Durham Mining Museum - Newspaper Articles (original) (raw)

30th July 1908

Taking Coal From A Pillar In Ladysmith Pit

Collier Fined For Breach Of Rules

At the Whitehaven Police-court, on Thursday, before J. Dickinson (chairman), W. H. Watson, and H. Kitchin, Esq., John Donald (26), coal hewer, 54, Middle Row, Newhouses, Whitehaven, was charged with contravening the special rules made under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887, by sliping coal in Ladysmith Pit, Whitehaven, on July 7.

Mr. W. H. Chapman, who appeared for the prosecution, said the defendant was charged with the breach of No. 118 of the Special Rules, which stated that no person shall slipe or take down any coal except when authorised to do so. The charge was one of sliping coal, which was that of robbing a pillar. It was a most dangerous practice, as it endangered the pit, and therefore the lives of those who were in it, and unless the practice was stopped there was no knowing what it might lead to.

Mr. Steele, pit manager, produced a plan of the working.

Joseph Taylor, Mount Pleasant, said he was a deputy at Ladysmith Pit, and was on duty on the night shift on the 6th inst. The defendant was under orders from witness to take out the "bank," in order that he (witness) could put two long legs in. He visited the place at half-past one the following morning, and found that the defendant had not done what he had been told. Witness returned about a quarter to four, and did not see the man at the "face," where he ought to have been. The "bank" was immediately in front of the "face." Defendant was standing on the "bank," about four or five yards from where he ought to have been, and was taking down coal from a portion of the pillar, which was left to act as a support. It would be dangerous to cut pillars away. When witness asked the defendant what he was doing the latter was very impudent, and threatened to strike him.

Thomas Hunter, overman at Ladysmith Pit, said he went to the place in question and saw a chalk mark on the place where the defendant had been working. The mark would be four or five yards from the "face."

Defendant said the place was only five yards wide, and they were entitled to another yard. There could not be much sliping at that rate.

Mr. Chapman: He has no right to say that.

Mr. Steele was called, and said that the defendant was not authorised to take the coal he was taking. He was endangering the lives of the other men in the pit.

Defendant said it was hanging top, and he was taking it down because he thought it was dangerous.

Mr. Steele said the defendant's duty was to come out of the working if he considered there was danger.

Fined 30s.

Newspaper transcript kindly provided by
West Cumbria Mines Research.