Today is the anniversary of the Sneyd colliery disaster which occurred on this day in 1942, there are numerous memorials to the men who lost their lives in this disaster in today’s edition.
A fine of £3 with £2.2s Costs, on Mr. Francis Joseph Jones, aged 19, of 29, Hamilton Rd, Birches Head, for failing to comply with National Service Officer, he said he was Claustrophobic; he has been in Court before claiming this condition.
The annual diner of the Great Fenton Branch of the Colliery Firemen, Shotfirers and Overmen Association, was held at the Borough Arms Hotel, Newcastle under Lyme, on Saturday.
To mark the award of the British Empire Medal to, Mr. John Edwards, of 2, George St; Tunstall, a Presentation took place at Sneyd colliery today. Mr. Edwards, who is 74, years of age, looked a picture of health. (Mr. H.I.W. Cumberbatch who is Director and General Manager of Sneyd colliery) He handed over a cheque for £25, in recognition of his service. Mr. Edwards started work at the age of twelve at Clanway Pit, a few years later he was transferred to Brownhills Pit, Tunstall, until he went into the Army, after the Army he went to Birchenwood colliery, then to Whitfield colliery, after to Sneyd colliery for the last twenty one years.
Mr. Vernon Clifford Round, aged 20, of 25, of Greetings St., Burslem was summonsed for failing to comply to the N.S.O. to work at Sneyd Colliery. He was ordered to pay £3, plus 3s costs.
Mr. Robert Foot, Chairman of the Mining Association has addressed the M.F.P. in an open letter setting out the position of the employers by the colliery owners to the National Coal Board. He say’s Mine Owners want cash not Government Stocks.
Mr. Horner, National President Officer of the N.U.M. as made a reply to Mr. Robert Foot criticism of the Nationalisation Bill.
The control of mines roadways was the subject of an address by Mr. T.J. Jones, formerly an investigator to the safety in mines Research Committee in North Staffordshire. It was given to the Institute of Mining Engineers at North Staffordshire Technical Collage last night
Before the Potteries Stipendiary in Hanley, on Tuesday, Mr. Maxilla L. Lee, aged 19, stated to be living at 7, Blurton Rd. Heron Cross, Fenton, was fined £3, with £2,2s Costs for failing to comply with a N.S.O. to work underground at Fenton colliery.
The attitude of colliery Managers to the critical situation in the mining industry was forcibly stated by Mr. J. Robinson O.B.E. National President of the colliery Managers at a meeting of N.S.B. of the Association of Mining in Stoke last night.
There’s a Photograph of two men at the top of Pit Shaft in the woods near Froghall in which Mr Jack Barker fell in on Saturday night and was rescued after two hours in water in the pit sump.
Summonsed for leaving his job at Chatterley Whitfield colliery, Mr. W.P. Charles Freeman, aged 19, of 20, of Bromyard Rd Worcester, was sentenced to one month imprisonment.
for failing to comply with a directive to work at Hanley Deep Pit, Mr. Albert Cecil Chadwick of 54, Sandon St, Etruria, was fined £5, and £3.3s costs.
It is learned that three North Staffordshire collieries passed their output targets for the W/E 2nd March. They are Victoria colliery passed their target by 1, 021 tons, Wolstanton by 88 tons and Kent’s Lane, Silverdale by 100 tons.
Pleading guilty before the potteries Magistrate at Longton, today, Mr. Martin Hart, aged 32, of 9, Gower St. Longton was fined £10, with £2,2s Costs, for leaving his employment at Florence colliery without permission in Writing of the National Service Officer. Hart said he did not like the pit and wanted to return to his old job as an agricultural worker.
A Hanley Soldier, formerly a collier, as written from the Far East that his ambition to return to the mining industry when he gets demobbed at the end of the war. He is private Billings and living with his Mother at 10, Broom St. Hanley. He was employed by Sneyd colliery Ltd, before entering the Army.
Mr Stanley Wilson Evans of 6, Harold St. Nettlebank, Smallthorne, was summonsed at Burslem Stipendiary Magistrates Court yesterday in respect of arrears of £7-13s-6d, under a, Married Woman’s Act Order, the defendant in reply to questions that he done only one day’s work since being released under class "B" from the forces last January to do colliery work. The defendant was ordered to do four weeks imprisonment, suspended on payment of £2-7s-6d per week, the amount of the order plus 2s-6d per week against the arrears.
Believed to be the first Miners Family function, was held at Chatterley Whitfield colliery last night it was attended by more than 350 colliers, their wives and children.
In the future miners would be mining coal in North Staffordshire as far below the surface as 6,000, ft. This was stated by Dr. B. Stross, M.P. Labour Member of Parliament for Hanley, during the Committee stage of Coal Industry (Nationalisation) Bill in the House of Commons today.
