Members of the Victoria colliery home guard platoon held a successful supper and social evening on Saturday night.
A summons at Burslem Stipendiary Court today for abstaining himself from work without permission at Chatterley Whitfield colliery committed in October, Mr. Charles Henry Whitby a haulage hand, aged 19, a single man of 4, Morley St. Tunstall, was fined 10s with 14s costs in each of the three summonses, a total of £3-12s. Mr. J.M. Mason for the Minister of Labour and National Service said "between August and September the defendant was absent on average three days a week and since October he had been absent 21 times".
At the same Court, Mr. Arthur Thorneycroft aged 21, a single man of 71, Bemersley Rd. Norton, appeared on three summonses of abstaining himself from work without permission at Chatterley Whitfield colliery, he pleaded guilty, but, he could not work 4-5 days a week owing to his health problems; he had suffered from Meningitis, the case was adjourned for 14 days to enable the N.S.O. to inquire into the defendants health problems. The defendant agreed to undergo a medical examination by an independent doctor if necessary.
A fine of £1, in each of three cases with £5-5s special costs, was imposed by Newcastle under Lyme, Borough Magistrate today on Mr. William Morrican of 128, Liverpool Rd. Newcastle for abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse from Holditch colliery on September 18th October 18th and 31st the defendant pleaded guilty.
A sentence of six months hard labour was passed on Matthew Barber aged 33, a miner and a native of Smallthorne, for braking and entering a house of Mr. John Edward Jones, at Newcastle and stealing food and cloths on October 29th and braking and entering a store at the British Legion Club; stealing cigarettes and whiskey, he also asked for other cases of braking and entering to be taken into consideration. The defendant had nothing to say in his defence.
Mr. Norman Knapper a miner aged 34, of First Avenue, New Rd. Butt Lane, Kidsgrove, He pleaded not guilty to three charges against him. He was found guilty to two of the charges of braking and entering and stealing items of personal belongings, but found not guilty of the third charge. He was sentenced to 12 months hard labour. No Pit was named.
While following his occupation at Wolstanton colliery Mr. Edward Beech, a miner aged 32, of 8, Clover St. Wolstanton, was trapped by a fall of dirt and sustained injuries to his back, he was taken to the N.S.R.I.
North Staffordshire miners are among the twelve districts, who will receive a coal output bonus; it will be 6d per every shift worked.
There is a report on the meeting of the North Staffordshire Association of Mining Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. This report is of very poor quality.
A summons at Burslem Stipendiary Magistrates Court today for abstaining himself from work at Norton and Biddulph collieries, Joseph Henry Turner aged 22, of 6, Hill St. Cobridge, he was fined £2, and 14s special costs in each of three cases.
At the same Court Mr. Richard Turner Jackson, aged of Thornley Rd. Stanfields, Burslem, was due to answer three summonses against him for failing, not availing himself for work at Norton and Biddulph collieries.
Arrested on a warrant after he failed to attend Burslem Stipendiary Court last Thursday Mr. Richard Turner Jackson of Stanfields, Burslem, pleaded guilty to three charges against him. It was stated that Mr. Jackson still owed £14-12s-0d, of a previous summons. The case was adjourned to enable the Court to get more information. Mr. Jackson is employed at Norton and Biddulph collieries.
The report of Sir Henry Walker C.B.E. L.L.D. on the explosion at Sneyd colliery on New Years Day 1942 has now been published.
A fine of £2 with £1-1s 0d, costs in each of three cases was imposed on Mr. Arthur Tunnicliffe who appeared at Burslem Magistrates Court today to answer three adjourned summonses for abstaining himself from work at Chatterley Whitfield colliery. The independent doctor said "Mr. Tunnicliffe had Meningitis, but now he was clear of any condition and was fully recovered.
At the same Court, Mr. Gerald Boulton of 36, Dartmouth St. Burslem was fined £2 and 14s special costs in each of three cases of abstaining himself from work without permission at Chatterley Whitfield colliery.
Three miners appeared before the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate Court today at Longton on each of three summonses of abstaining himself from work without permission at Mossfield colliery. The defendants were Mr. Frederick Shenton aged 28, of 31, Howard St. Longton; Mr. Harold Lockett aged 23, of 6, Caverswall Rd. Adderley Green, Longton, Mr. George Neale aged 19, of 142, Vivian Rd. Fenton; all pleaded Guilty but, Mr. Shenton said in his defence he had health problems and his eye sight was not too good. The Magistrate adjourned the case for a fortnight so he could obtain medical evidence. The Magistrate said there appears to be a change of heart in the three cases and would not record a conviction. Two of the cases was dismissed, but ordered to pay a fine of £2, and 14s special costs.
Provincial figures show that last year 863 persons were killed, and 2,748 were serious injured in coalmines, compared with 925 killed and 2,990, were serious injured in 1941 throughout the country. This information was given by the Minister of Fuel and Power.
Members of the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers discussed the problem of falling of roofs at a meeting presided over by the President Mr. James Cadman D.S.C. J.P. D.L. at North Staffordshire Technical Collage last night.
An experiential "Brains Trust" was held at Holditch colliery, under the colliery "Home Guard" auspices as an experiment for the members.
The Stoke on Trent City Coroner held an inquest on Samuel Griffiths, aged 47, of 15, St. Georges Ave. High Lane, Tunstall, Mr. Griffiths was colliery fireman, who died in Haywood Hospital, Burslem, last Friday. Mr. Timothy Leese a colliery overman said "one day in October he was working with Mr. Griffiths at Norton colliery when Mr. Griffiths tried to pull a steel bar off a conveyer belt he lifted up the nearest end of the bar, and pulled it towards himself, then the end of the bar struck him in the ribs, and pushed him into the side of the roadway, he did not bang his head, he pulled the bar off the belt. He then continued to-do his work that day, and continued to work for several days after that. Dr. E.C. Myott said that the cause of death was a tumour of the brain; the coroner returned a verdict in accordance with medical evidence.
Summonsed at Burslem Stipendiary Court today for abstaining himself from work at Sneyd colliery, Harold Young of Ashwood St. Shelton was fined £2, with 14s costs in each case of three summonses.
A tribute to North Staffordshire miners was paid at the fuel economy meeting in Hanley on Saturday night by Sir Francis Joseph.
At Burslem, Mr. Victor Moss aged 33, of 77, Craigside Biddulph, was summonsed for abstaining himself from work at Norton and Biddulph collieries, without a reasonable excuse on October 19th November 2nd and 16th 1942. He pleaded guilty and said he had no excuse to offer.
Fatal injuries were sustained by Mr. Ernest John Smith aged 22, of Maud St. Fenton, through a fall of dirt while working at Berryhill colliery, Fenton, he was taken to N.S.R.I. but died of his injuries shortly after.
At a Juvenile Court in Burslem, on Wednesday a 16, year old boy employed by a local colliery was find£5, with 15s costs for stealing a wallet containing a Post Office Savings Bank Deposit Book, an identity card and other personal documents to the value of £2-10s, the property of Mr. James Boulton, of Priory Rd. Abbey Hulton. At the same Court a 15 year old Goldenhill boy was fined £2, for obtaining £2-17s-8d, by false pretences from his employer and a further £2, with 12s-6d costs for stealing a wage check valued at 6d, belonging to a fellow colliery worker. The Chairman of the bench, thought of sending him to an approved school, but decided against it, he his very lucky young man.
"Mining Educational developments." There are proposals for an underground training area in the North Staffordshire coalfield. There two columns on this on this page and more on the back page.
Outspoken comments on miner’s absenteeism were made at an inquest which was called by the City Coroner today, when it was stated that a fall of roof occurred because of insufficient number of men were available to complete the waste pack in the proper time. Mr. H.J.Crofts the manager of Chatterley Whitfield colliery gave figurers of miner’s absenteeism at the pit where the fatal accident occurred and stated that absenteeism was becoming a difficulty too grievous to be borne by colliery officials. The coroner returned a verdict of accidental death through a fall of dirt in a coalmine. The inquest at Hanley today was on Mr. James Summerfield aged 20, a colliery waste packer of 26, High St. Brindley Ford, who was fatal, injured at Chatterley Whitfield colliery last Tuesday. There are two columns on this and more on the back.
A case of importance to the mining industry involves the right of an employer, to transfer a man from one location another, scheduled under the, Essential Work Order, to another without notice, and was heard in Hanley County Court yesterday. After three hours his Honour Judge Finnemore adjourned the case until February 26th. The action was against Chatterley Whitfield colliery Co. Ltd. of Tunstall, who were sued by an underground fireman formally in their employment, for damages in respect of loss of earnings, due to its alleged breach of agreement by the colliery Co. The plaintive is Mr. Hugh Dole aged 28, a colliery fireman of 69, Lantins St. Congleton, stated that his new employer was Black Bull colliery, Biddulph, and claimed damages of £34-17s-6d against Chatterley Whitfield colliery Co Ltd, who counter claimed £36, in respect of loss of coal output. There are two columns on this page and it is also on the back page.
