THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 139 January 17, 1913. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ and the secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Ashton, secretary of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, suggesting that the question be discussed by the execu- tive, or that a conference be called for the purpose of securing that general action be taken all over the British coalfields in the event of evictions taking place in any mining district. A communication has been sent by Mr. Robert Brown, secretary of the Scottish Miners’ Federation, to Mr. Robert Baird, secretary of the Scottish Coalmasters’ Association, asking for an advance of wages to the extent of 25 per cent, on the 1888 basis. This is equivalent to an increase of Is. per day. The claim will come before a meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board, which will be held probably within a week or two. Since the coal strike of March last two advances—12J per cent, and 6| per cent.—have been granted to the miners. The strike in the Bellshill collieries of the Summerlee Company was settled on the 10th inst. by irruptions of water, one ; haulage, 239 (24 by ropes or chains breaking and 190 by being run over or crushed by trams or tubs) ; electricity, seven ; machinery, 10 ; sundries, 50. Of the deaths on the surface, 39 were caused by machinery, 78 by accidents on railways, sidings and tramways, four by electricity, and 48 from miscellaneous causes, there being no death due to boiler explosions. _________________________ APPROVED MINERS’ LAMPS. The Home Secretary gives notice that he has made an Order under section 33 of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, approving, subject to the conditions specified in the Order, the Hailwood lamp No. 1 and the Oldham emergency electric lamp for use in all mines to which the Act applies. The Oldham lamp is approved only for use in work of rescue or exploration in the case of an accident or other emergency, or by officials. The official specifications of these lamps, with plates showing the general design of each, are contained in the Order, copies of which will shortly be placed on sale and will be obtainable, either directly or through any book- seller, from Messrs. Wyman and Sons Limited, Fetter, lane, London, E.C., H.M. Stationery Office (Scottish Branch), 23, Forth-street, Edinburgh, and Messrs. E. Ponsonby Limited, 116, Grafton-street, Dublin. ______________________ FATAL ACCIDENTS IN MINES DURING 1912. An advance proof of the tables of fatal accidents and deaths in and about the mines and quarries of the United Kingdom during the year 1912 has been issued by the Home Office. The tables will eventually appear in Part I. of the General Report with Statistics for 1912. • Under the Coal Mines Act.—Under this heading are included mines of coal, stratified ironstone, shale and fireclay, and the accidents include those occurring on private branch railways and tramways, and in washing and coking coal:— a o 'an a a o a a pi on o * * Separate fatal accidents— Scotland ........ 7... tn aS a aS 3 uU a Eh 163 .5 'aS "a 186 25, 74...18... 39. Newcastle —... 45...10.. .. 38.. . 20.. . 113.. . 116 Durham 2... 35... 4.. . 32.. . 25.. .. 98.. . 120 York and North Midland 3...117... 8.. . 63.. . 34.. . 225.. . 230 Manchester & Ireland— N. & E. Lancas. 1... 29... 1.. . 17.. . 2.. . 50.. . 52 Ireland —... —...—.. . —.. . —.. —.. 1 Liverpool &N. W ales —... 48... 2.. . 19.. . 14.. . 83.. . 75 South Wales 4...140...20.. . 92.. . 34.. . 290.. . 302 Mid. and Southern 3... 59... 7.. . 34.. . 18.. . 121.. . 130 — — II — — — 1 Total in 1912 ... 20...547...70.. .334.. .172.. .1,143.. .1,212 Total in 1911 ... 23...604...89.. .353.. .143.. .1,212.. . — Deaths— Scotland 11... 78...18.. . 40.. . 25.. . 172.. . 194 Newcastle —... 46...10.. . 39.. . 20.. . 115.. . 122 Durham 2... 35... 4.. . 32.. . 25.. . 98.. . 121 York and North Midland 94....119... 8.. . 63.. . 34.. . 318.. . 240 Manchester & Ireland— N. and E. Lancs. 1... 30... 1.. . 17.. . 2.. . 51.. . 54 Ireland — —. .—.. . —.. . —.. —.. 1 Liverpool &N. Wales —... 53... 2.. . 20.. . 14.. . 89.. . 78 South Wales 13...141...21.. . 93.. . 35.. . 303.. . 313 Mid. and Southern 3... 59... 8.. . 34.. . 18.. . 122.. . 142 —— — — — ■ ■' ■ Total in 1912 ...124...561...72.. .338.. .173.. .1,268.. .1,265 Total in 1911 ... 36...617...99.. .364.. .149.. .1,265.. . — at or or _____________________________ MINING AND OTHER NOTES. An important stage in the sinking of Blackball Colliery, the new pit of the Horden Collieries Limited, at Blackball, East Durham, was reached on the 10th inst., when the main coalseam was passed through at a depth of 300 yards. The seam was 5 ft. 5 in. in thickness, and composed of clean hard coal of first-class quality, without any band. The colliery was started in October 1909. There are two shafts. During the sinking water was met with in extraordinary quantities, no less than 17,000 gallons per minute coming from one gullet. Despite this, the shafts were got down with ordinary bucket pumps, and without the aid of freezing. The water in one pit was stemmed by Portland cement. The colliery is owned by the Horden Collieries Limited, and is being sunk under the superintendence of Mr. J. J. Prest, J.P., of Hardwick Hall, chief agent to the company. When the new colliery is fully opened out it will, it is expected, have an output of about 3,000 tons per day. It is stated that at Kelham, near Newark, a deposit of crude petroleum lying below the coal measures