Editing .MTA1.MTQ2NTA

39.

Q: That is lamp "C".

A: Yes, but this lamp "A" certainly could not have caused it.

Q: Lamp "C" was in the cave?

A: In regard to lamp "B" in No.5, it is possible that could have caused the explosion, but it is not very probable. For this reason; it was found 35 feet down the road away from the face. The ground is rising quite steep there, and it would be several feet below the level of No.6 so that, if there was gasexisting in quantity, it would simply have been impossible for anyone to have stayed there and live, because the gas would have extinguished all the lights. It could have caused it, but it is not probable. When I say it could have caused it, it might have struck the tail end of the gas and rushed inwards and caught on, but it is not probable. That is a very farfetched reason. I don't think it could have done it.

Q: Is there any precaution taken to prevent Chinese taking matches down the mines?

A: We have searched them occasionally, but not every day.

Q: Have you known cases in which Chinese struck matches down here?

A: Yes.

Q: Recently?

A: Recently. I told the foreman that time that if he caught any more to report them to me and I would see they were punished, but unfortunately this came on so soon after, there was no opportunity.

Q: Was the ventilation good on the date of the accident?

A: I couldn't say that day, but it must have been good or the firemen  would have detected it. I was there the previous Saturday and it was very good.

Q: You didn't visit the Second South Level on that day?

A: No.

By Mr. Pooley:- With reference to the open lamp that was found in the intake in the level. A question was asked by my friend Mr. Potts, of one witness as to whether that intake is part of the ventilating district?

A: No, it is not; it is not in that district at all. The district begins with the first working place, in my reasoning, otherwise it must begin at the shaft.

Q: All the workings to the right of that intake are in the district?

A: Yes, the working places are.

Q: Will you explain this to the gentlemen of the Jury?

A: (After explaining in detail from the plan) So that it is not in the district at all; it is on the level approaching the district.
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 Q: Will you explain this to the gentlemen of the Jury?
-A: (After explaining in detail from the plan) So that it is not in the district at all; it is on the level approaching the district. Of course some would call it the district where the air is supplied down hill.
+A: (After explaining in detail from the plan) So that it is not in the district at all; it is on the level approaching the district.
-Q: You heard the Chinaman say that that open lamp was obtained so many feet from the bottom of No.3?
-A: I'll tell you where I think that lamp was found. There are a few lamps hanging near the shaft at the bottom of No.1 incline. the current is so strong there that we have a couple of safety lamps hanging there for the men that look after the ropes. There are usually two or three kept at No.3 Drum for the same purpose, the air being so strong that if a man looses his light, he can get one of these lamps. And these lamps are not locked.
-Q: And he just took one of these to oil the nut?
-A: Very probably. it is very likely that the Chinaman is telling the truth there.
-Q: That is a reasonable tale?
-A: Yes, it is a plausible story, a reasonable one; it is just what you would expect him to do. Those at No.3 are locked but at the shaft there is one that hangs there.
-Q: Is it a common thing in mines for miners to carry matches in their pockets, whitemen or Chinamen?
-A: No, I don't think it is usual; I think it is the exception. A few do it.
-Q: Have you found any whitemen do it?
-A: I never found one carrying matches. I dismissed one for opening a lamp, a man by the name of Lun, about the middle of April this year.