Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 3 November 1893

The Coal War

Waiting for the Conference. Hopes of a Settlement.

A Hitch at Brampton Bierlow.

In the South Yorkshire district the liveliest interest is being taken in the approaching conference at the Westminster Palace Hotel. There is a strong feeling that the conference may result in some arrangement, and a generally-expressed hope that it may bring about a resumption of work. At the same time, however strong may be this feeling, there is still a very determined opposition to returning to work at any reduction, and it is everywhere declared that if the leaders of the Federation accept any reduction the men will have no more to do with them. Not only do the men themselves adopt this attitude, but the majority of the miners’ wives are equally strong in their opposition to the idea of reduction. This is all the more remarkable having regard to the severity of the weather for the last few days, and the terrible state of destitution to which many of the miners and their families are reduced.

The miners are not alone in wishing for the end of the conflict. The tradesmen who, throughout the struggle, have felt the pinch most keenly, are to be excused for their desire to see the pits open again and work resumed. In towns dependent upon the coal industry the tradesman of course depends upon the miners for his business, and the protracted struggle has reduced things to such a pass that small tradesmen particularly, and even large trade men, open their shops for almost nothing every day. Should to-day’s conference result in a settlement of the dispute, not only the miners will rejoice, but the entire population of South Yorkshire will be delighted, and it may be true, as a well-known tradesman told us, “that if they settle it on Friday, there will be a lot of bonfires lighted on Guy Fawkes day that will not be intended to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot.” A good deal of consolation is derived from the fact that at all the pits in the district the ponies which were brought up have been sent down again, and that the deputies have been busily engaged in preparing places for the men, and which are accepted as indications that the collieries are being prepared for the return of the men.

The Brampton Bierlow Pit, which has been fully open since the strike began, and has been fully employed in supplying coal to the whole of the Mexborough district since it started, was closed on Wednesday. About 40 men have been working there at 20 per cent. on the rate of wages the miners of the country are fighting for. They have been working three shifts per day, but it appears some difficulty has arisen in regard to the mode of work, and it is stated that the men have struck.

The Relief Committees have not found an increase in their funds to correspond with the increase in the distress, and, should the struggle be continued, in many cases the relief will come to an end.

At Mexborough, in addition to relieving the adults who are in need, the Relief Committee has taken over the feeding of 3000 scholars at the schools, giving them three meals a week, at a cost of a penny per head each meal. Mr. Allison has received from Messrs. Peek, Frean, and Co., a hundred-weight cask of biscuits for the children’s breakfasts, and this has been handed over to the Relief Committee. On Monday, Mr. Parkinson, of Doncaster, sent, through Mr. J. Clayton, grocer, High street, 300 buns for the children, and Mr. Tuby, of Doncaster, the well-known “Switchback” proprietor, has sent the Relief Committee 300 loaves of bread. The Rev. G. Smith, of St. Neots, formerly of the Mexborough Primitive Methodist Circuit, has sent 10s. to the children’s fund. A donation of £3 3s. has also been received from Mr. J. S. H. Fullerton, of Thrybergh Hall.

On Monday, Messrs. Barron, glass bottle manufacturers, gave away about 80 gallons of soup, and yesterday the Mexborough Co-operative Stores distributed 400 loaves and ten sacks of potatoes. The Goodall Drug Company have again given away 250 loaves of bread this week. A particularly generous gift is that made by Mr. Goulding, of Llandudno. Mr. Dodsworth recently sent him a copy of the “Mexborough Times” containing our article entitled “Breakfast for the Bairns,” and after reading it Mr. Goulding wrote to Mr. Dodsworth, enclosing a cheque for £10 to be spent in flour. The Relief intends to distribute the flour in half-stone bags.

In connection with the Free Church Sunday School, Mexborough, a free breakfast was given on Sunday morning, when over 120 scholars partook of buns and tea, given by the superintendents, teachers, and friends. Mr. Hardy, Central Cafe, supplied the buns. The teachers desire to thank all friends who subscribed or assisted.

