Inspection report on Coton Park Colliery at Linton by William Eagle, prepared for Messrs Grant, Bulcraig and Co, solicitors, of London Recording information on site, railway sidings, shafts, ventilation, underground workings following explanation by resident mining engineer W.B. Hodgson; seams availabe, with only Main having been worked extensively to date, with two seams Stockings and Eureka only worked to a small extent; consideration of two leases and a draft lease as rented under reasonable conditions; shafts at present depths exhausted but consideration needed for deepening by 100 yards and for driving out of haulage roads (potential cost of £8000-£10000), estimate several millions of tons of workable coal, more than enough for unexpired terms of leases; strong advice that working of coal only to continue if scheme as above is dopted, as no profit can be expected from present underground layout; if colliery shut down, can only get breaking price for machinery and plant, whereas sale as a going concern may possibly get offer of £10000, although purchasers would have to need to incur immediate large outlay; the Brickworks use the clay under lease and work it to a profit, but plant needs renewing and bringing up to date. Written from 77 King Street, Manchester. 6 pages. 4 Jul 1898