Scheme proposed by Mr. J. W. SUMNALL (Colliery Firemen's Association).

Notes by the Consultative Committee.

1. In the first case, that two columns of air pipes be put in the main return, conveyed over the gravity bridge to the Bullhurst Intake stopping. Take this stopping out, and before proceeding further, ascertain if the old Bullhurst is filled with water; if not, then a permanent stopping be built there.

The suggestion to take out the stopping F* before advanced stoppings are built and the section explored, would involve danger of re-entry of air, thus restoring the dangerous conditions that existed when gob-stink was first discovered.

The old Bullhurst district is known to be full of water up to a point which effectually seals the entrance.

2. That the Seven Feet Banbury Intake 'Lockett's' stopping, and the Seven Feet Banbury Return 'Lockett's' stopping, be strengthened.

The Seven Feet Gas should be released as suggested by Mr. Saint.

3. When this has been done, continue with the two columns of air pipes to the top of the fall in the Bullhurst, at the end of one of the columns fix an elbow pipe which will take away the gas in the cavity there. This can either be left wholly open or sealed. Then continue on with the other column, along the Bullhurst level until the Eight Feet is reached, then take the pipes on to right-hand level to bottom of the first dip. From this point the rescue teams to proceed up this dip up the staple pit in the return airway, and there to put a stopping in on the in-bye side. When this has been completed, the pipes that have been placed in the Eight Feet level to be bricked in. The push-up return stopping will require strengthening.

After this has been completed, stopping B can be taken out and the two separation doors re-hung again. Then the ventilation can be caught up again at the Eight Feet by the pipes which can be continued up to the top of the slant, when rescue teams should ascertain what has been the effect of the explosion at the bottom of same. But before we are prepared to go further than this point we would like to be sure of further ground, when we would be prepared to make further suggestions.

Ventilation cannot be proceeded with until advanced stoppings are built. Ventilation must always be under complete control, section by section, and must in each case be preceded by the erection of advanced stoppings and exploration by rescue teams.