The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-03 00:00:00

THE DURHAM PITMEN.

A very general movement for an advance of wages
is at present being made by the pitmen throughout this
county, the average amount of the advance asked being one
shilling per store. On the owners refusing to comply with
the demands of the men a strike almost invariably imme-
diately takes place. A few days ago the whole of the men
employed at Pease's West Colliery ceased work in curiae-
gume of the retinal of the owners to grant what they de-
manded. Twelve of them were apprehended and brought
before the Bishop Auckland magistrates, amidst a perfect
riot, between 400 and 600 pitmen besieging the town, and
defying the body of rands, who had hem collected at the
spot in order to prevent outrage, to take any of them into
custody. The men were charged with a breach of contract
ig leaving their work without giving the usual month's
notice, and to avoid a committal to prison they *greed to
resume their work and give the required month's notice, at
the end of which time they express their intention to strike
again. At Seaton, the property of the Earl of Durham, the
demands of the men have been positively refused ; and on
Monday a number were evicted from their houses, which in
this district pitmen hold rent free. At lloderidge
Moor, on Tuisday, the men taking advantage of
eke knowledge they had just gleaned, that several shire
of heavy tonnages, which the owners of Roderidge
Moor were bound by contract vs supply with a cargo of
coke and coal, had come into Ilartlepool harbour, and
knowing that the quantity at " hank" was insufficient
to enable the contractors to fulfil their contract, seis.3l the
opportunity thus afforded and demanded • considerable
advance per score, which on the following ch.y the owners
concerkd. Strikes have also Liken piece at Ludworth,
Franwellgate Moor, and other collieries, the twisters in
most instances giving the additional price per score de-
manded by the men. An opinion is expressed by persons
engaged in the coal trade that the men will continue to
strike during the ensuing winter, and should this opinion
prove to be comet, the price of coke and coal wait of
emir be enhanced.

Lout OF Lira i c .t " Lout-up."—On Saturday
two vagrants entered Wimburne, vending lucifer matches,
end for some misbehaviour. weed taken into custody, and,
of course, put into the ordinary durance tile. Although
the wreak s arch was made by the constable, • box of
heifer matches (concealed by the younger prisoner under
his armpit) seeped notice. Doi the night of their con
thement the y grim) ted a release by collecting the straw in
their et 11 and setting fire to the door. A csa of water is
aloofly left by the constable with his prironter on thetas
oecasione, and it would seem that they endeavoured to ea-
haguish the fire by pouring this w. ter over the blaze, thus
treating a dense smoke. There being no ventilation for
this, one of the peisonets seon fell a victim to
hie own rashnem ; the other prolonged his exist-
ence by placing his mouth to a small crack in
the door. On the arrival of some workmr n engaged
on a budding close by early the next matting they
heard a Lois, of groaning, issuing from the " bibud \cure,"
surd called up the eonstable, who, on ripening the dour,
found use of tt e prisoners quite dead and the other in .1
state of syncope. The latter lei,' conveyed to the union
heuee, sad, having bees rallied by itiinulanta, was er.ableil
to make • vita intent to the r if, et shove given. The second
prisoner, however, lingered only till Monday morning, and
then died ads 0. Inquests on the bodies have been held. and
verdicts ace gto the eireumtt.nees given ; the jury,
however, in one eat. iseemnpleyte.• their verdict with the
followisd eltinion.—" The jury see of opinion that 11..
leekrep, or toed-house, to the town of K imborne, is totslly
unfit fur nay homer. being to be placed in, more especiallit
dune' the night, as it appears there is • great waut of
veotil hies std ber conveniences; and in thus expressing
their feelings, believe that they are representing three of
the inimbetante generally. H. S. Mout, toresuan."—Poole
Itrruld.