142 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 17, 1913. and, in one case, it is notorious that the by-products not got a badge ; also they should endeavour to get the have accounted for a material proportion of the banksmen to refuse to allow a man to go down who had distributed gains. not got a badge. was decided to postpone the proposal for the present, the guest of the evening; and the results reported were As evidence of market opinion upon the scheme, it may very satisfactory; Mr. Llewellyn announced that the be noted that the Cambrian shares rose in five weeks company would pay the fees of the successful candidates from 47s. 6d. to 65s., whilst Glamorgan increased in if they would bring their certificates to the office to-day value from 35s. to 40s. I (Friday); and it was arranged to convene another ' meeting, where the provisions of the new Act bearing Mr. D. A. Thomas, chief of the Combine, has sailed upon the duties of firemen would be explained. Certifi- for America, his intention being to visit the coalfields cates were also presented at a meeting in Newbridge of Virginia, among other places; and speculation is rife 1 and Crumlin; and more than 80 were distributed at as to whether he is not investigating the prospects of ( Cwmfelinfach, in the Sirhowy Valley. At Ebbw Vale, American competition in supplying the depots that will Mr. F. Mills, manager, made the distribution; and it have to be established in connection with the opening was shown that the percentage of passes had been as of the Panama Canal; also the practicability of further high as 96, as compared with 81 for the whole county, developing the market on the western coast of South and that there had not been a single failure. America. A scheme has been foreshadowed as to amalga- ’ Saturday was remarkable for the distribution of mation of the several colliery properties united in the certificates which had been gained in recent examina- Cambrian Combine; and an appreciation in share values tions, all parts of the district being the scene of has taken place in consequence, the issues affected being meetings, some of them particularly interesting in Cambrian, Glamorgan, Naval and Britannic. Over a character. At Abertillery it was shown that no fewer million and a-half of capital is involved, and the total than 93 per cent, of the students had passed—one of the output is above four millions of tons per annum. But highest percentages in the coalfield. In the Rhondda, at a meeting of the board, held in London last week, it Mr. Llewellyn, manager of the Cambrian Combine, was Mr. A. Thomas, men’s secretary in the Rhymney Valley, stated on Monday that, in conducting “ show cards,” sufficient money was spent to give a weekly allowance of about 5s. to the old men set idle. Swansea’s trade record for 1912 makes manifest the very satisfactory development of the western port. Although the Harbour Trustees notify that adjustment may yet have to be made, the figures are, of course, practically correct. Notwithstanding derangement of business for more than a month, owing to the coal strike, the total exports of coal, coke and patent fuel were 4,628,995 tons, as compared with 4,430,543 in 1911, an increase of nearly 200,000 tons. Tin-plates are not so favourably shown in the returns, because of American entry into the Canadian trade. Partly, the less favour- able total is attributable to the coal strike, which limited production. That strike opened the Canadian market just at a most opportune time for the Americans, and it is to be feared that the injury may prove permanent. British makers could not meet their orders, and were uncertain as to acceptance of orders for future delivery, and this gave the competitors an opening they would not otherwise have had. At their meeting on Thursday the trustees opened tenders for extending warehouse accommodation both at the Prince of Wales’s Dock and at the King’s Dock. The additional space intended is 35,000 square feet. The men at one of the collieries have demanded the dismissal of a cashier who is said to have kept them waiting for their wages while he took his lunch, and they decided to strike, notwithstanding contrary advice by their agent. Although fresh reports have been in circulation as to colliery and steelworks developments at Port Talbot, there is nothing further yet to state definitely beyond what has already been mentioned in these columns. Rhondda Council have under consideration an offer from the Glamorgan Colliery Company to supply gas from the coke ovens for lighting purposes. The gas would be supplied in a purified form, and the offer is quite favourably viewed in some