The Express.
London, England, 1857-04-11 00:00:00

THE LATE a:az:Aar mummy NEAR

-I,iiithaT

The coroner's inquiry into the ctrenmstanees of
this explosion, by which no less then ISO persons have lest
their lives, was resumed before Mr. Badger at the Brampton
Bull's Head Inn on Thursday, when Dlr. Joseph Coe, the
viewer and underground manager of the colliery, was
examined. Mr. Morton, the Government Impeder of
Mines, the proprietors, and other gentlemen were present,
as at previous sittings. The inquiry has now occupied seven
days, during which forty-seven witnesses have been
examined.

The details of this lamentable occurrence having already
appeared in the E.rprets, it ia only now necessary to advert
to the evidence of Mr. Joseph Coe, the viewer, whose
examination lasted upwards of Pee hours. This gentleman,
who had the entire control and supervision of the under-
groundworkinge, waste the pit on the day preceding the ex-
plosion and made a minute examination of the whole of the
north side, which he found to be well ventilated, quite
free from gas, and in the beet working order. With one or
two exceptions this favourable condition of the pit was de-
posed to by all the 'rimming. On being asked whether
he could form any opinion u to the cause of the
explosion, the witness said he wan utterly at a
loss to account for it, but that he had formed a
notion (which was, however, merely hypothetical)
that it was possible after the lower roof had fallen,
that the stronger roof above might have given way, and thus
liberated large quantities of gases, which would explode on
contact with the nearest naked light. He did not think
the ventilation by trepdoore an efficient mode, and considered
double doors safer than single ones. He also thought that
all mines in the Barnsley district ought to tie worked exclu-
sively with safety lamps, and expressed hie opinion that the
mode of getting coal throughout the district wig the meet
wretched and dangerous within his knowledge. At the con-
clusion of Mr. Cue s evidence the inquest was adjourned to
the 30th inst.

The Manehreder GUerd ian of this morning says:—" D=
s
the last day or two the operations at Lundbill have ea
• different aspect, in consequence of the escape of • large
quantity of noxious gee which had buoyed up the water,
and the consequent sudden fall of the latter to
the extent of upwards of 12 feet. So that elite*
Saturday bat the entire fall of water will be nearly 30
feet. The tact of this unexpected lowering will be that
in soma days at most, a search will be conimonced for the
bodies. Thos only indication of the escape was • rushing
noise, the gsa forcing itself through the water with great
rapidity. The men descended yesterday (Friday), at two
o'clock, to the water°e edge, and found that they were only
about two bet from the &air which is embedded in a quan-
tity of coal, wood, at the bottom. By this (Saturday)
evening, it is expected that the pit will bo unroofed ; so that
the ventilation and communication between the upeast and
downcast shafts will be opened. This is considered to be a
lime of danger, as it is by no means quite clear that the Ike
is subdued. So that should there be any burning matter•
left, the sudden entrance of atmospheric air might result in—
• second explosion. The greatest precautions, therefore, in.
the event of anything of the sort taking place, hove been_
made. Yesterday morning • quantity of timber was brought,
out from the water's edge by the men who went down. In.
the water drawnout during the day, several pieces of clothing
were brought up. The fans for exhausting the foul air mitt
of the cupola abaft are hard at work, and so explosive and.l
dangerous is the gas they draw out, that the engine fires./
distant some twenty yards from the place, are covered, when
the wind is in certain directions, so ex to prevent any danger
of an explosion. A large member of persons visited the place
yesterday."

ANOTHER MURDER AT LIVERPOOL.—LIVERIVO L,
FRIDAY.—An inquest was held yriterday on the body of
John Kilduff, a dock labourer, residing m a court off N ew
Bird-street, who died in the Southern Hospital, on Wed, ,co.
day Lot, from a fracture on the skull. From the evident eof
the widow of the deceased, it appeared that a man no jam
Patrick Kilroy resided in their house, and some arras .re of
rent being due were demanded, which caused Kilroy 6 o feel
offended, and he was heard to sa_y_he would ham blot 4 be-
fore twelve o'clock that night. While Kilduff was pre "why.
for bed, Kilroy and another man came to his doer, as of soul;
me of an opprobrious epithet, and hid themselves in the
entry, and on Kilduff's going to the door, Kilroy fe nod him
with a piece of timber five feet long, from the effects, of which
he died. The jury returned • verdict of Wilful murder,"
and the prisoner was committed to Walton Gaol.
THE BULL " BucEsus."—This splendid short-
! homed Durham, calved November 5, 1&52, bred by and the
I property of Meseta. Sturgeon and Sons, Greys, Essex, wan
sold on the fith of February last, at Mr. George Wateon's
yard Melbourne, Victoria, by Mr. Butchart, of Kaye and
Buart's. The first bid eared was 1004 and it waafinally
knocked down for 2951,

THE EASY 1;;a COMPANT.At a court 'of di-
rectors, held on the 9th krt., at the India House, Mr. R. D.
M.P. was elected chairman, and Sir Frederick
C ,Hart tyy-chairman for the main' per. The
election is le, so far r that Sir F. Curie is the
first of the government nominee directors called to the
chair, and, not miprobably, the first director open phalli
such an honour hr been conferred after only three pane
tenure of office.—Sneith, Elate, and f)),'rOviriami Jigt