CONDITIONS OF PAY. 81 



per cent, for the proportion of slack present. Pillar coal being- 

 easier to work than coal in the whole, the tonnage rate paid 

 for it is somewhat less. 



A standard height of seain is taken, say 5ft., and should 

 the seam fall below that standard the miners are paid so much 

 more for every inch below that height, for it is obvious that 

 there is just as much work to undercut a 5ft. as a 4ft. seam, 

 and yet the tonnage obtained would not be the same. Should 

 the seam be over the standard height, the men are not paid 

 any less, although it is admitted that a 6ft. seam is an ideal 

 one to work; but should the seam be still thicker, it is not so 

 convenient to break down, for the men have to work it in 

 two or more lifts. 



Extra pay is given for what is known as a "deficient 

 place;" that is, one which is not a fair average; but as the 

 nature of these places vary, it is a matter of adjustment be- 

 tween the manager and the men concerned. 



Development work and difficult places are known as 

 "special places," and they are carried on irrespective of trade. 



In the Borehole seam there are two consistent bands 

 running through the coal ; the price paid for hewing and filling 

 allows for these to be picked out by the miner. A certain 

 proportion of dirt gets filled in with the coal, but it is clear 

 that this must be limited, or else complaints will be made by 

 consumers. Boys generally overhaul the coal and pick out 

 pieces of band before it is sent away in the waggons. Should 

 it appear that a pair of men are sending up too much dirt, one 

 of their skips is tipped on to a special screen, and the dirt is 

 picked out by a man engaged for the purpose, who becomes 

 the best hated man at the mine. The dirt picked out is 

 either weighed or measured, according to custom; in the 

 latter case one and a half bobbinite cases, or, say, a cubic 

 foot, is allowed to pass, but if in excess of this, the man is 

 cautioned the first time, unless he can give some good reason; 

 if he persists in filling dirty coal, then he is suspended for a 

 day or more, according to the extent of the offence. 



If extra bands occur, the miner is paid for sorting it 

 out. The quantity of extra dirt picked out is general!?* agreed 

 upon between the manager and the men, but if the latter are 

 not satisfied, they can have it weighed at the surface. 



A consideration is also paid the men working in wet 

 places, say, up to Is. per day extra. A wet place may Be one 

 where the men have to stand in Sin. of water, or where water 

 is constantly dripping on their bodies from the roof. 



Working places less than 18ft. wide are known as "narrow 

 places," and a yardage rate is paid, in addition to the tonnage 



