Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 06 December 1909
How Miners Risk Life.
Allegations at Doncaster Police Court
At Doncaster, on Saturday, two miners employed at the Cadeby Colliery, named Thomas Smith, of Conisborough, and Charles Goldspink, of Denaby, were summoned for breach of rules by improperly drawing a prop, and so endangering their own lives.
As a matter of fact an accident did occur, and Goldspink was injured, being unable to attend court, and his case was adjourned for a month. One of the props in a middle row had been knocked out, and the men would secure a fall of coal, thus saving some trouble, but they were endangering their lives. There was a distinct slip in the roof, and the prop was placed there to prevent the fall.
Goldspink, it was alleged, actually drew the prop, and defendant Smith said that this was done against his wish.
Mr. Gichard; Why didn’t you tell Mr. Witty?—l reported it to Mr. Witty.
Mr. Gichard; Ah, that was after the accident. You held the light for him?—Yes.
Mr. Gichard: Why did you do that when you knew it was wrong?—We had only one light between us.
The Chairman said it would be inequitable to decide the case in the absence of Goldspink, and adjourned the cases until January 1st.
At the same court Geo. Jones, collier, Denaby, pleaded guilty to a breach of regulations by staying down the mine more than eight hours of a consecutive 24 hours and was fined 1s and costs.