Breach Of Coal Mines Act

Colliery Officials Fined

Matthew D. Moore, under-manager of the Caroline Pit, Montagu Colliery, Scotswood, and John George Taylor, the manager, were charged at Newcastle yesterday with failing to comply with the provisions of section 68 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in respect to some underground workings on April 23 last at that colliery.

Mr. Frank Lambert, prosecuting, said that the charge was that the management had approached some disused workings which had not been examined and found free from accumulation of water of other liquid matter, and as a result there was an inrush of water which caused the death of a man named David Armstrong. Another workman who was with Armstrong escaped. Moore, the under-manager, acted promptly when the inrush of water occurred and found Armstrong lying face downwards in 9in. of water 12ft. from the face.

Mr. C. B. Fenwick, defending Taylor, said Taylor was the victim of circumstances. Prior to his appointment to the management plans of the workings were missed, and he knew nothing about them.

Mr. W. Stuart, for Moore, pleaded "Guilty" to a technical offence.

A fine of £10 was imposed on both Taylor and Moore.