Gun-Cotton Disaster.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 998, 17 April 1891, Page 33

Gun-Cotton Disaster.

THE INQUEST RESUMED. The inquest into the cause of the deaths of Walter Horrocks Heighton (Ross) and William Densem, killed by the late gun cotton explosion at Shelly Bay, was resumed before Mr Robinson, District Cotoner, yeaterday week. The jury chose Mr Charles Gamble for their foreman. Mr Gully ap. peared on behalf of the Crown and Mr Skerrett for Captain Falconer, while Mr Jellicoe was counsel for the family of the deceased man Heighton.

On the application of Mr Skerrett, all the waiting witnesses were ordered out of Court.

Captain Falconer, whose evidence-in. chief was taken at the former inquiry, was the first witness called. Cross-examined by Mr Jellicoe, he sa ; d :—As a rule gun cotton was stored in a moist condition, the percentage of water necessary to keep it moist being 20 per cent. This was the present percentage, but it was formerly 25 per cent., until a ciroular was received from the War Office by the Defence Department, before his appointment. He (witness) had never compressed gun cotton. Gnn cotton with a moisture of 15 per cent. would not burn. Had never Been the work, * A Treatise on Ammunition,’ until after the accident, though it was pnblished in and corrected up to October, 1877. Was aware of the regulations issued by the War Office for the treatment of gun cotton, but was not aware that the work just referred to stated that dry cotton would ignite at 277 degrees. Had not used the solder usually used by storekeeper. Had helped to solder tin in which gun cotton was stored. Heighton was a boilermaker by trade and the * allround ’ man at Shelly Bay. Did not consider the manufacture of solder very important, but it was necessary to have it as soft as possible. Had given Heighton a recipe for making solder shortly before the accident. The recipe was for three parts tin and two of lead, and he obtained it from a book on electrical appliances. Believed the solder used by Heighton at time of accident was according to this recipe. not know that a sample had been forwarded to the Government Armourer. If a sample had been sent his orders had been disobeyed, and it ought to have -gone through him. The temperature required to heat a bolt was, according to Moles worth, 342 degrees. Had heard, since the accident, that it was contrary to War Office regulations to use a soldering iron to either wet or dry gun cotton. This applied to the Imperial service. There was a War Office circular to this effect dated February, ISS6, which referred to another War Office circular of November, 3883. These circulars were sent by the Under-Secretary of Defence to him. He had Been no circulars before December Ist, ISB7, when he took charge in Wellington. Had seen all circulars since that date relating to submarine mining, but not to gun cotton. Remembered going to Auckland in June, 1889, on an inspection and instruction tour. Left Wellington on June Stb, 1889, and returned from Auckland on 28th June, 1889. Saw Captain Powell at Anckland, and visited the office at the fort. Took certain papers up with him, but left none with Cap. tain Powell. Did not leave him the original or a copy of the circular just produced, nor any papers whatever. If Captain Powell said he did he (witness) absolutely denied it. Would swear that the War Office used solder now. If he was short of appliances would use solder to-morrow in making up extempore primers, or mines. At this point Captain Falconer produced a box wbioh contained gun cotton, and had been sent out from the War Office, dated 28th November, 1888, and contained 501 b compressed gun cotton. The tin was soldered, and the name of the man (Perry) who soldered it was on it.

Cross-examination continued : Knew there was a solder which wonld melt in boiling water, or at 202 deg. Did not know that the bolt used for the soldering of the tin, produced, was heated in boiling water, or that the solder would melt at 202 degrees. Did not think the solder in question so soft. The case produced contained wet gnn cotton, but the circular of the War Office, referred to either wet or dry cotton. There would be a difference in soldering wet cotton to soldering dry cotton ; more care would hare to be taken with, dry gun cotton. The heat would not necessarily be the same for wet and dry- gun cotton. Would not require so muott beat for wet gun cotton. Did not think it dangerous, -providing proper precautions were taken to use solder which would not melt under 340 degrees, for dry gun cotton. Care would have to be taken to follow out the instructions of putting a layer of ashes between the gun guttou and top of tin. It was not improper to use asheß, the object being to have them as a non-con-ductor. Had been taught in the ser* ice to use ashes. Had seen ashes used in 1878 at Chatham, on H.M.S. Hood, The ashes were used in the making of primers for extempore mines and containing of gun cotton. Had seen them containing 401 b used in extempore mines. The primers made on H.M.S. Hood did not contain 7^lb —they contained 31b or 41b cotton. Never saw a primer made except with dry gun cotton. These primers would be used for exploding extempore mines, or fired by themselves for experiments. Had no spar on their torpedo boat. They nßed the dropping gear out here (Wellington) instead of the spar. The primers they were making at Shelly Bay were intended for experiment or exhibition for the Crown.

Mr Jellicoe said he pittied the Crown when they went to attend and witness his experiments. Mr Skerrett here appealed to the Coroner, and complained of the inßnlting manner in which Mr Jellicoe was treating the witness. He could -not understand how a person calling himself a gentleman coaid offer such gratuitous insults to a witness. On the Coroner remonstrating with him, Mr Jellicoe said he did not mean to bandy words with Mr Skerrett.

The cross-examination continued : The primers were going to be used for blowing

up rocks with extempore mines. They were not in themeelves miniature mines. For practical purposes these primers would not be large enough or the charge strong enough. Was going to use the primers for mines to be used in blowing up certain rooks in the harbour. Did not know until after the accident that primers were used by the War Office. Primers were not issued to the Royal Engineers. They were used by the Navy. He was not aware that primers were issued by the War Office to the New Zealand Station. Would swear he had none issued by the Imperial authorities at Shelly Bay. Never saw any in _ New Zealand. Was in the smithy a few minutes before the explosion. Had seen only one canister on the bench when he was there. The top was on, but not soldered. Did npt know there were more than one canister in the smithy. Knew they were not all in the smithy. Heighton was standing by the forge when he was there, and was the centre of three men. He was making his lids at the time. Thought they had made over a hundred of these primers at Shelly Bay. Considered the smithy- referred to was the safest place. Could not say whether there was a regulation instructing officers to always carry on operations.with dry gnn cutton in the open. Had never heard of it before. Had not told Goldie how much gun cotton to put in, but had ordered tins of a certain size.

At this stage Mr Gully objected to the irrelevancy of Mr Jellicoe’s questions. They/ did not want to know how the department was conducted, but merely had to find out the cause of the disaster.

The foreman of the jary said he and his oolleagues were of the same opinion as Mr Gully. They had attended several days, and it seemed as if the enquiry would be lengthened to an indefinite period. Mr Jelliooe stated that it was in the interests of justice that he wished the witness to reply to certain questions. It was necessary to prove whether the so-called primers were miniature mines or not, and that dry .gun cotton should not have been used. ; . _ Mr Skerrett thought that Mr Jellicoe was endeavouring to oast a slur upon Captain Falconer and bring him into disrepute a 3 regards the carrying out of his official duties. He must protest against Mr Jellicoe’s conduct.

Mr Jellicoe: I will prove that the socalled primers were nothing but miniature mines, and in the filling of them dry cotton had been improperly used and criminal carelessness shown in the work.

Replying to further questions, Captain Falconer said the primers were larger than he had intended. He ordered the canisters to be made 9iu long by 3in wide, but the order was misunderstood, and they were made inches through. If they had been made 3m through they would not have held 21b cotton. Did notice the canisters Goldie was filling to be larger than ordered. Mr Jellicoe asked the witness whether he had not once ordered a man to go into a mine with a naked light at Auckland.

