The Sun.
London, England, 1852-08-31 00:00:00

EVENING, AUGUST 31, 185;

tained, and which, amongst other things, it is the
object of the inquiry to determine and adjust.
The allottees, with some exceptions, have proved
their title to the allotments, and the amount of back
rent to be paid by them will have to be determined.

EXPLOSIOIVS IN COAL MINES.
The Select Committee appointed last session to
inquire into the causes of the frequency of explosions
in coal mines, with a view to prevent the appalling
loss of life arising from them, and who were em-
powered to report their observations, together
with the minutes of evidence taken before them,
to the House, have considered the matters to
them referred, and agreed to the following report :
" Your Committee had in the first place to consider
how best, in the short space of time permitted them in
the present session, so to prosecute their inquiry as that
some early advantage might be derived from it to that
numerous class which is employed in the coal mines of
Great Britain.
"It they had consented to receive evidence from every
quarter from which it was tendered, not only would the
whole of their time have been occupied in the examination
of witnesses only, without an opportunity being afforded
to them of offering any conclusions of their own, but the
.evidence would have been of that voluminous character
which renders it practically useless.
" Your Committee, therefore, considering the pressing
emergency of the matter committed to their charge, how
deeply the interests of humanity were involved (the
deaths from explosions having latterly increased to the
fearful number of about 1,000 per annum), determined
only to examine witnesses of the highest and most expe-
rienced character, in the hope that they might be able
to derive sound information on which to recommend ad-
ditional means for the prevention of such widespread
calamities during the present session,
" They were the more induced to adopt this course
from the circumstance of a Committee of the House of
Commons having inquired into the subject in 1835 (Mr.
Peace chairman), and of a Committee of the House of
Lords (Lord Wharncliffe chairman), having repeated
the inquiry in 1849; and of a great mass of evidence
having been published by those Committees.
" Bat early in their sittings, the report from the
South Shields Committee, appointed to investigate the
causes of accidents in coalmines,' was brought under
their notice; to which report the attention of the House
of Lords' Committee was also directed in 1848. On
examination, this report proved to be a repertory of in-
formation, so extensive, important, and apparently so
accurate, that it seemed to supersede in a measure the
necessity of examining very numerous witnesses.
This committee was appointed by a public meeting in
South Shields, held in consequence of the dreadful loss
of life by the explosion of the St. Hilda Mine, in
1839, close to that town. It continued its labour
for three years; visited in person various mines, com-
municated with many of the most scientific and prac-
tical men of the day, at home and abroad, and terminated
its labours by that report.
" The first witnesses, therefore, summoned by your
Committee, were the chairman of the South Shields
Committee, Mr. Ingham, late member for that borough,
and Mr. Mather, its honourary secretary, to authenticate
the accuracy of that report. The result was satisfactory.
To the evidence especially of Mr. Mather, whose labours
in this interesting cause of humanity are worthy of the
highest praise, they beg to refer. So much value do
your Committee attach to this document that they have
added it in eaten.so in an appendix to their report.
" The Committe of the House of Commoes, in 1835,
called public attention to the undue confidence that
hitherto had been placed in the Davy lamp; suggested
that reliance should chiefly be placed for security on in-
creased ventilation ; and concluded by expressing the
hope that the evidence they published would stimulate
to such increase. It is to be regretted that so little at-
tention was paid to those beneficial suggestions.
" From the Committee of the House of Lords ema-
nated a recommendation fur a Government inspection
of mines, which has since been adopted. The inse-
curity of the Davy lamp, under particular circum-
stances, was implied. They report—' Better ventila-
lation, however, appears to be the improvement most
generally needed and most to be aimed at.' They state,
in addition, that the mines of Scotland are compara-
tively free from danger from explosion. To this a me-
lancholy contradiction has been given by the calamitous
tragedy, last year, of the Nitshill colliery explosion,
near Glasgow; and by the statement of the Government
inspector of that district, Mr. M. Dunn, in a late report
to the Secretary of State, in which ho says that the de-
partment of Scotland exhibits a greater succession of ac-
cidents, in proportion to the number of persons employed,
than in England.'