When Richard Taylor Jackson of 58, Thornley Rd. Stanfields, Burslem, appeared before the Magistrates Court at Tunstall today in which three cases of abstaining himself from work at Norton and Biddulph collieries, it was stated that the case had been adjourned for a month to see if the defendant had worked regularly; since he had worked 21 out of 25 shifts. The defendant had been fined £6, and costs in January last year for abstaining himself from work, and £9, and costs in June/July last year. The Magistrate said the defendant has seemed to have redeemed himself by working fairly regularly, the Magistrate bound him over for six months and ordered him to pay costs of £3-15s, there was still owing £8-11s, from a previous fines and costs, the defendant was ordered to pay off the fines and costs at the same rate.
Sentenced to six months hard labour was passed at Staffordshire adjourned Quarter sessions held at Stafford today Mr. Ernest Brown aged 23, a miner, who has been committed from Hanley Court to here, pleaded guilty to braking into a house at Werrington, the home of Mr. Frederick Edwards on the 8th of July of this year and stealing £2-10s, in money, cigarettes and clothes to the total value of £18-14s. Mr. Brown is an employee of Mossfield colliery, colliery, Co. Ltd. Mr. Brown said he was sorry and asked for other offences to be taken into consideration.
Five colliery miners were summonsed at Longton Stipendiary Court today, for being absent from work down the pit. Three pleaded guilty, one having his case adjourned and the fifth one being dismissed. The one which was dismissed was of Mr. Frederick Shenton of 31, Howard St. Longton; Mr. Shenton case was postponed from a fortnight ago for Mr. Shenton to under go a medical examination. The result of the medical examination was that his eyesight was so inferior that it made him unfit for pit work and the case was dismissed. The case against Wilfred Bird aged 19, of 34, Queen St. Fenton, was adjourned for two months after the plaintive had pleaded for another chance and promised to attend work regularly. Mr. James Heath a colliery loader aged 21, of 17, Stockfield Rd. Meir, was fined £6 and ordered to pay £2-2s costs. Mr. Elijah Bossons aged 27, a haulage hand of 55, willow St, and was fined £9, with £2-2s costs. The fifth defendant was Mr. Percy Pritchard aged 23, Cross keys Square, was fined £10, with £2-2s costs. None of the defendants had anything to say. (No pit/pits were named)
There is a case in which a seventy year old retired miner, who stole coal to the value of 9d, the property of Stoke on Trent Corporation. He was put on probation and ordered to pay £1, costs.
The miner’s welfare commission invites applications for a limited number day part-time advanced mining scholarships, tenable from next September at approved installation providing day classes, in advanced mines instruction.
There’s a report on mines electricity on this page by Stoke on Trent branch of Institute of Mining electrical and Mechanical Engineers. This is of a very poor quality.
There is a reply to the criticism of miner’s absentisem by Mr. H. Leese Sec. North Staffordshire Miners Federation, (I don’t normally advertise letters to read but I felt it necessitates to enter this if anyone wants to read it in this paper.) 25th February 1943 Page 3.
An appeal for the formation of a committee of mining engineers and mining researchers’, investigation for the purpose of, further investigating air analysis as a means of detecting spontaneous heating under modern mining conditions, it was made by Dr. T. David Jones, in a Presidential address to the North Staffordshire branch of National Association of Colliery Managers, at Stoke on Trent Technical Collage.
Two miners received leg injuries and now are in hospital through accidents while working in their pits on Saturday. They were Mr. Leonard Hitchcock aged 20, of 17, Chell Heath, Tunstall, who is employed by Norton and Biddulph collieries, and Bertram Barber aged 39, of 68, Starley St. Burslem, he is employed by Wolstanton colliery.
A pioneer development, Power Loading with the Shelton Loader, calculated to revolutionise mining practice and increase output substantially, was described to members of the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers, at Stoke on Trent Technical Collage by Mr. John Walker and Mr. E. Small. The President, Mr. James Cadman D.S.C. J.P, D.L. was in the chair there are two columns of this on this page and there’s more on the back page; along with two photographs of the "Shelton power loader in situ" at Hanley Deep Pit.
There is an Editorial on Power Loading.
The quarterly meeting of the committee of managers of the North Staffordshire Coat and Iron Workers Permanent Relief Society recorded that the capital was at £22,430,-8s-01/2d, the membership was !,447.
Charged at Hanley Police Court with stealing 30s, Mr. John Kelly aged18, a collier who gave his address as 90, Brook St. Hanley, pleaded guilty, he had worked up to seven weeks ago at Wolstanton colliery, the defendant gave an undertaking to return to work and refund the 30s and pay 15s costs, the case then was adjourned for one month to see if the defendant kept his promise.
An increase in the output of coal for the February period compared with the January figures was announced by the Minister for Fuel and power, the output in the four weeks ending February 20th averaged 4,016,400 tons a week compared with 3,813,400 tons in the previous week ending January 23rd and with 4,028, 000 tons the previous week in 1942. Only three districts qualified for output bonuses, South Derbyshire 9d per shift, Leicestershire 1s-6d per shift, and Somerset 1s-6d per shift.
At Burslem Stipendiary Court today Mr. Francis Elson aged 18, a colliery mechanic of 10, Bond St. Tunstall, was fined £3, with £1-2s-6d cost for stealing on February 25th last a cigarette lighter valued 15s, and a sum of 10s-5d, the property of Mr. Harold Copeland of 9, Sheppard St. Biddulph, who his also a colliery mechanic. Both of them work at Chatterley Whitfield.
Forty miners were withdrawn from the face at Knowles seam, of the Sutherland pit of Stafford coal and iron colliery, Fenton, following the discovery of a Gob heating occurrence. The area was sealed off; there was no actual fire and no one was endangered.
At today’s meeting of governors of the North Staffordshire Technical Collage the director of education reported that proposals for the establishment of an underground training area at Kemball pit, part the Stafford coal and iron colliery, Fenton, had been submitted to the board of education, and now were awaiting their reply.
Death after the Sneyd colliery pit explosion is an important issue on complicated and important legal issues under the, Workman Compensation Act, it was raise in an application which came before his honour, Judge Finnemore, at Hanley County Court yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Lily Franklin, a widow, of 486, Shelton new Rd. Cliff Vale, against Sneyd colliery Co. Ltd. She contested that her husband was working at the face of the Holy Lane seam, when the explosion occurred in the Banbury seam, of the No 4 pit on January 1st 1942, although Holy Lane seam was not affected by the explosion, Mr. Franklin was in a dust storm, and again at the pit bottom whence men were being withdrawn. Mrs. Franklin said her husband suffered from shock and fear, and it perpetrated a mental disorder in which Mr. Franklin died in Cheddleton mental hospital.
Two colliery workers were fined at Tunstall Stipendiary Court today for abstaining themselves from work, Mr. Horace Quirk of 240, Fletcher Rd. Stoke, he was fined £3, and 14s-10d costs in each of three summonses for abstaining himself from work at Sneyd colliery.
In the second case Mr. Frederick Austin of 210, Rea St. Burslem. Mr. Austin admitted the offence of being absent from work has a packer at Holditch colliery; the defendant was a single man of 31, years of age. No fine or costs was mentioned.
For being drunk and disorderly in Burslem last Saturday night, Mr. William Henry Scarlett aged 20, a miner of 5, Rushton Rd. Cobridge, was fined £1.
A "Brains Trust" of Holditch colliery miners, will be on Thursday next, and will be on the subject of science and the art of coal mining.
Six colliery workers who’s ages were from 18-30 were before the Stipendiary Magistrate at Longton, today were summonsed for abstaining themselves from work without a reasonable excuse. Three of the defendants were fined, two were ordered to pay costs, and one was to be adjourned for two weeks for medical evidence. No collieries were mentioned.
The adjourned case was of Mr. Thomas Thorley aged 30, of Villiers St. Dresden, a colliery ripper, he was absent 69 times out of 90 days, the defendant said it was because of malaria which he contacted, when he was in India. Mr. William McGarry aged 23, a collier of 28, Ladysmith St. Longton, was fined £6, with £2-2s costs, at failing to go to work on 45, out of 103, shifts, the reason the defendant gave was they wouldn’t allow me any coal, because he wasn’t a house holder. Mr. James Frederick Clowes a loader of 22, of Leason Rd. Meir, he was fined £9, with £2-2s costs he had worked only 42 times out of a possible 63. In the case of Frederick Stephen Wilkinson a haulage hand 18, of Hartwell Rd. Meir, that he missed 37 out of 101 shifts, he was fined £3, with £2-2s costs. Two defendants were ordered to pay costs were, Mr. Thomas Dalton a loader aged 20, of Heathcote Rd. Longton, and Thomas William Rushton a colliery ripper aged 27, Daisy Bank, Boundary, nr. Cheadle, each were ordered to pay £2-14s costs.
