11

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 too the barometer.

Q: Would that be any indication of the air pressure?

A: Yes. Q: What was the barometer?

A: 29.80.

Q: What does that indicate as regards air pressure?

A: It indicates pretty good 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 desnisty?

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

BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.