Mining in Radstock
- from the 1902 Coronation Programme
| RADSTOCK is in the centre of an important Mining District, comprising:—Clandown, Braysdown, Camerton, Timsbury, Clutton, Paulton, Farrington, Coleford, Kilmersdon, Writhlington, Chilcompton, and Midsomer Norton. The number of tons of Coal produced in this area in 1901, was 928,539, and the number of persons employed under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, was 5,412. The Mines in the Radstock parish, are owned and worked by the EARL WALDEGRAVE. The accompanying illustration shows that the Radstock series of Coal Seams lie in a basin, the outcrop of which on one side is not far from the Huish Pit, and further that the seams are greatly disturbed. The famous 100 fathom slip or fault is also shown in the illustration. There are two winding shafts in operation at the present, the Tvning, an illustration of which is here shown, and the Ludlows. There is also on the estate the Middle Pit and the Wells Way Pit, neither of which are now used, as improved and modern machinery has been employed to raise the coal, water, etc., at the two shafts named, which was formerly raised at the other shafts. The General Manager is J. McMURTRIE, Esq., F.c.s.,and the Colliery Manager, Mr. G. E. J. McMURTRIE, son of the former. A considerable proportion of the staff of management have gained the knowledge necessary to enable them to gain Government Certificates of competency at the Mining Classes held at the Victoria Hall, under the tuition of Mr. J. W. SIMPKIN. Radstock not only gives its name to the district, but to the Coal Trade Conciliation Board, which was formed on 5th February, 1901, and of which, JUDGE AUSTIN, of Bristol, is the Outside Chairman, J. BATEY, Esq., J.P., President, Mr. GEO. GREENLAND, Vice-President, and Mr. E. M. HEPPEL, Owners' Section, and Mr. S. H. WHITEHOUSE, Workmen's Section, Joint Secretaries. The Board regulates the percentages to be paid to the Miners in the district from time to time, in accordance with the decisions of the National Conciliation Board, and has power to make alterations in the rates of percentages to the extent of 7 1/2%, outside the operations of the National Conciliation Board. The Miners of Radstock and surrounding places are exceptionally industrious and thrifty, being ardent Co-operators, members of Friendly and Temperance Societies, and the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, in addition to taking a lively and intelligent interest in current politics. S.H.W. (transcript supplied for indexing purposes) |