An 8 year old Burslem boy was the tragic victim of a disastrous fatal accident which occurred last night at the Sneyd colliery marlhole at the rear of Hot Lane, Burslem. Raymond Tomkinson the son of Mr. & Mrs. Tomkinson of 45, Hot Lane Burslem, fell into the water in the marlhole and prompt rescue was in vain. There’s to be an inquest, maybe tomorrow or very soon.
The inquest into the death of Raymond Tomkinson an 8, year old boy of Hot Lane, Burslem, was held today in Burslem. The cause of death was asphyxia from drowning, affected by an accidental fall into a marlhole.
Mr. Robert Marshal aged 18, an assistant colliery surveyor of Fairview, Woodland Ave. Norton, was charged at Burslem, today with stealing 12s-6d from a cloths locker at the pit head baths of Sneyd colliery. The case was dismissed on payment of 20s costs and Mr. Marshal must repay the 12s-6d back.
Holditch colliery held its last "Brains Trust" of the season recently and the subject was Science and the Art of coalmining; but there were numerous Questions on the "Shelton Loader".
The Magistrate at Burslem Police Court adjourned for three weeks to see how the defendant behaves, in the meantime the case against Mr. George Massey aged 17, a colliery haulage hand of 58, Russell St. Sandyford, was charged with obtaining £1-16s from Sneyd colliery Co Ltd. by means of false pretences, the defendant admitted the offence, and must remain working at the colliery.
Mr. Arthur Percy Darrell Denis Brooks aged 54, of 45, First Ave. Kidsgrove; a miner was fatally injured while working at the Institute pit of Chatterley Whitfield colliery. It is believed that Mr. Brooks was hit by a girder while dismembering old workings at the pit. The inquest will be tomorrow.
At Hanley County Court today his Honour Judge Finnemore, gave judgment with an award of £517-10s and costs to, Mrs. Lily Franklin of 436, Shelton New Rd. Cliff Vale, a widow applicant in arbitration under the workers act, made of the grounds of dependency, against Sneyd colliery Co. Ltd. Burslem. There is more on this and the back page.
Mr Frederick Ferguson aged 29, of 9, Liverpool Rd. Burslem was fined £2 and 14s costs in each case of three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Sneyd colliery. The Magistrate adjourned for one week in a case in which Mr. Eric Sutton aged19, of 23, New St. Ball Green, pleaded guilty for failing to comply with an order directive from the National Service Officer, to work as a haulage hand at Chatterley Whitfield colliery. He would have to pay £2-2s special costs.
North Staffordshire output of coal was down in the percentages of standard coal, the total output was for the four weeks ending 20th March1943, was 99.7 tons, in doing so failed to qualify for the coal output bonus.
Three cases which were brought to the Magistrate at Longton were heard by the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate Court today, the defendant was summonsed £3-14s on each of three summonses of abstaining himself without from work without a reasonable excuse from work with Stafford coal and Iron colliery Co. A fine was imposed on Mr. George Thomas Venabals single aged 29, from Ballison Rd. Blurton, he has missed 20 shifts in January and 8 in February when he was told by the Magistrate of the fines and costs he Said " I wont pay it, and you wont get it." Mr. Ernest Kenneth Moss a married man of aged 25, of 5, prospect place, Trent Vale, was fined £1 with £1-1s costs in each of the two summonses for abstaining himself from work without a reasonable excuse while employed at Stafford coal and Iron colliery Co. It was stated that his attendance has improved a great deal recently. A fine of £5 with costs of £2-2s was imposed on Mr. George Burgess a single man aged 19 of 11, Young St. Chell, for failing to comply with a directive from the National Service Officer. To work at Sneyd colliery as a haulage hand. His reply to the Magistrate was "I didn’t like pit work and I don’t want to go down, if I wanted to go down the pit I would have down when I was 14."
Two miners were injured while following their occupation were treated at the N.S.R.I. today Mr. Thomas Fellows aged 31, of Oxford St. Sandford Hill, Longton, was slighted with an head injury at Mossfield colliery today. Mr. James Plant aged 41, of Campbell Rd. Stoke, who was able to home after treatment; he is suffering from a leg injury sustained at Fenton colliery. (Glebe colliery).
A fine of £3 and 14s costs was imposed on Mr. James Harvey aged 30, of 14, Davis St. Shelton, at Hanley ipendiary Court yesterday in each of three cases of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Shelton Iron and Steel and coal colliery Co. Mr. PGX was employed as a collier at Hanley Deep Pit.
Two miners were admitted to the N.S.R.I. during the night with injuries sustained at work in there collieries, Mr. William Charles Clarke aged 23, of Church St. Wood Lane, who was injured at Bignall Hill colliery. William Gough aged 33, of Church St. Silverdale, who was injured at Silverdale colliery.
Photograph of swans on water just off Victoria Rd. Fenton, with Berryhill colliery in the back ground.
Find £1 with 14s costs in each of three cases was imposed on Mr. Charles Rushton Aged 21, of 29, High St. Hanford, when he pleaded guilty at Stoke Stipendiary Court with abstaining himself from work with out reasonable excuse from his work as a stoker at Stafford Coal and Iron colliery, Fenton.
At Burslem Police Court yesterday the case in which Mr. John Davis aged 33, a miner of 9, Church view, Longbridge Hayes, pleaded guilty to the theft, Mr. Davis admitting stealing clothing and 2s-6d in money, together valued at £3, the property of Mr. Stanley Lawton, from a locker at the pit head baths at Sneyd colliery Co. The case was adjourned for three weeks.
Pioneer scheme for Pit Training. The Underground will be ready soon. Early development in all aspects of mining at Kemball pit, of Stafford Coal and Iron Co. is to assist new entrants into the mining industry. There is more on this page.
Pleading guilty for failing to work underground as a haulage hand at Sneyd colliery Mr. Harry Morrey aged 29, a single man of 130, Park Rd. Burslem, was fined £3 with £2-2s costs, Mr. Morrey was given a directive to go underground for haulage work on February 16th he refused to go down the pit. He disobeyed a second directive, when interviewed he said it was no use in sending down the pit as it would put other peoples lives at risk, but, he would work on the surface. Mr. Albert Woodward aged 19, a single man of 18, Broardfields Rd. Sandyford, Tunstall, was fined £5 and £2-2s costs was on a similar summons as the one above. Mr. Woodward unsuccessfully appealed against the directive on the grounds that he did not want to go down the pit and he had would not obey another directive.
There’s an entry on the North Staffordshire Coal and Ironstone Workers Permanent Relief Society, but it’s in very poor reading quality.
Pleading guilty at Burslem Stipendiary Court to three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Sneyd colliery Co. Burslem. Mr. Thomas Rea, a married man aged 24, a miner of, 100, Cannon St. Hanley, was fined in three cases of each of £2, with £2-2s costs a total of £8-2s. Mr. Rea abstained himself from work 6, times in January, 7, in February, 10, in March. It was stated that Rea could earn as much as £6-17s 6d a week.
A fatal fall of a seventeen year old surface worker from a gantry at Berryhill colliery was investigated by the City Coroner. The Inquest was on Ernest William Williams of 58, Palmerston Ave. Hanley, who died from multiple and internal injuries at the N.S.R.I. on Friday last. Mr. G Woodall said he saw Mr. Williams body disappear from the top of the safety bar at the surface gantry and fall seventeen feet to the ground. Recording a verdict of accidental death the Coroner said the precise cause of the accident could not be determined and we will probably never know what happened.
Four miners were summonsed at Longton Stipendiary Court today for smoking underground at No6 pit of Mossfield colliery on the night of April 6th/7th. They were;
Mr. William Ash aged 21, of 331, Uttoxeter Rd Longton.
Mr. Sidney Manley aged 17, of 112, Harrowby Rd. Meir.
Mr. Harry Gallimore aged 21, of Hillcrest, Bartholomew Rd. Meir.
Mr. Edgar Cooke aged 18, of 33, St. Clare St. Longton.
They all pleaded guilty.
Mr. Ash, Manley and Gallimore were each fined £5 the case against Cooke was dismissed. Summonsed for being in possession of cigarettes in a mine, the Magistrate ordered them to pay cost of £2, each. There is more on this on this and the back page.
Post war housing plans for the City and in it there is opposition to Wolstanton collieries plans for growth. There is plenty on this on this page.
