Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 13 January 1882

Smashing a Lamp at Manvers Main Colliery

Wm. Breach, trammer, of Mexboro’, was summoned for a breach of colliery rules.

Mr. Hall (Messrs. Gill and Hall, of Wakefield) appeared on behalf of the prosecution, and stated that the defendant was charged with damaging his lamp at the Manvers Main Colliery on the 23rd ult.

The man was throwing a piece of wood at one of the pony-drivers, when it struck a Davy lamp, smashing the glass to fragments. It was unnecessary for him to state how dangerous this was, especially at this time of the year. If there had been much gas in the place, an explosion might have been the consequence, and the lives of all the men in the pit would have been jeopardised.

The defendant complained that the pony-drivers would not let him go past them, and that made him angry.

Thomas Ward, under-viewer, explained that it was the defendant who would not let the lads go by him.

The defendant had expressed the hope that the lamp was smashed.

He was fined 30s., including the costs.