Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 20 May 1911

Doing an Act

Manvers Pit Boys in Trouble

The Manvers Main colliery company prosecuted Arthur Oates and Stanley Marriott, pony drivers, of Swinton. Oates appeared.

Mr W Baddiley explained that the defendants were charged with a breach of special rule 4, by “Doing an act likely to endanger the safety of the mine.” Oates, he said, was in charge of a pony in the Manvers Main mine, and wrongly allowed it to go up an incline which was worked by power, without giving the signal to the man in charge of the incline, with the result that the pony was met by a run of about 30 loaded corves. There was a smash; the tubs went off the line, and knocked down a bar which supported the roof. The Bench would easily see that Oates conduct might have caused the whole of the roof to come in, containing considerable loss of life.

Henry Carr, a corporal in charge of the pony drivers, bore out this statement; and Mr A Shaw, the underground manager, gave evidence, and pointed out the urgency of enforcing the rule.

Oates pleaded that his pony ran away and that had lost control.

Percy Beaumont, who was in charge at the bottom of the incline, said defendant did not apply to him to signal the way clear for his pony.

Oates was ordered to pay 22/- inclusive.

Stanley Marriott pleaded guilty to similar charge.

Mr Baddiley said that on 3 May watch was set on the travelling roads. A man named Cawthorne saw Marriott riding on the links between the tubs, and stopped the train by telephone, because in many to be discovered.

It was dangerous practice and the Colliery Company were anxious to stop it.

Marriott had to pay 30/- inclusive.