May 9, 1913.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

969

FOSSIL FLORA OF THE PEMBROKESHIRE
COALFIELD.

At a recent meeting of the Geological Society a
communication ,f On the Fossil Flora of the Pembrokeshire
Portion of the South Wales Coalfield,” by Reginald H.
Goode, B.A., was made by Dr. E. A. Newell Abbeb, M.A.,
F.G.S.

It stated that of the 53 determinable species of fossil
plants obtained from the Pembrokeshire portion of the
South Wales coalfield, three are new species. One may be
referred to Linopteris brongniarti Gutb., a plant which has
not with certainty been found before in Britain.

From the palseobotanical evidence it is clear that the
so-called “ Pennant grit ” of Pembrokeshire cannot be
regarded as the equivalent of the pennant grit of the main
portion of the South Wales coalfield : for the plants indicate
that these beds are middle coal measures, and do not belong
to the transition series. The lower coal series also clearly
belongs to the middle coal measures ; and the settling beds,
and perhaps the falling cliff beds as well, lie probably at a
higher horizon than the lower coal series as developed
farther east along the Saundersfoot coast, and even possibly
higher than the timber vein group. Until more plants have
been obtained from the so-called “ millstone grit ” of Pem-
brokeshire, it is impossible to fix definitely the horizon of
these beds from the palseobotanical evidence. However,
from the fossil plants obtained in the so-called “ Millstone
Grit” of Monkstone Point, and in neighbouring beds
belonging to the lower coal series, between which there
is no apparent unconformity, it is evident that these
particular beds, assigned to the millstone grit, probably
belong to the middle coal measures.

When the fossil plants which have been obtained from
the Pembrokeshire coalfield are compared with those which
have been recorded from the main South Wales coalfield,
it is evident that there are considerable differences in the
occurrence of the species. Thirty-two fossil plants have
been obtained from the middle coal measures of Pembroke-
shire which have not as yet been recorded from those of the
main South Wales coalfield, and hence are additions to the
knowledge of the flora of the middle coal measures of South
Wales.

In the discussion that followed, Dr. Arbeb congratulated
the author on the very considerable additions which he had
made to our knowledge of the fossil flora of South Wales.
Among the new species of Linopteris described by the
author appeared to be the long-expected homoeomorph of
Neuropteris scheuchzeri Hoffm. The fact that all the plants
described by the author indicated a middle coal measure
horizon was certainly a remarkable conclusion ; but the
speaker felt less surprised at this result, now that the
horizon of the beds in the Forest of Dean coalfield on the
eastern side of the great South Wales coalfield was known.
So far, it would appear safer to assume that the Pembroke-
shire, South Wales, and Forest of Dean coalfields were
unrelated areas, except tectonically.

Prof. O. T. Jones said that in many parts of Pembroke-
shire it was clear that there was an unconformity at the
base of the Millstone Grit, so that it was conceivable that
higher portions of the upper carboniferous might thereby
rest upon carboniferous limestone. Against this supposition
there were several facts—(1) In other parts of Pembroke-
shire there was a close connection between the higher beds
of the limestone and the basal members of the millstone
grit, thus rendering it improbable that a physical break
existed there; (2) The Millstone Grit of Pembrokeshire
was exceedingly similar in its succession of lithological
characters to that of the north outcrop of the coalfield
farther east (Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan), where strict
conformity prevails, and a perfectly gradual transition
occurs between the two formations. Either, therefore, th^
millstone grit of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire arfe
of the same middle coal measure age, and the repre-
sentatives of the underlying lower coal measures must
be looked for among the carboniferous limestone
series; or they are of different ages, in which case
the two similar formations would be homotaxial but
not contemporaneous: or, again, the apparent con-
formity between the formations is illusory, and
conceals a great break in the physical history of these
regions. Further, various parts of the millstone grit of
South Wales have yielded marine fossils which have been
claimed as Pendleside species. If this determination is
correct, it is hardly compatible with the middle coal
measure age suggested by the author.

Mr. E. E. L. Dixon commented on the lack of evidence of
lower coal measures in South Wales. In Pembrokeshire a
continuous sequence from carboniferous limestone into coal
measures was, unfortunately, nowhere observable along the
south side of the coal basin, where greater freedom from
unconformities might be expected than along the north
side. However, there was no doubt that the coast section
north of Tenby included part of the Pendleside series, and
that a considerable thickness of strata intervened between
the latter and the lowest of the beds that had yielded a
middle coal measure flora. The rocks were chiefly marine,
and had yielded few plants ; again, they were interrupted
by several disturbances of unknown magnitude. Hence, it
would be premature, in the present state of our
knowledge, to say that a representative of the lower

coal measures does not exist on the south side
of the Pembrokeshire coalfield. South of the main
part of the South Wales coalfield, a representative might
possibly be found north of the carboniferous limestone of
the Gower peninsula; for there the Pendleside series, with
Glyphioceras spirals, was in evidence and, doubtless, passed
up into the coal measures through an intermediate series of
shales with sandstones. Unfortunately, there was no
continuous coast section.