" The Committee of the House of Lords refers also
with some stress, among other plans, to the proposal to
increase ventilation by means of the steam jet. This plan
had hcen suggested by Mr. Goldsworthy Gurney, its
inventor, to the Committee of 1/335. It is the system al-
most exclusively relied on by the South Shields Com-
mittee in their report for increased security from ex-
plosion.
" Having considered, therefore, the labours of those
who have preceded them, as well in reports of Com-
mittees of the two Houses as in those of inspectors and
others; and having verified the authenticity of the South
Shields report; and having discovered that nothing new
upon the subject appears to have been elicited since
the report of the south Shields Committee, except
on some important conditions connected with ven-
tilation pointed out by Mr. Gurney before the
Lords' Committee, as to what he termed the furnace
limit,' and the formation of a natural brattice,' and the
furnace paradox;' and all these reports having leaned
to the conclusion that increased ventilation was the only
true and secure means for the prevention of explosions,
your Committee determined, if possible within the limits
of the present session, to bring the matter and the means
of increased ventilation to some more practicable issue
than that to which it had hitherto been brought; end
for the conclusions to which they have come, they beg
to refer to the very interesting evidence which they now
publish.
" Your Committee are of opinion—
" That any system of ventilation depending on com-
plicate machinery is unadvisable, since under any dis-
arrangement or fracture of its parts the ventilation is
stopped or becomes less efficient.
" That the two systems which alone can be considered
as rival powers are the furnace and the steam jet.
" The furnace system, under favourable circumstances,
1.. e. of the area of the shafts being large and deep, the
air-courses sufficient, the goaves (or old workings) well
insulated, and the mine not very fiery, appears to be
capable, with strict attention, of producing a current of
air that will afford reasonable security from explosion;
but when the workings aro fiery and numerous as well
as remote, and the intensity of the furnace or furnaces
requires to be raised in order to increase, on any parti-
cular emergency, the amount of ventilation, then the fur-
nace not only refuses to answer the spur and to increase
ventilation, but from a natural law (discovered by Mr.
Gurney, and scientifically and practically confirmed be-
fore your Committee), there arises a dangeroas stoppage
to the ventilation going on throughout the mi,ne. An
explanation of this is given under the heads Natural
Brattice,' and Furnace Limit,' in the' Technical Defi-
nitions and Explanations' at the foot of this report.
Under the head of Furnace Paradox' will be shown the
importance of the water gauge as a test of the drag of
the mine which produces the furnace limit under the
furnace system.
" To the powers of the steam jet, on the other hand,
there appears to be no practical limit; for although it
acts, when placed (where recommended) at the bottom of
the upcast as a rarefier to the extent of the steam used,
and fire under the boiler, its principal or direct efficiency
depends upon its power of propulsion. The heated air
not only rises from rarefaction, but any amount of cold
air can be bodily pushed up the upcast, t, the amount
merely depending on the number and size ofjets em-
ployed, and the pressure of steam.
" This power of the steam jet, although recommended
so strongly by the South Shields Committee, in 1843, did
not appear to have been so extensively introduced, or so
thoroughly tested, as to be taken by your Committee
for granted, notwithstanding the testimony borne to its
efficiency by most intelligent witnesses. They held their
judgment in suspense for the greater part of their in-
quiry. They adjourned to the Polytechnic Institution,
and there had ocular demonstrations of its power; they
summoned before them Mr. Nicholas Wood, considered
the most experienced exponent and defender of the fur-
nace system. They heard nothing from him to weaken
the impression which grew upon their minds of the
great power of the steam jet as a ventilator. Still, from
its having been, as stated, ignorantly applied in some
cases, and producing less effect than had been described
in such cases, the superiority of it over the furnace
in actual practice had not been adequately proved to
them until Mr. Foster, next to Mr. N. Wood, it seems,
the largest viewer of the north of England, appeared
before them.
" The evidence of Mr. Forster in favour of the steam
jet, from long and constant use, was conclusive, and
any doubt previously existing was at once removed.' To
the whole of his most valuable evidence reference should
be made.
