Mexborough and Swinton Times, April 15.
Serious Charges against Collier
Serious offence at Denaby Main Colliery.
Thomas Jones, Collier, of Denaby, was charged with violating special rule 32 at the Denaby Main Colliery, on 24 March.
Mr Rhodes appeared on behalf for the prosecution, and in opening the case, said the defendant was a trammer at the Denaby Colliery, and was on the day named working for two Colliers. Near where these men were working was a goaf, when it was feared a certain amount of gas might collect, and the consequence was that “a sheet,” was put up. The defendant in the course of his duties had to pass this “sheet” with coal, and it was his business, as soon as he had got under it, to let it fall down again.
Apparently, the defendant considered this to be an inconvenient thing to do, for, on the Deputy going round later on in the day, he found that the sheet was turned over and lifted clean up. The result was that the air, instead of clearing the goaf, swept along “the face.” Directly he got into the golf he found that “a cap” came over his lamp; the place was filling with gas.
When defendant was spoken to, he denied having done it, but the witnesses, he (Mr Rhodes) would call swear that they were innocent of it, and that the defendant was the only person who could have done it, because he was the only one who had passed under “the sheet.”
Richard Farmer, a deputy, spoke to seeing “the sheet,” up and telling defendant about it. He explained, to the man the danger of not letting “the sheet” come down, stop Jones denied having left it up; but he was only person who had to pass and re pass through it.
Charles Cole said he and his mate were working together on the day in question and Jones was travelling for them. When he spoke to Jones about leaving “the sheet” up, he said, “I wish I had home to its first; it might have been better for me.” Witness believed the man had not behaved intentionally, but that he had forgotten to put it down again.
William Westwood said he was working with Coal on the 24th. He did not interfere with “the sheet.”
The defendant now said he knew nothing about it.
Fined 20 s and 18s 6d costs; one months imprisonment in default of payment.