Mr Skerrett again complained of the continued attacks made by Mr Jellicoe upon the witnesses.

The Coroner ruled the question to be irrelevant, and Mr Jellicoe remarked that Captain Fowell would answer it. Cross-examination continued—lf ordinary precautions were taken it was not reckless to take canisters filled with gun cotton into a forge where a fire was. Heighton’s orders were that the cannisters were to be made of copper. He (witness) had used them himself when working in the forge with Heigh, ton. It was against regulations to use dry gun cotton for the mines. The reason of using tin for the canisters was because there was no other material about the place at the time.

The enquiry was here adjourned for lunch.

Upon resuming after lnnoh the crossexamination of Captain Falconer was continued by Mr Jellicoe. • Witness produced a book, the “Annual of Submarine Mining,” issued by the War Office in 1890. Had got it just previous to the explosion. In his opinion it was necessary to solder primers of the kind in qnestion. If be was making this class of primer to explode a 16£ mine it would be necessary to solder it, even if it was not to be submerged long. A primer might have to be submerged for a month, though he had not intended to submerge tile one in question for more than an hour.

The cross-examination of Captain Falconer was here adjourned to allow of Mr Arthur Dillon Bell, Engineer of Defences, being examined. His evidence was that of an expert, and occupied the Court about an hour. In replying to Mr Jellicoe, tho witness said he considered it not imprudent to use a soldering iron in fasting a canister of gun cotton, so long as the cover was fixed and ashes used as a non-conductor to prevent any of the heat coming in contact with the explosive. Lieutenant-Colonel Hume, Acting Undersecretary for Defence, gave evidenoe as to all communications from the War Office coming through the Agent General. Ciroulars relating to submarine mining wore sent to Captains Falconer and Powell, and after being copied wore returned by those officers to the Defence Office. He would read a confidential ciroular received from the War Office in 1886 forbidding officers from using heat to any improvised charged of gun cotton : “No. 3. “ War Office, “ Whitehall, S.W., “[Confidential.] “ Feb. 26, 1886. “ Memorandum for submarine mining service. “Commanding Royal Engineers are in. formed that as instances have occurred in which individuals employed in submarine mining, or experimental work, have applied solder to oases containing gun cotton, they are directed to call attention to the danger attending such operations, and to forbid those under their orders to apply heat in any form to cases containing gun ootton, whether wet or dry. Where improvised charges have to be used attention is called to circular of November 30, 1883.—(Signed) A. M. Clarke, Inspector-General of Fortifioations.” He (witness) had not been able to find the circular of November, 1883, referred to at

the end of the circular just read. Did not know anything of submarine mining, aud could not say whether the circular was a very important one. In reply to Mr Skerrett : Did not know whether Captain Falconer was in the Colony in 18S6. Could not say whether the circular he had just road was circulated. If it had been circulated its oontent3 should have been known to officers.

By Mr Gully : Would not neoessarily feel bound to carry out changes suggested in ciroulars from the War Otiioe. VVould use his own judgment and discretion, but would have to “stand the shot” if he came to grief. As long as what they did came out all right it would not matter. Captain Falconer would report to him in his official capacity anything he considered dangerous and wanted alteration. With regard to such circulars as the one road, it would be a matter for his own discretion as to whether it should be sent to Captain Falconer or not. In reply to Mr Jelliooe : Would not say that he would necessarily see to the carrying out of the change suggested in the circular (No. 3) just read, but he would take all responsibility. These ciroulars were in the shape of suggestions, and not as orders. The experience of the InspectorGeneral of Fortifications might be worth careful consideration, but whether he (witness) followed the suggestions in these circulars was a matter of discretion. Ihe work done at Shelly Bay when the explosion occurred was of course a breach of the ciroular No. 3. The men were certainly soldering tins of gun cotton, and the ciroular distinctly said, don’t do it. Captain Falconer, in reply to the Foreman of the Jury said he thought that if three unsoldered canisters of gun cotton were lying on the floor, as stated by Wood, one of them might have been knocked over by one of the men, and some of the gun cotton upset with the ashes. An overheated bolt, or a lighted match might easily have caused the explosion. His reasons for saying this were that the dreadful way in which the men were burned oculd not have ooouired from one case, as a man would have thrown it from him.

By Mr Skerrett : There must have been, in his opinion, several cases ignited. He was not present, and this was only a speculation of his as to the cause of the explosion. Woods went into the smithy just after he (witness) left for the store. The explosion marks were all under the bench. The window above Heighton had not a pane of glaßß broken. From the results of the explosion he was of opinion that it occurred on the floor underneafch the bench, and not where the tins were on the bench. Half the gun cotton in store was examined on, 31st March last. Arrived in the Colony in 1886, and had not seen No. 3 circular, which, prohibited the use of heat to tins of gun ootton. Captain Powell was his senior officer, but witness acted as inspector for the whole Colony. All orders to Captain Powell were sent direct from the Defence Office. With proper care, there was no danger iu soldering the primers. If Heighton had complained of daDger be would not have been allowed to continue the work. If soldering was forbidden at Shelly Bay, primers would have to be purchased in England. A man coaid not have held the tin if it was heated to the necessary temperature to cause ignition. The enquiry was here adjourned till next day at 10.15.

The inquest was continued on Friday. At the opening of the Court the foreman of the jury enquired of the Coroner as to the probability of the enquiry being concluded that day. The Coroner stated that he was in sympathy with the jury, but feared that the case could not be concluded that day. Dr Cahill had informed him that the injured man, Cornwall, was not yet able to attend and give evidence, and as a matter of fact he had not as yet been informed of the occurrence of any deaths as the news might have injuriously affected him. Mr Jellicoe suggested there was no necessity for counsel to go to Shelly Bay for Cornwall’s evidence, as the necessary questions could be given to the Coroner, who could put them to Cornwall and get his replies. Mr Gully thought a copy of Cornwall’s statement to the Royal Commission might be obtained. The Coroner agreed that application might be made for a copy of the evidence given by Cornwall at the enquiry by the Commission. If a copy of the statement could not be obtained he would visit Shelly Bay and take Cornwall’s evidence. Mr Gully called James Birch, one of the Torpedo Corps, who deposed that he had been in the Royal Navy up to November 13 last. His duty on Her Majesty's ships was to lest the primers, which were made of coppered tin, and held about 2Jlb of gun cotton each. The lids were never soldered up. Indiarutber was screwed over the opening in the top. Had never seen the tops soldered till he went to Shelly Bay. When he was in the Navy the leads were always soldered to the legs of the detonators by the armourer. This closed the case for the Crown, and evidence was called by Mr Jellicoe. Captain. Powell, called and sworn, said he was officer in charge of the torpedo station at Auckland and had formerly been stationed at Wellington. Had studied submarine mining at Wellington, and instructed men for two years, doing practical work himself. Was under Colonel Bodham, but had no real instructor himself. Used “the Manual,” and did practical work himself. Went through a course ot Whitehead torpedo drill when the Nelson was at Auckland, and obtained a firstclass certificate issued by the captain of the Nelson. The certificate was for “ Whitehead ” torpedo practice. When in Wellington had primers for extempore mines in stock. Had used similar primers since he left Wellington. Supposed the primers he found at Wellington and Auckland came from England. If he ran out of primers, would get more made on the station. Had several men at Auckland who could make-them. They were . good all-round mechanics. The size of the primer envelopes was lOin by Sin. This was the service size. Had one of these envelopes and mouthpieces with him. (Envelope produced). The witness here explained to the jury the manner of filling and closing the envelope, and the fixing of the detonator. Examination continued: Any mechanic could close the mouthpiece and easily prepare the envelope. Would not use any ashes in the filling. The system he described had been used by him in both Wellington and Auck.

