goaf through gateways, which were normally 11 metres wide, supported on each side by walls of stone. Only in the gateways was height available for the movement of coal. The mine came into full production in 1874, and continued to maintain a satisfactory output for over eight years; after which new explorations were required to guarantee continuous working. In 1882, Harris drove a dip drift a distance of 1,100 metres from the hauling engine to discover a new seam. In 1892, he completed a level drift 1,150 metres long and after three years of exploration he found a new seam. In addition to installing an air compressor at the bank to assist ventilation, he moved the hauling engine to the out-by end of the drift; and relocated the pump to extract the surplus water. The output increased to record levels, peaking at 600 tons for an 8.5-hour shift. In 1894, he attempted without success to expand the colliery in a southerly direction. The results of these modifications offered continual employment until 1902, when the mine became commercially exhausted. In October 1904, a large gathering of villagers witnessed the dismantling of the two remaining chimneys. The work was executed by John Foster, foreman Joiner, under the superintendence of George Askew, Manager. Although no major disasters occurred in the thirty year life of the mine at least seventeen lives were lost as a direct result of injuries sustained at the workplace. Poor relations Although the population of Harriston had risen to over 500 inhabitants by 1893, it continued to remain the poor relation when compared to Aspatria. Aspatria held the economic power; it collected the rates and returned little in the form of local government services. The major drawback related to the private ownership of the property. In 1896 Cumberland County Council refused to open an electoral polling station despite the ward contributing a substantial portion of the district rate. After the colliery closed the rateable value of the village fell and in consequence Harriston's needs became almost totally ignored. To reach Aspatria, villagers had to walk almost a mile, along an unlit, unadopted track little more than 1.5 metres wide, often waterlogged during bad weather. Despite several petitions and many hours of political debate in the offices of the Urban District Council, little improved and forty years elapsed before the County Council finally adopted the road. The upkeep of the streets