen Jones, manager of the Colliery, which post lie has held for two and a half years. The pit wnere the explosion occurred was the Xo. 6 Rhondda House Coal Pit. The other officials were Enoch Jones, under-managcr; Evan Davicis, day fireman; David Meyrick, night fireman and overman. The pit was sunk in 1866, and consisted of a. down-cast sunk to a depth of about 79 yards. J he up-cast was what was known as the South, pit. The re- tnrn for the No. 3 Rl. end da was in the No. 3 landing of the South pit at a depth of about 100 yards. The seam varied' from 2ft. Cm. to 3ft., and the top was sometimes cliff and sometimes rock. Xnnety-tbree men were en- gaged on the day shift. The distance of the working from the bottom of the shaft was about two miles, and there were about 26 working-places. Naked lights were used. RESCUE OPERATIONS. On the day of the explosion the shift finished Ht two o cluck. He heard of the. explosion about- quarter past two and reached the pit top in about three :n.iiiute&. The bottom and roar of the cage were blown out, and the planks at the top of the pit were blown off. Ho had tne. planks put. right, and went down about 40 yards. Avnere he was nnahie. to go furtlH r owing to the separation planks being Mown out. He then returned to the sur- face. and went down tlirougn the horse way. On reaching the bottom of the pit he and others found a number of trams blown, across ¡ the pit bottom. There was a ^smouldering fire on the floor, some smoke, and a horse was- ehing. At the bottom of the pit there were two double doors between the intake and the return, and these had been blown into the turning. Tlie brickwork and frame-work were afeo damaged. He proceeded along the' niniu. road for about 100 yards, where- a b.g fail was encountered, and they had to return.. Mr. Stevens, manager of the st'f'am coal, was with him. They then went back through the return, and down under the. under-cast and climbed to the intake—the roadway. They could net go further owing to the .strength Gf the fumes. He noticed some "dead" fire 0;1 the opposite side to the mi tier- cast and put it out.* They proceeded to put up a temporary covering to enable them to get the fumes to travel in sn opposite diree- tion, and whey* tho air improved they con- tinued tkeir search. They cot over two big falls and reached the over-cast, which was blown away. They put up a temporary over- cast made of timber and' brattice. FINDING THE BODIES. They then went on a few yards, where lie no- ticed the body of Wiiliam David, the re- pairer, lying on his back with his head to- wards the pit bottom. Some- blood was ilow- ing from his cheek. The body cf^ VVatkin Evans was near by under a tram. They pro- ceeded along the level, encountering several ■tails, and got ta a point known as the new heading, but were unable to proceed further owing to tlie fumes affecting their heads and throats. At this time there were with him Fred Stevens. Enoch Jones, and Win. Dayies. They returned about 30 or 40 yards for fresh air." The fumes must have beien. boiler fumes. Beyond the engine they came across two other falls, and found seven trams, the end's of which bulged towards the pit. indicat- ing forcr in that direction. The sheaves were also leaning towards the pit. Near the trams was another fall, near which they found the body ot John Jenkins, .roadman and sheave man. He was lying in the mieki'.e of the roadway on his back, with his head to- wards- the pit. About 7u yards further they found Rich?.id Evans's body, which seemed to have been burnt badly about the head and arms. From the heading of David Evans, some distance along the haulage roadl_a great deal of after-da lap was issuing. This head- ing, witness understood, terminated- in the old workings belonging to' the Glamorgan Coal Company. They bashedi this up as far as they could, but the after-damp still con- tinued to find its way through. The timber was scorched badly at this particular point, and; showed the greatest evidences of flame. Near here they were joined by Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, mines inspector, it being now about eisht o'clock on. Sunday morning. He ex- amined the boiler on the main haul-age road. It had been displaced about six inches. The smoke-end of