ONE OF THE BEST YORKSHIRE COLLERIES FOR £2,000

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 991, 31 January 1883, Page 2

ONE OF THE BEST YORKSHIRE COLLERIES FOR £2,000

Says an English paper, in accordance with an order from the Chancery Division, the extensive colleries owned by the Silkstone and Dodworth Iron and Coal Company (Limited), which were floated as a limited company in 1873 with a nominal capital of £.300,000 in 6,000 shares of £SO each, were offered for sale by Mr E. G. Lancaster, of the firm of Messrs Lancaster and Sons, auctioneers, at the King’s Head Hotel, Barnsley. There was a very large and influential attendance of mineral owners and colliery proprietors from various parts of South and West Yorkshire Derbyshire/and Lancashire. The auctioneer’ pointed out that at one time the colleries employed fully 2,000 hands, and in 1872, 1873, and 1*74 large profits were made ; but owing to the decline of trade and disastrous strikes, they had been idle for some time. There were still 1824 acres of coal, and in addition the purchaser would have the benefit of £II.OOO, money overpaid for coal rents. There were 32 engines, of 1058 horse-power ; 25 boilers, g ving 1000 horse-power; 134 coke ovens, 50 miles of tramways and sidings, and one of the finest colliery plants in Yoikshire. The bidding, to the astonishment of those present, opened at £lO 10, and proceeded by bids of £IOO until £l6o() w i cached, when the auctioneer opened his instructions from the Chancery Court, and furl her- -a-tonished - -iriS-audience by declaring-therc wou d be no reserve and that Jim- colleries were in the market. A suin' of £I7OO was named, followed by another bid of £IOO. A pause again occurred, and £2o'o was die next bid. The auctioneer endeavoured to get a further advance, but without effect, and the colleries were knocked down to Mr E. Whitwo.th. of Manchester, for £2OOO, amidst great astonishment.