Mexborough and Swinton Times March 6, 1915
Doncaster West Riding Police Court.
Offences in the Mine
A Big Fall at Cadeby
Before Mr. J. W. Hodgson (in the chair) and other magistrate
Several employees of the Denaby and Cadeby Main colliery were summoned for breaches of the mine regulations. In each instance Mr. Frank Allen prosecuted.
The first case was that in which Sam Wilson. Labourer Mexborough, pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk in the pit. It was stated that he was so drunk that when their cage reached the bottom and he had to be assisted out and subsequently assisted back again and out of the pit yard.
Fined 20s including costs or 10 days.
James Ashworth pleaded not guilty to a charge of not keeping a pony under control, and he was defended by Mr. G. W. Andrews.
Mr. Allen stated that the defendant was a filler at Denaby. He was working district where there was mechanical haulage and he was allowed the use of a pony. When he took the horse from the horsekeeper it would be proved that the animal was all right but the horse keeper, who saw it after it had been returned, found that its eyeball had been burst and its bridal torn. The horse was covered with dirt.
Defendant was questioned by Mr. Smith, the manager and to him he admitted that instead of leading the pony he had driven it in front of him. What happened to burst the eyeball they did not now, but there was no doubt that they animal had been knocked down. Defendant had refused to give any explanation, and he (Mr Allen) would ask their worships to say that the man had not discharged his duty and (in the absence of sufficient explanation) he had committed an offence against a general regulation under which he was charged, and ought to be punished.
Evidence bearing out this statement was given by Mr. F. W. Smith, Charles Cable (horse keeper). John Hornsby and Whittan.
Mr Andrews for the defence said that there was not at of evidence against the man, and all the witnesses had been able to do had been to theorise.
Defendant went into the box, and stated that he saw nothing done to the animal. He took it from the stables into the workings, and during the shift he left it in order to fetch some more tubs. When he returned he noticed the injury to the pony and took it back to the stables.
Mr F. Hodgson said the bench were quite satisfied that he knew something more about that than he had told them, but, at the same time, they did not think there was sufficient evidence to convict, and the case would be dismissed.
Edward Brown and Thos. Hambrey, pony drivers, of Denaby, were charged with deliberately knocking down the sides of the road ways in the pit.
Mr. Allen stated that they were seen to do this and as a result of their action the whole district was stopped for about 30 minutes.
The defendants idea apparently was so upset the districts, so that they could sit down and do nothing. A short distance away from where this happened there was recently a fall of about 6,000 tonnes and the working was stopped for a week
Hambro, who appeared and pleaded guilty was fined 24s inclusive, and Brown 27s inclusive.