quarters, the chief disturbing consideration being as to regularity and permanence of supply. Considerable difficulty has prevailed in regard to arrangement of a price list for part of the Albion Colliery, near Pontypridd ; and last week a list for the 4 ft. seam was submitted by the men’s agents, who advised its acceptance. The miners, however, refused to agree with it, but adopted a suggestion that it should be submitted to ballot. The directors of the company have issued a notification that in consequence of the men’s delay the question of tendering notices to all employed will be given immediate consideration. The strike of 5,000 men because of about 50 non- unionists, in the Maesteg collieries, came to an end with a procession which included hymn-singing by a huge concourse outside the house of a deceased comrade. In the final meeting before work was resumed, Mr. Hartshorn, the agent, said he wanted to see a system whereby men would wear a badge while at work, and unionists must refuse to work with a man who had Mr. A. S. Tallis, general manager of the Tredegar Company, presided at the meeting in Tredegar, no fewer than 177 having secured the certificate out of 189 who sat. Mr. Tallis directed attention to the very favourable position of Tredegar as compared with other districts in respect of fatalities. He said that their average for the past five years had been one fatality for 176,360 tons raised, whereas the average for South Wales in 1911 had been one for 160,000 tons. The “ doctors question ” has been eagerly discussed in every part of the coalfield this week ; and many and diverse have been the schemes submitted. In some instances, it is desired to abolish “ poundage,” and where it is to be continued the precise amount has been keenly contested. In other instances the chemists have sought to persuade the colliers that they alone should be the dispensers of medicines. Several areas have debated the appointment of full-time attendants, and, in a few cases, agreement has been reached practically on the old lines. More cautious negotiators have made a tentative arrangement, which will come up for revision after a specified period. The return of the year’s trade in Cardiff Railway Company’s (Bute) Docks show that 1912 is the most successful year yet experienced. Despite the coal strike, which occasioned so much loss during the earlier half, the export of coal, coke and patent fuel totalled 10,127,014 tons, as compared with 9,909,596 in 1911, an increase of 217,418 tons. But the patent fuel shipments were “ down ” 63,574 tons, whilst coal and coke increased 280,992. The exports and imports together reached the high figure of 12,411,971 tons, an increase of 327,904. Taking the second half of the year—the period of fairly regular work (although there were some local strikes) — the shipments were nearly 7,090,000 tons, which is a total three - quarters of a-million above the previous highest (the first half of 1909). The number of vessels that entered the dock— and these, it should be remembered, include the largest cargo-carriers in the world — was 8,833, having a “ register ” tonnage of 5,538,935, which was an increase of 142,032 on the preceding year, when the number of vessels was 682 more; showing that the average size of steamers during 1912 had increased. An alarming fire, which fortunately was not attended by loss of life, but which did damage to property estimated unofficially at .£100,000, occurred at West Sharlston Colliery, Walton, near Wakefield, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Unfortunately there was no telephone at the colliery, and a messenger had to be despatched to Wakefield on a bicycle for the city fire brigade. The whole of the headgear, screens, slack washers, and weighing machinery was destroyed, and only the engine-house was saved. The ventilation of the pit, however, was stopped in order to prevent the fire getting down the shaft, and steps were at once taken by the officials to rescue the workmen by bringing them out of two other shafts at Haw Park and New Sharlston, with which the workings communicated. Later, 80 ponies which were in the pit were taken to the other workings, out of reach of any possible danger- About 1,000 men are employed at the colliery, and though it will be some months before the pit can again be got into working order, it is expected that many of them may be found employment at the other pits belonging to the company. CONTRASTS OPES FOR GOAL ARD GOKE. For Contracts Advertised in this issue received too late for inclusion in this column, see Liadeb and Last Whits pages. Abstracts of Contracts Open. Abbeyleix (Ireland), January 21.