The Coal Owners' Association--The Abolition of the Bond--First general Advance--Formation of the Joint Committee--First Gala--Mines Regulation Act--Second Advance _The Coal Owners' Association._--One of the results of the formation of the organisation was the commencement of the Durham Coal Owners' Association. There had been an association under the name of "The North of England United Coal Trade Association," but its functions were vastly different from those of the present organisation. Then the sphere of operations was parliamentary and legal, but the new body was formed for trade purposes. The first meeting to consider such a step was held on February 1st, 1872. There was an adjournment for a fortnight, when a set of rules was submitted setting forth the conditions of membership, contributions, the assistance to be rendered, and the appointment of officers. The chairman and vice-chairman were respectively Hugh Taylor and W. Stobart, and the secretary was T. W. Bunning. No sooner was the Association formed than communications were opened with the Miners' Association, as the following letter will show:-- Neville Hall, Coal Trade Office, Newcastle-on-Tyne, _Feb. 5th, 1872._ Mr Crawford, my dear Sir,--I am directed to inform you that, at a large meeting of the representatives of the household coal collieries, held here last Saturday, it was resolved-- That it is considered desirable that a meeting should be held between the coal owners and a deputation of the representatives of the workmen, at one o'clock on Saturday, the 17th instant, at the Coal Trade Office, to discuss the various questions now in agitation by the workmen, with a view to their adjustment, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr Crawford. Will you be as kind as to acknowledge the receipt of this letter, and let me have the names of the deputation who will attend. I beg to remain, dear Sir, very respectfully yours, THEO. WOOD BUNNING. [Illustration: (Back Row).--N. WILKINSON. (_Treasurer._) W. H. PATTERSON. (_Vice-President._) M. THOMPSON. T. RAMSEY. G. JACKSON. J. FORMAN. (Front Row).--W. ASKEW. W. CRAWFORD. (_President and Secretary._) J. HANDY. T. MITCHESON. The First Deputation from the Durham Miners' Association to the Coal Trade Office, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, February 17, 1872] There were about a score of representatives of the employers present during the meeting, while ten delegates, representing 20,000 workmen, took part in the conference on the latter's behalf. Mr Hugh Taylor occupied the chair, and the delegates were introduced by Mr Crawford. The first question for discussion by the conference was then brought forward--viz. the yearly bindings.