872 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. April 25, 1913. New Devices for the Drying and Briquetting of Coal. (Neue Vorrichtungen zum Trocknen und Brikettieren von Kohle.) W. Heckmann. “Braunkohle,” 1912, 11, 36, p. 574-8; 2 fig. 2s. 6d. Pit Coal Briquetting with Addition of Naphthalene. (Steinkohlenbrikettierung mit Naphtalinzusatz.) Grahn. “ Gliickauf,” 1912, 43, p. 1764-6; 3 fig. 2s. 9d. Progress in By-product Recovery at Coke Ovens. J. E. Christopher. “ Colliery Guard.,” vol. 105, 2729, p. 749; 8 fig. (Abst. paper read before Soc. Chem. Ind.) 6d. XXIII —Coke Ovens. On Coke. (Uber Koks.) “Stein Braunkohle,” 1912, 22,251-3 ; 1912, 23, p. 263-5, 24, p. 175-7. Coke Oven Gases : their Utilisation and Applications. (Les gaz des fours a coke ; leur utilisation leurs appli- cations.) A. Gouvy. “ Metallurgie,” January 22, 1913, p. 60. (Abstracted from Bull, de la Societe des Ingenieurs Civils de France.) 8s. 6d. The “ Moore ” Patent Water-jacketed Producer with By-product Recovery. “ Iron Coal Trades Rev.,” February 21, p. 299 ; ill. Is. Coking and Coking Plants at Gasworks. (Kokereiwesen und Kokereien als Leuchtgasanstalten.) Wilhelm Mayn. “ Mitt. Unterweser-Bez. Ver D. Ing.,” 1912, 5, p. 4-5. (Survey of cokable fuels. Old furnaces for the coking of hard coal.) Improvements in the Coke Industry. (Neuerungen der Kokerei-industrie.) A. Gobiet. “ Montan. Rdsch.,” 1912, 19, p. 1055-59 ; 20, p. 1110-3 ; 7 fig. Utilisation of Coke Oven Gases for the Production of Nitric Acid from Nitrogen contained in Air. (Aus- nutzung der Koksofengase zur Gewinnung von Salpetersaeure aus dem Stickstoff der Luft.) “ Stahl Eisen,” 1912, 38, p. 1571-7 ; 7 fig. 2s. 9d. The Coke Oven Industry with the Regeneration of Heat. (La Industria de los Hornos de Cok con Regeneracion de Calor.) Eugene Lecocq. “ Revista Minera,” January 1, 1913, p. 1. Coking and By-product Plant at Clifton Colliery, Cumberland. “ Iron Coal Trades Rev.,” January 17, 1913, p. 89-91 ; ill. Is. Ammonia Distilling Apparatus at Tar Coking Plants. (Ammoniak Destillatier Apparate auf Teerkokereien.) Thau. “ Gliickauf,” January 18, p. 77 ; ill. ; January 25,1913, p. 120 ; ill. 8s. 3d. XXIV.—Fuels, Testing, &c. The Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for the Study of Coal at Muehlheim, Ruhr. (Das Kaiser Wilhelm Institut fuer Kohlenforschung zu Miihlheim, Ruhr.) “ Stahl Eisen,” 1912,46, p. 1897-8. (Report on the foundation of the Institute.) 2s. 9d. A Method of Proximate Analysis for the Commercial Evaluation of Coal. “ Engin. Contract.,” vol. 39, 5, p. 119-21. Is. 3d. Why Proximate Coal Analyses Differ. A. 0. Fieldner. “ Coal Age,” vol. 3, 7, p. 260-3; diagr. Is. 3d. The Purchase of Coal on Basis of Guarantees. (Kohlen- einkauf auf Grund von Garantien.) R. Niibling. “ JI. Gasbeleuchtg.,” vol. 55, 47, p. 1141-3. Heating Tests with Silesian Coal. (Heizversuche mit schlesischen Kohlen.) “ D. Kohlen-Ztg.,” 1912, 45, p. 543-4. Is. 3d. Accuracy and Limitations of Coal Analysis. A. 0. Fieldner. “ Coal Tr. Bull.,” February 1, 1913, p. 49. Observations on the Classification of Coals. A. J. J. Vandevelde. “ Bull. Soc. Chim. Belgique,” January 1913, p. 15. Chemical Interpolation of Anthracite. M. S. Hachita. “Mines Minerals,” February 1913, p. 373; ill. (A method of rapidly determining the composition of commercial anthracite. Paper read before Lacka- wanna Chem. Soc.) 2s. 2d. On the Chemical Characterisation of Brown Coal and Hard Coal. (Zur chemischen Charakteristik der Stein- und Braunkohlen.) Ed. Donath. “ Kohle Erz,” 1912, 50, p. 1299-300. 2s. 6d. The Deterioration and Spontaneous Combustion of Gas Coal. P. Barker. “ JI. Am. Soc. Meeh. Eng.,” vol. 35, 2. p. 279-284. An Important Advance in Coal Storage. W. E. Hamilton. “ Coal Age,” vol. 3, 9, p. 334-6 ; ill. Is. 3d. Avoiding Degradation of Coal on Lake Docks. “ Black Diamond,” January 11, 1913, p. 15 ; ill. The Storage of Coal in Heaps. (Lagerung der Kohlen in Stapeln.) “D. Kohlen-Ztg.,” 1912, 38, p. 453-4. Is. 3d. Model Specifications and Conditions of Contract for the Purchase of Coal. “ Colliery Guard.,” vol. 105, 2727, p. 709. (Agreed forms of contract for London electricity works.) 