THE MINERS' AGENT AS M.P.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 21 September 1909, Page 1

THE MINERS' AGENT AS M.P.

Mr J. G. Hancock, the new M.P. for Mid-Derbyshire, is a miners' agent and a member of the United Methodist Church. "Born in 1857," says the "United Methodist," "his father was .a miner who began work in the pit at the age of nine years, having previously been employed in the brickyard for 12 months. Following his father's example, the new member began to work in the pit between nine and ten years of age, but came out again to attend school. "At 13, owing to his father meeting with a serious accident, he was compelled to return to his pit work, where he remained until he was 24 years of age. During this period he passed from pony-driving, to which boys are usually put, to contracting. At twentyfour, by request of tha workmen, he accepted the position of check-weigher on the pit bank, and continued in that post for ten years. "Shortly after this iinpointment he was elected a member of the village school board, and, upon reelection three years later, was made vire-rhairman, and later unanimously appointed chairman. At the same time liv was president of the Co-operative Society of the village. "His ability and transparent honesty attracted attention, and in 1892 he was elected by his fellow-miners secretary of the Notts Miners' Association, succeeding in 1896 to the post of agent, which ha still retains.