Many of the friends of Major the honourable John Y Cunliffe-Lister, Staffordshire Yeomanry a Director of Stafford Coal and Iron colliery Co. Ltd; will regret to learn that he has died of his wounds received in action
At Tunstall Stipendiary Court Mr. Joseph Johnson aged 43, married with one child of 50, Warren Rd. was fined £5 with 14s, costs on each of three summonses for abstaining himself from work at Chatterley Whitfield colliery, without reasonable excuse, the defendant could earn £1, per day; since August the defendant has missed a total of 181, shifts out of a possible 200, he has been fined by the Pit Production Committee three times is only excuse is that he doesn’t want to work at Chatterly Whitfield colliery, and he would prefer to work at Wolstanton colliery. A fine of £12 and £1 per day with £2-2s costs was imposed. He was ordered to pay all the fines and costs a total of £21-4s at the rate of 15s, per week and to see the probation officer. The defendant said he would do any form of surface work or join the forces. Mr. Ernest Riley aged 20, of 2, Huntilee Cottages, Tunstall, appeared on an adjourned summons of, for failing to comply with a directive to work at Chatterley Whitfield colliery as a haulage hand. The defendant said he was prepared to do anything except to go underground. The defendant further admitted of failing to pay fines and costs totalling £9-2s, the Magistrate imposed a fine of £11, and £3-3s costs, and the total sum was £23-5s is to be paid at the rate of 15s, per week.
The annual meeting of Wolstanton Property Owners Association was held at the St. John School, Wolstanton, on Friday night, they are to consider an application by Wolstanton colliery for more mining underground their housing and other properties in the area. On this page is a lot more information.
A fine of £4 with 7s-6d costs, in each case was imposed at Tunstall Stipendiary court yesterday on Mr. Thomas William Bromley aged 34, a miner of 36, Ladybrook Ave. Goldenhill. Mr. William Jones aged 31, a miner of 62, Broardfields Rd. Sandyford, pleaded guilty together with Bromley, of sometime between April 14th/15th stealing from the Woodstock colliery footrail, Goldenhill, a quantity of blasting powder valued at 19s-6d, a miners ratchet handle and scrapper valued at £1, and a miners boring worm valued at 15s-6d
For failing to comply with a directive to work as a haulage hand at Sneyd colliery Mr. Joseph Colclough aged 34, of North Rd. Cobridge, was fined £5 and £2-2s costs, at Burslem Stipendiary Court, the defendant pleaded guilty, but said he will not go down the pit, Mr. Frederick Wilfred Turner of Heaton Villars of Brown Edge, was called to answer a summons for leaving his place of his employment at Chatterley Whitfield colliery, without consent of the N.S.O. he did not appear in Court. The Magistrate ordered a warrant for his arrest to be issued for his arrest.
A Burslem colliery a worker had an astonishing escape from death, when fell more than halfway down a 600 yards deep, pit shaft, but saved himself by grasping an oil-covered wire rope. The accident is said to be unprecedented in the North Staffordshire coalfield pit history. The man is Mr. Joseph Boulton aged 40, of 12, Black St. Burslem, maintenance worker employed at Sneyd colliery. At about mid-day Mr. Boulton was engaged with another maintenance worker in re-capping a winding rope at Sneyd colliery No2 pit, from an accident caused Mr. Boulton to overbalance and he fell backwards down the 600 yards deep pit shaft. There’s a full story of this lucky man and his other documented escapes on this page.
The Kemball pit of Stafford Coal and Iron colliery Co Ltd will probably be ready for use as a training area for entries to the mining industry in about a month’s time.
Sentenced to three months imprisonment was imposed at Burslem Stipendiary Court today on Geoffrey Street aged 21, a haulage hand who’s address was given at the Salvation Army Hostel, Stoke on Trent, appeared on three summonses to which he pleaded guilty of abstaining himself from work at the Fenton colliery (Glebe colliery) without reasonable
At Hanley Police Court, today Mr. Samuel Bourne aged 34, a miner of 115, Newstead Rd. Abbey Hulton, was remanded for a week on a charge of unlawfully wounding Mr. Leonard Clarke with a dart and a broken piece of porcelain insulator in Hanley on Saturday night, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Clarke received six stitches in a wound. Mr. Bourne was allowed bail in personal recognition of £25, and a surety of a similar amount.
At Hanley Stipendiary Court, today Mr. Dean Emery aged 36, an assistant coal cutter of 65, Park Rd. Fenton, was fined £5, with £1-1s costs in each of two summonses of abstaining himself from work at Fenton colliery, (Glebe colliery)without reasonable excuse. It was said that if Mr. Emery did not work no coal could be drawn the following day; his minimum earnings are £5-19s a week.
While following his employment at Norton and Biddulph collieries this morning, Mr. Louis Sherratt aged 44, of 157, Tunstall Rd. Biddulph was trapped by a fall of dirt; he suffered severe back injuries and was taken to the N.S.R.I.
Three men appeared before the Potteries Stipendiary Court at Longton today, charged with abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse Mr. John Heath aged 21, of 17, Stockfield Rd. Meir, he was fined £5, with 14s costs in each case of three summonses of abstaining himself from work at Parkhall colliery, Longton, on March 24th, April 1st and 2nd. The Magistrate adjourned for eight weeks the case of Mr. Thomas Thorley aged 31, of 75, Villiers St. Dresden, he was summonsed for abstaining himself from work at Mossfield colliery Longton, on December 21st, 28th and January 2nd. The case of Mr. Elijah Bossons aged27, of 55, Willow St. Longton, was summonsed for abstaining himself from work at Parkhall colliery, Longton, was adjourned for eight week. In the case of Mr. Heath and Mr. Thorley, ill health was the plaintiff’s plea; In Mr. Bossons case there was no regrets, he was prosecuted for a similar offence in February, he was fined £9, with £2-2s costs.
The Stoke on Trent Coroner held an inquiry at Hanley Town Hall into the death of Mr. Arthur Bentley aged 42, of 7, First Ave. Talke, who collapsed and died at Chatterley Whitfield colliery on Saturday. The verdict was in accordance with medical evidence and gave that the cause of death was Oedema of the lungs, due to Chronic Gastroenteritis.
The second full time training course for colliery firemen arranged at the North Staffordshire technical collage by the advisory council for mining educational authorities has been more successful than the first; all the candidates passed the examination and gained colliery diplomas.
North Staffordshire coalfield with a certified percentage of standard tonnage of 99.6 narrowly missed qualifying for the output bonus.
Mr. William Birchall of 59, Macclesfield St. Burslem, a surface worker employed by Sneyd colliery, Burslem, has record of mining service which is believed to be unique in North Staffordshire, although he his nearly eighty two years of age, and his still working at Sneyd colliery where he has been employed for more than fifty years; in all he has a total of seventy two years in the mining industry in which a period of sixty five years were underground. Mr. Birchall was well over Seventy three years of age when he left underground working for surface working. Mr. Birchall was nine years of age when he entered the Victoria colliery Co. Deep Drop Pit in Wakefield, Yorkshire.
Stoke on Trent coroner held an inquest at Hanley Town Hall on Thursday, on Frederick Cliffe aged 27, a collier haulage hand of 40, Sutton Drive Trent Vale, who lost his life in an accident at Berryhill colliery, Fenton, on Saturday. A verdict was recorded that death was due to shock from a severe injury, through being in an accident of, being rundown by loaded tubs in a coal mine.
New haven colliery near Cheadle is to close down and 500 miners, chiefly from Cheadle and surrounding villages are to be transferred to other pits in the North Staffordshire coalfield.
Two young miners were fined at Longton Stipendiary Magistrate Court on Wednesday for abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse, Mr. Cyril Shipley aged 18, of 42, Harrowby Rd. Meir, was fined a total of £3, and £2-2s special costs of three summonses of abstaining himself from work at Mossfield colliery, Longton, on April 5th, 8th and 9th. Douglas Samuel Myatt aged 32, of 2, Uncle Toms Row, Longton, was fined £7, with £2-2s special costs for abstaining himself from work at Florence coal and Iron colliery, Longton, on May 6th, 15th, and 30th, both pleaded guilty.
The quarterly meeting of committee of the North Staffordshire Coal and Ironstone Workers Permanent Relief Society. The capital total is £22,471-18s-1½d and has 1,461 members.
His many friends in North Staffordshire will learn with deep regret of the death of Mr. Thomas Finney licensee of the Royal Oak, Fenton. Mr. Finney was 53, years of age and was found by his wife dead in bed. He was the former licensee of the Vulcan Inn, Fenton, the White Hart Inn, Fenton, the Union Inn, Hartshill, he Lamb Hotel, Market Drayton. Mr. Finney had been a miner for twenty seven years, most of that time he was a contract coal cutter at Hanley Deep Pit, and after the war at the Dukes Pit, Stafford Coal and Iron colliery Co.