the boiler was bulged inwards. The iron-plated door of the flue and brickwork were blown into the flue drift in the opposite direction. The plates of the stoke-hold were also biown about. Between the boiler and tlie deep were, some trams which had been blown inwards, and there was a horse lymg between the tram and the sfde1, it having evi- dently attempted to turn round. Beyond ibis tliev found the bodies of David John Miles. Xicholas White, and William White, his son. They were all together on the "in" side. of a train. Miles's head was towards the top of the deer), Xicholas White's bead was down tow a lxl? the deep, and his son was lying crosswise. These. three men had been en- gaged in erecting a pumn. Witness also gave a description at considerable length of what he found upon an examination, of the colliery on the followinf Monday, Avhen- he was accompanied by Mr. Robert Rees. Mr. L Haiti Llewellyn, and Mr. Hutch in sou. Near to where the bodies of William David and Watkin Evans, were Vmnd there were four shot holes, which had been charged but were intact. There were also two shot holes about 90 yards from where. Jenkins was found. At another spot a hole had been made in the roof, the lower part of which appeared to have been ten away. Two of the shot holes were opened by the Minos. lP- spector, and each contained a pellet of com- pressed powder with fuse. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION. Mr. Kensholei: What seams have been worked under this house coal in the. neieh- bo'iU'iiocd ef the explosion?-—Witness: 5ft. seam, and the middle yard in the steam coal measures. Have thev been, worked pretty extensively ? —Yes, just at that spot. Mr. Stockwood Is the spot referred to hc- tween the boiler and the pit?—Yes. Mr. Kenshole Or course, in the steam coal seams yo II get a good deal of gas?—Yes. With reference to the Five Feet, has the whole of it been worked1?—Yes. And the middle yard?—The greater p-art of it, at this place. Then, you say the workings on either side- of your property are the workings of the Glia- morgan Company ill the house coal seam?—■ Yes. Mr. Stockwood In the same seam ?—Yes. Mr. Keaiishoie: What in your ouimion would bo the seat of the explosion Between what I nninisr--It woukl be. close by Richard' Evans's body. near D'avid Evans's heading (;1, disused heading rtunning from the flue draft). Mr. W. P. Nicholas: Near the trespass heading ? Mr. Kemshole: Yes, it is near a plaee which the workmen call the trespaeis heading. You noticed a quantity of after-damp com- ing out at this point?—Yet?-. And. you also say at that point the timber appeared to be very much scorched r—Yes, more than, at any other point. At that point was there any evidence at nil of violence-?—No. Did the violence increase from this point P —Yes, sir. For what reasons do you think this would be the seat of the explosion ?—Well, first, of all we had very low barometer, the lowest for four or five years to my knowledge. Mr. Stockwood At the time of the explo- sion?—The- night before. Mr. Kenshole Whet do you think oc- curred?—I think the gas came down David Evans's heading (the trespass heading), into the flue draft, through the spout hole, and through the stopping. Would the workings underneath have any influence?—Theire would be. a kind of move- ment going on. The movement in the strata?—Yes. What is the of the first seam under the house' coal seam?—About 350 or 400 yards, as far as I can remember. The next seem, was middle yard. Is it possible that this exnlosion- could have taken place without the preeeiico of fire- damp?—Xo, sir. Have yoai ever heard of ga.s being reported in this place, during your management?—Xo, sir. MANAGER CROSS-EXAMIXED. Replying to Mr. Xicholas, witness said he did not knew the exact day on which the four shot holes were bored. Mr. Xicholas: Do you really mean toO tell the gentlemen of the jury that you, as a re- sponsible. manager, have made. no inquiries as to when1 these four holes were driven?—I can only say it was a. few days before the accident. Witness said he thoucht it was in tended to fire them on the night of the explosion, but he was not certain. The two holes were charged with compresisod powder, which was a non-permit-tcd" explosive1.. Mr. Xicholas: Did a man named Webber make a sstatemient to' you on the 31st that John Jenkins had told him that he interxkd to fire three shottS. on this dhy? Mr. Kenshole objected to the question, end the objection as upheld'. 