23.

Walter Wilson, miner. Sworn :-

By Mr. Potts :- Did you assist at the rescue of the miners in No.6 on night of July 15th ?

A: Yes.

Q: What time?

A: I could hardly state as tothat. It was in the evening sometime anyway.

Q: How far were you able to go into the mine?

A: Right up in the faces.

Q: Were you in the Second South Level?

A: I was.

Q: What was the condition of that level when you were there?

A: There was some coal left on the road, some car turned up there, as far as I can remember. But I was right up at the face.

Q: Were you up as far as the cave?

A: Not at that time, no.

Q: On the same day were you up where the cave was?

A: I was right upin the face of the level.

Q: What was the condition of that portion?

A: Pretty good.

Q: Did you notice any marked quantity of gas?

A: Yes I saw a pretty good lot of gas there.

Q: Did you make any search in the Second South Level for anything?

A: Yes I went through the faces.

Q: Did you find anything that was a source of danger?

A: I didn't see any powder.

Q: Did you see any pit lamps?

A: No.

Q: Any explosives, such as gun powder?

A: No.

Q: Matches?

A: Didn't see any.

Q: Did you see anything there was a source of danger, contrary to the rules to be there?

A: Not at that time. This was the second time I was down there in my life.

Q: In what condition was the ventilation?

A: Well, I never saw better air in a mine in my life that there was down there at that time.

Q: Did you find any open safety lamps, or any lamps at all?

A: No, I did not.

Q: Were you able to form an opinion as to the cause of the explosion at all?

A: No, I couldn't do that.

Walter Wilson.

Taken upon oath and acknowledged this 14 day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and three James Abrams, Coroner.

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