18 FEBRUARY 1928, Page 3

During a week in which the country and its coasts

have suffered great damage from storms following quickly upon.the disastrous Thames floods, we particularly regret a violent blow delivered by other natural forces. On Saturday night a party of mine inspectors and others were exploring the Haig pit at Whitehaven and arranging for the resumption of work which was stopped by an explosion two months ago. They had to unseal galleries which had been closed in order to smother the fires burning in December, and fresh explosions occurred. There is, we understand, no hope for the lives of thirteen men.

* * * *