62 EXPl.OSIOXS IN XOVA SCOTIA COAL .AIIXES — GILPIN. 



introduction of water from tlie East River. The main seam, as 

 worked by the Albion, Acadia, and Druinmond Colheries, was 

 always gassy, and became dry a short distance away from the 

 crop. It appears, also, that when shots lighted gas, or upon any 

 explosion, the coal ignited very readily. 



The average composition of the coals of this district, taken 

 from the paper referred to, is : 



Moisture 1.19 



Volatile combustible matter 29.10 



Fixed carbon 60.63 



Ash 9.34 



The coals are hrm, and hold a good deal of mineral charcoal. 

 They are generally coking, and yield from 6,000 to 9,000 cubic 

 feet per ton of 12 to 15 candle-power gas. 



February 18, 1885, an explosion causing the death of 13 men 

 took place in the Vale Colliery, Pictou County. It was claimed 

 by the management that it was caused by dust alone from a 

 blown out shot. However, a very careful enquiry conducted by 

 the Deputy Inspector, Mr. Maddin, showed that it was with more 

 probability due to a small body of gas extended by dust. I give 

 verbatim his report which was based on our careful examination 

 of the seat of the explosion, a very full enquiry, and the general 

 consensus of opinion of the most experienced mining engineers of 

 the district. 



" I was in Cumberland County at the time and arrived at 

 scene of disaster on the 12th, and remained for some length of 

 time investigating the cause of the accident. 



" On April 6th I went down the McBean seam to the point 

 where the men had been working at the time of the explosion, 

 examined a hole at that point which was supposed to have been 

 fired on the night of the explosion, and which some of the 

 officials consider caused the explosion. The cause of the explo- 

 sion at the Vale Colliery is a matter of dispute amongst experts, 

 but the most reasonable solution appears to be as follows : On 

 the west side of the slope, at 1300 feet level, were two (2) check 

 doors, which, when shut, sent the air circulating down the slope,. 



