The Sun.
London, England, 1849-02-09 00:00:00

Ny FEBRUARY 9, 1849.

LATE COLLIERY EXPLOSION.
WORSRROUGH DALE, FEB. B.—This important; in-
vestigation, respecting the death of the 75 persons Rho
perished by an explosion in Darley Main Colliery, at this
place, on Wednesday, the 24th ult., was resumed this
forenoon at the Masons' Arms, before the district
coroner, Mr. T. Badger.
Mr. Tremenheere, a commissioner under Lord
Ashley's Act relative to mines, and Mr. W. Warrington
Smyth, mineral geologist attached to the geological sur-
vey of the kingdom, the commissioners appointed by the
Government for this occasion, arrived here in the early
part of the present week, and yesterday descended and
examined tae mines, accompanied by Mr. Nicholas
Wood, of Newcastle, colliery viewer to Lord Ravens-
worth and others ; Mr. B. Biram, coal steward to Earl
Fitz william ; and Mr. Goodison, of Lofthouse, near
Leeds, coal-viewer ; gentlemen who had been selected on
account of their eminent scientific and practical attain-
ments.
Joseph Thompson, Zhe underground steward of the
Darley Main Colliery, was the first witness examined.
As usual, he examined every part of the pit where the
men had to work before they went down in the morning.
All was quite right. Came up about eight, and de-
scended again before ten, and visited all the workings
with a naked candle. Was walking along the first dip-
board when the explosion took place. Had not observed
any change in the state of the air.. Fell down insensible
while making for the bottom of the shaft. Could not
say where the explosion took place, but believed it fired
at the top end of the far dip-board, near the throw. The
men were working there with naked candles. In some
parts the men had lamps. Did not know what had
caused the explosion. The owner of the pit found safety
lamps when they were needed, but the men did not like
to work with; the lamps, and they used to take the tops
off when they used them. None of the men complained:of
foul air before the accident. Witness believed the pit
quite safe. The colliers prefer candles to lamps, because
they give a better light.
James Dunk—Was in the pit at the time of the ex-
plosion, working in the first dip-board gate with a naked
candle. Never suspected any defective ventilation. Did
not blame any one for what had occurred.
Thomas Beevers, another collier, confirmed the last
witness, without giving any further information.
The CORONER, for the information of those persons
who were not present at the previous stage of the in-
quiry, read over all the evidence taken prior to this day.
lie then asked the jury whether they thought it neces-
sary to hear any of th© other colliers; they deemed it
preferable to proceed to the scientific evideuoe. After
James Hammond, the witness who was examined at the
last sitting of the jury, and who attributed blame to
Thompson, the underground steward, had been recalled,
and asked if he had any addition or alteration to make ,
in his evidence, who replied in the negative.
Mr. Nicholas Wood was examined. He stated—l have
inspected the Darley Main Colliery with reference to the
recent lamentable accident, along with Mr. Biram, col-
liery agent to Earl Fitzwilliam, Mr. Goodison, of Loft-
house, agent to Messrs. Charlesworth, and Mr. J. T.
Woodhouse, of Overseat, in the county of Leicester,
colliery.viewer, and also in company with Mr. W. W.
Smyth, of London, and Mr. Tremenheere the commis-
sioner appointed under Lord Ashley's 'Act. We in-
spected the mine yesterday ("Wednesday). I propose,
first, to point out on the map the part of the pit where I
think the explosion began, and then endeavour to ex-
plain the cause. The downcast pit is 130 yards deep.—
Mr. -Wood proceeded to describe the course of the air
from the downcast board through the various workings.
At the extreme dip-board the air was divided into two
currents, one proceeding up the bank on the first
dip-board, and the other along the face of the
bank of the second dip-boarding adjoining the
slip. The currents meet at the extreme point
of the north level. The air is there again split, one
portion up the sixth board and the other up the banks
and the old workings next the slip. The two currents
then join, and pass across the bank of the sixth board,
and then at the back of the fifth and fourth boards.
The air again divides, and one portion goes along the
three old bank faces to the engine-board, and then direct
to the furnace and the upcast shaft. The other portion
proceeds to the northern extremity of the old working,
on to the upcast shaft. The air has to travel about three
miles in the working. After a minute inspection of the
workings of the mine with the gentlemen before named,
I am of opinion that the inflammable air exploded in
two places. The first and principal explosion was be-
tween the first and third slit of the bank, next the throw
in the second dip-board; and the other explosion was
in the banks on the south level. I think the cause of
the first explosion was a slight accumulation of inflam-
mable air in the old breaks adjoining the slips in the
banks of the second dip-board. The cause of the second
explosion was a slight accumulation of inflammable
air in the second and third bank on the south level,
which I think had been brought in contact with the naked
candles of the men working on those banks, and was
caused by the concussion of the first explosion.
The CORONER—How do you account for the accident?
Witness—l think there is a very trifling production of
gas in the seam of the coal, and that generally the banks
will be pretty free from the accumulation of gas, and
that the quantity of air passing through the pit was
sufficient to carry it off without danger. In this in-
stance there seems to have been two or three reasons for
the accumulation of gas. In the first place, the very
str,mg wind, indicating a fall of the barometer, which
induces an escape of gas, if there is any in the mine.
This gas would accumulate in those parts of the breaks
where no air passes to carry it off ; and the immediate
effect of the wind would also be in some degree to dimi-
nish the current of air by its action on the up-cast shaft.
Thus there would be an increased production of gas, with
a diminished current of air to carry it off. I should state
also that the practice has been to draw water by tubs up
the up cast shaft, and the presence of this tub diminishes
the efficiency of the shaft.
(The inquest was proceeding when our parcel was dis•
patched.)

