As a result of this recommendation a meeting was held on the 2nd of August, and the first code of rules was arranged. The names of the parties at the meeting are in the following list:-- _Owners_ Hugh Taylor. W. Stobart. Lindsay Wood. John Taylor. J. B. Simpson. C. Berkley. P. Cooper. W. Hunter. R. F. Matthews. T. T. Smith. _Workmen_ W. Crawford. W. H. Patterson. N. Wilkinson. J. Jackson. J. Forman. T. Mitcheson. R. B. Sanderson occupied the chair. The following rules were agreed to:-- The object of the Committee shall be to arbitrate, appoint arbitrators, or otherwise settle all questions (except such as may be termed county questions or questions affecting the general trade) relating to matters of wages, practices or working, or any other subject which may arise from time to time at any particular colliery, and which shall be referred to the consideration of the Committee by the parties concerned. The Committee shall have full power to settle all disputes, and their decision shall be final and binding upon all parties in such manner as the Committee may direct. The Committee shall consist of six representatives chosen by the Miners' Union and six representatives chosen by the Coal Owners' Association. At meetings of this Committee it shall be deemed that there shall be no quorum unless at least three members of each Association be present. Each meeting shall nominate its own chairman, who shall have no casting vote. In case of equality of votes upon any question, it shall be referred to two arbitrators, one to be chosen by the members of each Association present at the meeting. These arbitrators to appoint an umpire in the usual way. Each party to pay its own expenses. The expenses of the umpire to be borne equally by the two Associations. Should any alteration of or addition to these rules be desired, notice of such change shall be given at the meeting previous to its discussion. If any member of the Committee is directly interested in any question under discussion, he shall abstain from voting, and a member of the opposite party shall also abstain from voting. When any subject is to be considered by the Committee, the Secretary of the Association by whom it is brought forward shall give notice thereof to the Secretary of the other Association, at least three clear days before the meeting at which it is to be considered. The Committee to meet every alternate Friday at half-past eleven o'clock. The first meeting of Joint Committee was held on 16th August. The members were: _Owners_ R. B. Sanderson, Chairman. C. Berkley. J. B. Simpson. J. Taylor. P. Cooper. R. F. Matthews. _Workmen_ W. Crawford. W. H. Patterson. J. Forman. N. Wilkinson. J. Jackson. T. Mitcheson.