Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 29 January 1892

Theft of a Mottie at Manvers Main

Dunhill, trammer living at Mexborough, was charged on remand with having stolen a mottie from a corve in the Manvers Main Colliery on January 16th.

Mr. Hall appeared on behalf of the company, and said the original charge against the defendant was of having attempted to obtain money by false pretences. That was now altered to a charge of stealing a mottle. If the prisoner was willing to be dealt with, that could be done by the magistrates, instead of him being committed for trial at the sessions. The defendant had been working with a miner named Williams. What he was accused of was of having changed a mottle numbered 96 for one numbered 28. This

In answer to the Chairman, Mr. Hall said he did not think the company could frame a by-law to deal with a matter of that sort, or any compromise by saying they could fine such offenders would hardly meet the Act of Parliament

Mr. William Ward, underground manage, at the pit, was called and explained that the prisoner was employed in the mine to work with John Williams.

The Chairman: They are paid for the coal they get according to the mottle? — Yes.

Mr. Hall : The mottie is on the corve and when the tub is full of coal it is sent to the top and wages are paid to such a number, the names of the men being all known accordingly.

Mr. Ward said the place where the prisoner worked was in the No. 3 South Engine Plane A miner named Frith, worked in the same district.

Mr. Hall : What would be the value of the mottie ? Witness : A penny.

Mr. Hall: And what would be the different in the value of the work ?—A shilling.

The prisoner pleaded guilty.

Mr. Hall added that the prisoner at first denied any knowledge of the affair, but he afterwards pleaded guilty.

He had been previously convicted, and was now sent to gaol for one month.