I assuming the counthouse is the same as counting house, or (to use modern
terminology) accounting house. Any mine (or other substantial business) not
conducted from the proprietor's home or shop would need one. The counting
house was merely the office of the business.
Peter King
49, Stourbridge Road,
Hagley,
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0QS
01562-720368
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-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Bernard Moore
Sent: 29 November 2006 13:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Counthouses in the Cornish Diaspora
Dear Lynne,
Basically the Counthouse is the Mine Office, however, in the days of Cost
Book Companies the Counthouse was the main place of business, with, say (in
GB
opers.), a London Committee (or Bristol - wherever the main number of
investors might be). This would meet in a Coffee House or some such, with
decisions
going back to the Counthouse, and then either actioned or await a General
Meeting for sanction - although the Purser held quite a bit of power in
those
days (the modern day equiv. of a Gnrl.Mgr./come resident Dir.) - if there
was no
Local Committee. The Senior Shareholder of a Cost Book Co. could take the
position of Chmn. or modern day equiv. of 'MD' if wished, or could nominate
someone to do so - the number of shares held would/could determine influence
over the mine's running.
When Limited Liability came in, the Counthouse relatively quickly became
just a Mine Head Office where the day to day paperwork and wages were
prepared,
with Registered Office's being in Cities or, again, in other 'main' places
where the majority of shareholders were. London was the main centre in
general
between 1855 to 1890, but I have noticed Glasgow, Liverpool, and the
Midlands
featured quite strongly between 1880 to 1900.
This is only a quick generalisation, but will give you an 'in brief' idea
and I hope you will find it of use.
Regards, Bernard
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