Summonsed at Burslem Stipendiary Court today for abstaining himself from working at Sneyd colliery Co. without a reasonable excuse, Mr. Ernest Prince sen, aged 20, a colliery loader of 1, Ward St, Burslem, was fined £3, and 14s costs in each of three summonses. This year he has been absent from work for 64 occasions and worked only 75 shifts.
Believed to be the last survivor of the Diglake colliery disaster of January 14th 1895, Mr. George Hall of 40, Victoria St. Tunstall, and formerly of Albert St. Bignall End, has passed away in London Road, Hospital, on Saturday at the age of 75, Mr. Hall was one of the last sixteen men to be rescued from Diglake colliery.
There’s a photograph of Mr. Percy Cashmore Manager and agent of Fenton colliery (Glebe colliery) who is retiring this month after 50 years in the mining industry receiving a cheque from Sir Francis Joseph Bart. (Chairman of the Directors) the gift of the Directors, Manager and workers to mark the occation, on Mr. Cashmere’s right is Mr. T. Yates, Managing Director. There are three columns on this, on this page
A party of members of the North Staffordshire Branch of the Association of Mining Electrical and Mechanical Engineers visited The Stafford Coal and Iron colliery at Fenton today.
Arrangements have been made for the distribution of payments, of outstanding balances of £18,200-10s-6d, of the Sneyd colliery disaster fund have been made and will be put into practice next month.
When seven youths from Burslem, Tunstall and Goldenhill employed at Sneyd colliery Co. appeared at Burslem Stipendiary Court, on a summons of wilfully committing damages to eight pains of glass valued at 16s, the colliery Co proposed references were made to excessive damage which had been caused to glass windows at Sneyd colliery premises. Mr. Joseph Taylor aged 19, of 26, Goodfellow St. Tunstall, who admitted braking one of the pains of glass was fined £3, with 2s-6d costs, he was charged with three other youths aged between 14-16 they were fined £1, with 2s-6d costs, the summonses on the other three defendants were dismissed.
Full compensation at the rate of £1-10s per week plus surplus allowance was awarded by his Honour Judge Fennemore at Hanley County Court to Mr. Harry Speakman of 31, Bailey Rd. Sandyford, former colliery packer who claimed against Sneyd colliery on the grounds of total incapacity.
New Haven colliery was discussed at Cheadle Rural District Council, at their monthly meeting yesterday. A lengthy discussion took place on the transfer of local miners, to other pits on the closure of New Haven colliery.
‘Coal dust explosion’ is a specialist report just issued by The Safety in Mine Research Board.
There’s a photograph of Holditch colliery Home Guard Ambulance Team.
Members of two families left by the victim of the Sneyd colliery disaster of January 1st 1942, who it was stated he had contracted a bigamous marriage while he lived here in the Potteries where claimed in a compensation case at Hanley County Court yesterday. There is some very interesting reading of this case on this page!
Mr. Ellis Smith M.P. attended a meeting at Fenton Town Hall yesterday, and spoke about the miners coal output in North Staffordshire, he stated that miners now were working more shifts than before the war and producing more tonnage.
Mr. William Thorley aged 27, of 123, Market St. Fenton, a colliery packer at Fenton colliery,(Glebe colliery) was fined £2, with 14s costs on three Summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse. Mr. Harry Thorley (No relation to the above) aged 25, of 68, Blantyre St. Longton, was fined a total of £8, with £2-2s costs on three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse, as an haulage hand at Hanley Deep Pit.
Application for temporary order to let down the surface lands in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Stoke-on-Trent to extend the coal workings was made before the Railway and Canal Committee sitting in the Law Courts today, by Wolstanton colliery Co. Ltd. proprietors.
At Burslem Police Court yesterday for being concerned together for the stealing of a pedal cycle valued at £5, Mr. Albert Henry Crane aged 27, a miner of 9, Hill St. Burslem, was sent to imprisoned with hard labour, And Mr. Frederick Hewitt aged 21, a miner of also 21, Hill St. Burslem, was fined a total of £10, with 18s costs. Mr. James Holdcroft, a miner of 73, Mount St. Northwood, Hanley, a miner employed at Sneyd colliery, said "he missed the cycle when he went to the shed at Sneyd colliery office. Both the defendants worked at Sneyd colliery.
At Longton Police Court today Mr. Frederick Stephen Wilkinson aged 18, ff 45, Hartwell Rd. Meir, a colliery haulage hand pleaded guilty to three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse, at Mossfield colliery, the defendant had missed 52, out of 97, shifts of work.
> In three similar summonses against Mr. Thomas Forrester jnr. aged 18, a colliery haulage hand of 110, Sutherland Ave, Longton the defendant pleaded guilty, the case was adjourned for two months, when the defendant asked for another chance to work regularly.
In an adjourned case of alleged absenting himself from work Mr. Thomas Thorley aged 31, of 75, Villiers St. Longton; three summonses were withdrawn. On three adjourned cases of summonses for being absent without reasonable excuse at Mossfield colliery, Mr. Elijah Bossons aged 27, of 55, willow St. Longton, was fined £5, in each case with three guineas costs. The defendant missed 37, out of 49 shifts. Mr Bossons has made an improvement since; he was only absent 8 times out of 46 shifts.
It’s not my normal practice to put national reports in this gazetteer of mining accounts, but, I thought it necessary to enter this footage. Mr. Bevin’s (Minister of Fuel and Power) Idea to put boy’s between the ages of 16-18 in the pits. The Government is under pressure to put into practice the whole field of junior labourers into employment in all fields of working.
There’s a drop of in saleable coal output. In the four weeks end which ends July 10th compared to the previous four weeks which ended June 12th the total output was 3,579,700 tonnes compared to 3,936,600 tonnes for the four weeks ending June 2nd. North Staffordshire percentage was 96.0, which did not qualify them for the production bonus.
By the courtesy of the Directors of Cowlishaw and Walker and Co Ltd. Members of the North Staffordshire Institute of Mining Engineers, and the North Staffordshire Branch of the, National Association of Colliery Managers saw the ‘Shelton Power Loader’ at working at a demanding face underground in generally conditions similar to those what might be underground. The special loader was a pioneering development design by Mr. John Walker and Mr. L.S. Small.
At Rochester Petty Sessions Kent, Mr. George Henry Bowers aged 18, a miner of The Grove Hillside St, was committed for trial at Kent’s Quarter Sessions he has been charged with entering a house at Priestfields, Rochester, Kent, and stolen Men’s clothes, Jewellery and goods, food to the value of £29-14s, the property of Richard John Whyman. Mr. Bowers said I did it because I was browned off.
At Hanley Stipendiary Court yesterday Mr. James Heath aged 19, of 11, Stockfield Rd. Meir was summonsed for beginning a person engaged in Scheduled undertaking with in the meaning of the essential work (coal mining industry) order 1943, and impeding the work of the undertaking by refusing to twist empty tubs underground gate end load, at 32s coal face at Fenton colliery, (Glebe colliery) and adopting a threatening attitude to the road man and the Fireman on May 20th. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the summons, but pleaded guilty to each of three other summonses of abstaining himself without a reasonable excuse from work at the colliery on May 10th, 15th and 21st. There’s a lot more on this case on this page and the back page.
Sentenced to three months imprisonment was passed by the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate at Fenton yesterday on James Frederick Clowes aged, 23, single of 61, Leason Rd. Meir, who pleaded guilty to three summonses of abstaining himself from work without a reasonable excuse at Mossfield colliery, Longton. Mr. Clowes case is amongst the worst to come before the Stipendiary Magistrate; the defendant he said was before him in January last, and again in March, but since May 16th he has not attended a single shift. Mr. Clowes had been realest from the forces to return to coal mining. Mr. Clowes said that he wanted to get back into the army; I don’t like it down the pit. Mr. Clowes has not paid any of his fines or costs, and could be committed to prison for default was signed and awaiting execution.
At the same Court a fine of £5, with 14s special costs a total of £17-2s was implemented on Mr. Frank William Tomlinson aged 27, of 112 high St. Longton, who appeared on three charges of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse. It was stated that the defendant had not attended Mossfield colliery since 30th of March; he did not produce any medical evidence, and pleaded guilty to the three charges. At the same Court Mr. Francis Locker aged 21, a colliery loader of 23 North Walk, Meir, Was fined £3, in each case of three offences totalling £11-2s, the defendant had missed 25, shifts out of a possible 90. Two Brothers, James Dyke aged 19, and his brother Arthur Dyke aged 21, both of them coal cutters of Woodside Villas Wedgwood St. Longton, were each summonsed for abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse, they were both fined £1, with £1-1s costs a total of £4-2s.