—For 50 tons best Whitehaven or Orrell coal, for the Guardians. Leeds, January 27.—For about 3,250 tons steam coal (best screened nurs), delivered at the Knostrop Sewage Works ; about 10 tons coal (hand-picked seconds), delivered at the Sewerage Depot, Black Bull-street; about 10 tons hand-picked seconds coal, delivered at Newlay Station (Midland Railway), for Rodley Sewage Works, for the Corporation. London, February 5.—For best steam coal and best gas coke, for the Middlesex County Council. The date given is the latest upon which tenders can be received. i^ORTRAGTS OPES FOR EHGIREERIHG. IROR ARD STEEL WORK, Ac. Ballymena (Ireland), January 25. — Pumps. — For pumps, for the Rural District Council. Bucharest (Roumania), February 3.—Diesel Motors.— Tenders are invited by the General Direction of the Baicoi-Constantza pipe line (under the Direction of the Roumanian State Railways) for 18 Diesel motors and 18 pumps, to be worked by electro-motors of 50-horse power. Christiania (Norway), January 31.—Steel Rails, r the distri- bution of power (for working machinery and for lighting purposes) at various points on the Panama Canal. Colwyn Bay, January 31.—Reciprocating Steam Set.— For a 120 kw. reciprocating steam set, pipe work, and necessary switchgear, for the Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Urban District Council. Ellesmere, January 22.— Girder Bridge.—For a steel girder bridge, for the Rural District Council. Glasgow, February 1.—Pumping Engine, tyc.—For one additional inverted direct-acting, triple-expansion, surface- condensing steam pumping engine, with pipes and fittings, to deliver 250 gallons of water per minute against an accumulator pressure of 1,120 lb. per square inch, for the Corporation. Hull. January 29.— Lancashire Boilers.—For two Lanca- shire boilers, 30 ft. by 8 ft. 6 in., for the West District Sewage Pumping Station, for the Corporation. Killinchy (Ireland), January 25.—Pump, 8fc.—For a No. 41 Appleby pump, for the Downpatrick Rural District Council. Lincoln, January 22. — Turbo-alternator. — For one 750 kw. turbo-alternator with surface condenser and rotary converter, for the Corporation. London, January 24.—Rotary Converter Plant.—For rotary converter plant, for the directors of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company. Mr. S. G. S. Young, acting secretary, offices, Gloucester House, 110, Bishopsgate, London, E.C. Manchester, January 24.—Tank, tfc.—For a cast iron water tank, steel stanchions, girders, joists, &c., for the Corporation. Manila, U.S.A. (Philippine Islands), February 28.— Cast Iron Pipes, fyc.—Tenders are invited by the Municipal Board of that city for the supply of (1) about 525 metric tons of hub and spigot cast iron pipes, about 19 metric tone of cast iron specials and 50 fire hydrants ; and (2) 350 cast iron frames and covers, and 200 inlet frames and gratings. Moose Jaw (Canada), February 10 —Turbine.—Tenders will be received by the City Commissioners of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for the supply, delivery, and erection of one complete steam turbine generating set of 1,500 kw. capacity, together with accessories. A limited number of copies of the specification are available for distribution at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, London, E.C. Nelson, February 3.—Traction Battery, <$fc.—For (a) one traction battery; (6) one automatic reversible booster and switchgear, one D.C. motor generator and switchgear, for the Corporation. Newcastle-on-Tyne, January 25.—Boiler.— For one multitubular boiler for the No. 12 ballast hopper barge, for the Tyne Improvement Commissioners. Nuneaton, January 21.—Water-tube Boiler.—For one water-tube boiler, complete with valves, fittings, pipework and accessories, for the Corporation. Penrith (Cumb.), February 10.—Water Scheme Exten- sion.—For about 4,550 yards of 3 in. diameter cast iron piping, about 3,819 yards of 2 in. diameter cast iron piping, with valves, hydrants, &c. (Western Division water scheme extension), for the Rural District Council. Queenborough, February 4.—Boreho^, fyc.—For sinking a borehole an i driving a tunnel, for the Corporation. Regina (Canada), January 29.—Turbine Pump, fyc.—The City Commissioners of Regina are prepared to receive tenders for the supply and erection of a 5,000,000 gallon turbine pump and a compound condensing vertical engine. A copy of the specification can be seen by British manu- facturers at the Commercial Intelligence Branch of the ; Board of Trade, 73, Basinghall-street, E C. I Robertstown and Cwmbach, February 8 —Bridges.— For steel bridges and other works, for the Aberdare Urban ! District Council.