Breach of Colliery Special Rule 4  – Throwing a Beesom

July 1891

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 17 July 1891

Breach of Special Rule 4  – Throwing a Beesom

James Birks, Leech – Road, Mexborough, was summoned for having committed  a breach of special rule 4, which stated that no person should do an act likely to endanger the safety of the mine.

Mr. Hickmott prosecuted. and Mr Hattersley defended.

Mr Hickmott said the object of the prosecution was not so much to get a conviction as to put a stop to the practice that existed of lads throwing things about the surface and near the shafts. On the day named a number of men were assembled near the shaft, waiting to descend, when the defendant took up a beesom* and threw it over the heads of the men. It narrowly escaped going down the shaft.

P.c. Spivey said he can employed by the Denaby Main Colliery Company. When he threw the beesom it rebounded and narrowly escaped going down the shaft. The men complained and witness made the lad fetch the beesom from where he had thrown it. It the beesom had gone down the shaft it would have been dangerous.

Mr Hattersley said his client pleaded guilty to throwing the beesom. He argued, however, that it was not at all likely to have gone down the shaft and thereby endanger the safety the mine. The summons charged the defendant with doing an act likely to endanger the safety of the mine.

Mr. Hickmott asked the bench to amend the summons to read likely to endanger the safety of the mine.”

Mr. Hattersley thought the case was a frivolous one. The lad was sorry for what he had done, and had promise not to do it again.

The Chairman said in his opinion, there would have been danger if the beesom had gone down the shaft.

The summons was ultimately amended as requested.

Mr Hattersley contended that it was not likely that the beesom would have gone dawn the shaft. Defendant only threw it about 3 yards.

Defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs.

 

  • A Besom, which assumably was the item concerned, is a broom used for sweeping, made of twigs & a pole.