Two miners who were charged with abstaining themselves from work at Sneyd colliery without reasonable excuse, were fined at Burslem Stipendiary Court yesterday a fine of £10, with £2-2s costs was imposed on Mr. George Tilstone aged 22, of 18, Heathcote St. Kidsgrove, he had been absent from work on 19 occasions between May and July this year. Mr. William Hobson aged 20, single of 114, Liverpool Rd. Burslem, was fined £4-10s with £2-2s special costs; the defendant visited the colliery on the 28th May this year, but left without working. When interviewed he said "that the pit conditions were unsuitable from a haulage standpoint", a colliery official said "that five face workers had to take over the other jobs because of absenteeism and 20 tons of coal was lost". Mr. Hobson made no comment in Court
A case was adjourned on Tuesday to enable the defendant to call witnesses to say that he could not do the work which was given him. The defendant before the Magistrate was Mr. James Heath aged 19, of 11, Stockwell Rd. Meir, who was summonsed for abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse, at Fenton colliery, (Glebe colliery) on May 10th, 15th and 21st. When ordered the defendant refused to turn the empty tubs under a gate end loader at Fenton colliery, on May 20th several workmen were called they all said they could all twist the empty tubs but one said he wouldn’t like to do it all day. The defendant was fined £1, in each case.
Pleading guilty, at Burslem Stipendiary Court, to sleeping when employed underground, in the No 4 district, of the Middle pit, of Chatterley Whitfield colliery. The defendant was Mr. Absalom Mountford of 33, North St. Ball Green. The Overman found Mr. Absalom a sleep on top of a coal cutter. He was fined £4.
In reply the Minister of Fuel and Power gave the answer to a question by a Stoke on Trent M.P. that the number of men employed in the coal mining industry was, 706,000, of whom 545, 000, worked underground and 161,000, on the surface. The number of boys fewer than 16 employed in the industry in December 1942 was 8,803, underground and 10, 960 were employed on the surface, and the number of 16-18 year olds was 24,225, underground and 12, 396, on the surface.
Pleading guilt at Burslem Stipendiary Court today, to three summonses for abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse with Chatterley Whitfield colliery. Mr. Samuel Mayer aged 28, of 17, Wells St. Tunstall; he was fined £3, with £2-2s, costs in each case, and a total of £15-6s. It was stated that Mr. Mayer was a face worker and could earn £6 per week, and that he has been absent for 35, shifts out of a possible 110, and has seldom done a full weeks work. The Magistrate said "that if he comes again before him, it will mean a prison sentence".
Mr. John William Ash of Goldenhill, has made a gallant decent into a disused mine shaft in an To rescue a young terrier which some how was got into the shaft. The scene of the exploit was the Boat-House Lane, Chatterley; the shaft has not been used for more than sixty years. There’s more on this.
Three colliery workers were summonsed at Longton Stipendiary Court today, they were charged with abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse. They were Mr. Thomas Dalton aged 21, of 109, Heathcote Rd. Longton who pleaded guilty to the charge of being absent from his job as an haulage hand at Mossfield colliery. It was stated that he was summonsed for a similar case in March of last year, when his case was dropped on payment of costs. Today Dalton pleaded guilty but made no statement or explanation. Sentencing him to two month imprisonment the Magistrate said "the defendants, who acted like Dalton, make it exceedingly difficult for him to treat others leniently". In the case of Frank James Lewis aged 19, of 41, Leacroft Rd. Meir a haulage hand at Florence colliery stated that he had not worked since April, and did not like the pit and was not going down it again. The case was adjourned for two weeks. Mr. Harry Walters aged23, of 125, Cobden St. Dresden employed as a loader at Mossfield colliery, Longton, was fined £9, with £2-2s costs; he had missed 33 shifts out of a possible 93.
Two men were summonsed at Newcastle under Lyme Police Court, for abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse, at Holditch colliery. Mr. Harry Barker of 71, Hassam Ave. Newcastle, Mr Barker, was fined £2, for being absent on May 20th, and for being absent on June 10th and July 10th was fined £1, and ordered to pay costs of £2-2s. Mr. John Arnold Wainwright of 40, Wilton St, Cross Heath, Newcastle, was summonsed for being abstaining himself from work at Wolstanton colliery on June 30th and July 7th and 9th. There was to be an adjournment so the defendant could attend.
In his Presidential address to the Stoke on Trent Branch of, the Association Mining Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, held at Stoke on Trent Technical Collage. Mr. T.H. Williams called to the attention to the importance of certification of colliery electricians. There’s a full column On this important issue.
At an inquest held today on a young miner who was employed as a haulage hand, and was found to be gassed in the Pit at Berryhill colliery on Tuesday. The Stoke on Trent City Coroner found that the man had purposely broke his way into the fenced off area. The City coroner recorded that the man committed suicide, while the balance of his mind was disturbed. There’s more on this on this page and the back page
A temporary order has now been made by the Railway and Canal commission relating to the application of Wolstanton Ltd; Wolstanton, Stoke on Trent proprietors for the powers to be let down the surface of areas from which they propose to take all mining. The powers have been guaranteed to Wolstanton colliery Ltd. to work the Ironstone and Coal in the Redmine seam for as long as the war requirements demands.
What he describes as "a call from the Nation to build a mining army from all walks of life" was made by Mr. Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour and National Service in a broadcast talk today.
Centres for preliminary training for all men now entering the coalmining Industry are to be established in all principle coalfield areas of Britain. This is a Government Plan.
Mr. H.J. Crofts, Managing Director of Chatterley Whitfield colliery Ltd. has succeeded Mr. I.W. Cumberbatch, as President of the North Staffordshire Colliery Owners Association. Mr. John Walker, General Manager of the Shelton Group of Collieries is the new Vice President.
At Stoke County Court today a settlement was announced in the case of Miss Joyce Kiddey, aged 19, of 228, High St. Chell, who claimed damages against Chatterley Whitfield colliery Ltd. On December 19th last year Miss Kiddey, said "there was an explosion in her firegrate and was struck by a piece of metal and coal", Miss Kiddey; it was alleged that the metal was a detonator which was taken inside her house in a consignment of coal. Miss Kiddey has scars on both her legs. His Honour Judge Finnemore was asked to approve the settlement of £175. He agreed to so and said "it appeared to be a fair one".
Chief Constable reported to the committee, that Police Sergeant J.W. Ash, of Goldenhill, had made a gallant descent into a disused coalmine shaft to rescue a young terrier. The scene of this exploit was Boat House Lane, Chatterley; the shaft had not been in use for more than sixty years.
An inquest was held by Stoke on Trent City Coroner in Hanley Town Hall on Saturday on Mr. John Newton, aged 15, of 16, William Terrace, Fegg Hays, Tunstall, who was fatally injured in the Middle Pit at Chatterley Whitfield colliery; the boy who had been employed by the colliery since October, of last year, latterly he had been a winding engine cleaner and oilier. It was the first that an accident of this type had happened at this colliery. Death was due to head injuries and his death would have instantaneous. Both his Father and Grand Father had worked at the colliery. This is a very sad case, and there is more on this accident on this page
At Longton Stipendiary Court Mr. Herbert Jervis, aged 20, of 63, Chatsworth Place, Meir, was fined £5, for being a person employed underground at Parkhall colliery, at No 5 pit of Mossfield colliery, and wilfully did open up an entrance to a disused roadway in the Bowling Alley seam by dismantling and removing wire netting, and endangering the life of the mine on August 25th this year. There are other charges on the defendant and five other miners in the article.
Four miners appeared before the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrate at Longton Yesterday, each on a summons of abstaining themselves from work without reasonable excuse.
They were; Mr. John Locket of the Bungalow, Caverswall Rd. Blythe Bridge, who was sent to prison for two months, for failing to attend work at Mossfield colliery on 15th 16th and 17th July.
Mr. William Thorley aged 27, of 123 Market St. Fenton, was fined £3, with 14s costs on each of three summonses for being absent from work at Fenton colliery, (Glebe colliery) Fenton, on 14th 20th and 23rd July.
Mr. Thomas Foster jnr. Of 110, Sutherland Rd. Longton, was ordered to pay £3, with 15s costs in each of three charges of being absent from work at Mossfield colliery on 3rd 19th and 25th May.
Mr. James Cliffe aged 23, of 40, Ballinson Rd. Blurton, was fined 10s with 14s costs in each of three charges of being absent from work at Stafford coal and Iron colliery, on 2nd 16th and 23rd July.
In the case of Mr. Locket the defendant, a haulage hand, had been before the Court on February 5th when convicted of a similar offences and was fined £6, with £2-2s costs, since then he has been absent from work 138 out of a possible 168 times; he asked the court to release him so he would like to go and work on a farm. Regarding Mr. Thorley he was a colliery packer, he was also in Court for non-payment of fines and costs on July 13th of £8-2s but no payment has been made; he was ordered to pay 15s per week on these fines and as well as the other ones.
