April 18, 1913. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 814 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. Letters to the Editor. _________________________________________________ The Editor is not responsible either tor the statements made, nr the opinions expressed by correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the sender, whether for publication or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous communi- cations. Asreplies to questions are only given by way of published answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped addressed envelopes are not required to be sent. ________________________________________________ PIT PONIES AND BLINKERS. Sir,—I am afraid your correspondent, “ Onlooker,” looks at pony eye-guards from a wrong point of view. His analogy fails; his logic is out of joint. Suppose the guard he has in mind can only guard the eye from “ side cuts,” it is good to that extent. Alternatively managers can get a better protector if they will speculate. The guard would not comply with the Coal Mines Act if not a reasonable protection. The mar- ket supplies good things; the official has the choice and duty to choose or invent—for the Patent Office is still open. Suppose the Government does require a guard for animals’ hips, what then ? As a matter of fact, in tools of a small character, the Home Office only insists on the use of things that enterprising colliery people find good things. A sensible official, if he notes a source of injury, will not require Government insistence to use anything to reduce cost or injuries (which nowadays mean cost). We should have less of the Government’s nose in mining matters if officials were more courageous to adopt things for lessening injury, even to horses. If “ Onlooker ” was not merely a looker-on in mining matters, I should recommend him to use as much courage in adopting things for safety (even of horses) as he no doubt would use in rescue work. That would stimulate invention, to prevent injuries. Up to lately it has been an act of commercial folly to invent, and market, pony guards. Now that they are technically compulsory, active inventors have a chance, and officials will no doubt soon have less room to grumble. In any case, a pony as a commercial tool is worth guarding from any injury, and this makes it worth while to get things that perform that duty. The old-time attitude of funk and commercial cowardice is giving way to a more enlightened attitude. A little more humanity is entering mining operations ; com- mercial enterprise is awakening even to the commercial value of eye-guards and other safety appliances, and at many collieries officials will soon be able to say, honestly, that “ we use everything we can to make operations— men and things—safe and profitable.” Meantime, the miner and the pony do not require “ mercy ”—they require the use of any reasonably practical means of preventing injury to them. C. M. April 7, 1913. ________________________ THE RUFFORD COLLIERY ACCIDENT. Sib,—I have read with serious interest your account of the shaft accident at Rufford pit, Mansfield, on February 7. Great bearing seems to have been put upon the clivvy, its strength and factor of safety— strength and factor of safety being all right in their place. Also, the means of light, and rope ladders. The chief cause of the accident seems to be neglected—i.e., the brakesman or operator not having proper and safe covering from the weather. If this had been con- structed by a proper individual, ordered as it ought to have been by the management, the accident would, at all events, not have happened. I consider the statement, “ Given the tackle they had, no reasonable foresight could have prevented the accident ”—absurd. But as regards preventing an accident of this kind again, do not let the thought of interfering with the speed of the work for want of a detaching hook—such as King’s patent or Ormerod’s—endanger the lives of workers in critical positions. If the safety detaching hook had been coupled to the rope first, and then the spring hook or clivvy attached below, in spite of the overwind the accident would not have happened. 6, South View, Chop well, John R. Walker. Co. Durham, April 14, 1913. _______________________ LONDON COAL EXCHANGE. Sir,—May I ask the privilege of a small space in your valuable paper for the following ? :— Is it not time that the coal trade as represented in London should rehabilitate itself, and seek suitable quarters for an Exchange ? The present meeting place, or building, is altogether unsuited for its needs and comfort. The accommodation is utterly inadequate to the numbers attending. The situation is most unpleasant, to put it mildly, and not in a convenient centre to reach. The trade as a body have no voice in, nor are they repre- sented or consulted in its management. The place is a public market—no one can hinder any Dick, Tom or Harry wandering across its floor at even its busiest time. There are many other matters one could mention, to show how unsuitable the building is for present- day needs. It is a scandal to the trade that people attending this market