Dr. T. F. Sibly spoke of the difficulties which were being
revealed in increasing degree by progress in the zonal
investigation of the lower and upper carboniferous rocks.
Palaeontological studies had shown that the marine lower
carboniferous extended to higher horizons in the Midland
regions than in South Wales; while palaeobotanical evidence
indicated that the upper carboniferous of the Midlands
included lower horizons than had been detected in the upper
carboniferous of South Wales. He suggested that the
solution of the problem might ultimately be found in the
existence of at least one widespread unconformity or break
within the carboniferous succession of South Wales and the
adjoining regions. With reference to the question of the
age of the millstone grit, mentioned by a previous speaker,
he drew attention to the fact that the Pennant grit trans-
gressed persistently from lower to higher floral horizons in
passing eastwards from Pembrokeshire to Merionethshire
and the Forest of Dean; and he suggested that an explana-
tion involving similar transgression, but upwards from east
to west, might be applicable to a portion at least of the
millstone grit of South Wales.

Prof. Hull pointed out that the dissimilarity between the
South Wales Coalfield and those of the Midlands was amply
to be accounted for on the grounds that these coal areas
were never connected, but were separated one from the
other by a ridge of pre-carboniferous rocks, extending from
North Wales and Shropshire into the centre and east of
England under the mesozoic formations. With regard to
the lower coal measures of South Wales, they differed from
the succeeding middle and upper divisions, as they contained
numerous species of marine shells, such as Productus, Orthis,
Nautilus, &c. These marine, though shallow water, deposits
were succeeded by deposits of fresh water origin.

COLLIERY ACCIDENTS.

Birchenwood.

An inquest was held by Mr. W. M. Huntbach, at the
Hanley Town Hall recently, on the body of William
Levey Shaw, aged 26 years, fitter, who was suffocated in a
tar still at Birchenwood Colliery on March 28.

William Nixon, fitter, stated that about 4 o’clock in the
afternoon of March 28, he went with Shaw to the still which
the jury had seen that morning, in order to remedy some
defect in a steam connection. The still had been empty a
whole week before the accident; it had been out of action
since the Sunday before. Sometimes it was difficult to
detect gases, but he would be better able to do so than
deceased. When the still-man and witness went into the
still to render help to Shaw they had ropes attached to their
bodies, and could easily be drawn out by the men who held
the ropes. It was the practice when entering a tar still to
keep ropes at hand for that purpose. They did not use
them because they did not think there was any danger.

The still-man, William Jones, said it was usual to allow
a still to be emptied three or four days before anyone
entered it. An injector was used to draw out the gases.
The injector was not acting at this particular time, owing
to the pipe having got stopped up. Upon examination, he
found liquor in the pipe; it was nearly full of liquor. He
pushed a rod down the pipe and it began then to draw. In
cross-examination he said he knew of no other means
of testing the safety of the still without going down
and smelling. It would be better if the manhole were
larger.

Evidence was then given by Thomas David Young,
manager of the Mond gas plant at the colliery; William
Jackson, plumber; and Joseph West, manager of the coke
oven and by-product plant, as to the work of attempted
rescue, in which Jones, Nixon and Jackson were over-
powered by the gas; Mr. Young eventually succeeding,
with the aid of a smoke helmet, in getting a rope round
Shaw’s body so that he could be drawn from the still. Mr.
Young said the manhole was of standard size and to
increase it would be a disadvantage.

Mr. West attributed the accident to a pipe becoming
partly blocked by an accumulation of oil preventing the gas
taking its proper course and causing a back pressure. He
thought the oils had become vaporised, and got into the
pipes, where they had become cdndensed. The firm had
found!by this experience that it would have been better if
the stills had been separated, as regarded the injectors, and
that was the procedure they were going to follow. It
would] be a’remedy which would obviate anything of the
kind happening again. He agreed that it was difficult to
keep a larger manhole airtight. There were always a
couple offcropes on the still, and there were printed rules, in
which it was required that no one should enter the still
without having a rope attached to him.

A verdict^of “ Accidental death ” was returned.

MEDITERRANEAN COAL TRADE : NEW
CHARTER.

