MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 55, 8 March 1915, Page 6

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE.

THE HUNTLY MINE DISASTER. Per Press Association. Hamilton, March 8. The trial of Ames Fletcher, late manager of Ralph's Colliery, Hunfcly, who is charged with manslaughter in connection with the recent pit disaster, commenced to-day before Mr Justice Cooper and a special jury of; twelve. The charge read—That on or about 12th September, 1914, he did omit without lawful excuse to observe his legal duty yvith regard to the safety of lives of miners employed at Ralph's Colliery, and in consequence of such omission did cause the death There are about' twenty witnesses *n manslaughter. Mr Ostler appeared for the Crown, and Mr Skerrett, K.C., and Mr Tunics for the defence. There are about twenty witnesses in the case, which is expected to last a week. Fletcher was charged with manslaughter on the grounds of neglect—(l) that the accused made ,it a practice to allow miners to go into the workings with naked lights, and to remove rails in spite of the fact that he knew that gas was being constantly found there by deputy inspectors, (2) knowing through the presence of gas in the mine and of ignitions and explosions that had taken place, that the mine was a dusty one, and that coal dust was highly explosive, lie did not order safety lamps to be used in the mine; (3) that, contrary to special rules, lie did not keep the door leading to the old workings locked; (-1) that ho did not carry out the watering of the mine as instructed by the Government inspector; (-T) that he did not cause a daily inspection of all the parts of the mine to be made as required by the special rules, nor did he cause adequate inspection of the old workings to be made.'