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552. Coming to the question of ventilation, it very often happens that the greater the ventilation the more likely there is to be danger. And in reference to the fan ventilation, I understand that that only sucked up the natural moisture of the strata? —I think the greater the ventilation flying through the mine, the tendency is to make it drier. We have a case that has been referred to several times—namely, the Albion Colliery. 553. And in making the mine drier the coal-dust would naturally become more explosive ?— Yes. 554. So that there is just as much danger in too much ventilation as in too little ?—ln the case of a coal-dust explosion there is certainly greater danger. I would like to refer to the Albion case, as it has been referred to before by witnesses in giving evidence. We have it on record by Mr. Henry Hall, one of Her Majesty's Coal-mine Inspectors, who was appointed to inspect this particular mine, " That the explosion was started, and traversed four miles of roadways and killed 290 people, being stopped only by water. Had the men in that district remained there they would have been safe, but they attempted to get out and met the after-damp. Horses standing near the faces in that particular district were found alive." [See General Report of Mining Industry of United Kingdom, 1894, page 22.] 555. I think it has been laid down by authorities that coal-dust is nothing more than minute globules of inflammable gas ?—I am not quite certain about that. It has been laid down by scientists that under certain conditions it has given off gas, which is then in the position of gunpowder —expands quickly, and is dangerously explosive. As soon as you get the coal-dust in a position to be absorbed and expanded quickly, it becomes then equal in its force to gunpowder. Gas, paraffin, and the usual other hydro-carbons are given off. 556. Would there be a difference in the rate of speed of a gas-explosion as compared with an explosion of coal-dust? —It is very difficult to say. I think the ignition power of the firedamp would be more like a flash, whereas the ignition of the coal-dust would be much slower if it started from a blown-out shot. There would be slow burning for some time. 557. Of course the evidence given here in reference to the Brunner explosion seems consistent with the view that there was slower burning. Can you say whether or not water would be a complete cure against all danger by sprinkling or spraying the roadways ? —I do not think that water-spray, as already introduced in England, has been found to be a perfect cure for the trouble. There would still be an element of danger, unless they could thoroughly wet the roofs and sides as well as the floor. The place must be thoroughly saturated. 558. Mr. Joyce.] Do you produce the reports of Roberts and Morris, firemen ?—They have been put in. 559. Have you found gas pretty regularly in the mine since you have been there ?—We have found gas pretty regularly in some parts, in small quantities, on examining the working-faces. 560. I suppose you had full confidence in the firemen ?—Yes. 561. Morris is one of the firemen ?—Yes. 562. Did you ever have any trouble with him about an explosion at any time?— No. 563. Do you remember any man being burnt ?—Yes, 1 remember a man being slightly burnt. 564. What year was that in?—ln 1894 ; there was a man named Maddox burnt slightly in the west side of the pit. 565. I think Morris found gas and had not reported it ?—No, he had reported it; at least, it would have been reported. It was in the afternoon shift and he had not had time to report, but as soon as he came up he would have reported. 566. Still, he allowed the man to go to work ? —No; the man was burnt by going into a place he had no right to go into. 567. Do you know whether he had been instructed not to go?—I am not certain; it was decidedly a place he ought not to have gone into. 568. Even although not instructed, he had gone in ?—No practical miner would have gone into the goaf. 569. Of course there would be no caution-board up there ?—I am not certain ; I do not think there was a caution-board there. 570. Was it in the goaf or in a bord ? —lt was at the edge of the goaf; instead of going towards the air-course he went into the goaf where the fall was. 571. Do you remember a man named King being burnt?—l remember a man named King being burnt in quite a different part of the field in the Brunner Mine. 572. How was he burnt ? —1 cannot quite remember the incident, but I think it was partly his own fault. I think it was a very similar case to the case Robinson cited regarding himself. I will put in, for the information of the Court, a sketch bearing on the accident to Maddox. 573. Mr. Guinness.] Was that made at the time ? —Yes; and sent by the manager to the Inspector. [Exhibit 16 put in.] If he had kept in the air-course he would have been all right. 574. Mr. Joyce.] Do you remember the circumstances under which King was burnt?—l do not remember the circumstances; it was a long time ago, six or eight years ago. 575. Did Roberts make reports then ? —Roberts's books must be there [referring to Exhibit No. I.] 576. I see that Roberts's last report is dated 24th March ? —That was the last working-day before the explosion. 577. I see that Roberts reported gas on 17th March, and Morris has not reported on that date ?—The mine may not have been working, and Morris may not have been in. 578. Sir J. Hector.] Does it often occur that the mine is not working ?—Very often. 579. There would then be no report from the fireman ?—No report from the fireman or underviewer. 580. Would that account for the blanks in the books ?—lt would.