has been discovered. The find has been made by a syndicate which has been engaged in boring operations for coal, the borehole having been continued down to a thick band of sandstone, heavily charged with the oil. A syndicate is said to be in process of formation to sink several wells on the estate. The discovery has been made the subject of a report by Sir Boverton Redwood, who states that the oil at Kelham is a true normal petroleum, indigenous to the rock on which it occurs, and possibly filling the pores of the sandstone as far as the band extends. Analysis also, it is claimed, has proved the product to be of excellent quality. On Wednesday the 22nd inst, at 7.30, in the lecture theatre of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle-on- Tyne, under the auspices of the North-east Coast Institution of Engineersand Shipbuilders, a discussion on the “Arch Principle of Ship Construction,” will be opened by Mr. Maxwell Ballard. On Friday, the 24th inst., at 7.30, a lecture, “The Practical Use of the Iron Carbon Equilibrium Diagram, with special reference to the Critical Points A.I.2.3., and the Burning of Steel,” will be given by Mr. J. E. Stead. D.Met., D.Sc., F.R.S. Messrs. Haslam and Schontheil Limited, 11, Windsor Pla.e, Cardiff, inform us that they have been appointed by Messrs. Callender’s Cable and Construction Company Limited, as their sales agents for South Wales, Monmouth- shire and the Bristol district. Mr. Andrew Wilson Tait and Mr. Harry Fred Lee Orcutt have been elected to seats on the board of Messrs. Fraser and Chalmers. The Butterley Company Limited, owners of the Butterley and Codnor Park Ironworks and extensive collieries, have commenced the sinking of a new shaft at their Kirkby pit, which, if expectations are fulfilled, will give employment to a large number of additional hands. An organisation known as the North Staffordshire Under- ground Colliery Firemen’s, Shot-lighters’ and Overmen’s Association was formed in May last, and during the winter a series of lectures is to be given. The first was by Prof. John Cadman, D.Sc., and was delivered on Saturday at Hanley. His subject was “ The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, with Special Reference to the Invention of the Safety Lamp.” The lecturer said they were just on the threshold of removing Davy’s lamp from the mines, because of its meagre light and its effect upon the miners in producing nystagmus. A better light was required, and was likely to be forthcoming in the shape of an electric lamp. A presentation has been made to Mr. Coburn, under- Mr. Henry Curry, of the Park Collieries, Eakington; Mr* H. Elliott, of Langwith Colliery, near Mansfield; and Mr- Joseph Cunliffe, of North Wingfield. It was agreed to join with the Midland Institution of Engineers in holding a meeting at Nottingham at which Dr. Garforth would give a lecture on “ Coaldust Explosions and their Prevention.” The meeting will be held on February 1 at the university at 3 30 p.m. The offer by Mr. William Maurice, of Hucknall, to give a lecture on safety lamps was accepted, Mr. Bury,, of Skinningrove Ironworks, having written to say he would- be unable, owing to indisposition, to give his lecture. ________________________________ 0B1TUARY. We regret to announce the death at Sb. Helens, on the' 9th inst., of Mr. Thomas Glover, J.P., the miners’ agent and Labour ex-M.P. for the borough. Mr. Glover was in his sixty-first year, and had all his life been a notable figure in mining circles. He was born at Prescot, but with his family removed to St. Helens at a very early age. His father was manager of the Blackbrook Collieries, now long since abandoned, and before he was nine years of age Mr. Glover was at work underground. In consequence he had little opportunity of schooling, but being possessed of a great amount of natural ability, he worked diligently at night schools. Before the future M.P. was 17 years of age he became secretary of the local miners’ lodge. Thirty- three years ago he was appointed miners’ agent for the district, a position he held until his death. Mr. Glover also filled the office of treasurer of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ Federation for about nine years. In 1905 it was decided to run a Labour candidate in the borough election. The choice fell on Mr. Glover, and on January 10, 1906, he defeated Sir Henry Seton-Karr, who represented St. Helens for close on 20 years as the Tory member. Mr. Glover won by the majority of 1,411, and sat until January 1910, when he was again victorious, beating Mr. Rigby Swift by 795; but in December of the same year Mr. Swift won by 264. He retained all his offices to the last, was a justice of the peace for the borough, and an ex-poor law guardian. He had been in indifferent health for some time, and lately had been confined to bed, the end coming somewhat suddenly. Mr. Glover leaves a widow, and three sons and two daughters. On the 8th inst., Mr. J. Walker, consulting engineer for the Edinburgh Collieries Company Limited, met with an accident which proved fatal about two hours later. Mr. Walker, along with Mr. Mungall, was examining the shaft of No. 2 pit, Wally ford, when, taken unawares, he was crushed against the scaffolding. Removed speedily to the engine- house at the pit-head, he received medical attention. Musselburgh ambulance wagon was summoned to convey him to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but he died on the way. Mr. Walker, who had only been a few weeks attached to Wally ford Colliery, having come from Fife,, resided at Mayvillebank, Levenhall, Musselburgh. He leaves a widow and family. _________________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is steady, but there is not very much business doing. Pitch steady. Benzols and naphthas are much about the same. Creosote firm. Car- bolics as a class are weaker. Closing values are:— Benzols, 90’s ............................... /9| Do. 50’s............................... /10 Toluol...................................... 