1fr. Nicholas-: Did you bring pressun* to bear upon Webber to say only two. shots were to be fired?—Xo. Do you know that a man named Thomas Miles was requested oy Watkin Evans to buy powder to take down1 the- pit on Saturday morning?—Xo. Mr. Xichol'as croes-examined the witness 'at great length with regard "!i0> a stone (pro- duced) which was found in the vicinity of the explosion'. This stone and others had fallen from the roof causing a hole. It had been bored, and the witness; contended that the boring hadbeell made for the purpose of plugging to hold a bracket to which was at- tached the electric cable. d-iel not con- sider the hole lied been bored for the purpose of shot firing, and that a shot was. fired here causing the explosion. The bodies of Rich- ard Evans and John Jenkins were found in the vicinity of this stone, one in each direc- tion. Mr. Nicholas So the position of John Jen- kins's and Richard Evans's bodies were1- con- sistent with a shot being fired?—Not- at all. Why not?—Because tney woukl: not be in the middle of the road. I agree, unless the shot exploded before they had time to get into a manhole. The direction in which they were roing was quite consistent with their having fired a shot at this p-artioular spot?—Yes, but they have got into manholes. Referring to the electric hauling plant, witnees said it was put down, because he tiiought it would be an improvement, not on account of anything being wrong with the fine draft. He did not remember asking a. man named John David to go into this airway. Mr. Xieholae.: Did he you so far back as twelve months ago that you womid either have to make, a new flue draft, because this one was nearly choked up by squeezes or falls, or you would have to adopt some other means of pumping?—No. I don't remember anv eonver- 'tic.n with him, whatever. Have you ever heard of a renort in the na- ture of an explosion having taken* place in this flue draft?—It has been reported to me. It was a settling of the strata. THEORY REPUDIATED. Crossrexamined by Mr. Jtdward Powell, witness- admitted that his first theory of the ex.plOs-io-u- was that the boiler had exploded, c-nt he gave this up en finding the. boiier in- tact. Yon tcM Mr. Kens-hole that the roads- were damp. What is the condition: of the siùesr —D-e.mp. Is that the condition now?—Xo, there is a lot of flue dust tiiere now. Was there any before the explosion?—Not to my knowledge. Is there- any report of gas in the book dar- ing the. whole existence of the colliery?—I caniirct say. v > there any during your management ?— No. I In n, your theory is bc-eeuse yen: detected after-damp?—Yes, a lid because of the burn- ing wood. What you want the jury to believe is that the gas came down- David Evans's heading, through the flue draft, blew out the stopping and1 got into the main roadway, where there would1 be the main current of air?—Yes. I put it to you that your theory about gas penetrating through the trespass heading is ail nonsense?—Perhaps you know more about it than I do. I put- it to you on the advice: of the gentle- men sitting beside me?—You asked me f or an opinion and I gave it. I see why you should say it is nonsense. If gas came out of this plaee, you. woukl expect to find gas again?—Yes. Have you tested for gas since?—Yes. And fmmd: anything?—Xo. Suppose I prove that the hole referred to by Mr. Nicholas has contained gunpowder, what would yon say then ?—I see that j it could. GUNPOWDER FOTJXD IN HOLE. But I may tell yon I am going to prove that gunpowder has been found?—I don't see that it possibly that a shot was fired there. Iii powder bas been found in tlie 11Oj.- would it have been used for any other- pur- pose than shot firing?—No. Is there anything in the shape of tlie ston.es not consistent with shot firing?—I know any practical workmen who- would fire shot in a hole only ten inches long. (A murmur.) Is it not done?—I don't know of it. Perhaps you don t go down often- enough to find it out? Mr. Kenshole Don't suggest that, nnies's you are going to call it -in. evidence. Witiifss: I thinK you have en'ough a1- ready. Mr. Powell: Have you anything to why these charges were left in A boy might fire cive for mischief?