C—l 4.

56

fJ. FLETCHER.

79. Is it not under the management of the same company.'—lt is under the supervision of the company, but under a different certificated manager. 80. They are both owned by the one company ?—Yes. 81. In regard to Conn, wherever he was he got burnt by gas-explosion on the 16th February, 1912, and you informed the Inspector on the 14th January, 1914? —Yes. 82 And your answer as to why you did not inform the Inspector before was ?—We did not consider it a serious accident. 83. Then why did you ever report it afterwards? —Mr. Bennie asked for some particulars regarding accidents. 84. You said in the course of your evidence at the Coroner's inquest that the 26th August, 1914, was the last date when there was incipient heating in the mine. That was the 26th August prior to the accident ?—Yes. 85. Where was that incipient heating in the mine on that date? —in the old dip to the right of the old horse-road. 86. Is that the travelling-way?— No. |Place indicated on plan by witness.] 87. Can you give it a name? —We can call it the fifth bord to the right from the air-crossing that goes over between the two doors leading into the old dip. 88. Did you put that ovit ?—Yes, we lived on il until we put it out. 89. Is it not a fact that some weeks previously there was heating in No. 6 south? —Yes. 90. Is the mine on fire anywhere now? —No. 91. Neither the Extended Mine nor this? —No. 92. Not at present?—No, there are no fires reported, nor any signs of heating at present. 93. But there are large accumulations of gas, are there not?— No. 94. Not in the old workings? —No. 95. Are the} r clear this morning? —There is an indication of one at the top of the old fall, but there are no large accumulations. ~j- 96. Is it clear of gas now?— There is an indication there, but not a large accumulation, according to my last report. 97. When was your last report made?—At 12 o'clock to-day. 1 was talking to the actingmanager. 98. Have you taken special precautions in regard to that section?— The air has been turned in there. 99. When was it done?—lt has been done all the time during the last week right up till dinner-time to-day. 100. You have nearly got it out in a week?— Less than that. 101. It has taken out all the gas?—lt has diluted it. It was not yet all diluted up till 12 o'clock to-day. They can get a trace only to-day. 102. And when did they start the diluting process —how many days have they been at it?— I think it was a week yesterday that they started. 103. Now, was any watering done on the old workings ?—No. 104. Never?— No.' 105. Are they dusty?— No. 106. What does Mr. Bennie mean in his letter to you of the 30th May, where he says little or nothing has been done to carry out his instructions ? —I do not know 1 am sure, unless he meant to put it mildly that nothing had been done. 107. Did you have any indication of that impression?— No. 108. Did you take any notice of it? —Yes, I was watering. 109. Did you speak to him or answer him?—No, I never drew his attention to the phrase. 110. Was the place where Martin was killed—if he was killed in No. 6—inspected on the morning of the catastrophe by Whorskey?—l do not know. 111. You have Whorskey's report?—l have Whorskey's report, but it does not particularize. 112. Did he say that he had inspected this place where Martin was killed?— No. 113. Then Whorskey's report does not contain any intimation, though we are told that he went through that way ?—Who 1 114. Whorskey?—l could not tell you. 115. Is No. 6 bord a working-place?— You would not call it a working-place. 116. But Mr. Napier said Whorskey inspected all the working-places; therefore Whorskey's report would not apply to that place?— Unless he was able to examine it. 117. Have you no information on that point?—l have no information on that point. 118. Now, is it not required by the law, Mr. Fletcher, that the examining deputy shall examine and inspect every place where men are going to work?— Yes. 119. Is it not also required by Special Rule 23 that when inspected such places shall be chalked ?—Yes. 120. Were these places chalked?— The working-places, yes; I have seen them. 121. I am talking about this particular morning. In No. 5 down Dooley's dip, were the places chalked where Martin was found?--] hare not been down. I do not know of my own knowledge. 122. Did Whorskey ever report gas?— Yes. 123. Will you show me when?—[The following report was read by witness from the reportbook.] "Ralph's Mine, 8 a.m., 7/7/14. —Bar. 30"7; therm. 43. Nos. 5 and 6 Sections. I. the undersigned, have between the hours of 6 and 8 a.m. examined all working-places, airways, brattice, travelling, and haulage roads in the above section, and found gas in No. 6 bord in machine section, and found the rest of places all safe. Ventilation good.— J. Whorskey." 124. Did Whorskey ever report to you as required by Special Rule 25? —No, he has not not directly.