land since 1885. Had never had necessity to make any of the mouthpieces. Was supplied in the service with india-rubber bags, which were used for extempore mines. Produced one of the bags. Had not always used these bags for extempore mines. The bags were filled with gun cotton and a primer, ready prepared, was inserted into the bag amongst the cotton. Two electric “ leads ” wore led from the primer through the neck of bag, the mouth of which was closed with wooden clamps, which were tightened with screws and nuts ; there being notches in the clamps for the leads to come through. Had never seen anything of the kind of envelope produced by Mr Jellicoe used in the service. Had never seen a soldering iron used to close the lids of the primers. Assuming that solder was used which would melt at 340 degrees, such kind of work would, in his opinion, be dangerous. Would certainly not give such work to his men. Such an order would be a breach of the regulations. It would be a breach of the circular (No. 3) from, the War Office. It was his practice to adhere to War Office ciroulars as far as practicable. Would not take upon himself the responsibility of ignoring them—certainly not such an important one as “No 3.” Would not allow his men to use a bolt, such as produced, to solder_ any canister. Would not allow heat of any kind to be used. In his opinion a smithy was certainly an improper place to take a canister filled with gun cotton and the fid not fastened. Would not order his men to take a canister in' this condition into a smithy. Did not see the use of ashes being put on top of the cotton to fill up the envelopes, and! had never heard of such a thing being done. Their primers at Auckland were filled in what is known as the fitting room. The primer pits were used for testing the primers. The mouthpieces would be fixed in the fitting room. This system of treatment applied to all primers for extempore mines. Assuming that the tin produced (from Shelly Bay) was filled with gun cotton, fitted with a detonator and soldered, it might be used as a primer, but if the charge was large enough it might be called a miniature mine, and used as such. To explode a 5001bs mine a primer containing 4£lbs of dry cotton would be required. To explode a 16Jlbs mine, the size of the primer need not have been so large as the one described as having been used at Shelly Bay. In June, 1889, he was at the Auckland Station. Captain Falconer visited the station at that time, and brought some documents for the purpose of letting witness copy them for use at his depot. Among the documents was a circular from the War Office (No. 3). 'ihat produced was a copy of it. The copy of this circular was made at the station by Torpedo-man Barclay. After the documents referred to had been copied, they were returned to Captain Falconer, who was staying at Pearce’s hotel, Devonport, Auckland. The petty officer who took them for despatch to Captain Falconer was P.O. Brown, and Torpedo-man Hill delivered them at Captain Falconer’s hotel. Did not remember any experiments of Captain Falconer’s with gun cotton at Auckland. Mr Jellicoe : Do you remember Captain Falconer giving an order to Torpedo-man Martin to go into a mine with a naked light. The Coroner said he must rule the question as irrelevant, and told the witness he need not answer it.

Examination continued: The kind of work described a 3 having beeD done at Shelly Bay was, in his opinion, highly dangerous. Cross-examined by Mr Skerrett : Commenced his military career in New Zealand about 26 years ago in the Waikato Militia. Joined Armed Constabulary in 1868, and continued in the service till he was transferred to the Torpedo Corps in 1886. Never was in the Imperial service, and had had no experience in explosives. His experience was .purely local, and before he joined the Torpedo Corps had no experience beyond that of the Armed Constabulary. His experience in submarine mines was obtained from the “manual,” and practical work. Had been instructed by Captain Falconer. Was not aware that Captain Falconar had ever been instructed to report on his (witness’) efficiency in submarine mining. Had had some experience, since he left Wellington, at Auckland. This was all his experience except the 10 days on board the Nelson at Auckland. Did not know he had been ordered to Anckland by Colonel Humfrey, at the suggestion of Captain Falconer. His ten day’s instruction in torpedo practice on the Nelson only opened the way to a thorough course, and he then had to improve himself. Was forty-eight years of age, when he joined the Torpedo Corps. Did not pretend to set himself up against Captain Falconer’s experience in gun-cotton. Believed Captain Falconer was competent to take charge of submarine mining. Should have had no doubt about Captain Falconer being competent, if it had not been for the present matter. Did not pretend to be an expert himself. The Auckland and Wellington stations were fitted up by Captain Falconer. Had no difficulty in re-loading liis mines at Auckland. Was always friendly with Captain Falconer, who was now his senior officer. It was not usual for a subordinate to criticise the conduct of his superior officer. If such a criticism was volunteered it would be, under ordinary circumstances, very unusual. Remembered writing a letter from Auckland, and believed the copy produced to be a true copy. The letter referred to was as follows : —■ “ Torpedo Yards, “Devonport, March 10, 1891.

“Sir, —In re the coming enquiry into the cause of the loss of life in Wellington, I most respectfully beg leave to protest against such statements being made as that it is usual or customary to use ashes or solder when making up primers or charges of gun cotton. No ashes, solder, or pitch has ever been used by me for such purposes on my station, and I would wish to state, for the information of the Hon the Premier, the Hon the Defence Minister, and yourself, that under no circumstances would I consent to the use of those methods by any one under my control, or by any one whom Ijcould by any means control, and by taking the latter mentioned steps I have very probably diverted disaster on more than one occasion in the past. Such statements as I have objected to above, if made, could only be made by or for some one who, having set all orders at defiance, had brought about the inevitable catastrophe. “1. It is contrary to our instructions to use solder or heat of any kind in making up primers or charges for any purpose. 2. As a soldered joint cannot be made without bringing up the material to be soldered to nearly the same heat as the melted solder, the danger—even in the absence of orders —ought to be apparent to anyone. 3. These dangerous methods are quite unnecessary, as we have perfectly proper and safe appliances for making up charges at short notice, such as the rubber bag for gun cotton, with wooden clamp and indiarubber solution for the mouth, or tin cans having two iron discs bolted together with indiarubber between them, which makes the mouths of the tin perfectly watertight, and can easily be made by our own men. In conclusion; I wish to point out for tho information of the Hon the

Defence Minister, the Hon the Premier, and yourself that the plea of antiquated or unsuitable appliances does not by any means hold good, as the gun cotton bags above referred to are about the best appliances that can be procured for extempore mines, and if the supply of these was not kept up, or became exhausted through a large or unforeseen expenditure of them, then the tins, as above, could be safely and effectually used in their stead. “I have, &c.. “ (Signed) W. T. Powell, Capt., “ Commanding Torpedo Corps. “ Colonel Humfrey, Devonport, “Commissioner Permanent Forces, “ Wellington.”