"Your Committee are unanimously of opinion that
the steam jet is the most powerful, and at the same time
least expensive method for the ventilation of mines.
"Previous to 1848, when Mr. Forster introduced the
steam jet into the Seaton Delaval Mine, the firedamp
was constantly seen playing around the face and edges
of the goaves and other parts of the workings. Since
that period the mine is swept so clean that it is never
observed, and all danger of explosion seems removed in
a very fiery mine. The increase of ventilation is from
53,000 cubic feet per minute, under the furnace system,
to 84,000 under the steam jet; and to double that quan-
tity, which Mr. Forster considers sufficient, would, he
says, only require the application of some extra jots.
Mr. Forster states the original outlay for the steam jet
to be less than for the furnace by 39/. 15s. 6d., and the
annual cost to be less by 501. 12s. ld., while the power of
ventilation is increased to nearly double.
" Notwithstanding the increase of ventilation which
Mr. N. Wood states he has obtained in one of his col-
lieries where the areas of the shafts are very large, and
by the aid of three furnaces, it appeared in evidence that
the explosion at the Killingworth Colliery last autumn,
under Mr. N. Wood's management, took plane under the
furnace system of ventilation. "
Although a few of the witnesses (two of the most
intelligent of the Government inspectors among the
number) seemed to have misunderstood the mode in
which the steam jet operated as a ventilator, and pro-
fessed themselves so far unacquainted with it as to be
unable to form an accurate judgment on its merits,
the witnesses, with scarce an exception, coincided in all
the
opinion that in a fiery mine, even where the furnace
system was thought sufficient under ordinary circum-
stances it would be a prudent and almost neeeesley pre-
caution to have a steam jet apparatus at the 'top of the
downcast, connected with the boiler of the engine which
worked the mine, in case a sudden and great increase of
power was resulted under prepping emergency.

* Mr. Blake re.

" It was stated in e' idence that 70 per cent. of the • nature of the inquests hitherto held, aster even the ndwr-tif
deaths from explosion s were occasioned not by the ex- i discressiug explosions.
plosion of firedamp, I-.,ut by the' afterdamp' which sac-, "It has been strongly recommended by several wit°
ceeda it. If the letter be inhaled in its pure state by the ; neeses of knowledge and experience that, in the inquests-
miner it causes immediate death. But trace, from the I beld after explosions, more diligent inquiry should be
miners being subsequently discovered in various stages ; made than has hitherto been customary into the remote'
of prostration, it is apparently inhaled in various degrees 1 es well as the proximate causes of explosion and loss of
cif dilution, it seems clear that a power like the steam jet life. Your Committee would further recommend to th 0
pdaced at the top of the downcast, out of reach (which attention of the Home-office whether it might not be
the furnace at the bottom of the upeast occasionally is expedient to institute such an ( {floe as a Special Ca.%
not') of the effects of the explosion, and capable of sweep- nor for these investigation,. In connexion with this
ing the galleries of the mine with an almost irresistible suggestion, it may also be worthy of consideration how
force immediately after the explosion, might be the far local feelings or prejudices may not tend, in occa
means of saving a large proportion of the lives now lost sional instances, to interfere with the impartial discharge
for want of such a power. The furnace under such of their duties on the part of juries.
h
pressing emergency is inapplicable, and incapable of "In the letter of Sir H. De la Beebe to the ?hairtin.an
being used for the purpose. (vide appendix), it will be seen that education is a poltit
" Your Committee, however, are unanimously of °pi- insisted on as a precautionary means both among t.il e_
nion that the primary object should be to prevent the working colliers and their managers, as also that t
explosions themselves; and that, if human means (as qualifications of inspectors should be rigidly tested Pre-
far as known) can avail to prevent them, it is by the vious to their appointment. In these views your Con-
, steam-jet system as applied by Mr. Forster, although mittee entirely concur. They not only trust to .
pee
even in such case it might be prudent in a mine espe- education more rapidly spreading than heretofore arn 16,
chilly fiery to add an inexpensive steam jet apparatus at the working colliers, but schools of mines establil
~
the top of the downcast, as a means in reserve in case of without certificates from which no overman, un e .
