Mr. Dunn :-At this very moment there are three of the largest collieries in Northumberland-Seaton Delaval, North Seaton, and Newsham-managed by the most talented men in Northumberland, all with single shafts. Now, what would you have me to do? Do you think it is my duty to call in question the management of these pits?

Miner :-Am I to understand this is an answer to my question?

Mr. Dunn :-Well, I am not so well satisfied as if they had two, but I have not the power to alter it.

The chairman then made some remarks, observing that there were many deficiencies, both in the shaft sinking, and in the "inbye" working. He believed the matter could be remedied, and he had no doubt if the public understood their position, they would look to the men and support them in advocating the reform of mines.

A miner said the men should look to themselves, and not leave so much for the public to do for them.

Mr. Towers then ascended the platform and addressed the meeting, stating that he had come there at the instance of Sir Fitzroy Kelley, and other gentlemen, who had taken a deep interest in the welfare of the British miners. He said he should have much pleasure in handing over fifty guineas to any committee they might appoint. The meeting, which was a very successful one, was soon afterwards brought to a close.

A delegate meeting was held at Crook, on the 12th of February in the same year, under the presidency of Mr. John Howie, for the purpose of considering further the proper course to be adopted in carrying out the resolutions agreed to at the public meeting held in Newcastle. Delegates representing 2000 miners were present, and after considerable discussion, it was unanimously agreed that a Permanent Relief Fund be established.

The first general delegate meeting in connection with this important question was held at the Wheat Sheaf, in Newcastle, on February 15th, the main object of the meeting being to consider the best mode of establishing this Miners' Permanent Relief Fund. Mr. Benjamin Cree, of Dudley, was appointed chairman. Mr. Thomas Gascoigne,

Burradon, who had acted as secretary up to this time, was the first speaker called on. He said he had written to Mr. Nicholas Wood, Hetton Hall, Mr. Hugh Taylor, Backworth, and Mr. T. E. Forster, drawing their attention to the project the men had in view, and he had received replies from the two former gentlemen, but not from the latter. Mr. Wood wrote as follows:-"I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd inst, and to say that I cordially reciprocate the feeling of the miners of Northumberland and Durham in establishing a Miners' Permanent Relief Fund, and I further beg to add that they may depend upon my cordial co-operation in accomplishing so very desirable an object. I would however beg to suggest, as my opinion, that such a fund should be a joint act of the masters and workmen, and that to render it permanently useful and effective it should have the sanction of Parliament. If it be your wish, I shall be glad to be the medium of communication with the coal owners on the subject." Mr. Taylor's communication was as follows:-"I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note, and to inform you that I have sent it to the chairman of the coal trade. I may mention that I am decidedly in favour of a Miners' Permanent Fund, and I shall be glad to promote it to the utmost. The men should agree on some course of action, and then communicate with their employers."

Mr. John Howie moved, "That the opinion of this meeting is that a Permanent Relief Fund be established amongst the miners as early as possible." Mr. Alexander Blyth seconded the proposition, and it was unanimously carried.

Mr. Thomas Gascoigne moved, "That this meeting earnestly recommends to the Hartley Relief Committee that, after the sufferers at Hartley are adequately and comfortably provided for, to devote the surplus, if any, towards forming the nucleus of the Permanent Fund, to which the owners and workmen of the various collieries in England will be invited to contribute." Mr. William Grieves seconded this motion, which was also unanimously carried.

Mr. Gascoigne further said that on account of the nature of the employment he was then following he had not time to devote to the duties of the secretaryship, and moved that

Mr. Alexander Blyth act as secretary. This appointment was agreed to, Mr. Blyth was at once elected, and has filled that office with great ability up to the present day.

At this time Mr. Towers came into the meeting with Captain Milne, and said he had prepared a code of rules for their consideration, and if they were approved of, Sir Fitzroy Kelley would revise them without fee or reward; on which Mr. Howie moved, "That this meeting feels deeply grateful to the National Asociation for their exertions on behalf of the miners, and agrees to act in unison with that association; and generally approves of the rules read to this meeting, and recommends them for the adoption of the miners generally." The motion was seconded by Mr. William Grieves, but Mr. Weatherley moved an amendment to the effect that a committee of twelve be appointed to revise the rules, and after the men had fixed upon some definite plans, to lay them before the coal owners, and invite their consideration and co-operation. This was at once adopted by a very large majority of the meeting, and thus was formed the nucleus of the Miners' Permanent Relief Fund of Northumberland and Durham.

