Banksman at Denaby Fined

Thomas Holbrook, Mexborough, was summoned for a breach of colliery rule 56 by not remaining as banksman at the pit top till all the men and boys were drawn out.

Mr. Bicknott prosecuted on behalf of the Denaby Main Colliery Company, and read out the rule which provides that the banksman must not allow a stranger to go down the pit without an order from the manager, or allow an intoxicated person to go down, must give the signals to the engineman, must not allow an inexperienced person to land corves, and must remain at the pit top till all the men and boys are drawn out of the pit.

Wm. Chapman said that at 10.20 on April 16th he went into the engine-house at Denaby Main and saw the defendant, who was the banksman, on duty at the time in the house. He asked him what he was doing there, especially as there were men at work in the shaft repairing it. He said he had no right in the engine-house.

The defendant said the hanger-on at the bottom could give the signal from the pit bottom, and that would be sufficient. The engineman should have a signal from the banksman as well as the hanger-on before he could start the engine.

The defendant contended he had no right to signal. The men in the shaft were near the bottom, and were in charge of the hanger-on, who could give the signals.

The defendant was fined 5s. and costs.