The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-14 00:00:00

Meeting of CoMem

An open air meeting of colliers was hold yesterday on a
hill, called the Wren's Nest, in the Dudley district. The
number present was computed at about 7,000,
and it was
the largest meeting of the kind that has ever been held in
South Staffordshire. A procession of about 3,000 persons
marched from Dudley to the place of meeting, accompanied
by ten bands,
Mr W. H. Miller, of Dudley, presided, and there were
delegates present who represented Scotland and the northern
counties.

Thu following resolution was passed :—" That the miners
of this district approve of tho objects of the Miners' National
Association, and pledge themselves to support its operations
and contribute towards its funds."

Mr J. HOLMES, of Methley, treasurer to the National
Association, then spoke, and after some remarks upon the
appearance of those present, gave the following statistics :
—The number of collieries at work has increased from 2,397
in 1853 to 3,088 in 1862. Employed in these collieries
there were, in 1861, no less than 235,590 colliers, who pro-
duced for sale in that year the enormous quantity of
83,635,214 tons of coal, the value of which is estimated at
£1,000,000 per annum. Up to 1860 the number of fatal
deaths in coal mines average 4 1,015 yearly, or four to the
thousand, more than eight times above the general average
of deaths by Violence from dangerous occupations; while the
returns for 1861-2 show the average to have risen to 1,061
2-3, while 1863 is still higher than the preceding years. The
Registrar. General's report shows that the average of the
lives of the whole population of Great Britain reaches 33.34
years, agriculturists being 42'3, the miner's life averages only
27 years. Zhe speaker then maintained that the enormous
amount of work done by the colliers was not properly paid
for ; that they
were not participating, so to speak, largely
enough in the profits of their masters ; while the risk they
encountered in exposing themselves to the breathing of the
foul air in a
income tax returns,
Ley should he well paid for their work. The
pit, which shortened their lives, was another
reason why
continued he, for the past year showed
that the masters were getting wore wealthy every year;
and he thought that the labourers of the country should get
richer too, so that by and by they might have a few hun-
dred pounds to fall back upon at a period when they were
not fit for work.

The Rev. J. R. STEVENS, chaplain to the National As.
sociation, then si,oke, and was followed by the delegates;
after which the meeting dispersed.

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