The rescue of five men from the Redding pit after
a nine days' entombment is an event which must give The rescue of five men from the Redding pit after a nine days' entombment is an event which must give everyone a thrill of pleasure and relief. Equal credit seems to be due to rescued and to rescuers—the former for their fortitude, the latter for their undaunted per- severance. The men in the mine had no idea of the passage of time, and thought that they had been buried only four days. They had no food but plenty of water, and their condition was so good that they refused the stretchers which had been provided for them when they were brought to the surface. There is some hope that three more men are alive in another part of the pit, and vigorous attempts are being made to reach them, both by divers, who are trying to get through the flooded passages which separate them from the rest of the mine, and also by cutting a new shaft. The heroism of all concerned is made the more poignant by an uncom- fortable feeling that such disasters could perhaps be prevented. We see that the Scottish Miners' Federation is pressing for an inquiry. We cannot but feel that the colliery company would be well advised to recommend the same course to the Government.
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