THE HUNTLY INQUEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 109, 1 October 1914, Page 8

THE HUNTLY INQUEST.

THIS SEAT OF EXPLOSION LOCATED. HIGHLY-LVFLAM iI'ABLE COAL DL'ST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Huntly, Last Night. The inquest on the Iluntly victims was resumed to-day, wnen expert evidence was taken.

The opinions of Mr Wood, manager of the Extended mino, Mr Bishop, lato manager of the State mine, and Professor Dixon, all coincided as to the seat of the explosion being in the old workings, whero the body of J. Martin was found, badly burned, and witili his clothes completely gone. All agreed that indications pointed directly to Martin having caused the explosion by carrying a naked light where a recent fall of coal had occurred. Professor Dixon said that the amoilnt of dust in Ralph's mine was ordinarily described as small. 110 would like to impress, however, that a large quantity of dust was not necessary for an explosion. With ordinary bituminous coal it was not easy to start an explosion. Concussion and intense (lame were both required. Ilalf-an-ouiice of- coal dust stirred up in a cubic foot of space, which would scarcely bo noticeable in the air, was sufficient to causo an explosion. He had made tests with six samples of coal dust from Ralph's mine, and found it more intlammable than any he lad ever tested. i report of the analysis of the New Zealand Government 'Analyst, submitted by Mr Bishop, showed that Iluntly coal dust was "very inflammable, and the flames of the ignited dust travelled greater distances than of the ordinary bituminous coal, such as Westporv, Stockton, Aberdare. Such properties would render the coal dust very effective in carrying on and intensifying an explosion once started. The inquest was adjourned. It is expected to close to-morrow, when the Government Commission on tho disaster opens.