•
ex plosion from neglect or otherwise. looker, or manager shall be legally appointed to his
Your Committee still are unwilling to recommend a office•
comidalsory enforcement of any particular system of " The qualification of inspectors for their office is
ventilation; they would rather point to the conditions point of the first importance ; and should be efficienthie
fa,
under which alone they consider the mine to be safe, tested before a competent board, analogously with ie•
and leave' it to some improved system of inspection or test exacted in various professions where the interests,
control to secure those conditions being universally life and health are involved. They should be acquainte a.
adopted.
" The pro per condition of a mine, as regards its venti- Less,o a i t
gnerally with naturel philosoph compsl Pnwenierael;a
ceemisay, ne. chanics, also a ptent lin° bad
lation, your Committee consider is when the current of of geology and miccalogy; and should also have
air through all the air-courses, more particularly in the practical experience of colliery working.
i onY t°
extreme workings, is from four to six feet per second in " Almost every witness, however, bore tesern ~...,.
rate through an ordinary-sized airway (say) 50 feet see- the total inadt quacy of she present system of inspicaactiu"
tional area. This, in the extreme workings, would com- The numbers were tee small, its powers too I
nii 0
mend a rate of current to a much greater extent and Each tot' the itispectors summoned before the Co,:
rii.itt_eldd.
which would be necessary) through the less remote work- hail sonsethieg like 4CO mines in his district, the
85 nu
yourings of the mine. Without a current of air at the rate
of at least four feet per second, equal to about three of which he would be unable to go through in
_e
four years. Many mines they had never visited°
mend
miles miles per hour, in every part of a mine at all fiery, the
miner cannot be considered safe from explosion. Such Committee cannot, therefore, hesitate to ree
_re.'„l,e,,,
that the number of inspectors should be increased!,
blabi'ly.',
current would be the truest indication of the actual at present amount to six. That number, P '
tors r°
amount of fresh air circulating through the general should at least be doubled; and two sub-inaP_e°l3eeheis
workings of the mine. It seems immaterial by what each chief inspector added. In Sir H. de la vidence,
mode this rate of current is produced, so that it be cer- letter it is indicated, and it appeared also in ei
d..ii, at
tainly produced, and a means be furnished to the inspec- that the present salary of an inspector wag WO widitf ill.,
tor at eawh visit to ascertain that such rate of current least to induce is person really fitted for the office u
has constantly existed during his absence. Spector to remain in his situation.
" There is a seeming contradiction to the conclusion
at which your Committee have arrived, that a generally "To increase the power of the inspector is 3
i machntel..
more delicate matter. To this some of the r"`) fined ob-
increased ventilation is the truest security against ex- ligent of the managers of mines who were eXatnin
gay
plosions, in the fact that these explosions have become jected; and with some reason, for it was evidealLroas t°
more frequent, in spite of cub's attention having been the least, that they were in. all respects, but" h the
given of late years to thect ot ventilation. The practical and scientific 'attainments,
contradiction, however, is in appearance only. To pro- inspectors. But the objection was taken less
es, of
duce explosion of the firedamp the presence of a cer- principle itself than to the possible urtirn ignc"
Lain quantity of air (or proportion of oxygen) is re- being subjected to the caprice, Pe— ^sate es".
quired to make it explosive at all; and with less than ranee, of an individual inspector. To e owe-.