At an inquest held at the City General Hospital on Wednesday on Mr. Arthur Morris aged 41, a retained coalminer of 56, George St. Sandford Hill, Longton. He died on 1st April; the City Deputy Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with medical evidence. Death was followed by an old outstanding fracture of the pelvis received while working has a collier. It was stated that Mr Morris was buried by a fall of coal in 1933 while working at Mossfield colliery.
An inquest held at the N.S.R.I. on Mr. Richard Boulton aged 38, of 14, Castle St. Chesterton, who died in the N.S.R.I. on Sunday following injuries received at Wolstanton colliery on April 2nd.
Holiday Pay for underground workers over 21 and over would be £6, per week, 18-20, £4, per week, under 18, £3, per week. Women workers above pit surface would be 21 and over, £4 16s, per week under 21, £3 12s, per week.
At last night’s meeting of North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers an informative paper was given by Dr. J. O’Millett, Mr. Wolverson Cope and Mr. H. Berry. The paper was entitled, Deep Boring at Pie Rough, near Keele.
There’s a photograph of Mr. George Wilson, of 103, Leek Rd. Baddeley Green who is still going underground at the age of 80 at Norton colliery, and has served 68years in the pit
At the annual meeting of North Staffordshire Coal and Iron Workers Permanent relief service was held at the Church Institute, Stoke. There was a total membership 1,242 a decrease of 43. The total monies was £1,034,17s 1d.
While engaged in coal-cutting at Florence colliery, Mr. John Arthur Shea, aged 43, assistant coal-cutter, of 12, Harvey Rd. Meir. He was buried by a fall of roof weighing 4-5 tons, when he was extracted about one hour later he was found to be dead. Mr Shea was a married man with six children.
Complaints by residence on a burning tip at Mount Pleasance, Fenton, which is used by Great Fenton colliery, are going before Stoke on Trent City Council.
Mr. Manny Shinwell, M.P. Said that the coal industry needed another, 4,000 more men in the Pits, speaking at a meeting in Newcastle under Lyme, last night.
Aspects of Mining Dust, was a paper given to members at last night’s meeting of North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers, at Stoke on Trent Technical Collage.
North Staffordshire Technical Collage Governors met yesterday and were told by the Principle Dr. H. W. Webb that the intake of boy’s into the mining industry appeared to be growing.
Mr. Daniel Mayhew aged 60, of 102, Seaford St. Shelton, is in the N.S.R.I. suffering from a fractured spine sustained when he was trapped by a fall of roof at Hanley Deep Pit yesterday afternoon.
Sir Francis Joseph was speaking on coal production and coal output. He intermitted that output was due to Absenteeism, Nationalisation and Cheaper Fuel.
Mines Subsidence claim Mr. Justice Evershed in the Chancery Division yesterday opened the hearing of the action brought by the Corporation of the Borough of Newcastle under Lyme.
There’s more on the claim by Newcastle under Lyme against Wolstanton colliery.
While at work at Holditch colliery on Wednesday night Mr. William Henry Webb, aged 54, of 20, Heath St. Chesterton, an engine driver received fatal injuries, he was partly buried by a fall of roof. He was recovered by two of his colleagues, but died from his injuries.
Two sons who saw their Father partially buried by a fall off roof, while working with him in the Cockhead seam No 2 pit, of Chatterley Whitfield colliery. They gave evidence at N.S.R.I. inquest of their how the accident happened. Their Father was Mr. Daniel Mayhew, a colliery ripper.
Thousands of Wireless sets, dumped into a 170ft deep, disused pit shaft, nr. Cheadle, may now be brought up from the pit and sold by London firm
Following an accident at Sneyd colliery where he was employed, Mr. William Orgill of 3, Haywood St. Burslem, was admitted to the N.S.R.I. with a suspected compound fracture to his leg.
Coal output in North Staffordshire as follows: April ’46, 105,500 tons, May ’46, 119,300 tons, May ’45, 93,900 tons.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mr. William Henry Webb, aged 54, of 20, Heath St. Chesterton, who died on the 22 May, as a result of a fall of roof at Holditch colliery.
Several hundred Mining and other Officials, of six Industrial concerns of which Mr. James Cadman D.C.S. D.L. J.P. is their Chairman, were entertained in the beautiful grounds of Walton Hall, Eccleshall on Saturday afternoon and evening.
For unlawfully behaving in a violent manner at Hanley Deep Pit on the 28, June, Mr. James Butler, of 66, Spencer St. Burslem was fined £1-10s-0d by the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate in Hanley Yesterday.
Judgment for Newcastle under Lyme Corporation in the Mining Subsidence Case, a payment £4,500 was agreed.
