Mexborough and Swinton Times December 16, 1939

Sequel to Houghton Pit Stoppage

Summonses Adjourned

Summonses alleging breach of contract against Joseph Smith, of Dar-field, and 47 others, brought by Houghton Main Colliery Co., Ltd., were adjourned at Barnsley on Wednesday until a date to be fixed.

Mr. C. M. Pratt, for the defendants, said Mr. A. S. Furniss should appear for the Colliery Company.

The summonses referred to some pit lads who had indulged in what no doubt was an unconstitutional stoppage, and no doubt had the cases been heard it would have resolved itself into a question of what the damages should be.

It had been agreed that the cases should stand adjourned to a date to be fixed in order that the men’s representative, Mr. J. Hillerby, could meet the management to see if some agreement could be reached as to the future. Probably the Court would not be troubled again, and if it was it would no doubt be only to make a formal order.

Since the incident the boys had expressed their regret, and had promised that there would be no further unconstitutional stoppages.