The new North-East Coast Mediterranean Coal Charter
has now been approved and adopted, and will come into
operation on July 1 next. The new document, which is to
apply to the north-east coast and the Humber, but excludes
Scotland and Wales, is the result of a long series of
meetings in Newcastle between the shipowners’ local docu-
mentary committee and a committee of local coal exporters,
which was appointed through the Newcastle Chamber of
Commerce. The new charter contains several important
changes, of which we may summarise the following:—

In clause 3, regarding the loading of steamers, owing to
the recent institution of “ weekly pays ” at the collieries,
there has been inserted in the excepted periods: “ Non-
working Saturdays to 6 a.m. Mondays, and from 4 p.m.
on other Saturdays to 6 a.m. Mondays,” but in the
Humber district“ 6 p.m. Saturdays to 6 a.m. Mondays ” has
been conceded. If notice is given upon a non-working
Saturday, time begins from 9 a.m. the following working
day.

The alteration of the rates on demurrage in loading is an
important change in the new charter. For steamers of
1,200 tons cargo, the rate is fixed at 15s. per hour. . For
steamers of over 1,200 tons cargo to under 1,600 tons net
register, the old rate of 16s. 8d. per hour is retained; but for
steamers of 1,600 tons net register and over, the rate is
16s. 8d. for every running hour for the first 72 hours of
demurrage, and, afterwards, is |d. per net register ton for
every running hour. Thus, for instance, a steamer of
6,000 tons cargo (say 3,000 tons net register) would require
to be paid about 31s. per hour.

The mutual exemption clause has been entirely eliminated,
and a new strike and lock-out clause inserted in its place.
In the case of work being stopped by a strike or lock-out for
six running days during loading time, the charter-party
becomes null and void; formerly, the merchants had eight
days. A new clause is that which provides that when cargo
is on board when a strike takes place, the owners of the ship
may give 24 hours’ notice not earlier than the expiration of
the six days, to complete the voyage with such part cargo
on charter terms, and unless the quantity shipped exceeds
80 per cent, of the steamer’s capacity, the owners have the
right to buy the balance at the f.o.b. price current on the
date of such notice.

In Clause 7, there is an addition to the “ act of God ”
conditions, by which owners shall not be liable for any delay
in the commencement or prosecution of the voyage due to
strike or lock-out of seamen or other persons necessary for
the steamer’s performance of her charter, and the owners
also have the right to deviate for the purpose of saving
life or property or adjusting compasses.

The cessor clause has been improved, and now reads;
“ That the charterer’s liability shall cease as soon as the
cargo is shipped, and the advance of freight, dead freight
and demurrage in loading (if any) paid, or deposit made, of
the sum in dispute, the owners having, and relying only on
their lien on the cargo for freight, demurrage in discharge
and average.”

Finally, Clause 14 provides for the settlement of any
dispute in the charter party by arbitration under the
Arbitration Act of 1889.

THE BY-PRODOCTS TRADE.

Tar Products.—Things are rather quiet, but prices keep
much about the same. Pitch is steady and benzols hold
well. Carbolic continue feeble. Nearest values are:—
Benzols, 90’s ............................. l/0|	to 1/1

Do.	50’s ................................ /10|

Do. 90’s North........................... 1/

Do.	50’s North........................ /10

Toluol.....................................   /10i

Carbolic acid, crude (60 per cent.) ...... 1/5 to 1/5|

Do. crystals (40 per cent.)............. /5£

Solvent naphtha (as in quality and package) ...	l/0|

Crude ditto (in bulk) ........................ /5|

Creosote (for ordinary qualities) ............ /3£

Pitch (f.o.b. east coast) ................ 47/6 to 48/

Do. (f.a.s. west coast) .................. 47/ to 48/

Do. (f.o.b. gas companies) ................ 51/

[Bensols, toluol, creosote, solvent naphtha, carbolic acidtr
usually casks included unless otherwise stated, free on rails at
makers* works or usual United Kingdom ports, net. Pitch
f.o.b. net.']

Sulphate of Ammonia.—The market keeps to the easy
side, and not unnaturally buyers are glad to make the
most of the impending holiday interval. There is next to
nothing doing for forward delivery, and prices are largely
nominal. Closing prompt prices are:—

London (ordinary makes)................. £12/18/9

Beckton (March-April)................ —

Liverpool.....................:..... J813/13/9	to £13/15

Hull .................................... £13/13/9

Middlesbrough .......................... £13/12/6

Scotch ports.........................£13/16/3	to £13/18/9’

Nitrate of soda (ordinary) per cwt.	...	11/9

[Sulphate of ammonia, f.o.b. in bags, less 2| per cont. dis-
count ; 24 per cent, ammonia, good grey quality; allowance
for refraction, nothing for excess."J

Stead (J.) and Co." Limited.—This private company has
been registered, with a capital of £8,000 in £1 shares (1,000*
cumulative preference), to carry on the business of manu-
facturers of and dealers in iron and brass foundry, forgings,
&c. First directors, J. Stead (chairman and managing
director), A. Stead and J. A. Stead. Registered office,.
Manor Works, Cricket Inn-road, Sheffield.