Cross-examination continued : Was not requested to write that letter, and he did it only to allay anxiety of the Commanding Officer of the Forces, who was likely to imagine these dangerous practices were being carried on afc the other stations. Had not written that letter out of spleen or ia antagonism to Captain Falconer. The letter was written from a sense of duty. Did not think a third person would necessarily consider the letter written by a jealous and vindictive man. Since he had been at Auckland (three years)-had fired eight or nine charges, or extempore mines in the india-rubber bags. Had not exploded any service mines at Auckland. There were about eight primers left at Auckland at the present time. No solder had been used at Auckland for the last two years. As dry gun cotton would explode at 300 degrees, soldering of the lid on to the tin might easily raise the temperature of the tin so high as to cause the gun cotton to explode. In soldering a tin like that' produced, a man need not necessarily hold it. It might be held in position by being fixed. If a tin was heated sufficiently to cause the gun cotton to explode, the tin would be too hot for a man to hold long before the minimum exploding temperature was reached. If he had not known of the “service” primer he would have been very sorry to have to use the Shelly Bay envelopes. Remembered exploding some charges of gun cotton in Wellington about four years ago for blowing up the ElyWhitney. The primers used on that occasion, he thought, were of the “service ” description. Some he used may have been of a different pattern and made with a drum fitted with cap ; Ross made these latter. He considered all War Office circulars binding to the officers of the corps as far as they applied to their particular work, and as far as practicable. Captain Falconer handed him the No. 3. circular in June 1889. Remembered the occasion, as Captain Falconer told him the papers he brought up must be copied at once, as he wished to take them back to Wellington. The Auckland copy of the circular was in the handwriting of a man (Barclay), who had only been employed on that occasion. The circular was, therefore, traceable as having been brought to him by Captain Falconer on that visit. Had not “noted” these after copying, as they did not reach him in the usual way. Would not swear that No. 3 circular was not sent him by the Defence Office in September, 1889. If it had been sent to him. then, it must have been because Colonel Humfrey did not know that he had got it previously from Captain Falconer. The enquiry was here adjournad for lunch, and upon resuming at 2.10 p.m. the crossexamination of Captain Powell was resumed. In further reply to Mr Skerrett the witness said —A top to take the place of the mouthpiece of the service primer was easy of manufacture. Had several men at Auckland who could make them with the lathe and tools. The necessary bolts could be purchased, and a “ fitter ” could fit them. Had had to send to Wellington for some of his appliances. An extempore mine need not of necessity be fitted with a primer—a detonator conld be used, but this would be a purely temporary expedient and for immediate use. Gun cotton should not have more than 2 per cent of water for detonation. It would take him about an hour to fill one of the bags, seal it up, and get it ready for use. His opinion was that if the indiarubber bags were obtainable they should always be used for extempore mines. Never used the primer pit at Auckland, as no occasion had arisen. Did not know that any communication had been made with Mr Jellicoe by any of his men. He had been ordered by Colonel Humfrey to “ fall in ” his staff and enquire of them whether any had communicated with Mr dellieoe. Had spoken to Mr Jellicoe last night, but had not gone over Captain Falconer's evidence with him, but had seen it in the Times. Went to Mr Jellicoe’s house by invitation, but not with any ostensible object in connection with the enquiry, Had spoken of the case at Me Jellicoe’s. _ Re-examined by Mr Jellicoe : Had received a telegram from Colonel Humfrey before he left Auckland. It instructed him to see his men and ascertain whether any of them had communicated with Air Jellicoe. Had not been told what the consequences would be if any of his men had communicated with Mr Jellicoe The telegram suggested that some such com munication had passed, and he was ordered to make the enquiry. Had replied to Colonel Humfrey that he had questioned all his men except one, who was on leave, and all_ denied having had any communication .with Mr Jellicoe. Was later on informed_ that he would have to come to Wellington. Major Goring told him to call at the Police Barracks for his subpoena ; this he did. Did not remember whether there was a memo attached to the subpoena to the effect that it had been issued at Air Jellicoe’s instance. If a tin was a long one it might be held by a man after the heat of a bolt had reached the ashes and gun cotton , but this could not be with such a tin as the one produced. The letter produced and read had been sent by him to Colonel Humfrey, and the statements therein were quite true/ There was not the slightest ground for suggesting that he bore ill-will to Captain Falconer. The letter he wrote conld be of no benefit to him, but its contents might save the lives of many persons. Although he had not had occasion to use many primers, _ lie bad several times to give exhibitions of firing. He, however, did not feel disposed to do so oftener than necessary. There was a regulation forbidding anything like experiments being exhibited for public display. Cecil Treherne, Lieutenant of H.M.S, Curacoa, was the next witness called by Mr Jellicoe, and he gave the following evidence : Was gunnery lieutenant on H.M.S. Curacoa, and acted as “ instructor ” also. Had qualified six years ago in submarine mining, and been on constant duty ever since. It was part of his course to go through Waltham Abbey Factory, where all the service gun cotton was made and packed. There was a definite temperature of 3SO degrees for gun cotton to ignite. Heat would cause explosion of dry gun gotton. The temperature for both the ignition and explosion of dry gun cotton was the same. All wet gun cotton was supplied to the service in 16Jlbs tins. The primers required for this would have to contain 2Jlbs of cotton. Was acquainted with the book produced, “ A Treatise on Ammunition.” Had used the primer referred to on page 18 of the said hook. The dimensions of the envelope of this primer was about 3 by 11 inches. The tin produced by the former witness was the naval pattern,

and issued by the Admiralty from Waltham 'Abbey. Had seen Captain Powell exhibit the method of closing the tin. It was the service method described. The tin and mouthpiece could be made by anyone worthy of the name of mechanic. Had never known a piece of tra to be soldered over the top of one of these canisters when charged. Had experience of soft solder. Lead, tin, and bismuth were required to make soft solder, but the bismuth would not be used for hard solder. Any solder made without bismuth, or some like ingredient, would not be soft solder. A compound of 3of tin and 2 of lead would not be soft solder. The lowest point at which soft solder would melt was 202 degrees, and the highest 320. A man who could test the heat of a bolt to within a few degrees by trying the melting of the solder and then holding the bolt close to his cheek would be a genius. It would be very unsafe for anyone to solder the tin produced after it was charged with gun cotton. Had never before heard of such a thing being done. If a man by accident touched the side of the tin with the heated bolt it would probably explode. If the bolt was used at the top of the tin the s heat would be conveyed quickly along the tin and the cotton would explode. Even if a careful man used the solder iron heated to 340 degrees, the danger would exist, even though there was a 3m layer of ashes on the top of the gun cotton. Would not consider it safe to take a canister of dry gun cotton into a smithy, and such a proceeding would be highly dangerous. _ Had been to Shelly Bay previous to the accident, and went into the smithy there. Would say that a man had no business to have dry. gun cotton in the smithy at all, as it was highly dangerous, even if ashes were on top. of the cotton. The heat of the place might be sufficient to cause an explosion, and if any cotton was exposed a spark might ignite it. Had never known ashes to be used in primers. If a man was . ordered to solder a tin of this kind and when he felt the heat below the 3in layer of ashes stopped and put it aside, he would be justified in refusing to ohey. The order would be a most improper one. If a mechanic did feel the heat below the ashes he (witness) could not say whether it would be too late to avoid an explosion or not. Some men’s hands were so hard that they could hold almost anything hot. Thought a man (a mechanic) might hold a tin till it exploded. Assuming that there was more than one canister in the smithy on the bench, there being a fire in the.forge, and a man present soldering one of the tins, he could not understand such a thing being allowed. The fact of other tins being successfully soldered in the past did not alter his opinion, as he looked upon it as sheer luck that there had not been previous accidents. In putting ashes on top of the cotton a man might easily place live ashes on by mistake, especially if he took them from the forge, and the result would be ignition of the cotton. The indiarubfcer bags ■were never in use in the Navy. There were no regulations in regard to using soldering irons to tins of gun cotton. The Admiralty regulations forbade the use of soldering irons at all. Wet gun cotton was manufactured at Waltham Abbey and packed in cases. The system of packing wet gun cotton at Waltham Abbey •was correctly described in “The Treatise.” After tearing off the soldered top of the case of wet gun cotton, as received from the manufactory, he would not dream of re-solder-ing it. The case produced was longer than those issued to the service from Waltham Abbey- The label with the solderer’s name on it would have been placed there before it left the manufactory, and issued to the service. As far as the experiments made after the explosion by Captain Falconer with small pieces of gun cotton, he did not place much value on them. Because a piece of gun cotton did not explode or ignite on one occasion, it did not prove that an explosion or ignition would not take place at another time. The tin produced could he used as a primer when loaded,, but if he (witness) were going to give an exhibition he would not use such a tin for a primer.. The flash stated to have taken place at the time of the explosion would probably have been owing to the* sudden ignition of the gun cotton, caused, perhaps, by the heat of the soldering iron and high temperature from the smithy combined. It was doubtful whether a spark from a man’s pipe could percolate the ashes in a live state and ignite the cotton.