have to wade through the filth and slush of Billingsgate and rub shoulders with fish=porters and their hangers-on. I think it high time the trade meeting in London should have their own building, suitable to their requirements, managed and controlled by them. Our provincial friends shame us to action, and possibly the matter only needs ventilating for some gentleman of influence and position to make a move, either in calling a representative meeting or by forming a syndicate to suggest a site for building—King’s Cross for preference—being convinced the shares would be freely taken up and would prove to be a very profitable investment. For fear of trespassing on your valuable space, I will only say that the fire of discontent amongst the regular attendants, both buyers and sellers, on the London Exchange has been smouldering long enough, and they now think something should be done. Thanking you in anticipation, Colliery Agent. London, April 14, 1913. ________________________ PROPOSED NEW COASTING CHARTER. Sir,—The Committee of the Coal Trade of the Port of Plymouth have unanimously resolved to abide by their old-established charter-party conditions, which are the result of the experience of generations as well as of many legal decisions. At the conference in Newcastle last year, between shipowners, coal exporters and coast merchants, the chairman of the Plymouth Coal Importers plainly stated that the proposed voluminous and new conditions were not only vexatious, but imposed burdens that would not be tolerated except from necessity and under protest; and, further, that the old charter would be reverted to as soon as or whenever an opportunity offered. Preference will now be given to such British or foreign shipowners who are willing to accept the old- established Plymouth charter. G. F. Treleaven, Chairman. W. Cecil Wade, Hon. Sec. Capital and Counties Bank Chambers, 73, George-street, Plymouth, April 16, 1913. ____________________________________________________ THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, April 17. Dublin. The demand generally keeps active, and there is more business in the household trade than is usual at this season owing to the prolonged cold weather. Stocks have run very low as a consequence of the recent strike at Garston, and there is such a pressure for supplies at the other side that it will be some little time before they can possibly be brought up to a fair average. Prices are all keeping firm and without further change. Quotations in the city are as follow .-—Best Orrell, 27s. per ton; best Arley, 26s.; best Whitehaven, 25s.; best Wigan, 25s.; best kitchen, 24s.; best Orrell slack, 21s. ; best coke, 23s. per ton ; steam coals from 22s. per ton upwards. Irish coals at Arigna, County Leitrim:—Best coal, 15s. lOd. per ton; nuts, Ils. 8d.; culm, 9s. 2d. per ton at the pit mouth. The coaling vessels arriving during the past week amounted to 53, as compared with 62 the week previously, chiefly from Burry port, Partington, Preston, Whitehaven, Neath Abbey, Liverpool, Manchester, Girvan, Glasgow, Newport, Troon, Ayr, Irvine, Garston, Mary port, Cardiff, West Bank, Swansea, and Runcorn. The total quantity of coal discharged upon the quays was 23,300 tons. The prospect of the extensive coal- fields at Castlecomer being connected with one of the principal railway systems of the country, appears likely to be realised. An application is to be made for an Order in Council to authorise the construction, maintenance, and equipment of a line of tramway or light railway which will connect the pits with the main lines of traffic. Belfast. There is an active demand for all classes of coal in this port, and the recent high rates are well maintained. The present dearness of Scotch coals is due to the irregularity with which the miners are working, and the shortage of English house coal is accountable for the late advances in these qualities. Stocks are now being gradually replenished since the settlement at Garston, although steamers are still meeting with detention at the various shipping ports owing to the great pressure for supplies. City prices stand as follow:—Best Arley coal, 27s. 6d. per ton; Hartley, 26s. 6d.; Wigan, 25s. 6d.; Orrell nuts, 26s. 6d.; Scotch house, 23s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 23s. 6d. Current quotations ex-quay: —Arley house coal, 24s. per ton ; Scotch household, 20s. 6d.; Scotch steam coal, 17s. to 18s. per ton ; navigation steam, 17s. to 18s.; Welsh steam, 20s. ; English steam slack, 17s. per ton delivered. Cargoes arriving during the week were chiefly from Ayr, Garston, Glasgow, Troon, Campbeltown, Partington, Ellesmere Port, Burryport, Ardrossan, Fleet- wood, Irvine, Neath Abbey, Preston, Newport, Point of Aire, Lydney, Girvan, Cardiff, Runcorn, Maryport and Workington. THE HULL COAL TRADE. According to the return made by the Hull Corpora- tion’s coal inspector, Mr. W. Herbert Truman, 577,136 tons of coal were imported into Hull during March— 541,426 tons by rail and 35,710 tons by river—as compared with 305,328 tons in March 1912. The total for the first quarter of the present year was 1,802,520 tons as against 1,344,224 tons last year. The following were the quantities consigned in those periods from the principal shipping collieries :— J anuary J anuary Name of colliery. to March to March 1913. 