—I don't think so. Is it a practice in your colliery to leave these shots for three cr four days?—I tell yon. I see nothing in. that at alL Is it not probable that this: explosion was caused by coal dust being exploded by a shot being fired?—I never heard talk of 3: explo- sion occurring by a shot doing its work, not a. coal dust explosion. Have you had experience of coal dm-t ex- plosion's?—Yes. I put it to you that the sides: of this main; way were very dry .and very dusty?—I can't say that. The inspectors have not drawn my attention to it. I have heard that statement before. Do you took upon inspectors as firemen or exam- iners to advise on the conduct of the colliery? —Xo. Further examined, witness said h-e did not water the colliery because there was too much water there without it. Tire witness was also questioned by Mr. Atkinson1 and the Coroners. In reply to Mr. Atkinson, witness aid Uiat the dust in the mine after the explosion was from the return air flue, and' chiefly soot. Near the. bore-hole in the-roof was a signal ring, and a bracket was on the ground. These were for banging up the signal wires. Some stones on the ground^ in. the vicinity showed! signs of a cirin, The exact .seat of the explosion, witness thought, was within 60 yards of this point, which was not far fitmi the entrance to the trespass heading. The borehole in the roof was through some rock. He did not think a shot had1 been, fired1 here, but could not account for the. breaking away of the stone from the front of the hote. He believed the, gas which came down the tres- pass beading was ignited by the licht carried by RicJiaxd) Evans, the rider. Re-examined by Mr. Keiishok, lie eaid John Jenkins and Richard L ;,au,>. ra-re mot authorised to fire ahois. Mr. PoweH I don t suggest th:t t ey did, but. if lOt6 were leit. about in the manm/ea- shown, anybody ton id have hnd (Le, Mr. Elenshola: it has been gw: cited to you that. it was a. habit to use f o.n reeac-d powtkr ill the mine. 1 supposo ,\ov.now you are only compelled to use i-tincitted explosives under certain conditio. —c». Yon are not allowed to use ''no-n-jt omatted" powder where the mine is naturally wet, and where for the past three months there has not been found gas to an extent to be in- dicative of danger?-—Yes. The colliery is naturally "wet, and wo have n»t found g«s. Mr. Nicholas objected to thcee questions, Mr. Nicholas objected to thcee questions, and said they did not deal with the queotioms he had put. Mr. Rr>we.n t'h.e-n retired, having been under examination for over rtmr houre. THEORIES OF THE CAUSE. )1T. Leonard Richardson Llewellyn, agent to the Oaiirbaian Collieries, &aid he. heard of the- explosion' and1 was on the spot soon after it occurred. He aJso visited the colliery on the following Monday. On the evening of the loth tho barometer was- 27.60, and oil Sat- urdav morning about 23.0. This was abnor- mally low. He made inspection on Monday, 16th, with Mr. Atkinson, and Mr. Dyer Lewis. The force of the es'^io«ioo radiated from the plaice where the bodies of Richard Evans and John Jenkiius were found, and the explosion might have taken pkico -any- where between the latter <s body- -and the boiler. He thought it very possible that gas had worked up from the lower seams and lie thought there were two instances in the coal- field in-which gas had worked up to the house coal seams when the steam measures had been worked. If this was not- so, gas might have come from David Evans's heading and come into contact with Richard Evans's light, cu- it. was quite possible that, it had worked back in the flue and fired at the boiler. He was told gas had been found at one timo in the Glamorgan Colliery. Ho thought it vorv im- probable that the explosion took places with- out fire damp. The roadway was- naturally* wet, and !w believed from experiments made by the Home Office it hael been found tha,t coal dust- from house ooal seams was not- a« highly inflammabfo as dust in steam coal seams. With regard to the stone which ha.d been produced, ho thought it had been plugged to hold a cable, and that timbers falling on the cable resulted in the dislodging of the stone. If gunpowder was found in the hole, it might bo part of fln okl shot hole which bad re- main<ed after the shot was fired, and ltad then been used for a phig to hold the cable. Mr. Edward Powell: I put it to you that your theory is based entirelv on supposition and that there is not a particle of evidence to support it. W itne.ss There is a lot of evidence to sup- j port it. Are you an expert on tho cansea of explo- sions?