Mexborough & Swinton Times, November 20th, 1891
National Telephone No.1506
Manvers Main Miners and the *“Brob.”
The Manvers Main miners appear to have a grievance which they consider of considerable importance. We do not refer to the wages question, for there seems to be universal peace on this point; but it concerns a certain tool which the men demand to have introduced, or, rather, reintroduced, into the mine.
It is contended that this instrument – known as a “brob” – is essential for the safety of the men, and one speaker at the meeting last Saturday went so far as to say it had been the means of saving thousands of lives in coal pits. If the tool is of all this consequence it is somewhat strange that it does not exist at Manvers Main, for it is undoubtedly to the interests of all concerned to minimise the number of accidents and especially those of a fatal kind.
We see that the Manager expresses an opinion just the contrary to the men in regard to this tool, for he says it is more likely to occasion an accident rather than to prevent one, and therefore it is a matter which outsiders are not likely to form any very satisfactory opinion about.
We are sure Mr. Thomson is as desirous as any colliery manager to ensure the safety of workmen as far as possible, and if it can he shown the tool is absolutely indispensable, as stated by the men, he will undoubtedly secure it for them.
* A wedge-shaped spike used to secure the end of a timber where it abuts another. Much used in earlier times in the construction of tunnelled box-timber headings.