The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-01-12 00:00:00

OLD HILL.

TUE MINERS' STRIEE.—A meeting of the miners
of the Granville and and Gorsty Hill collieries, Old
Hill (the property of Messrs. Swindell and Collis),
who struck work on Monday in consequence of the
employers having intimated their intention to in-
troduce a new form of contract and bye-la WE., was
helduat the Vine Inn, Garrat's Lane, on Tuesday
Mr. B. Winwood, miners agent addresssed the
meeting contending that the new rules were a
"dead set" against the men. One of the rules
specified that the men should bring up their tools
daily; but this would be clearly an infringement of
the Act of Parliament which provides that any
workman carrying tools either up or down the
pit is liable to prosecution. Then again, if the
men meet with accidents whilst ascending or de-
scending with tools the Act said they would
not be entitled to sick or even field pay. After
referring to other obnoxious rules he concluded
by commenting upon tha importance of combin-
ation amongst miners and urged this was the
only maans by which the rights and privileges of
the men could be maintained. A resolution was
passed unanimously pledging the men to remain
out on strike, until the old rules are reinstated. It
was also decided to send the bellmasa round the
mining districts announcing the ..strike ; and
.to
issue an appeal for assistance during the strike
FACTORY Acr PROSECUTIONS. --- At the Police
Court, on Wednesday, before Messrs. C. Holoroft,
H. T. Hickman, and J. H. Pearson (magistrates),
Alfred Holloway, chain manufacturer, Cradley
Heath, was summoned for infringing the Factory
Acts by employing two young persons in a factory
after seven o'clock in the evening. Mr. Platt,
Assistant Inspector, proved seeing two persons,
named Holloway and Finch, making chains at 835
en the night of the 7th ult. The Bench fined the
defendant lOs and costa in each case. Edmund
Mating, chainmaker, Park Street, Reddall Hill, was
fined 103 and costs for employing his daughters
after seven o'clock in the evening. Enos James,
moulder at Messrs. Parkes and Cartwright'' iron-
works, Gorsty Hill, was summoned for employing a
youth during the dinner hour, Mr. Hooper, of
Dudley, appeared for the defence, Mr. Parkes
stated that in consequence of a number of men in
the employ of the firm insisting upon employing
their assistants during the dinner hour he had con-
sidered it his duty to make a complaint to the In-
spector of Factories. On the 19th of November he
went into the works at 1 45 in the afternoon, and
saw the defendant employing his brother. He had
cautioned him previously about 100 times. In reply
to Mr. Hooper witness admitted that the manager
(Mr. Bradley) paid the defendant and his brother
their wages. The defendant was, however, respon-
sible for his brother's working. It was not true
that the dinner hour was from 12 30 to 1 30. Mr.
Elooper said the rules at the works specified that
the dinner hour was from 12 30 to 1 30, and con-
tended that no offence had been committed. He
further contended that the youth who was found at
work was not in the employ of the defendant, but
of Messrs. Parkes and Cartwright. After a lengthy
argument the Bench decided to adjourn the case
for a week for the manager of the works to be
called.—George Parry and John Flowers, moulders,
at the same works, were each fined 10 and 120
costs for contravening the Factory Act by employ-
ing young persons during the dinner hour.