3 JANUARY 1852, Page 6

In the course of December there have been three coal-pit

explo- sions, all of them attended with the loss of many lives, and the in- fliction of permanent debility on numerous survivors. The evi- dence produced before the inquests on the sufferers, leads irresist- nip to the conclusion that these fatal accidents have been owing in a great measure to gross and systematic negligence. In two of the pits the men were allowed to work with naked candles ; although in both premonitory symptoms of the development of explosive gas had been observed. In one of them there was a "fire-trier" who was in the habit of going down the pit in the morning, not before but with the men—from whom no report on the condition of the mine was ever exacted—who does not appear to have been qualified for his office—and who was responsible to nobody. The rash carelessness of the men and that of their em- ployers have been equally glaring. Of late years Government in- spectors of coal-mines have been appointed ; but it appears from the statements of one of these gentlemen to the Coroner's Jury which sat on the victims of the last explosion, that there are more pits in his province than he can possibly attend to, and that he is only called upon to examine them after accidents have happened. Such a state of affairs calls loudly for legislative interference. Even admitting that owners may be allowed to risk their property, and workmen their lives, the number of families that are rendered dependent on public charity by the frequent recurrence of these fatal accidents claims the consideration of Parliament.