that proportion explosion does not take place; and, also, tablishment of a board with increased powers nddie oar
upon a par with
the
after certain additions to that Proportion of oxygen, the ties' seemed to be taken. Same such central body of
tendency to explosion ceases. In the former case the Committee would strongly recommend, cemP°„ectors
atmosphere of the mine is unhealthy, in the latter it is scientific and practical men, to whom
healthy. The postulatum in this matter of ventilation might report, and from whom they might reeel to their
may be considered to be such a thorough ventilation as, instructions, which would give greater effics,l given 5
together with a wholesome air to breathe, should so recommendations. To this board should nuedittancsa
sweep the mine clear of the gases as they escaped power to enforce penalties under ordinary circunial stances
from the goavo and fissures, or so dilute them with of neglect—and in cases of death, a power t? _ rictitas,
pure air, as that they ceased to be explosive. To an enforcement of justice to the families of the
5EO'Ol
leave the mine to its natural state of ventilation through the ordinary channels of law; the racists
would be to leave it in undisturbed possession of a themselves being in a condition of life Li.
whist redress•
poisonous, but possibly inexplosive atmosphere; proper them comparatively helpless to obtain their judiairebie to
ventilation, on the contrary, would, by dispelling that "One additional power, however, it seem', 'until the
the iviteseofhew
poisonous atmosphere, leave to the miner an atmosphere give to inspectors, at all eve great
to breathe nearly as pure as the outer air. But a partial decision of a board Pan be obtained; viz., ',__e requses
introduction of an insufficient quantity of atmospheric air danger evidently exists, and the owner of a mina ir,„ its
into a fiery mine may cause the very mischief against to resort to the most approved system for increosr , e.. its
which it is intended to guard. It should not be forgotten security, the inspector should have the power teed. cie,/,' hi,
events tensporariThere r.
by the coal proprietor that the unhealthiness of some working to cease until its condition be iroPr.°;__erieritY
mines, together with the danger of explosion, greatly would appear to be the principal point of
inuapdd,
00
enhances rho rate of wages they must pay, so long as in the inspection of the mines of France, Ger
case,
re,,.
tbeir workmen have to encounter such evils; while the Belgium over that of this country. In one receding •
removal of those evils, on the other hand, must tend ere hated in the evidence, it appeared that_a,P in the
long to reduce the rate of wages in collieries more to a the explosion there had been a great t I ds
f jecree-cd
level with that of labourers in ordinary occupations. barometer, which indicated the necessity °_ bscl n°f
These observations, of course, extend also to the injury ventilation and vigilance. The overlookete_ tact of
to health and risks arising from `black' or `choke barometer, and therefore was in ignorance ot
which was all
damp' (carbonic acid gas). The poison generally, in the diminished pressure of the atmosphere, w°l7., joger
smaller quantities, is slow in its operation, but not the the while thus allowing the firedamp to escape
d“-:3 „else.
et the her'
sure. The miner is proverbially short-lived. proportions from goaves and fissures .
~ _ A
" The attention of your Committee has been directed In another case (that of recent occurrence inoPe_Vat M.
to scientific and practical means of decomposing or dare Valley), Mr. Blackwell, late inspector
ectistnoro to
neutralising the explosive gases as they exude from the trice, advised on a previous visit certain Prhe explosinrc
coal and goaevs; but it does not appear to your Corn- be taken. The advice was disregarded; I fortided °le
mittee that science has discovered any practical means ensued. To 34 system of inspection thus
raised to the
for producing this desirable effect. It is, however, on objection could scarcely be raised which is rdeer, and
the minutes of evidence, that an individual well versed present system that it relieved the
.o°6wee,ient for
and long engaged in mining operations, a member of the managers of responsibility while it was i 11"'
erd to
House of Cot:mans,* has offered, through the Royal its object, toll reg-- - he
College of Chemistry, a premium of 1,0001. for the dip- " Your Committee, therefore, having but at t
covery of some simple practical means for the attain- the rights andprivileges of private propertY,e,;,e, a due
• heir tiv'd the ex-
meat of this important object. sumo time forming, to the best or t and of ut
" Your Committee would now refer to some more in- estimate of the value of human life' neer the present
cidental means of security against explosion; first, treme danger to which human life,: honen"bele. le i a
stating their concurrence in the opinion expressed, system of working mines, with
a they s"Uld 'al
.r
, directly er indirectly, by the Committees of 1835 and ceptions, is exposed, consider that d that s powe_
1849, and also with that so strongly expressed by the their duty if they did not recommen recautions andt
South Shields Committee, that where a proper degree should be placed somewhere to enforce. Pr
__here „glee
of ventilation does not exist in a mine, a Davy lamp, to facilitate the exaction of penalties w
ersevered in;
or any modification of it, must be considered rather of such precautions was pertinaciously Poopted were there
as a lure to danger than as a perfect security. Prac- end that until those precautions ofthe °lna.
