Playing at Hanging at Denaby

January 1906

Mexborough and Swinton Times January 20, 1906

Playing at Hanging at Denaby

John Thomas Webster, Cyril Anthony, and Herbert Cuppitt, all pony drivers, of Denaby, were charged with a breach of special rule number four at Denaby Main Colliery on January 4.

Mr W.M. Gichard, who prosecuted, said the special rule referred to provided that no person should interfere with anything that was used for the working of the mine. On the day in question the main haulage of the district in which the defendants were employed. For some time, and the defendant had nothing to do for the moment.

They appear to have congregated near the end of the haulage, where they started playing with the loose ends of the signal wires, which were over a beam, 6 feet high.

They played at hanging one another (laughter) and when they stopped the game they no doubt thought they put the wires back as they found them, but they managed to put the two ends of the wires together and this completed the circuit, with the result that it started the signal bells ringing, and working that part of the pit was stopped until it could be ascertained what was causing the ringing.

It was a serious offence, because while the wires were connected in this way was impossible to give the proper and necessary signals for the safety of the road.

Defendants, who pleaded guilty, were each fined five shillings and 11/6 costs, the Chairman remarking that it was a very mysterious act.