February 7, 1913. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 283 under favourable conditions it will take less than 6 lb. of steam per shaft horse-power, and that the system under the conditions named will have a thermal efficiency of over 24 per cent, corresponding to an oil consumption of about 0'55 lb. of oil per shaft horse- power. Dr. de Ferranti expects that this system, when applied on a large scale, will be capable of giving an over-all thermal efficiency of 29 per cent. In concluding his lecture, he said: “ It is difficult to predict the form of the prime mover of the future, but, in search of the highest economy, and with the limitations of tempera- ture imposed by known materials, one is inclined to look to electricity converting the energy of the fuel at low temperatures, and giving its power in rotary form as the most likely eventual solution.” _______________________ coastwise: shipments in December. According to the monthly coal tables the following were the quantities of coal shipped coastwise during the month of December:— ________________________________ ______________________________________________________________ From Total cargo. Total bunker. ___________ 1911. 1912. 1911. 1912. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Bristol Channel ports 312,142 276 3i2 19,225 19,956 North-western ports 277,287 249,197 62 626 62,077 North-eastern ports 769,646 651,299 23 683 26,838 Humber ports 226,963 240,887 12.767 18,333 Other ports on east coast 11,203 7 040 8 766 1 O 4.QR Other English ports 2*468 2467 4,463 5,977 Total from England and Wales 1,599,709 1.427,202 131,530 143,679 Ports on east coast of Scotland 119,825 119,172 17,323 21,145 Ports on west coast of Scotland 163,672 110,219 38 825 37 262 Total from Scotland 283,497 229 391 56,148 58,407 Irish ports — 29 9,519 4,958 Total from United Kingdom 1,883 206 1,656,622 197,197 207,044 __________________________________ The destination of cargo shipments was as follows :— To ports in England and Wales ..... Scotland......... Ireland ......... Dec 1911. Tons. 1,337,752 100,596 444,858 ... 371,855 Dec. 1912. Tons. ... 1,192.705 ... 92,062 Shipments to London amounted to 738,114 tons. ___________________________________ CONTINENTAL MINING NOTES. Belgium. The following shows the production of coal in Belgium during the second half of 1912— Provinces. Production. Stocks. Dec. 31/12. 1911. 1912. Hainaut— Tons. Tons. Tons. Couchant de Mons 2 298,770.., . 2,338,850. .. 52,490 Centre 1,706.830.. . 1,747,940. .. 38,730 Charleroi 4,182,190.. . 4,240,250. ..201,470 Liege— Liege-Seraing . 2,426,300.. . 2,493,900. .. 95,770 Plateaux de Herve . 574.450.. . 623,990. .. 7,710 Namur and Luxemburg.., . 389,630.. . 403,240. .. 15,780 _________ ________ _________ _______ Total ..............11,578,170.. .11,848,170.. .411,950 First half................11,546,970...11,135,290... — __________ Total production.........23,125,140...22,983,460... — Stocks at December 31/11 — ... — ...686,290 ___________ France. The production of fuel in the Pas-de-Calais and Nord last year was as follows :— Pas-de-Calais. Nord. __________________ ____________________ ^911. 191? r?911. 1912?" Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Coal ........20,637,851 ...22,121,627 ... 7,515,142 ... 7,766,388 Coke ...... 1,468,196 ... 1,597,978 ... 860,519 ... 845,464 Briquettes ... 597,597 ... 620,736 ... 1,131,988 ... 1,172,723 Last year 99 shafts wound coal in the Pas-de-Calais and 47 in the Nord. ___________________ Germany. Brief details are to hand as to the production of fuel in Germany last year. They are given in the following table :— Production Imports Coal (1,000 metric tons). (1,000 metric tons). 1911. .. 160,747 ... 1912. . 177,095 .. 1911. . 10,914 1912. ... 10,386 Coke .. 25,405 ... . 29,141 .. 599 590 Lignite ... 73,517 .. . 82,340 .. 7,069 7,266 Briquettes.... .. 21,827 ... 24,392 .. 211 188 Exports Consumption (1,000 metric tons). (1,000 metric tons). A 1911. 1912. 1911. 1912. Coal .. 27,412 ... 31,143- .. . 144,249 ... 156,332 Coke ... 4,560 ... 5,849 .. . 21,444 ... 23,882 Lignite 58 ... 57 .. . 8o,528 ... 89,549 Briquettes.... 2,477 ... 2,746 .. 19i561 ... 21,839 Hamburg Coal Trade.—Mr. H. W. Heidmann, of Hamburg, writes as follow : The imports of coals into Hamburg have been in January :— From 1913. Tons. 1912. Tons. Northumberland and Durham... 186,194 ... 178,818 Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c 47,165 ... 41,107 Scotland 101,473 ... 91,454 Wales 5,767 5,386 Coke — 287 Total 340,599 ... 317,052 Ruhr Coal Market.