Orgreave Officials Concealed an Explosion
On 27th May, 1870, at the Rotherham Police court, several important cases affecting colliery managers and viewers were heard before the sitting magistrates. The informations were laid by the Government Inspector, Mr. F. N. Wardell, and the first person charged was Wilfred Creswick, manager of the Orgreave Colliery, situate at Handsworth. The offence with which he was charged was that he neglected to inform the Secretary of State and the Government Inspector of an explosion which occurred at the Orgreave pit on the 26th of last March, by which one man was so seriously injured that he subsequently died, and further with not having the mine properly ventilated.
The other persons proceeded against were John Cole, viewer, and Robert Wright, deputy viewer, who were charged with similar offences.
Both sides were represented by legal gentlemen, and Mr. J. W. Clegg also watched the case on behalf of the widow of the man who died from injuries received on the occasion of the explosion.
After a consultation between the legal gentlemen a verdict was accepted by consent for £5 for not having sufficient ventilation, and £5 for each of the other cases, the defendants to pay all costs.
