Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Saturday 12 February 1910

Colliery Offences.

Many Prosecutions at Doncaster.

Several cases of broach of colliery rules were heard the West Riding Court at Doncaster to-day.

Thomas Brown, collier, employed at the Manvers Main Colliery, was charged with a breach of a special rule in refusing to obey the orders of deputy. Mr. J. Baddiley appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Andrews defended.

It was stated that the deputy found a large-crack in the roof, which looked like falling and he ordered the defendant to set a prop, but refused, and said he would rather leave the pit. The deputy told him he must obey the order or leave, and defendant, went. Another man did the work, and afterwards the defendant admitted to Mr. Lomas, undermanager that the request was a reasonable one. A serious accident, it was stated, might have resulted from the defendant’s refusal.

Defendant’s excuse was that having timbered the place once he ought to have been paid for this work.

A fine of 30s. was imposed.

Bernard Beckford, pony driver. Mexboro’ was charged with damaging a safety lamp in Denaby Colliery. The case was by a pony-driver named George Griffith, who said he could not read and had the oath read to him. Defendant, who said the lamp was accidentally broken, was fined 20s. including costs.

Arthur Steel, pony driver, Denaby, pleaded guilty to taking matches down the mine, and was fined 20f.

Arthur Seymour, filler, Doncaster, charged with a similar offence, said it was the first time had been down mine, and was ignorant of the rules. He was fined a like sum.

Herbert Hornsby, filler, for similar offence was fined 20s.

John Mellor, collier, Denaby was charged with improperly drawing props, pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s.

George Clarion, collier, and Ben Ball, filler, Denaby, were charged with a breach of the Coal Mines Regulations Act in working for more than eight hours in a period of 24. Ball, who did not appear, was fined 5s and costs, and Clarke, who pleaded guilty, 2s. 6d. and costs.