—-I am an expert in nothing. Mr. Nicholas: I know that Mr. Llewellyn is an expert- rescuer. At this point the inouiry was adjourned. TUESDAY THE ALLEGED SHOT FIEIXG. 1 Upon the in on est feeing resumed- on Tues- day rno'rninrg. iE". n. Bewen jonfs, the manager, was re- called to produce tlie wooden, plug and iron staple which were found among the heap of stones, includinK tlie bored stone produced on Monday. The bracket fitted the!, plug exactly, but the two we rev not- together at tho time of t-he discovery. Replying to Mr. Nicholas, witness said the s i plug was six inches long and the" hole D iu'ches. Mr. Nicholas: Is a, 9Jin. drill hole nvceii- sary to take this plug?—Yes. Do you seriously t",n tho jury that a man drilling -& holte—which is rather 'laborious work -—would drill a deeper hole than necessary ?— All I know is that a vertical hcio near by is I 10:} inches. But that would depend upon tho plug?— No, the man. who drills the holn does* not drive the ping. I suppose you pay workmen, for drilling tiiese holes?- Wo pay them day work. Lt. has been suggested that a piece of tim- her fa-Ring against the cable would dislodge the plug and stone.. Do you ugroo with that ? —Certainly. About the 10J vertical bore hole, you re- ferred t'r. Did that carry a much heavier c-ablo than' this plug and • bracket ?—Not exactly. Yes or p the same hole would do. D;) you suggest that the electric cables carrying electricity inco the mine are runt heavier than the signalling wires?—They might be heavier. Mr. Powell But they are. considerably heavier?—They are a little heavier. Is it true that on this main haulage road you iiat fired a Gillot for 20 years prior to this day?—1 cannot tell you that. Well, during your term as manager?—I don't kn.nv of one during my time. Your theory is that gas caused this explo- sion. from the old w,,ork "ii gs ? -f is so. Have you plans of the old workings under- neatih?—Yes, but they aro not hfrc. What is the position of them?—Tliev are i!"ig-ht underneath these workings. If yoai are right about gas coming up. gas may como up at other time when there is a tOW barometer?—-Yes. Then yoli will agree that this is a colliery that ought to be work-NT with locked safety lamps?—I e-annot- answer that. You agree that where gas is xound in a danKrerons ouantity safety lamps should be i i..sw, I L-tivo to tell you is that I have never seem any gas in the. colliery. Hast Mr. Priclia.rd frequently complained to yon about the care-lees way in which explo- sives are taken into this colliery?—Xo, lie once; -not frequently. Have, yon had letters from Mr. Dyer Lewis with, regard to 1T?--I have had one. John. Edward1 Shearn. turner and fitter, nrodiir-ed a stone with n plug and bracket in it. which was found 150 yards from the heap of stones frequently referred to. UNDER-M A X A G EE'S STORY. Enooh Jonw, under-managcr, jiaid he had occupied Lis present position 17 years, and way formerly 10 years fireman.- in the same eoi'iiery. He left the colliery on the day of tliH exn'ibsnon about 1.20. a thin- Evans -ol -1 and William David wore working that after- liouu. When witness saw Watkin Evans about 12.3ti, he was preparing to ram the four Witness asked' him where the- shot holies were, and he yaid four were by the evvrcust (where they were standing) and two at the bottom of the pitch. He told Watkin Evans to mind to have- the signal wires put baok ready for Monday morning, and have everything right. After the explosion wit- ness accompanied tho manager through a por- tion. of the- workings. Gas was coming out of thie trespass heading, <nd thPfY bashed up the opening which had been made. He also notieed gass coming out of the heading a day or two afttrward's. It was true that the tres- pass heading connected with the Glamorgan Colliery. A consideraule