1912. Tons. Tons. Allerton By water ........ 28,<'66 ... 13,768 Allerton Main (Bowers) ... 13,672 ... 9,376 Aldwarke Main .......... 44,684 ... 36,128 Ackton Hall .............. 24,956 ... 14,424 Birley ................... 20,044 ... 13,104 Brods worth .............. 46,698 ... 32,008 Barrow .................. 10,701 ... 8,112 Bentley .................. 81,800 ... 70,256 Bullcroft.................. 54,853 ... 1,152 Cortonwood .............. 15,835 ... 16,296 Carlton Main, Grimthorpe and Frickley............ 127,548 ... 119,856 Dalton Main.............. 64,898 ... 60,024 Denaby and Cadeby Main ... 188,221 ... 140,480 Dinnington .............. 34,959 ... 55,720 Elsecar .............;.................. 30,021 ... 31,720 Glapwell.................. 20,637 ... 17,640 Garforth.................. 27,077 ... 18,736 Glass Houghton .......*......... 81,923 ... 33,496 Houghton Main .......... 13,330 ... 9,976 Hoyland Silkstone ........ 12,747 ... 6,232 Hardwick ................ 15,719 ... 7,048 Hickleton ................ 45,356 . 43,368 Kilnhurst and Thrybergh ... 25,945 ... 18,328 Low Laithe .............. 23,516 ... 9,056 Man vers Main ............ 50,301 ... 50,624 Mitchell Main ............ 24,140 ... 13,792 Monkton Main............ 10,294 ... 12,200 Monk Bretton ............ 12,610 ... 20,240 Maltby .................. 32,181 ... 6,688 Mansfield ................ 21,848 ... 28,448 New Sharlston............ 10,118 ... 8,400 Prince of Wales* Castle ... 23,460 ... 11,320 Peckfield ................ 36,661 ... 16,576 Rothervale .............. 15,126 ... 7,224 Staveley.................. 21,386 ... 23,352 Shireoaks ................ 12,146 ... 10,752 South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth ........ 57,438 ... 16,976 Sherwood ................ 15,031 ... 17,280 Thorncliffe .............. 37,216 ... 26,536 Wharncliffe Silkstone ..... 16,218 ... 19,344 West Riding and Silkstone... 20,415 ... 14,480 Wo mb well Main .......... 44,167 ... 35,080 Whit wood ................ 43,394 ... 18,752 Wheldale and Fryston..... 33,176 ... 31,488 Wath Main .............. 26,456 ... 32,184 Coastwise shipments from Hull in March amounted to 99,840 tons, and exports to 377,760 tons as against 83,158 tons ; and in the first quarter of the year 271,629 tons were despatched coastwise, whilst 915,911 tons were exported as against 519,715 tons in the corresponding period of 1912. During March, the Denaby and Cadeby Main Company sent 83,044 tons as compared with 9,488 tons in March 1912, and the Carlton Main, Grimthorpe and Frickley Company contributed 34,561 as against 40,344 tons. Other collieries sending quantities exceeding 10,000 tons were the following (arranged in order of aggregate tonnage) :—Glass Houghton, Bentley, Dalton Main, South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth, Bullcroft, Manvers Main, Aldwarke Main, Brodsworth, Thorncliffe, Hickleton, Womb well Main, Whitwood, Maltby, Dinnington, Wheldale and Fryston. __________________ THE BY-PRODUCTS TRADE. Tar Products.—The market is quiet but fairly steady. Pitch keeps much about the same, and benzols are firm. Naphthas and creosote unchanged. Carbolics, however, continue to fall away in price, and apparently without any corresponding improvement in the demand. Nearest values are:— Benzols, 90’s ................................ Do. 50*s ................................ Do. 90’s North......................... Do. 50’s North......................... Toluol...................................... Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) .......... Do. crystals (40 per cent.)................. Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ... Crude ditto (in bulk) ....................... Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............ Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ..................... Do. (f.a.s. west coast) ..................... Do. (f.o.b. gas companies) ................. 1/ /10i /Il to /11| /IO /10| 1/6 to 1/7 /5| to /5| 49/6 to 50/ 48/ to 49/ 50/ to 51/ Sulphate of Ammonia—Owing to indifferent export figures and an easier American market, the tone here is weaker, but too much stress must not be laid on the quota- tions of the moment when estimating the state of the market as a whole. The support which is given to the “ bears*’ in some quarters is almost unintelligible, especially as nitrate of soda is also distinctly lower in price. Closing prompt prices are :— London (ordinary makes)____.................. £13/5/ Beckton (March-April)..................... £13/15/ Liverpool........................... £14/1/3 Hull ............................... £13/18/9 to £14/ Middlesbrough .................... £13/17/6 Scotch ports......................... £14/1/3 to £14/5/ Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt. ... ll/10| [Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cent, dis- count; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowanct for refraction, nothing for excess.]