110$ Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... 2/1 to 2/2 ................... Do. crystals (40 per cent.)................ /6 to /6£ Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ... 1/ Crude ditto (in bulk) ....................... /5| Creosote (ordinary qualities)................ /3| Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ..................... 44/6 to 45/6 ....................... Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ..................... 43/ to 45/ Do. (gas companies)........................... 47/6 toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acids,. usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at makers3 works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch f.o.b. netJ] Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market is firm, and prices throughout tend to favour makers. With an upward movement in American quotations the forward market is naturally very strong. The statistical position also is very satisfactory, there being sound advances in the export- figures for last month to France and Canaries, while the other large consumers have kept well up to the standard. Closing prompt prices are:— London (ordinary makes)...... ................. JJ13/12/6 .............................. Beckton............................... JB14/ Liverpool............................ ^£14/10 ................................ Hull ...................................... .£14/7/6 Scotch ports.......................... .£14/10 to .£14/12/6 Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... 11/7-^- [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance for refraction, nothing for excess.'] Of the deaths from falls of ground, 365 occurred the working face, 95 on roads while repairing enlarging, 96 on roads while otherwise working passing, and five in shafts. Of the deaths from shaft accidents, four were due to overwinding, three to ropes or chains breaking, seven whilst ascending or descending by machinery, two by falling into shaft from surface, 14 by falling from part way down, eight by things falling into shaft from surface, one by things falling from part way down, the remaining 33 being of miscellaneous origin. The deaths from miscellaneous causes below ground may be divided as follows :—By explosives, 22 ; suffoca- tion by natural gases, eight; by underground fires, one ; manager at Washington Glebe Pit, who is leaving to become assistant to Mr. Wood, at Murton Colliery. The gifts, comprising a gold watch and barometer for Mr. Coburn, and a gold watch for Mrs. Coburn, were handed over by Mr. Mark Ford, colliery manager. Speaking at Hucknall last week, Mr. J. H. Bear ds more said that at present a cloud was passing over the town and the Leen Valley, owing to the thick seam of coal, which had been worked for 40 years, becoming exhausted. He was pleased to say, however, that developments were taking place for the working of the thin seams, and that day a new seam had been tapped at Lin by Colliery, and a number of stalls had been set out. The Midland branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers, at their meeting at the University College, Nottingham, on Saturday June 11, decided to convene Ja special meeting in a fortnight to take into consideration the draft of General Regulations for mines which the Home Secretary proposes to make under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and to forward their observations thereon to the council of the association. A discussion, introduced by Major W. Eaton Walker, took place in respect to the provision in the Explosives Order relative to shot-firing and the use of explosives. The following new members were elected :—Mr. Geo. Dixon, Moorgreen, Notts; ___________________________ THE TIN-PLATE TRADE Liverpool. There has been a little more enquiry the last few days,, but the prices offered were too low for makers to sell to any extent. Works are only taking business at the low figures ruling, for prompt specifications, in order to keep their mills employed. The “ bears ” are rather active just now, but whether they are cn the right “ tack ” of course remains to be seen. If makers’ statements are correct, values cannot fall to any extent owing to the high costs of steel bars, tin, labour, &c. Quotations for delivery first quarter of the year run about as follow :—Cokes : I C 14 x 20 (112 sh. 108 lb.), 15s. to 15s. Ijd. per box ; I C 28 x 20 (112 sh. 2161b.), 30s. 3d. to 30s. 6d. per box ; 1 C 28 x 20 (56sh. 108lb.), 15s. 4|d. to 15s. 6d. per box; IC 14 x 18f (124 sh. 1101b.), 15s. 6d. per box; I C 14 x 19| (120 sh. 110 lb.), 15s. 6d. per box; IC 20 x 10 (225 sh. 156 lb.), 22s. 6d. per box; IC squares and odd sizes, 15s. 4|d. to 15s. 6d. basis. Terne-plates are quiet at 25s. 9d. to 26s. for I C 28 x 20. Charcoal tins run 17s. 6d. basis and upwards according to finish. Coke wasters are quoted :— C W 14 x 20, 14s. to 14s. l$d. per box; C W 28 x 20. 27s. 9d. per box; C W 14 x 18|, 13s. 9d. per box; C W 14 x 19|, 14s. 3d. per box; C W 20 x 10, 19s. 6d. per box —all f.o.b. Wales, less 4 per cent.