Pleading guilty at Burslem Stipendiary Court yesterday on a summons of leaving his employment at Chatterley Whitfield colliery without permission of the National Service Office, Mr. Frederick Turner aged 22, a single man of 22, Heaton Villas, Burslem, was fined £10, with £2-2s costs. Mr. Turner was before the Court on May 6th last for a similar offence, he was then fined £5, with £3-4s costs.
Two miners were removed to the N.S.R.I. from there collieries having had accidents there. They were Mr. Joseph Staley aged 35, of42, Grosvenor Rd. Meir, who sustained fractured ribs and bruises at Stafford coal and Iron colliery, Fenton. Mr. William Poole aged 43, of 51, Birchfield Rd. Abbey Hulton, sustained head injuries at Berryhill colliery.
At Burslem Stipendiary Court today Mr. Albert Austin aged 18, of 97, Priory Rd, Abbey Hulton, was fined £9, with £2-2s costs in each of three cases of abstaining himself from work without any reasonable excuse at Norton and Biddulph colliery, he pleaded guilty on all three charges. Mr Austin had been absent for 74 out of a possible 171 shifts
Pleaded guilty at Stone police Court for stealing a four fowl valued at £2-10s from Knewhall Farm on September 9th Mr. James Heath aged 23, a miner of 11, Stockfield Rd. Meir, was sent to prison for three months a boy of 14 years of age was sent to a Approve School.
Mr. Godfrey H. Wootton a haulage hand aged 24, of Manor St. Fenton, was fined £5, with £1-1s costs on each of two summonses for abstaining from work at Florence colliery without reasonable excuse. It was stated that Mr. Wootton had not worked since June 28th. Mr. Thomas Jones a haulage hand aged 23, of 57, Wallis St. Fenton, was fined 20s with 14s costs in each of two summonses and fined 30s with 14s costs, for being absent from work at Florence colliery. He pleaded guilty in Court. Mr. Wilfred Williams a colliery packer aged 23, of 13, Brunswick St. pleaded guilty to three summonses of abstaining himself from work at Florence colliery without reasonable excuse. The Magistrate adjourned the case for two weeks, to see if Mr. William’s attendance would improve as Mr. Williams was getting married.
A fatal accident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the institute pit, of Chatterley Whitfield colliery, Norton. Mr. Charles Newton a colliery packer aged 41, of 138, John St. Biddulph, he was drawing timber in the Banbury seam when a large piece of dirt struck him on the head, and he received severe spinal injuries, from which he died almost immediately. On the 6th of October an inquest was held on Mr. Newton, a verdict was recorded by the coroner that the cause of death was injuries due to an accidental fall of roof in a coalmine.
Recognition in high quarters of the excellent of North Staffordshire training schemes, for miners was mentioned at a meeting of North Staffordshire colliery Governors yesterday when It was decided to prepare draft plans of the proposed Mining Craft School at Kemball Pit and to negotiate with two Ministries about the organisation of training schemes directed at mining.
The avoidance of electrical accidents in mines was the subject of a talk addressed to members of the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Mining Engineers, by Mr. T. Storrs, His Majesties inspector to Stoke on Trent, Mines. It was given at North Staffordshire Technical Collage last night. 15th October 1943 Page 5.
At a resumed inquest on Mr. Percy Vaughan a former colliery Haulage hand, of 7, Ferrey Place, Sandyford who died in the N.S.R.I. on September 30th. The coroner recorded a verdict in accordance with Pathological evidence was returned by him. Mrs Vaughan said her son left home about 12-40 pm on Tuesday 29th July to attend his work at Chatterley Whitfield colliery. He appeared to be in his normal state of good health. When he returned home about 10-30 pm she noticed he was dragging his leg, he told her he had strained himself on the last load at work, and also he had reported the strain on May 17th. He remained at home and was attended by Doctor Penny, until Monday September 5th when he was admitted to the Infirmary. Dr. A.J. McCall who did the post-mortem examination on Mr. Vaughan on October 1st said his death was due to Tuberculosis Meningitis and Miliary Tuberculosis and there was no evidence of any strain or accident.
North Staffordshire Coalfield output was 94. 0 there was no bonus payment this month; only South Derbyshire and Somerset have achieved a bonus this month.
Work continued throughout the weekend in sealing off a section of Brymbo pit of Holditch colliery, Ltd, Chesterton, where a fire broke out in the four feet seam on Friday afternoon. 400 men were withdrawn and the fire was under control on Saturday morning.
Two young miners pleaded guilty at Burslem Police Court to stealing on October 4th a £1 note and 5s in silver the money of Mr. Frederick Sutton of 57, Sandy Rd. Sandyford.
Work is progressing on sealing off the area that was on fire on Friday afternoon at Holditch colliery.
Having been absent from work 63 out of 236 occasions, Mr. John Lowndes aged 27, a married man of 9, Crossley Rd. Stanfields, Tunstall, was at Tunstall Stipendiary Court yesterday and was fined £3, on each of being absent from work at Sneyd colliery; he was a colliery packer and could earn £7-4s a week.
Holditch colliery returned to work after the fire at the weekend.
The death of a young haulage hand that was found gassed in the pit at Berryhill colliery Co. Fenton, on August 24th was the subject of arbitration order under, Working Compensation Act At Hanley County Court yesterday, the applicant was Mrs. Sarah Lockley of 103, High St. Bucknall, the Mother of the deceased Mr. John Thomas Lockley. After more than three hours, His Honour Judge Fennemore adjourned the case until November 3rd. There are two columns on this on this page.
There is a photograph of the visit of the North Staffordshire of the Association of Mining Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Norton and Biddulph collieries. The colliery is the first in Midlands to have installed self-service headlamp collection.
There is a photograph of inside the pit of Kemball Training Colliery. It will open next Saturday. There is an article on this on this page.
Mr. Alfred Rhoads aged 27, a miner of 1, Union St. Newcastle under Lyme, a colliery haulage hand employed at Shelton colliery Co, pleaded guilty to abstaining himself from work without a reasonable excuse, he was fined £7, with 14s costs in each of three summonses. It was stated that Mr. Rhoads could earn £4-8s-6d a week. Mr. John Malam aged 20, a single man of 26, Wellesley St. Shelton was fined £5, with 14s costs on each of three summonses he had been absent for 20, out of 66, shifts at Shelton colliery Co. Mr. Sydney Toft aged 20, a single man, of 34, Hanover St. Burslem, pleaded guilty to abstaining himself from work as a haulage hand at Shelton colliery Co. He was fined £3, with 14s, costs.
An 18, year old Chatterley Whitfield colliery worker, was sentenced at Newcastle under Lyme Police Court, to 1, month imprisonment, the accused youth was Mr. Peter Brennan of 68, Albemarle Rd. Newcastle under Lyme, for being absent from work on June 11th 19th and 27th. At the same Court Mr. Edwin Dunn aged 19, of 1 St. Michaels Rd. Newcastle. He was fined £2, with 14s costs on three summonses of being absent from work at Holditch colliery on September 1st 11th 15th.
A total of £15, with £3-3s costs was imposed on Mr. Wilfred Williams aged 24, of 13, Brunswick St. Fenton, who appeared at Stoke Stipendiary Court today on three charges of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Fenton colliery, (Glebe colliery) on July 19th 31st and August 9th.
Photograph of Kemball pit, in the photo’ is Sir Francis Joseph Bart., A.C. Harvey, J. E. Brown, and Tom Yates. There are two columns on this, on this page.
At Burslem Police Court today a 21 year old miner was sentenced to two months imprisonment for obtaining £1-12s-6d from a wage clerk at Sneyd colliery by false pretences. He took a pay check from the pocket of his younger brother at the pit head baths and claimed his wages.
The hearing was resumed this afternoon into the adjourned case, of the Working Compensation Act in which Mrs. Sarah Lockley is challenging Berryhill colliery Co for compensation for the death of her son Mr. John Thomas Lockley. It was too late to print any more, but it will be in tomorrows Evening Sentinel.
Mr. John Buxton aged 24, of 24, of Newlands St. Burslem, was fined £5, with 14s costs in each of three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Stafford Coal and Iron colliery Fenton, on August 17th 19th 20th. Mr. John Frances Mawman of 14, Pretoria Rd. Etruria, was fined £3, with £1-1s costs for being absent on 9th 10th and 14th August from Shelton colliery Co.
In the House of Commons Mr. Ellis Smith M.P. for Stoke, Asked the Minister for Fuel and Power, "Why Mr. Arthur Jones a farmer and several miners, who are not fit to work down the mines, are prevented from working the easy accessible coal on a 30 acres site of Ashenough Farm, Talke, Stoke on Trent". The Minister gave his reply, "it is to be an opencast mine after in the future, after the war".
In reference to yesterdays hearing of the Working Compensation Act, the Judge found for the applicant Mrs. Sarah Lockley, but, reserved his Judgment.
