An appalling disaster occurred in the Yard Mine of the
Pretoria Colliery near Bolton on Wednesday. It is estimated that three hundred and twenty lives have been lost. A terrific explosion occurred, and so far there is no adequate explana tion of how it was caused. The mine is said to have been considered safe. "There is not a single shadow of hope that there is a man in the pit alive," said Mr. Gerrard, the Inspector of Mines, on Thursday. It is suspected that the explosion was caused by a defective lamp or by the striking of a match or by an electric spark. The roadways of the mine are largely wrecked, and exploring parties have been checked by much gas and after-damp. One hundred and fifty bodies have been found, but none were brought to the surface. Relief funds for the families of the dead have been opened. We can only express inadequately our share in the peculiar grief which such a tragedy—illogically yet naturally—occasions at this season of the year, and must add our tribute of admira- tion for the heroic acts by the searchers which have already been recorded.
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