—The best proof of the favourable situation of the market is afforded by the number of railway wagons indented by the collieries, amounting on several days lately to over 35,000, an increase of about 20 per cent, over the autumn. There is no decline in the general demand, the iron industry having remained unaffected by the political situation and being continually in the market with large orders. This applies particularly to coking coals, which cannot be raised in sufficient quantity to meet requirements, whilst stocks at the pits are almost non-existent. The trade in gas coals has developed con- siderably, and is taxing the capacity of the pits. House coals are quieter again, after a period of activity due to the spell of cold weather. Export business is large, both Holland and Belgium being extensive buyers, and large consignments being also sent to North and South Germany. In the last-named market there is a brisk demand for both industrial and house coals, and little opportunity is afforded of replenishing stocks; in fact, complaints of insufficient delivery are rife. The coke market is in a very satisfactory position, and the demand for blastfurnace and foundry coke is really higher than the cokeries can meet. Coal Market in South Germany.—Although supplies are coming forward more freely and promptly, the demand for industrial and house coal cannot be fully satisfied. In the latter class of fuel the milder weather has made business quieter, and the recent difficulties, caused more particularly by the shortage of bituminous nuts, are now less acute- Nevertheless, deliveries are behindhand, stocks having been all consumed. The same applies to broken coke; but, on the other hand, anthracite nuts are in less pressing request and stocks are ample and increasing. Gas coke continues in good demand, and no supplies are available for prompt delivery. Prices are expected to rise, as the good local demand leaves only a small surplus for dealers. Contracts for fuel for the coming financial year are mainly placed. Coal Market in Upper Silesia. — The situation remains very satisfactory, the volume of business is large, and consumers are living, so to speak, from hand to mouth. The pits have more than they can do to meet the needs of their customers, and complaints of delay in delivery are endless. The requirements of the iron industry are very heavy, and many of the works are in difficulty owing to the short supply. Gas coals go off well, and house coal cannot be considered neglected, though affected by the mild weather. Coking coals are in most active request and cannot be raised fast enough. The number of railway wagons supplied is constituting a record. Owing to the heavy demands of the home market, the export trade has to be partly neglected, and the deliveries to Austria-Hungary are consequently smaller than they should be; and the same applies in even greater degree to Russian-Poland. In the coke market, the entire output of blastfurnace and foundry coke is absorbed at once, and there is no possibility of creating any stocks. Annual Report of the Coal Syndicate.—For the month of December the total coal raised amounted to 7,903,870 tons (7,187,051 tons in December 1911) or 329,328 tons (310,791 tons) per working day. The calculated distribution was (6,658,037 tons (5,057,861 tons), being 277,418 tons (257,637 tons) per working day or 105 74 per cent, of the participation (98T5 per cent.). Total distributed by the syndicated collieries, 8,288,021 tons (7,442,600 tons), or 345,334 tons (321,842 tons) per working day. Total deliveries, including local sales, miners’ house coal and coal supplied to pits’ own ironworks: Coal, 5,088,966 tons (4,702,376 tons) or 212,040 tons (203,346 tons) per working day; coke, 1,902,233 tons (1,312,099 tons) or 61,362 tons (52,003 tons) per working day; briquettes, 366,425 tons (322,546 tons) or 15,267 tons (13,948 tons) per working day. The figures for the whole year were as follow:—Coal output 93,797,666 tons (86,904,550 tons in 1911), or 309,691 tons (290,651 tons) per working day ; calculated distribution 76,151.933 tons (69,852,056 tons), or 251,430 tons (233,619 tons), being 95’78 per cent. (89’09 per cent.) of the participa- tion ; total coal distribution by the syndicated collieries 94,576,783 tons (87,019,662 tons), or 312,263 tons (291,036 tons) per working day; deliveries,including local sales,miners’ house coal, and coal supplied to pits’ own ironworks: Coal, 60,121,974 tons (57,030,906 tons), or 198,504 tons (190,739 tons) per working day; coke, 20,133,338 tons (17,232,286 tons), or 55,009 tons (47,212 tons) per working day; briquettes, 4,188,058 tons (3^911,559 tons), or 13,828 tons (13,082 tons) per working day. Coal Traffic in Ruhr Harbours.