Contravention of Colliery Rules.

John Wilson, of Conisbro’, a youth employed at the Denaby Main Colliery, was charged with having infringed the provisions of the Mines Regulation Act by taking matches into the pit.

They were first found in the defendant’s jacket pocket by a boy named Wm. Venables, and the defendant then concealed them in the ground of the pit, where they were liable to have a more dangerous effect than otherwise.

Mr. Taylor prosecuted and Mr. F. P. Rhodes defended.

The offence was proved by the boy Venables, and Robt. Cuthbertson, the deputy overman.

For the defence, Mr. Rhodes urged that the defendant was not aware of the nature of the provisions of the Act, that he had been smoking before going to the pit, and had forgotten to take the matches out of his pocket.

The defendant was fined 40s. and costs, in all £3 18s. 6d. The Bench desired the officials of the mine present to make it that if any case of a similar them they should inflict the penalty of imprisonment.