tically secure in a still atmosphere it may be con- should exist a power to stop the working heir 01)ini;°11
sidered; and in the hands of a cautious overman They have already pointed to what in t tern u,` 'l3
r -
an admirable instrument for exploring, or as an indi- would be an improvement on the present s.
ht he re
cater of danger; but in a current, as admitted by its il- quests, and to constituting a board which wig of los§
lustrious inventor himself, it is not a security; and in garded use species of public prosecutor in case
the hands of an ordinary workman, under circumstances of life from neglect of proper precautions. who
of excitement, when danger is threatened, it is not im- "It has been suggested that the families of o'
throb °I
probably, far oftener than imagined, the very cause of perish should be supported for a limited number wig's'
the explosion which if was intended to prevent. The years by the prorietor of the mine. Injustid
ht
giv
experiments of Dr. Baebboffner, at the Polytechnic In- be done under such a law; for the owner ig
widoker °I
atitution, before your Committee, were very interesting orders for the proper precautions, and an over
instant Tot
on this point. Nevertheless, in a mine that is at all miner might neglect them. In such an Tie
fiery, it will be a prudent precaution to work with a would be hard to enforce the extreme penalell_tioico
lamp, until it can be proved that by means of ventilation conduct of owners after the fatal effects of !0,90e
a mine can be so far cleared of all explosive gases, as to appears to have been generally considerate andnu_c the
prevent any accumulation of them in tho workings, extending, in many instances, including there ut;f the'
goaves, or elsewhere. Some of the witnesses point to Aberdare mine just mentioned, to the supp
cl.
such a possibility; and, if it were for the sake of the families of those who perished. feel disPse•
health of t 'he miners alone, a current of fresh air pasing " You ommittee, for their own part. _
eed vt-
through the mine which could produce this effect would rather to rte b •
ss to t e apponnme .. .
t • nt of an efficient' 'ofa
well.q3. 11
render such a power one of the most valuable contribu- gilant board ;to an increased number of
roles IL.
tionsilav of the age. One of the principal objections to the inspectors and sub•inspectors, who should P_,,,ent 9,
y lamp on the part of the workmen has been the in- have theof f . such a rate of un' the'
power en oreing : as la her'
sufficient light which it affords. A lamp of greater re- air through the various parts of the mine -i wet.
fleeting power, which would, at the same time, admit of judgment, the safety of the miners requirseoned,igc int:,
a double gauze protection, has been suggested, and is ex- with the adoption in each mine of such e teeuritilatie i
plained below. Too entire a reliance on the safety of struments as both preserved a register of the shoal
shoal, .
the Davy lamp appears to have led, in not a few instances, and gave warning of danger; that these powdelo'ssewiov :
to the neglect of ventilation, extend to the intcting penalties for the non_Peautio.
"In the furnace system of ventilation the power de- of such instruments, and nouattention to the Pil;ntit th ;
pends on the difference of the temperature of the air recommended, and to stoppage of the min:, reg,th!
..
going down the downcast shaft and that coming up the right measures were taken. Such measured esteelis? ,
upcast; and when temperature of the outer air is high with the better education of the miners, and innvenaog ti?
the power of the furnace is reduced. When the they- went of schools of mines, and the circulatio adulated Wag:
mometer, therefore, exhibits a high rate of temperature, colliers of such rules and regulations as are
/which sr,
d.
the ventilation is lessened. This may account for aeei- the pits of Mr. Forster and Mr. Darlington
sidei. weal
c,
dents being generally more frequent in spring and given in their evidence), your Committee c
t°
eatirel9
old
summer. It is very desirable, under such circuw- go far to diminish, and ultimately almost their atte
stances, that an extra power of ventilation should be prevent, the dreadful explosions to Will"' th E.