At Denaby Main and Conisborough, the Rev. R. P. Roseveare has distributed a considerable number of relief tickets out of the fund formed by the subscriptions forwarded to him, and he desires to appeal earnestly for further assistance. Bread and soup have been distributed on several occasions at Denaby, the following contributing: Mrs. Senescall, Miss Nicholson, Messrs. Witty, Shaw, Edwards, Mrs. N. E. G., Messrs. W. Martin, G. Clarkson, Shutt, Newbert, Pagdin, Wainwright, Charlesworth, Woodward, Smith, Brooks, Terry, A. Rose, Cramp, Bell, Downs, Mrs. Moody, missionary, a friend, Messrs. Clay, Wall, Barber, Denaby broker; Mr. A. Hawksworth, one stone bread; Mr. and Miss Appleyard, three stone bread; Mr. Hawksworth, two stone bread; Mr. Cliffe, one stone bread; Mr. Smith, one stone split peas; Mr. Martin, one stone lentils; Mr. Ward, three loaves; Mr. Pagdin, 2 loaves; Mr. Ridill, one beast’s head; Mr. Batson, ditto; Mr. Hollinson, quantity of meat; Mr. Heald, ditto; Rev. R. P. Roseveare, 50 loaves. Mr. H. Taylor, butcher, Denaby, has provided means for preparing the soup, as well as supplying a quantity of the ingredients. Subscriptions amounting to £1 11s. 6d. were also received.

The Cadeby Relief Committee at Conisborough, those who have assisted them in Doncaster, Sheffield, and other towns, and the assistance of these friends they have been able to distribute a quantity of bread, bacon, tea, and sugar to about 80 families.

On Tuesday morning, the Wombwell Relief Committee had their weekly meeting. Rev. G. Hadfield presided. About 900 cases were dealt with. Subscriptions which are much wanted may be sent to Mr. John Robinson, Park Cottage, Wombwell (treasurer). It was decided that relief varying from 1s. to 2s. in tickets for provisions should be given to the applicants. The committee have received £10 from the “Yorkshire Post” fund, and 25 dozen tins, and a jam from Messrs. Hartley and Co., and a large quantity of tea and cocoa from Messrs. Horniman, Cadbury, and Fry. It is expected that a long 2000 children will this week be provided with free meals. The first batch of 400 were catered for on Tuesday in the Salvation Army Barracks, and at the Alma Inn club room. The committee are arranging to cater for children at Wombwell Main, Broomhill, Hemingfield, and Mitchell Terrace. On Tuesday afternoon at the Primitive School, Wombwell, about 250 children were given a free tea from the school fund. The Co-operative Committee have also at their disposal £17, the last instalment of the £150 granted by the society, and this will be given to 340 families, who will get tickets for 1s. worth of groceries each. On Wednesday the officials of Mitchell Main lodge received from the London “Daily Chronicle” fund a cheque for £5 in aid of the women and children of the miners. It was resolved that £1 be added to the amount stated and that the whole of the £6 should be spent on bread alone, and this is to be distributed to-day.

The £5 left by Mr. T. P. O’Connor, M.P., when he visited Wombwell was distributed among the most needy cases at Concrete Cottages and New Wombwell by the officials of the Cortonwood Miners’ Lodge, in 100 tickets value 1s. each. The officials found five more cases after all the tickets were distributed and they added 5s. more to the distribution out of monies collected from other sources.

The Wath and Brampton Relief Committee thankfully acknowledge the receipt of £1 16s. 3d., proceeds of football match played at Wath between West Melton and Staffordshire Regiment (Wath detachment). They have also received from the “Yorkshire Post,” £5; “Leeds Mercury” £10; Manvers Main Lodge, £2; A Friend, per Rev. J. Coaksley, 12s.; and a second donation of £10 from Sir F. T. Mappin, Bart., M.P. These amounts place them in a better position to carry on the work of providing free meals twice per week (oftener if possible) to over 1900 hungry little ones, who are now suffering from the sudden change in the weather. The committee also gratefully acknowledge £10 worth of flour from the Barnsley Co-operative Society, per Mr. Tyas.

At Darfield, free breakfasts are being given to upwards of 700 children every morning. Bread and soup has also been distributed by another committee.

For the Children

Mr. T. Horsley, of Grimsby, has sent us postal orders for 20s. which he desires to be equally divided between the Mexborough and Swinton Committees for the relief of children. We have forwarded the sums as required, and shall be happy to receive any further contributions and apply them to the desired purpose.