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The only two flame safety lamps in use in the affected area of the workings - one belonging to the deputy, Weightman, and the other to the shot-firer, Brewster - were recovered after the explosion and were examined by Dr. Wheeler, His report thereon will be found in Appendix II.

Brewster's lamp was found to have been, badly damaged by a fall of roof at a point where there was nothing indicative of that place as the point of origin of the explosion. Weightman's lamp, which was recovered near to his body, had been unlocked for examination at the mine before Dr. Wheeler saw it, but though covered with soot and coal dust it was found to be in good and safe condition.

All the electric lamps, except those damaged by the explosion, were also found in good condition.

The signalling apparatus used in the main haulage road was also tested by Dr. Wheeler and found to be incapable of igniting firedamp.

The match and cigarette reported to have been discovered in different parts of the clothing of deceased persons can also be dismissed from suspicion, as they also were found at points where the explosion could not have originated.

The seam was not one liable to fires from spontaneous combustion and no indications of such a fire having occurred were discovered.

Early inspection of the workings after the disaster disclosed, as previously mentioned, that blasting operations had been in progress in Moore's place at the face of No. 6 level either just before or at the time when the explosion occurred. This place is shown at M on Plan No. 3, and illustrated in detail on Plan No. 5.

Later inspection revealed the fact that blasting operations had also been carried on the same morning at the face in another heading further to the rise, known as Osborne's place, shown at 0 on the same plan, and illustrated in detail on Plan No. 4.

The position of certain shot holes in this heading (see Plan No. 4) showed that some of the holes had produced blown out shots on being fired before sufficient holing or undercutting was done. This circumstance certainly indicated a serious laxity in carrying out the provisions of the Explosives in Coal Mines Order on the part of the shot-firer Brewster and his doings were consequently under suspicion. Many questions were put, and rightly so, at the Inquiry to ascertain whether or not Osborne's place was responsible for the disaster. A considerable number of questions were also put to the management with regard to the qualifications of Brewster to act as a shot-firer, but this will be referred to later on (vide page 31).

Before deciding the point of origin of such a disaster, it is necessary to take into consideration amongst other matters the direction of the lines of force generated by the explosion. These have been carefully examined, and, with the position of the bodies, and other information as regards coking of dust, falls of roof, and displacement of supports and other structures, have been marked on Plan No. 3. On reference to this plan it will be noted that there appear to be at least two general lines of force radiating from No. 6 level in which Moore's place was situate, and extending to the rise workings. One of these lines passed the entrance to Osborne's place in its upward course to the longwall working. This does not necessarily point to Osborne's place as being the point of origin of the explosion, but does point to the necessity of looking to some other point further down. There were unmistakable signs that the point of origin was at the face of Moore's place, that is, the face of No. 6 level. The management and their witnesses, among whom were Sir Richard Redmayne, late H.M. Chief Inspector of Mines, Mr. Durham, Mining Engineer to Lord Lonsdale, and Mr. J. Dyer Lewis, late H.M. Divisional Inspector of Mines, all expressed this view. In support, there was the all important additional evidence of (i) a shot having been just fired, the cable being still stretched out along the floor coupled to the firing battery, with the body of the shot-firer Weightman lying close by, and (ii) the discovery of a strong feeder of firedamp discharging from an open break or fissure at the face near to the point where the shot had been fired.

This evidence was so overwhelming that I have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that the explosion originated at the flame of a shot fired at the face of Moore's heading