6d. Small Coal and Dust: Its Production, Prevention, Treatment, and Utilisation. J. D. Paton. “ Colliery Guard.,” vol. 105, 2728, p. 747. (Abst. paper read before Manchester Geol. Min. Soc.) 6d. XXV—Steam Engines and Boilers. Methods of Burning Anthracite Coaldust. W. Kavanagh. “ Meeh. World,” vol. 53, 1360, p. 39-40. 5d. Pulverised Coal as Fuel. H. R. Barnhurst. “ Metallurg. Chem. Engin.,” vol. 11, 3, p. 127-9 ; fig. Cost of Producing Power in Iowa with Iowa Coals. H. W. Wagner, “ Bull.” 29, Eng. Exp. Stat., Iowa State College, vol. 2, No. 3, 36 p. XXVI.—Compressed Air. Testing of a Turbo Compressor at the Westerholt Pit. (Untersucbung eines Turbokompressors auf der Zeche Westerholt.) “ Gliickauf,” 1912, 47 p., 1913-6; 2 fig. 2s. 9d. Compressor for Charging Compressed Air Mining Locomotives. “ Engineering,” vol. 95, 2458, p. 188-9; r ill. (Constructed by the Berliner Maschinenbau A.G. vorm. L. Schwarzkopff, Berlin.) Is. 3d. XXVII.—Electricity. Electricity: A Short Paper Addressed to Colliery Managers. R. Nelson. “Trans. Inst. Min. Engin.,” vol. 45,1, p. 156-64. 8s. General Fundamental Rules for the Operation of Electrical Equipment Underground. (Allgemeine Grundsatze fuer den Betrieb electrischer Anlagen unter Tage.) Koneczny. “Gluckauf,” January 18, 1913, p. 86. 2s. 9d. The Supervision of Electrical Plant. H. J. Humphreys. “ Iron Coal Trades Rev.,” February 21, p. 291. Is. Colliery Cables. W. T. Anderson. “ Trans. Inst. Min. Engin.” vol. 45,1, p. 122-54; 15 fig. 8s. The Electric Motor in Mining. (Der Elektromotor im Bergbau.) “ Vulkan,” 1912, 25, p. 103. 2s. 6d. Practical Experiences in the Earthing as Protection in Power Plants in Upper Silesia. (Praktische Erfahr- ungen mit der Erdung als Schutzmittel in elektrischen Starkstromanlagen auf den Industriewerken Ober- schlesiens.) W. Vogel. “ Z. Oberschles. Berg. Hiitten- Ver.,” 191?, 12, p. 531-48; 10 fig. 2s. 6d. Electrical Apparatus in Gaseous Mines. (Elektrische Anlagen in Schlagwetttergruben.) Lisse. “ Kali, Erz, Kohle,” January 15, 1913; ill. (Abstract of address before the General Mining Congress in Vienna.) Colliery Cables. “Colliery Guard.,” vol. 105, 2728, p. 749. (Discussion on W. T. Anderson’s paper before Manchester Geol. Min. Socy.) 6d. XXIX, —Sanitation, Diseases, &c. A Physiological Explanation of Miners’ Nystagmus. “ Ilium. Eng.,” vol. 6, 3, p. 122. XXX. —Mining Laws, Royalties. The Legal and Economic Position of the Coalmines in Heraclea, Asia Minor. (Die rechtlichen und wirt- schaftlichen Verhaeltnisse im Steinkohlengebiet von Heraklea in Kleinasien.) Kern. “ Berg- Hiitten- mann Rdsch.,” 1912, 8, 15, p. 163-9. The Federal Law and its Effect on the Miner. W. W. Bradley. “ Min. World Eng. Rec.,” vol. 38,1, p. 15-6. Is. 3d. The New General Regulations: Objections. “ Colliery Guard.,” vol. 105, 2727, p. 744. (Summary of statutory objections made by various bodies to the draft General Regulations.) 6d. Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces the dissolution of the following partnerships :—H. G. Devas, H. Nevill, and F. H. Druce, carrying on business as copper smelters and merchants, at Corbet-court, Gracechurch- street, London, and at Llanelly, under the style of Nevill, Druce and Co., so far as concerns F. H. Druce; T. Lawrence and J. H. Tyrrell, carrying on business as haulage and general contractors, corn and coal merchants, at Nutfield, Surrey, under the style of Lawrence and Tyrrell, so far as regards T. Lawrence; J. Drennan, W. S. Glover, and J. K. Cooper, carrying on business as electrical, mechanical and mining engineers, at Corn Exchange-buildings, Manchester, and at Milburn House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, under the style of Drennan, Glover, and Cooper. Mining Institute of Scotland.