Cross-examined by Mr Skerrett: Had visited Shelly Bay before the disaster and found everything in good order, the place being clean and things compact. . . . The cross-exaTnination of JLiieutenant Areherne lasted till after 5 o’clock, but r,o material alteration to the replies he had given to Mr Jellicoe was obtained. Sergeant-Major Gunn, late Instructor in the Hoyal Engineers, and at present Torpedo Instructor at Auckland, was the next witness. He stated, in reply to Mr Jellicoe,. that he was instructor in submarine mining. He identified the primer produced by Captain Powell as being of the pattern used by the Koyal Engineers and in all submarine mining since the year 1883. Witness corroborated Captain Powell regarding the manner of closing the mouthpiece, and asserted positively that no solder or soldering iron had been used in the service for closing primer canisters since 1883. Witness produced the War Office circular of 1883, relating to the makihg up of improvised charges, and stated that the primer produced by Captain Powell was the one referred to in the said circular. He also produced a. War Office circular of November, 18S3, forbidding the use of anything experimental for public display. The enquiry was adjourned at 6 p.m. to the next morning at 10 a.m.

The inquiry was resumed on Saturday. Mr Jellicoe asked to be allowed to recall George Goldie to give evidence regarding the original size of the damaged tin produced. George Goldie, Ist class torpedo-man, recalled, in reply to Mr Jellicoe, said the canister produced was not the full length of the tins he filled. They were all about 18in long, and not 9in as had been stated. Had put 6£lb of gun cotton into each. Had weighed them, and did not think that a tin Sin high and of the same diameter as that produced would hold 6Mb. By Mr Gully : Had assisted to charge primers before. Had filled according to orders, but bad nothing to do with the size. Had never before filled such large tins for primers. Had filled both larger and smaller tins than the red “service” one produced. The smaller ones would be a little shorter than the red tin, but n-t smaller in diameter. The largest held 6Mb, and the smaller ones —4, 5 or 6 discs of Boz each —say from 2ib to 31b. Had never before the occasion in question filled so a large a size as 18in by 4 Jin. Cross-examined by Mr Skerrett : Except on this last occasion had never seen canisters for primers of a greater diameter than 3in, but the lengths had varied. Whilst he was filling the last two tins Captain Falconer passed through the room and spoke to him. He asked when he (witness) would he finished, and he told him he would soon be done. Had never seen a red • mister like the one produced with a monthsee at Shelly Bay. Had never seen one till he

saw that in Court. He only estimated the length of the tin which had exploded. Judged of the length by the way the tin stood between his knees as he sat—it reached to the top of his knees. By measurement the remaining portion of the tin was lOin in length. The foreman of the jury had expressed a desire on the part of himself and colleagues to see an experiment made for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of heat generated by a heated bolt placed against a primer tin similar to those made at Shelly Bay. The Coroner said he had no doubt about being able to make the necessary arrangement for an experiment, and would send to one of the tin3mithing establishments in the city. Mr Jellicoe remarked that he hoped the test would be made before his expert witnesses left Wellington. A warm discussion here took place between the Coroner and Mr Jellicoe, the former accusing the counsel of making insulting remarks to the Court and wasting time. He also complained that Mr Jellicoe had both the day before and the present day delayed the business of the Court by making remarks that were both ungentlemanly, and certainly unbecoming in a Mr Jellicoe said he absolutely denied being guilty of unbecoming language, and accused his Worship of having behaved unfairly towards him, and of having committed a breach of confidence with him. Some days ago he (the Coroner) had asked him (Mr Jellicoe) to take him into his confidence and tell him what evidence he was going to call. He accordingly gave him (the Coroner) his _ witnesses’ names, but Mr Robinson had committed a breach of confidence by letting the public know who his witnesses were going to be. The Coroner stated he had done nothing of the sort, and declined to discuss the matter further. Mr Jellicoe : I repeat that your W.nship violated my confidence, and I do not hesitate to say that no counsel at the Bar has had to submit to greater obstruction at the hands of any Court in getting evidence brought before it. The Coroner : It amounts to this : That if this enquiry is not to be conducted in a proper and becoming manner it will be best that you retire. I have throughout the enquiry been particularly careful to show you an amount of forbearance not often extended by the Bench to members of the Bar. 1 have not more often interrupted yon for fear’of delaying the work of the Court. You are persistently adopting a tone and manner which sorely tries both my nerves and temper. After some other remarks the matter dropped, andarrangements were made for the jury and counsel to visit Mr J. E. Hayes’ shop to see a canister made and the effect of the heat of a soldering iron upon it. Sergeant-Major Gunn, who was being examined when the Conrt rose on Friday, here continued his evidence. In reply to Mr Jellicoe the witness said, assuming the supply of “service” canisters ran out of stock in the Colony they could he made by an ordinary mechanic, who could also make and fit the mouthpiece. During his career in the Royal Engineers extempore mines were made in the method described, and in that method only. The same method had been in vogue up to the present time. A 16Jlb mine would have to be fitted with a primer of the size produced. There had never since IS7B heen a 16Jlb mine used in the “service” to his knowledge. The primer produced was for all improvised mines. There were india rubber baas, as described in the War Office circular of 1883. at Shelly Bay—these were the “ service ” bag for improvised mines. They had similar hags at Auckland. In the Royal Engineers during his career these bags were charged and closed in the same manner as described by Captain Powell. This was the way the bags were filled and, closed in the colonial service. Prior to 1883 the cases received by tfie service from Waltham Abbey were sent back repacked and resoldered, after being filled with fragments, or chips, of gun cotton. Had known cases of explosion occurring in the repacking and soldering of these fragments—in fact, this work was looked upon as most dangerous, and owing to the numerous accidents the circular referred to had been issued. Soldering for submarine purposes was stopped in 1884 by the authority of the circular from the War Office of January 31st, 1884. The circular stated that all soldering was to be done away with in connection with submarine mining. He was an instructor, and had notes of these circulars in his book for the instruction of his men. There was a more stringent circnlar issued in February, 1886. Should say that War Office circulars ought to be taken notice of in the colonial service. Had never heard of officers in the Royal Engineers using their own individual discretion as to whether they took notice of those circulars or not and “standing the shot” if they ignored them. Dr Cahill attended the Court, and in reply to the Coroner stated that Cornwall could be quietly examined by his Worship privately, but must not be subjected to cross-questioning as his condition would not allow of him being unnecessarily disturbed. After consulting the jury and the counsel the Coroner decided that he and the Jury should leave for Shelly Bay at 2.30 p.m. Examination continued : In the “ Service ’’ it would be disobedience to orders to ignore these circulars from the War Office. The instructions for cautions to be observed in filling the primers were common knowledge. Shortly the regulations for observing precautions against danger in charging and fitting primers were as follows : I. No current was ever to be passed through a loaded mine. 11. No gun cotton ever to be brought into the fitting room. 111. Priming of apparatus to be conducted in priming pits only, one man only to work in a pit. IV. Primed apparatus, only to be tested, viz., previous to issue to “ loading party this test to be taken from the testing room, the apparatus to be in the priming pit during the test. No person to be in the pit during the operation. V. Only one primer to be In a pit at any time. VI. No cells other than those in permanent connection with the testing table, ever to be connected to any point in connection with the table. VII. No cells, other than “ raised 3, Leclanchi ’’ cells ever to ho taken into the testing room. Detonators will be balanced in the testing room, but will he tested for sensitiveness in the fitting room. VIII. No cells ever to be taken into a priming pit—not even into the pit fitted with hydraulictestingarrangemsnts. IX. All “ No. 3 Leclanchi ” cells to be of the “ raised resistance ’’ pattern. X. When working with detonators it should be borne in mind that detonation may be produced by contact with acids. Note The above instructions apply equally to live mine primers, &c., and to drill or dummy gear. Theseweretheinstructionsgiven to every man who passed in submarine mining or for the Royal Engineers. Never knew ashes to be used in primers at Chatham. A primer pit was made, so that only one man could work there at a time—it was also generally separated and apart from other buildings. There was no difficulty in either making or keeping a primer pit. The reason of allowing only one man to work in a primer pit was because of the danger