MURDER NEAR BRIGHTON.
After our report (publiihed yesterday) was dis-
patched from the inquest room, the following evidence
was given:—

Martin, Mr. Griffith's clerk, stated that the two
pistols produced, the one found in the road, and the
other in deceased's pocket, were borrowed by him in
consequence of his receiving the anonymous letter.
lie was to have accompanied Mr. Griffith on this jour-
ney, but he said he had a friend staying with him, and
he would take him for a ride. The friend, however, did
not go.

George Siders, groom i❑ the employ of Mr. Man-
nington, farmer, stated, that his master's house is
about 300 yards from the spot where the body was
found, across fields. About half-past nine he was stand-
ing at the door of a stable, and heard the report of a gun
or pistol.

Harriet Crophey, whose husband keeps Dale Gate,
about half a mile from the spot, stated that she was
standing outside the house at half-past nine o'clock, and
heard a "shriek holloa."

Richard Pollin, labourer, who lives in a cottage about
half a mile off, in another direction, stated that at a
quarter past ten ho heard a person groan several times.
He opened the window and again heard it. There was
an interval of about half a minute between each groan.
The inquest was then adjourned till Monday.
Yesterday morning the authorities at Brighton held a
consultation, the result of which is that bills hare been
published stating that a reward of 2001. will be given
for the apprehension and conviction of the murderers.
The bills also state that among the money stolen from
the deceased was a 6/. note of the Brighton Union Bank,
numbered 84,712, and dated June 24, 1848.

CONFLICT WITH POACHERS.—SHERIFF SUMMARY
COURT.—On Saturday, George Laing and John Laing,
West Linton, Peeblesshire, were examined before
Sheriff Arkley, on a charge of poaching and assault,
committed on a plantation on the estate of Rose-
bery, parish of Temple. It appeared that on the pre-
vious evening the prisoners, along with three others,
each having a gun in their possession, had trespassed
on the plantation with the evident design of poach-
ing. The gamekeeper on the estate, having heard
the report of fire-arms, proceeded to the ground,
accompanied by three other individuals. They
had not been long there before they met the party
of poachers, one of whom (John Laing) within a few
yards of them, shot a fine hen pheasant seated on an ad-
joining tree. The gamekeeper witnessing this imme-
diately sprang forward and grasped Laing, and
at the same moment the forester seized his
brother, but the other depredators contrived to
make their escape. The two Laings made 1:!
desperate struggle to get free, mad struck right andt
left with their fire-arms, and in the serious contiicttchuat
took place, the gamekeeper was thrown down and
teeth were
in the head, while several of the forester
tdriven
higherout. e Theour t
for prisoners
trial. were
Georgeremitted
Laing, lcsy
wthee sheriffu n d er.
sctrkdd,onhiaosnblieefnerpeureryvi.ously convicted of daypoaching.-
-Bcreßrk°suGolifigt:l;
It Ihtaea rjzto es
just
ehrte
eTne.
discovered
voe
ree THE
he a A
theeD I
town-clerks
contributory boroughs had neglectedt
to deposit, on the
with thAecAlt a6ytohr
IrofieC.,aer.difBr,seeas.li4sst
03
f 0 tlh,
toefr
according t
November,
os,
electors to vote; and as it is be-
validate the right of the
and 49. The omissci)otnh,eit is asserted by some, will in-
hered that the whole of the functionaries in all the
boroughs had made the same mistake, doubts are enter-
tainedwhether the candidates can proceed to an election.
Some parties construe the Act as being directory only,
and not compulso:y. However, to set the matter at
rest, both the contesting parties have forwarded cases
for the opinion of eminent Parliamentary counsel; and
their construction of the meaning of the Act is looked
forward to with much anxiety. The Town Clerk of
Aberystwith printed and published a list of voters for
that borough, and the error on his part, if any, arises
from his not having had the same registered with the •
Mayor of Cardigan. Should the omission be deemed
fatal, both the candidates and electors will be placed in i
an awkward predicament.
CALIFORNIA GOLD GREASE.—A Yankee down
east has invented this specific for the use of gold hunters. ,
The operator is to grease himself well, lay down on the
top of a hill, and then roll to the bottom. The gold,
and " nothing else," will stick to him. Price 94 dollars
per box,