Mr. George Lingard, of 16, Birch St Northwood, Hanley, a former miner who died on 4th August 1943 left £1,121, 10s 10d in his will.
Mr. Alexander Gordon Hancock aged 29, of 11, Victoria St. Goldenhill, an underground worker, he received fatal injuries in an accident this morning, thought to be caused by runaway tubs at Chatterley Whitfield colliery.
A verdict that death was due to a fractured skull caused by runaway truck in a coalmine the inquest was on Mr. Alexander Gordon Hancock, aged 29, of 11, Victoria St. Goldenhill. The accident happened yesterday at Chatterley Whitfield colliery.
Mr. David Mayhew, aged 22, of 51, Ravens Lane, Bignall End, who works at Holditch Colliery, will represent the Midlands Region, in the British party of representatives of all the coal regions of the country, when he will pay a ten day visit to Holland starting on 27th August.
There’s a Photograph of Mr. David Mayhew, in a family group at home.
There’s a photograph of Mr. Tom Weston the Minister of Supply leaving the entrance to the barricade around the Cheadle shaft. Mr. Weston is seen in his billiard room with some of the 200 radio’s he now owns.
Mr. Charles Pyatt aged 66 was injured while taking part in a shunting operation at Parkhall colliery, Longton, an L.M.S. shunter Mr Pyatt lived at 3, Coronation Rd, Newcastle under Lyme. Sadly he died of his injuries on Saturday afternoon in the N.S.R.I.
Mr. David Mayhew a 22, year old miner from Bignall End, is off to Holland today, has part of the British Party of miners.
Photograph of motor cycle tyres being dumped by the Ministry of Supply, in lorry loads in the disused Woodhead shaft at New Haden colliery Cheadle.
A new organisation has been set up in the Ministry of Fuel and Power, with the object of extending and improving canteen facilities and ensuring that the highest possible standards at all collieries are attained.
Mr. David Mayhew has returned home after a week’s trip to Holland as a representative of the British Party of the N.C.B.
Extension of Mains Lighting in collieries is urged. Brawn and Brain is still needed to produce the coal. These items were stated at the meeting of North Staffordshire Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers held at Stoke Technical Collage last night.
There’s an Editorial on the Labour Force in the Mines.
Inquest on Mr. Frank Grocott aged 55, who died at his home at 272, Clough St. Hanley, on Tuesday. The recommended verdict in accordance with medical evidence was that death was due to Silicosis with Tuberculosis a contributing cause. Mr. Grocott worked at Hanley Deep Pit.
There’s a Group Photograph of North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers.
Better opportunities for miners in the future and new pit head amenities were envisaged at the reopening of the new Parkhall colliery miner’s welfare youth club last night.
The part which the Mining Surveyor will be called upon play into the Nationalisation of the mining industry was stressed by Mr. W.H. Cooper in his Presidential address to the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Surveyors at Stoke on Trent Technical Collage last night. Other matters also included Coal Output, Cost, New Tasks, Technical Education and Examinations.
Mr. J. Cadman D.S.C. D. L. J.P. on Saturday, unveiled as President of the North Staffordshire Welfare Institution a plaque which has been placed in a prominent position on the Institutes premises to mark the members appreciation of the many practical contributions to his success.
Plans for the future of welfare of British Coalmines including an expenditure of £12,000,000 during the next seven years on pithead baths was disclosed today by Lord Citrine.
A fatal accident at Hanley Deep Pit on Tuesday morning was inquired into at an inquest held by the Stoke-on-Trent, City Coroner, at the N.S.R.I. yesterday. The inquest was on Mr. Harold Johnson aged 34, of 559, London Rd. Oakhill, a haulage hand employed at Hanley Deep Pit Co. who died at 1 p.m. at the N.S.R.I. where he was taken after the accident.
Miners accept a wage rise of 8d per shift.
Two former employees of Sneyd colliery with remarkable records between them, have more than one hundred years service underground were presented with cheques in appreciation of their work by the Chairman Mr. William Tellwright,: they were Mr. Tom Stevenson, aged 68, of 26, Holden Ave. Smallthorne, and Mr. George Barlow, aged 69, of 38, Buxton St. Sneyd Green.
Photograph of Mr A. J. Steele at Parkhouse Colliery on the occasion of his retirement after working for more than 63, years underground, a presentation of Bank Notes was made to Mr. A. J. Steele, of 64, Hatrell St. Newcastle under Lyme. The Presentation was at the monthly safety meeting of the Parkhouse colliery Ltd.
Sneyd colliery Co. Ltd; as announced a net profit £137,533, compared to £95, 839, the previous year.
