by a close investigation of the state of the safety-valve, and taking into consideration the slovenly and careless manner in which these important adjuncts had been treated, I am not surprised that they should fasten themselves and totally prevent the escape of the surcharged steam. The 2-inch valve I find was held down by two weights-one 24 lbs., at the extreme end of the lever, and the other 22 lbs., at about half the distance from the fulcrum; calculating the pressure due to these weights, we have about 76 lbs. on the square inch (Note e). What the 3-inch valve had upon it I am unable to determine, as the weights have not been found; I have, however, examined the valve very minutely, and find that the spindle, which passes through a hole in the cover, is rather tight; and looking at the rusty state in which I found it, I have no hesitation in stating that it was inoperative, and, independent of the weight upon the lever, had got fast in the hole. The load upon the 2-inch valve was an excess of pressure for such a boiler, but I do not consider that such a load would have proved fatal, provided the other valve had worked freely and had not been overloaded. In a word, I am satisfied there was no escape for the steam for some time previous to the starting of the engine, and the boiler being at the point of rupture, the least disturbing cause was sure to terminate in the results on which I have been called upon to report.

(a) One part of the boiler, I am told, was of 8-inch plates; but it is immaterial how thick one part may be, for the thinner part is the measure of the strength of a boiler.

(b) I do not of course speak here of Mr. Williamson individually, or with any intention of prejudicing him in the minds of the jury. I know that there are a great many people who use steam-boilers, and who are not at all acquainted with the dangers that surround them: I speak generally, with reference to what is necessary to be observed in the working of all steamboilers.

(c) The frequent recurrence of these lamentable accidents seems to me to be very likely to cause the enactment of some stringent laws for the protection of the lives of all those exposed to such catastrophes.

(d) It appears to me that it is possible, and quite practicable, to establish an association (for instance) in Rochdale and the surrounding districts, the members of which should appoint one or two inspectors to take cognisance of all the boilers in the district, and to report to the association, weekly, in what state they found the boilers, and why they were not in a working condition, if the inspector or inspectors thought such to be the case. I do not think it would be any tax on the proprietors of boilers to pay a trifling sum yearly to meet the expenses of such an association; for it strikes me forcibly that we should not only avoid these very serious accidents, but I believe it would be productive of benefit to the proprietors, and save a great deal of money which is now lost by the frequent explosions.

(e) If there was an 8-lb. weight in addition upon this 2-inch valve, of which I was not informed [but which Clegg, the engine tenter, stated in his evidence that he worked with, although he took it off on the night before the explosion, as was his custom, to allow the steam to escape], that would give something like 9 lbs. pressure extra. I could not, on Monday, learn the weight that was upon the 3-inch valve, but I find that it had an iron cover, with an iron spindle working through it. There seemed to be room for just sufficient motion of the spindle to make the valve act; and I could not lift it more than one-eighth of an inch before it got fast. But the least dampness, from the steam or otherwise, would cause the iron to rust, so that it would become jammed, and all the pressure you could bring to bear upon it would never move it. I certainly do not think that this valve was in action on the morning of the explosion. It would be much better that covers and spindles should be of brass, which is not so likely to oxidize. This valve might, under many circumstances, work freely; but it might also stick fast at the very moment it was most wanted. Under all the circumstances, I have no hesitation in saying that this valve must have been fast at the time of the explosion. I do not think that the boiler could have exploded, if the valve had been working, and had not been overweighted: I mean, if there had not been a greater pressure upon it than that upon the 2-inch valve. [The Coroner read the evidence

of the lad Samuel B. Taylor, as to the putting of an extra loom-weight upon the 2-inch valve a few minutes before the explosion; and Mr. Fairbairn said that this valve must have then been weighted up to 150 lbs. or even 180 to 200 lbs. on the square inch. Even supposing the 2-inch valve to have been in working condition, he was not sure that it would have sufficiently relieved the boiler of the rapidly-accumulating steam, and prevented the explosion.]

Verdict of the Jury.

