Terrible Colliery Explosion.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 235, 6 October 1886, Page 6

Terrible Colliery Explosion.

An explosion occured in a colliery in Southwest Lancashire, near Leigh, on August 13, by which 38 lives have boen lost. The colliery where the disaster occurred ia known as the Woodend or Bedford Colliery, about one mile from We9t Leigh, aud is owned by Mr John Speakmnn. At 6 o'clock 159 men and boys descended by the cage at the Crombouko 4-feet mino. Of theso the greator number proceeded to the No. 2 Jig Brow, about 150 yards distant from the Ko. 1 Jig Brow, at which about 40 hands wore employed. Tho pit, which was opened two years ago, is 470 yards deep, and has a connection with a pit sunk five years sinco. Tho explosion recurred at half-past 11 o'clock, and although it was scarcely audible above ground, yet the violensco was very grout, the whole of what is known as tho brattice cloths having been blown away. These cloths are used 'or the purpose of ventilation, and when they go nearly all hope goes with them. The workers in No. 2 Jig folt the .shock severely, and severul men working 80 yards away woro thrown to tho ground.

The proprietor of tlio collieries, Mr John Speakraun, was ill in bed, and the ta=k of securing an exploring party foil upon his son and the assistant manager and underlooker. The exploring party proceeded along the level in the disaster, but on arriving at tho bottom of tho Brow they found further progress impeded by the great volume of afterdamp, tho presence of which gave small hope to the brave fellows of rescuing any of their comrades.

The work of exploration was continued unceasingly through the next day and night. Largo crowds flocked to ihe pit, and with breathless anxiety waited for news from below. The bodies, as they were brought to tho surface, were removed to the wheelwright's shed, closo to the downcast shaft. Thoy wero frightfully disfigured, und in come cases unrecognisable, and identity had to ba proved by some article of drefs or trinket.

On the morning of tho 14th 32 bodies had been sent up. The explorers, who consisted chiefly of working minors from other collieries, had worked boldly. The 38th and last mi-Bin£,' body was found on tho morning of tho 10th in the farthest part ot tho colliery. Tho unfortunato man must have crept into this p'.acoaftertheexplosion, for it was in his lamp that tho explosion originated.

Extraordinary Colliery Accident.

An accident occurred on August 18, shortly before 11 o'clock, at Coulodge Colliery, near Newcastle-on-Tyne, resulting in the injury, more or less serious, of 13 workmen. It appears that the backshift men wero ridiDg on tubs, drawn by the engine, after ono of the sheaves through which the rope connected with the tubs passes had broken, and was hanging from the roof of tho seam, As the engine was going at a considerable speed the men were upon it before they became awaro of its being out of order. A string of 50 tubs had got about three quarters of a mile in when the accident cccured Thirty of the tubs coutained three men each, und many of whom were struck and crushed about the bead and shoulders by the loose sheaf, which is of metal, and three feet in circumference Whon the first I news of tho accident camo to tbe bank it created great alarm, which, however, was considerably ullayed when word was sent up tbat there were no deaths. As quickly ns possible tho colliery officials made arrangements for getting the men to the bank, both shifts being in the workings at tho time, numbering in all 200. Several of the injured men were in a dreadful condition. The wounds were mostly on the head, the men being in a sitting attitude in the tubs when the accident took place. Purchase of Land by Tenants In Ireland. It is reported from Cork that the tenants on the property of Captain Harrison, of Castle Harrison, near Charleville, have just completed the purchase of their holdings under Lord Ashbourne's Act. There are nearly 30 tenants on the property, which is situated near the rich 'and thriving district o' Charleville. The ,*alueof the 'and formed an important element of consideration in the nego'iations which were carried on in the National Leaeuo rooms during a period oi four or five months. The basis finally arrived at, upon which the tenant should purchase their holdings and upon which the landlord was agrees ble to sell wae ] .*syears' purchase of the existing rents. This was eqtiiva'entto23i years'purcbase at Griffith's valuation. Tho hinging gale was wiped out, and the agreement involved an understanding to pay the half year's rent, due in September, based on the amount of the annual instalments to be plid to the Govern ment under the terms of the Purchaee Act. New Zealand Midland Railway Company. Tbe first general meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at the cilices, 79, GraCQ.hurch-street, tho Chairman, Mr Thomas Salt, M.P., presiding. After tbe Secretary hud read the notico convening the meeting, the Chairman stated that at present ho was not able to make any very important announcement, owing to the fact that New Z.aland was some distance from Knpland, m I it was necessary tocommuni cute with the colony on several points. Ho could, however, st_te that the first issue nf shares was treely subscribed, and that a contract hud been entered into for constructing a portion of the line A beginning was to be made at Groymouth, a post on the West Coast. This would enable the company to construct their line either way, eastward or northward, ns they virhed A gentleman had been sent out to New Zealand who would act with a committee out there in surveying and choosing the land which the Government had granted to tho company The relations of the company with the New Z.-aland Government were of the most friendly nature, and he (the chairman) had no doubt would continue to be co, as they were very desirous of aiding the company in completing tbe line. There was a considerable degree of misapprehension about the railways at New Zealand. According to the official returns, it was shown that the railways which are open for traffic make a return of £3 Ss 3d per cent. But this is for the whole island. When the traffic for the two islands was compared, it would be found that those of the South Island averaged £4 16s per cent, while in one case the line returned £5 9s per cent. This line was the Greymouth line, which the company was about to extend cith-r way, and he (the chairman) had little doubt the returns would increase as the line increased. When, moreover, the profit from the sale of land granted to tho company by the Government was taken into consideration, it was surely not an unreasonable hope that the company's dividends would be satisfactory. There were signs of im provement in trade in New Zealand, as was instanced by the tact that wool had risen another Id in the pound within the last few days Although he did not wish to prophesy, he had he thought every reason at present to feel sure that the enterprise would prove a success. A resolution was passed appointing Messrs Cooper Brothers, of George street, Mansion Houso, auditors to the company.—A shareholder asked whether tho capitul of tho company would be called up quickly, and tho chairman said that depended upon the progress of the works, lut that plenty of notice would bo given. --After a vote of thanks to the chairman tho proceedings camo to an end.