—It is officially announced that the council of the Mining Institute of Scotland have appointed Mr. George L. Kerr, mining engineer, Glasgow, to be the new secretary in succession to Mr. James Barrow- man, Staneacre, Hamilton, who has retired. Mr. Kerr is well known to most of the mining men in Scotland, having for 11 years acted as inspector of accidents in mines to the Scottish Mineowners* Association. Prior to that he had experience of all grades of mining, from pony-driver to manager, while for some years he was lecturer in mining and mine surveying under the County Councils of Lanark, Linlithgow and Stirling. A prolific writer on mining subjects, Mr. Kerr is joint author with Prof. Daniel Burns, of the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, of Modern Practice in Coal Mines. He has been the energetic secretary of the Scottish Branch of the National Association of Colliery Managers since its inception three years ago. ABSTRACTS OF PATEHT SPECIFICATIONS RECENTLY ACCEPTED. 32 (1913). Improvements in Conveyors. William Beard- more and Co. Limited, of Parkhead Forge, Rolling Mills and Steelworks, Glasgow, and R. Clark, of 9, Macdougal- street, Parkhead, Glasgow.—This invention has for its object to provide a simple and effective form of conveyor for material in bulk—such as coal, grain, ore or the like—of the kind in which a step-by-step movement is imparted to the material by reciprocated spade-like blades or “ push plates.” A conveyor unit made according to the invention is of the type comprising a trough member in which there may be discharge apertures, a carriage supported over and reciprocable longitudinally of the trough, on the carriage a series of rocking shafts transverse to the trough, on the rocking shafts and depending into the trough a series of spade-like blades, means such as a crank and connecting rod for reciprocating the carriage, and means for oscillating the blades. According to the invention, means are provided for oscillating the blades relatively to the reciprocating movement in such phase that they have effective action on the material in the trough, and these means consist of a lever moving bodily with the blades, connected by a connecting rod with them at one end, and at the other end engaging a cam member in suchwise that from the cam member there is imparted to the blades an oscillating movement in addition to their reciprocating movement. The improved conveyor may consist of one such unit or of a series thereof. Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a plan and a side elevation thereof in one position, fig^ 3 a side elevation in another position, fig 4 an end elevation of the conveyor proper, and fig. 5 an end elevation of the operating gear. (Three claims.) 13294 (1912). Improvements in or relating to Safety Detaching Hooks for Mine Cages. J. F. Barker, of 92, Hat- field-road, Ipswich.—In safety hooks of the King pattern as at present constructed, one pin and shackle at the bottom is used only for the support of the cage and load. In fast overwinds, the cage rises by momentum after the hook has become detached from the rope, thus slackening the bridle chains; but in dropping back, the backlash of the latter has caused the pin of the bottom shackle to shear, or the bull- ring of the bridle chains has been fractured, and the cage with its load precipitated to the bottom of the shaft, and many fatal accidents are recorded in consequence. To o 0 © o/ / I J \\o FIG I guard against this in the future, it is proposed to use one, two, or more auxiliary shackles and pins with the bridle chains attached to the cage, and the same is performed in the following manner. The hook being composed of four plates (or less), the inner slotted and the outer with holes drilled through them at bottom, with holes drilled through the whole in the centre of the hook, pins are inserted, the bottom pin carrying a load shackle. To attach the additional shackle it is proposed preferably to lengthen the two outer plates sufficiently at the bottom, and insert between the same distance pieces the full width of the inside plates and thickness, and securely rivet them to the outer plates, but