Mr. Robert Foot Views The Future of the Coal Industry. Under Nationalisation the British coal industry with universal goodwill and with many potential advantages, but there is one missing link and that is, the "will to work". That was the chief point made by Mr. Robert Foot, Chairman of the Mining Association of Great Britain in address to the North Western Fuel Luncheon Club in Manchester today.
There is a Photograph of Mr. I.W. Cumberbatch, the Director and General Manager of Sneyd colliery Burslem, who has been appointed the Area General Manager for the North Staffordshire Coalfield under the N.C.B. and will take up his new duties in the near future.
H. F. Cooper, Works Manager to the Shelton Iron, steel, and Coke Co. Ltd. Out-Trialling the main feature of the modern Metallurgical coke works, at a well attended informal meeting of the North Staffordshire Fuel Society.
A tribute to work done by mining engineers in the Country during recent years, to improve the health and safety of mine workers in the coalfields was paid by Mr. John Felton, O.B.E. His Majesties Chief Inspector of Mines, speaking at the Annual Diner of North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers in Hanley last night.
Lord Hyndley Chairman of the Board as the guest of the Industry Social Luncheon Said "Public Services" was going to be the watchword of the pits and Public Services meant efficiency
Staffing vital factors in the coal industry under Nationalisation. Sir Ben Smith is confident about the future.
Holditch Disaster Fund, there was a meeting of the Administration Committee of the Holditch colliery Disaster Distress fund held in the Guildhall Newcastle, which was presided over by Alderman S. Myott. It was decided to increase the allowance to the beneficiaries.
At Hanley County Court yesterday, His Honour Judge H.A. Tucker, pronounced Judgment in a case heard a month ago in which Emlyn Wakefield, of Glenholme, Werrington Rd. Bucknall, claimed full weekly compensation from Shelton Iron, steel and coal company Ltd. The Company case failed.
The West Midlands Coalfield produced 766,000, tons, more from January 1st – November 23rd this year, than the same period in 1945; although an average 1,200 fewer wage earners were employed. The improvement was due to the decline in absentisem and greater effort from the miner.
The system of steel chocks in mining roof supports was discussed by mining engineers.
Spotlight on mining pithead baths, one of the greatest blessings to miners, surly in the last ten years is the pithead baths and canteen facilities.
The Court of Appeal today, consisting of Lords; Justices Norton, Somerville and Cohen, continued their hearing of the Appeal of Wolstanton colliery, from the decision of Mr. Justice Evershed in the Chancery Division on July 25th, when he awarded the Newcastle under Lyme Corporation, £4,500. This was for injuries to the Corporation’s Gas Mains.
An 18 year old Haulage Hand Mr. Charles Ivor Deaville of 17, Wolstern Rd. Adderley Green, Longton. He was killed in an accident at Mossfield colliery last night. He was suffering from severe head injuries and appeared to be dead. Mr Deaville was found by his work mates lying in a 12ft. wide by 8ft high underground roadway. He had apparently been crushed by loaded tubs of coal. The discovery was made a few seconds after the accident had occurred.
Farmers concerns after the Government Plans for Opencast Mining.
The hope that Certification of colliery Electrical and Mechanical Engineers would get Certification in the not too far distant future was expressed by Mr. Charles Bleach, the National President of the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers last Saturday night at the annual diner of the North Staffordshire Branch, held at the George Hotel Burslem.
The Method adopted to minimise damage caused by mining subsidence were explained to members of the North Staffordshire branch of the Institute of Mining Surveyors by Mr. J. W. Dean, Chief Surveyor of the N.C.B. Collieries Ltd. in an address on strengthen structural foundations was given to N.S. T.C. last night.
The inquest into the death of Mr. Charles Ivor Deaville aged 18, of 17, Wolstern Rd. Adderley Green, Longton. Mr. Deaville was killed last Friday night at Mossfield colliery Co. Longton. The Coroner said "The one ascertainable fact that a most useful energetic and keen young miner lost his life.
It is the fifth day of the hearing the Appeal by Wolstanton colliery Co. Ltd. in the Court of Appeal in London. The court consists of Lords Justice, Morton, Somerville and Cohen.
As previously announced on 7th December, Mr. I. W. Cumberbatch will take his duties in the near future.
North Staffordshire with an output of 7,000,000, tons of coal annually is likely to be productive coalfield for next 200 years, said Dr. J. O’Millatt.
A Special delegate’s conference of the N.U.M. in London today that a five day working week would start on the first Monday following the 1st May next year.
There will be celebrations on the 5th of Nationalisation of coalmining industry on Vesting day January 1st.1947.
Only about 50% of miners returned to work following a two day brake; Chatterley Whitfield only 40% returned up for work.
Many miners were still absent from work in one Midlands mine, only 45 men returned to work out of 550