1873 – New Mines Regulation Act – Carrying Lucifer Matches

1873

18th April, Sheffield Independant

Offence Against the Mines Regulation Act

Henry Wilson, 18, a Collier, appeared on a summons, taken out at the instance of John Patteson, the Manager at Denaby Main Colliery, charging him with an offence against the new mines regulation act.

Mr Taylor, who appeared for the prosecution, said the offence consisted in the carrying of Lucifer matches into a part of the mine, where, within the meaning of the seventh section of the act, there was likely to be an accumulation of explosive gas.

The 60th section of the act stated that any person employed in or about the mine in a subordinate capacity, was guilty of offences against the act, should be liable to a penalty not exceeding £2 for each offence; and the 61st section stated that for any offence which in the opinion of the court was calculated to endanger the persons in the mine, either by default or negligence, the offender was liable to imprisonment of three months.

Mr Taylor then went on to explain that in this case the defendant had carried matches into the mine with him, which were found in his coat pocket, a boy also working in the mine. They were afterwards concealed by him amongst the dirt and coal dust on the floor.

The case was proved, and Mr F Parker Rhodes, for the defence, admitted that the matches were taken into the mine; but his client declared that they were taken down by him unknowingly, and when he found out how serious a position he had placed himself in, he had concealed them. It had been a mere matter of carelessness, and he argued that the act did not intend to punish the offender in such a case. The bench were not inclined to send the prisoner to the house of correction, and after cautioning the defendant, inflicted a fine of 40 shillings and costs.