At half-past seven the jury were left to consider their verdict. They remained locked up until one o'clock yesterday (Friday) morning; when the foreman handed to the Coroner the following verdict:

'That, in the opinion of the jury, the death of Ann Stott, and nine other persons was caused by an explosion of the boiler, at Bridgefield Mill, occupied by George Williamson, such explosion being occasioned by an excessive pressure of steam, and that pressure being produced by the following circumstances:first, the 3-inch safety valve not being in working order, and consequently inactive; secondly, the 2-inch safety valve being, on the morning of the explosion, much overweighted; and thirdly, as the engine only worked at intervals from six o'clock to twenty minutes past, a space of time elapsed during which the fire was kept up, and in that time such an amount of heat was added to the water in the boiler, and pressure thereby accumulated, as to render it impossible that the boiler could be relieved by the small or 2-inch valve when so overweighted. The jury at the same time wish to express their opinion that the boiler and engine at Bridgefield Mill were very improperly managed, thereby causing danger to the parties employed; and that the occupier and engineer are exceedingly blamable for working the boiler at the high pressure they have done for a long time previous to the explosion.'

We understand that the jury appended to their verdict the following remarks :—

'The jury cannot separate without pressing on the consideration of the owners and users of steam boilers throughout the

kingdom, the necessity there is that measures should be taken by them to insure a thorough and frequent inspection of boilers, so as to prevent, as far as human care can, the recurrence of explosions; and they would recommend that for this purpose the owners, &c. in various districts should meet and appoint their own inspectors, who should grant certificates respecting their working, &c. thereof in the districts as such inspectors might be appointed; they (the jury) believing that by such appointment and control a direct benefit would ensue, as well as the advantage of preventing other interference.'

APPENDIX IV.

Association for the Prevention of Steam Boiler Explosions, and for effecting Economy in the Raising and Use of Steam.

RULES.

1. That the association be called 'The Association for the Prevention of Steam Boiler Explosions, and for effecting Economy in the Raising and Use of Steam.'

2. That all persons employing steam power within a circuit of 34 miles round Manchester be eligible as members.

3. That this circuit be divided into districts, with power to enlarge the sphere of the association by the addition of new districts, contigucus to the circuit now defined, when sufficient local support is offered and the approval of a general meeting obtained.

4. That the management of the business of the association be entrusted to a committee, consisting of six members, representing Manchester and its immediate neighbourhood, and two members from each district; a president, and four vice-presidents, ex officio members of the committee. Three to be a quorum.

5. That the committee of management be elected annually at a general meeting, to be held on the last Tuesday in November in each year.

6. That all questions, whether at the general or committee

meetings, be decided by a vote of the majority of the members present, each firm to have one vote, and the chairman a casting

vote.

7. That no firm, whose subscription is in arrear, have the privilege of voting.

8. That the president, or one of the vice-presidents, when present, occupy the chair.

9. That the expenses of the association be met by an entrance fee of £2, and an annual subscription (payable in advance in the month of December in each year) for each steam-boiler in regular use. The first subscription to be 30s. per boiler, and the rate from November next for future years to be annually fixed by the general meeting.

10. That the committee shall appoint and dismiss all officers and others required to carry out the objects of the association, fix their respective salaries, and prescribe all rules and regulations for their guidance and observance.

11. That the office of the association be in Manchester, and be superintended by a secretary, who, with an assistant, shall have the custody of all documents and books belonging to the association, conduct the correspondence, record the proceedings, and receive, classify, and enter all reports and information for reference.

12. That the duty of visiting and inspecting the steamengines, boilers, and furnaces of the members be discharged by a competent engineer, to be appointed as chief inspector, and one resident sub-inspector in each district, to act under the orders, and supervision of the chief inspector.

13. That the sub-inspectors be elected or approved by a majority of the members in the districts to which they are appointed.

14. That the duty of the sub-inspectors be to visit periodically the steam department in the establishments of the members in their respective districts, to examine the steamboilers' safety-valves, feed apparatus, and other parts on which safety depends, and with the permission of the proprietors to indicate the steam-engines, note the duty performed, the steam pressure, and the fuel consumed, and to report the information obtained in writing, according to certain prescribed forms, to