attached to making a primer, Never knew of a primer being made of Snider tin similar to that produced from Shelly Bay. Never knew of a primer in the Service to contain 6§lb of gun-cotton. To hold of compressed dry gun-cotton a canister of 4Jin diameter would have to be at least 15in long. The dry gun-cotton would have to be broken up if the primer was diameter —there were no discs diameter. It would be quite right to use it broken up under the circumstances. It would not he necessary to solder on the top of primer, even though there ‘were no mouthpieces in the Colony, as a watertight joint could easily be made at the mouth of the indiarubber bag ; he. referred to improvised mines. Would call the Shelly Bay canister produced a primer, hut could not suggest any purpose for which it could be used. Could not understand it being made for a 16Jib extempore mine. Could understand it being intended for a public display or exhibition, hut for this purpose it would be contrary to regulations,. and R would also require to be a complete service mine, lhe primer referred to could not be considered a complete service mine. _ The act of soldering on a top to a primer of the kind produced would be extremely dangerous, even in the hands of a careful man. Such an order would not be a reasonable or proper one to give, and a man would be justified in taking some action to get out of fulfilling the order. Soldering would be dangerous from his own practical experience of gun-cotton. If the solder used required a temperature of 320, the bolt would have to be twice that heat. It would be improper to give the ordet whatever the temperature was. The order given to the men at JShelly Bay to put the primer aside directly they felt the heat below the ashes, he could not uuderstand. He could not understand an officer in charge of a, torpedo station giving such an order. Had not the slightest doubt himself as to what would happen; but under the circumstances, he did not know. He meant that he, himself, would feel the heat sooner than a smith. At this stage (noon), the Court adjourned for the purpose of visiting Mr Hayes’ shop, and witnessing certain experiments with tins and soldering-irons. A tin was made, and a top soldered on, and the jury then felt the tin, and judged of the amount of heat generated by the bolt. A heated bolt was also placed under a piece of tin and a fragment of gun-cotton on top of the tin to ascertain the result. When the bolt was red-hot the cotton ignited, but when only at soldering heat it had no effect on the cotton.

A further adjournment was then male for luncheon, and at 2.30 p.m. the Coroner, counsel, jury, and expert witnesses proceeded in the Ellen Ballance to Shelly Bay for the purpose of taking Cornwall’s evidence, and inspecting 'the shed where the explosion took place. The evidence of Cornwall was taken by the Coroner in the presence of the jury, none of the counsel being allowed in the apartment. The evidence was to the following effect At the time of the explosion he was employed in the blacksmith’s shop helping Ross to solder. He was handing tins to Ross for soldering, and three or four had been done when the accident occurred. At the time of the mishap he was at the bench to the left of Ross, the forge being at his back. The last he could remember before the explosion was that Ross_ was soldering, and he (witness) was holding a tin in his hand. He was knocked down, and the next thing he recollected was that he was getting out of the shop as fast as he could. There ware on the bench some canisters which had been soldered —at least, he believed they were there. Did not know what the primers were to be used for. As far as he could recollect each tin was 3 inches in diameter, and about 12 inches long. Had noticed ashes on the top of each tin. Knew the canisters were to be taken away by Captain Falconer, but Jhad no idea when they were to be packed. Did not know whether anyone had told him they were going away. Could not recollect seeing Captain Falconer come into the smithy that day. Other persons could see if there were canisters on the bench. Did not hear Captain Falconer make any remark about the work, but he_ might have done so. Saw Goldie come into the smithy with canisters, but he ODly broughtone in at a time ai*d put them down by the little forge and filled them with ashes, and on one occasion took the latter from the round forge. He did not like to see Goldie do this, as there was fire in the round forge, but he made no remark about it at the time. The fire in the forge was very low —just enough to heat bolts. Was attending to the heating of the bolts generally, but sometimes Ross did this himself. They were using the small bolt, but he did not know its temperature ; but if it had been very hot the lining would have come off and they could not have soldered with it. All the tops were ready before the soldering was _ commenced. Remembered Wood borrowing a soldering-iron from Ross before the latter used it at the bench. Whilst Wood was using the bolt Ross and_ witness were fitting a top to another tin.. Was not sure' what was done with that tin, but thought Goldie removed it. Could not say whether it was the next tin they were at when the explosion took place, Remembered advising Wood to keen out of the way, but this was only said in a joking way. Of course they knew the work was risky, and that they had to take care. Had never before helped Ross in soldering on the tops of canisters. Had been two years and four months in the service—at first on the launch Ellen Ballance and for the past 12 months at Shelly Bay. Had never seen any primers with an indiarubber top to fit in. When the fire in the forge got low the “ blast,” worked by water power, was turned on for a little to bring it up again. The blast was easily regulated, and there was never a full blast on. Could not say whether the primer he was holding was the first to explode. No one was smoking in the smithy on the morning of the explosion. Did not remember seeing any more primers on the floor below the bench. Saw Goldie take ashes from the round forge aboxt 5 or six minutes before the explosion. Ross had to use the hammer to get one of the lids on, as it had got out of shape. The accident could not have been caused by concussion of the detonator, for if that had happened nobody would have been alive. When holding a tin being soldered his hands would have been about three inches from the top. Felt no undue heat—it was no more than usual. His hands were very sensitive. Densem, he thought, was marking off and was not meddling with what he and Ross were doing. Thought it was the last canister that gave him and Ross trouble, as it was rather full of ashes. They did not put any of the ashes out or use the hammer to it. In his opinion, ashes at the outer edge of the forge, where Goldie took them from, would be dead ashes. Of course there would always be a chance of a spark being amongst them, but did not think The enquiry was adjourned at the conclusion of Cornwall’s evidence till Tuesday, at 9 a.m.

