Sheffield Independent – Thursday 26 March 1891

Breach of Colliery Rules at Denaby

A youth named Thomas Moxon, 15, of Mexborough, employed at the Denaby Main Colliery was summoned for having committed a breach of special rule 99 by taking matches into the mine on the 15th ult.

Defendant pleaded guilty.

Mr. Hickmott prosecuted. The rule, he said, was a well-known one. On the day named a search of the men was made and in the defendant’s pockets were found a box containing four matches. Of course, the management of the colliery did not put it that the defendant had taken the matches into the pit for any improper purpose, but at the same time when a breach of the law was made they had no alternative but to bring the matter before the court and if the case was passed over it might possibly have a bad effect on the workmen.

Peter Parry, proved searching the defendant and finding matches.

Defendant, who earned 11s. 3d. per week, was tined 10s. including costs

ln reply to the magistrates, defendant said the matches had got into his pocket while he had been burning some rubbish. He had not been smoking.