John Matthews, Cumberland. Manager of the Wellington Colliery company mines. Sworn:-

By Mr. Potts:- Will you tell the gentlemen of the Jury all you know about this accident in the mines on the 15th of July; what examination you made, and what conclusions you came to?

A: A boy came to my place a little after seven o' clock that evening and told me there was a fire in No.6. I went down there and saw some Chinamen on top who has already come up. I asked them where it was and they said the fire was down there. I went on and met some Chinamen coming up at the Drum, No.3 Incline. I passed them and went on up the level to No.2 South, and found the fire was in there. I met Gillespie and asked him where it was. He said there was an explosion. Of course I knew that before I arrived there. We went through to the return side of the places to ascertain if there was any fire. No finding any to amount to much I came up. By that time Mr. Kelsey was down. I sent him back for help. When he got the help, we restored the ventilation and rescued two that we knew were alive, and recovered the other bodies during the night, with the exception of the man in No.6.

I then made an examination, a casual examination of the wholee section of Second South level, and have examined ti once or twice since. In making an examination the second day afterwards, although I am not positive as to that, M