applied. tion has been called. not ~
s, -
" Under the ordinary pressure of the atmosphere its " A last topic remains, and that, Per s fhapor call) in, 0
weight operates in a fiery mine to keep the escape of least important, viz., the pecuniary par" here mad i i
gas from the recesses of the mine. When the pressure out the suggestions and recommendatiannss
ider ''ll°•°--
is less the explosive gases have greater power to escape. This is a point which your Committee co
.ve
capacl7
E,
Whenever, therefore, there is a fall in the barometer, devolve upon the House, in its collee" shown ta e
showing a diminished pressure of the atmosphere, danger rather than upon themselves. They have eeooolisicv, ,
is indicated, and an increased amount of ventilation re- principal causes of danger; the easy
voided, they
aim .
quired. In every mine, therefore, it should be impera- means by which the &anger may be ay.mu" lri
shou— 0 •
tive for a barometer to be kept. It should be placed hinted at the scientific instruments which s a warn
near a ore
near the ventilating power, properly connected withthe • 1 • d be kept in every in- rb,y hal t'
peranve y require ton thel
dange
which, external air, through the downcast, so as to take the log or test of safety or impending ;liich, in ue
pressure of the atmosphere. A " differential barometer" ferred to the species of authority to . _
_ee the 5f 1,1
is much more sensitive than a common one• and since opinion, should ho intrusted the powers toe'.be quest'. d
' l , jai part of ' , roof; '
it costs only a few shillings, there would be no excuse gestions carried out. The financial
of C°
mm
the HOUSO
for not having one, they consider properly belongs
" A water gauge should be placed at the bottom of le• -e."
the upcast, to indicate the power of the drag of the mine,
where the furnace system is used, so as to indicate the
presence or approximation of the furnace limit.
" But an instrument of oven greater importance than
the above, especially in reference to the periodical visits
of inspectors, is a self-registering anemometer, by which
the inspector would know at each visit the rate at
which the current of air had been passing through the
mine in his absence. The best instrument of this kind
at present known, perhaps, is that of Mr. Biram. Three,
at least, of these should be kept in every mine ; one at
the intake (bottom of downcast shaft), ono at the return
(bottom of upcast), and, especially, olio or more in the
extreme workings.
e The goaves (old workings) in extensive mines are a
principal source of danger. It has been suggested, if the
water would permit, that the goaves might be, as it were,
drained of the explosive gas by a bore-hole from the
surface, acted on by a steam jet; that gas, being lighter
than common air, would thus be drawn through the bore
to the outer air.
" For a similar purpose gas drifts have been recom-
mended, as described in the ' Technical Definitions and
Explanations.'
e It was suggested by Mr. Gurney, also, that refuge
stalls might be established at small expense, in places
familiar to the miners, throughout the workings, to
which, upon au explosion, they could at once fly from
the fatal effects of the afterdamp. A description of
these will be found among the " Explanations."
ti It has been stated in the evidence that boys are
employed in mines to perform duties the neglect of which
in a single instance •
might be productive of great loss of
life. They are employed, in particular, to attend to the
opening and shutting of the doors or traps necessary to
regulate the courses of air in ever system of ventilation.
-dis
It has further been stated thanyeven in the best f
ciplined pits, where the men are rarely, if ever, Bet been
been
serious acts f o neglect or carelessness, it has et
1' aches on
found impossible to guard against similar net; gars
•t appears that
the part of the boys; and, accordingly,
elbeen traced to
in various instances fatal accidents
hfa thev duties allotted
such negligence in the performance o
of opinion that
to them. The Committee, therefore, are.
oh to would involve
'the neglect of woic .
no responsible duties, •no to be intrusted to
serious risk of life, ought in any D'
inexperiencedl persons,
boys, or to eny other class of
de
in whose Ja .ment and discretion
but solely to persons
full reliance can be placed.
orth chat ngland and other dip-
The miners of the
°their cter for recklessness,
tricts, notwithstandinghe dangers of their employment.
to
are keenly alive h by representations to your
have evinced bon
This they
especially from Lancashire and Northum-
berland,Committee, es,. • .
petition to the H '
Ouse itself, nume-
rously and by a .
from the miners of Lanceishire. The
signed,
points they chi, fly dwell upon are the necessity or in-
creased ventilation, of increased inspection, of the ap-
pointment of sub-inspectors, and of the unsatisfactory
—.---.

