Report – Robert Stagg – 25 Mar 1816

Teesdale Bargains Ladyday 1816



      Lodgesyke, Coldberry, Brockergill Wiregill & Flakebridge Mines are proceeding without any material change since Christmas report.   The Level from which the Workings at Mannergill are prosecuting was given up several Years ago, but from the Report of my Uncle & several of the old Workmen of whom I made enquiries I was not satisfied with the manner in which it had been discontinued & therefore had it reopened during the last Year to extend the trial, and the Level having been driven to the point where the proposed additional trial was wished to be made it was effected during last Quarter, & I have reason to hope that we have regained by it a Mine that will become advantageous as the prospects are now favourable altho’ in the present stage of the trial, the best price p[er] Bing is required to be given.

	The whole of the leading Workings which could with propriety stand have been stopped agreeably to the directions of the Court and the prices are greatly reduced throughout, as will be perceived by the list of Bargains.   The data on which they are let was to allow the Workmen to earn about 12/- p[er] Week each for Working the whole Week of 6 Days, instead of the usual Miners week of five Shifts of 6 hours each: & it is the opinion of the practical Agents that they can hardly reach that Wage, with the utmost possible exertion unless an unforeseen improvement take place in the state of the workings.

	The number of Men reduced by this arrangement amounts to 37 (which is about one fifth of the whole number employed last Quarter) not one of whom can obtain a days’ employment in the Country:  & the dismissal of so many industrious & excellent workmen under such circumstances, although a necessary measure, has been by far the most painful duty I have ever performed for the Company.

	In addition to the reduction in the number & wages of the Pickmen I have also reduced the wagemen (Viz. Smiths and Woodmen) two in number & 2/ each p[er] Week in the wages of those retained.

	The dead work is also as much lessened as possible and in short the whole department is now under the most economical arrangements that I have been able to devise after repeated & almost daily revisals of it for several Months past with the express view of reducing the expenditure.

					Robt Stagg