Difficult Times Ahead – Justifying Large-Scale Combination.

February 1931

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 February 1931

Difficult Times Ahead

Justifying Large-Scale Combination.

Officials of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, to the number of about 170, spent a highly enjoyable evening at the Lyceum Cafe, Doncaster, on Saturday, when they revived the dinner which,  till four years ago, was an annual event.

Mr. H. Hurley, agent of the Company, presided, supported by Mr. Harold Peaks, a member of the directorate, and Mr. L. C. Hodges, general manager of Yorkshire Amalgamated Collieries.

Speechmaking was limited to one toast, that of “‘The Company,” and this was proposed by the oldest servant of the Company present, Mr. J. Watkin, who was the subject of a presentation a few months ago on completing fifty years service.

After the loyal toast the company stood in silence for a minute, in token of sympathy with the victims of the Whitehaven disaster, on the suggestion of the chairman. Mr. Hulley also apologised for the absence of the chairman of the Company, Major J. R. Leslie, and welcomed Mr. Peaks and Mr. Hodges. It was well known that the officials of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries were “second to none” They had the interests of the concern at heart, and he thanked them for the general manifestation of the spirit of good comradeship between all parties. If they could keep that spirit, there was no knowing to what heights they might attain. He paid tribute to Mr. A. R. Holmes (secretary), and Mr. W. Astbury (assistant secretary) for their successful organisation of that function.

A Notable History.

Mr. Watkins said there was a time when he knew personally every official at the collieries, but to-day he did not know one in ten. (Laughter.) He recalled the first gathering of the officials of the then Denaby Main Colliery Company, about 1882. A week was set apart by the Company for a special effort to raise a certain tonnage, and rather more than the quantity aimed at was reached; the social evening was to celebrate that achievement.

“To-day I see almost as many officials as there were colliers going down the mine in that day ” (Laughter.)

Since then the Company had developed tremendously, and there had been many changes. They had had labour troubles and upheavals, which had tended rather to impede the Company’s progress than to drive it forward. But the Company was undaunted and continued to progress. As each difficulty was created the management rose to the occasion and overcame it.

“The wheels of the collieries have never stood to allow the grass to grow under them. Today we have two of the finest and best equipped pits in existence. We have a notable history to look back upon, and an incentive to go forward and do our utmost in the interest of lour undertaking.”

Difficulties Ahead.

Mr. Hodson, replying, said he was pleased to meet them all gathered together for the first time since he took over the general management, and hoped that would be an annual event again. He warmly appreciated what they had done for him since he took over the responsibility of management of the Yorkshire Amalgamated Collieries. He could not say how grateful he was for all the kindness and loyalty he had met since he came along. He had had his faults glossed over, and been given every assistance that anyone possibly could have had. The coal trade was going through times of great difficulty, and he was afraid the coming year was going to be even more difficult than the years which had just passed. He was not an enthusiast about the new Coal Mines Act.

“I am afraid the effect is going to be to bring the best pits—among which are ours—down to the level of the worst. I am afraid we shall be on short time this month and for some months to come. After next summer I don’t know what is going to happen. But in times of difficulty a good start is essential, and that is why I am feeling comfortable at present in having such men as you to back me up in the effort to run the pits successfully.”

Mining Not Dull.

He believed that work in the mine was work with variation: not a deadly dull occupation without variation from day to day. They could see something new every day in the pits. If they kept their minds alert they would constantly see ways of making improvements, and the management wanted them to bring their suggestions forward. They would always be welcomed. Their pits were among the best in the country and they must be very careful not to move from that position. No concern could stand still: it must go either forward or backward. And they must see that their collieries went forward all the time.

Amalgamation Justified.

Mr. Peake, also responding to the toast said the last each dinner he attended was in 1916. Since that time they had become part of Yorkshire Amalgamated Collieries, land he firmly believed the Company was, right in going into that amalgamation. It liras to their advantage and to the advantage of other companies. They had learned a good deal, and he was convinced they had taught others a lot. Theirs was the first big I amalgamation under the 1926 Act. The eyes of the whole industry were on such amalgamations, and theirs was the big responsibility of showing they were right in going into them.

“It is a big responsibility, which rests not on individuals but on the whole staff, to prove that amalgamations on a big scale are on the right lines. A great deal of waste is eliminated by such combinations. We can do great things if we realise our responsibility. We have a very difficult time before us, and we need the help of all the brains we have.”

A very entertaining programme was given by Mr. Bernard Maxfield, Mr. Ernest Proudlove (both of Sheffield), and “Ino,” of Mexboro’.