quantity of coal hed fceeu?. worked, which was the subject of litigation. In going along the engine plane (the main haulage road) he. had heard very heavy pounces in tlie of 1 work i nigs. These would be caused by r-jqu-eesies?. The. flue had been: recently cleare d out. The colliery was damp, so wet that he hadi had to run special journeys to take the meiii through, the water to prevent them get- ting their feet wet. Mr. Nicholas read the special rule stating that the special sihotsmeni are to be appointed In collieries where safety lamps are used and in collieries which are dry and dusty, and nskeicl the witness- why a special .shotsman had been Appointed at this colliery. Witness replied that they wanted a man. who would- be responsible to the colliery, and Wat-kin. Evans, the appointed shot-sman, wa- a respomsible mam. Mr. Nicholas Did you think lie wanted a c, Why did: he; want a. certificate ? No answer was forthcoming,, and Mr. Een- sho-le intimated that evidence would be. called on the point. Mr. Nicholas Did Watkin Evans work Oil tiie. Friday night?—Xe>. How do you know?—Because I kept liis time. Do yon suggest that compressed powder was a proper explosive to make use of?-— There is a tremendous lot of it used' by the colliers.

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Do yon suggest it was a prooer explosive to nee in tlris main haulage way?—It has been used all through the pit. To your knowledge?—Yc«, certainly. Mir. Nicholas referred to the Mines Order of 1906 in ciuestioning the witness, and re- marked that he knew it was a Chinese puzzle. Wit ness: It would take the genius of j Gamaliel and the wisdom of Solomon to fathom it. (Loud laughter.) Mr. Nicholas: It would puzzle a Philadel- phiaiii lawyer. Witness went on. to .say that the prevalence of "pounces" never caused him to dream or the existence of gas. to the making 01 the shot holes, he might have told Watkin Evans that a certain, piece had to be ripped, but he was not going to tell him to put a hole h-e re and put a hole there, for Watkin Evans know more about it than he did. The fireman was in charge of the- mine at the time the explicsion took place. Questioned about the condition, of the flue draft, he said it was cleaned out recently, I occupying the Friday. Saturday morning and aftc ruoon and Sunday. Theire was a great 1 quantity of soot there. He told the men he hoped it would be the last time it would have to be cleaned out, as they were having an electric cable put ill. Ho had seen soot on fire in the airway, but not frequently. NO GAS FOR TEN YEARS. By Mr. Powell He had found a blower of gas in the colliery about 10 or 12 years ago. but since that time he had not detected any gas. The fire was raked out between one ami two o'clock on the day of the explosion, and at the time of the explosion there would be hot air about. He did not remember blasting operations in the main road for 20 years. With regard to the stone produced on the previous day, he thought the boring was mat:" for the purpose of holding the cable. Mv. Powell Have you had complaints from Mr. Priehard about explosives?—Yes. Have different kinds of explosives been mixed up together?—Yes. And have coo the colliers kept explosives in their own homes?—Yes. And: there has also been one case of lln ramming ?—Y es. Mr. Coroner Reee How long have you been using compressed powder? Witness: All through the years. Mr. Coroner Stockwood Are you satisfied that at the point where the bodies of Richard' Evans and John. Jenkins were found the road' was wet?—Yes. it was damp. Re-examined by Mr. Kenshole, witness said he did not think a shot was required at the place where the- bored stone had fallen, and if a shot had been- fired there he would not have expected to find the bodies cf John Jen- kins and Rirhard Evans so near. They woukl also be m a manhole. The colliers took cure of the dust caused by drilling. The men purchacsed their own powder at the local sho-rs. Detor.fters bad been brought in hy men. but not since Mr. Prichard's complaint-. .Asked by a jurvmau as to his theory of the cause of the explosion, he said he could not give an opinion. It was a. mystery to him. but he thought it was gas which came oaifc of the trespass heading. If not, ho could not imagine what caused it. Mv. S. Ff. Stockwood Do yon consider it posdble that gas could have come from the steam coal workings 350 yards below?