Fifty three years has a miner, and fifty years at Florence colliery is the proud record of Mr. George Bateman, who having attained the age of Seventy One, as retired.
Mr. Ernest Ward aged 33, of 53, Mollinson Rd. Meir, was fined £2, with 14s costs in each of three summonses, for being absent from work at Stafford Coal and Iron colliery, Fenton, on September 3rd 10th and 24th.
Norton and Biddulph collieries have given Kemball Training colliery a Coal Cutting Machine for the training of young trainee colliers.
Pleading guilty at Burslem Stipendiary Court to three summonses of abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse, Mr. Frank Rigby aged 32, a packer of 52, Latebrook Lane, Goldenhill, was fined £3, with £2-2s costs a total of £11-2s. It was stated that Mr. Rigby had missed 39 out of a possible 132 shifts at Sneyd colliery. Mr. Leonard Kelsall aged 29, a haulage hand of 32, Norris Rd. Basford; he missed 46, out of a possible 122, shifts at Sneyd colliery.
At Stoke Stipendiary Court yesterday Mr. Joseph Brough aged 22, of 97, Grangewood Rd. Meir, was fined a total of £15, with £2-2s costs, it was for being absent from work at Mossfield colliery, on September 30th October 4th and 11th.
Two miners appeared at Hanley Stipendiary Court for abstaining themselves without reasonable excuse. Mr. William James Hardy aged 21, of 89, Albermarle Rd. Newcastle under Lyme. He was fined a total of £15, with £2-2s costs for being absent on August 24th 30th and September 4th. The defendant who was a single man could earn £6-12s per week; he was absent for 36 times without reason at Stafford Coal and Iron colliery. Mr. Harry Greenwood of 13, Ravenscliffe Rd. Kidsgrove, was fined a total of £6, with £3-3s costs on three adjourned summonses of being absent from work at Shelton colliery, on September 1st 2nd and 3rd
Yesterday afternoon there was an arranged a special Newcastle under Lyme Police Court, before (Colonel Norman W. Ellis and Miss E. Coghill.) Mr. Selwyn Howle aged 34, a miner of 1. Brook place, Newcastle, was charged with doing a certain act with intent to impair the usefulness of certain works namely did withdraw the supporting timbers from the upcast and downcast shafts of Merryhill colliery, Wood Lane, Audley, on October 25th. The same being used for the performance of essential service, (coal mining.) Sergeant Hankesworth said that when arrested the defendant shouted "Not Guilty". Mr. Howle was remanded until November 22nd Bail was allowed on £25, and £25 of his own surety.
In the case of Workers Compensation Act on the 4th November, Mrs. Sarah Lockley received £200, from plus costs. There are two columns on this on this page.
At Newcastle under Lyme Police Court today, Mr. Selwyn Howle aged 34, of 1, Brook Place, Newcastle was fined £60, plus costs, for doing a certain act with intent to impair the usefulness of certain works, namely did withdraw the supporting timbers from the upcast and downcast shafts of Merryhill colliery, Wood Lane, Audley, on October 25th. The same being used for the performance of essential service, (coal mining).
Two young miners were before the Potteries Stipendiary Magistrates Court at Fenton, Mr. Thomas Guest aged 19, of 9, Sydney St. Hanley, was fined a total of £9, plus costs of £2-2s for abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse from Shelton colliery on 13th 21st and 25th September. Mr. George Jervis aged 21, of 6, Cobton Pl. Meir, was fined £5, plus of £2-2s in each case of three for abstaining himself from work without reasonable excuse at Florence colliery.
Two young miners were committed to Borstal and another was sent to an Approve School when they appeared before Longton Juvenile Court today, for stealing handbags from two girls one Margaret Adderley on November 5th valued at £1-4s-6d, and Marjorie Thomas Colclough the handbag valued at 17s-6d.
At Hanley Stipendiary Court yesterday Mr. Ernest Brown a miner aged 23, of 12, Wedgwood St. Etruria, was committed to the next Quarter Sessions on two charges of House Braking.
Fined a total of £30, with £2-2s costs by the Stipendiary Magistrate at Burslem yesterday, Mr. Arthur Hancock aged 24, a married man of 35, Ricardo St. Burslem, he pleaded guilty to abstaining himself from work at Sneyd colliery was fined £10, in each case. He had been released from the Army to work down the coal mines, From July to November he was absent 74 out of 115 shifts.
Pleading guilty to false pretences, using another name for that he was not known by, Mr. Stanley Elden aged 22, of his last known address at Etruscan St. Hanley, was sentenced to be imprisoned for three months at Hanley Stipendiary Court. He had been released from the Army to work down the coal mine at Hanley Deep Pit.
How a fifteen year old haulage hand at Silverdale colliery was electrocuted while working on Saturday November 27th was described at the adjourned inquest yesterday on John Harold Walklet of 77, Victoria St. Silverdale; evidence was given that the boy and another boy holding the back of a wagon while a jib was being taken off, several witnesses described that they had received shocks and it was stated that a small cut was found in the rubber sheathing of the cable. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.
The production of a Doctors certificate brought a sudden and dramatic end to a case at Hanley Stipendiary Court yesterday Mr. Jack Bayliss a married man of 24, years of age of 72, Bryant Rd, Bucknall, was summonsed under essential work order laid down for absence from work at Hanley Deep Pit, he was absent for two dates in April and two dates in May. In view of the evidence of the Doctors certificate I cannot take this case any further, and the Magistrate wished Mr. Bayliss all the best on having his treatment.
At Burslem Stipendiary Court yesterday the Magistrate adjourned for a further week the case against Mr. Leonard Kelsall of 32, Norris Rd. Stanfields, for abstaining himself from work at Sneyd colliery, without reasonable excuse.
Three miners at Longton Stipendiary Court were summonsed under the essential work order. The three were Mr. Alfred Owen aged 18, of 62 Harrowby Rd. Meir, he was absent on 4th 11th and 23rd October at Florence colliery. Mr. Cecil Tomkinson aged 32, of 87, New St. Longton, the three cases against him were dismissed for absenteeism at Florence colliery, on 4th,11th and 19th October on costs of £1-12s-6d. Three cases against Mr. John Bridgett of 22, Chapel St. Forsbrook, who was absent from Mossfield colliery, on 1st 2nd and 3rd September was also dismissed on payment of £1-12s-6d costs.
The Stoke on Trent City Coroner held an inquest on Mr. Thomas Patrick Griffiths aged 28, of 13, Villa St. Stoke. He was killed while working at Florence colliery on Saturday, the day after he was transferred from being a Road Layer to a Loader while engaged at the Hartwell face, Main Seam; a piece of dirt weighing between 4-5 tons fell from the roof on to the back of his neck pinning him to the ground. It was said that death would have been instantaneous. The Coroner recorded a verdict of Accidental Death in a Coal Mine.
30 senior boys from St. Peter’s School, Cobridge, paid a visit to Kemball colliery, yesterday. This is one of the first occasions that elementary School boys in North Staffordshire have spent part of their time down a pit.
Mr. Abraham Elson aged 46, of 22, St. Mary’s Drive, Newcastle under Lyme, is in the N.S.R.I. suffering from an injury to one of his feet, through dirt falling on him. He is employed at Wolstanton colliery.
Mr. Leonard Unwin aged 30, of 29, High St. Burslem, a miner employed at Chatterley Whitfield colliery was crushed between two tubs and was taken to the N.S.R.I. with head injuries.
Consideration was given by the Railway and Canal Board Commission in the Law Courts today to the application for an order to let down the surface of land in Newcastle under Lyme and Stoke on Trent by Wolstanton colliery Co. Ltd. the proprietors. The object of was to extend certain coal workings. There is more on this on this page and back page.
Coalface preparation in connection with mechanical or hand held loading was the subject paper given yesterday by Mr. E. Small, Manager of Hanley Deep Pit, to members of the National Association of Coal Mining Managers at the offices in Stoke. Mr. J. Hebblethwaite was in the Chair.
The hearing was continued before Railway and Canal Commission in the Law Courts was heard on the applicants was Wolstanton Colliery Co Ltd. There is more on this on this page; and there is more on mining subsidence in tomorrow’s edition of the Evening Sentinel.
Finds amounting up to £30, with costs was imposed on Mr. Elijah Bossom aged 28, of 55, Willow St. Longton, for abstaining himself from work at Mossfield colliery, as haulage hand on November 9th 13th and 19th. He pleaded not guilty, it was stated that his wages was £4-0s-3d; in August he was absent 9 times out of a possible 18, in September he was absent 13, out of a possible 24, times, in October he was absent 18, out of a possible 24, times, in November he was absent 21, out of a possible 24, times, and up till December 24th he was absent 13, out of a possible 19 times.
Judgment today in Wolstanton colliery Ltd. application for permission to mine for more coal in the area.