The inquiry was resumed on Tuesday. The examination of Sergeant-Major Gunn was resumed by Mr Jellicoe, In 1880 at the

Pembroke Docks, at Malta, and at Hong Kong he had seen gun cotton explode through the heat from soldering irons. He himself was working on both occasions with the gun cotton. Was making explosive links and using a soldering iron when, by some means, the gun cotton surrounding the detonator caught fire. Had just time to take hold of the link and throw it to the other end of the room before detonation took place. An explosive link was a piece of pipe closed at one end, and inside it was a detonator surrounded by a little gun cotton. The other end was closed with a watertight joint. Did not know whether the hot iron came in actual contact with the gun cotton. Had another experience at Malta in 1882, when one of the fitters was soldering up a case of gun cotton fragments which caught fire and burned fiecely till all of it had been consumed, the lid of the case being blown cff. This was before the issue of No. 3 circular from the War Office. In the Pembroke Dock case the soldering irons were not applied to the primer, and he could not say how the heat got at the primer. Whilst at Hong Kong he superintended the packing of gun cotton fragments for return to Woolwich. After these accidents he made a rule, of always taking cases of gun cotton for soldering to the door. He also made it a rule cf never employing any but an experienced tinsmith or plumber to do soldering. At this stage Sergeant-Major Gunn’s examination was interrupted in order to allow of the recall of Lieut. Treherne, as he had to re--turn to his ship H.M.S. Curagoa. Lieut. Treherne, in reply to Mr Jellicoe, said that a canister 18 inches long would naturally be held lower down when soldering, than if it was only 9?r inches long. If copper had been used to make the canister instead of tin plate the heat would travel down the canister very quickly. Copper being a better conductor of heat it was more dangerous than tin. It was certainly safer to use tin for primer cases. Dry gun cotton was treated in the open air in the navy. From what he saw at Shelly Bay on Saturday last he thought partial detonation had taken place. If complete detonation had occurred all the men would have bern blown to pieces. The article produced was the head of a detonator, and had been picked up by Sergeant-Major Gunn in the smithy. Did not consider the experiments at Mr Hayes’ shop of any value to him, as he had known what would take place before he went to the shop._ In his opinion it was improper to use soldering irons or heat of any description in connection with gun cotton. Cross-examined by Mr Gully: It was very easy to explode gun cotton by concussion. It was possible, but not probable, that the explosion took place through one of the [primers dropping to the ground, as the detonator was protected. Did not think the hammering of one of the lids would cause detonation. By Mr Skerrett: The experiments at Hayes’ shop on Saturday proved that a soldering iron heated sufficiently to melt commercial solder would not ignite gun cotton placed on top of the tin plate resting on a heated bolt, in a primer the cotton would press against the sides. While the experiment was being made he had pressed the cotton with his stick on to the tin. The experiment also proved that molten commercial solder could be dropped on to gun cotton without an explosion taking place. These facts being established it would not necessarily be carelessness on the part of a man filling the tins that led to the explosion. The explosion he should say was an improper use of the soldering iron. A canister of snider tin would be safer than a tin-copper one, when being soldered. The fact of booh being tinned does not make the metal the same for practical purposes. The evidence he had just given would not be effected by the fact that the soldering-iron had been applied to copper-tin—the practical results would be about the same. Had said, that, if complete detonation of the primers had taken place on the floor at the mens’ feet, the would have been blown to pieces. He would have expected detonation to take place. Had heard the circumstances of the explosion, and thought it was surprising that there was no complete detonation. Had noticed _ that the effects of the explosion were in all directions. The windows were all untouched. This was extraordinary under the circumstances, and especially if the primers had been standing on the bench. He thought an explosion on the bench would have caused the_ damage beneath the bench, but he thought it odd that no damage had been done to the wall and windows above the bench. Could not, from the appearances of the shed, say with reliability where the canisters first exploded. Had never soldered wet gun cotton. Had never returned old gun cotton to store. Had never packed any gun cotton, as all their mines were sent loaded. When returning chips of dry gun cotton he would certainly damp it again, ns it soon dried when exposed to the air.A flame would not ignite gun cotton if it contained 15 per cent of water. Could not understand how the explosion could have occurred by the application of a soldering iron, if the cotton, as it was fair to assume, contained 15 per cent, of moisture. . . By the Jury : Noticed that the splinters of the bench appeared to be at the under part as if the explosion occurred on the top. By Mr Jellicoe : Had no reason for altering his opinion as to the explosion having occurred at the top of the bench—this was what he thought after seeing the scene of the explosion. In reply to the Coroner the witness stated that the tins on top of the bench might easily have fallen to the ground before exploding. It was quite possible that Cornwall might have dropped the tin ha was holding before the explosion occurred. Did not think the detonator would have exploded before it was effected by the heat of the soldering iron. Sergeant-Major Gunn's examination was here resumed by M!r Jellicoe : The gun cotton he was soldering up at Hong Kong, for return to store, was wet. and this was what exploded. Went out to Shelly Bay on Saturday and inspected the smithy. Observed opposite the window certain marks on the bench. Measured the distance from the outside of the bench to the round forge—it was about 4ft 4in. _ If a man stood at that point of the bench in the same position as the man did at Mr Hayes shop the primer would be about 3ft 4in from the forge, itself. If the fire in the forge got low and the blast turned on to bring it up again be considered it would be dangerous, because the primer would be in too close proximity to the fire for safety. Noticed a vice on the bench. It was about 3ft 6in from the centre of the mark of the explosion. There were some marks at the top of the jaws of the vice. Should say that the explosion had occurred from above, judging from the marks of the bench. From what he saw this was the locale of the principal explosion. Did not think absolute detonation ensued. Canisters on the bench might have fallen in consequence of the explosion. If a man had dropped a heated bolt on to one of the tins on the floor it would probably have ignited the gun cotton, but the man would be able to get out of the room it detonation did not ensue. Immediately below the marks of the explosion, opposite a window, had seen a piece of tin picked up, and he now produced it. _ picked up by Mr Jellicoe and banded to him. Had received some solder picked up from beneath

