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'CARELESSNESS IN A COAL MINE.'

        At the St. Helens Police Court, yesterday, before the Mayor (Alderman C. J. Bishop) and Dr. Gaskell, a collier named James Whaley, of Bath-street, was summoned under the Coal Mines Regulation Act for having unlocked a safety lamp while in the Sherdley Collieries, belonging to the Whitecross Colliery Limited. Mr. J. O. Swift, who appeared to prosecute, stated that about two o'clock on the morning of the 23rd ult., defendant was working with a man named James Hasledon. They stopped to get something to eat, and while doing so defendant took out a pipe and suggested that they should have a smoke. Hasledon objected, and drew Whaley's attention to a notice board showing that there was danger of gas near to where they were. Notwithstanding this warning defendant unscrewed his lamp, opened it, lit his pipe, and went on smoking until he heard the fireman coming. The latter, Thomas Marsh, smelt the smoke, and found out what had taken place. Defendant said he didn't know that there were any rules forbidding it. That (Mr. Swift said) seemed incredible, for if there was one thing known among colliers it was that when safety lamps were supplied it was a most serious offence to unlock it in the mine, and at every colliery there were prohibitions against tampering with lamps. Defendant was liable to a term of three months' imprisonment if the magistrate did not think a fine would meet the case. Mr. Robert Turner, certificated manager, stated that rules were posted up. Defendant said he could not read, and had only been at the colliery about three weeks. Mr. Swift said that time was correct so far as it went, but he had previously worked there for 16 months. The magistrates imposed a fine of £2 and costs on Whaley or a month's imprisonment.  

Published in The Manchester Courier on Saturday February 1st 1890

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