Spurr and Hunter, Barns Colliery, to J G Barnes Hunter has been so engaged at the colliery that the account of expenses at the homestead is not ready; in the driving air and water course from the Lower towards the Upper Pit, we have met a fault of unknown downcast; we have since been drifting in the blackshale, expecting the regular rise to bring it up in 25 yards or so; last Saturday we struck the old workings on the Bassett and let in a strong stream of water which abated in a day or two; the additional regular feeder keeps our small engine at work day and night; we hope to have a large pump ready in the Engine Pit in a few weeks; for a considerable breadth in the Bassett below the old workings, the cola is very tender and nearly all slack; send a competent person to examine it; if we cannot agree a reasonable price for it with you, we must keep on the lower side as we already have an overgrown heap of slack. 14 Jan 1848