Mexborough & Swinton Times — September 3, 1904
Breaches of Colliery Rules at Denaby and Cadeby Collieries
Victor Thomas, pony driver, Conisboro’, employed at the above colliery, was summoned for breach of rule 66.
Mr. Gichard, who prosecuted on behalf of the company, stated that on the morning of the 17th August defendant, who was a driver in No. 2 pit, was in charge of a train of eight tubs, and was driving them up an incline of 1 in 12 without any drag attached. This carelessness might have resulted in some person or persons being severely injured.
Another driver, who was proceeding up the same incline behind defendant, was in danger, as Thomas’s tubs might have broke loose and killed both the driver behind him and his pony.
Jos. Unwin, deputy, corroborated this statement.
Defendant was fined 20s. inclusive.
James Owen, miner, Denaby, was summoned for a breach of rule 101.
Mr. Gichard stated that on the same date as in the previous case, Arthur Sykes, deputy, went into the stall where defendant was working, and found he had underpinned the coal for a length of three yards and a depth of 1ft. 6in., and had not set a sprag, although the rule says that one should be set every six feet at least.
The defendant had a “cocker” against the face of the coal, but that was not sufficient to hold it up. Defendant was putting his own life in danger and also those working alongside of him by this practice. The coal might have slipped and come down and buried them.
Defendant was running a very grave danger. If a fall of coal had taken place he was sure to have been severely injured, if not killed. About a fortnight since a man had been killed by a fall of coal. The offence was a very serious one from all points of view, and especially for the company in regard to compensation.
Mr. Gichard asked the Bench to inflict a heavy penalty, as the practice must be put a stop to on account of the great danger it caused.
Arthur Sykes, deputy, bore out the above statement, and further stated that the coal was very loose and liable to fall at any moment when he went into the defendant’s stall.
The Bench said they thought the case a very serious one, and defendant would have to pay a penalty of 20s. and 12s. 6d. costs.
Charles Hill was summoned for a similar offence and fined the same amount and costs. This defendant had his coal holed under to a length of 5 yards, and the coal had already slipped in two places, when one of the deputies, William Mosby, went into his stall and found that he had set no sprags.