the mark of the explosion. Major Messenger was present. Should say the solder dropped from a bolt. Had handed the solder to Major Messenger, who sealed it up in an envelope, and returned it to him. The envelope had not been interfered with, and he now produced it. Mr Jellicoe here intimated to the Court that he intended to hand the solder to Mi“ Skey, the Government Analyst, for analysis. The Coroner —Very well; that can be done, suppose. . ' h'xamination continued : If a man was soldering an 18 x 3in canister, he would run a great risk, as any shaking or turning of the tin might easily bring the broken gun cotton, used for making ud the primer to the top. If the heat did effect the gun cotton, he would not say whether a man could put the canister away before an explosion occurred. His opinion was that the first intimation of danger would be an explosion. Was present when experiments were made at Mr Hayes’ shop on Saturday afternoon, hut attached no value to them. If th 6 tin had had gun cotton in it he would not have stayed in the shop ; as it was, the tin was only filled with ashes. Had felt the head of the tin after the soldering had been done and it was hot where the bolt had gone round. The jury and coroner also felt it. Went to Auckland at the end of January, 1890. .Had had opportunity of judging of Captain Powell’s suitability for his post. Considered he was a most capable and efficient officer in all matters connected with submarine mining. (Witness produced his own certificates for submarine mining—there were three in number: one for testing, one for submarine mining, and another for electricity.) Held a number of other certificates in the army. Cross-examined by Mr Skerrett—Had described himself as “Sergeant-major.” This ought to have been qualified to “ Company Sergeant-major.’’ There were two ranks between this latter and that of Sergeant-major. Was Instructor as “Company Sergeantmajor.” Was not on the published staff of Instructors, but acted on it. Had been partly through a course of submarine mining under “ Quartermaster-sergeant Instructor ” Falconer in the winter of 1878, when he (witness) was “ Sapper.” He was a reeruit then, Also learnt the laying out of the “ T section of mines. Gun cotton was always cut wet, and on a damp slate slab, raised above the floor, about 2ft 6in. The chips were thereby kept damp by falling on the damp slab. These cuttings would be returned to Woolwich, after being soldered up. The act of cutting would cause some of the water being squeezed out of the cotton. He had used a steel knife, but he had known of band saws being used. _ Clips eertainly appeared more dry, when being repacked, than the bulk. Should say that hot more than 14 or 15 per cent of water was in the chips. Had never seen regulations relating to the moisture of chips for transit. The percentage for wet cotton was 20 per cent., and 15 per cent, was supposed to he the minimum. It wa3 quite as dangerous to send chips too dry as it was to send whole gun cotton. Gun cotton with 20 per cent, of water would burn on the application of flame. He had tried it and was quite sure of it. Disagreed with Lieutenant Treherne on this point. Notwithstanding what Mr Skerrett read from the book he had, he still maintained Ids opinion about wet gun cotton (20 per cent) being inflammable. Knew the Manual of 1890, but he formed his opinion from the statement made in the handbook of gun powder and gun cotton by the Superintendent of the Waltham Abbey Factory. As far as he remembered this authority stated that a ton of wet gun cotton had beeu_ set fire to, and had burnt away without explosion. He still belonged to the Royal Engineers. Had lit wet gun cotton, and it had burnt away. Thought that dry gun cotton might be exploded by the agency of the sun’s rays on iron. The ignition point for dry gun cotton was 300 degrees. He referred to the handbook again as his authority for this. Could understand gun cotton containing 15per cent of water igniting and burning quickly. Was a lance-corporal in 1880. Some men were slightly scorched at the explosion in Malta. Half an ounce of dry gun cotton would take nearly ten seconds to burn. Had never seen a 16Jlb mine. Supposed he was the first to bring out the War Office circular relating to precautions to be taken in filling and making primers. Had placed all the information he had at Captain Falconer’s disposal when the latter went to Auckland. Placed the circulars and his notebook on Captain Falconer’s table for him to refer to. Had seen primers loaded in Auckland, but had not done the work himself. Only one man was engaged in loading them, and only one man was present in the fitting room. There were never more than two men engaged together in this work at Auckland. Had tested the primers in the place in which they were made up. Was aware of the regulation forbidding the taking of gun cotton to the fitting room. Had known cotton to be taken to what was called the “ fitting ” room at Auckland. Had not broken the regulation knowingly. The first primer he had seen loaded had been ordered by Captain Powell. There the room was more suitable for a primer pit than a fitting room, and had thought it was a primer pit when he arrived at Auckland. There was a primer pit at the other side of Auckland Harbour. Had been told that the place was used as a primer pit. According to regulations a primer pit should be 6 feet square only, and built (detached) of otone or concrete. The room at Auckland was about 9 feet x 6 feet and built of iron. Thought the instruction about no current being passed through a loaded mine referred to when after leaving the priming room. Had never sent a copy of his notes to anyone. Allowed Captain Powell and some of the men to refer to his book. Whilst at Auckland his book was lying on his office table. Had had two conferences with Mr Jellicoe since he had arrived, one at his house and the other at Shelly Bay. The Court here adjourned to allow of the last witness to experiment with dry and wet gun cotton as to its ignition from a flame. It was found that a match applied to a fragment of wet cotton, had no effect, the staff iiot igniting, but directly the light was applied to some dry stuff, the latter ignited, and was consumed with a flash. An adjournment was then made for lunch. IJpon resuming at 2 p.m. the cross-examina-tion of Sergeant-Major Gunn was resumed by Mr Skerrett, the witness deposing as fellows : —Did not think the experiments at Hayes’ of any value. Did not know whether the results of those experiments proved that the heat of a soldering iron would not spread below the ashe3 on the top of a primer. Could not say the experiment was a proper one, as there were no explosives in the tin. He could have told whether the heat below the three inches of ashes reached anything like boiling point. The jury could also. It was necessary that the heat mu3t be equal to boiling point before it affected the cotton. The heat of the tin on the top was greater than boiling point after the soldering. Did not feel whether the heat was below the top. . .. , , ~ In reply to the Coroner the witness stated he did not understand that the experiment had been merely to ascertain whether the heat was likely to spread to the hands of a man bolding

the tin during soldering. Seeing this was the case, he could not express an opinion as to the value of the experiment. By Mr Skerrett: Saw the experiment with the gun cotton placed on a piece of tin, when a red hot bolt was placed under it. The cotton ignited at first, but when the bolt was at proper soldering heat the cotton would not ignite. He till thought that if a bolt at proper soldering heat was applied to the tin under the spot where the cotton was the latter would ignite. The experiment of dropping melted solder on the gun cotton surprised him. In one of the experiments with the melted solder the gun cotton ignited, but when the solder was dropped from a greater height he was not surprised that the cotton did not ignite. Knew the gun cotton was perfectly dry, though he had his doubts at first, owing to its dark colour. The experiment outside the court that morn* ing coincided with his opinion, and the expert* ment showed that gnn cotton containing 20 per cent of water would burn when aflame was brought to it. The wet gun cotton certainly burnt at its edges, but did not, flare up. The Manual of 1890 agreed with his views when it said a lighted candle was not to be placed in a mine without being first enclosed in a lantern. If a live coal fell on dry cotton he did not think it would set fire to it, though it might smoulder. Should say that a fire would have a temperature of 1500 degrees. It might be only 1050 degrees. A flame was 900 degrees. Wet gun cotton was inflammable with flame. Would not say that wet gun cotton was not inflammable with hot embers. He had tried the two, and stood to what he had before said. The act of “tamping” the ashes down would not affect his opinion as to the gun cotton getting mixed with the ashes. It would not be probable that the gun cotton would ge.» mixed with the ashes. Had had no difficulty in filling a mine at Auckland. By Mr Jellicoe : Was of opinion that it was always dangerons to introduce a light into a mine case. The fact of this being one of the “Manual” regulations justified the assertion that wet gun cotton was inflammable. He thought that if there was no danger of the ignition of wet gun cotton, the remark in too Manual about lights having to be covered in a mine would not have appeared. The statement of Major-General Warded in his book (page 76) about a building containing a ton of wet gun cotton having been set fire to and the contents smouldered away, confirmed his (witness’) opinion. The said that wet gun cotton was perfectly incombustible, but he still held that a flame would burn wet gun cotton. The circular with the War Office caution regulations he had obtained at Malta when a recruit. Mr I alconer was then his instructor and was quartermaster. Was in Malta between 1882 and 1884, and there became acquainted with the “Caution” circular. When he came to the Colony Captain Falconer spoke to him regarding any information he might have. Spoke to Captain Falconer at Auckland, and told him he had some very useful information in his note book, which contained summaries of circulars which he (Falconer) had perhaps not seen. Told Falconer he would leave the note book on bis table. Hid so; left the book there several days, and until Captain Falconer left. The book was at the disposal of everybody. The book contained all the contents of the several War Office circulars of ISS3-84 and 1886. These referred to regulations for the firing of mines, the non-use of soldering and the forbidding of soldering cases. "When he came to Wellington did not know he had been subpoenaed by Mr Jellicoe. Was ordered to report himself to Mr Jellicoe, and that was the reason he went to the latter’s office. Was only, there a few minutes. Had no authority to give Mr Jellicoe any information. . By Mr Skerrett: Captain Falconer gave him a book containing letters, orders, and on his arrival at Shelly Bay he (Falconer) called his attention to the circulars hanging on the wall of his office. Did not look at the circulars. The enquiry was adjourned at 3 p.m. till Tuesday morning next at 10 o’clock.