The Centaur, 5, steam-frigate, Captain Buckle, the
new flag-ship for the coast of Africa, having coaled at
Devonport, removed into Barnpool, where her compasses
are to be adjusted.
PLYMOUTH, FEB. i.--APPOINTMENTS.—James Brown,
master of the Agincourt, to the Victoria and Albert
royal yacht, vice Macdonald, to be Master-Attendant at
Portsmouth. Mr. Janus Harris is appointed acting
second master in charge of the Plymouth buoy boat, vice
Morris, promoted.
The Tortoise lighter, C. Shearman, master, sailed on
Saturday for Dartmouth, to render assistance in raising
the Mary Ann, sunken schooner.
Amongst the various changes which are to take place
at this dockyard on the lit of April next, we hear that
Captain Burgmann, R.E., the director of the works, is
to join his regiment, and is to be succeeded here by
Captain Williams, from Pembroke. Captain Burg-
mann's removal is considered by some practical men as
likely to be a loss to the service, as he is well acquainted
with the progress of the works in this yard from their
commencement, and he has evinced in the discharge of
his official duties a sound practical knowledge. Mr.
Churchward is likely to be superannuated. His suc-
cessor is to have 2004 a year for the first year, and if
approved at the end of that time, to have a salary of
2504 per annum. One of the extra draftsmen at Key-
ham is to be discharged, as are also four labourers
from the dockyard, now employed under the director
of works.
LIVERPOOL, TTIURSDA.Y.—The following letter was
received this morning by Mr. Court, of the Under-
writers' Association:—
" MEN-OF-WAR IN THE BIGHT. OF WESTERN AFRICA,
NOV. 20.
" The Amphitrite, Captain Eden, going to Ascension
and St. Paul do Loando, all well. Took five prizes.
" The steamers Cygnet and Dolphin, cruising in the
Bights, captured a slaver with $6O slaves on board;
obliged to take 300 herself up to Sierra Leone.
" Her Majesty's steamer Firefly, Commander Tudor,
having on board Captain Eden, of the Amphitrite, with
his clerk, Mr. J. Stevens, being up the Bonny river, con-
cluding a treaty with King Pepplo for the suppression
of the slave trade, was settling disputes between the
King and chiefs of New Calabar River and the British
' inquiries
into there. Sailed from the Bonny on the 23s
of November, thence to Camaroons, to make
into certain defalcations that were stated to have oc-
curred in a British vessel trading there.
Nir‘e‘sTtehrne visitcoasot the fl
fFriicrae,floywitno
spirit towards British
exer-
tions of Captain Eden, Commanderce
the
amongst the native
theTudor,to
several
spiritedr
nYde r rivers
n officers,t
has powerfully tended to produhe
ckoi nm,,gmos
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roe rfley ma
11 awb
el el l

1
or LIFE AT
BY ths
ECOELPLTESRIT7 NEARAD LossßA 9LE Y :
above melancholy accident 31 married men ••_,
ann 44
unmarried men and boys have lost their lives 31 '
and 55 children have been left in '
DATRBLEEY LATE
widows
a state of great dis-
tress. As soon as possible after the event ;
was formed, of which Frederick W.
worth, Esq., of Wentworth Castle, will le
chairman; Samuel Sharp, Fs
' T.Vernona committee
went-
worth, act as the
sq., of Darley Hall, near
Barnsley, was appointed the secretary; and " The
Wakefield and Barnsley Union Banking Company,
.in
Barnsley," were appointed the treasurers.Theonject s of
the committee • will be to raise a fund for the relief of
the surviving sufferers, and the widows, orphans, and
families of those who are dead, in addition to, but inde-
pendently of, such relief as the parochial authorities and
the magistrates of the district may direct to be given.
The education and apprenticeship of the orphan children
will be one object of the attention of the committee.
The Darley-Main Company have commenced the sub-
scription. with a donation of 2001., besides having de-
frayed all the expenses of the funerals; and John Jeff-
cock, Esq., the owner of the coal-field, has contributed
1001. We earnestly request that contributions from our
readers may be transmitted either to the secretary or to
the treasurers at their respective addresses before men-
tioned.

TREATIES WITH FOREIGN POWERS.—Thpre were
yesterday issued from the Parli'imentary Patter-office
copies of " the additional articles of the treaty concluded
at the Hague on May 4, 1818, between England and the
Netherlands, for the suppression of the slave-trade,
signed at the Hague on the 31st of August last;" and a
copy of the convention between her Majesty and the
United States of North America, signed at London on
the 15th of December last, for the improvement of the
postal communication between the two states.
M. Ehrenburg, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine
of Berlin, has addressed to the Academy of Medicine at
Paris microscopic operations on the atmosphere at the
time of the cholera. He declares that he has made
catalogue of upwards of, 300; different forms of corpus-
cules,whioh PPM 444 19Wer 102191Phert•

kil-Olf WATER AT- LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAT —]Morning, 9 min. after 3 I Evening, 30 min. after 3
To-Mosaow— o 'wry., 43 71;n. after 3 I Even'ti,, 7 min. after 4