—For December the total consignments of fuel by rail amounted to 1,109,195 tons, of which 846,639 tons were delivered to Ruhrort, 222,790 tons to Duisburg, and 39,766 tons to Hochfeld. The shipments outwards were as follow : To Coblenz and places higher up river 602,252 tons, to places below Coblenz 19,810 tons, to Holland 402,380 tons, to Belgium 261,988 tons, to France 21,041 tons, and to other destinations 20,677 tons. The aggregate was 1,328,149 tons, of which 838,637 tons were shipped from Ruhrort, 210,863 tons from Duisburg, 34,262 tons from Hochfeld, 98,357 tons from Rheinpreussen, 81,244 tons from Schwelgern, and 64,784 tons from Walsum. For the entire year the figures were :—Railway consign- ments, 15,341,989 tons (12,844,410 tons in 1911), of which 11,299,747 tons (9,039,935 tons) were consigned to Ruhrort, 3,577,739 tons (3,408,856 tons) to Duisburg, and 464,503 tons (395,619 tons) to Hochfeld. Outward shipments to: Coblenz and higher up river, 8,036,134 tons (7,205,795 tons) ; places below Coblenz, 184,072 tons (161,564 tons) ; Holland, 5,725,025 tons (5,025,324 tons) ; Belgium, 3,595,013 tons (2,999,208 tons) ; France, 357,686 tons (341,668 tons); other destinations, 308,460 tons (251,201 tons). Total shipments outward, 19,206,391 tons (15,984,761 ton), of which 11,234,575 tons (9,517,051 tone) from Ruhrort, 3,405,399 tons (3,201,171 tons) from Duisburg, 456,251 tons (395,779 tons) from Hochfeld, 1,130,113 tons (1,044,573 tons) from Rhein- preussen, 1,072,386 tons (917,829 tons) from Schwelgern, and 907,666 tons (908,357 tons) from Walsum. __________________________ Electricity in Mines.—Yorkshire colliery managers and engineers displayed some diffidence in regard to the use of electrical machinery in mines, at a joint meeting of the Yorkshire branches of the National Association of Colliery Managers and the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers, held at Leeds on Saturday, when Mr. J. N. Walker presided over a good attendance of members of both associations. The joint meeting was arranged for the consideration of a lecture by Prof. D. Bowen (Mining Department, Sheffield University) on “ An Account of Experiments on Safety Devices in connection with Elec- trical Machinery for Coalmines.” Prof. Bowen prefaced his remarks with a careful and critical review of the experi- ments of German and American investigators, which he summed up as being inconclusive and carried out without any real knowledge of what was required under practical conditions. During the last few years a very considerable amount of anxiety had existed in the minds of mining engineers and other miners as to the dangers attending the use of electricity in mines, and this uneasiness was justified to a certain extent by the faulty designs placed upon the market. In this country electrical machinery and apparatus were now placed on the same plane as naked lights, and they are considered as being more dangerous than ordinary so-called safety lamps. The object of the paper was to demonstrate the fact that the problem was capable of a satisfactory solution, but it was essential to have the co-operation of colliery managers and mining engineers, and similar support was asked for on the part of all concerned in the electrical industry as applied to mining, and there were reasons for hoping that this support would soon be forthcoming. The results of the German, United States, and Prof. Bowen’s own experiments demonstrated that plate protection—based on the same idea as that under- lying flange protection—was, so far, the safest devised. The conclusion he arrived at finally was that no protective ; device was effective unless it prevented any flame or incan- I descent spark to pass through, and a point of importance that had been established was that the pressure was increased where fans were inserted in the motor casings as a result of the agitation of the explosive atmosphere inside. A discussion followed, to which Messrs. Halliday (Feather- stone), Eustace Conder (Sheffield), and R. Purdo (Leeds) took part. Mr. W. E. French (of the Electrical Depart- ment of Leeds University), who had been associated with Prof. Bowen in his experiments, gave further details, but his contention that there was danger in the possible breaking of a cable consequent upon a fall of roof was challenged by Mr. Gill (Carlton Main), who in the course of his long experience had only had one cable break as the result of a fall of roof. With the experience of Hulton before them he thought there was very little danger to be anticipated from cables. In replying, Prof. Bowen said he thought the danger to be apprehended from the aggrega- tion of coaldust on the plates of the protective casing would be minimised by the moisture that would also