AGITATION

CHAPTER XXXVII.

FOR AN IMPROVED

METHOD OF WORKING

MINES.

THE CONDITION OF THE COLLIERIES WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBER OF SHAFTS.

The occurrence of the terrible accident at Hartley was not without its beneficial, as well as its disastrous results; for not only did it direct public attention to the miners as a class, and to the many dangers to which they were exposed in following their daily work, but it aroused and stimulated the men themselves to fresh exertions to secure a correction of some of the many mischievous and dangerous systems adopted in working collieries. Naturally enough, since the accident at Hartley was rendered so terrible in its result owing to the lack of shaft accommodation, this was the first

question to which they turned their attention; but in agitating for an improvement in this respect, the men did not forget that their lives were exposed to great risk each day by other means than this, and which could easily be removed if a little pressure was put on the coal owners. With this end in view, a number of meetings were held at the various collieries in the two counties, at most of which the establishment of a General Provident Fund was considered necessary in the first place, and a thorough and vigorous agitation for the immediate sinking of a second shaft at all collieries where there was only one in existence at that time, as well for the removal of a great many anomalous rules then in force, and of which they were the victims. A large meeting was held at Crook, with Mr. John Howie as president. He said it rested with the miners themselves whether satisfactory measures would be adopted for their future safety. The whole country was at their back, and parliament at this time might be induced to enact such laws as would make them comparatively safe while following their arduous labours in the mines. It was resolved at this meeting to commence a General Provident Fund for the relief of those who met with accidents in coal mines, and to agitate till some measures calculated to insure the further safety of the miners was passed.

On Saturday, February 8th, 1862, a meeting of delegates was held in the Lecture Room, Nelson Street, Newcastle, for the purpose of devising plans for a change from the then existing system of mining operations, and for the better preservation of the lives of the mining community. There were about nineteen delegates present, and Mr. William Grieves was called to the chair. A delegate suggested that as nothing had been prepared to lay before the meeting a committee should be appointed for the purpose of drawing up resolutions embodying the objects of this meeting. Five delegates and the chairman were appointed for this purpose, and on their return the chairman read the first resolution as follows:-"That in the opinion of this meeting the present system of working coal and ironstone mines is dangerous to the lives, and injurious to the health of the miners, and that for the purpose of effecting a change in the system, peti

tions pointing out remedies for such evils be agreed upon as speedily as possible, and presented to both Houses of Parliament." The second resolution was:- "That for the better carrying into effect of the former resolution, an executive committee and secretary be appointed to draw up the aforesaid petition." Whilst the third was:- "That district committees be formed, each committee having a treasurer and corresponding secretary, and that it be the business of the committees to use the best means of attaining the objects of this society." The committee appointed for the purpose of drawing up a petition to the Houses of Parliament met very soon, and after mature deliberation the following petition was adopted:

"To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled,

"The humble petition of the Coal Miners of Great Britain,

"Respectfully sheweth

"That from the frequent number of terrible disasters occurring amongst miners produced by one shaft, as in the last appalling catastrophe at Hartley Pit, your petitioners are convinced that there is no safety for themselves, or security for their families from destitution, whenever your petitioners are exposed to the dangerous condition of singleshafted mines. That your petitioners have arrived at this inevitable conclusion from sad experience amongst their class. That every mine previous to working coal should have two distinct shafts sunk, one at the dip and another at the rise, with a view to the ulterior plans of the mine, and also that in proportion to the extent of royalty to be worked, a proportionate number of shafts ought to be put down, not only for better ventilation and the security of the miners, but also, in the judgment of your petitioners, for the cheaper and more advantageous working of the mines. Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your Honourable House will cause inquiry to be made into the present system of ventilation and working of mines, with a view to the better protection of miners from the appalling disasters that are perpetually overtaking them.

"And your petitioners well ever pray, &c., &c."