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The Coroner (having glanced at a document): Mr. Binns seems to be well informed as to the etate of the mine, and will give some important information. The Foreman : la that case we will wait till we get Mr. Binns's evidence, and then, if the jury think that Mr. Denni.ston's evidence would be desirable, it can be got. The Corouer : Certainly ; your wishes shall be attended to. The Coroner and jury subsequently held a consultation, and it was decided that Mr. Denniston should be called as a witness. The Coroner : Well, gentlemen, the inquest will now be adjourned until Monday next. You will be bound over in the same recognizances as before. The inquest was here accordingly adjourned. THE ADJOURNED INQUEST. The inquiry into the circumstances attending the late fatal colliery explosion at Kaitangata was resumed yesterday morning, before Mr. E. H. Carew, the district coroner, aud a jury, at the Bridge Hotel, Kaitangata. Supeiintendent Woldon was also present. A brief delay was caused in the commencement of the proceedings in consequence of the temporary absence of a juror named Charles Smail, who met with an accident on Friday evening. He was laid up in bed, and the doctor had ordered him not to attend the inquest that day, lest erysipilas might set in. Mr. Andrew Smail, who was also a member of the jury, stated that his brother was very anxious to attend. At the suggestion of the Coroner several of the jury repaired to Mr. Charles Bmail's residence, and brought him to the Court in a boat. William Shore said: lam manager of the No. 1 colliery at Kaitangata. I have been working at that mine three years and a-half. I have been engaged in coal-mining for 24 years. I was 19 years in Ayrshire, Scotland, aud five years in this Colony. I know the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Co.'s mine. I was in it on four different occasions prior to the explosion. I have been through the old ■workings when the men were engaged there. That must have been 12 months ago, as near as I can judge. The last time I was in the mine, prior to the explosion, was about three mouths ago. Do you know the state of the mine at that time with regard to fire-damp ? No further than from hearsay. I had occasion to go there for some dynamite once, and the men said then there was fire-damp in the heading. What was the general reputation that the mine bore with regard to fire-damp? With the exception of this one place I have referred to, I never heard of fire-damp being in the mine Its reputation was pretty good. Did you ever know of any accident taking place from fire-damp ? Yes ; I knew of Mr. Jarvie being burnt there. Then all you know on that subject is that fire-damp was seen in the heading? Yes ; repeatedly seen there—that is, going towards the rise. I understand the system by which the mine was ventilated. You say you know the old workings ? Yes. Is the roof higher than the air-shaft ? Yes; considerably higher. And would there be spaces in it ? Yes. Do you consider then, that the mine was properly ventilated, knowing that there was fire-damp in the mine ? I can't say that the old workings were thoroughly ventilated, to judge from appearances, In what would the ventilation be deficient? The air was allowed to scatter, instead of the current being carried along in one body. Of course I am speaking now from appearances after the explosion. What do you consider the best way of achieving that object? The cheapest aud simplest way would have been to have fire-screens. Your name has been mentioned in connection with a safety-lamp : have you got it? No; I found it and delivered it to the owners. Where did you find it ? Iu the new workings. It could not have been blown from the old workings to where you saw it? No ; that would have been impossible. I believe you found Archie Hodge's body ? Yes ;it was about half-past 4 o'clock on the Sunday morning after the accident. He was found in the old workings—the only one that was found there. Have you formed any opinion as to where the explosion originated ? I have no hesitation in saying that it took place in the old workings. Why ? I form that opinion from the direction in which the blast travelled. There were plenty of traces from the way in which the stoppings have been knocked out. Besides, you can see the direction of the current on the floor of the mine. Where do you think it started from ? It must have started from where the body of Archie Hodge was found. A Juror : In searching fur Hodge's body, did you use a safety-lamp ? Undoubtedly. And were there any traces of fire-damp still remaining? No ; not whilst we were searching. 2