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Harry King, fireman. Sworn:- By Mr. Potts:- Were you fireman at No.6 mine on the day of the explosion, July 15th ?
A: Yes.
Q: What time did you go on?
A: Five o'clock in the morning.
Q: What time did you come off?
A: About 3.30.
Q: You made those first two reports entered there in the report book?
A: Yes.
Q: How long have you been engaged as fireman?
A: About 18 months.
Q: Got a certificate? A: Yes.
Q: How many shifts were working on July 15th?
A: Two.
Q: In these two reports of yours, no time is given. When would the first report be made?
A: About seven o'clock in the morning, before seven.
Q: And the last? A: About half past 3.
Q: That was when you came A: Yes.
Q: Did you take the air pressure that day?
A: Yes, I took the barometer.
Q: Would that be any indicate of the air pressure?
A: Yes.
Q: What was the barometer?
A: 29.80.
Q: What does the indicate as regards air pressure?
A: It indicates pretty good air pressure.
Q: In each of these reports, Mr. King. you stated that you found gas in Second South level? A: Yes.
Q: Did you state any quantity?
A: A very small quantity. A matter of a few inches.
Q: Why wouldn't you put a very small quantity of gas was found?
A: Well, you would have considerable trouble in measuring gas, and then you might make a mistake in the exact dimensions.
Q: Would the air pressure keep about the same all day?
A: Yes, I think so.
Q: Would the fact of there being gas have any effect on the barometer>
A: No , I don't think so.
Q: Were you acting as shot lighter as well?
A: Yes.
Q: When was the last shot fired in your shift?
A: About one o'clock; it might have been a little sooner; may be a little later.
Q: Did you test for gas? A: Yes.
Q: What did you do?
A: I tried it with my lamp, raised my lamp up to it and found it was so small a quantity that in fact I hesitated about putting it in the report at all.
Q: On the first examination?
A: On every examination, four times.
Q: Then the gas was not increasing in density ?
A: No, it was less than it had been the day before.
Q: At what height did you hold the lamp?
A: I suppose about seven feet.
Q: What is the height of the mine there where you were testing in the 2nd. south level?
A: Something over six feet.
Q: The height of the roof?
A: The roof where it is not broken.
Q: How could you hold the lamp up seven feet?
A: Because there was a cave there.
Q: I am talking of before the explosion?
A: Before the explosion.