—That ma" be. What is your opinion ?—I slmuld not like to given an opinion. Mr. David Pees: T)o you think it oc si hie- it was caused by coal dust?—No, I don't he- liere that. In answer to Mr. -Edward1 Powell, witness said he had not detected any gas in the mine- for many years. The last time he detected gas was in the form of a little blower ten or twelve years ago. S'ince that time he had heard ''ponneess" continually. Wlier.'e there were extensive workings "pounces'* were -voi-y common. Trevor Morgan Evans, colliery surveyor, produced some burnt timber which he said tie procured from about 60 yards beyond the spot where Richard Evans's body was found. It w-aas taken from the laggings behind the arm. FIREMAN EXAMINED. David Meyrich, night fireman and re- pairer, examined' by Mr. Chas. Ketidtole, saidj he had worked in the pit j;) years, having been firctman. 25 years. On the day of the, explosion ho went down the pit about 20 minutes to two. He saw John Jenkins, the roadman. waiting for the road journey, and he told him (Meyrick) that he and Rich- ard Evans were going to clear side in the engine plane. Witness proceeded along the engine plane, and i-eaciiod. the air bridge, where Watkin Evans and William David were working. He said to John Jenkins, "There's, a good man. taloo care of the wires," as they were going to fire shots. He went straight towards the boilers. When further .in the workings he heard a crash, and was knocked, down. First lie thought tht- boiler had bnrst. What happened! to your lamp?—It knocked it somewhere. Did you lose-, your light?—Yes, and my cap. He called for Tom Phillips, and getting no reply, he then mado for his son. whom lie "old to go and tell Sam Evans and Evan Evans to come and meet lum, as there was something wrong. They came at once, and' he told them to foLow his advice and keep coo* Along t-he plane they met a column of smotfe. They found Tom Phillips, and after- wards got out through the return. He knew the spot where the bodies of John, Jenkims and Ricfiaid Evans were found. It- wis not necessary to fire shots or oat the top there lhe main road was very damp at the time of the explosion, but it was dusty years -ago. He did not know of any shot to be fired be- tween the boder and the pitch on this d-ay Mr. Nicholas examined witness at. leno-th but he gave 1115 answers very iiiisat and was several times sharply rebuked bv jlr. Stockwood. Meyrick said his theory als to the c,, (OJ, the explosion was that there had been an accumulation of gas in the old Glamer^-nt workings when a fall had taken pfi -> therein and squashed the gas through wito the Dsnas Mam Pit. He. did not thin* it, was caused by shot firing, and had no recol- lection of telling Mr. Priohard, the mines in- spector, that it was. Evidence having been given by loan Davies. fireman, and Charles Cook, Ai-j expert witness was called in the person of Mr. Robert Rees, agent for the Senghen- ydd and Bute- Merthyr Collieries, who gavo evidence in support of the theory that the explosio-n. was caused by gas penetrating jiltn the colliery and becoming ignited at one of the naked lights. Mr. Rees said that lie ex- amined the colliery on the 16th and 19th Df'- comber. He believed the seat of the explo- sion was anywhere between the place- where the body of John Jenkins was found and the- boiler. Witness smelt afterdamp OIl tlie 16th at the mouth of the Tresrxiss !leading. The seam worked by the Din as Main CoilieTy was the No. 3 Rhondda, and as the coal INIa-14 not so inflammable as st-ea-n coal, hei would not expect an -explosion of such force to have- taken: place without the presence of fire- damp. The "caked" appearance of the road bottom indicated that the mine was damp when the explosion occurred. He did not think a -shot had been fired between the. bodies of John Jenkins and Richard Evans. There was no need to fire one there. In. reply to 1r. Nicholas, witness said that he knew some people held that afterdamp could be produced by a coal dust explosion. The inquiry was further adjourned until 10.30 011, Thursday morning. [For report of Thursdav's sitt no: see Page 8.J