Mexborough and Swinton Times December 7, 1912
Conisbrough Pit Corporal’s Claim
A case in which William Vincent, a pit corporal, of 25 Burcroft Hill, Conisbrough was the applicant and the Brodsworth colliery Co., the respondents, opened at considerable length, and the hearing was adjourned.
Mr Ernest W Clegg, who appeared for the applicant, explained that the application was for review and to increase an order on the ground that the applicant was unable to get work and was still incapacitated.
On 9 August 1910, he was crushed between some tubs and undoubtedly severely injured about the lower part of the body. Is wages were 23/8 per week, and 11/10 compensation was paid for a considerable time, in fact up to July 25, 1911, except with short periods when he worked.
An agreement was filed in that court for the payment of 11/10. Payments were continued under that recent agreement until December 12, from that date like work was found, which lasted up to January 30 when it stopped. He was later given another opportunity to work which continued until March, when he was again stopped.
Later he was given work again, and continued up to 14 May, and on that date had been ordered by deputy to help a collier to take some timber in a different part of the mine. It was while he was helping this man that some timber fell off the top and, eating his lamp, put out the light. He later sat down to have his “snap,” and it was just as he had finished that two deputies named Hollings and Gent, caned up and asked him what he was doing a sleep. The applicant denied that he was asleep, but he was stopped and discharged.
He had attempted to get work elsewhere, but had failed at the pits. He had, and come work for 23 hours at Messrs Booth’s sawmills, finding the work too heavy.
The applicant gave evidence, bearing out Mr Clegg’s statement. He was 24 years of age, and was married, he said. The work he was offered was too heavy. When Hollings came up and said “What are you doing asleep?” He replied “I am not asleep, but I am ‘wakken’ enough for you when I am asleep.”
He had endeavoured to get work at Cadeby, Maltby, Wath Main and Silverwood.
The hearing was adjourned.