at larg,
"---'"--."-----"n"....'"nn---___-_ re Q.
RAILWAY SHAKE ARE:%I'
LIVERPOOL, AUGM. 30. is alai ri
STOCK EXCHANGE.—Our share market to-daY
illess.site.ia., f,.....
depressed, and only a limited amount of
obuso
The transactions reported were—Eastern c.., sties. diS•-'.
—ansdoLuithhc-oElialsshteirrne,
Lancashire and Yorkshire, 83 I—Ditto, Fifths'r `l'leffieli I,
London and North-Western, 1221/2---Ilancilfidiand' 7516
a6nl.(l:sDewovPerr,ef2ergce: Yafi P3'o.
. v r
HEST
t“/-* t daY vrau e Jr 4
MA-WU . , 0o- ' The
SzocK ExcHANGE.--The business
d°wl'ard tendency. t
limited, and prices generally had 3 d°WLI CoUntief, li—Ea s
transactions were as follow :--Eastern
13re 823/.i Pitt 0,
Lancashire, 18,43—Lancashire and Yorks 1 ~
d Lincolnsbir e,
Fifths, 3778 ex div.—Manchester, Sheffield,
.tilevir preference'
283%—Ditto, Preference, 117/o—Ditto, .1-'' c
obrewsbury
7.16 n. p.—South-Eesnsrn and Dover, 211/2\7ort.
la British,
and Chester, 21.1,4 c.—Midland, 75% ex. div.--1
Preference, 5. frora
NEw SOUTH IVALEB.--' The Johnstone, ,Ad
Sydney, has arrived otT Falmouth, with 9,099 ounces or have
on board. Her advices, which are to the 6th of May,
u
been anticipated. ----------
'"--._._._-=--_------- —_
BIRTHS.
OF A SON. Ire'
On the 26th inst., at RaDymore Castle, Ballinasloet
hind, the W 7th Henry Reed Daly, Esq. r the
On the 2inst., at ings, Novick, the Wife ()-
Rev. Thomas Edward Crallan.
OF A DAUGHTER. Henrietta
On tho 24th inst., at Bracondale, the Lady Ilentie-
Harvey.
On the 24th inst., at Galway, wife of hi' r Berton.
tho
of the 9th Regiment. -----------

MARRIED.
At Balsover Castle, Derbyshire, on the 25th inst., „J°ll,ll
Anstruther Thomson, Esq., of Charleton, Fileshire, b?
line Maria, dau,hter of the Rev. John Hamilton 61.10
'
Carntyne, Lanarkshire.

Couo_ritl,tnheear2.l\t\hinidnssot.;,aatgßedatsDhg:rfopha. Palmer, Esq , of Porner
On the 26th inst., at Carpenters'-hall, Richard IV. JOE'
Esq., aged 85, senior member of the corporation of Lou
doil9
and for 54 years clerk of the Company of Carpenters. ,
°
At Rothsay, on the 23d inst., Miss Emilia
Comm'
daughter of the late Sir Alexander P. C. Gorden, of AltYr'
and Gordonstoun. Bart. Id,
On the 26th inst.. at Haslingdane-place, Sibertsway
Kent, aged 87, Mrs. Mary God; relict of the late Elijah Wl'
Esq., of London-
Oa the 27th inst., Mrs. Valiance, relict of the late bit'
Philip Valiance, ot Brighton.
Ou the 21st inst., in Nelson-square, Biackfriars-resd,
Joseph Joseph, Esq.,
Net °I
London: Printtd and Published by MURDO YOU ,12,
So. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, .„;
Strand, in toe Precinct of the Savoy, in tho catiaff
Middlesex, Tuesday, Augot 052.